MOULTRIE, Ga., Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq: ABCB) (the "Company") today reported operating net income of $21.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, a 35% increase when compared with $15.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Operating earnings and reported earnings for the third quarter of 2016 are identical, though operating earnings for the third quarter of 2015 exclude $290,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, of after-tax merger costs.

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For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2016, the Company reported operating net income of $58.1 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, compared with $38.0 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015. Operating earnings for 2016 exclude $4.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, of after-tax merger costs while operating earnings for 2015 exclude $11.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, of after-tax merger costs and nonrecurring credit resolution expenses.

Commenting on the Company's quarterly results, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "In the third quarter, we continued to see reliable trends in the growth of both our balance sheet and our net earnings. The growth initiatives we began in recent years to invest our excess liquidity have been successful, and our Company is experiencing a pace of organic growth that we have not seen in many years. I am proud of the work our team has done producing another record quarter for Ameris Bank and am confident that our momentum will propel us to a strong 2017."

Highlights of the Company's performance and results for the third quarter of 2016 include the following:


    --  Operating return on assets and operating return on average tangible
        equity of 1.35% and 17.18%, respectively
    --  Organic growth in loans of $222.8 million, or 22.9% annualized
    --  Total revenue growth of $13.6 million, or 18.7%, compared with the same
        quarter of 2015
    --  Continued improvement in non-performing assets, decreasing to 0.92% of
        total assets
    --  Net charge-offs on non-purchased loans of 0.05% annualized
    --  Growth in net income from the retail mortgage, warehouse lending and SBA
        lines of business, increasing to $5.7 million, or 26.5% of total net
        income

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income (taxable equivalent) for the third quarter of 2016 totaled $58.0 million, an increase of $9.9 million, or 20.6%, compared with $48.1 million reported for the third quarter of 2015. Accretion income in the current quarter increased to $3.6 million, compared with $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, but decreased compared with $4.2 million reported in the second quarter of 2016. Higher levels of net interest income resulted mostly from growth in average loans outstanding of approximately $1.2 billion since the third quarter of 2015. Average balances of short-term assets and investments shrank over the past year by 10.5%, from $1.06 billion in the third quarter of 2015 to $948 million in the current quarter. At the current quarter end, loans outstanding represented 83.9% of total earning assets, compared with 80.0% at September 30, 2015.

Despite the persistent low interest rate environment and continued deterioration of loan and investment yield opportunities, the Company has maintained a generally consistent net interest margin. During the current quarter, the Company reported a net interest margin, excluding accretion income, of 3.75%, compared with 3.70% in the prior quarter and 3.81% in the same quarter of 2015. Trends in the margin over the past year include the effects of yield deterioration on loans and investments resulting from a persistently low interest rate environment, offset by stable costs of deposits and an improved mix of earning assets, more heavily weighted toward loans than short-term assets or investments.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income in the third quarter of 2016 improved to $28.9 million, an increase of $3.9 million, or 15.6%, compared with the same quarter in 2015. Continued growth and profitability in the Company's mortgage operations provided most of the improvement, with revenue from mortgage operations increasing to $14.1 million, a 35% increase compared with the same quarter of 2015. Total retail mortgage loan production increased to $410.8 million in the current quarter, compared with $311.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, while spreads (gain on sale) improved to 3.69% in the current quarter, compared with 3.52% in the same quarter of 2015.

Service charges on deposit accounts increased by $592,000 to $11.4 million during the current quarter, an increase of 5.5% compared with the same quarter in 2015. Growth in service charge related revenues on commercial and consumer accounts was responsible for most of the increase in service charges, while NSF and debit card revenues were mostly flat.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense totaled $53.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, an increase of $4.8 million compared with $48.4 million in the third quarter of 2015. Substantially all of the increase in operating expenses related to additional compensation and occupancy costs associated with the acquisition of Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. during the first quarter of 2016, as well as additional compensation related to mortgage and SBA lines of business.

Salaries and benefits increased to $28.0 million in the current quarter of 2016, compared with $24.9 million in the third quarter of 2015. Higher incentive accruals for the Company's production staff, as well as increased commissions in the mortgage and SBA divisions, accounted for the majority of the increase in compensation costs. Management anticipates lower compensation costs in the fourth quarter of 2016 due to seasonally slower commercial and agricultural loan production and generally slower originations in retail mortgage.

Occupancy costs were flat at approximately $6.0 million during the current quarter of 2016 as compared with the same quarter in 2015. Reduction in branch offices and tighter controls on other non-depreciation expenses were the principal drivers of minimal increases in these costs. Data processing and telecommunications costs increased by 16.1% during the quarter, mostly due to higher customer counts and continued implementation of mobile and electronic initiatives. Other operating costs increased by $574,000 to $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily as a result of increases in professional fees associated with several reengineering efforts in various administrative cost centers.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at September 30, 2016 were $6.49 billion, compared with $5.59 billion at December 31, 2015. Commenting on the growth in total assets, Mr. Hortman said, "The pace of loan growth during 2016 has quickened as a result of several strategies. First, our bankers are deepening existing relationships, and our efforts to bank selectively larger relationships have put us in front of new customers that we might have passed on before because of their size. Second, our efforts at developing lending expertise and niches that diversify our sales efforts away from commercial real estate were initially needed to help deploy the liquidity from acquisitions in 2015. These niches and lending efforts have reached maturity and are producing reliable incremental growth at profitability levels that are equal to or greater than our existing return on assets. Looking forward, we expect pay-downs in our warehouse and agricultural lines of credit that normally slow our growth in the fourth quarter, but we believe that our current pace of growth for 2016 can be sustained or even improved upon as we move into 2017."

Loans, including loans held for sale, totaled $4.97 billion at September 30, 2016, compared with $4.02 billion at December 31, 2015. During the third quarter of 2016, organic growth in loans totaled $222.8 million, or 22.9% on an annualized basis. Organic growth in loans for the year-to-date period in 2016 totaled $534.6 million, or 22.5%, compared with $419.2 million, or a growth rate of 21.9%, for the same period in 2015. The Company's efforts to manage a diversified loan portfolio have resulted in concentration levels that are solidly below the regulatory guidance.

Investment securities at the end of the current quarter amounted to $838.1 million, or 14.1% of earning assets, compared with $783.2 million, or 15.4% of earning assets, at December 31, 2015.

At September 30, 2016, total deposits amounted to $5.31 billion, or 91.4% of total funding, compared with $4.88 billion and 96.6%, respectively, at December 31, 2015. Growth in total deposits during the quarter quickened relative to prior quarters, with total growth of $126.6 million, or 9.8%, annualized. The Company has increased efforts to match deposit growth rates with loan growth rates, increasing interest rates where needed and reviewing other opportunities in anticipation of continued growth in earning assets.

Tangible common equity at September 30, 2016 totaled $501.6 million, compared with $407.6 million reported at December 31, 2015. Increases in stockholders' equity are primarily the result of net earnings and the issuance of shares of common stock in the acquisition of Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. during the first quarter of 2016, less an increased dividend payout ratio as of the most recent quarter. Tangible book value increased at an annualized pace of 18.3% during the first nine months of 2016, up from $12.65 per share at December 31, 2015 to $14.38 per share at September 30, 2016.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EDT today (October 17, 2016) to discuss the Company's results and answer appropriate questions. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-504-1190 (or 1-855-669-9657 for participants in Canada and 1-412-902-6630 for other international participants). The conference ID name is Ameris Bancorp ABCB. A replay of the call will be available beginning one hour after the end of the conference call until October 31, 2016. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 (or 1-855-669-9658 for participants in Canada and 1-412-317-0088 for other international participants). The conference replay access code is 10092982. 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.

About Ameris Bancorp

Ameris Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. The Company's banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank, had 99 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina at the end of the most recent quarter, with two of those locations announced to be consolidated within the coming months.

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

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


                                                                                                                                        AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                         (unaudited)

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



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

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

                                                                            2016                           2016                                                            2016            2015             2015              2016               2015
                                                                            ----                           ----                                                            ----            ----             ----              ----               ----


    EARNINGS


                            Net Income                                   $21,557                        $20,049                                                         $12,317         $14,148          $15,627           $53,923            $26,699


                            Operating Net Income                         $21,557                        $20,049                                                         $16,450         $15,323          $15,917           $58,056            $38,018


    PER COMMON SHARE DATA

                             Earnings per share available to
                             common shareholders:

                            Basic                                          $0.62                          $0.58                                                           $0.38           $0.44            $0.49             $1.58              $0.84

                            Diluted                                        $0.61                          $0.57                                                           $0.37           $0.43            $0.48             $1.56              $0.84

                            Cash Dividends per share                       $0.10                          $0.05                                                           $0.05           $0.05            $0.05             $0.20              $0.15

                            Book value per share (period end)             $18.42                         $17.96                                                          $17.25          $15.98           $15.60            $18.42             $15.60

                             Tangible book value per share
                             (period end)                                 $14.38                         $13.89                                                          $13.13          $12.65           $12.31            $14.38             $12.31

                            Weighted average number of shares:

                            Basic                                     34,869,747                     34,832,621                                                      32,752,063      32,199,632       32,195,435        34,155,556         31,614,015

                            Diluted                                   35,194,739                     35,153,311                                                      33,053,554      32,594,929       32,553,167        34,470,101         31,961,969

                            Period-end number of shares               34,891,304                     34,847,311                                                      34,837,454      32,211,385       32,196,117        34,891,304         32,196,117

                            Market data:

                            High closing price                            $35.80                         $32.39                                                          $32.68          $34.90           $28.75            $35.80             $28.75

                            Low closing price                             $29.09                         $27.89                                                          $25.09          $27.65           $24.97            $25.09             $22.75

                            Period end closing price                      $34.95                         $29.70                                                          $29.58          $33.99           $28.75            $34.95             $28.75

                            Average daily volume                         166,841                        215,409                                                         253,779         301,775          174,900           211,351            129,678


    PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                            Return on average assets                       1.35%                         1.31%                                                          0.88%          1.03%           1.19%            1.16%             0.74%

                            Return on average common equity               13.39%                        13.08%                                                          9.14%         10.94%          12.53%           11.46%             7.21%

                            Earning asset yield (TE)                       4.35%                         4.35%                                                          4.36%          4.30%           4.39%            4.35%             4.54%

                            Total cost of funds                            0.36%                         0.35%                                                          0.33%          0.32%           0.32%            0.35%             0.36%

                            Net interest margin (TE)                       3.99%                         4.01%                                                          4.03%          3.98%           4.07%            4.01%             4.18%

                             Non-interest income excluding
                             securities transactions,

                            as a percent of total revenue (TE)            31.36%                        32.01%                                                         30.40%         29.56%          32.33%           31.29%            31.09%

                            Efficiency ratio                              61.91%                        63.11%                                                         74.41%         74.66%          66.87%           66.15%            76.85%


    CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)

                            Stockholders' equity to assets                 9.90%                        10.06%                                                          9.85%          9.21%           9.63%            9.90%             9.63%

                             Tangible common equity to tangible
                             assets                                        7.90%                         7.96%                                                          7.68%          7.44%           7.76%            7.90%             7.76%


    EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION

                             Tangible common equity to tangible
                             assets                                        7.90%                         7.96%                                                          7.68%          7.44%           7.76%            7.90%             7.76%

                             Effect of goodwill and other
                             intangibles                                   2.00%                         2.10%                                                          2.17%          1.77%           1.87%            2.00%             1.87%

                            Equity to assets (GAAP)                        9.90%                        10.06%                                                          9.85%          9.21%           9.63%            9.90%             9.63%
                                                                            ====                          =====                                                            ====            ====             ====              ====               ====


    OTHER PERIOD-END DATA

                            Banking Division FTE                           1,011                          1,023                                                           1,085           1,075            1,110             1,011              1,110

                            Mortgage Division FTE                            259                            245                                                             233             229              218               259                218
                            -------------------

                            Total Ameris Bancorp FTE Headcount             1,270                          1,268                                                           1,318           1,304            1,328             1,270              1,328
                                                                           -----                          -----                                                           -----           -----            -----             -----              -----


                            Assets per Banking Division FTE               $6,423                         $6,081                                                          $5,620          $5,199           $4,699            $6,423             $4,699

                            Branch locations                                  99                            102                                                             103             101              103                99                103

                            Deposits per branch location                 $53,597                        $50,780                                                         $50,784         $48,310          $43,986           $53,597            $43,986



                                                                                                                                                                  AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                               FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                    (unaudited)

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


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

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

                                                                                                                   2016                              2016                                                     2016           2015            2015             2016             2015
                                                                                                                   ----                              ----                                                     ----           ----            ----             ----             ----



    INCOME STATEMENT


    Interest income

                         Interest and fees on loans                                                             $57,322                           $54,164                                                  $49,191        $47,336         $45,775         $160,677         $124,231

                         Interest on taxable securities                                                           4,336                             4,554                                                    4,586          4,540           4,694           13,476           11,594

                         Interest on nontaxable securities                                                          397                               454                                                      446            458             480            1,297            1,411

                         Interest on deposits in other banks                                                        147                               159                                                      328            262             227              634              528

                         Interest on federal funds sold                                                               8                                 9                                                        8              5              19               25               28

                         Total interest income                                                                   62,210                            59,340                                                   54,559         52,601          51,195          176,109          137,792
                                                                                                                 ------                            ------                                                   ------         ------          ------          -------          -------


    Interest expense

                         Interest on deposits                                                                    $3,074                            $2,915                                                   $2,741         $2,687          $2,521           $8,730           $7,065

                         Interest on other borrowings                                                             2,069                             1,836                                                    1,382          1,296           1,275            5,287            3,808
                         -----------------

                         Total interest expense                                                                   5,143                             4,751                                                    4,123          3,983           3,796           14,017           10,873
                                                                                                                  -----                             -----                                                    -----          -----           -----           ------           ------


    Net interest income                                                                                        57,067                            54,589                                                   50,436         48,618          47,399          162,092          126,919


    Provision for loan losses                                                                                     811                               889                                                      681            553             986            2,381            4,711
                                                                                                                  ---                               ---                                                      ---            ---             ---            -----            -----


    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                       $56,256                           $53,700                                                  $49,755        $48,065         $46,413         $159,711         $122,208
                                                                                                              -------                           -------                                                  -------        -------         -------         --------         --------


    Noninterest income

                         Service charges on deposit accounts                                                    $11,358                           $10,436                                                   $9,915        $10,119         $10,766          $31,709          $24,346

                         Mortgage banking activity                                                               14,067                            14,142                                                   10,211          8,586          10,404           38,420           28,214

                          Other service charges, commissions and
                          fees                                                                                      791                               967                                                    1,111          1,112           1,145            2,869            2,642

                         Gain(loss) on sale of securities                                                             -                                -                                                      94              -            115               94              137

                         Other non-interest income                                                                2,648                             2,834                                                    2,955          2,590           2,548            8,437            7,840

                         Total noninterest income                                                                28,864                            28,379                                                   24,286         22,407          24,978           81,529           63,179
                                                                                                                 ------                            ------                                                   ------         ------          ------           ------           ------


    Noninterest expense

                         Salaries and employee benefits                                                          27,982                            27,531                                                   26,187         25,972          24,934           81,700           68,031

                         Occupancy and equipment expenses                                                         5,989                             6,371                                                    5,700          5,917           5,915           18,060           15,278

                          Data processing and telecommunications
                          expenses                                                                                6,185                             6,049                                                    6,113          6,046           5,329           18,347           13,803

                         Credit resolution related expenses (1)                                                   1,526                             1,764                                                    1,799          2,223           1,083            5,089           15,484

                         Advertising and marketing expenses                                                       1,249                               854                                                      805          1,171             667            2,908            2,141

                         Amortization of intangible assets                                                          993                             1,319                                                    1,020          1,160           1,321            3,332            2,581

                         Merger and conversion charges                                                                -                                -                                                   6,359          1,807             446            6,359            6,173

                         Other non-interest expenses                                                              9,275                             8,471                                                    7,617          8,732           8,701           25,363           22,596

                         Total noninterest expense                                                               53,199                            52,359                                                   55,600         53,028          48,396          161,158          146,087
                                                                                                                 ------                            ------                                                   ------         ------          ------          -------          -------


    Income before income taxes                                                                                $31,921                           $29,720                                                  $18,441        $17,444         $22,995          $80,082          $39,300


                         Income tax expense                                                                      10,364                             9,671                                                    6,124          3,296           7,368           26,159           12,601
                         -----------------


    Net income                                                                                                $21,557                           $20,049                                                  $12,317        $14,148         $15,627          $53,923          $26,699
                                                                                                              =======                           =======                                                  =======        =======         =======          =======          =======


    Diluted earnings available to common shareholders                                                            0.61                              0.57                                                     0.37           0.43            0.48             1.56             0.84
                                                                                                                 ====                              ====                                                     ====           ====            ====             ====             ====


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



                                                                                                          AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                       FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                            (unaudited)

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



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

                                                                            Sept.                                              Jun.                        Mar.                Dec.                 Sept.

                                                                                         2016                                                       2016                2016                 2015                   2015
                                                                                         ----                                                       ----                ----                 ----                   ----


    PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET


    Assets

                            Cash and due from banks                                  $123,270                                                   $116,255            $146,863             $118,518               $114,396

                             Federal funds sold and interest bearing
                             balances                                                  90,801                                                     68,273             107,373              272,045                120,925

                             Investment securities available for sale, at
                             fair value                                               838,124                                                    843,646             837,103              783,185                811,385

                            Other investments                                          24,578                                                     19,125              12,802                9,323                  9,322

                            Mortgage loans held for sale                              126,263                                                    102,757              97,439              111,182                111,807


                            Loans, net of unearned income                           3,091,039                                                  2,819,071           2,528,007            2,406,877              2,290,649

                             Purchased, non-covered loans (excluding loan
                             pools)                                                 1,067,090                                                  1,072,217           1,129,919              771,554                767,494

                            Purchased, non-covered loan pools                         624,886                                                    610,425             656,734              592,963                410,072

                            Covered loans                                              62,291                                                    121,418             130,279              137,529                191,021

                            Less allowance for loan losses                           (22,963)                                                  (21,734)           (21,482)            (21,062)              (22,471)
                            ------------------

                            Loans, net                                              4,822,343                                                  4,601,397           4,423,457            3,887,861              3,636,765


                            Other real estate owned                                    10,392                                                     13,765              14,967               16,147                 20,730

                             Purchased, non-covered other real estate
                             owned                                                     14,126                                                     13,928              15,048               14,333                 11,538

                            Covered other real estate owned                             1,000                                                      2,742               3,764                5,011                 12,203
                            ------------------

                            Total other real estate owned                              25,518                                                     30,435              33,779               35,491                 44,471


                            Premises and equipment, net                               122,191                                                    123,978             124,747              121,639                124,756

                            Goodwill                                                  122,545                                                    121,422             121,512               90,082                 87,701

                            Other intangibles, net                                     18,472                                                     20,574              21,892               17,058                 18,218

                            FDIC loss sharing receivable                                    -                                                         -              1,197                6,301                  4,506

                            Cash value of bank owned life insurance                    77,637                                                     77,095              76,676               64,251                 59,894

                            Other assets                                              101,753                                                     96,337              92,931               72,004                 72,154

                            Total assets                                           $6,493,495                                                 $6,221,294          $6,097,771           $5,588,940             $5,216,300
                                                                                   ==========                                                 ==========          ==========           ==========             ==========


    Liabilities

                            Deposits:

                            Noninterest-bearing                                    $1,563,316                                                 $1,553,972          $1,529,037           $1,329,857             $1,275,800

                            Interest-bearing                                        3,742,782                                                  3,625,560           3,701,750            3,549,433              3,254,723
                                                                                    ---------                                                  ---------           ---------            ---------              ---------

                            Total deposits                                          5,306,098                                                  5,179,532           5,230,787            4,879,290              4,530,523

                             Federal funds purchased & securities sold
                             under

                            agreements to repurchase                                   42,647                                                     37,139              43,741               63,585                 51,506

                            FDIC loss sharing payable, net                              7,775                                                      1,897                   -                   -                     -

                            Other borrowings                                          373,461                                                    260,191             110,531               39,000                 39,000

                            Other liabilities                                          37,033                                                     33,050              28,647               22,432                 23,371

                            Subordinated deferrable interest debentures                83,898                                                     83,570              83,237               69,874                 69,600

                            Total liabilities                                       5,850,912                                                  5,595,379           5,496,943            5,074,181              4,714,000
                                                                                    ---------                                                  ---------           ---------            ---------              ---------



    Stockholders' equity

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

      Common stock                                                                   36,348                                                     36,303              36,272               33,625                 33,610

      Capital surplus                                                               409,630                                                    408,549             407,726              337,349                336,599

      Retained earnings                                                             199,769                                                    181,701             163,395              152,820                140,282

      Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)                                  10,449                                                     12,960               6,411                3,353                  4,197

      Less treasury stock                                                          (13,613)                                                  (13,598)           (12,976)            (12,388)              (12,388)

                            Total stockholders' equity                                642,583                                                    625,915             600,828              514,759                502,300
                                                                                      -------                                                    -------             -------              -------                -------

                            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity             $6,493,495                                                 $6,221,294          $6,097,771           $5,588,940             $5,216,300
                                                                                   ==========                                                 ==========          ==========           ==========             ==========



    Other Data

    Earning Assets                                                                5,925,072                                                  5,656,932           5,499,656            5,084,658              4,712,675

    Intangible Assets                                                               141,017                                                    141,996             143,404              107,140                105,919

    Interest Bearing Liabilities                                                  4,242,788                                                  4,006,460           3,939,259            3,721,892              3,414,829

    Average Assets                                                                6,330,350                                                  6,138,757           5,618,397            5,427,367              5,213,275

    Average Common Stockholders' Equity                                             640,382                                                    616,361             542,264              513,098                494,957



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (unaudited)

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



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

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

                                                                                                                                                                               2016                                 2016                                                    2016            2015              2015               2016                2015
                                                                                                                                                                               ----                                 ----                                                    ----            ----              ----               ----                ----


    ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION(1)


    Allowance for loan losses

                                                 Balance at beginning of period                                                                                             $21,734                              $21,482                                                 $21,062         $22,471           $21,658            $21,062             $21,157


                                                 Provision for loan loss                                                                                                        811                                  889                                                     681             553               986              2,381               4,711


                                                 Charge-offs                                                                                                                  1,451                                1,376                                                   1,814           2,675             1,268              4,641               6,458

                                                 Recoveries                                                                                                                   1,869                                  739                                                   1,553             713             1,095              4,161               3,061
                                                                                                                                                                              -----                                  ---                                                   -----             ---             -----              -----               -----

                                                 Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                 (418)                                 637                                                     261           1,962               173                480               3,397


                                                 Ending balance                                                                                                             $22,963                              $21,734                                                 $21,482         $21,062           $22,471            $22,963             $22,471
                                                 ==============


                                                 As a percentage of loans                                                                                                     0.74%                               0.77%                                                  0.85%          0.88%            0.98%             0.74%              0.98%

                                                 As a percentage of nonperforming loans                                                                                     140.20%                             135.81%                                                136.83%        124.92%          109.31%           140.20%            109.31%



    Net charge-off information

                                                 Charge-offs

                                                 Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                          $326                                 $541                                                    $406            $501              $135             $1,273                $937

                                                 Real estate - residential                                                                                                      292                                  123                                                     468             621               234                883                 966

                                                 Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                              -                                 361                                                     347           1,009               184                708               1,358

                                                 Real estate - construction & development                                                                                        60                                  109                                                     155             157               105                324                 465

                                                 Consumer installment                                                                                                            74                                   59                                                      59             110                61                192                 300

                                                 Purchased non-covered, including pools                                                                                         408                                  111                                                     307             178               302                826                 772

                                                 Covered                                                                                                                        291                                   72                                                      72              99               247                435               1,660

                                                 Total charge-offs                                                                                                            1,451                                1,376                                                   1,814           2,675             1,268              4,641               6,458
                                                                                                                                                                              -----                                -----                                                   -----           -----             -----              -----               -----


                                                 Recoveries

                                                 Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                           119                                   87                                                      73             134               117                279                 517

                                                 Real estate - residential                                                                                                       40                                   14                                                     314              13                54                368                 138

                                                 Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                             13                                   57                                                     121              13               272                191                 304

                                                 Real estate - construction & development                                                                                       131                                  221                                                     122               9                 6                474                 314

                                                 Consumer installment                                                                                                            78                                   16                                                      25              20                33                119                 117

                                                 Purchased non-covered, including pools                                                                                         399                                  208                                                     658             232               174              1,265                 955

                                                 Covered                                                                                                                      1,089                                  136                                                     240             292               439              1,465                 716

                                                 Total recoveries                                                                                                             1,869                                  739                                                   1,553             713             1,095              4,161               3,061
                                                                                                                                                                              -----                                  ---                                                   -----             ---             -----              -----               -----


                                                 Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                                                $(418)                                $637                                                    $261          $1,962              $173               $480              $3,397
                                                 ===========================




    Non-accrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered

        and covered loans)                                                                                                                                                 16,379                               16,003                                                  15,700          16,860            20,558             16,379              20,558

    Non-accrual purchased non-covered loans                                                                                                                                17,993                               15,767                                                  19,187          13,330            11,374             17,993              11,374

    Non-accrual purchased loan pools                                                                                                                                          864                                  864                                                       -              -                -               864                   -

    Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)                                                                                                                         10,392                               13,765                                                  14,967          16,147            20,730             10,392              20,730

    Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned                                                                                                                         14,126                               13,928                                                  15,048          14,333            11,538             14,126              11,538

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

    Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets                                                                                                                  59,754                               60,327                                                  64,902          60,670            64,200             59,754              64,200
                                                                                                                                                                           ------                               ------                                                  ------          ------            ------             ------              ------


    Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets                                                                                                                      0.92%                               0.97%                                                  1.06%          1.09%            1.23%             0.92%              1.23%

    Net charge offs as a percent of loans (Annualized)                                                                                                                     -0.04%                               0.06%                                                  0.03%          0.21%            0.02%             0.01%              0.15%

    Net charge offs, excluding purchased loans, loan pools and

        covered loans, as a percent of loans (Annualized)                                                                                                                   0.05%                               0.12%                                                  0.13%          0.38%            0.04%             0.10%              0.17%


    (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.



                                                                                                                                              AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                           FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                               (unaudited)

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



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

                                                                                                                           Sept.                                                     Jun.              Mar.              Dec.              Sept.

                     Loans by Type                                                                                                                 2016                                         2016              2016              2015               2015
                                                                                                                                                   ----                                         ----              ----              ----               ----

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                      $625,947                                     $564,343          $434,073          $449,623           $427,747

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                   328,308                                      274,717           264,820           244,693            220,798

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                      1,297,582                                    1,248,580         1,154,887         1,104,991          1,067,828

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                  766,933                                      680,233           629,138           570,430            532,285

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                        68,305                                       33,245            31,901            31,125             31,299

                     Other                                                                                                                        3,964                                       17,953            13,188             6,015             10,692

                         Total Legacy (excluding purchased

                               non-covered and covered)                                                                                      $3,091,039                                   $2,819,071        $2,528,007        $2,406,877         $2,290,649
                                                                                                                                             ----------                                   ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------


                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                       $99,596                                     $101,803          $111,537           $45,462            $42,350

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                    86,099                                       89,096           103,753            72,080             71,109

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                        590,388                                      574,830           598,935           390,755            385,032

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                  286,169                                      300,898           309,770           258,153            263,312

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                         4,838                                        5,590             5,924             5,104              5,691

                         Total Purchased non-covered (net of discounts)                                                                      $1,067,090                                   $1,072,217        $1,129,919          $771,554           $767,494
                                                                                                                                             ----------                                   ----------        ----------          --------           --------


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

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                         -                                           -                -                -                 -

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                              -                                           -                -                -                 -

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                  624,886                                      610,425           656,734           592,963            410,072

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                             -                                           -                -                -                 -

                         Total Purchased non-covered loan pools                                                                                $624,886                                     $610,425          $656,734          $592,963           $410,072
                                                                                                                                               --------                                     --------          --------          --------           --------


                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                          $830                                       $1,604            $4,739            $5,546            $13,349

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                     3,220                                        7,168             7,205             7,612             14,266

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                         13,688                                       65,091            67,055            71,226            103,399

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                   44,457                                       47,455            51,176            53,038             59,835

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                            96                                          100               104               107                172

                         Total Covered (net of discounts)                                                                                       $62,291                                     $121,418          $130,279          $137,529           $191,021
                                                                                                                                                -------                                     --------          --------          --------           --------


                     Total Loan Portfolio:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                      $726,373                                     $667,750          $550,349          $500,631           $483,446

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                   417,627                                      370,981           375,778           324,385            306,173

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                      1,901,658                                    1,888,501         1,820,877         1,566,972          1,556,259

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                1,722,445                                    1,639,011         1,646,818         1,474,584          1,265,504

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                        73,239                                       38,935            37,929            36,336             37,162

                     Other                                                                                                                        3,964                                       17,953            13,188             6,015             10,692

                         Total Loans                                                                                                         $4,845,306                                   $4,623,131        $4,444,939        $3,908,923         $3,659,236
                                                                                                                                             ----------                                   ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------




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

                     Accruing loan types:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                           $53                                         $275              $279              $240               $238

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                       691                                          468               476               792                838

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                          5,535                                        5,802             5,945             5,766              5,719

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                    7,713                                        8,226             7,648             7,574              5,209

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                            21                                           24                37                46                 71

                         Total Accruing TDRs                                                                                                    $14,013                                      $14,795           $14,385           $14,418            $12,075
                                                                                                                                                -------                                      -------           -------           -------            -------


                     Non-accruing loan types:

                     Commercial, financial & agricultural                                                                                          $112                                          $86               $75              $110                $68

                     Real estate - construction & development                                                                                        35                                           36                30                63                 30

                     Real estate - commercial & farmland                                                                                          2,015                                        1,832             1,871               596                942

                     Real estate - residential                                                                                                      849                                          899             1,040             1,123                759

                     Consumer installment                                                                                                           120                                          113                87                94                 64

                         Total Non-accrual TDRs                                                                                                  $3,131                                       $2,966            $3,103            $1,986             $1,863
                                                                                                                                                 ------                                       ------            ------            ------             ------


                     Total Troubled Debt Restructurings                                                                                         $17,144                                      $17,761           $17,488           $16,404            $13,938
                                                                                                                                                =======                                      =======           =======           =======            =======



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

                     Grade 10 - Prime credit                                                                                                   $398,781                                     $349,725          $254,203          $250,609           $231,281

                     Grade 15 - Good credit                                                                                                     190,389                                      191,574           213,510           227,730            234,185

                     Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit                                                                                           1,608,265                                    1,493,561         1,346,050         1,224,320          1,148,024

                     Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit                                                                          22,763                                       23,665            25,047            27,607             26,477

                     Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit                                                                                       797,148                                      687,817           628,042           609,413            579,642

                     Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned                                                                                 31,764                                       32,468            22,141            24,423             22,190

                     Grade 40 - Substandard                                                                                                      41,929                                       40,261            39,013            42,773             48,848

                     Grade 50 - Doubtful                                                                                                              -                                           -                -                -                 2

                     Grade 60 - Loss                                                                                                                  -                                           -                1                 2                  -
                                                                                                                                                    ---                                         ---              ---               ---                ---

                       Total                                                                                                                 $3,091,039                                   $2,819,071        $2,528,007        $2,406,877         $2,290,649
                                                                                                                                             ----------                                   ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------


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

                     Grade 10 - Prime credit                                                                                                     $6,543                                       $6,899           $10,505            $9,602             $9,801

                     Grade 15 - Good credit                                                                                                      42,257                                       45,245            48,229            51,168             50,906

                     Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit                                                                                             331,309                                      345,480           344,479           336,990            348,034

                     Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit                                                                          27,504                                       27,387            27,445            12,029             10,612

                     Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit                                                                                       575,280                                      557,221           607,838           294,829            290,272

                     Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned                                                                                 44,838                                       52,536            50,517            30,693             26,458

                     Grade 40 - Substandard                                                                                                      39,359                                       37,417            40,874            36,211             31,381

                     Grade 50 - Doubtful                                                                                                              -                                          30                30                30                 30

                     Grade 60 - Loss                                                                                                                  -                                           2                 2                 2                  -
                                                                                                                                                    ---                                         ---               ---               ---                ---

                       Total                                                                                                                 $1,067,090                                   $1,072,217        $1,129,919          $771,554           $767,494
                                                                                                                                             ----------                                   ----------        ----------          --------           --------



                                                                                                                               AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                            FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                 (unaudited)

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



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

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

                                                                             2016                         2016                                                     2016            2015             2015             2016             2015
                                                                             ----                         ----                                                     ----            ----             ----             ----             ----



    AVERAGE BALANCES


                     Federal funds sold                                    $5,500                       $7,186                                                   $6,200          $5,500           $5,500           $6,293           $5,500

                     Interest bearing deposits in banks                    85,051                       96,906                                                  201,814         291,303          199,057          127,767          188,110

                     Investment securities - taxable                      767,421                      766,006                                                  728,269         730,608          772,252          756,378          620,500

                     Investment securities - nontaxable                    68,325                       69,664                                                   68,824          69,711           72,549           68,935           71,481

                     Other investments                                     21,687                       14,765                                                    9,606           9,322            9,322           15,375            9,456

                     Mortgage loans held for sale                         105,859                       96,998                                                   82,803          98,765          102,961           96,340           86,387

                     Loans                                              2,897,771                    2,653,171                                                2,410,747       2,333,577        2,224,490        2,642,498        2,097,996

                     Purchased non-covered loans                        1,086,039                    1,111,814                                                  836,187         752,508          788,351        1,022,680          702,117

                     Purchased non-covered loan pools                     629,666                      630,503                                                  627,178         454,884          323,258          629,118          116,363

                     Covered loans                                        113,136                      127,595                                                  134,383         180,493          195,175          125,141          215,631
                                                                          -------                      -------                                                  -------         -------          -------

                       Total Earning Assets                            $5,780,455                   $5,574,608                                               $5,106,011      $4,926,671       $4,692,915       $5,490,525       $4,113,541
                                                                       ----------                   ----------                                               ----------      ----------       ----------       ----------       ----------


                     Noninterest bearing deposits                      $1,546,211                   $1,561,621                                               $1,362,007      $1,324,999       $1,300,870       $1,490,152       $1,097,750

                     NOW accounts                                       1,085,828                    1,087,442                                                1,137,076       1,100,972          907,618        1,103,385          802,800

                     MMDA                                               1,435,151                    1,413,503                                                1,278,199       1,212,087        1,219,736        1,375,835        1,027,932

                     Savings accounts                                     266,344                      265,936                                                  251,108         241,337          239,999          261,148          198,379

                     Retail CDs < $100,000                                431,570                      437,899                                                  438,122         449,158          484,007          434,898          417,638

                     Retail CDs > $100,000                                451,115                      439,954                                                  406,699         395,978          387,485          433,607          380,980

                     Brokered CDs                                           5,000                        5,000                                                    1,099               -               -           3,704                -

                       Total Deposits                                   5,221,219                    5,211,355                                                4,874,310       4,724,531        4,539,715        5,102,729        3,925,479
                                                                        ---------                    ---------                                                ---------       ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------


                     FHLB advances                                        265,202                      104,195                                                    9,648               -               -         126,855           11,289

                     Other borrowings                                      49,345                       51,970                                                   42,096          39,000           39,000           47,809           41,582

                     Subordinated debentures                               83,719                       83,386                                                   72,589          69,723           69,448           79,912           67,369

                     Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                     under agreements to repurchase                        37,305                       43,286                                                   52,787          61,986           44,480           44,433           47,282

                       Total Non-Deposit Funding                          435,571                      282,837                                                  177,120         170,709          152,928          299,009          167,522
                                                                          -------                      -------                                                  -------         -------          -------          -------          -------


                       Total Funding                                   $5,656,790                   $5,494,192                                               $5,051,430      $4,895,240       $4,692,643       $5,401,738       $4,093,001
                                                                       ----------                   ----------                                               ----------      ----------       ----------       ----------       ----------


                                                                                                                              AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                           FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                (unaudited)

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


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

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

                                                                                          2016                   2016                                                   2016           2015            2015             2016             2015
                                                                                          ----                   ----                                                   ----           ----            ----             ----             ----


    INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE


                     INTEREST INCOME

                     Federal funds sold                                                     $8                     $9                                                     $8             $5             $19              $25              $28

                     Interest bearing deposits in banks                                    147                    159                                                    328            262             227              634              528

                     Investment securities - taxable                                     4,336                  4,554                                                  4,586          4,540           4,694           13,476           11,594

                     Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)                               536                    613                                                    602            618             648            1,751            1,905

                     Mortgage loans held for sale                                          826                    821                                                    755          1,040             970            2,402            2,426

                     Loans (TE)                                                         33,672                 31,531                                                 28,684         27,901          27,258           93,887           75,305

                     Purchased non-covered loans                                        17,629                 17,062                                                 13,133         12,129          11,911           47,824           34,079

                     Purchased non-covered loan pools                                    4,346                  3,730                                                  5,144          3,335           2,997           13,220            3,146

                     Covered loans                                                       1,667                  1,797                                                  2,060          3,556           3,192            5,524           10,572
                                                                                         -----                  -----                                                  -----          -----           -----

                     Total Earning Assets                                              $63,167                $60,276                                                $55,300        $53,386         $51,916         $178,743         $139,583
                                                                                       -------                -------                                                -------        -------         -------         --------         --------


                         Accretion Income (included above)                               3,604                  4,196                                                  2,942          2,912           3,037           10,742            8,769


                     INTEREST EXPENSE

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

                     NOW accounts                                                          433                    439                                                    468            463             304            1,340              998

                     MMDA                                                                1,241                  1,168                                                  1,040            929             877            3,449            2,300

                     Savings accounts                                                       45                     45                                                     43             42              42              133              116

                     Retail CDs < $100,000                                                 493                    476                                                    512            594             607            1,481            1,608

                     Retail CDs > $100,000                                                 854                    779                                                    676            659             691            2,309            2,044

                     Brokered CDs                                                            8                      8                                                      2              -              -              18                -

                     Total Deposits                                                      3,074                  2,915                                                  2,741          2,687           2,521            8,730            7,066
                                                                                         -----                  -----                                                  -----          -----           -----            -----            -----


                     FHLB advances                                                         393                    155                                                     23              -              -             571               31

                     Other borrowings                                                      479                    484                                                    370            328             322            1,333            1,034

                     Subordinated debentures                                             1,179                  1,173                                                    954            924             914            3,306            2,612

                     Federal funds purchased and securities sold                                                                                                                                                      -

                     under agreements to repurchase                                         18                     24                                                     35             44              39               77              130
                                                                                           ---                    ---                                                    ---            ---             ---                              ---

                       Total Non-Deposit Funding                                         2,069                  1,836                                                  1,382          1,296           1,275            5,287            3,807
                                                                                         -----                  -----                                                  -----          -----           -----            -----            -----


                       Total Funding                                                    $5,143                 $4,751                                                 $4,123         $3,983          $3,796          $14,017          $10,873
                                                                                        ------                 ------                                                 ------         ------          ------          -------          -------


                     Net Interest Income (TE)                                          $58,024                $55,525                                                $51,177        $49,403         $48,120         $164,726         $128,710
                                                                                       -------                -------                                                -------        -------         -------         --------         --------



                                                                                                                                        AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                                          (unaudited)

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



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

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

                                                                                                                              2016                                          2016                          2016          2015            2015             2016             2015
                                                                                                                              ----                                          ----                          ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

    YIELDS (1)


                                  Federal funds sold                                                                         0.58%                                        0.50%                        0.52%        0.36%          1.37%           0.53%            0.68%

                                  Interest bearing deposits in banks                                                         0.69%                                        0.66%                        0.65%        0.36%          0.45%           0.66%            0.38%

                                  Investment securities - taxable                                                            2.25%                                        2.39%                        2.53%        2.47%          2.41%           2.38%            2.50%

                                  Investment securities - nontaxable                                                         3.12%                                        3.54%                        3.52%        3.52%          3.54%           3.39%            3.56%

                                  Mortgage loans held for sale                                                               3.10%                                        3.40%                        3.67%        4.18%          3.74%           3.33%            3.75%

                                  Loans                                                                                      4.62%                                        4.78%                        4.79%        4.74%          4.86%           4.75%            4.80%

                                  Purchased non-covered loans                                                                6.46%                                        6.17%                        6.32%        6.39%          5.99%           6.25%            6.49%

                                  Purchased non-covered loan pools                                                           2.75%                                        2.38%                        3.30%        2.91%          3.68%           2.81%            3.61%

                                  Covered loans                                                                              5.86%                                        5.66%                        6.17%        7.82%          6.49%           5.90%            6.56%
                                                                                                                              ----                                          ----                          ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                                    Total Earning Assets                                                                     4.35%                                        4.35%                        4.36%        4.30%          4.39%           4.35%            4.54%


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

                                  NOW accounts                                                                               0.16%                                        0.16%                        0.17%        0.17%          0.13%           0.16%            0.17%

                                  MMDA                                                                                       0.34%                                        0.33%                        0.33%        0.30%          0.29%           0.33%            0.30%

                                  Savings accounts                                                                           0.07%                                        0.07%                        0.07%        0.07%          0.07%           0.07%            0.08%

                                  Retail CDs < $100,000                                                                      0.45%                                        0.44%                        0.47%        0.52%          0.50%           0.45%            0.51%

                                  Retail CDs > $100,000                                                                      0.75%                                        0.71%                        0.67%        0.66%          0.71%           0.71%            0.72%

                                  Brokered CDs                                                                               0.64%                                        0.64%                        0.73%        0.00%          0.00%           0.65%            0.00%
                                                                                                                              ----                                          ----                          ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                                    Total Deposits                                                                           0.23%                                        0.22%                        0.23%        0.23%          0.22%           0.23%            0.24%


                                  FHLB advances                                                                              0.59%                                        0.60%                        0.96%        0.00%          0.00%           0.60%            0.37%

                                  Other borrowings                                                                           3.86%                                        3.75%                        3.54%        3.34%          3.28%           3.72%            3.32%

                                  Subordinated debentures                                                                    5.60%                                        5.66%                        5.29%        5.26%          5.22%           5.53%            5.18%

                                  Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                                  under agreements to repurchase                                                             0.19%                                        0.22%                        0.27%        0.28%          0.35%           0.23%            0.37%
                                                                                                                              ----                                          ----                          ----          ----            ----             ----             ----

                                    Total Non-Deposit Funding                                                                1.89%                                        2.61%                        3.14%        3.01%          3.31%           2.36%            3.04%


                                    Total funding (3)                                                                        0.36%                                        0.35%                        0.33%        0.32%          0.32%           0.35%            0.36%
                                                                                                                              ----                                          ----                          ----          ----            ----             ----             ----


                                  Net interest spread                                                                        3.99%                                        4.00%                        4.03%        3.98%          4.07%           4.00%            4.18%


                                  Net interest margin                                                                        3.99%                                        4.01%                        4.03%        3.98%          4.07%           4.01%            4.18%
                                                                                                                              ====                                          ====                          ====          ====            ====             ====             ====




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

    (2) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

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



                                                                                                                     AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                                                  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                                      (unaudited)

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



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

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

     Operating Net Income Reconciliation                            2016                                2016                                                     2016            2015             2015               2016                 2015
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----


     Net income available to common shareholders                 $21,557                             $20,049                                                  $12,317         $14,148          $15,627            $53,923              $26,699


     Merger and conversion charges                                     -                                  -                                                   6,359           1,807              446              6,359                6,173

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

     Tax effect of non-recurring charges                               -                                  -                                                 (2,226)          (632)           (156)           (2,226)             (6,095)
                                                                     ---                                ---                                                  ------            ----             ----             ------               ------

     Plus: After tax non-recurring charges                             -                                  -                                                   4,133           1,175              290              4,133               11,319


            Operating Net income                                  21,557                              20,049                                                   16,450          15,323           15,917             58,056               38,018
                                                                  ------                              ------                                                   ------          ------           ------             ------               ------


     Operating net income per diluted share:                       $0.61                               $0.57                                                    $0.50           $0.47            $0.49              $1.68                $1.19

     Return on average assets                                      1.35%                              1.31%                                                   1.18%          1.12%           1.21%             1.24%               1.05%

     Return on average common tangible equity                     17.18%                             17.03%                                                  15.42%         14.97%          16.23%            15.95%              12.74%


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

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

     Net Interest Margin and Yields on Total Loans                  2016                                2016                                                     2016            2015             2015               2016                 2015
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----

         Excluding Accretion Reconciliation


     Total Interest Income (TE)                                  $63,167                             $60,276                                                  $55,300         $53,386          $51,916           $178,743             $139,583

         Accretion Income                                          3,604                               4,196                                                    2,942           2,912            3,037             10,742                8,769
                                                                   -----                               -----                                                    -----           -----            -----             ------                -----

     Total Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion              $59,563                             $56,080                                                  $52,358         $50,474          $48,879           $168,001             $130,814


     Total Interest Expense                                       $5,143                              $4,751                                                   $4,123          $3,983           $3,796            $14,017              $10,873

     Net Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion                $54,420                             $51,329                                                  $48,235         $46,491          $45,083           $153,984             $119,941


     Yield on Total Loans Excluding Accretion                      4.75%                              4.74%                                                   4.84%          4.92%           4.83%             4.77%               4.90%
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----


     Net Interest Margin Excluding Accretion                       3.75%                              3.70%                                                   3.80%          3.74%           3.81%             3.75%               3.90%
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----




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

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

     Core Earnings Reconciliation                                   2016                                2016                                                     2016            2015             2015               2016                 2015
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----


     Pre-tax operating profit/(loss)                             $31,921                             $29,720                                                  $18,441         $17,444          $22,995            $80,082              $39,300

     Plus: Credit Related Costs

         Provision for loan losses                                   811                                 889                                                      681             553              986              2,381                4,711

        (Gains)/Losses on the sale of legacy OREO                    377                                 447                                                      753             535               36              1,577                  582

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO                  (89)                                 28                                                      166             610               56                105                  270

         Problem loan and OREO expense                             1,238                               1,289                                                      880           1,078              991              3,407               14,654

         Interest reversed (received) on non-accrual loans            41                                  35                                                       34              58               17                110                  586
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ---

            Total Credit-Related Costs                             2,378                               2,688                                                    2,514           2,834            2,086              7,580               20,803
                                                                   -----                               -----                                                    -----           -----            -----              -----               ------


     Plus: Cconversion charges                                         -                                  -                                                   6,359           1,807              446              6,359                6,173

     Less: Non-recurring gains

         Gains on sales of securities                                  -                                  -                                                    (94)              -           (115)              (94)               (137)

      Gains/(Losses) on sales of bank premises                       238                                 401                                                     (77)          (267)               -               562                    -

         Other non-recurring adjustments                               -                                  -                                                       -              -               -                 -                   -
                                                                     ---                                ---                                                     ---            ---             ---               ---                 ---


     Pretax, Pre-provision earnings                              $34,537                             $32,809                                                  $27,143         $21,818          $25,412            $94,489              $66,139
                                                                 =======                             =======                                                  =======         =======          =======            =======              =======


     As percentage of average assets, annualized                   2.17%                              2.15%                                                   1.94%          1.59%           1.93%             1.99%               1.70%




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

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

     Recurring Operating Expenses                                   2016                                2016                                                     2016            2015             2015               2016                 2015
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                     ----            ----             ----               ----                 ----


     Total Operating Expenses                                     53,199                              52,359                                                   55,600          53,028           48,396            161,158              146,087

     Less: Credit costs & non-recurring charges

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of legacy OREO                  (377)                              (447)                                                   (753)          (535)            (36)           (1,577)               (582)

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO                    89                                (28)                                                   (166)          (610)            (56)             (105)               (270)

         Problem loan and OREO expense                           (1,238)                            (1,289)                                                   (880)        (1,078)           (991)           (3,407)            (14,654)

     Conversion expenses                                               -                                  -                                                 (6,359)        (1,807)           (446)           (6,359)             (6,173)

        Gains/(Losses) on the sale of premises                     (238)                              (401)                                                      77             267                -             (562)                   -
                                                                    ----                                ----                                                      ---             ---              ---              ----                  ---


     Recurring operating expenses                                $51,435                             $50,194                                                  $47,519         $49,265          $46,867           $149,148             $124,408
                                                                 =======                             =======                                                  =======         =======          =======           ========             ========



                                                                                                  AMERIS BANCORP

                                                                                               FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                                                                                    (unaudited)

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



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

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

     Segment Reporting                             2016                      2016                                                     2016         2015          2015           2016           2015
                                                   ----                      ----                                                     ----         ----          ----           ----           ----


     Banking Division:

        Net interest income                     $50,374                   $48,940                                                  $45,801      $44,088       $43,044       $145,115       $115,689

        Provision for loan losses                    57                       733                                                      681          504           960          1,471          4,343

        Noninterest income                       13,949                    13,018                                                   12,735       12,739        13,470         39,702         31,512

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits        18,323                    18,428                                                   18,989       19,225        17,921         55,740         48,958

           Occupancy                              5,490                     5,901                                                    5,150        5,356         5,444         16,541         13,964

           Data Processing                        5,794                     5,685                                                    5,820        5,759         4,998         17,299         12,922

           Other expenses                        11,533                    11,071                                                   16,436       13,853        11,379         39,040         45,783
                                                 ------                    ------                                                   ------       ------        ------         ------         ------

              Total noninterest expense          41,140                    41,085                                                   46,395       44,193        39,742        128,620        121,627
                                                 ------                    ------                                                   ------       ------        ------        -------        -------

     Income before income taxes                  23,126                    20,140                                                   11,460       12,130        15,812         54,726         21,231

        Income Tax                                7,286                     6,318                                                    3,681        1,436         4,854         17,285          6,277
                                                  -----                     -----                                                    -----        -----         -----         ------          -----

              Net income                        $15,840                   $13,822                                                   $7,779      $10,694       $10,958        $37,441        $14,954
                                                =======                   =======                                                   ======      =======       =======        =======        =======



     Retail Mortgage Division:

        Net interest income                      $3,679                    $3,293                                                   $3,020       $2,812        $2,485         $9,992         $6,009

        Provision for loan losses                   447                        93                                                        -          49            26            540            368

        Noninterest income                       13,198                    13,304                                                    9,624        7,966         9,827         36,126         26,532

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits         8,940                     8,304                                                    6,347        5,855         6,138         23,591         16,257

           Occupancy                                433                       405                                                      488          501           397          1,326          1,173

           Data Processing                          364                       338                                                      272          266           308            974            799

           Other expenses                         1,303                     1,133                                                      956        1,043           662          3,392          2,744
                                                  -----                     -----                                                      ---        -----           ---          -----          -----

              Total noninterest expense          11,040                    10,180                                                    8,063        7,665         7,505         29,283         20,973
                                                 ------                    ------                                                    -----        -----         -----         ------         ------

     Income before income taxes                   5,390                     6,324                                                    4,581        3,064         4,781         16,295         11,200

        Income Tax                                1,887                     2,213                                                    1,603        1,072         1,673          5,703          3,920
                                                  -----                     -----                                                    -----        -----         -----          -----          -----

              Net income                         $3,503                    $4,111                                                   $2,978       $1,992        $3,108        $10,592         $7,280
                                                 ======                    ======                                                   ======       ======        ======        =======         ======



     Warehouse Lending:

        Net interest income                      $2,073                    $1,622                                                   $1,019         $995        $1,128         $4,714         $3,142

        Provision for loan losses                    94                         -                                                       -           -            -            94              -

        Noninterest income                          555                       440                                                      333          336           372          1,328          1,028

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits           103                       108                                                      188          156           137            399            363

           Occupancy                                  1                         1                                                        1            3             1              3              4

           Data Processing                           26                        25                                                       20           20            22             71             75

           Other expenses                            26                        26                                                       25           28            40             77             95
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---            ---

              Total noninterest expense             156                       160                                                      234          207           200            550            537
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---            ---

     Income before income taxes                   2,378                     1,902                                                    1,118        1,124         1,300          5,398          3,633

        Income Tax                                  832                       666                                                      391          393           455          1,889          1,272
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---          -----          -----

              Net income                         $1,546                    $1,236                                                     $727         $731          $845         $3,509         $2,361
                                                 ======                    ======                                                     ====         ====          ====         ======         ======



     SBA Division:

        Net interest income                        $941                      $734                                                     $596         $723          $742         $2,271         $2,079

        Provision for loan losses                   213                        63                                                        -           -            -           276              -

        Noninterest income                        1,162                     1,617                                                    1,594        1,366         1,309          4,373          4,107

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits           616                       691                                                      663          736           738          1,970          2,453

           Occupancy                                 65                        64                                                       61           57            73            190            137

           Data Processing                            1                         1                                                        1            1             1              3              7

           Other expenses                           181                       178                                                      183          169           137            542            353
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---            ---            ---

              Total noninterest expense             863                       934                                                      908          963           949          2,705          2,950
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---          -----          -----

     Income before income taxes                   1,027                     1,354                                                    1,282        1,126         1,102          3,663          3,236

        Income Tax                                  359                       474                                                      449          394           386          1,282          1,133
                                                    ---                       ---                                                      ---          ---           ---          -----          -----

              Net income                           $668                      $880                                                     $833         $732          $716         $2,381         $2,103
                                                   ====                      ====                                                     ====         ====          ====         ======         ======



     Total Consolidated:

        Net interest income                     $57,067                   $54,589                                                  $50,436      $48,618       $47,399       $162,092       $126,919

        Provision for loan losses                   811                       889                                                      681          553           986          2,381          4,711

        Noninterest income                       28,864                    28,379                                                   24,286       22,407        24,978         81,529         63,179

        Noninterest expense:

           Salaries and employee benefits        27,982                    27,531                                                   26,187       25,972        24,934         81,700         68,031

           Occupancy                              5,989                     6,371                                                    5,700        5,917         5,915         18,060         15,278

           Data Processing                        6,185                     6,049                                                    6,113        6,046         5,329         18,347         13,803

           Other expenses                        13,043                    12,408                                                   17,600       15,093        12,218         43,051         48,975
                                                 ------                    ------                                                   ------       ------        ------         ------         ------

              Total noninterest expense          53,199                    52,359                                                   55,600       53,028        48,396        161,158        146,087
                                                 ------                    ------                                                   ------       ------        ------        -------        -------

     Income before income taxes                  31,921                    29,720                                                   18,441       17,444        22,995         80,082         39,300

        Income Tax                               10,364                     9,671                                                    6,124        3,296         7,368         26,159         12,601
                                                 ------                     -----                                                    -----        -----         -----         ------         ------

              Net income                        $21,557                   $20,049                                                  $12,317      $14,148       $15,627        $53,923        $26,699
                                                =======                   =======                                                  =======      =======       =======        =======        =======

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SOURCE Ameris Bancorp