SunTrust Banks (STI)

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”)

The ALLL represents the Company’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. The ALLL is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to expense and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. The ALLL is determined based on management’s assessment of reviews and evaluations of larger loans that meet the Company’s definition of impairment and the size and current risk characteristics of pools of homogeneous loans (i.e., loans having similar characteristics) within the portfolio.

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Impaired loans, except for smaller balance homogeneous loans, include loans classified as nonaccrual where it is probable that SunTrust will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is deemed impaired, the amount of specific allowance required is measured by a careful analysis of the most probable source of repayment, including the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs of disposition, or the loan’s estimated market value. In these measurements, management uses assumptions and methodologies that are relevant to estimating the level of impaired and unrealized losses in the portfolio. To the extent that the data supporting such assumptions has limitations, management’s judgment and experience play a key role in enhancing the ALLL estimates.

General allowances are established for loans and leases grouped into pools that have similar characteristics, including smaller balance homogeneous loans. The ALLL Committee estimates probable losses by evaluating several factors: historical loss experience, current internal risk ratings based on the Company’s internal risk rating system, internal portfolio trends such as increasing or decreasing levels of delinquencies, concentrations, and external influences such as changes in economic or industry conditions.

The Company’s financial results are influenced by the Company’s process for determining an appropriate level for its ALLL. This process involves management’s analysis of complex internal and external variables, and it requires that management exercise judgment to estimate an appropriate ALLL. As a result of the uncertainty associated with this subjectivity, the Company cannot assure the precision of the amount reserved, should it experience sizeable loan or lease losses in any particular period. For example, changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, economic conditions, historical loss experience, or the condition of various markets in which collateral may be sold could require the Company to significantly decrease or increase the level of the ALLL and the associated provision for loan losses. Such an adjustment could materially affect net income. For additional discussion of the allowance for loan and lease losses see page 34 – Provision for Loan Losses and page 34 through 36 – Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”)

The ALLL represents the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Committee’s (“ALLL Committee”) estimate of probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. The ALLL is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to expense and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. The ALLL is determined based on management’s assessment of reviews and evaluations of larger loans that meet the Company’s definition of impairment and the size and current risk characteristics of pools of homogeneous loans, i.e., loans having similar risk characteristics, within the portfolio. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to establishing the ALLL. The Controls and Procedures section on pages 51 through 52 provides further discussion surrounding this material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

Impaired loans include loans classified as nonaccrual, except for smaller balance homogeneous loans, where it is probable that SunTrust will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is deemed impaired, the amount of allowance required is measured by a careful analysis of the most probable source of repayment, including the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flow, the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs of disposition, or the loan’s estimated market value. In these measurements, management uses assumptions and methodologies that are relevant to estimating the level of impaired and unrealized, but inherent, losses in the portfolio. To the extent that the data supporting such assumptions and methodologies are continuously evolving, management’s judgment and experience play a key role in enhancing the ALLL process over time.

The ALLL Committee estimates probable losses inherent in pools of loans that have similar risk characteristics by an evaluation of several factors: historical loss experience, current internal risk ratings based on the Company’s internal risk rating system, internal portfolio trends such as increasing or decreasing levels of delinquencies and concentrations, and external influences such as changes in economic or industry conditions.

The Company’s financial results are substantially influenced by the Company’s process for determining an appropriate level for its ALLL. This process involves management’s analysis of complex internal and

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external variables, and it requires that management exercise subjective judgment to estimate an appropriate allowance level. As a result of the uncertainty associated with this subjectivity, the Company cannot assure the precision of the amount reserved, should it experience sizeable loan or lease losses in any particular period. For example, changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, economic conditions, historical loss experience, or the condition of various markets in which collateral may be sold could require the Company to significantly decrease or increase the level of the ALLL and the associated provision for loan losses. Such an adjustment could materially benefit or adversely affect net income. For additional discussion of the allowance for loan and lease losses, see pages 30 through 31.