SUNTRUST BANKS INC
S-3, 1997-04-17
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 17, 1997
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                               SUNTRUST CAPITAL I
                              SUNTRUST CAPITAL II
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Trust Agreement)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
                       DELAWARE                                        EACH TO BE APPLIED FOR
   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                    organization)
</TABLE>
 
                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
                       GEORGIA                                               58-1575035
   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                    organization)
</TABLE>
 
                           303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30308
                                 (404) 588-7711
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
                            RAYMOND D. FORTIN, ESQ.
                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
                           303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30308
                                 (404) 588-7165
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                          <C>
                      MARY A. BERNARD                                            SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND
                      KING & SPALDING                                  SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
                    120 WEST 45TH STREET                                           919 THIRD AVENUE
                  NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036                                     NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                       (212) 556-2100                                               (212) 735-3000
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
   APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined in
light of market conditions.
   If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
   If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
   If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [ ]
   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: [ ]
   If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================================================================
                                                                           PROPOSED            PROPOSED
               TITLE OF SECURITIES                     AMOUNT TO       MAXIMUM OFFERING    MAXIMUM AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF
                TO BE REGISTERED                     BE REGISTERED    PRICE PER SECURITY    OFFERING PRICE     REGISTRATION FEE
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Preferred Securities of SunTrust Capital I.......         (1)                 (2)                 (1)                 N/A
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of SunTrust Capital II......         (1)                 (2)                 (1)                 N/A
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guarantees by SunTrust Banks, Inc. of the
 above-referenced Preferred Securities...........         (3)                 (3)                 (3)                 N/A
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subordinated debt securities of SunTrust Banks,
 Inc.............................................         (1)                 (2)                 (1)                 N/A
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................     $600,000,000            N/A            $600,000,000          $181,818
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of the Preferred
    Securities of SunTrust Capital I and SunTrust Capital II (collectively, the
    "Trusts") issued under this Registration Statement exceed $600,000,000,
    exclusive of accrued interest and dividends, if any. A like amount of
    Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold by SunTrust Banks, Inc.
    ("SunTrust") to either of the Trusts, in which event such Subordinated Debt
    Securities may later be distributed for no additional consideration to the
    holders of the Preferred Securities of such Trust upon a dissolution of such
    Trust and the distribution of the assets thereof.
(2) The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to
    time in connection with the issuance of the securities registered hereunder.
(3) Includes the rights of holders of the Preferred Securities of the Trusts
    under the Guarantees and certain back-up undertakings, comprising the
    obligations of SunTrust to provide certain indemnities in respect of, and
    pay and be responsible for certain costs, expenses, debts and liabilities
    of, each Trust (other than with respect to such Preferred Securities) and
    such obligations of SunTrust as set forth in the Amended and Restated
    Declaration of Trust of each Trust and the Indenture, in each case as
    further described in the Registration Statement. The Guarantees, when taken
    together with SunTrust's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities,
    the Indenture and the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of each
    Trust, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated
    basis by SunTrust of payments due on the Preferred Securities of each Trust.
    No separate consideration will be received for any Guarantee or such back-up
    obligations.
 
   THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 17, 1997
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                          ---------------------------
 
                               SUNTRUST CAPITAL I
                              SUNTRUST CAPITAL II
                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                    FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
                          ---------------------------
 
     SunTrust Banks, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("SunTrust" or the "Company"),
may offer from time to time, in one or more series, subordinated debt securities
consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the
"Subordinated Debt Securities") in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of such offering. The Subordinated Debt Securities when
issued will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company's obligations
under the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and junior in right
of payment to certain other indebtedness, as may be described in a prospectus
supplement (a "Prospectus Supplement") accompanying this prospectus (the
"Prospectus").
 
     SunTrust Capital I and SunTrust Capital II (each, a "SunTrust Capital
Trust"), each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of
Delaware, may offer and sell, from time to time, preferred securities,
representing beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the respective
SunTrust Capital Trust ("Preferred Securities"). The Company will be the owner
of the common securities (the "Common Securities," and together with the
Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities") representing beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of such SunTrust Capital Trusts. The payment of periodic
cash distributions ("distributions") with respect to Preferred Securities of a
SunTrust Capital Trust out of moneys held by such SunTrust Capital Trust, and
payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred
Securities, will be guaranteed by SunTrust to the extent described herein (each
a "Preferred Securities Guarantee"). See "Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantees." SunTrust's obligations under the Preferred Securities
Guarantees will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain other
indebtedness of SunTrust as may be described in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold from time to
time in one or more series to a SunTrust Capital Trust, or a trustee of such
SunTrust Capital Trust, in connection with the investment of the proceeds from
the offering of Preferred Securities and Common Securities of such SunTrust
Capital Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a SunTrust Capital
Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Trust Securities in
connection with the dissolution of such SunTrust Capital Trust as may be
described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. The Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Preferred Securities and the related Preferred Securities
Guarantees are sometimes collectively referred to hereafter as the "Offered
Securities."
 
     Specific terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series or the
Preferred Securities of any SunTrust Capital Trust, the terms of which will
mirror the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such SunTrust
Capital Trust in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, will be
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to such securities, which
will describe, without limitation and where applicable, the following: (i) in
the case of
                                                        (Continued on next page)
                          ---------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                          ---------------------------
 
 THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND ARE NOT
 INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
                           AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY.
                 The date of this Prospectus is April   , 1997
<PAGE>   3
 
(continued from previous page)
 
Subordinated Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal
amount, denomination, maturity, premium, if any, any exchange, redemption or
sinking fund provisions, if any, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable),
if any, the time and method of calculating interest payments, if any, dates on
which premium and interest will be payable, the right of SunTrust, if any, to
defer payment of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities and the maximum
length of such deferral period, the initial public offering price, subordination
terms, and any listing on a securities exchange and other specific terms of the
offering; and (ii) in the case of Preferred Securities, the designation, number
of securities, liquidation preference per security, initial public offering
price, any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of
calculation thereof), dates on which distributions will be payable and dates
from which distributions shall accrue, any voting rights, terms for any exchange
into other securities, any redemption, exchange or sinking fund provisions, any
other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to
the Preferred Securities and the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of
the Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a specific series of
Subordinated Debt Securities of SunTrust. If so specified in the Prospectus
Supplement, Offered Securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of
one or more temporary or permanent global securities. If, as set forth in a
Prospectus Supplement, the Company has the right to defer payments of interest
on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment
period of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities, and the Company exercises
that right, distributions on the corresponding series of Preferred Securities
will also be deferred.
 
     If, as set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, the Company has the right to
defer payments of interest on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities by
extending the interest payment period of such series of Subordinated Debt
Securities, and the Company exercises that right, distributions on the
corresponding series of Preferred Securities will also be deferred.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to
be determined at the time of offering. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any
series of Offered Securities will contain information concerning the United
States federal income tax considerations applicable to the Offered Securities.
 
     SunTrust and/or each of the SunTrust Capital Trusts may sell the Offered
Securities directly to purchasers, through agents designated from time to time,
to dealers or through underwriters or a group of underwriters. If any agents of
SunTrust and/or any SunTrust Capital Trust or any underwriters or dealers are
involved in the sale of the Offered Securities, the names of such agents,
underwriters or dealers and any applicable commissions and discounts will be set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY SUNTRUST,
ANY SUNTRUST CAPITAL TRUST OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE
HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF SUNTRUST OR ANY SUNTRUST CAPITAL TRUST
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONSTITUTES AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY
STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE
PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE
TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") filed by SunTrust and the SunTrust Capital Trusts with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Offered Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in such Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, although it does include a
summary of the material terms of the Indenture (as defined herein) and the
Declaration of Trust (as defined herein) of each SunTrust Capital Trust to be
used in connection with the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities and
Preferred Securities, respectively. Reference is made to such Registration
Statement and to the exhibits thereto for further information with respect to
the Company, the SunTrust Capital Trusts and the Offered Securities. Any
statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC or
incorporated by reference herein are not necessarily complete, and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by
such reference.
 
     SunTrust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
Such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's Regional Offices in New York (13th Floor, 7
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048) and Chicago (Suite 1400, 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511). The Commission also maintains a
Web site at http://www.sec.gov. that contains reports, proxy statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. In addition, such reports, proxy statement and other information
concerning the Company can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
     No separate financial statements of the SunTrust Capital Trusts have been
included herein. SunTrust does not consider that such financial statements would
be material to holders of the Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting
securities of the SunTrust Capital Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly,
by SunTrust, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) the SunTrust
Capital Trusts have no independent operations and exist for the sole purpose of
issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in their
respective assets and investing the proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt
Securities issued by SunTrust, and (iii) SunTrust's obligations described herein
and in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement to provide certain indemnities in
respect of and be responsible for certain costs, expenses, debts and liabilities
of each of the SunTrust Capital Trusts under the Indenture and any supplemental
indenture thereto and pursuant to the applicable Declaration of Trust, the
applicable Preferred Securities Guarantee issued with respect to Preferred
Securities issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust, the Subordinated Debt
Securities purchased by such SunTrust Capital Trust and the Indenture, taken
together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of payments due on the
Preferred Securities. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities" and
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees."
 
     The SunTrust Capital Trusts are not currently subject to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act. The SunTrust Capital Trusts will become
subject to such requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, although they intend to seek and expect to receive exemptions
therefrom.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company hereby incorporates by reference in this Prospectus its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Offered Securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and shall be deemed a part hereof
from the date of
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
filing of such documents. Any statement contained in this Prospectus or any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein or therein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus or such accompanying Prospectus
Supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein or therein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this
Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference herein, except for
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents. Written requests for any such documents should be
sent to: James C. Armstrong, First Vice President -- Investor Relations,
SunTrust Banks, Inc., 303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308.
Telephone requests may be directed to 404-588-7425.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company is a regional bank holding company which, through its
subsidiary banks (the "Subsidiary Banks"), conducts a broad range of commercial
banking activities, including accepting demand, time and saving deposits, making
secured and unsecured business and consumer loans and leases, extending
commercial lines of credit, issuing and servicing credit cards and certain other
types of revolving credit accounts, providing commercial factoring services,
cash management services, investment counseling, safe deposit services, personal
and corporate trust and other fiduciary services and engaging in leasing,
mortgage banking, correspondent banking, international banking, investment
banking, trading in U.S. government securities and municipal bonds and
underwriting certain types of general obligation municipal bonds.
 
     Under the longstanding policy of the Federal Reserve Board, a bank holding
company is expected to act as a source of financial strength for its subsidiary
banks and to commit resources to support such banks. As a result of this policy,
the Company may be required to commit resources to the Subsidiary Banks in
circumstances where it might not otherwise do so.
 
     Because the Company is a holding company, its rights and the rights of its
creditors, including the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Preferred Securities Guarantees, to participate in the distribution and payment
of assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation or
recapitalization would be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's
creditors except to the extent that the Company may itself be a creditor with
recognized claims against the subsidiary.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 303 Peachtree
Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, and its telephone number is 404-588-7711.
 
CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed
charges of the Company. The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges has
been computed by dividing (i) net income plus all applicable income taxes plus
fixed charges by (ii) fixed charges. Fixed charges represent interest expense
(ratios are presented both including and excluding interest on deposits), and
the portion of net rental expense which is deemed to be equivalent to interest
on long-term debt. Interest expense (other than on deposits) includes interest
on long-term debt, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
to repurchase, mortgages, commercial paper and other funds borrowed.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                             1996    1995    1994    1993    1992
                                                             -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Including interest on deposits.............................  1.61x   1.61x   1.83x   1.87x   1.58x
Excluding interest on deposits.............................  3.30x   3.20x   4.24x   5.07x   4.70x
</TABLE>
 
                                   THE TRUSTS
 
     Each SunTrust Capital Trust is a statutory business trust formed under
Delaware law pursuant to (i) a separate declaration of trust (each a
"Declaration") executed by the Company, as sponsor for such trust (the
"Sponsor"), and the Trust Trustees (as defined herein) for such trust and (ii)
the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. Each
SunTrust Capital Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing its
Preferred Securities and Common Securities, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of
such Trust Securities in the Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in
only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Common
Securities of a SunTrust Capital Trust will rank pari passu, and payments will
be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities of such SunTrust Capital
Trust except that upon an event of default under the related Declaration, the
rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
Preferred Securities. The Company will, directly or indirectly, acquire Common
Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of the total
capital of each SunTrust Capital Trust.
 
     The number of trustees of each SunTrust Capital Trust (the "Trust
Trustees") shall initially be five. The duties and obligations of the Trust
Trustees shall be governed by the Declaration of such SunTrust Capital Trust.
Three of such Trust Trustees will be employees or officers of, or affiliated
with, the Company (the "Regular Trustees"). The fourth of such Trust Trustees
will be a financial institution that will be unaffiliated with the Company and
will act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the
terms set forth in a Prospectus Supplement (the "Institutional Trustee"). In
addition, unless the Institutional Trustee maintains a principal place of
business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, one Trust Trustee of each SunTrust Capital Trust will have its
principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware
Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the SunTrust
Capital Trusts and the offering of Trust Securities, the payment of which will
be guaranteed by the Company. No amendment or modification may be made to the
Declaration of a Trust that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or
special rights of the Trust Securities issued thereby without the approval of
the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of such Trust Securities. If any
such amendment or modification would adversely affect only the Preferred
Securities or the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be
entitled to vote on such amendment or modification and such amendment or
modification shall not be effective except with the approval of the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of such class of Trust Securities.
 
     The First National Bank of Chicago ("First Chicago") will act as indenture
trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
(the "Institutional Trustee") and First Chicago Delaware Inc. will act as the
Delaware Trustee for each SunTrust Capital Trust. The office of the Delaware
Trustee in the State of Delaware is 300 King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
The principal executive offices of each SunTrust Capital Trust are located at
303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, and the telephone number of
each SunTrust Capital Trust is 404-588-7711.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Each SunTrust Capital Trust will use all proceeds received from the sale of
the Preferred Securities to purchase Subordinated Debt Securities from the
Company. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the Company intends to use the proceeds from the sale of its Subordinated Debt
Securities for general corporate purposes, including investments in, or loans
to, its subsidiaries, refinancing of debt, including outstanding commercial
paper and other short-term indebtedness, redemption or repurchase of shares of
its outstanding common and preferred stock, the satisfaction of other
obligations, the purchase of trust-originated capital securities or for such
other purposes as may be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more
series under an Indenture, which term includes all supplements thereto (the
"Indenture"), to be entered into by the Company and First Chicago, as trustee
(the "Debt Trustee"). The terms of such Subordinated Debt Securities will
include those stated in the Indenture, which shall be filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and those made
part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary of the
material terms of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject
in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act. Whenever particular
provisions or defined terms in the Indenture are referred to herein, such
provisions or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
GENERAL
 
     The Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured, subordinated
obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal
amount of Subordinated Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder and
provides that the Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued from time to time
in one or more series. The Subordinated Debt Securities are issuable in one or
more series pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture or a
resolution of the Company's Board of Directors or a committee appointed thereby
(each, a "Supplemental Indenture").
 
     In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a SunTrust Capital
Trust or a Trust Trustee thereof in connection with the issuance of Trust
Securities by such SunTrust Capital Trust, such Subordinated Debt Securities
subsequently may be distributed pro rata to the holders of such Trust Securities
in connection with the dissolution of such SunTrust Capital Trust as described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Trust Securities. Only one series
of Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued to a SunTrust Capital Trust or a
Trust Trustee thereof in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
such SunTrust Capital Trust.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular
Subordinated Debt Securities being offered thereby for the following terms: the
specific designation of such Subordinated Debt Securities; the aggregate
principal amount and purchase price of such Subordinated Debt Securities; the
date or dates on which the principal of, and premium, if any, on such
Subordinated Debt Securities will be payable and the right, if any, to extend
such date or dates; the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), if any,
per annum, at which such Subordinated Debt Securities will bear interest, or the
method of determination of such rate or rates; the date or dates from which such
interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be
payable or the manner of determination of such interest payment dates and the
record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any
such interest payment date; the right, if any, to extend the interest payment
periods and the duration of such extension; the period or periods, if any,
within which, the price or prices of which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, such Subordinated Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part;
the right and/or obligation, if any, of SunTrust to redeem or purchase such
Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provision, or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods for
which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which,
such Subordinated Debt Securities shall be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or
in part, pursuant to such right and/or obligation; the terms and conditions, if
any, upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be converted into shares of
the common stock of SunTrust, including the conversion price and the
circumstances, if any, under which such conversion price and the circumstances,
if any, under which such conversion right shall expire; the terms of
subordination; the form of such Subordinated Debt Securities; and any other
specific terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     If a Prospectus Supplement specifies that a series of Subordinated Debt
Securities is denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United
States dollars, such Prospectus Supplement shall also specify the denomination
in which such Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued and the coin or
currency in which the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on,
such Subordinated Debt Securities will be payable, which may be United States
dollars based upon the exchange rate for such other currency or currency unit
existing on or about the time a payment is due.
 
     The Indenture does not contain provisions that would afford holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or other similar transaction involving SunTrust that may adversely
affect such holders.
 
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND PAYMENT
 
     Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Subordinated
Debt Securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in
denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. No service charge will be made
for any transfer or exchange of the Subordinated Debt Securities, but the
Company or the Debt Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other government charge payable in connection therewith.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, principal, premium,
if any, or interest, if any, will be payable and the Subordinated Debt
Securities may be surrendered for payment or transferred at the offices of the
Debt Trustee as paying and authenticating agent, provided that payment of
interest, if any, may be made at the option of the Company (i) by check mailed
to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security
Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the person
entitled thereto as specified in the applicable Security Register.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Subordinated Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Global Depositary") or its nominee,
identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. In such case,
one or more Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate
denomination equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of
Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such
Global Security or Securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in
part for Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a Global
Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the
Global Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee for such Global
Depositary and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities to be represented by a
Global Security and a description of the Global Depositary will be provided in
the Prospectus Supplement.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right
of payment to certain other indebtedness of the Company (which may include both
senior and subordinated indebtedness for money borrowed) to the extent set forth
in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
     The Company has covenanted that it will not, and will not permit any
subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of SunTrust's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal of, or
interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects with, or junior
in interest to, the Subordinated Debt Securities or (iii) make any guarantee
payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of
any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with, or junior
in interest to, the Subordinated Debt Securities (other than (a) dividends,
distributions, redemptions, purchases or acquisitions made by the Company by way
of issuance of its capital stock, (b) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with the implementation of a shareholders' rights plan, or the
issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee relating to Trust Securities issued by the SunTrust Capital
Trust holding the Subordinated Debt Securities, (d) purchases of common stock
related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's
benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees and (e) obligations under
any dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan), if at such time (i) there
shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a)
with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an
"Event of Default" under the Indenture with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities of such series and (b) in respect of which the Company shall not have
taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Subordinated Debt Securities are
held by a SunTrust Capital Trust, the Company shall be in default with respect
to its payment of any obligation under the Preferred Securities Guarantee
relating to such SunTrust Capital Trust or (iii) the Company shall have given
notice of its election to defer payments of interest on such Subordinated Debt
Securities by extending the interest payment period as provided in the Indenture
with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not have rescinded
such notice, or such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
     In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a SunTrust Capital
Trust or Trust Trustee thereof in connection with the issuance of Trust
Securities of such SunTrust Capital Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities
remain outstanding, the Company will covenant (i) to maintain, directly or
indirectly, 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such SunTrust Capital
Trust, provided that certain successors that are permitted pursuant to the
Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii)
as issuer of the Subordinated Debt Securities, not to voluntarily terminate,
wind-up or liquidate such SunTrust Capital Trust, except upon prior approval of
the Federal Reserve Board (if then required under applicable capital guidelines
or policies of the Federal Reserve Board) and in connection with (a) a
distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the Trust
Securities in liquidation of the SunTrust Capital Trust or (b) certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the Declaration of such SunTrust
Capital Trust, (iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms
and provisions of the Declaration of such SunTrust Capital Trust to cause such
SunTrust Capital Trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes and (iv) to use its reasonable efforts to cause the Subordinated Debt
Securities to continue to be classified as indebtedness of the Company for
United States federal income tax purposes.
 
LIMITATION ON MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS
 
     The Company shall not consolidate with, or merge into, any corporation or
convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person unless (i) the successor entity shall expressly assume the obligations of
the Company under the Indenture and (ii) after giving effect thereto, no Event
of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would
become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the
Indenture.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
 
     The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events that has occurred and is continuing constitutes an "Event of Default"
with respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities:
 
          (i) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the Subordinated
     Debt Securities of that series when due; provided, however, that a valid
     extension of the interest payment period by the Company shall not
     constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or
 
          (ii) default in payment of principal or premium, if any, on the
     Subordinated Debt Securities of that series when due either at maturity,
     upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; provided, however, that a
     valid extension of the maturity of such Subordinated Debt Securities shall
     not constitute a default for this purpose; or
 
          (iii) default by the Company in the performance or breach, in any
     material respect, of any other of the covenants or agreements in the
     Indenture that shall not have been remedied for a period of 90 days after
     written notice to the Company by the Debt Trustee or to the Debt Trustee
     and the Company by the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
     the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series; or
 
          (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
     Company; or
 
          (v) any other Event of Default provided with respect to a particular
     series of Subordinated Debt Securities as described in the related
     Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Debt Trustee may withhold notice to the
holders of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities (except in payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest on, such Subordinated Debt Securities)
if the Trustee considers it in the interest of such holders to do so.
 
     The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default with respect to any
series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have occurred and be continuing,
either the Debt Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series affected thereby then outstanding
may declare the principal of all such Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series to be due and payable immediately, but upon certain conditions, such
declarations may be annulled and past defaults may be waived (except defaults in
payment of principal of, or
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
interest or premium, if any, on, the Subordinated Debt Securities) by the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of
such series then outstanding.
 
     The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series affected and then outstanding shall have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debt Trustee under the Indenture with respect to such series,
provided that the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall have offered
to the Debt Trustee reasonable indemnity against expenses and liabilities. The
Indenture also provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the
Indenture, the holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of any series shall have
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of,
or premium, if any, and interest on, such Subordinated Debt Security on the
Stated Maturity (as defined in the Indenture) or upon repayment or redemption of
such Subordinated Debt Security and that such right shall not be impaired
without the consent of such holder. The Indenture requires the annual filing by
the Company with the Debt Trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain
defaults under the Indenture.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debt
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of all series affected by
such modification at the time outstanding, to modify the Indenture or the rights
of the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities; provided, that no such
modification shall (i) change the fixed maturity of any Subordinated Debt
Securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof (including, in the case of
discounted Subordinated Debt Securities, the amount payable thereon in the event
of acceleration, or the amount provable in bankruptcy) or any redemption premium
thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon,
or make the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Subordinated
Debt Securities payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the
Subordinated Debt Securities, or impair or affect the right of any holder of
Subordinated Debt Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof or the
right of prepayment, if any, at the option of the holder, without the consent of
the holder of each Subordinated Debt Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Subordinated Debt Securities, for which the consent of
the holders is required for any such modification, without the consent of the
holders of each Subordinated Debt Security affected. If Subordinated Debt
Securities of a series are held by a SunTrust Capital Trust or a Trust Trustee
thereof, a supplemental indenture requiring such consent will not be effective
until the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Securities of
the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust shall have consented to such supplemental
indenture; provided, that if the consent of the holders of each outstanding
Subordinated Debt Security of a series is required, such supplemental indenture
shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the
applicable SunTrust Capital Trust shall have consented to such supplemental
indenture. As a result of these pass-through voting rights with respect to
modifications to the Indenture, no modification thereto shall be effective until
the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Securities consent
to such modification and no modification described in clauses (i) or (ii) shall
be effective without the consent of each holder of Preferred Securities and each
holder of Common Securities of the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Subordinated Debt
Securities of a series not previously delivered to the Debt Trustee for
cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable
at their Stated Maturity within one year, and the Company deposits or causes to
be deposited with the Debt Trustee trust funds, in trust, for the purpose of,
and in an amount sufficient for, payment and discharge of the entire
indebtedness on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series not previously
delivered to the Debt Trustee for cancellation, for the principal (and premium,
if any) and interest to the date of the deposit or to the Stated Maturity, as
the case may be, then the Indenture will cease to be of further effect with
respect to that series (except as to the Company's obligations to pay all other
sums due with respect to that series pursuant to the Indenture and to provide
the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described therein), and the
Company will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the Indenture with
respect to that series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
THE DEBT TRUSTEE
 
     First Chicago, which serves as the Debt Trustee, the Institutional Trustee
and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (as defined herein), has a principal
corporate trust office at One First National Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago,
Illinois 60670-0126. The Company and its affiliates have normal banking
relationships with the Debt Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
     Each SunTrust Capital Trust may issue only one series of Preferred
Securities and such series shall have the terms described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. The Declaration of each SunTrust Capital Trust
authorizes the Regular Trustees of such SunTrust Capital Trust to issue on
behalf of such SunTrust Capital Trust one series of Preferred Securities. Each
such Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act. The Preferred Securities will have such terms, including with respect to
distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other preferred,
deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in
the related Declaration, which shall be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and such terms as are made part
of such Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the Preferred
Securities will mirror the terms of the related Subordinated Debt Securities
held by the relevant SunTrust Capital Trust and described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular Preferred Securities of a SunTrust Capital Trust for
specific terms, including (i) the distinctive designation of such Preferred
Securities; (ii) the number and the initial public offering price of Preferred
Securities issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust; (iii) the annual distribution
rate (or method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by
such SunTrust Capital Trust, the date or dates upon which such distributions
shall be payable and the date or dates from which distributions shall accrue;
(iv) whether distributions on Preferred Securities issued by such SunTrust
Capital Trust shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities
having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of
determining the date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities
issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or
amounts that shall be paid out of the assets of such SunTrust Capital Trust to
the holders of Preferred Securities of such SunTrust Capital Trust upon
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such SunTrust
Capital Trust; (vi) the obligation, if any, of such SunTrust Capital Trust to
purchase or redeem Preferred Securities issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust
and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the
terms and conditions upon which, Preferred Securities issued by such SunTrust
Capital Trust shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation; (vii) the voting rights, if any, of Preferred Securities issued
by such SunTrust Capital Trust in addition to those required by law, including
the number of votes per Preferred Security and any requirement for the approval
by the holders of Preferred Securities, or of Preferred Securities issued by one
or more SunTrust Capital Trusts, or of both, as a condition to specified action
or amendments to the Declaration of such SunTrust Capital Trust; (viii) the
terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be
distributed to holders of Preferred Securities; (ix) the right and/or
obligation, if any, of SunTrust to redeem or purchase such Preferred Securities
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision, or at the option of the
holder thereof, and the period or periods for which, the price or prices at
which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Preferred Securities shall
be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such right and/or
obligation; (x) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Preferred
Securities may be converted into shares of the common stock of SunTrust,
including the conversion price and the circumstances, if any, under which such
conversion right shall expire; (xi) if applicable, any securities exchange upon
which the Preferred Securities shall be listed; and (xii) any other relevant
rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Preferred
Securities issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust not inconsistent with the
Declaration of such SunTrust Capital Trust or with applicable law. All Preferred
Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set
forth below under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees." Certain
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of
Preferred Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.
 
     In connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities, each SunTrust
Capital Trust will issue one series of Common Securities. The Declaration of
each SunTrust Capital Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees of such trust to
issue on behalf of such SunTrust Capital Trust one series of Common Securities
having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation
rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth therein. Except for voting
rights, the terms of the Common Securities issued by a SunTrust Capital Trust
will be identical to the terms of the Preferred Securities issued by such
SunTrust Capital Trust and the Common Securities will rank pari passu and
payments will be made thereon pro rata with the Preferred Securities except
that, upon an Event of Default under the Declaration, the rights of the holders
of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of
the holders of the Preferred Securities. Except in certain limited
circumstances, the Common Securities will also carry the right to vote to
appoint, remove or replace any of the Trust Trustees of a SunTrust Capital
Trust. All of the Common Securities of each SunTrust Capital Trust will be
directly or indirectly owned by the Company.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
     If an Event of Default under the Declaration of a SunTrust Capital Trust
occurs and is continuing, then the holders of Preferred Securities of such
SunTrust Capital Trust will rely on the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee
of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of Subordinated Debt
Securities against the Company. In addition, the holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such SunTrust Capital Trust
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or to direct
the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee
under the applicable Declaration, including the right to direct the
Institutional Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of
the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce
its rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities, a holder
of Preferred Securities of such SunTrust Capital Trust may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Institutional Trustee's
rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities without first
instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other
person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under
the applicable Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest on, premium, if any,
or principal on the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities on the
date such interest, premium or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of
redemption, on the redemption date), then a holder of Preferred Securities of
such SunTrust Capital Trust may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement
of payment to such holder of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on,
the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such
holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the
applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such
Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of
Preferred Securities under the applicable Declaration to the extent of any
payment made by the Company to such holder of Preferred Securities in such
Direct Action.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
 
     For information concerning the relationship between First Chicago, the
Institutional Trustee, and the Company, see "Description of the Subordinated
Debt Securities -- The Debt Trustee."
 
               DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
 
     A Preferred Securities Guarantee will be executed and delivered by SunTrust
for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Preferred Securities issued
by each SunTrust Capital Trust. Each such Preferred Securities Guarantee will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. First Chicago will act
as trustee under each Preferred Securities Guarantee for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"). The terms of each Preferred
Securities Guarantee, which shall be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, will be those set forth therein
and those made part of such Preferred
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
Securities Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The summary of the material
terms of the Preferred Securities Guarantees set forth below does not purport to
be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, each such Preferred Securities
Guarantee and the Trust Indenture Act. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will
be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the
Preferred Securities of the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust.
 
GENERAL
 
     Pursuant to each Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will
irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay
in full, to the holders of the Preferred Securities issued by a SunTrust Capital
Trust, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) (except to the extent paid by
such SunTrust Capital Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right
of set-off or counterclaim that such SunTrust Capital Trust may have or assert.
The following payments with respect to Preferred Securities issued by a SunTrust
Capital Trust, to the extent not paid by such SunTrust Capital Trust (the
"Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Preferred Securities Guarantee
thereon (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions that are
required to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent such SunTrust
Capital Trust shall have funds available therefor; (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of payment (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent such SunTrust Capital Trust has funds
available therefor with respect to any Preferred Security called for redemption
by such SunTrust Capital Trust; and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, winding-up or termination of such SunTrust Capital Trust (other
than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the
holders of Preferred Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred
Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accrued and unpaid distributions on such Preferred Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent such SunTrust Capital Trust has funds available therefor
and (b) the amount of assets of such SunTrust Capital Trust remaining available
for distribution to holders of such Preferred Securities in liquidation of such
SunTrust Capital Trust. The redemption price and liquidation amount will be
fixed at the time the Preferred Securities are issued. The Company's obligation
to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by causing the
applicable SunTrust Capital Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
 
     No Preferred Securities Guarantee will apply to any payment of
distributions, except to the extent such SunTrust Capital Trust shall have funds
available therefor. If the Company does not make interest payments on the
Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a SunTrust Capital Trust, such
SunTrust Capital Trust will not pay distributions on the Preferred Securities
issued by such SunTrust Capital Trust and will not have funds available
therefor. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities -- Certain
Covenants of the Company." The Preferred Securities Guarantee, when taken
together with the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities,
the Indenture and the Declaration, including its obligations as issuer of the
Subordinated Debt Securities to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of
such SunTrust Capital Trust (other than with respect to the payment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Trust Securities), will provide
a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of
payments due on the Preferred Securities.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
 
     Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be required),
each Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval
of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the
outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the applicable SunTrust Capital
Trust. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such Preferred
Securities will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All
guarantees and agreements contained in a Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the
Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Preferred
Securities of the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust then outstanding.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
TERMINATION
 
     Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred
Securities issued by the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust (i) upon full payment
of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities of such SunTrust Capital
Trust, (ii) upon distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such
SunTrust Capital Trust to the holders of the Preferred Securities of such
SunTrust Capital Trust or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration of such SunTrust Capital Trust upon liquidation
of such SunTrust Capital Trust. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will
continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if, at any
time, any holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable SunTrust
Capital Trust must restore payment of any sums paid under such Preferred
Securities or such Preferred Securities Guarantee.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An event of default under a Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur upon
the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations
thereunder.
 
     The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee under such Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any holder of
Preferred Securities relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Preferred Securities Guarantee,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant SunTrust
Capital Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a Guarantee
Payment, a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding
against the Company for enforcement of the Preferred Securities Guarantee for
such payment. The Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action
be brought first against such SunTrust Capital Trust or any other person or
entity before proceeding directly against the Company.
 
STATUS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Preferred Securities Guarantees with respect to the Preferred Securities of any
SunTrust Capital Trust will constitute unsecured obligations of the Company and
will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain other
liabilities of the Company, as described in the Prospectus Supplement and (ii)
pari passu with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by SunTrust in
respect of any other SunTrust Capital Trust or any other similar financing
vehicle sponsored by SunTrust. The terms of the Preferred Securities provide
that each holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable SunTrust
Capital Trust, by acceptance thereof, agrees to the subordination provisions and
other terms of the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating thereto as described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment
and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against
any other person or entity).
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
     The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to a Preferred Securities Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such
duties as are specifically set forth in such Preferred Securities Guarantee and,
after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual
would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such
provisions, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise
any of the powers vested in it by a Preferred Securities Guarantee at the
request of any holder of Preferred Securities, unless offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred
thereby.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     For information concerning the relationship between the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee and the Company, see "Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities -- The Debt Trustee."
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Preferred Securities Guarantees will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
 
          EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                    AND THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
 
     As set forth in the Declaration of each of the SunTrust Capital Trusts, the
sole purpose of each is to issue the Trust Securities evidencing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of such SunTrust Capital Trust, and to invest
the proceeds from such issuance and sale in the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Subordinated Debt Securities held by a given SunTrust Capital Trust, such
payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and payments due on the Trust
Securities of such SunTrust Capital Trust because of the following factors: (i)
the aggregate principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities will be
equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Trust
Securities; (ii) the interest rate and payment dates for the Subordinated Debt
Securities will match the distribution rate and payment dates for the Preferred
Securities; (iii) SunTrust, as issuer of the Subordinated Debt Securities, shall
pay, and the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust shall not be obligated to pay,
directly or indirectly, all costs, expenses, debts, and obligations of the
applicable SunTrust Capital Trust (other than with respect to the payment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Trust Securities); and (iv) the
related Declaration further provides that the Trust Trustees shall not take or
cause or permit such SunTrust Capital Trust, among other things, to engage in
any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of that SunTrust Capital
Trust.
 
     Payments of distributions (to the extent funds are available therefor) and
other payments due on the Preferred Securities (to the extent funds are
available therefor) are guaranteed by SunTrust as and to the extent set forth
under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees." If SunTrust does not
make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the
applicable SunTrust Capital Trust, it is expected that such SunTrust Capital
Trust will not have sufficient funds to pay distributions on the Preferred
Securities issued thereby. A Preferred Securities Guarantee does not apply to
any payment of distributions unless and until the applicable SunTrust Capital
Trust has sufficient funds for the payment of such distributions. A Preferred
Securities Guarantee covers the payment of distributions and other payments on
the related Preferred Securities only if, and to the extent that, SunTrust has
made a payment of interest or principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities held
by the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust as its sole asset. A Preferred
Securities Guarantee, when taken together with SunTrust's obligations under the
related Subordinated Debt Securities, and the Indenture and the related
Declaration, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and
liabilities of the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust (other than with respect to
the Trust Securities), provides a full and unconditional guarantee on a
subordinated basis of amounts due on the related Preferred Securities.
 
     If SunTrust fails to make interest or other payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities held by a SunTrust Capital Trust when due (taking into account
any Extension Period), the related Declaration provides a mechanism whereby the
holders of the Preferred Securities issued thereunder, using the procedures
described in "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only
Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" and "-- Voting Rights" in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, may direct the Institutional Trustee to
enforce its rights under such Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Institutional
Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities, a
holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding against SunTrust
to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the Subordinated Debt
Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the
Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
such event is attributable to the failure of SunTrust to pay interest or
principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such interest or
principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption
date), then a holder of Preferred Securities
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
may institute a Direct Action for payment on or after the respective due date
specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such Direct
Action, SunTrust will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred
Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made by SunTrust
to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. SunTrust, under
each Preferred Securities Guarantee, acknowledges that the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee shall enforce the Preferred Securities Guarantee on behalf of the
holders of the related Preferred Securities. If SunTrust fails to make payments
under a Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Securities Guarantee
provides a mechanism whereby the holders of the related Preferred Securities may
direct the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to enforce its rights thereunder. Any
holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
SunTrust to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under the related
Preferred Securities Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the applicable SunTrust Capital Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee,
or any other person or entity.
 
     SunTrust and each of the SunTrust Capital Trusts believe that the above
mechanisms and obligations, taken together, provide a full and unconditional
guarantee by SunTrust on a subordinated basis of payments due on Preferred
Securities issued by any such Trust. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantees -- General."
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     SunTrust may sell the Subordinated Debt Securities and either SunTrust
Capital Trust may sell Preferred Securities in any of, or any combination of,
the following ways: (i) directly to purchasers, (ii) through agents designated
from time to time, (iii) through underwriters or groups of underwriters, and
(iv) through dealers. Such agents, underwriters or dealers may be affiliates of
SunTrust, and offers or sales of Offered Securities may include secondary market
transactions by affiliates of SunTrust.
 
     Offers to purchase Offered Securities may be solicited directly by SunTrust
and/or either SunTrust Capital Trust, as the case may be, or by agents
designated by SunTrust and/or either SunTrust Capital Trust, as the case may be,
from time to time. Any such agent, who may be deemed to be an underwriter (as
that term is defined in the Securities Act) involved in the offer or sale of the
Offered Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be
named, and any commissions payable by SunTrust to such agent will be set forth,
in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period
of its appointment (ordinarily five business days or less). Agents, dealers and
underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
     If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, SunTrust will
execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of sale and
the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction will be set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make
resales of the Offered Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered.
 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, SunTrust and/or either SunTrust Capital
Trust, as the case may be, will sell such Offered Securities to the dealer as
principal. The dealer may then resell such Offered Securities to the public at
varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name
of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under the relevant
agreements to indemnification by SunTrust and/or either SunTrust Capital Trust,
as the case may be, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
     The offer and sale of the Offered Securities will comply with Rule 2810 of
the Rules of Conduct of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(the "NASD"). In addition, no NASD member participating in offers and sales of
securities will execute a transaction in the Offered Securities in a
discretionary account without the prior specific written approval of the
member's customer.
 
     Underwriters, agents or their controlling persons may engage in
transactions and perform services for SunTrust and its affiliates in the
ordinary course of business.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
validity of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Preferred Securities
Guarantees will be passed upon for SunTrust by King & Spalding. Certain matters
of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred Securities will be
passed upon on behalf of each of the SunTrust Capital Trusts by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom (Delaware), special Delaware counsel to the SunTrust
Capital Trusts. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for SunTrust by
Raymond D. Fortin, Senior Vice President and Counsel of SunTrust. Certain legal
matters will be passed upon for agents or underwriters, if any, by Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. As of December 31, 1996 Raymond D. Fortin was
the record and beneficial owner of 20,800 shares of common stock of SunTrust and
held options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock of SunTrust.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of SunTrust included in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, incorporated herein by
reference, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........  $181,818
Legal fees and expenses.....................................   100,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses..................................    10,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................    50,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................   100,000
Fees and expenses of Trustees...............................    20,000
Paying Agent fees...........................................    10,000
Rating Agency fees..........................................    80,000
Miscellaneous expenses......................................    13,182
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $565,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     PART 5 OF ARTICLE 8 OF THE GEORGIA BUSINESS CORPORATION CODE STATES:
 
14-2-850.  PART DEFINITIONS.
 
     As used in this part, the term:
 
          (1) "Corporation" includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity
     of a corporation in a merger or other transaction in which the
     predecessor's existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction.
 
          (2) "Director" or "officer" means an individual who is or was a
     director or officer, respectively, of a corporation or who, while a
     director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the
     corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
     or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. A director or
     officer is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the
     corporation's request if his or her duties to the corporation also impose
     duties on, or otherwise involve services by, the director or officer to the
     plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. Director or
     officer includes, unless the context otherwise requires, the estate or
     personal representative of a director or officer.
 
          (3) "Disinterested director" means a director who at the time of a
     vote referred to in subsection (c) of Code Section 14-2-853 or a vote or
     selection referred to in subsection (b) or (c) of Code Section 14-2-855 or
     subsection (a) of Code Section 14-2-856 is not:
 
             (A) A party to the proceeding; or
 
             (B) An individual who is a party to a proceeding having a familial,
        financial, professional, or employment relationship with the director
        whose indemnification or advance for expenses is the subject of the
        decision being made with respect to the proceeding, which relationship
        would, in the circumstances, reasonably be expected to exert an
        influence on the director's judgment when voting on the decision being
        made.
 
          (4) "Expenses" includes counsel fees.
 
          (5) "Liability" means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement,
     penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee
     benefit plan), or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a
     proceeding.
 
          (6) "Official capacity" means:
 
             (A) When used with respect to a director, the office of director in
        a corporation; and
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   20
 
             (B) When used with respect to an officer, as contemplated in Code
        Section 14-2-857, the office in a corporation held by the officer.
 
     Official capacity does not include service for any other domestic or
foreign corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan, or other entity.
 
          (7) "Party" means an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be
     made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.
 
          (8) "Proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action,
     suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative,
     or investigative and whether formal or informal.
 
14-2-851.  AUTHORITY TO INDEMNIFY.
 
     (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, a corporation may
indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is or
was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:
 
          (1) Such individual conducted himself or herself in good faith; and
 
          (2) Such individual reasonably believed:
 
             (A) In the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, that
        such conduct was in the best interests of the corporation;
 
             (B) In all other cases, that such conduct was at least not opposed
        to the best interests of the corporation; and
 
             (C) In the case of any criminal proceeding, that the individual had
        no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful.
 
     (b) A director's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a
purpose he or she believed in good faith to be in the interests of the
participants in and beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies the
requirement of subparagraph (a)(1)(B) of this Code section.
 
     (c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of
itself, determinative that the director did not meet the standard of conduct
described in this Code section.
 
     (d) A corporation may not indemnify a director under this Code section:
 
          (1) In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the
     corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
     proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant
     standard of conduct under this Code section; or
 
          (2) In connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for
     which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
     improperly received by him, whether or not involving action in his official
     capacity.
 
14-2-852.  MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION.
 
     A corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a
party because he or she was a director of the corporation against reasonable
expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   21
 
14-2-853.  ADVANCE FOR EXPENSES.
 
     (a) A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance
funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who
is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director if he or she delivers
to the corporation:
 
          (1) A written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or
     she has met the relevant standard of conduct described in Code Section
     14-2-851 or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has
     been eliminated under a provision of the articles of incorporation as
     authorized by paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of Code Section 14-2-202; and
 
          (2) His or her written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if it
     is ultimately determined that the director is not entitled to
     indemnification under this part.
 
     (b) The undertaking required by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this
Code section must be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need
not be secured and may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of
the director to make repayment.
 
     (c) Authorization under this Code section shall be made:
 
          (1) By the board of directors:
 
             (A) When there are two or more disinterested directors, by a
        majority vote of all the disinterested directors (a majority of whom
        shall for such purpose constitute a quorum) or by a majority of the
        members of a committee of two or more disinterested directors appointed
        by such a vote; or
 
             (B) When there are fewer than two disinterested directors, by the
        vote necessary for action by the board in accordance with subsection (c)
        of Code Section 14-2-824, in which authorization directors who do not
        qualify as disinterested directors may participate; or
 
          (2) By the shareholders, but shares owned or voted under the control
     of a director who at the time does not qualify as a disinterested director
     with respect to the proceeding may not be voted on the authorization.
 
14-2-854.  COURT-ORDERED INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCES FOR EXPENSES.
 
     (a) A director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a
director may apply for indemnification or advance for expenses to the court
conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. After
receipt of an application and after giving any notice it considers necessary,
the court shall:
 
          (1) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if it determines
     that the director is entitled to indemnification under this part; or
 
          (2) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if it determines, in
     view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to
     indemnify the director or to advance expenses to the director, even if the
     director has not met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in
     subsections (a) and (b) of Code Section 14-2-851, failed to comply with
     Code Section 14-2-853, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to
     in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section 14-2-851, but if
     the director was adjudged so liable, the indemnification shall be limited
     to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
 
     (b) If the court determines that the director is entitled to
indemnification or advance for expenses under this part, it may also order the
corporation to pay the director's reasonable expenses to obtain court-ordered
indemnification or advance for expenses.
 
14-2-855.  DETERMINATION AND AUTHORIZATION OF INDEMNIFICATION.
 
     (a) A corporation may not indemnify a director under Code Section 14-2-851
unless authorized thereunder and a determination has been made for a specific
proceeding that indemnification of the director is permissible in the
circumstances because he or she has met the relevant standard of conduct set
forth in Code Section 14-2-851.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   22
 
     (b) The determination shall be made:
 
          (1) If there are two or more disinterested directors, by the board of
     directors by a majority vote of all the disinterested directors (a majority
     of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum) or by a majority of the
     members of a committee of two or more disinterested directors appointed by
     such a vote;
 
          (2) By a special legal counsel:
 
             (A) Selected in the manner prescribed in paragraph (1) of this
        subsection; or
 
             (B) If there are fewer than two disinterested directors, selected
        by the board of directors (in which selection directors who do not
        qualify as disinterested directors may participate); or
 
          (3) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the
     control of a director who at the time does not qualify as a disinterested
     director may not be voted on the determination.
 
     (c) Authorization of indemnification or an obligation to indemnify and
evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made in the same manner as
the determination that indemnification is permissible, except that if there are
fewer than two disinterested directors or if the determination is made by
special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification and evaluation as to
reasonableness of expenses shall be made by those entitled under subparagraph
(b)(2)(B) of this Code section to select special legal counsel.
 
14-2-856.  SHAREHOLDER APPROVED INDEMNIFICATION.
 
     (a) If authorized by the articles of incorporation or a bylaw, contract, or
resolution approved or ratified by the shareholders by a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast, a corporation may indemnify or obligate itself to indemnify
a director made a party to a proceeding including a proceeding brought by or in
the right of the corporation, without regard to the limitations in other Code
sections of this part, but shares owned or voted under the control of a director
who at the time does not qualify as a disinterested director with respect to any
existing or threatened proceeding that would be covered by the authorization may
not be voted on the authorization.
 
     (b) The corporation shall not indemnify a director under this Code section
for any liability incurred in a proceeding in which the director is adjudged
liable to the corporation or is subjected to injunctive relief in favor of the
corporation:
 
          (1) For any appropriation, in violation of the director's duties, of
     any business opportunity of the corporation;
 
          (2) For acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a
     knowing violation of law;
 
          (3) For the types of liability set forth in Code Section 14-2-832; or
 
          (4) For any transaction from which he received an improper personal
     benefit.
 
     (c) Where approved or authorized in the manner described in subsection (a)
of this Code section, a corporation may advance or reimburse expenses incurred
in advance of final disposition of the proceeding only if:
 
          (1) The director furnishes the corporation a written affirmation of
     his or her good faith belief that his or her conduct does not constitute
     behavior of the kind described in subsection (b) of this Code section; and
 
          (2) The director furnishes the corporation a written undertaking,
     executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay any advances if it is
     ultimately determined that the director is not entitled to indemnification
     under this Code section.
 
14-2-857.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS.
 
     (a) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses under this part to an
officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is
an officer of the corporation;
 
          (1) To the same extent as a director; and
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   23
 
          (2) If he or she is not a director, to such further extent as may be
     provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the
     board of directors, or contract except for liability arising out of conduct
     that constitutes:
 
             (A) Appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any
        business opportunity of the corporation;
 
             (B) Acts or omission which involve intentional misconduct, or a
        knowing violation of law;
 
             (C) The types of liability set forth in Code Section 14-2-832; or
 
             (D) Receipt of an improper personal benefit.
 
     (b) The provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section
shall apply to an officer who is also a director if the sole basis on which he
or she is made a party to the proceeding is an act or omission solely as an
officer.
 
     (c) An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to
mandatory indemnification under Code Section 14-2-852, and may apply to a court
under Code Section 14-2-854 for indemnification or advances for expenses, in
each case to the same extent to which a director may be entitled to
indemnification or advances for expenses under those provisions.
 
     (d) A corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an employee or
agent who is not a director to the extent, consistent with public policy, that
may be provided by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, general or specific
action of its board of directors, or contract.
 
14-2-858.  INSURANCE.
 
     A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an
individual who is a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation or
who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, serves at
the corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or
agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity against liability asserted against
or incurred by him or her in that capacity or arising from his or her status as
a director, officer, employee, or agent, whether or not the corporation would
have power to indemnify or advance expenses to him or her against the same
liability under this part.
 
14-2-859.  APPLICATION OF PART.
 
     (a) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or
bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by its board of
directors or shareholders, obligate itself in advance of the act or omission
giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification or advance funds to pay
for or reimburse expenses consistent with this part. Any such obligatory
provision shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for authorization referred
to in subsection (c) of Code Section 14-2-853 or subsection (c) of Code Section
14-2-855. Any such provision that obligates the corporation to provide
indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law shall be deemed to
obligate the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in
accordance with Code Section 14-2-853 to the fullest extent permitted by law,
unless the provision specifically provides otherwise.
 
     (b) Any provision pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall not
obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a
predecessor of the corporation, pertaining to conduct with respect to the
predecessor, unless otherwise specifically provided. Any provision for
indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation,
bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders, partners, or,
in the case of limited liability companies, members or managers of a predecessor
of the corporation or other entity in a merger or in a contract to which the
predecessor is a party, existing at the time the merger takes effect, shall be
governed by paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 14-2-1106.
 
     (c) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation,
limit any of the rights to indemnification or advance for expenses created by or
pursuant to this part.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   24
 
     (d) This part does not limit a corporation's power to pay or reimburse
expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with his or her
appearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.
 
     (e) Except as expressly provided in Code Section 14-2-857, this part does
not limit a corporation's power to indemnify, advance expenses to, or provide or
maintain insurance on behalf of an employee or agent.
 
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AUTHORITY
 
     Article 14 of the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation provides:
 
          In addition to any powers provided by law, in the Bylaws, or
     otherwise, the Corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who
     becomes a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
     pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative (including any action by or in the right of
     the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
     officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
     request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
     another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
 
BYLAW AUTHORITY
 
     Article VII of the Corporation's Bylaws provides:
 
          Section 1.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this Article, the term:
 
             (A) "Corporation" includes any domestic or foreign predecessor
        entity of this Corporation in a merger or other similar transaction in
        which the predecessor's existence ceased upon consummation of the
        transaction.
 
             (B) "Director" means an individual who is or was a director of the
        Corporation or an individual who, while a director of the Corporation,
        is or was serving at the Corporation's request as a director, officer,
        partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
        corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan,
        or other enterprise. A "director" is considered to be serving an
        employee benefit plan at the Corporation's request if his duties to the
        Corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, him
        to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan.
        "Director" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate
        or personal representative of a director.
 
             (C) "Employee" means an individual who is or was an employee of the
        Corporation or an individual who, while an employee of the Corporation,
        is or was serving at the Corporation's request as a director, officer,
        partners, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
        corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan,
        or other enterprise. An "Employee" is considered to be serving an
        employee benefit plan at the Corporation's request if his duties to the
        Corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, him
        to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan.
        "Employee" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate
        or personal representative of an employee.
 
             (D) "Expenses" includes attorneys' fees.
 
             (E) "Liability" means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement,
        penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an
        employee benefit plan), or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to
        a proceeding.
 
             (F) "Officer" means an individual who is or was an officer of the
        Corporation which for purposes of this Article VII shall include an
        assistant officer, or an individual who, while an Officer of the
        Corporation, is or was serving at the Corporation's request as a
        director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another
        foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
        employee benefit plan, or other enterprise. An "Officer" is considered
        to be serving an employee
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   25
 
        benefit plan at the Corporation's request if his duties to the
        Corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, him
        to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan.
        "Officer" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or
        personal representative of an Officer.
 
             (G) "Party" includes an individual who was, is, or is threatened to
        be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.
 
             (H) "Proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed action,
        suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
        investigative and whether formal or informal.
 
          Section 2.  BASIC INDEMNIFICATION ARRANGEMENT.
 
             (A) Except as provided in subsections 2(D) and 2(E) below and, if
        required by Section 4 below, upon a determination pursuant to Section 4
        in the specific case that such indemnification is permissible in the
        circumstances under this subsection because the individual has met the
        standard of conduct set forth in this subsection (A), the Corporation
        shall indemnify an individual who is made a party to a proceeding
        because he is or was a director or Officer against liability incurred by
        him in the proceeding if he acted in a manner he believed in good faith
        to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, in
        the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to
        believe his conduct was unlawful.
 
             (B) A person's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for
        a purpose he believes in good faith to be in the interests of the
        participants in and beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies
        the requirement of subsection 2(A) above.
 
             (C) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
        or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall
        not, of itself, be determinative that the proposed indemnitee did not
        meet the standard of conduct set forth in subsection 2(A) above.
 
             (D) The Corporation shall not indemnify a person under this Article
        in connection with (i) a proceeding by or in the right of the
        Corporation in which such person was adjudged liable to the Corporation,
        or (ii) any other proceeding in which such person was adjudged liable on
        the basis that he improperly received a personal benefit.
 
             (E) Indemnification permitted under this Article in connection with
        a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation is limited to
        reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
 
        Section 3.  ADVANCES FOR EXPENSES.
 
             (A) The Corporation may pay for or reimburse the reasonable
        expenses incurred by a director or Officer as a party to a proceeding in
        advance of final disposition of the proceeding if: (i) such person
        furnishes the Corporation a written affirmation of his good faith belief
        that he has met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection 2(A)
        above; and (ii) such person furnishes the Corporation a written
        undertaking meeting the qualifications set forth below in subsection
        3(B), executed personally or on his behalf, to repay any advances if it
        is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to any indemnification
        under this Article or otherwise.
 
             (B) The undertaking required by subsection 3(A)(ii) above must be
        an unlimited general obligation of the director or Officer but need not
        be secured and shall be accepted without reference to financial ability
        to make repayment.
 
        Section 4.  AUTHORIZATION OF AND DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO
                 INDEMNIFICATION.
 
             (A) The Corporation shall not indemnify a director or Officer under
        Section 2 above unless a separate determination has been made in the
        specific case that indemnification of such person is permissible in the
        circumstances because he has met the standard of conduct set forth in
        subsection 2(A) above; provided, however, that regardless of the result
        or absence of any such determination, and
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   26
 
        unless limited by the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, to
        the extent that a director or Officer has been successful, on the merits
        or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party,
        or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, because he is or
        was a director or Officer, the Corporation shall indemnify such person
        against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
             (B) The determination referred to in subsection 4(A) above shall be
        made:
 
                (i) by the Board of Directors of the Corporation by majority
           vote of a quorum consisting of directors not at the time parties to
           the proceeding;
 
                (ii) If a quorum cannot be obtained under subdivision (i), by
           majority vote of a committee duly designated by the Board of
           Directors (in which designation directors who are parties may
           participate), consisting solely of two or more directors not at the
           time parties to the proceeding;
 
                (iii) by special legal counsel:
 
                    (1) selected by the Board of Directors or its committee in
               the manner prescribed in subdivision (i) or (ii); or
 
                    (2) if a quorum of the Board of Directors cannot be obtained
               under subdivision (i) and a committee cannot be designated under
               subdivision (ii), selected by a majority vote of the full Board
               of Directors (in which selection directors who are parties may
               participate); or
 
                (iv) by the shareholders; provided that shares owned by or voted
           under the control of the directors or Officers who are at the time
           parties to the proceeding may not be voted on the determination.
 
             (C) Evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses of a director or
        Officer in the specific case shall be made in the same manner as the
        determination that indemnification is permissible, as described in
        subsection 4(B) above, expect that if the determination is made by
        special legal counsel, evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall
        be made by those entitled under subsection 4(B)(iii) above to select
        counsel.
 
             (D) The Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or special legal
        counsel acting pursuant to subsection (B) above or Section 5 below,
        shall act expeditiously upon an application for indemnification or
        advances, and cooperate in the procedural steps required to obtain a
        judicial determination under Section 5 below.
 
          Section 5.  COURT-ORDERED INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE FOR EXPENSES.  A
     director or Officer who is a party to a proceeding may apply for
     indemnification or advances for expenses to the court conducting the
     proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an
     application, the court, after giving any notice the court considers
     necessary, may order indemnification or advances for expenses if it
     determines that:
 
             (i) The applicant is entitled to mandatory indemnification under
        the final clause of subsection 4(A) above (in which case the Corporation
        shall pay the indemnitee's reasonable expenses incurred to obtain
        court-ordered indemnification);
 
             (ii) The applicant is fairly and reasonably entitled to
        indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or
        not he met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection 2(A) above or
        was adjudged liable as described in subsection 2(D) above (but if he was
        adjudged so liable, any court-ordered indemnification shall be limited
        to reasonable expenses incurred by the indemnitee unless the Articles of
        Incorporation of the Corporation or a Bylaw, contract or resolution
        approved or ratified by shareholders pursuant to Section 7 below
        provides otherwise); or
 
             (iii) In the case of advances for expenses, the applicant is
        entitled, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or any
        applicable resolution or agreement, to payment or reimbursement to of
        his
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>   27
 
        reasonable expenses incurred as a party to a proceeding in advance of
        final disposition of the proceeding.
 
          Section 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES.  Unless the Corporation's
     Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, the Corporation shall
     indemnify and advance expenses under this Article to an employee of the
     Corporation who is not a director or Officer to the same extent as to a
     director or Officer.
 
        Section 7.  SHAREHOLDER APPROVED INDEMNIFICATION.
 
             (A) If authorized by the Articles of Incorporation or a Bylaw,
        contract or resolution approved or ratified by shareholders of the
        Corporation by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, the
        Corporation may indemnify or obligate itself to indemnify a person made
        a party to a proceeding, including a proceeding brought by or in the
        right of the Corporation, without regard to the limitations in other
        sections of this Article. The Corporation shall not indemnify a person
        under this Section 7 for any liability incurred in a proceeding in which
        the person is adjudged liable to the Corporation or is subjected to
        injunctive relief in favor of the Corporation:
 
                (i) for any appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any
           business opportunity of the Corporation;
 
                (ii) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct
           or a knowing violation of law;
 
                (iii) for the types of liability set forth in Section 14-2-832
           of the Georgia Business Corporation Code; or
 
                (iv) for any transaction from which he received an improper
           personal benefit.
 
             (B) Where approved or authorized in the manner described in
        subsection 7(A) above, the Corporation may advance or reimburse expenses
        incurred in advance of final disposition of the proceedings only if:
 
                (i) the proposed indemnitee furnishes the Corporation a written
           affirmation of his good faith belief that his conduct does not
           constitute behavior of the kind described in subsection 7(A)(i) -
            (iv) above; and
 
                (ii) the proposed indemnitee furnishes the Corporation a written
           undertaking, executed personally, or on his behalf, to repay any
           advances if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to
           indemnification.
 
          Section 8.  LIABILITY INSURANCE.  The Corporation may purchase and
     maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer, employee, or agent
     of the Corporation or who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of
     the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
     director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign
     or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
     benefit plan, or other enterprise against liability asserted against or
     incurred by him in that capacity or arising from his status as a director,
     officer, employee, or agent, whether or not the Corporation would have
     power to indemnify against the same liability under Section 2 or Section 3
     above.
 
          Section 9.  WITNESS FEES.  Nothing in this Article shall limit the
     Corporation's power to pay or reimburse expense incurred by a person in
     connection with his appearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when
     he has not been made a named defendant or respondent in the proceeding.
 
          Section 10.  REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS.  If the Corporation indemnifies
     or advances expenses to a director in connection with a proceeding by or in
     the right of the Corporation, the Corporation shall report the
     indemnification or advance, in writing, to shareholders with or before the
     notice of the next shareholders' meeting.
 
          Section 11.  SEVERABILITY.  In the event that any of the provisions of
     this Article (including any provision within a single section, subsection,
     division or sentence) is held by a court of competent
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>   28
 
     jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining
     provisions of this Article shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent
     permitted by law.
 
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
 
          Pursuant to the form of underwriting agreement, filed as Exhibit 1.1
     to this Registration Statement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the
     underwriters, if any, against certain liabilities under federal and state
     securities laws.
 
INSURANCE
 
          The Registrant has purchased a policy of directors and officers
     liability (including company reimbursement coverage) insurance that
     provides certain coverage for the Registrant and its subsidiaries and their
     respective directors and officers with respect to, among other things,
     liability under federal and state securities laws.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- - - - - - -------                           -----------------------
<C>       <C>   <S>
   1.1*    --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
   4.1*    --   Certificate of Trust of SunTrust Capital I. (Certificate of
                Trust for SunTrust Capital II, identical except for the
                name, will be filed on request.)
   4.2*    --   Declaration of Trust of SunTrust Capital I. (Declaration of
                Trust for SunTrust Capital II, identical except for the
                name, will be filed on request.)
   4.3*    --   Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to be used
                in connection with the issuance of the Preferred Securities.
   4.4*    --   Form of Indenture to be used in connection with the issuance
                of Subordinated Debt Securities.
   4.5*    --   Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection with
                the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities.
   4.6*    --   Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.3).
   4.7*    --   Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit
                4.4).
   4.8*    --   Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee.
   5.1*    --   Opinion of King & Spalding as to the legality of the
                Subordinated Debt Securities and Preferred Securities
                Guarantees to be issued by SunTrust (including the Consent
                of such Counsel).
   5.2*    --   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Delaware)
                as to the legality of the Preferred Securities to be issued
                by the SunTrust Capital Trusts (including the Consent of
                such Counsel).
  12.1     --   Computation of the Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  23.1     --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
  23.2*    --   Consent of King & Spalding (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.3*    --   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Delaware)
                (included in Exhibit 5.2).
  25.1     --   Statement of Eligibility of Debt Trustee under the
                Indenture.
  25.2     --   Statement of Eligibility of Institutional Trustee under the
                Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of SunTrust
                Capital I.
  25.3     --   Statement of Eligibility of Institutional Trustee under the
                Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of SunTrust
                Capital II.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-10
<PAGE>   29
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- - - - - - -------                           -----------------------
<C>       <C>   <S>
  25.4     --   Statement of Eligibility of Preferred Guarantee Trustee
                under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of SunTrust for the
                benefit of the holders of Preferred Securities of SunTrust
                Capital I.
  25.5     --   Statement of Eligibility of Preferred Guarantee Trustee
                under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of SunTrust for the
                benefit of the holders of Preferred Securities of SunTrust
                Capital II.
</TABLE>
 
- - - - - - ---------------
 
* To be filed by Amendment
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     Each of the undersigned registrants (the "Registrants") hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in the Registration
        Statement;
 
     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
     Commission by any Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each filing of any Registrant's annual report
     pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
     annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (5) That, insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing
     provisions, or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the
     opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
     against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
     therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
     against such liabilities (other than the payment by any Registrant of
     expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
 
                                      II-11
<PAGE>   30
 
     person of such Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
     proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
     connection with the securities being registered, the Registrants will,
     unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by
     controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
     question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
     expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final
     adjudication of such issue.
 
          (6) That, (i) for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus
     filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
     contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
     424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed
     to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared
     effective; and (ii) for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
     of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
     to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
     that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-12
<PAGE>   31
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on April 17, 1997.
 
                                          SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
 
                                          By:      /s/ JAMES B. WILLIAMS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            James B. Williams
                                            Chairman of the Board
                                            and Chief Executive Officer
 
                                          SUNTRUST CAPITAL I
 
                                          By:      /s/ DONALD T. HEROMAN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Donald T. Heroman
                                            Trustee
 
                                          SUNTRUST CAPITAL II
 
                                          By:      /s/ DONALD T. HEROMAN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Donald T. Heroman
                                            Trustee
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints JAMES B. WILLIAMS, Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, JOHN W. SPIEGEL, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, RAYMOND D. FORTIN,
Secretary of the Company, or any one of them, and any agent for service named in
this Registration Statement and each of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
registration statements filled pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or any of
them, their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities with SunTrust Banks, Inc. and on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                       DATE
                      ---------                                       -----                       ----
<C>                                                      <S>                                 <C>
                /s/ JAMES B. WILLIAMS                    Chairman of the Board and Chief     April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------      Executive Officer
                  James B. Williams
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-13
<PAGE>   32
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                       DATE
                      ---------                                       -----                       ----
<C>                                                      <S>                                 <C>
                                                         President and Director              April 15, 1997
                /s/ L. PHILLIP HUMANN
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                  L. Phillip Humann
 
                 /s/ JOHN W. SPIEGEL                     Executive Vice President and        April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------      Chief Financial Officer
                   John W. Spiegel
 
              /s/ WILLIAM P. O'HALLORAN                  Senior Vice President and Chief     April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------      Accounting Officer
                William P. O'Halloran
 
                 /s/ J. HYATT BROWN                      Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                   J. Hyatt Brown
 
               /s/ JAMES D. CAMP, JR.                    Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                 James D. Camp, Jr.
 
                /s/ ALSTON D. CORRELL                    Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                  Alston D. Correll
 
                  /s/ A.W. DAHLBERG                      Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                    A.W. Dahlberg
 
               /s/ ROBERTO C. GOIZUETA                   Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                 Roberto C. Goizueta
 
                 /s/ DAVID H. HUGHES                     Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                   David H. Hughes
 
              /s/ JOSEPH L. LANIER, JR.                  Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.
 
                 /s/ LARRY L. PRINCE                     Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                   Larry L. Prince
 
             /s/ SCOTT L. PROBASCO, JR.                  Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
               Scott L. Probasco, Jr.
 
               /s/ R. RANDALL ROLLINS                    Director                            April 15, 1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------
                 R. Randall Rollins
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-14

<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 12.1

                             SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
                      Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             
                                             
                                                                 Year Ended December 31
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1996       1995         1994          1993       1992
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
RATIO 1 - INCLUDING DEPOSIT INTEREST         
                                             
Earnings:                                    
  Income before income taxes                  $  903,200   $  825,925   $  781,965   $  700,662  $  575,768 
  Fixed charges                                1,476,392    1,363,702      946,283      804,281     988,111 
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                     $2,379,592   $2,189,627   $1,728,248   $1,504,943  $1,563,879
                                             ==============================================================
                                                                                                           
Fixed charges:                                                                                             
  Interest on deposits                         1,083,035      988,725      704,803      632,307     832,372 
  Interest on funds purchased                    245,502      239,080      122,055       87,900      87,038 
  Interest on other short-term borrowings         48,264       54,843       42,519       21,623       7,027 
  Interest on long-term debt                      85,031       68,114       63,119       48,839      48,560 
  Portion of rents representative of the                                                                   
    interest factor (1/3) of rental expense       14,560       12,940       13,787       13,612      13,114 
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                   $1,476,392   $1,363,702   $  946,283     $804,281  $  988,111 
                                             ==============================================================
                                                                                                           
Earnings to fixed charges                           1.61 x       1.61 x       1.83 x       1.87 x      1.58 x 
                                                                                                           
RATIO 2 - EXCLUDING DEPOSIT INTEREST                                                                       
                                                                                                           
Earnings:                                                                                                  
  Income before income taxes                  $  903,200   $  825,925   $  781,965   $  700,662  $  575,768 
  Fixed charges                                  393,357      374,977      241,480      171,974     155,739 
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                     $1,296,557   $1,200,902   $1,023,445   $  872,636  $  731,507 
                                             ==============================================================
                                                                                                           
Fixed charges:                                                                                             
  Interest on funds purchased                    245,502      239,080      122,055       87,900      87,038 
  Interest on other short-term borrowings         48,264       54,843       42,519       21,623       7,027 
  Interest on long-term debt                      85,031       68,114       63,119       48,839      48,560 
  Portion of rents representative of the     
    interest factor (1/3) of rental expense       14,560       12,940       13,787       13,612      13,114 
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                   $  393,357   $  374,977   $  241,480   $  171,974  $  155,739 
                                             ==============================================================
                                                                                                           
Earnings to fixed charges                           3.30 x       3.20 x       4.24 x       5.07 x      4.70 x

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 31, 1997
incorporated by reference in SunTrust Banks, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.


/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
- - - - - - -----------------------
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
April 16, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 25.1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2) _____

                       _________________________________

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                               36-0899825
                                                             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                                          
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                      60670-0126
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                       (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                      ___________________________________

                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


               GEORGIA                                      58-1575035
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                                      
                                                      
        303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.                    
            ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                   30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                     (ZIP CODE)


                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)





<PAGE>   2
ITEM 1.          GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
                 INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

                 (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
                 SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                 Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
                 Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
                 the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

                 (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
                 CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                 The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
                 trust powers.

ITEM 2.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
                 IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
                 SUCH AFFILIATION.

                 No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.         LIST OF EXHIBITS.  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
                 PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

                 1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
                     trustee now in effect.*

                 2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
                     trustee to commence business.*

                 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
                     exercise corporate trust powers.*

                 4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

                 5.  Not Applicable.

                 6.  The consent of the trustee required by
                     Section 321(b) of the Act.





                                      2
<PAGE>   3



                 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the
                     trustee published pursuant to law or the
                     requirements of its supervising or examining
                     authority.

                 8.  Not Applicable.

                 9.  Not Applicable.


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
         banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
         United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
         Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
         duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
         the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  TRUSTEE

                                  BY       /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





* EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA INC. FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).





                                      3
<PAGE>   4



                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                                 April 14, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of an indenture between SunTrust Banks,
Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, the undersigned, in accordance
with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby
consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal
or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by
such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request
therefor.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                  BY:      /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





                                      4
<PAGE>   5

                                   EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:      The First National Bank of Chicago        Call Date: 09/30/96      ST-BK: 17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                  One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                                Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:         Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:     0/3/6/1/8

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount
outstanding of the last business day of the quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

                                                                                                          C400              <-    
                                                                            DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN          ------------      ---------
                                                                                THOUSANDS        RCFD  BIL MIL THOU
                                                                            ------------------   ----  ------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                  <C>   <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule  
     RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1) . . . . . .                        0081   4,041,784          1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        0071   5,184,890          1.b.
2.   Securities                                                                                                               
     a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A)  . . .                        1754           0          2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)  . .                        1773   3,173,481          2.b.
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to                                                          
     resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement                                                        
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                                                                               
     a. Federal Funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        0276   3,505,874          3.a.
     b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell . . . . . . . . .                        0277     145,625          3.b.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:                                                             
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule                                         
     RC-C)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 2122 22,835,958                           4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 3123    418,851                           4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 3128          0                           4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and                                        
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2125    22,417,107        4.d.
5.   Assets held in trading accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        3545     8,121,948        5.  
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) . . . . . .                        2145       707,971        6.  
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2150         9,184        7.  
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated                                                                 
     companies (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2130        53,803        8.  
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding . . . .                        2155       626,690        9.  
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2143       310,246        10. 
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2160     1,658,123        11. 
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2170    49,956,726        12. 
</TABLE>

__________________

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.  





                                       5
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:   The First National Bank of Chicago     Call Date:   09/30/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:               One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                           Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:      Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:  0/3/6/1/8

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
                                                              DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                  Thousands                     BIL MIL THOU
                                                               ----------------                 ------------
<S>                                                            <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
LIABILITIES                                                                                      
13. Deposits:                                                                                    
    a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns                                             
       A and C from Schedule RC-E, part 1)  . . . . . . . . .                        RCON 2200    22,369,341   13.a.
       (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCON 6631  9,726,987                             13.a.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCON 6636 12,642,354                             13.a.(2)
    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,                                      
       and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)   . . . . . . .                        RCFN 2200    10,026,286   13.b.
       (1) Noninterest bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCFN 6631    336,746                             13.b.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCFN 6636  9,689,540                             13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under                                            
    agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the                                          
    bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,                                             
    and in IBFs:                                                                                 
    a. Federal funds purchased  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 0278       884,553   14.a.
    b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   . . .                        RCFD 0279       717,211   14.b.
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury   . . . . . .                        RCON 2840        14,120   15.a.
    b. Trading Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 3548     5,409,585   15b.
16. Other borrowed money:                                                                        
    a. With original maturity of one year or less   . . . . .                        RCFD 2332     3,414,577   16.a.
    b. With original  maturity of more than one year  . . . .                        RCFD 2333        46,685   16b.
17. Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized                                      
    leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 2910       285,671   17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding                          RCFD 2920       626,690   18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures   . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 3200     1,250,000   19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)  . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 2930     1,005,205   20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)  . . . . .                        RCFD 2948    46,049,924   21.
22. Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus  . . . .                        RCFD 3282             0   22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                   
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus   . . . . .                        RCFD 3838             0   23.
24. Common stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 3230       200,858   24. 
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                         RCFD 3839     2,925,894   25. 
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves   . . . . . . .                        RCFD 3632      770,670    26.a.
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on                                                                    
       available-for-sale securities  . . . . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 8434        10,194   26.b.
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments   . .                        RCFD 3284         (814)   27. 
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)   . . .                        RCFD 3210     3,906,802   28. 
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity                                                    
    capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)   . . . . . . . . .                        RCFD 3300    49,956,726   29. 
                                                                                                                  
Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.

1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most
    comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                Number  

    auditors as of any date during 1995   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    ....RCFD 6724. ... N/A        M.1.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance       4 = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified       external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank       authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company      5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing        auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which       6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company            external auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                            7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in                 work)
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards       8 = No external audit work
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE>
___________________
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.





                                       6

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2) _____

                       ---------------------------------

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                               36-0899825
                                                             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                      60670-0126
       (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                  (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                     -----------------------------------

                             SUNTRUST CAPITAL I
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                                      

              DELAWARE                                    TO BE APPLIED FOR
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


     303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
         ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                        30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                       (ZIP CODE)


                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)





<PAGE>   2
ITEM 1.          GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
                 INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

                 (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING
                 AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                 Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C., Federal Deposit
                 Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., The Board of
                 Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

                 (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST
                 POWERS.

                 The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN 
                 AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH AFFILIATION.

                 No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.         LIST OF EXHIBITS.  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A PART OF
                 THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

                 1.  A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now
                     in effect.*

                 2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the trustee to
                     commence business.*

                 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                     corporate trust powers.*

                 4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

                 5.  Not Applicable.

                 6.  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of
                     the Act.





                                      2
<PAGE>   3



                 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                     published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                     supervising or examining authority.

                 8.  Not Applicable.

                 9.  Not Applicable.


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
         banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
         United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
         Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
         duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
         the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  TRUSTEE

                                  BY       /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           
                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





* EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA INC. FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).





                                      3
<PAGE>   4



                                   EXHIBIT 6



                   THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED BY
                          SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                               April 14, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust of SunTrust Capital I, the undersigned, in accordance with Section 321(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents that the
reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State
authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request
therefor.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                  BY:  /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                       
                                       RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                       VICE PRESIDENT





                                      4
<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            EXHIBIT 7

Legal Title of Bank:      The First National Bank of Chicago         Call Date: 09/30/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                  One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                              Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:         Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:     0/3/6/1/8
                          ---------

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount
outstanding of the last business day of the quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET


                                                                          DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN                   C400   
                                                                              THOUSANDS             RCFD   BIL MIL THOU         <-
                                                                          -----------------         ----   ------------        ----
<S>                                                                          <C>                     <C>      <C>               <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
     RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)                                        0081     4,041,784         1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0071     5,184,890         1.b.
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A)                                    1754             0         2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)                                 1773     3,173,481         2.b.
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
     resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
     a. Federal Funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0276     3,505,874         3.a.
     b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell   . . .                                      0277       145,625         3.b.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule
     RC-C)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              RCFD 2122 22,835,958                               4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses   . . . . . .              RCFD 3123    418,851                               4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve   . . . . . . . .              RCFD 3128          0                               4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . .                                      2125    22,417,107         4.d.
5.   Assets held in trading accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      3545     8,121,948         5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)                                        2145       707,971         6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . .                                      2150         9,184         7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2130        53,803         8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding                                    2155       626,690         9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . .                                      2143       310,246        10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2160     1,658,123        11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)   . . . . . . . .                                      2170    49,956,726        12.
</TABLE>

__________________

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.





                                      5
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:   The First National Bank of Chicago            Call Date:   09/30/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:               One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                                  Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:      Chicago, IL  60670

FDIC Certificate No.:  0/3/6/1/8
                       ---------

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
                                                                    DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                         Thousands                      BIL MIL THOU
                                                                     ----------------                   ------------
<S>                                                                <C>                     <C>          <C>               <C>
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
        from Schedule RC-E, part 1)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCON 2200    22,369,341        13.a.
        (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCON 6631  9,726,987                                   13.a.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCON 6636 12,642,354                                   13.a.(2)
     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and     
        IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFN 2200    10,026,286        13.b.
        (1) Noninterest bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCFN 6631    336,746                                   13.b.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCFN 6636  9,689,540                                   13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements    
     to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of            
     its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:               
     a. Federal funds purchased   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 0278       884,553        14.a.
     b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  . . . .                            RCFD 0279       717,211        14.b.
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury  . . . . . . .                            RCON 2840        14,120        15.a.
     b. Trading Liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3548     5,409,585        15b.
16.  Other borrowed money:                                           
     a. With original maturity of one year or less  . . . . . .                            RCFD 2332     3,414,577        16.a.
     b. With original maturity of more than one year  . . . . .                            RCFD 2333        46,685        16b.
17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized         
     leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2910       285,671        17.
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding  .                            RCFD 2920       626,690        18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures  . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3200     1,250,000        19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2930     1,005,205        20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)   . . . . .                            RCFD 2948    46,049,924        21.
22.  Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus . . . . .                            RCFD 3282             0        22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                       
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus  . . . . . .                            RCFD 3838             0        23.
24.  Common stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3230       200,858        24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                              RCFD 3839     2,925,894        25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves  . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3632       770,670        26.a.
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale  
        securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 8434        10,194        26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments  . . .                            RCFD 3284          (814)       27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)  . . . .                            RCFD 3210     3,906,802        28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity     
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3300    49,956,726        29.

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1.   Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most
     comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                               
                                                                                                        Number
                                                                                                       -------
     auditors as of any date during 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 RCFD 6724       N/A         M.1.

1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance        4.=  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified         external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank         authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company       5 =  Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing          auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which        6 =  Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company              auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                             7 =  Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in              8 =  No external audit work
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards        
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by    
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE>

- - - - - - -------------------

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.





                                      6

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.3

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM T-1

                          STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

              CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
              OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2) _____

                      _________________________________

                     THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                           36-0899825
                                                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                        IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                                       
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                   60670-0126
         (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)             (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                      ___________________________________

                              SUNTRUST CAPITAL II
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



              DELAWARE                                    TO BE APPLIED FO
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


     303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
         ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                       30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                     (ZIP CODE)


                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)





<PAGE>   2





ITEM 1.          GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
                 INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

                 (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING
                 AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                 Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C., Federal Deposit
                 Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., The Board of
                 Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

                 (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST
                 POWERS.

                 The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE
                 OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH AFFILIATION.

                 No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.         LIST OF EXHIBITS.  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A PART OF
                 THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

                 1.  A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now
                     in effect.*

                 2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the trustee to
                     commence business.*

                 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                     corporate trust powers.*

                 4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

                 5.  Not Applicable.

                 6.  The consent of the trustee required by
                     Section 321(b) of the Act.





                                      2
<PAGE>   3



                 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                     published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                     supervising or examining authority.

                 8.  Not Applicable.

                 9.  Not Applicable.


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
         banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
         United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
         Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
         duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
         the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  TRUSTEE

                                  BY       /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





* EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA INC. FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).





                                      3
<PAGE>   4



                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                                 April 14, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust of SunTrust Capital II, the undersigned, in accordance with Section
321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents that the
reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State
authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request
therefor.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                  BY:      /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





                                      4
<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            EXHIBIT 7

Legal Title of Bank:      The First National Bank of Chicago         Call Date: 09/30/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                  One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                              Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:         Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:     0/3/6/1/8
                          ---------

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount
outstanding of the last business day of the quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET


                                                                          DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN                   C400   
                                                                              THOUSANDS             RCFD   BIL MIL THOU         <-
                                                                          -----------------         ----   ------------        ----
<S>                                                                          <C>                     <C>      <C>               <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
     RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)                                        0081     4,041,784         1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0071     5,184,890         1.b.
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A)                                    1754             0         2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)                                 1773     3,173,481         2.b.
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
     resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
     a. Federal Funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0276     3,505,874         3.a.
     b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell   . . .                                      0277       145,625         3.b.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule
     RC-C)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              RCFD 2122 22,835,958                               4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses   . . . . . .              RCFD 3123    418,851                               4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve   . . . . . . . .              RCFD 3128          0                               4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . .                                      2125    22,417,107         4.d.
5.   Assets held in trading accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      3545     8,121,948         5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)                                        2145       707,971         6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . .                                      2150         9,184         7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2130        53,803         8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding                                    2155       626,690         9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . .                                      2143       310,246        10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2160     1,658,123        11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)   . . . . . . . .                                      2170    49,956,726        12.
</TABLE>

__________________

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.





                                      5
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:   The First National Bank of Chicago            Call Date:   09/30/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:               One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                                  Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:      Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:  0/3/6/1/8
                       ---------

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
                                                                    DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                         Thousands                      BIL MIL THOU
                                                                    -----------------                   ------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                   <C>          <C>               <C>
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
        from Schedule RC-E, part 1)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCON 2200    22,369,341        13.a.
        (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCON 6631 9,726,987                                  13.a.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCON 6636 12,642,354                                 13.a.(2)
     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and     
        IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFN 2200    10,026,286        13.b.
        (1) Noninterest bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFN 6631    336,746                                 13.b.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFN 6636  9,689,540                                 13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements    
     to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of            
     its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:               
     a. Federal funds purchased   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 0278       884,553        14.a.
     b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  . . . .                            RCFD 0279       717,211        14.b.
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury  . . . . . . .                            RCON 2840        14,120        15.a.
     b. Trading Liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3548     5,409,585        15b.
16.  Other borrowed money:                                           
     a. With original maturity of one year or less  . . . . . .                            RCFD 2332     3,414,577        16.a.
     b. With original maturity of more than one year  . . . . .                            RCFD 2333        46,685        16b.
17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized         
     leases       . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2910       285,671        17.
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding  .                            RCFD 2920       626,690        18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures  . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3200     1,250,000        19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)   . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2930     1,005,205        20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)   . . . . .                            RCFD 2948    46,049,924        21.
22.  Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus   . . . .                            RCFD 3282             0        22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                       
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus  . . . . . .                            RCFD 3838             0        23.
24.  Common stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3230       200,858        24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                              RCFD 3839     2,925,894        25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves  . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3632       770,670        26.a.
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale  
        securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 8434        10,194        26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments  . . .                            RCFD 3284          (814)       27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)  . . . .                            RCFD 3210     3,906,802        28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity     
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3300    49,956,726        29.

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1.   Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most
     comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                               
                                                                                                        Number
                                                                                                       -------
     auditors as of any date during 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 RCFD 6724       N/A         M.1.

1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance        4 =   Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified          external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank          authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company       5 =   Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing           auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which        6 =   Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company               auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                             7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in              8 =   No external audit work
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards        
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by    
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE>

- - - - - - -------------------

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.





                                      6

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 25.4


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2) _____

                       _________________________________

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                             36-0899825
                                                            (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                    60670-0126
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                      (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                      ___________________________________

                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


          GEORGIA                                          58-1575035
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                                     
                                                     
         303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.                  
             ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                   (ZIP CODE)


                 PREFERRED GUARANTEE OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF
                               SUNTRUST CAPITAL I
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
<PAGE>   2





ITEM 1.          GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
                 INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

                 (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
                 SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                 Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
                 Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
                 the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

                 (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
                 CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                 The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
                 trust powers.

ITEM 2.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
                 IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
                 SUCH AFFILIATION.

                 No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.         LIST OF EXHIBITS.  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
                 PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

                 1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
                     trustee now in effect.*

                 2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
                     trustee to commence business.*

                 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
                     exercise corporate trust powers.*

                 4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

                 5.  Not Applicable.

                 6.  The consent of the trustee required by
                     Section 321(b) of the Act.





                                       2
<PAGE>   3



                 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the
                     trustee published pursuant to law or the
                     requirements of its supervising or examining
                     authority.

                 8.  Not Applicable.

                 9.  Not Applicable.


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
         banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
         United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
         Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
         duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
         the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  TRUSTEE

                                  BY       /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





* EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA INC. FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).





                                       3
<PAGE>   4



                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                                 April 14, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of a Guarantee of SunTrust Banks, Inc.,
relating to the Preferred Securities of SunTrust Capital I, the undersigned, in
accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by
Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be
furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
its request therefor.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                  BY:      /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





                                       4
<PAGE>   5

                                   EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:      The First National Bank of Chicago        Call Date: 09/30/96      ST-BK: 17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                  One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                                Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:         Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:     0/3/6/1/8

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount
outstanding of the last business day of the quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

                                                                                                          C400              <-    
                                                                            DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN          ------------      ---------
                                                                                THOUSANDS        RCFD  BIL MIL THOU
                                                                            ------------------   ----  ------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>   <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule  
     RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1) . . . . . .                        0081     4,041,784        1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        0071     5,184,890        1.b.
2.   Securities                                                                                                               
     a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A)  . . .                        1754             0        2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)  . .                        1773     3,173,481        2.b.
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to                                                          
     resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement                                                        
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                                                                               
     a. Federal Funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        0276     3,505,874        3.a.
     b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell . . . . . . . . .                        0277       145,625        3.b.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:                                                             
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule                                         
     RC-C)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 2122 22,835,958                           4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 3123    418,851                           4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   RCFD 3128          0                           4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and                                        
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2125    22,417,107        4.d.
5.   Assets held in trading accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        3545     8,121,948        5.  
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) . . . . . .                        2145       707,971        6.  
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2150         9,184        7.  
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated                                                                 
     companies (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2130        53,803        8.  
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding . . . .                        2155       626,690        9.  
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2143       310,246        10. 
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2160     1,658,123        11. 
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        2170    49,956,726        12. 
</TABLE>

__________________

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.  





                                       5
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:   The First National Bank of Chicago     Call Date:   09/30/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:               One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                           Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:      Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:  0/3/6/1/8

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
                                                              DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                  Thousands                     BIL MIL THOU
                                                               ----------------                 ------------
<S>                                                            <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
LIABILITIES                                                                                      
13. Deposits:                                                                                    
    a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns                                             
       A and C from Schedule RC-E, part 1)  . . . . . . . . .                         RCON 2200   22,369,341   13.a.
       (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCON 6631  9,726,987                             13.a.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCON 6636 12,642,354                             13.a.(2)
    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,                                      
       and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)   . . . . . . .                         RCFN 2200   10,026,286   13.b.
       (1) Noninterest bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCFN 6631    336,746                             13.b.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCFN 6636  9,689,540                             13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under                                            
    agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the                                          
    bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,                                             
    and in IBFs:                                                                                 
    a. Federal funds purchased  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 0278      884,553   14.a.
    b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   . . .                         RCFD 0279      717,211   14.b.
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury   . . . . . .                         RCON 2840       14,120   15.a.
    b. Trading Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 3548    5,409,585   15b.
16. Other borrowed money:                                                                        
    a. With original maturity of one year or less   . . . . .                         RCFD 2332    3,414,577   16.a.
    b. With original  maturity of more than one year  . . . .                         RCFD 2333       46,685   16b.
17. Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized                                      
    leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 2910      285,671   17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding                           RCFD 2920      626,690   18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures   . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 3200    1,250,000   19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)  . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 2930    1,005,205   20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)  . . . . .                         RCFD 2948   46,049,924   21.
22. Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus  . . . .                         RCFD 3282            0   22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                   
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus   . . . . .                         RCFD 3838            0   23.
24. Common stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 3230      200,858   24. 
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                          RCFD 3839    2,925,894   25. 
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves   . . . . . . .                         RCFD 3632     770,670    26.a.
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on                                                                    
       available-for-sale securities  . . . . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 8434       10,194   26.b.
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments   . .                         RCFD 3284        (814)   27. 
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)   . . .                         RCFD 3210    3,906,802   28. 
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity                                                    
    capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)   . . . . . . . . .                         RCFD 3300   49,956,726   29. 
                                                                                                                  
Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.

1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most
    comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                Number  

    auditors as of any date during 1995   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    ....RCFD 6724. ... N/A        M.1.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance       4 = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified       external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank       authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company      5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing        auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which       6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company            external auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                            7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in                 work)
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards       8 = No external audit work
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE>
___________________
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.





                                       6

<PAGE>   1

                                                              EXHIBIT 25.5

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2) _____

                       _________________________________

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

       A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                         36-0899825
                                                           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                        IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                    60670-0126
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                      (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                      ___________________________________

                              SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



              GEORGIA                                        58-1575035
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


      303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
          ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                       30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                       (ZIP CODE)


                 PREFERRED GUARANTEE OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF
                              SUNTRUST CAPITAL II
                       (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)




<PAGE>   2
ITEM 1.          GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
                 INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

                 (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
                 SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                 Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
                 Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
                 the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

                 (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
                 CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                 The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
                 trust powers.

ITEM 2.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
                 IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
                 SUCH AFFILIATION.

                 No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.         LIST OF EXHIBITS.  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
                 PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

                 1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
                     trustee now in effect.*

                 2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
                     trustee to commence business.*

                 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
                     exercise corporate trust powers.*

                 4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

                 5.  Not Applicable.

                 6.  The consent of the trustee required by
                     Section 321(b) of the Act.





                                      2
<PAGE>   3



                 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the
                     trustee published pursuant to law or the
                     requirements of its supervising or examining
                     authority.

                 8.  Not Applicable.

                 9.  Not Applicable.


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
         banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
         United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
         Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
         duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
         the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  TRUSTEE

                                  BY       /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





* EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA INC. FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).





                                      3
<PAGE>   4



                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                               April 14, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of a Guarantee of SunTrust Banks, Inc.,
relating to the Preferred Securities of SunTrust Capital II, the undersigned,
in accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned,
made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may
be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
its request therefor.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                  BY:      /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                           RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                           VICE PRESIDENT





                                      4
<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            EXHIBIT 7

Legal Title of Bank:      The First National Bank of Chicago         Call Date: 09/30/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                  One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                              Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:         Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:     0/3/6/1/8
                          ---------

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount
outstanding of the last business day of the quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET


                                                                          DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN                   C400   
                                                                              THOUSANDS             RCFD   BIL MIL THOU         <-
                                                                          -----------------         ----   ------------        ----
<S>                                                                          <C>                     <C>      <C>               <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
     RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)                                        0081     4,041,784         1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0071     5,184,890         1.b.
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A)                                    1754             0         2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)                                 1773     3,173,481         2.b.
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
     resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
     a. Federal Funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      0276     3,505,874         3.a.
     b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell   . . .                                      0277       145,625         3.b.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule
     RC-C)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              RCFD 2122 22,835,958                               4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses   . . . . . .              RCFD 3123    418,851                               4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve   . . . . . . . .              RCFD 3128          0                               4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . .                                      2125    22,417,107         4.d.
5.   Assets held in trading accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      3545     8,121,948         5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)                                        2145       707,971         6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . .                                      2150         9,184         7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2130        53,803         8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding                                    2155       626,690         9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)   . . . . . . . . .                                      2143       310,246        10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . . . . .                                      2160     1,658,123        11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)   . . . . . . . .                                      2170    49,956,726        12.
</TABLE>

__________________

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.





                                      5
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:   The First National Bank of Chicago            Call Date:   09/30/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:               One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                                  Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:      Chicago, IL  60670

FDIC Certificate No.:  0/3/6/1/8
                       ---------

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
                                                                    DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                         Thousands                      BIL MIL THOU
                                                                    -----------------                   ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                    <C>          <C>               <C>
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
        from Schedule RC-E, part 1)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCON 2200    22,369,341        13.a.
        (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCON 6631  9,726,987                                  13.a.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCON 6636 12,642,354                                  13.a.(2)
     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and     
        IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFN 2200    10,026,286        13.b.
        (1) Noninterest bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCFN 6631    336,746                                  13.b.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCFN 6636  9,689,540                                  13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements    
     to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of            
     its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:               
     a. Federal funds purchased   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 0278       884,553        14.a.
     b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  . . . .                            RCFD 0279       717,211        14.b.
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury  . . . . . . .                            RCON 2840        14,120        15.a.
     b. Trading Liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3548     5,409,585        15b.
16.  Other borrowed money:                                           
     a. With original maturity of one year or less  . . . . . .                            RCFD 2332     3,414,577        16.a.
     b. With original maturity of more than one year  . . . . .                            RCFD 2333        46,685        16b.
17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized         
     leases       . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2910       285,671        17.
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding  .                            RCFD 2920       626,690        18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures  . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3200     1,250,000        19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)   . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 2930     1,005,205        20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)   . . . . .                            RCFD 2948    46,049,924        21.
22.  Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus   . . . .                            RCFD 3282             0        22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                       
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus  . . . . . .                            RCFD 3838             0        23.
24.  Common stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3230       200,858        24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                              RCFD 3839     2,925,894        25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves  . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3632       770,670        26.a.
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale  
        securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 8434        10,194        26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments  . . .                            RCFD 3284          (814)       27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)  . . . .                            RCFD 3210     3,906,802        28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity     
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)  . . . . . . . . . .                            RCFD 3300    49,956,726        29.

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1.   Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most
     comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                               
                                                                                                        Number
                                                                                                       -------
     auditors as of any date during 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 RCFD 6724       N/A         M.1.

1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance        4. =  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified          external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank          authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company       5 =   Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing           auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which        6 =   Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company               auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                             7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in              8 =   No external audit work
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards        
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by    
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE>

- - - - - - -------------------

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.





                                      6


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