Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: SNV), the Columbus, Georgia-based financial services company, today announced the following management changes.

Curtis J. Perry was selected as Chief Commercial Officer of Synovus Financial Corp. Perry’s new responsibilities include leadership of the company’s commercial banking strategy, which focuses on meeting the needs of small and medium-sized business customers.

“We are pleased to have an individual with Curtis’ banking and leadership experience join our executive team to guide our business banking strategy and help position our company for future growth,” said Kessel D. Stelling, Acting CEO, President and COO of Synovus.  “Synovus is continuing to focus on meeting the needs of our middle market business customers with our relationship-driven, responsive local banking approach. Curtis will lead our bankers in maximizing our offerings to this valuable customer base.”

Perry, a 26-year banking veteran, began his career with Synovus as Senior Executive Vice President at Synovus’ First Commercial Bank in Birmingham in 2007. His background includes experience in loan production, credit management and private and institutional real estate trust fund lending. He is a 1985 graduate of Jacksonville State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics, and attended the Graduate Business School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In another move, William R. “Bill” Nigh has been named Regional CEO of Synovus Bank and President and CEO of The Bank of Nashville, a division of Synovus Bank. As a Regional CEO, Nigh will oversee the banking divisions in the Tennessee footprint, including The Bank of Nashville, Trust One Bank in Memphis and Cohutta Banking Company in Chattanooga, all of which are divisions of Synovus Bank. As the President and CEO of The Bank of Nashville, Nigh will lead the division in expanding the customer base in the market. Nigh succeeds J. Hunter Atkins, who served 10 years as President and CEO at The Bank of Nashville, and will remain Chairman of the bank’s local board.

“Bill has done an outstanding job strengthening the Memphis team over the past two years and is the right choice to lead the Nashville market and the entire Tennessee region,” said Stelling. “We are also grateful for Hunter’s service to The Bank of Nashville for the past decade, and his willingness to continue in his role as Chairman of the local board to ensure a smooth transition.”

In 1992, Nigh joined Synovus as a Vice President and Commercial Banking Manager with Columbus Bank and Trust Company in Columbus, Georgia. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Credit Officer of Synovus’ First Commercial Bank in Huntsville, Alabama from 2006 until 2008. Nigh was named President and CEO of Trust One Bank in 2008. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance.

Synovus is expected to complete the charter consolidation from 30 separate charters to one state charter with the consolidation of The Bank of Nashville and Trust One Bank in Memphis this week.