MOULTRIE, Ga., Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AMERIS BANCORP (NASDAQ-GS: ABCB) (the "Company"), today reported operating net income of $15.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared with $12.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Operating earnings for the quarter exclude $75,000 of after-tax gains on the sale of securities and $283,000 of after-tax costs associated with the conversion of the Company's recently completed acquisitions. For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2015, the Company reported operating net income of $38.0 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, compared with $30.4 million, or $1.16 per share, for the same period in 2014. Earnings per share for 2015 reflect an additional 5.3 million common shares issued in the Company's private placement completed in January 2015. Commenting on the Company's quarterly results, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We had a great third quarter at Ameris Bank highlighted by solid loan growth, higher revenue than our target numbers, credit quality expenses greatly reduced from past quarters and several expense initiatives that are in place that should help continue moving earnings higher. The integration of our two recent acquisitions has been completed, and we look forward to completing the acquisition of Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. early in 2016."

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20051117/CLTH039LOGO

Including the recently announced acquisition, non-recurring credit charges and gains on the sale of securities, the Company reported net income of $15.6 million, or $0.48 per share, in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $11.7 million, or $0.43 per share, in the same quarter in 2014, and for the year-to-date period in 2015, the Company's earnings totaled $26.7 million, or $0.84 per share, compared with $27.9 million, or $1.07 per share, in 2014.

Highlights of the Company's performance and results for the third quarter of 2015 include the following:


    --  Announcement of an agreement to acquire Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.,
        which will add $502 million in total assets and eight additional
        locations within the Jacksonville MSA
    --  Operating return on average assets and operating return on average
        tangible equity of 1.21% and 16.23%, respectively
    --  Successful data conversion of the 13 branches acquired in the
        acquisition of Merchants and Southern Bank in Gainesville, Florida
    --  Total loan growth (including mortgage loans held for sale) of $203.7
        million in the third quarter of 2015, or 22.7% annualized
    --  Organic loan growth of $78.2 million, or 10.4% (annualized), during the
        third quarter of 2015
    --  27% increase in total recurring revenue to $72.3 million in the third
        quarter of 2015 as compared with the same quarter in 2014, with
        recurring revenue defined as net interest income plus noninterest
        income, but excluding gain on sale of securities
    --  15.3% increase in tangible book value per share to $12.31, compared with
        $10.68 per share at September 30, 2014
    --  39.5% increase in noninterest income to $25.0 million, compared with
        $17.9 million in the third quarter of 2014
    --  73.4% increase in profitability from mortgage, SBA and warehouse lines
        of business to $4.7 million, compared with $2.7 million in the same
        quarter in 2014.

Pending Acquisition

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company announced its intent to acquire Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of The Jacksonville Bank. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will have approximately $5.7 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans and $4.9 billion in deposits. The acquisition will further expand Ameris's existing Southeastern footprint in the attractive Jacksonville, Florida market. The Jacksonville Bank currently operates eight banking locations, all of which are located within the Jacksonville MSA. After the acquisition, Ameris will become the largest community bank by deposit market share in the Jacksonville, Florida market. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016 and is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and approval by Jacksonville Bancorp shareholders.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income (taxable equivalent) for the third quarter of 2015 totaled $48.1 million, an increase of $8.5 million, or 21.5%, compared with $39.6 million reported for the third quarter of 2014. Accretion income in the current quarter increased to $3.0 million, compared with $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2015, and was consistent with the $3.0 million recorded in the third quarter of 2014. Higher levels of interest income resulted mostly from growth in average loans outstanding of approximately $742.5 million as compared with the third quarter of 2014.

The Company's net interest margin decreased during the quarter to 4.07%, compared with 4.50% during the third quarter of 2014. This decline in net interest margin was expected and resulted from the excess liquidity and short-term investment strategy for the funds in the second and third quarters. Excluding accretion on purchased loans, the Company's net interest margin was 3.81% in the third quarter of 2015, compared with 4.17% in the third quarter of 2014.

Yields on earning assets in the third quarter of 2015 were 4.39%, compared with 4.96% in the third quarter of 2014. The decline in earning asset yields relates almost entirely to the short-term investment strategy associated with the Company's recent acquisitions. Current yields on the invested funds were approximately 2.80%, consisting of shorter duration mortgage pools, investment securities and some federal funds sold. Current yields on all loans (including purchased non-covered and covered loans and excluding accretion income) declined in the third quarter of 2015 to 4.75%, compared with 5.11% in the same quarter in 2014. Higher yielding covered loans as a percentage of total loans has declined from 11.2% in the third quarter of 2014 to only 6.2% for the current quarter of 2015. Additionally, some of the growth in the legacy portfolio has been in both municipal loans and adjustable rate mortgages that have a significantly better risk profile but lower yields than consolidated levels seen in the past.

Total interest expense for the third quarter of 2015 was $3.8 million, compared with $4.1 million in the same quarter of 2014. Decreases in total interest expense were driven primarily by the deposit mix in the portfolio, both from acquisition activity and organic growth. Noninterest bearing deposits were 28.7% of the total average deposits in the third quarter of 2015, compared with 23.9% in the same period in 2014. Deposit costs of funds were lower during the third quarter of 2015 at 0.22%, compared with 0.30% during the third quarter of 2014. Management does not expect deposit costs or overall funding costs to change materially in the coming quarters despite tightening liquidity and increasingly stronger forecasts for asset growth.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income in the third quarter of 2015 improved to $25.0 million, an increase of $7.1 million, or 39.5%, compared with the same quarter in 2014. Continued growth and profitability in the Company's mortgage operations provided most of the improvement, with revenue from mortgage operations increasing to $10.4 million, an increase of 38.8% compared with the same quarter of 2014. Total mortgage loan production increased to $311.0 million in the quarter, compared with $217.7 million in the third quarter of 2014, while spreads (gain on sale) were relatively unchanged at 3.51% in the current quarter compared with 3.46% in the same quarter of 2014.

Service charges on deposit accounts increased by $4.1 million to $10.8 million during the quarter, an increase of 61.7% compared with the same quarter in 2014. Service charge increases associated with the recently closed acquisitions totaled $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2015, or $10.9 million annually.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expenses totaled $48.4 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $38.6 million in the third quarter of 2014. Substantially all of the increase in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2015 over the third quarter of 2014 relates to additional expenses associated with recently acquired branches, as well as increased expenses in the Company's non-interest lines of business. Line of business operating expenses increased $1.5 million during the current quarter as compared with the same quarter in 2014. Growth in line of business revenue more than eclipsed the growth in related operating expenses, contributing to a measurable increase in profitability.

Salaries and benefits increased to $24.9 million in the current quarter of 2015, compared with $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $20.2 million in the same quarter in 2014. Increases in compensation costs derive from the staffing additions resulting from the acquisition of Merchants and Southern Bank and 18 Bank of America branches in the second quarter of 2015.

Non-provision credit resolution-related costs decreased from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Occupancy and equipment costs increased from $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 due to the increased number of branches that are now operated by the Company. Data processing and telecommunications expenses increased from $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 for the same reason.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at September 30, 2015 were $5.22 billion, compared with $4.04 billion reported at December 31, 2014. The growth in total assets was driven by the acquisitions of Merchants and Southern Bank and 18 additional retail branches during the second quarter of 2015.

Loans, including loans held for sale, totaled $3.77 billion at September 30, 2015, compared with $2.90 billion at December 31, 2014. During the third quarter, organic growth in loans amounted to $78.2 million, or 10.4% on an annualized basis. Purchased, non-covered loans (excluding loan pools) decreased $40.8 million during the quarter to $767.5 million, down from $808.3 million at June 30, 2015. Purchased, non-covered loan pools increased $141.1 million during the quarter, to $410.1 million, as the Company purchased additional whole-loan, adjustable rate mortgage pools to invest its excess cash. Covered loans continued to decline and ended the quarter at $191.0 million, a decrease of $18.6 million during the quarter.

Investment securities at the end of the quarter amounted to $820.7 million, or 19.1% of earning assets, compared with $552.1 million, or 15.5% of earning assets, at December 31, 2014.

At September 30, 2015, total deposits amounted to $4.53 billion, or 98.0% of total funding, compared with $3.43 billion and 95.8%, respectively, at December 31, 2014. Non-interest bearing deposits at the end of the current quarter were $1.28 billion, or 28.2% of total deposits, compared with $839.4 million, or 24.5%, at December 31, 2014.

Stockholders' equity at September 30, 2015 totaled $502.3 million, compared with $366.0 million reported at December 31, 2014. The increase in stockholders' equity was the result of the issuance of $114.9 million of common shares in the first quarter of 2015 and earnings of $26.7 million during the first nine months of 2015. Tangible book value increased during the first nine months of 2015, from $10.99 per share at December 31, 2014 to $12.31 per share at September 30, 2015.

Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets increased to 7.76% at the end of the third quarter of 2015, compared with 7.42% at the end of 2014.

Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. EDT today (October 23, 2015) to discuss the Company's results and answer appropriate questions. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-504-1190 or 1-412-902-6630 for international participants and 1-855-669-9657 for Canada. The conference ID name is Ameris Bancorp. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference call until November 7, 2015. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 for international participants and 1-855-669-9658 for Canada. The conference replay access code is 10074804. The conference call replay and the financial information discussed will also be available on the Investor Relations page of the Ameris Bank website at www.amerisbank.com.

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and at the end of the most recent quarter had 103 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina, with ten of those locations announced to be consolidated within the coming months.

This news release contains certain performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management of Ameris Bancorp (the "Company") uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. These measures are useful when evaluating the underlying performance and efficiency of the Company's operations and balance sheet. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results with prior periods and demonstrate the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. The Company's management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company's financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate" and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are referred to the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a summary of certain factors that may impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition.


                                                                                                                                             AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                          FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                               (unaudited)

                                                                                                                     (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                                             Three Months Ended                                          Nine Months Ended
                                                                                             ------------------                                          -----------------

                                                                                Sept.                           Jun.                                               Mar.                        Dec.            Sept.            Sept.             Sept.

                                                                                            2015                           2015                                                           2015            2014             2014              2015               2014
                                                                                            ----                           ----                                                           ----            ----             ----              ----               ----


    EARNINGS


                                    Net Income Available to Common Shareholders          $15,627                         $1,308                                                         $9,764         $10,580          $11,663           $26,699            $27,857


    PER COMMON SHARE DATA

                                     Earnings per share available to common
                                     shareholders:

                                    Basic                                                  $0.49                          $0.04                                                          $0.32           $0.40            $0.44             $0.84              $1.08

                                    Diluted                                                $0.48                          $0.04                                                          $0.32           $0.39            $0.43             $0.84              $1.07

                                    Cash Dividends per share                               $0.05                          $0.05                                                          $0.05           $0.05            $0.05             $0.15              $0.10

                                    Book value per share (period end)                     $15.60                         $15.12                                                         $15.22          $13.67           $13.22            $15.60             $13.22

                                    Tangible book value per share (period end)            $12.31                         $11.81                                                         $13.01          $10.99           $10.68            $12.31             $10.68

                                    Weighted average number of shares:

                                    Basic                                             32,195,435                     32,184,355                                                     30,442,998      26,771,636       26,773,033        31,614,015         25,705,313

                                    Diluted                                           32,553,167                     32,520,453                                                     30,796,148      27,090,293       27,160,886        31,961,969         26,099,413

                                    Period-end number of shares                       32,196,117                     32,195,089                                                     32,182,143      26,773,863       26,774,402        32,196,117         26,774,402

                                    Market data:

                                    High closing price                                    $28.75                         $26.87                                                         $26.55          $26.48           $24.04            $28.75             $24.04

                                    Low closing price                                     $24.97                         $24.73                                                         $22.75          $21.95           $21.00            $22.75             $19.73

                                    Period end closing price                              $28.75                         $25.29                                                         $26.39          $25.64           $21.95            $28.75             $21.95

                                    Average daily volume                                 174,900                        107,413                                                        105,152         111,473           79,377           129,678             87,019


    PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                                    Return on average assets                               1.19%                         0.12%                                                         0.97%          1.05%           1.17%            0.74%             1.01%

                                    Return on average common equity                       12.53%                         1.07%                                                         8.76%         11.57%          13.19%            7.21%            10.73%

                                    Earning asset yield (TE)                               4.39%                         4.49%                                                         4.79%          5.08%           4.96%            4.54%             5.02%

                                    Total cost of funds                                    0.32%                         0.36%                                                         0.40%          0.43%           0.45%            0.36%             0.43%

                                    Net interest margin (TE)                               4.07%                         4.14%                                                         4.39%          4.64%           4.50%            4.18%             4.57%

                                     Non-interest income excluding securities
                                     transactions,

                                    as a percent of total revenue (TE)                    32.33%                        31.51%                                                        29.06%         26.50%          28.86%           31.09%            27.70%

                                    Efficiency ratio                                      66.87%                        92.74%                                                        72.38%         72.75%          67.64%           76.85%            70.25%


    CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)

                                    Stockholders' equity to assets                         9.63%                         9.35%                                                        11.79%          9.07%           8.85%            9.63%             8.85%

                                    Tangible common equity to tangible assets              7.76%                         7.46%                                                        10.26%          7.42%           7.27%            7.76%             7.27%


    EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION

                                    Tangible common equity to tangible assets              7.76%                         7.46%                                                        10.26%          7.42%           7.27%            7.76%             7.27%

                                    Effect of goodwill and other intangibles               1.87%                         1.89%                                                         1.54%          1.65%           1.58%            1.87%             1.58%
                                    ------------------

                                    Equity to assets (GAAP)                                9.63%                         9.35%                                                        11.79%          9.07%           8.85%            9.63%             8.85%
                                                                                            ====                           ====                                                          =====            ====             ====              ====               ====


    OTHER PERIOD-END DATA

                                    Banking Division FTE                                   1,110                          1,122                                                            852             853              867             1,110                867

                                    Mortgage Division FTE                                    218                            191                                                            170             174              176               218                176
                                    ------------------

                                    Total Ameris Bancorp FTE Headcount                     1,328                          1,313                                                          1,022           1,027            1,043             1,328              1,043
                                                                                           -----                          -----                                                          -----           -----            -----             -----              -----


                                    Assets per Banking Division FTE                       $4,699                         $4,640                                                         $4,874          $4,733           $4,613            $4,699             $4,613

                                    Branch locations                                         103                            103                                                             73              73               74               103                 74

                                    Deposits per branch location                         $43,986                        $43,801                                                        $47,674         $47,002          $45,583           $43,986            $45,583


                                                                                                                                                                                 AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                                   (unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                         (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)


                                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                                                ------------------                                               -----------------

                                                                                                                      Sept.                          Jun.                                                  Mar.                   Dec.           Sept.           Sept.            Sept.

                                                                                                                                 2015                                    2015                                                2015           2014            2014             2015              2014
                                                                                                                                 ----                                    ----                                                ----           ----            ----             ----              ----



    INCOME STATEMENT


    Interest income

                            Interest and fees on loans                                                                        $45,775                                 $39,838                                             $38,618        $41,235         $39,610         $124,231          $109,376

                            Interest on taxable securities                                                                      4,694                                   3,747                                               3,153          3,114           3,034           11,594             8,972

                            Interest on nontaxable securities                                                                     480                                     462                                                 469            483             496            1,411             1,143

                            Interest on deposits in other banks                                                                   227                                     177                                                 124             66              46              528               170

                            Interest on federal funds sold                                                                         19                                       5                                                   4              2               -              28                 5
                            -----------------

                            Total interest income                                                                              51,195                                  44,229                                              42,368         44,900          43,186          137,792           119,666
                                                                                                                               ------                                  ------                                              ------         ------          ------          -------           -------


    Interest expense

                            Interest on deposits                                                                               $2,521                                  $2,264                                              $2,280         $2,560          $2,540           $7,065            $6,928

                            Interest on other borrowings                                                                        1,275                                   1,277                                               1,256          1,334           1,514            3,808             3,858
                            -----------------

                            Total interest expense                                                                              3,796                                   3,541                                               3,536          3,894           4,054           10,873            10,786
                                                                                                                                -----                                   -----                                               -----          -----           -----           ------            ------


    Net interest income                                                                                                      47,399                                  40,688                                              38,832         41,006          39,132          126,919           108,880


    Provision for loan losses                                                                                                   986                                   2,656                                               1,069            888           1,669            4,711             4,760
                                                                                                                                ---                                   -----                                               -----            ---           -----            -----             -----


    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                                     $46,413                                 $38,032                                             $37,763        $40,118         $37,463         $122,208          $104,120
                                                                                                                            -------                                 -------                                             -------        -------         -------         --------          --------


    Noninterest income

                            Service charges on deposit accounts                                                               $10,766                                  $7,151                                              $6,429         $6,522          $6,659          $24,346           $18,092

                            Mortgage banking activity                                                                          10,404                                   9,727                                               8,083          6,476           7,498           28,214            19,510

                             Other service charges, commissions and
                             fees                                                                                               1,145                                     829                                                 668            643             690            2,642             2,004

                            Gain(loss) on sale of securities                                                                      115                                      10                                                  12              -            132              137               138

                            Other non-interest income                                                                           2,548                                   2,909                                               2,383          2,721           2,922            7,840             6,730

                            Total noninterest income                                                                           24,978                                  20,626                                              17,575         16,362          17,901           63,179            46,474
                                                                                                                               ------                                  ------                                              ------         ------          ------           ------            ------


    Noninterest expense

                            Salaries and employee benefits                                                                     24,934                                  22,465                                              20,632         19,316          20,226           68,031            54,562

                            Occupancy and equipment expenses                                                                    5,915                                   4,809                                               4,554          4,717           4,669           15,278            12,804

                             Data processing and telecommunications
                             expenses                                                                                           5,329                                   4,214                                               4,260          4,229           3,928           13,803            11,322

                            Credit resolution related expenses (1)                                                              1,083                                  11,240                                               3,161          5,290           3,186           15,484             8,216

                            Advertising and marketing expenses                                                                    667                                     833                                                 641            847             594            2,141             2,022

                            Amortization of intangible assets                                                                   1,321                                     630                                                 630            662             698            2,581             1,668

                            Merger and conversion charges                                                                         446                                   5,712                                                  15             67             551            6,173             3,873

                            Other non-interest expenses                                                                         8,701                                   6,961                                               6,934          6,605           4,727           22,596            14,669

                            Total noninterest expense                                                                          48,396                                  56,864                                              40,827         41,733          38,579          146,087           109,136
                                                                                                                               ------                                  ------                                              ------         ------          ------          -------           -------


    Income before income taxes                                                                                              $22,995                                  $1,794                                             $14,511        $14,747         $16,785          $39,300           $41,458


                            Income tax expense                                                                                  7,368                                     486                                               4,747          4,167           5,122           12,601            13,315
                            -----------------


    Net income                                                                                                              $15,627                                  $1,308                                              $9,764        $10,580         $11,663          $26,699           $28,143
                                                                                                                            =======                                  ======                                              ======        =======         =======          =======           =======


    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                                     -                                      -                                                  -             -              -               -              286
                                                                                                                                ---                                    ---                                                ---           ---            ---             ---              ---


    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                             $15,627                                  $1,308                                              $9,764        $10,580         $11,663          $26,699           $27,857
                                                                                                                            =======                                  ======                                              ======        =======         =======          =======           =======


    Diluted earnings available to common shareholders                                                                          0.48                                    0.04                                                0.32           0.39            0.43             0.84              1.07
                                                                                                                               ====                                    ====                                                ====           ====            ====             ====              ====


                             (1) Includes expenses associated with problem loans and OREO, as well as OREO losses and
                             writedowns.


                                                                                                         AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                           (unaudited)

                                                                                 (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                                                      ------------------

                                                                          Sept.                                             Jun.                       Mar.                Dec.                 Sept.

                                                                                       2015                                                     2015                2015                 2014                   2014
                                                                                       ----                                                     ----                ----                 ----                   ----


    PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET


    Assets

                            Cash and due from banks                                $114,396                                                 $115,413             $80,142              $78,036                $69,421

                             Federal funds sold and interest bearing
                             balances                                               120,925                                                  239,804             126,157               92,323                 40,165

                             Investment securities available for sale,
                             at fair value                                          811,385                                                  862,154             610,330              541,805                529,509

                            Other investments                                         9,322                                                    9,322               8,636               10,275                 12,687

                            Mortgage loans held for sale                            111,807                                                  108,829              73,796               94,759                110,059


                            Loans, net of unearned income                         2,290,649                                                2,171,600           1,999,420            1,889,881              1,848,759

                             Purchased, non-covered loans (excluding
                             loan pools)                                            767,494                                                  808,313             643,092              674,239                673,724

                            Purchased, non-covered loan pools                       410,072                                                  268,984                   -                   -                     -

                            Covered loans                                           191,021                                                  209,598             245,745              271,279                313,589

                            Less allowance for loan losses                         (22,471)                                                (21,658)           (21,852)            (21,157)              (22,212)
                            -----------------

                            Loans, net                                            3,636,765                                                3,436,837           2,866,405            2,814,242              2,813,860


                            Other real estate owned                                  20,730                                                   22,567              32,339               33,160                 35,320

                             Purchased, non-covered other real estate
                             owned                                                   11,538                                                   13,112              13,818               15,585                 13,660

                            Covered other real estate owned                          12,203                                                   12,626              16,089               19,907                 28,883
                            -----------------

                            Total other real estate owned                            44,471                                                   48,305              62,246               68,652                 77,863


                            Premises and equipment, net                             124,756                                                  124,916              98,292               97,251                 98,752

                            Goodwill                                                 87,701                                                   87,367              63,547               63,547                 58,879

                            Other intangibles, net                                   18,218                                                   19,189               7,591                8,221                  9,114

                            FDIC loss sharing receivable                              4,506                                                   14,957              23,312               31,351                 38,233

                            Cash value of bank owned life insurance                  59,894                                                   59,552              59,212               58,867                 58,217

                            Other assets                                             72,154                                                   79,089              73,238               77,748                 82,649

                            Total assets                                         $5,216,300                                               $5,205,734          $4,152,904           $4,037,077             $3,999,408
                                                                                 ==========                                               ==========          ==========           ==========             ==========


    Liabilities

                            Deposits:

                            Noninterest-bearing                                  $1,275,800                                               $1,280,174            $967,015             $839,377               $816,517

                            Interest-bearing                                      3,254,723                                                3,231,373           2,513,216            2,591,772              2,556,602
                                                                                  ---------                                                ---------           ---------            ---------              ---------

                            Total deposits                                        4,530,523                                                4,511,547           3,480,231            3,431,149              3,373,119

                             Federal funds purchased & securities sold
                             under

                            agreements to repurchase                                 51,506                                                   75,066              55,520               73,310                 32,351

                            Other borrowings                                         39,000                                                   39,000              43,851               78,881                147,409

                            Other liabilities                                        23,371                                                   24,026              17,952               22,384                 27,615

                            Subordinated deferrable interest debentures              69,600                                                   69,325              65,567               65,325                 65,084

                            Total liabilities                                     4,714,000                                                4,718,964           3,663,121            3,671,049              3,645,578
                                                                                  ---------                                                ---------           ---------            ---------              ---------



    Stockholders' equity

      Preferred stock                                                   $               -                           $                           -    $             -     $             -      $              -

      Common stock                                                                 33,610                                                   33,609              33,593               28,159                 28,158

      Capital surplus                                                             336,599                                                  336,212             335,578              225,015                224,142

      Retained earnings                                                           140,282                                                  126,265             126,566              118,412                109,170

      Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)                                 4,197                                                    3,072               6,353                6,098                  3,974

      Less treasury stock                                                        (12,388)                                                (12,388)           (12,307)            (11,656)              (11,614)

                            Total stockholders' equity                              502,300                                                  486,770             489,783              366,028                353,830
                                                                                    -------                                                  -------             -------              -------                -------

                            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity           $5,216,300                                               $5,205,734          $4,152,904           $4,037,077             $3,999,408
                                                                                 ==========                                               ==========          ==========           ==========             ==========



    Other Data

    Earning Assets                                                              4,703,353                                                4,669,282           3,698,540            3,564,286              3,515,805

    Intangible Assets                                                             105,919                                                  106,556              71,138               71,768                 67,993

    Interest Bearing Liabilities                                                3,414,829                                                3,414,764           2,678,154            2,809,288              2,801,446

    Average Assets                                                              5,213,275                                                4,464,558           4,079,750            4,011,128              3,969,893

    Average Common Stockholders' Equity                                           494,957                                                  491,967             452,132              362,659                350,733


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       (unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                                                                              (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                                                                                                                                      Three Months Ended                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                                                                                                      ------------------                                              -----------------

                                                                                                                                                                Sept.                                    Jun.                                                   Mar.                   Dec.            Sept.             Sept.              Sept.

                                                                                                                                                                                     2015                               2015                                                      2015            2014              2014               2015                2014
                                                                                                                                                                                     ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----               ----                ----


    ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION(1)


    Allowance for loan losses

                                                       Balance at beginning of period                                                                                             $21,658                            $21,852                                                   $21,157         $22,212           $22,254            $21,157             $22,377


                                                       Provision for loan loss (2)                                                                                                  1,050                              1,800                                                     1,100             650             1,573              3,950               4,071


                                                       Charge-offs                                                                                                                    719                              2,452                                                       855           2,071             1,975              4,026               5,554

                                                       Recoveries                                                                                                                     482                                458                                                       450             366               360              1,390               1,318
                                                                                                                                                                                      ---                                ---                                                       ---             ---               ---              -----               -----

                                                       Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                   237                              1,994                                                       405           1,705             1,615              2,636               4,236


                                                       Ending balance                                                                                                             $22,471                            $21,658                                                   $21,852         $21,157           $22,212            $22,471             $22,212
                                                       ==============


                                                       As a percentage of loans                                                                                                     0.98%                             1.00%                                                    1.09%          1.12%            1.20%             0.98%              1.20%

                                                       As a percentage of nonperforming loans                                                                                     109.31%                           104.43%                                                  104.85%         97.37%           97.38%           109.31%             97.38%



    Net charge-off information

                                                       Charge-offs

                                                       Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                          $135                               $410                                                      $392            $468              $191               $937              $1,099

                                                       Real estate - residential                                                                                                      234                                464                                                       268             368               406                966               1,339

                                                       Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                            184                              1,162                                                        12           1,033               953              1,358               2,255

                                                       Real estate - construction & development                                                                                       105                                263                                                        97              74               296                465                 518

                                                       Consumer installment                                                                                                            61                                153                                                        86             128               129                300                 343

                                                       Total charge-offs                                                                                                              719                              2,452                                                       855           2,071             1,975              4,026               5,554
                                                                                                                                                                                      ---                              -----                                                       ---           -----             -----              -----               -----


                                                       Recoveries

                                                       Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                           117                                115                                                       285              91                47                517                 230

                                                       Real estate - residential                                                                                                       54                                 27                                                        57              71                52                138                 183

                                                       Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                            272                                 17                                                        15              91                31                304                 183

                                                       Real estate - construction & development                                                                                         6                                277                                                        31              49                96                314                 300

                                                       Consumer installment                                                                                                            33                                 22                                                        62              64               134                117                 422

                                                       Total recoveries                                                                                                               482                                458                                                       450             366               360              1,390               1,318
                                                                                                                                                                                      ---                                ---                                                       ---             ---               ---              -----               -----


                                                       Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                  $237                             $1,994                                                      $405          $1,705            $1,615             $2,636              $4,236
                                                       ===========================




    Non-accrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered

        and covered loans)                                                                                                                                                       20,558                             20,740                                                    20,841          21,728            22,810             20,558              22,810

    Non-accrual purchased non-covered loans                                                                                                                                      11,374                             17,444                                                    17,308          18,249            17,007             11,374              17,007

    Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)                                                                                                                               20,730                             22,567                                                    32,339          33,160            35,320             20,730              35,320

    Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned                                                                                                                               11,538                             13,112                                                    13,818          15,585            13,660             11,538              13,660

    Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more                                                                                                                                         -                                 -                                                        -              1                 -                 -                  -
                                                                                                                                                                                    ---                               ---                                                      ---            ---               ---

    Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets                                                                                                                        64,200                             73,863                                                    84,306          88,723            88,797             64,200              88,797
                                                                                                                                                                                 ------                             ------                                                    ------          ------            ------             ------              ------


    Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets                                                                                                                            1.23%                             1.42%                                                    2.03%          2.20%            2.22%             1.23%              2.22%

    Net charge offs as a percent of loans (Annualized)                                                                                                                            0.04%                             0.37%                                                    0.08%          0.36%            0.35%             0.15%              0.31%



    (1) Asset quality information is presented net of covered assets where the Company's risk exposure is limited substantially by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

    (2) During 2014 and 2015, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans

          acquired in FDIC assisted acquisitions.  These amounts are excluded from the calculation above but reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.


                                                                                                                                                    AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                      (unaudited)

                                                                                                                            (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                                                                                        For the quarter ended:
                                                                                                                                        ----------------------

                                                                                                                        Sept.                                                 Jun.                         Mar.                          Dec.                        Sept.

                    Loans by Type                                                                                                          2015                                                  2015                           2015                        2014                          2014
                                                                                                                                           ----                                                  ----                           ----                        ----                          ----

                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                               $427,747                                              $373,202                       $334,917                    $319,654                      $334,783

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                            220,798                                               205,019                        178,568                     161,507                       154,315

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                               1,067,828                                             1,010,195                        947,274                     907,524                       882,160

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                           532,285                                               537,201                        496,043                     456,106                       436,515

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                 31,299                                                30,080                         29,113                      30,782                        31,403

                    Other                                                                                                                10,692                                                15,903                         13,505                      14,308                         9,583

                        Total Legacy (excluding purchased

                              non-covered and covered)                                                                               $2,290,649                                            $2,171,600                     $1,999,420                  $1,889,881                    $1,848,759
                                                                                                                                     ----------                                            ----------                     ----------                  ----------                    ----------


                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                $42,350                                               $45,337                        $36,258                     $38,041                       $38,077

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                             71,109                                                75,302                         53,668                      58,362                        60,262

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                 385,032                                               404,588                        291,760                     306,706                       296,790

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                           263,312                                               276,798                        257,216                     266,342                       273,347

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                  5,691                                                 6,288                          4,190                       4,788                         5,248

                        Total Purchased non-covered (net of discounts)                                                                 $767,494                                              $808,313                       $643,092                    $674,239                      $673,724
                                                                                                                                       --------                                              --------                       --------                    --------                      --------


                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                              $                       -                         $                          -  $                          -   $                      -    $                       -

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                                  -                                                    -                             -                          -                            -

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                       -                                                    -                             -                          -                            -

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                           410,072                                               268,984                              -                          -                            -

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                      -                                                    -                             -                          -                            -

                        Total Purchased non-covered loan pools                                                                         $410,072                                              $268,984   $                          -   $                      -    $                       -
                                                                                                                                       --------                                              --------   ----------------------------   ------------------------    -------------------------


                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                $13,349                                               $17,666                        $20,905                     $21,467                       $22,545

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                             14,266                                                15,002                         19,519                      23,447                        27,756

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                 103,399                                               111,772                        130,290                     147,627                       180,566

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                            59,835                                                64,982                         74,847                      78,520                        82,445

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                    172                                                   176                            184                         218                           277

                        Total Covered (net of discounts)                                                                               $191,021                                              $209,598                       $245,745                    $271,279                      $313,589
                                                                                                                                       --------                                              --------                       --------                    --------                      --------


                    Total Loan Portfolio:

                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                               $483,446                                              $436,205                       $392,080                    $379,162                      $395,405

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                            306,173                                               295,323                        251,755                     243,316                       242,333

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                               1,556,259                                             1,526,555                      1,369,324                   1,361,857                     1,359,516

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                         1,265,504                                             1,147,965                        828,106                     800,968                       792,307

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                 37,162                                                36,544                         33,487                      35,788                        36,928

                    Other                                                                                                                10,692                                                15,903                         13,505                      14,308                         9,583

                        Total Loans                                                                                                  $3,659,236                                            $3,458,495                     $2,888,257                  $2,835,399                    $2,836,072
                                                                                                                                     ----------                                            ----------                     ----------                  ----------                    ----------




                    Troubled Debt Restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

                    Accruing loan types:

                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                   $238                                                  $278                           $277                        $290                          $257

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                                838                                                   821                            789                         679                         1,917

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                   5,719                                                 6,617                          7,309                       6,477                         7,080

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                             5,209                                                 4,702                          4,513                       5,258                         7,973

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                     71                                                    49                             47                          55                            34

                        Total Accruing TDRs                                                                                             $12,075                                               $12,467                        $12,935                     $12,759                       $17,261
                                                                                                                                        -------                                               -------                        -------                     -------                       -------


                    Non-accruing loan types:

                    Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                    $68                                                   $29                            $17                         $13                          $507

                    Real estate - construction & development                                                                                 30                                                    57                             90                         228                           196

                    Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                     942                                                   598                             64                         724                         1,672

                    Real estate - residential                                                                                               759                                                   783                            736                       1,485                           759

                    Consumer installment                                                                                                     64                                                    82                             90                          73                            93

                        Total Non-accrual TDRs                                                                                           $1,863                                                $1,549                           $997                      $2,523                        $3,227
                                                                                                                                         ------                                                ------                           ----                      ------                        ------


                    Total Troubled Debt Restructurings                                                                                  $13,938                                               $14,016                        $13,932                     $15,282                       $20,488
                                                                                                                                        =======                                               =======                        =======                     =======                       =======



    The following table presents the loan portfolio by risk grade, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

                    Grade 10 - Prime credit                                                                                            $231,281                                              $181,933                       $157,462                    $128,577                      $121,486

                    Grade 15 - Good credit                                                                                              234,185                                               243,070                        205,929                     217,804                       222,714

                    Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit                                                                                    1,148,024                                             1,104,747                      1,012,733                     947,948                       908,054

                    Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit                                                                   26,477                                                27,400                         28,643                      29,205                        28,826

                    Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit                                                                                579,642                                               544,664                        513,009                     488,187                       484,200

                    Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned                                                                          22,190                                                25,020                         25,461                      25,983                        31,750

                    Grade 40 - Substandard                                                                                               48,848                                                44,766                         56,179                      52,176                        51,640

                    Grade 50 - Doubtful                                                                                                       2                                                     -                             4                           1                            88

                    Grade 60 - Loss                                                                                                           -                                                    -                             -                          -                            1
                                                                                                                                            ---                                                  ---                           ---                        ---                          ---

                      Total                                                                                                          $2,290,649                                            $2,171,600                     $1,999,420                  $1,889,881                    $1,848,759
                                                                                                                                     ----------                                            ----------                     ----------                  ----------                    ----------


    The following table presents the purchased, non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade:

                    Grade 10 - Prime credit                                                                                              $9,801                                               $10,123                         $7,444                      $7,394                        $3,965

                    Grade 15 - Good credit                                                                                               50,906                                                53,220                         23,640                      29,727                        35,461

                    Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit                                                                                      348,034                                               362,304                        206,480                     208,686                       180,702

                    Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit                                                                   10,612                                                10,537                         10,024                       6,578                         1,216

                    Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit                                                                                290,272                                               300,411                        337,386                     361,155                       399,729

                    Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned                                                                          26,458                                                34,779                         22,323                      25,747                        20,048

                    Grade 40 - Substandard                                                                                               31,381                                                36,887                         35,743                      34,889                        32,565

                    Grade 50 - Doubtful                                                                                                      30                                                    52                             52                          63                            38

                    Grade 60 - Loss                                                                                                           -                                                    -                             -                          -                            -
                                                                                                                                            ---                                                  ---                           ---                        ---                          ---

                      Total                                                                                                            $767,494                                              $808,313                       $643,092                    $674,239                      $673,724
                                                                                                                                       --------                                              --------                       --------                    --------                      --------


                                                                                                                                AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                 (unaudited)

                                                                                                        (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                            Three Months Ended                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                            ------------------                                     -----------------

                                                                Sept.                          Jun.                                          Mar.                      Dec.            Sept.            Sept.            Sept.

                                                                            2015                          2015                                                    2015            2014             2014             2015             2014
                                                                            ----                          ----                                                    ----            ----             ----             ----             ----



    AVERAGE BALANCES


                    Federal funds sold                                    $5,500                        $5,500                                                  $5,500          $3,163             $500           $5,500           $2,793

                    Interest bearing deposits in banks                   199,057                       201,765                                                 158,286          69,772           63,355          188,110           71,185

                    Investment securities - taxable                      772,252                       600,176                                                 485,922         461,800          451,563          620,500          427,252

                    Investment securities - nontaxable                    72,549                        70,653                                                  71,229          72,072           74,176           71,481           58,384

                    Other investments                                      9,322                         9,597                                                   9,450           9,804            8,209            9,456            8,100

                    Mortgage loans held for sale                         102,961                        81,823                                                  75,831          97,406           83,751           86,387           62,506

                    Loans                                              2,193,364                     2,111,507                                               1,911,601       1,871,618        1,795,059        2,062,648        1,697,559

                    Purchased non-covered loans                          788,351                       654,397                                                 650,331         659,472          688,452          702,117          538,802

                    Purchased non-covered loan pools                     323,258                        17,308                                                       -              -               -         116,363                -

                    Covered loans                                        226,301                       246,422                                                 262,693         299,981          324,498          250,979          352,707
                                                                         -------                       -------                                                 -------         -------          -------

                      Total Earning Assets                            $4,692,915                    $3,999,148                                               3,630,843       3,545,088        3,489,563       $4,113,541       $3,219,288
                                                                      ----------                    ----------                                               ---------       ---------        ---------       ----------       ----------


                    Noninterest bearing deposits                      $1,300,870                    $1,088,249                                                $897,937        $850,879         $807,416       $1,097,750         $718,505

                    NOW accounts                                         907,618                       745,709                                                 756,795         786,511          743,352          802,800          703,551

                    MMDA                                               1,219,736                       981,143                                                 857,346         840,397          861,197        1,027,932          793,875

                    Savings accounts                                     239,999                       188,767                                                 163,624         156,663          155,559          198,379          148,111

                    Retail CDs < $100,000                                484,007                       388,248                                                 372,463         386,844          439,150          417,638          389,959

                    Retail CDs > $100,000                                387,485                       378,137                                                 383,962         401,934          370,166          380,980          364,274

                    Brokered CDs                                               -                            -                                                      -          4,023            5,970                -           5,970

                      Total Deposits                                   4,539,715                     3,770,253                                               3,432,127       3,427,251        3,382,810        3,925,479        3,124,245
                                                                       ---------                     ---------                                               ---------       ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------


                    FHLB advances                                              -                       17,275                                                  16,778          35,815           55,435           11,289           50,751

                    Other borrowings                                      39,000                        41,930                                                  43,871          46,508           47,346           41,582           37,607

                    Subordinated debentures                               69,448                        67,180                                                  65,436          65,195           64,953           67,369           58,647

                    Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                    under agreements to repurchase                        44,480                        58,722                                                  52,707          47,247           44,316           47,282           47,099

                      Total Non-Deposit Funding                          152,928                       185,107                                                 178,792         194,765          212,050          167,522          194,104
                                                                         -------                       -------                                                 -------         -------          -------          -------          -------


                      Total Funding                                   $4,692,643                    $3,955,360                                              $3,610,919      $3,622,016       $3,594,860       $4,093,001       $3,318,349
                                                                      ----------                    ----------                                              ----------      ----------       ----------       ----------       ----------


                                                                                                                               AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                            FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                 (unaudited)

                                                                                                       (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)


                                                                             Three Months Ended                                               Nine Months Ended
                                                                           ------------------                                             -----------------

                                                                  Sept.                           Jun.                                              Mar.                        Dec.           Sept.           Sept.            Sept.

                                                                           2015                                  2015                                                    2015           2014            2014             2015             2014
                                                                           ----                                  ----                                                    ----           ----            ----             ----             ----


    INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE


                    INTEREST INCOME

                    Federal funds sold                                      $19                                    $5                                                      $4             $2    $          -             $28               $5

                    Interest bearing deposits in banks                      227                                   177                                                     124             66              47              528              171

                    Investment securities - taxable                       4,694                                 3,747                                                   3,153          3,114           3,034           11,594            8,972

                    Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)                 648                                   624                                                     633            652             670            1,905            1,543

                    Mortgage loans held for sale                            970                                   764                                                     692            947             787            2,426            1,646

                    Loans (TE)                                           27,258                                25,629                                                  22,418         23,294          21,790           75,305           64,433

                    Purchased non-covered loans                          11,911                                10,328                                                  11,840         12,612          12,610           34,079           27,408

                    Purchased non-covered loan pools                      2,997                                   149                                                       -             -              -           3,146                -

                    Covered loans                                         3,192                                 3,385                                                   3,995          4,704           4,726           10,572           16,651
                                                                          -----                                 -----                                                   -----          -----           -----

                    Total Earning Assets                                $51,916                               $44,808                                                 $42,859        $45,391         $43,663         $139,583         $120,829
                                                                        -------                               -------                                                 -------        -------         -------         --------         --------


                        Accretion Income (included above)                 3,037                                 2,635                                                   3,097          4,280           2,964            8,769            8,263


                    INTEREST EXPENSE

                    Non-interest bearing deposits               $             -                 $                  -                           $                          -   $         -    $         -     $         -      $        -

                    NOW accounts                                            304                                   318                                                     376            414             324              998              903

                    MMDA                                                    877                                   760                                                     663            768             783            2,300            2,186

                    Savings accounts                                         42                                    37                                                      37             45              42              116              119

                    Retail CDs < $100,000                                   607                                   488                                                     513            553             596            1,608            1,563

                    Retail CDs > $100,000                                   691                                   662                                                     691            746             749            2,044            2,015

                    Brokered CDs                                              -                                    -                                                      -            34              47                -             143

                    Total Deposits                                        2,521                                 2,265                                                   2,280          2,560           2,541            7,066            6,929
                                                                          -----                                 -----                                                   -----          -----           -----            -----            -----


                    FHLB advances                                             -                                   16                                                      15             26              51               31              114

                    Other borrowings                                        322                                   346                                                     366            379             558            1,034            1,381

                    Subordinated debentures                                 914                                   866                                                     832            887             866            2,612            2,240

                    Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                    under agreements to repurchase                           39                                    48                                                      43             41              39              130              123
                                                                            ---                                   ---                                                     ---            ---             ---                              ---

                      Total Non-Deposit Funding                           1,275                                 1,276                                                   1,256          1,333           1,514            3,807            3,858
                                                                          -----                                 -----                                                   -----          -----           -----            -----            -----


                      Total Funding                                      $3,796                                $3,541                                                  $3,536         $3,893          $4,055          $10,873          $10,787
                                                                         ------                                ------                                                  ------         ------          ------          -------          -------


                    Net Interest Income (TE)                            $48,120                               $41,267                                                 $39,323        $41,498         $39,608         $128,710         $110,042
                                                                        -------                               -------                                                 -------        -------         -------         --------         --------


                                                                                                                                                     AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                       (unaudited)

                                                                                                                             (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                                                                        Three Months Ended                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                                        ------------------                                   -----------------

                                                                                                                Sept.                              Jun.                                Mar.           Dec.          Sept.           Sept.            Sept.

                                                                                                                       2015                                 2015                                 2015          2014            2014             2015             2014
                                                                                                                       ----                                 ----                                 ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

    YIELDS (1)


                            Federal funds sold                                                                        1.37%                               0.36%                               0.29%        0.25%          0.00%           0.68%            0.24%

                            Interest bearing deposits in banks                                                        0.45%                               0.35%                               0.32%        0.38%          0.29%           0.38%            0.32%

                            Investment securities - taxable                                                           2.41%                               2.50%                               2.63%        2.68%          2.67%           2.50%            2.81%

                            Investment securities - nontaxable                                                        3.54%                               3.54%                               3.60%        3.59%          3.58%           3.56%            3.53%

                            Mortgage loans held for sale                                                              3.74%                               3.75%                               3.70%        3.86%          3.73%           3.75%            3.52%

                            Loans                                                                                     4.93%                               4.87%                               4.76%        4.94%          4.82%           4.88%            5.07%

                            Purchased non-covered loans                                                               5.99%                               6.33%                               7.38%        7.59%          7.27%           6.49%            6.80%

                            Purchased non-covered loan pools                                                          3.68%                               3.45%                               0.00%        0.00%          0.00%           3.61%            0.00%

                            Covered loans                                                                             5.60%                               5.51%                               6.17%        6.22%          5.78%           5.63%            6.31%
                                                                                                                       ----                                 ----                                 ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                              Total Earning Assets                                                                    4.39%                               4.49%                               4.79%        5.08%          4.96%           4.54%            5.02%


                            Noninterest bearing deposits                                                              0.00%                               0.00%                               0.00%        0.00%          0.00%           0.00%            0.00%

                            NOW accounts                                                                              0.13%                               0.17%                               0.20%        0.21%          0.17%           0.17%            0.17%

                            MMDA                                                                                      0.29%                               0.31%                               0.31%        0.36%          0.36%           0.30%            0.37%

                            Savings accounts                                                                          0.07%                               0.08%                               0.09%        0.11%          0.11%           0.08%            0.11%

                            Retail CDs < $100,000                                                                     0.50%                               0.50%                               0.56%        0.57%          0.54%           0.51%            0.54%

                            Retail CDs > $100,000                                                                     0.71%                               0.70%                               0.73%        0.74%          0.80%           0.72%            0.74%

                            Brokered CDs                                                                              0.00%                               0.00%                               0.00%        3.35%          3.12%           0.00%            3.20%
                                                                                                                       ----                                 ----                                 ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                              Total Deposits                                                                          0.22%                               0.24%                               0.27%        0.30%          0.30%           0.24%            0.30%


                            FHLB advances                                                                             0.00%                               0.37%                               0.36%        0.29%          0.36%           0.37%            0.30%

                            Other borrowings                                                                          3.28%                               3.31%                               3.38%        3.23%          4.68%           3.32%            4.91%

                            Subordinated debentures                                                                   5.22%                               5.17%                               5.16%        5.40%          5.29%           5.18%            5.11%

                            Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                            under agreements to repurchase                                                            0.35%                               0.33%                               0.33%        0.34%          0.35%           0.37%            0.35%
                                                                                                                       ----                                 ----                                 ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                              Total Non-Deposit Funding                                                               3.31%                               2.76%                               2.85%        2.72%          2.83%           3.04%            2.66%


                              Total funding (3)                                                                       0.32%                               0.36%                               0.40%        0.43%          0.45%           0.36%            0.43%
                                                                                                                       ----                                 ----                                 ----          ----            ----             ----             ----


                            Net interest spread                                                                       4.07%                               4.13%                               4.39%        4.65%          4.52%           4.18%            4.58%


                            Net interest margin                                                                       4.07%                               4.14%                               4.39%        4.64%          4.50%           4.18%            4.57%
                                                                                                                       ====                                 ====                                 ====          ====            ====             ====             ====




    (1) Interest and average rates are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 35%.

    (2) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

    (3) Rate calculated based on total average funding including non-interest bearing liabilities.


                                                                                                                     AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                      (unaudited)

                                                                                             (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                                     Three Months Ended                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                     ------------------                                              -----------------

                                                           Sept.                        Jun.                                                   Mar.                   Dec.            Sept.             Sept.               Sept.

     Operating Net Income Reconciliation                            2015                               2015                                                      2015            2014              2014                2015                2014
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----


     Net income available to common shareholders                 $15,627                             $1,308                                                    $9,764         $10,580           $11,663             $26,699             $27,857


     Merger and conversion charges                                   446                              5,712                                                        15              67               551               6,173               3,873

     Non-recurring credit resolution related expenses                  -                            11,241                                                         -              -                -             11,241                   -

     Tax effect of non-recurring charges                           (156)                           (5,934)                                                      (5)           (23)            (193)            (6,095)            (1,356)
                                                                    ----                             ------                                                       ---             ---              ----              ------              ------

     Plus: After tax non-recurring charges                           290                             11,019                                                        10              44               358              11,319               2,517


            Operating Net income                                  15,917                             12,327                                                     9,774          10,624            12,021              38,018              30,374
                                                                  ------                             ------                                                     -----          ------            ------              ------              ------


     Operating net income per diluted share:                       $0.49                              $0.38                                                     $0.32           $0.39             $0.44               $1.19               $1.16

     Return on average assets                                      1.21%                             1.11%                                                    0.97%          1.05%            1.20%              1.05%              1.16%

     Return on average common tangible equity                     16.23%                            12.83%                                                   10.40%         14.49%           16.87%             12.74%             16.25%


                                                                     Three Months Ended                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                     ------------------                                              -----------------

                                                           Sept.                        Jun.                                                   Mar.                   Dec.            Sept.             Sept.               Sept.

     Net Interest Margin and Yields on Total Loans                  2015                               2015                                                      2015            2014              2014                2015                2014
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----

         Excluding Accretion Reconciliation


     Total Interest Income (TE)                                  $51,916                            $44,808                                                   $42,859         $45,391           $43,663            $139,583            $120,829

         Accretion Income                                          3,037                              2,635                                                     3,097           4,280             2,964               8,769               8,263
                                                                   -----                              -----                                                     -----           -----             -----               -----               -----

     Total Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion              $48,879                            $42,173                                                   $39,762         $41,111           $40,699            $130,814            $112,566


     Total Interest Expense                                       $3,796                             $3,541                                                    $3,536          $3,893            $4,055             $10,873             $10,787

     Net Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion                $45,083                            $38,632                                                   $36,226         $37,218           $36,644            $119,941            $101,779


     Yield on Total Loans Excluding Accretion                      4.83%                             4.86%                                                    5.01%          5.05%            5.07%              4.90%              5.14%
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----


     Net Interest Margin Excluding Accretion                       3.81%                             3.87%                                                    4.05%          4.17%            4.17%              3.90%              4.23%
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----




                                                                     Three Months Ended                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                     ------------------                                              -----------------

                                                           Sept.                        Jun.                                                   Mar.                   Dec.            Sept.             Sept.               Sept.

     Core Earnings Reconciliation                                   2015                               2015                                                      2015            2014              2014                2015                2014
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----


     Pre-tax operating profit/(loss)                             $22,995                             $1,794                                                   $14,511         $14,747           $16,785             $39,300             $41,458

     Plus: Credit Related Costs

         Provision for loan losses                                   986                              2,656                                                     1,069             888             1,669               4,711               4,760

        (Gains)/Losses on the sale of legacy OREO                     36                                436                                                       110           (228)              (3)                582                 228

        (Gains)/Losses on the sale of covered OREO                    56                                194                                                        20             344             (184)                270                 183

         Problem loan and OREO expense                               991                             10,632                                                     3,031           5,175             3,373              14,654               7,809

         Interest reversed (received) on non-accrual loans            17                                413                                                       156             (6)               94                 586                 411
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ---

            Total Credit-Related Costs                             2,086                             14,331                                                     4,386           6,173             4,949              20,803              13,391
                                                                   -----                             ------                                                     -----           -----             -----              ------              ------


     Plus: Conversion charges                                        446                              5,712                                                        15              67               551               6,173               3,873

     Less: Non-recurring gains

         Gains on sales of securities                              (115)                              (10)                                                     (12)              -            (132)              (137)              (138)

      Gains on sales of bank premises                                  -                                 -                                                        -              -            (616)                  -              (616)

         Other non-recurring adjustments                               -                                 -                                                        -            188                 -                  -              (870)
                                                                     ---                               ---                                                      ---            ---               ---                ---               ----


     Pretax, Pre-provision earnings                              $25,412                            $21,827                                                   $18,900         $21,175           $21,537             $66,139             $57,098
                                                                 =======                            =======                                                   =======         =======           =======             =======             =======


     As percentage of average assets, annualized                   1.93%                             1.96%                                                    1.88%          2.09%            2.15%              1.70%              1.92%




                                                                     Three Months Ended                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                     ------------------                                              -----------------

                                                           Sept.                        Jun.                                                   Mar.                   Dec.            Sept.             Sept.               Sept.

     Recurring Operating Expenses                                   2015                               2015                                                      2015            2014              2014                2015                2014
                                                                    ----                               ----                                                      ----            ----              ----                ----                ----


     Total Operating Expenses                                     48,396                             56,864                                                    40,827          41,733            38,579             146,087             109,136

     Less: Credit costs & non-recurring charges

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of legacy OREO                   (36)                             (436)                                                    (110)            228                 3               (582)              (225)

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO                  (56)                             (194)                                                     (20)          (344)              184               (270)              (183)

         Problem loan and OREO expense                             (991)                          (10,632)                                                  (3,031)        (5,175)          (3,373)           (14,654)            (7,809)

        Severance payments                                             -                                 -                                                        -          (188)                -                  -                  -

     Conversion expenses                                           (446)                           (5,712)                                                     (15)           (67)            (551)            (6,173)            (3,873)

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of premises                         -                                 -                                                        -              -              616                   -                616
                                                                     ---                               ---                                                      ---            ---              ---                 ---                ---


     Recurring operating expenses                                $46,867                            $39,890                                                   $37,651         $36,187           $35,458            $124,408             $97,662
                                                                 =======                            =======                                                   =======         =======           =======            ========             =======


                                                                                                          AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                       FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                           (unaudited)

                                                                                  (dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)



                                                          Three Months Ended                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                          ------------------                                         -----------------

                                                 Sept.                       Jun.                                              Mar.                      Dec.         Sept.         Sept.          Sept.

     Segment Reporting                                    2015                             2015                                                     2015         2014          2014           2015            2014
                                                          ----                             ----                                                     ----         ----          ----           ----            ----


     Banking Division:

        Net interest income                            $43,044                          $36,806                                                  $35,839      $38,045       $36,142       $115,689        $102,415

        Provision for loan losses                          960                            2,456                                                      927          737           994          4,343           4,085

        Noninterest income                              13,470                            9,262                                                    8,780        8,595         8,932         31,512          23,742

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits               17,921                           15,675                                                   15,362       14,196        14,819         48,958          40,905

           Occupancy                                     5,444                            4,376                                                    4,144        4,319         4,277         13,964          11,778

           Data Processing                               4,998                            3,913                                                    4,011        3,901         3,619         12,922          10,535

           Other expenses                               11,379                           24,048                                                   10,356       12,320         8,722         45,783          26,855
                                                        ------                           ------                                                   ------       ------         -----         ------          ------

              Total noninterest expense                 39,742                           48,012                                                   33,873       34,736        31,437        121,627          90,073
                                                        ------                           ------                                                   ------       ------        ------        -------          ------

     Income before income taxes                         15,812                          (4,400)                                                   9,819       11,167        12,643         21,231          31,999

        Income Tax                                       4,854                          (1,682)                                                   3,105        2,914         3,672          6,277          10,004

              Net income                                10,958                          (2,718)                                                   6,714        8,253         8,971         14,954          21,995

        Preferred stock dividends                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -            286
                                                           ---                             ---                                                     ---         ---          ---           ---            ---

     Net income available to common shareholders       $10,958                         $(2,718)                                                  $6,714       $8,253        $8,971        $14,954         $21,709
                                                       =======                          =======                                                   ======       ======        ======        =======         =======



     Retail Mortgage Division:

        Net interest income                             $2,485                           $1,979                                                   $1,545       $1,822        $1,636         $6,009          $3,522

        Provision for loan losses                           26                              200                                                      142          151           675            368             675

        Noninterest income                               9,827                            9,095                                                    7,610        6,076         6,967         26,532          18,883

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits                6,138                            5,592                                                    4,527        4,175         4,340         16,257          11,743

           Occupancy                                       397                              396                                                      380          373           368          1,173             969

           Data Processing                                 308                              279                                                      212          315           285            799             728

           Other expenses                                  662                            1,150                                                      932          828           735          2,744           2,764
                                                           ---                            -----                                                      ---          ---           ---          -----           -----

              Total noninterest expense                  7,505                            7,417                                                    6,051        5,691         5,728         20,973          16,204
                                                         -----                            -----                                                    -----        -----         -----         ------          ------

     Income before income taxes                          4,781                            3,457                                                    2,962        2,056         2,200         11,200           5,526

        Income Tax                                       1,673                            1,210                                                    1,037          720           770          3,920           1,934

              Net income                                 3,108                            2,247                                                    1,925        1,336         1,430          7,280           3,592

        Preferred stock dividends                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -              -
                                                           ---                             ---                                                     ---         ---          ---           ---            ---

     Net income available to common shareholders        $3,108                           $2,247                                                   $1,925       $1,336        $1,430         $7,280          $3,592
                                                        ======                           ======                                                   ======       ======        ======         ======          ======



     Warehouse Lending:

        Net interest income                             $1,128                           $1,179                                                     $835         $752          $711         $3,142          $1,264

        Provision for loan losses                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -              -

        Noninterest income                                 372                              383                                                      273          237           168          1,028             418

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits                  137                               99                                                      127           84            69            363             171

           Occupancy                                         1                                1                                                        2            -            -             4               1

           Data Processing                                  22                               20                                                       33           11            21             75              43

           Other expenses                                   40                               19                                                       36          171           134             95             232
                                                           ---                              ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

              Total noninterest expense                    200                              139                                                      198          266           224            537             447
                                                           ---                              ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

     Income before income taxes                          1,300                            1,423                                                      910          723           655          3,633           1,235

        Income Tax                                         455                              498                                                      319          253           229          1,272             432

              Net income                                   845                              925                                                      592          470           426          2,361             803

        Preferred stock dividends                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -              -
                                                           ---                             ---                                                     ---         ---          ---           ---            ---

     Net income available to common shareholders          $845                             $925                                                     $592         $470          $426         $2,361            $803
                                                          ====                             ====                                                     ====         ====          ====         ======            ====



     SBA Division:

        Net interest income                               $742                             $724                                                     $613         $387          $643         $2,079          $1,679

        Provision for loan losses                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -              -

        Noninterest income                               1,309                            1,886                                                      912        1,454         1,834          4,107           3,431

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits                  738                            1,099                                                      616          861           998          2,453           1,743

           Occupancy                                        73                               36                                                       28           25            24            137              56

           Data Processing                                   1                                2                                                        4            2             3              7              16

           Other expenses                                  137                              159                                                       57          152           165            353             597
                                                           ---                              ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

              Total noninterest expense                    949                            1,296                                                      705        1,040         1,190          2,950           2,412
                                                           ---                            -----                                                      ---        -----         -----          -----           -----

     Income before income taxes                          1,102                            1,314                                                      820          801         1,287          3,236           2,698

        Income Tax                                         386                              460                                                      287          280           450          1,133             944

              Net income                                   716                              854                                                      533          521           837          2,103           1,754

        Preferred stock dividends                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -              -
                                                           ---                             ---                                                     ---         ---          ---           ---            ---

     Net income available to common shareholders          $716                             $854                                                     $533         $521          $837         $2,103          $1,754
                                                          ====                             ====                                                     ====         ====          ====         ======          ======



     Total Consolidated:

        Net interest income                            $47,399                          $40,688                                                  $38,832      $41,006       $39,132       $126,919        $108,880

        Provision for loan losses                          986                            2,656                                                    1,069          888         1,669          4,711           4,760

        Noninterest income                              24,978                           20,626                                                   17,575       16,362        17,901         63,179          46,474

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits               24,934                           22,465                                                   20,632       19,316        20,226         68,031          54,562

           Occupancy                                     5,915                            4,809                                                    4,554        4,717         4,669         15,278          12,804

           Data Processing                               5,329                            4,214                                                    4,260        4,229         3,928         13,803          11,322

           Other expenses                               12,218                           25,376                                                   11,381       13,471         9,756         48,975          30,448
                                                        ------                           ------                                                   ------       ------         -----         ------          ------

              Total noninterest expense                 48,396                           56,864                                                   40,827       41,733        38,579        146,087         109,136
                                                        ------                           ------                                                   ------       ------        ------        -------         -------

     Income before income taxes                         22,995                            1,794                                                   14,511       14,747        16,785         39,300          41,458

        Income Tax                                       7,368                              486                                                    4,747        4,167         5,122         12,601          13,315

              Net income                                15,627                            1,308                                                    9,764       10,580        11,663         26,699          28,143

        Preferred stock dividends                            -                               -                                                       -           -            -             -            286
                                                           ---                             ---                                                     ---         ---          ---           ---            ---

     Net income available to common shareholders       $15,627                           $1,308                                                   $9,764      $10,580       $11,663        $26,699         $27,857
                                                       =======                           ======                                                   ======      =======       =======        =======         =======

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20051117/CLTH039LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ameris-bancorp-reports-operating-net-income-of-159-million-or-049-per-diluted-share-for-third-quarter-2015-300165284.html

SOURCE Ameris Bancorp