Accountants' Consent



The Board of Directors
Synovus Financial Corp.

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form
S-8 of Synovus Financial Corp. of our report dated January 12, 2000, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Synovus Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1999, and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1999, which report is incorporated by
reference in the December 31, 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Synovus
Financial Corp.



KPMG LLP



Atlanta, Georgia
February 16, 2001



















                                  Exhibit 23.1