Just in case you missed the major marketing campaign Synovus rolled out this past week, Statesboro's Sea Island Bank, which was founded in Statesboro in 1901, will officially begin its rebranding to Synovus this week.
For Sea Island Bank customers, you probably already noticed subtle name changes on items such as your bank statement. Customers also received emails, letters and direct mail explaining the change.
Signage and other legacy branding at all Sea Island Bank branches will be updated with Synovus branding beginning this week and should be completed by the end of March. Sea Island Bank is one of 26 non-Synovus branded bank divisions to complete the footprint-wide brand transition, which will conclude in June 2018.
The message Synovus and Sea Island Bank is trying to communicate is that nothing really is changing other than the name. Synovus actually acquired our local Sea Island Bank in 1991 and has continued to operate the bank since then under the Sea Island Bank name.
"As a member of the Sea Island Bank advisory board since 1992, and a customer for 45 years, I couldn't be prouder of what this bank does for Statesboro/Bulloch County," said Bruce Yawn, former owner of Snooky's and chairman of the Synovus/Sea Island Bank local advisory board. "With the transition to the Synovus brand name, I know I'll be able to count on the same ‘bank of here' customer focus and community service everywhere the bank operates."
"We've been part of Synovus since 1991 and we're proud of the reputation we've built as a community-based and customer-focused bank in Statesboro, Metter, and everywhere we operate," said Chad Wiggins, Synovus market executive for Statesboro/Bulloch County. "Adopting the Synovus name while maintaining our local, relationship-centered delivery model will increase awareness of our regional presence, our financial capabilities, and our ability to meet the needs of customers and prospects."
Sea Island Bank's Statesboro branches are located at:
• 2 East Main Street
• 987 Lovett Road
• 600 Fair Road
• 205 Brampton Avenue
The bank's Metter branch is located at 47 South Lewis Street. Sea Island Bank also operates four branches in the Savannah market, which it entered in 2004.
The Sea Island Bank acquisition in 1991 was among more than 60 purchases that would make Synovus Georgia's second largest bank, with $31 billion in assets and a presence in five Southeastern states. Synovus Bank, is a Georgia-chartered, FDIC-insured bank that provides commercial and retail banking, investment and mortgage services together with its affiliates through 250 branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Synovus Bank was recognized as the "Most Reputable Bank" by American Banker and the Reputation Institute in 2017.
Please email DeWayne at dgrice@statesboroherald.com.