MOULTRIE, Ga., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AMERIS BANCORP (NASDAQ-GS: ABCB) today reported operating net income of $9.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to $8.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Commenting on the Company's quarterly results, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "In the first quarter of 2015, we announced two highly accretive acquisitions and a supporting capital raise. We had our strongest quarter in new loan originations with better than expected yields. Our mortgage group had its strongest quarter of profitability and finished the quarter with very robust pipelines. As we move into the second quarter and the last half of 2015, our challenge is to continue developing the pipelines and investment opportunities for the liquidity in our two pending acquisitions while limiting the impact on operating expenses."

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


    --  Net income available to common shareholders increased 21.1% compared to
        the first quarter of 2014
    --  The Company completed a private placement of 5,320,000 shares of common
        stock during the quarter
    --  The Company announced agreements to acquire Merchants & Southern Banks
        of Florida, Inc. and 18 additional branches located in North Florida and
        South Georgia
    --  Loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, increased by
        $109.5 million during the quarter, reflecting an annualized growth rate
        of 23.5%
    --  Return on assets and return on average tangible equity were 0.97% and
        8.76%, respectively
    --  Total revenue increased to $59.9 million in the first quarter of 2015,
        compared to $50.6 million in the first quarter of 2014
    --  The Company's net interest margin remained strong at 4.39%
    --  Noninterest income increased 37.8% in the first quarter of 2015 to $17.6
        million, compared to $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2014
    --  Tangible common equity to tangible assets increased to 10.26%, a 38.3%
        increase compared to December 31, 2014
    --  Tangible book value per share increased to $13.01, compared to $10.99 at
        December 31, 2014

Pending Acquisitions
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company announced its intent to acquire Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Inc., the largest non-regional bank operating in Gainesville, Florida. The Company has received regulatory approval and anticipates an estimated closing date of May 22, 2015.

Additionally, the Company announced its intention to acquire 18 branches in its existing footprint from Bank of America. The branches, located in South Georgia and North Florida, include approximately $864 million of total deposits and a small amount of performing loans. The Company anticipates that the closing of this acquisition will occur during the second quarter of 2015.

The acquisitions, combined with the supporting capital raise, are expected to be over 15% accretive to 2016 earnings per share and 4.50% accretive to tangible book value reported at December 31, 2014.

Operating Results
Net income available to common shareholders in the first quarter of 2015 totaled $9.8 million, an increase of 21.1% compared to the same quarter in 2014. Revenue during the first quarter totaled $59.9 million, an increase of 18.4% compared to the first quarter of 2014. Increases in revenue resulted from the addition of The Coastal Bank, as well as strong organic growth in loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans. Returns on average assets and average tangible common equity were 0.97% and 8.76%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 0.96% and 11.66%, respectively, in the same quarter of 2014. The capital raise was completed in the first quarter of 2015, but the Company does not expect to have the capital fully deployed until the second half of 2015, at which time management believes return on average tangible common equity will approach historical levels.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2015 totaled $38.8 million, an increase of $4.3 million, or 12.6%, compared to the $34.5 million reported for the first quarter of 2014. The Company's net interest margin decreased during the quarter to 4.39%, compared to 4.57% during the first quarter of 2014. Excluding accretion on purchased assets, the Company's net interest margin was 4.05% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 4.17%% in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 4.21% in the first quarter of 2014. The Company's net interest margin was negatively impacted by 10bps due to the higher level of short-term assets as a percentage of earning assets. The Company intends to be fully invested in either investment securities or loans by the end of the year and to maintain minimal levels of short-term assets as it has in the past.

Yields on earning assets in the first quarter of 2015 were 4.79%, compared to 5.01% in the first quarter of 2014. Yields on total loans outstanding, excluding accretion, in the first quarter were 5.01%, compared to 5.05% in the fourth quarter of 2014. New loan production in the first quarter totaled $254.0 million, with weighted average yields of 4.55%, compared to $228.6 million and 4.65% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Total interest expense for the first quarter of 2015 was $3.5 million, compared to $3.4 million in the same quarter of 2014. Increases in total interest expense were driven primarily by increases in total deposits and other borrowings resulting from both acquisition activity and organic growth. Deposit costs were lower during the first quarter of 2015 at 0.27%, compared to 0.30% during the first quarter of 2014. Yields on each deposit class were essentially unchanged from the prior year. Management does not expect deposit costs or overall funding costs to decrease materially in the coming quarters given tightening liquidity and increasingly stronger forecasts for asset growth.

Non-interest Income
Non-interest income in the first quarter of 2015 was $17.6 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 37.8%, compared to the same quarter in 2014. The Company's mortgage operations continued to make improvements in revenues and net income, reporting its best quarter ever for the Company. Total revenue in the mortgage group grew to $10.3 million, an improvement of 64% compared to the same quarter in 2014. Net income improved at a faster pace to $2.5 million, compared to $947,000 in the first quarter of 2014. Total production in the first quarter of 2015 amounted to $188.3 million (83% retail and 17% wholesale), compared to $130.8 million in the same quarter of 2014 (80% retail and 20% wholesale). Relationships with larger builders and real estate firms continue to drive the Company's production from this division. Open pipelines finished the first quarter of 2015 at $110.9 million, compared to $57.0 million at the beginning of the first quarter of 2015 and $75.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Service charges in the first quarter of 2015 were $6.4 million, an increase of $843,000, or 15.1%, compared to the same quarter in 2014. Stronger growth in commercial and treasury management accounts contributed to the growth in income, as did strong growth in balances that resulted from the Company's acquisition of The Coastal Bank in June 2014.

During the quarter, the Company recorded approximately $1.5 million of revenue from its SBA division, compared to $685,000 in the same quarter in 2014. Expenses related to SBA lending also increased, from $400,000 in the first quarter of 2014 to $705,000 in the first quarter of 2015. The pipeline of opportunities and closed loans going into the second quarter indicate a much stronger second quarter in revenue than what the Company experienced in the first quarter.

Non-interest Expense
During the first quarter of 2015, operating expenses decreased approximately $906,000 to $40.8 million from $41.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Excluding merger and credit related costs, the Company's total operating expenses increased approximately $0.7 million during the current quarter of 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. These increases related to the Company's aggressive investment in the scale of its operations, particularly in information technology and customer care centers. Additional costs are anticipated in the coming quarters as the Company approaches the closing of the acquisitions announced early in the first quarter of 2015.

Salaries and benefits increased to $20.6 million in the current quarter of 2015, compared to $17.4 million in the same quarter in 2014. Increases in compensation costs relate to staffing additions from the acquisition of The Coastal Bank in June 2014, as well as increases associated with higher mortgage revenue and originations in the current quarter compared to the same quarter in 2014.

Non-provision credit resolution-related costs increased from $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 to $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. During the quarter, the Company brought several larger non-performing assets closer to resolution and incurred higher than normal expenses associated with these efforts. Legal fees associated with OREO and non-accrual loans totaled $754,000 in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $403,000 in the first quarter of 2014.

Occupancy and equipment costs increased from $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2014 to $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2015, due to the increased number of branches operated by the Company since its acquisition of The Coastal Bank. Data processing and telecommunications expenses increased from $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2014 to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2015. During the quarter, the Company renegotiated a series of contracts with its core service provider that should provide some savings in the coming quarters on a relative basis with the anticipated acquisitions.

Balance Sheet Trends
Total assets at March 31, 2015 were $4.15 billion, compared to $4.04 billion at December 31, 2014. Loans, including loans held for sale, totaled $2.96 billion at March 31, 2015, compared to $2.93 billion at December 31, 2014. During the first quarter, growth in legacy loans (loans excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) amounted to $109.5 million, or 23.5% on an annualized basis. Growth during the first quarter of 2015 was spread evenly across most loan types, including agriculture, municipal, commercial real estate and mortgage.

Funding sources continued to improve over year end levels. At March 31, 2015, total deposits amounted to $3.48 billion, or 95.5% of total funding, compared to $3.43 billion and 94.0%, respectively, at December 31, 2014. Non-interest bearing deposits reflected the largest growth, ending the current quarter at $967.0 million, or 27.8% of total deposits, compared to $839.4 million, or 24.5%, at December 31, 2014. Aggressive sales efforts on both commercial and consumer balances, as well as the Coastal Bank acquisition, were the reason for the 38.4% growth in noninterest bearing deposits from March 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015.

Stockholders' equity at March 31, 2015 totaled $489.8 million, compared to $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, together with earnings of $9.8 million during the quarter.

Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets increased to 10.26% at the end of the first quarter of 2015, compared to 7.42% at the end of 2014. The additional common equity associated with the private placement completed during the quarter, together with net income for the quarter, account for the majority of the increase in the Company's capital ratios. Tangible book value increased to $13.01 per share at March 31, 2015, compared to $10.99 per share at December 31, 2014. On a pro forma basis, assuming the impacts of the pending mergers, the Company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio would be 7.04% and tangible book value would be $11.74 per share.

Conference Call
The Company will host a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. EDT today (April 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 May 8, 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 10064031. 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 73 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.

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

                                                                          Mar.                                                     Dec.                                Sept.            Jun.              Mar.

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


    EARNINGS


                              Net Income Available to Common Shareholders          $9,764                                                                  $10,580              $11,663          $8,130            $8,064


    PER COMMON SHARE DATA

                               Earnings per share available to common
                               shareholders:

                              Basic                                                 $0.32                                                                    $0.40                $0.44           $0.32             $0.32

                              Diluted                                               $0.32                                                                    $0.39                $0.43           $0.32             $0.32

                              Cash Dividends per share                              $0.05                                                                    $0.05                $0.05           $0.05 $               -

                              Book value per share (period end)                    $15.22                                                                   $13.67               $13.22          $12.83            $11.93

                              Tangible book value per share (period end)           $13.01                                                                   $10.99               $10.68          $10.26            $10.31

                              Weighted average number of shares:

                              Basic                                            30,442,998                                                               26,771,636           26,773,033      25,180,665        25,144,342

                              Diluted                                          30,796,148                                                               27,090,293           27,160,886      25,633,130        25,573,320

                              Period-end number of shares                      32,182,143                                                               26,773,863           26,774,402      26,771,821        25,159,073

                              Market data:

                              High closing price                                   $26.55                                                                   $26.48               $24.04          $23.90            $24.00

                              Low closing price                                    $22.75                                                                   $21.95               $21.00          $19.73            $19.86

                              Period end closing price                             $26.39                                                                   $25.64               $21.95          $21.56            $23.30

                              Average daily volume                                105,152                                                                  111,473               79,377          79,038           103,279


    PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                              Return on average assets                              0.97%                                                                   1.05%               1.17%          0.93%            0.96%

                              Return on average common equity                       8.76%                                                                  11.57%              13.19%         10.53%           11.66%

                              Earning asset yield (TE)                              4.79%                                                                   5.08%               4.96%          5.08%            5.01%

                              Total cost of funds                                   0.40%                                                                   0.43%               0.45%          0.42%            0.43%

                              Net interest margin (TE)                              4.39%                                                                   4.64%               4.50%          4.65%            4.57%

                               Non-interest income excluding securities
                               transactions,

                              as a percent of total revenue (TE)                   29.06%                                                                  26.50%              28.86%         28.87%           25.02%

                              Efficiency ratio                                     72.38%                                                                  72.75%              67.64%         73.05%           70.36%


    CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)

                              Stockholders' equity to assets                       11.79%                                                                   9.07%               8.85%          8.64%            8.60%

                              Tangible common equity to tangible assets            10.26%                                                                   7.42%               7.27%          7.04%            7.53%


    EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION

                              Tangible common equity to tangible assets            10.26%                                                                   7.42%               7.27%          7.04%            7.53%

                              Effect of goodwill and other intangibles              1.54%                                                                   1.65%               1.58%          1.61%            1.07%

                              Equity to assets (GAAP)                              11.79%                                                                   9.07%               8.85%          8.64%            8.60%
                                                                                    =====                                                                     ====                 ====            ====              ====


    OTHER PERIOD-END DATA

                              Banking Division FTE                                    852                                                                      853                  867             888               785

                              Mortgage Division FTE                                   170                                                                      174                  176             175               161
                              ---------------------

                              Total Ameris Bancorp FTE Headcount                    1,022                                                                    1,027                1,043           1,063               946
                                                                                    -----                                                                    -----                -----           -----               ---


                              Assets per Banking Division FTE                      $4,874                                                                   $4,733               $4,613          $4,474            $4,443

                              Branch locations                                         73                                                                       73                   74              74                68

                              Deposits per branch location                        $47,674                                                                  $47,002              $45,583         $45,798           $44,274


                                                                                                                                                                                 AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                                   (unaudited)

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


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

                                                                                                                           Mar.                                          Dec.                                           Sept.           Jun.           Mar.

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



    INCOME STATEMENT


    Interest income

                       Interest and fees on loans                                                                                 $38,618                                                      $41,235                          $39,610        $35,297        $34,469

                       Interest on taxable securities                                                                               3,153                                                        3,114                            3,034          2,953          2,985

                        Interest on nontaxable
                        securities                                                                                                    469                                                          483                              496            312            335

                        Interest on deposits in other
                        banks                                                                                                         124                                                           66                               46             45             79

                       Interest on federal funds sold                                                                                   4                                                            2                                -             -             5

                       Total interest income                                                                                       42,368                                                       44,900                           43,186         38,607         37,873
                                                                                                                                   ------                                                       ------                           ------         ------         ------


    Interest expense

                       Interest on deposits                                                                                        $2,280                                                       $2,560                           $2,540         $2,205         $2,183

                       Interest on other borrowings                                                                                 1,256                                                        1,334                            1,514          1,138          1,206
                       ---------------------

                       Total interest expense                                                                                       3,536                                                        3,894                            4,054          3,343          3,389
                                                                                                                                    -----                                                        -----                            -----          -----          -----


    Net interest income                                                                                                          38,832                                                       41,006                           39,132         35,264         34,484


    Provision for loan losses                                                                                                     1,069                                                          888                            1,669          1,365          1,726
                                                                                                                                  -----                                                          ---                            -----          -----          -----


    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                                         $37,763                                                      $40,118                          $37,463        $33,899        $32,758
                                                                                                                                -------                                                      -------                          -------        -------        -------


    Noninterest income

                        Service charges on deposit
                        accounts                                                                                                   $6,429                                                       $6,522                           $6,659         $5,847         $5,586

                       Mortgage banking activity                                                                                    8,083                                                        6,476                            7,498          6,944          5,068

                        Other service charges,
                        commissions and fees                                                                                          668                                                          643                              690            662            652

                       Gain(loss) on sale of securities                                                                                12                                                            -                             132              -             6

                       Other non-interest income                                                                                    2,383                                                        2,721                            2,922          2,366          1,442

                       Total noninterest income                                                                                    17,575                                                       16,362                           17,901         15,819         12,754
                                                                                                                                   ------                                                       ------                           ------         ------         ------


    Noninterest expense

                       Salaries and employee benefits                                                                              20,632                                                       19,316                           20,226         16,942         17,394

                       Occupancy and equipment expenses                                                                             4,554                                                        4,717                            4,669          4,071          4,064

                        Data processing and
                        telecommunications expenses                                                                                 4,260                                                        4,229                            3,928          3,940          3,454

                        Credit resolution related
                        expenses (1)                                                                                                3,161                                                        5,290                            3,186          2,840          2,190

                        Advertising and marketing
                        expenses                                                                                                      641                                                          847                              594            718            710

                        Amortization of intangible
                        assets                                                                                                        630                                                          662                              698            437            533

                       Merger and conversion charges                                                                                   15                                                           67                              551          2,872            450

                       Other non-interest expenses                                                                                  6,934                                                        6,605                            4,727          5,498          4,444

                       Total noninterest expense                                                                                   40,827                                                       41,733                           38,579         37,318         33,239
                                                                                                                                   ------                                                       ------                           ------         ------         ------


    Income before income taxes                                                                                                  $14,511                                                      $14,747                          $16,785        $12,400        $12,273


                       Income tax expense                                                                                           4,747                                                        4,167                            5,122          4,270          3,923
                       ------------------


    Net income                                                                                                                   $9,764                                                      $10,580                          $11,663         $8,130         $8,350
                                                                                                                                 ======                                                      =======                          =======         ======         ======


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


    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                                  $9,764                                                      $10,580                          $11,663         $8,130         $8,064
                                                                                                                                 ======                                                      =======                          =======         ======         ======


    Diluted earnings available to common shareholders                                                                              0.32                                                         0.39                             0.43           0.32           0.32
                                                                                                                                   ====                                                         ====                             ====           ====           ====


                       (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
                                                                                  ------------------

                                                                      Mar.                                                   Dec.                                    Sept.                Jun.                 Mar.

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


    PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET


    Assets

                         Cash and due from banks                               $80,142                                                              $78,036                     $69,421              $80,986               $71,387

                          Federal funds sold and interest bearing
                          balances                                             126,157                                                               92,323                      40,165               44,800                48,677

                          Investment securities available for sale,
                          at fair value                                        610,330                                                              541,805                     529,509              535,630               456,713

                         Other investments                                       8,636                                                               10,275                      12,687               10,971                 9,322

                         Mortgage loans held for sale                           73,796                                                               94,759                     110,059               81,491                51,693


                         Loans, net of unearned income                       1,999,420                                                            1,889,881                   1,848,759            1,770,059             1,695,382

                         Purchased, non-covered loans                          643,092                                                              674,239                     673,724              702,131               437,269

                         Covered loans                                         245,745                                                              271,279                     313,589              331,250               372,694

                         Less allowance for loan losses                       (21,852)                                                            (21,157)                   (22,212)            (22,254)             (22,744)
                         ----------------------

                         Loans, net                                          2,866,405                                                            2,814,242                   2,813,860            2,781,186             2,482,601


                         Other real estate owned                                32,339                                                               33,160                      35,320               35,373                33,839

                          Purchased, non-covered other real estate
                          owned                                                 13,818                                                               15,585                      13,660               16,598                 3,864

                         Covered other real estate owned                        16,089                                                               19,907                      28,883               38,426                42,636
                         ----------------------

                         Total other real estate owned                          62,246                                                               68,652                      77,863               90,397                80,339


                         Premises and equipment, net                            98,292                                                               97,251                      98,752               99,495                87,430

                         Goodwill                                               63,547                                                               63,547                      58,879               58,903                35,049

                         Other intangibles, net                                  7,591                                                                8,221                       9,114                9,812                 5,477

                         FDIC loss sharing receivable                           23,312                                                               31,351                      38,233               49,180                53,181

                         Cash value of bank owned life insurance                59,212                                                               58,867                      58,217               57,864                49,738

                         Other assets                                           73,238                                                               77,748                      82,649               72,420                56,377

                         Total assets                                       $4,152,904                                                           $4,037,077                  $3,999,408           $3,973,135            $3,487,984
                                                                            ==========                                                           ==========                  ==========           ==========            ==========


    Liabilities

                         Deposits:

                         Noninterest-bearing                                  $967,015                                                             $839,377                    $816,517             $790,798              $698,866

                         Interest-bearing                                    2,513,216                                                            2,591,772                   2,556,602            2,598,237             2,311,781
                                                                             ---------                                                            ---------                   ---------            ---------             ---------

                         Total deposits                                      3,480,231                                                            3,431,149                   3,373,119            3,389,035             3,010,647

                          Federal funds purchased & securities sold
                          under

                         agreements to repurchase                               55,520                                                               73,310                      32,351               51,109                49,974

                         Other borrowings                                       43,851                                                               78,881                     147,409              100,293                59,677

                         Other liabilities                                      17,952                                                               22,384                      27,615               24,457                12,028

                          Subordinated deferrable interest
                          debentures                                            65,567                                                               65,325                      65,084               64,842                55,628

                         Total liabilities                                   3,663,121                                                            3,671,049                   3,645,578            3,629,736             3,187,954
                                                                             ---------                                                            ---------                   ---------            ---------             ---------



    Stockholders' equity

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

      Common stock                                                            33,593                                                               28,159                      28,158               28,155                26,536

      Capital surplus                                                        335,578                                                              225,015                     224,142              222,550               190,513

      Retained earnings                                                      126,566                                                              118,412                     109,170              100,185                92,055

      Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)                            6,353                                                                6,098                       3,974                4,123                 2,374

      Less treasury stock                                                   (12,307)                                                            (11,656)                   (11,614)            (11,614)             (11,448)

                         Total stockholders' equity                            489,783                                                              366,028                     353,830              343,399               300,030
                                                                               -------                                                              -------                     -------              -------               -------

                         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity         $4,152,904                                                           $4,037,077                  $3,999,408           $3,973,135            $3,487,984
                                                                            ==========                                                           ==========                  ==========           ==========            ==========



    Other Data

    Earning Assets                                                         3,698,540                                                            3,564,286                   3,515,805            3,465,361             3,062,428

    Intangible Assets                                                         71,138                                                               71,768                      67,993               68,715                40,526

    Interest Bearing Liabilities                                           2,678,154                                                            2,809,288                   2,801,446            2,814,481             2,477,060

    Average Assets                                                         4,079,750                                                            4,011,128                   3,969,893            3,494,466             3,521,588

    Average Common Stockholders' Equity                                      452,132                                                              362,659                     350,733              309,696               290,462


                                                                                                                                                                                                                             AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (unaudited)

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



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

                                                                                                                                                       Mar.                                                                Dec.                                     Sept.           Jun.            Mar.

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


    ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION(1)


    Allowance for loan losses

                                               Balance at beginning of period                                                                                                 $21,157                                                              $22,212                  $22,254         $22,744          $22,377


                                               Provision for loan loss (2)                                                                                                      1,100                                                                  650                    1,573             997            1,501


                                               Charge-offs                                                                                                                        855                                                                2,071                    1,975           1,973            1,606

                                               Recoveries                                                                                                                         450                                                                  366                      360             486              472
                                                                                                                                                                                  ---                                                                  ---                      ---             ---              ---

                                               Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                       405                                                                1,705                    1,615           1,487            1,134


                                               Ending balance                                                                                                                 $21,852                                                              $21,157                  $22,212         $22,254          $22,744
                                               ==============


                                               As a percentage of loans                                                                                                         1.09%                                                               1.12%                   1.20%          1.26%           1.34%

                                               As a percentage of nonperforming loans                                                                                         104.85%                                                              97.37%                  97.38%        100.65%          85.09%



    Net charge-off information

                                               Charge-offs

                                               Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                              $392                                                                 $468                     $191            $165             $743

                                               Real estate - residential                                                                                                          268                                                                  368                      406             752              181

                                               Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                                 12                                                                1,033                      953             769              533

                                                Real estate -construction &
                                                development                                                                                                                        97                                                                   74                      296             157               65

                                               Consumer installment                                                                                                                86                                                                  128                      129             130               84

                                               Total charge-offs                                                                                                                  855                                                                2,071                    1,975           1,973            1,606
                                                                                                                                                                                  ---                                                                -----                    -----           -----            -----


                                               Recoveries

                                               Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                               285                                                                   91                       47             134               49

                                               Real estate - residential                                                                                                           57                                                                   71                       52              48               83

                                               Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                                 15                                                                   91                       31               9              143

                                                Real estate -construction &
                                                development                                                                                                                        31                                                                   49                       96              96              108

                                               Consumer installment                                                                                                                62                                                                   64                      134             199               89

                                               Total recoveries                                                                                                                   450                                                                  366                      360             486              472
                                                                                                                                                                                  ---                                                                  ---                      ---             ---              ---


                                               Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                      $405                                                               $1,705                   $1,615          $1,487           $1,134
                                               ===========================




    Non-accrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered

        and covered loans)                                                                                                                                                  $20,841                                                              $21,728                  $22,810         $22,111          $26,729

    Non-accrual purchased non-covered loans                                                                                                                                  17,308                                                               18,249                   17,007          15,770           15,318

    Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)                                                                                                                           32,339                                                               33,160                   35,320          35,373           33,839

    Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned                                                                                                                           13,818                                                               15,585                   13,660          16,598            3,864

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

    Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets                                                                                                                   $84,306                                                              $88,723                  $88,797         $89,852          $79,750
                                                                                                                                                                            -------                                                              -------                  -------         -------          -------


    Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets                                                                                                                        2.03%                                                               2.20%                   2.22%          2.26%           2.29%

    Net charge offs as a percent of loans (Annualized)                                                                                                                        0.08%                                                               0.36%                   0.35%          0.34%           0.27%



    (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:
                                                                                                                              ----------------------

                                                                                                                      Mar.                                                Dec.                          Sept.            Jun.            Mar.

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

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                    $334,917                                                          $319,654         $334,783        $304,588        $270,571

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                 178,568                                                           161,507          154,315         149,346         149,543

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                      947,274                                                           907,524          882,160         850,000         836,230

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                496,043                                                           456,106          436,515         422,731         393,001

                     Consumer installment                                                                                      29,113                                                            30,782           31,403          31,902          32,345

                     Other                                                                                                     13,505                                                            14,308            9,583          11,492          13,692

                         Total Non-purchased                                                                               $1,999,420                                                        $1,889,881       $1,848,759      $1,770,059      $1,695,382
                                                                                                                           ----------                                                        ----------       ----------      ----------      ----------


                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                     $36,258                                                           $38,041          $38,077         $41,583         $30,810

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                  53,668                                                            58,362           60,262          64,084          31,820

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                      291,760                                                           306,706          296,790         311,748         174,281

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                257,216                                                           266,342          273,347         278,451         196,078

                     Consumer installment                                                                                       4,190                                                             4,788            5,248           6,265           4,280

                         Total Purchased non-covered (net of discounts)                                                      $643,092                                                          $674,239         $673,724        $702,131        $437,269
                                                                                                                             --------                                                          --------         --------        --------        --------


                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                     $20,905                                                           $21,467          $22,545         $25,209         $24,813

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                  19,519                                                            23,447           27,756          31,600          41,434

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                      130,290                                                           147,627          180,566         188,643         214,649

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                 74,847                                                            78,520           82,445          85,518          91,372

                     Consumer installment                                                                                         184                                                               218              277             280             426

                         Total Covered (net of discounts)                                                                    $245,745                                                          $271,279         $313,589        $331,250        $372,694
                                                                                                                             --------                                                          --------         --------        --------        --------


                     Total Loan Portfolio:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                    $392,080                                                          $379,162         $395,405        $371,380        $326,194

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                 251,755                                                           243,316          242,333         245,030         222,797

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                    1,369,324                                                         1,361,857        1,359,516       1,350,391       1,225,160

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                828,106                                                           800,968          792,307         786,700         680,451

                     Consumer installment                                                                                      33,487                                                            35,788           36,928          38,447          37,051

                     Other                                                                                                     13,505                                                            14,308            9,583          11,492          13,692

                         Total Loans                                                                                       $2,888,257                                                        $2,835,399       $2,836,072      $2,803,440      $2,505,345
                                                                                                                           ----------                                                        ----------       ----------      ----------      ----------




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

                     Accruing loan types:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                        $277                                                              $290             $257            $257            $711

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                     789                                                               679            1,917           2,080           1,953

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                        7,309                                                             6,477            7,080           7,590           8,733

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                  4,513                                                             5,258            7,973           7,335           7,364

                     Consumer installment                                                                                          47                                                                55               34              75              87

                         Total Accruing TDRs                                                                                  $12,935                                                           $12,759          $17,261         $17,337         $18,848
                                                                                                                              -------                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------


                     Non-accruing loan types:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                         $17                                                               $13             $507            $465             $40

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                      90                                                               228              196              32              29

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                           64                                                               724            1,672           2,151           1,316

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                    736                                                             1,485              759           1,044             961

                     Consumer installment                                                                                          90                                                                73               93              51              19

                         Total Non-accrual TDRs                                                                                  $997                                                            $2,523           $3,227          $3,743          $2,365
                                                                                                                                 ----                                                            ------           ------          ------          ------


                     Total Troubled Debt Restructurings                                                                       $13,932                                                           $15,282          $20,488         $21,080         $21,213
                                                                                                                              =======                                                           =======          =======         =======         =======




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

                     Grade 10 - Prime credit                                                                                 $157,462                                                          $128,577         $121,486        $110,842         $93,805

                     Grade 15 - Good credit                                                                                   205,929                                                           217,804          222,714         226,652         243,963

                     Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit                                                                         1,012,733                                                           947,948          908,054         866,356         817,718

                     Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit                                                        28,643                                                            29,205           28,826          28,429          31,056

                     Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit                                                                     513,009                                                           488,187          484,200         450,363         417,177

                     Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned                                                               25,461                                                            25,983           31,750          33,360          38,240

                     Grade 40 - Substandard                                                                                    56,179                                                            52,176           51,640          54,047          53,286

                     Grade 50 - Doubtful                                                                                            4                                                                 1               88              10             137

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

                       Total                                                                                               $1,999,420                                                        $1,889,881       $1,848,759      $1,770,059      $1,695,382
                                                                                                                           ----------                                                        ----------       ----------      ----------      ----------


                                                                                                                  AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                               FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                    (unaudited)

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



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

                                                                 Mar.                                                Dec.                                Sept.            Jun.            Mar.

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



    AVERAGE BALANCES


                     Federal funds sold                                   $5,500                                                            $3,163                   $500            $500          $7,455

                     Interest bearing deposits in banks                  158,286                                                            69,772                 63,355          50,850          99,751

                     Investment securities - taxable                     485,922                                                           461,800                451,563         418,498         411,251

                     Investment securities - nontaxable                   71,229                                                            72,072                 74,176          49,631          51,092

                     Other investments                                     9,450                                                             9,804                  8,209           6,629          12,330

                     Mortgage loans held for sale                         75,831                                                            97,406                 83,751          54,517          49,397

                     Loans                                             1,911,601                                                         1,871,618              1,795,059       1,706,564       1,639,672

                     Purchased non-covered loans                         650,331                                                           659,472                688,452         433,249         441,138

                     Covered loans                                       262,693                                                           299,981                324,498         354,766         379,460
                                                                         -------                                                           -------                -------         -------         -------

                       Total Earning Assets                           $3,630,843                                                        $3,545,088             $3,489,563       3,075,204       3,091,546
                                                                      ----------                                                        ----------             ----------       ---------       ---------


                     Noninterest bearing deposits                       $897,937                                                          $850,879               $807,416        $680,058        $666,493

                     NOW accounts                                        756,795                                                           786,511                743,352         691,353         675,199

                     MMDA                                                857,346                                                           840,397                861,197         770,047         749,150

                     Savings accounts                                    163,624                                                           156,663                155,559         145,528         143,109

                     Retail CDs < $100,000                               372,463                                                           386,844                439,150         356,483         373,523

                     Retail CDs > $100,000                               383,962                                                           401,934                370,166         360,703         361,861

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

                       Total Deposits                                  3,432,127                                                         3,427,251              3,382,810       3,010,142       2,975,305
                                                                       ---------                                                         ---------              ---------       ---------       ---------


                     FHLB advances                                        16,778                                                            35,815                 55,435          28,626          68,333

                     Other borrowings                                     43,871                                                            46,508                 47,346          35,280          30,004

                     Subordinated debentures                              65,436                                                            65,195                 64,953          55,789          55,092

                     Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                     under agreements to repurchase                       52,707                                                            47,247                 44,316          40,008          57,112

                       Total Non-Deposit Funding                         178,792                                                           194,765                212,050         159,703         210,541
                                                                         -------                                                           -------                -------         -------         -------


                       Total Funding                                  $3,610,919                                                        $3,622,016             $3,594,860      $3,169,845      $3,185,846
                                                                      ----------                                                        ----------             ----------      ----------      ----------


                                                                                                                   AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                     (unaudited)

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


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

                                                                   Mar.                                              Dec.                                     Sept.             Jun.           Mar.

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


    INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE


                     INTEREST INCOME

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

                     Interest bearing deposits in banks                     124                                                                 66                       47               45             79

                     Investment securities - taxable                      3,153                                                              3,114                    3,034            2,953          2,985

                     Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)                633                                                                652                      670              421            452

                     Mortgage loans held for sale                           692                                                                947                      787              457            403

                     Loans (TE)                                          22,418                                                             23,294                   21,790           21,996         20,647

                     Purchased non-covered loans                         11,840                                                             12,612                   12,610            7,933          6,865

                     Covered loans                                        3,995                                                              4,704                    4,726            5,164          6,761
                                                                          -----                                                              -----                    -----            -----          -----

                        Total Earning Assets                            $42,859                                                            $45,391                  $43,663          $38,969        $38,197
                                                                        -------                                                            -------                  -------          -------        -------


                     INTEREST EXPENSE

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

                     NOW accounts                                           376                                                                414                      324              291            288

                     MMDA                                                   663                                                                768                      783              722            681

                     Savings accounts                                        37                                                                 45                       42               40             37

                     Retail CDs < $100,000                                  513                                                                553                      596              478            489

                     Retail CDs > $100,000                                  691                                                                746                      749              626            640

                     Brokered CDs                                             -                                                                34                       47               48             48

                        Total Deposits                                    2,280                                                              2,560                    2,541            2,205          2,183
                                                                          -----                                                              -----                    -----            -----          -----


                     FHLB advances                                           15                                                                 26                       51               26             37

                     Other borrowings                                       366                                                                379                      558              415            408

                     Subordinated debentures                                832                                                                887                      866              666            708

                     Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                         under agreements to repurchase                      43                                                                 41                       39               31             53
                                                                            ---                                                                ---                      ---              ---            ---

                        Total Non-Deposit Funding                         1,256                                                              1,333                    1,514            1,138          1,206
                                                                          -----                                                              -----                    -----            -----          -----


                          Total Funding                                  $3,536                                                             $3,893                   $4,055           $3,343         $3,389
                                                                         ------                                                             ------                   ------           ------         ------


                     Net Interest Income (TE)                           $39,323                                                            $41,498                  $39,608          $35,626        $34,808
                                                                        -------                                                            -------                  -------          -------        -------


                                                                                                                                        AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                         (unaudited)

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



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

                                                                                                                                     Mar.                                 Dec.        Sept.         Jun.          Mar.

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

    YIELDS (1)


                            Federal funds sold                                                                                              0.29%                              0.25%        0.00%        0.00%         0.27%

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

                            Investment securities - taxable                                                                                 2.63%                              2.68%        2.67%        2.83%         2.94%

                            Investment securities - nontaxable                                                                              3.60%                              3.59%        3.58%        3.40%         3.59%

                            Mortgage loans held for sale                                                                                    3.70%                              3.86%        3.73%        3.36%         3.31%

                            Loans                                                                                                           4.76%                              4.94%        4.82%        5.17%         5.11%

                            Purchased non-covered loans                                                                                     7.38%                              7.59%        7.27%        7.34%         6.31%

                            Covered loans                                                                                                   6.17%                              6.22%        5.78%        5.84%         7.23%
                                                                                                                                             ----                                ----          ----          ----           ----

                              Total Earning Assets                                                                                          4.79%                              5.08%        4.96%        5.08%         5.01%


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

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

                            MMDA                                                                                                            0.31%                              0.36%        0.36%        0.38%         0.37%

                            Savings accounts                                                                                                0.09%                              0.11%        0.11%        0.11%         0.10%

                            Retail CDs < $100,000                                                                                           0.56%                              0.57%        0.54%        0.54%         0.53%

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

                            Brokered CDs                                                                                                    0.00%                              3.35%        3.12%        3.22%         3.26%
                                                                                                                                             ----                                ----          ----          ----           ----

                              Total Deposits                                                                                                0.27%                              0.30%        0.30%        0.29%         0.30%


                            FHLB advances                                                                                                   0.36%                              0.29%        0.36%        0.36%         0.22%

                            Other borrowings                                                                                                3.38%                              3.23%        4.68%        4.72%         5.51%

                            Subordinated debentures                                                                                         5.16%                              5.40%        5.29%        4.79%         5.21%

                            Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                            under agreements to repurchase                                                                                  0.33%                              0.34%        0.35%        0.31%         0.38%
                                                                                                                                             ----                                ----          ----          ----           ----

                              Total Non-Deposit Funding                                                                                     2.85%                              2.72%        2.83%        2.86%         2.32%


                              Total funding (3)                                                                                             0.40%                              0.43%        0.45%        0.42%         0.43%
                                                                                                                                             ----                                ----          ----          ----           ----


                            Net interest spread                                                                                             4.39%                              4.65%        4.52%        4.66%         4.58%


                            Net interest margin                                                                                             4.39%                              4.64%        4.50%        4.65%         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
                                                                    ------------------

                                                           Mar.                                                  Dec.                             Sept.           Jun.            Mar.

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


     Net income available to common shareholders                 $9,764                                                                  $10,580          $11,663          $8,130           $8,064


     Conversion charges                                              15                                                                       67              551           2,872              450

     Tax effect of conversion charges                               (5)                                                                    (23)           (193)        (1,005)           (158)
                                                                    ---                                                                      ---             ----          ------             ----

     Plus: After tax conversion charges                              10                                                                       44              358           1,867              293


            Net operating income                                  9,774                                                                   10,624           12,021           9,997            8,357
                                                                  -----                                                                   ------           ------           -----            -----



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

                                                           Mar.                                                  Dec.                             Sept.           Jun.            Mar.

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

         Excluding Accretion Reconciliation


     Total Interest Income (TE)                                 $42,859                                                                  $45,391          $43,663         $38,969          $38,197

         Accretion Income                                         3,097                                                                    4,280            2,964           2,572            2,727
                                                                  -----                                                                    -----            -----           -----            -----

     Total Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion             $39,762                                                                  $41,111          $40,699         $36,397          $35,470


     Yield on Total Loans Excluding Accretion                     5.01%                                                                   5.05%           5.07%          5.19%           5.16%
                                                                   ----                                                                     ----             ----            ----             ----


     Net Interest Margin Excluding Accretion                      4.05%                                                                   4.17%           4.17%          4.31%           4.21%
                                                                   ----                                                                     ----             ----            ----             ----



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

                                                           Mar.                                                  Dec.                             Sept.           Jun.            Mar.

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


     Pre-tax operating profit                                   $14,511                                                                  $14,747          $16,785         $12,400          $12,273

     Plus: Credit Related Costs

         Provision for loan losses                                1,069                                                                      888            1,669           1,365            1,726

        (Gains)/Losses on the sale of legacy OREO                   110                                                                    (228)             (3)            283             (55)

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO                   20                                                                      344            (184)            249              118

         Problem loan and OREO expense                            3,031                                                                    5,175            3,373           2,309            2,127

         Interest reversed (received) on non-accrual loans          156                                                                      (6)              94              71              246

            Total Credit-Related Costs                            4,386                                                                    6,173            4,949           4,277            4,162
                                                                  -----                                                                    -----            -----           -----            -----


     Plus: Conversion charges                                        15                                                                       67              551           2,872              450

     Less: Non-recurring gains

         Gains on sales of securities                              (12)                                                                       -           (132)              -             (6)

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

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


     Pretax, Pre-provision earnings                             $18,900                                                                  $21,175          $21,537         $18,679          $16,879
                                                                =======                                                                  =======          =======         =======          =======


     As percentage of average assets, annualized                  1.88%                                                                   2.09%           2.15%          2.14%           1.94%



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

                                                           Mar.                                                  Dec.                             Sept.           Jun.            Mar.

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


     Total Operating Expenses                                    40,827                                                                   41,733           38,579          37,318           33,239

     Less: Credit costs & non-recurring charges

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of legacy OREO                 (110)                                                                     228                3           (283)              55

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO                 (20)                                                                   (344)             184           (249)           (118)

         Problem loan and OREO expense                          (3,031)                                                                 (5,175)         (3,373)        (2,309)         (2,127)

        Severance payments                                            -                                                                   (188)               -              -               -

       Conversion expenses                                         (15)                                                                    (67)           (551)        (2,872)           (450)

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


     Recurring operating expenses                               $37,651                                                                  $36,187          $35,458         $31,605          $30,599
                                                                =======                                                                  =======          =======         =======          =======


                                                                                                   AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                    (unaudited)

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



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

                                                 Mar.                                       Dec.                                          Sept.         Jun.         Mar.

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


     Banking Division:

        Net interest income                           $35,839                                                     $38,045                       $36,142      $33,345      $32,928

        Provision for loan losses                         927                                                         737                           994        1,365        1,726

        Noninterest income                              8,780                                                       8,595                         8,932        7,449        7,361

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits              15,362                                                      14,196                        14,819       12,509       13,577

           Occupancy                                    4,144                                                       4,319                         4,277        3,752        3,749

           Data Processing                              4,011                                                       3,901                         3,619        3,590        3,326

           Other expenses                              10,356                                                      12,320                         8,722       10,753        7,380
                                                       ------                                                      ------                         -----       ------        -----

              Total noninterest expense                33,873                                                      34,736                        31,437       30,604       28,032
                                                       ------                                                      ------                        ------       ------       ------

     Income before income taxes                         9,819                                                      11,167                        12,643        8,825       10,531

        Income Tax                                      3,105                                                       2,914                         3,672        3,019        3,313

              Net income                                6,714                                                       8,253                         8,971        5,806        7,218

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

     Net income available to common shareholders       $6,714                                                      $8,253                        $8,971       $5,806       $6,932
                                                       ======                                                      ======                        ======       ======       ======



     Mortgage Division:

        Net interest income                            $2,380                                                      $2,574                        $2,347       $1,339       $1,100

        Provision for loan losses                         142                                                         151                           675            -           -

        Noninterest income                              7,883                                                       6,313                         7,135        7,002        5,164

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits               4,654                                                       4,259                         4,409        3,937        3,568

           Occupancy                                      382                                                         373                           368          300          302

           Data Processing                                245                                                         326                           306          343          122

           Other expenses                                 968                                                         999                           869        1,312          815
                                                          ---                                                         ---                           ---        -----          ---

              Total noninterest expense                 6,249                                                       5,957                         5,952        5,892        4,807
                                                        -----                                                       -----                         -----        -----        -----

     Income before income taxes                         3,872                                                       2,779                         2,855        2,449        1,457

        Income Tax                                      1,355                                                         973                           999          857          510

              Net income                                2,517                                                       1,806                         1,856        1,592          947

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

     Net income available to common shareholders       $2,517                                                      $1,806                        $1,856       $1,592         $947
                                                       ======                                                      ======                        ======       ======         ====



     SBA Division:

        Net interest income                              $613                                                        $387                          $643         $580         $456

        Provision for loan losses                           -                                                          -                            -           -           -

        Noninterest income                                912                                                       1,454                         1,834        1,368          229

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits                 616                                                         861                           998          496          249

           Occupancy                                       28                                                          25                            24           19           13

           Data Processing                                  4                                                           2                             3            7            6

           Other expenses                                  57                                                         152                           165          300          132
                                                          ---                                                         ---                           ---          ---          ---

              Total noninterest expense                   705                                                       1,040                         1,190          822          400
                                                          ---                                                       -----                         -----          ---          ---

     Income before income taxes                           820                                                         801                         1,287        1,126          285

        Income Tax                                        287                                                         280                           450          394          100

              Net income                                  533                                                         521                           837          732          185

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

     Net income available to common shareholders         $533                                                        $521                          $837         $732         $185
                                                         ====                                                        ====                          ====         ====         ====



     Total Consolidated:

        Net interest income                           $38,832                                                     $41,006                       $39,132      $35,264      $34,484

        Provision for loan losses                       1,069                                                         888                         1,669        1,365        1,726

        Noninterest income                             17,575                                                      16,362                        17,901       15,819       12,754

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits              20,632                                                      19,316                        20,226       16,942       17,394

           Occupancy                                    4,554                                                       4,717                         4,669        4,071        4,064

           Data Processing                              4,260                                                       4,229                         3,928        3,940        3,454

           Other expenses                              11,381                                                      13,471                         9,756       12,365        8,327
                                                       ------                                                      ------                         -----       ------        -----

              Total noninterest expense                40,827                                                      41,733                        38,579       37,318       33,239
                                                       ------                                                      ------                        ------       ------       ------

     Income before income taxes                        14,511                                                      14,747                        16,785       12,400       12,273

        Income Tax                                      4,747                                                       4,167                         5,122        4,270        3,923

              Net income                                9,764                                                      10,580                        11,663        8,130        8,350

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

     Net income available to common shareholders       $9,764                                                     $10,580                       $11,663       $8,130       $8,064
                                                       ======                                                     =======                       =======       ======       ======

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SOURCE Ameris Bancorp