Employment Expenses and Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employment Expenses and Benefit Plans

Note 20 - Employment Expenses and Benefit Plans

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, Synovus provided a 100% matching contribution on the first 4% of eligible employee 401(k) contributions for a total annual contribution of $9.9 million, $9.4 million, and $9.1 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, Synovus had a stock purchase plan for directors and employees whereby Synovus made contributions equal to 15% of every $1 of employee and director voluntary contributions according to the years of service schedule, subject to certain maximum contribution limitations. The funds are used to purchase outstanding shares of Synovus common stock. Synovus recorded as expense $835 thousand, $880 thousand, and $955 thousand for contributions to these plans in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Synovus also has a non-contributory profit sharing plan that covers all eligible employees. The company may contribute a discretionary contribution to this plan on an annual basis. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, Synovus did not make contributions to the profit sharing plan.