UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

  

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):   April 23, 2015

 

Ameris Bancorp

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Georgia 001-13901 58-1456434
(State or Other Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of    Identification No.)
Incorporation)  

 

310 First Street, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia 31768
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (229) 890-1111

 

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

The information contained in this Current Report on this Form 8-K (this “Report”), including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section. Furthermore, the information contained in this Report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 2.02.Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On April 23, 2015, Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its unaudited first quarter 2015 results. A copy of that press release is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure

 

A copy of the slide presentation that the Company will present during the earnings teleconference beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT on April 23, 2015, is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.2. The slide presentation is also available on the Company’s website, www.amerisbank.com, under the Investor Relations section.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)Exhibits.

 

99.1 Press release dated April 23, 2015.

 

99.2 Slide Presentation dated April 23, 2015.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  AMERIS BANCORP
     
  By:    /s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
    Dennis J. Zember Jr.
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Dated: April 23, 2015

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit

     
99.1   Press release date April 23, 2015.
     
99.2   Slide Presentation dated April 23, 2015.

 

 



Exhibit 99.1

 

News Release

For more information contact:

Dennis J. Zember Jr.

Executive Vice President & CFO

(229) 890-1111

 

AMERIS BANCORP REPORTS OPERATING NET INCOME OF $9.8 MILLION, OR $0.32 PER DILUTED SHARE, FOR FIRST QUARTER 2015

 

April 23, 2015

 

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

 

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

 

·Net income available to common shareholders increased 21.1% compared to the first quarter of 2014

 

·The Company completed a private placement of 5,320,000 shares of common stock during the quarter

 

·The Company announced agreements to acquire Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Inc. and 18 additional branches located in North Florida and South Georgia

 

·Loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, increased by $109.5 million during the quarter, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 23.5%

 

·Return on assets and return on average tangible equity were 0.97% and 8.76%, respectively

 

·Total revenue increased to $59.9 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $50.6 million in the first quarter of 2014

 

·The Company’s net interest margin remained strong at 4.39%

 

·Noninterest income increased 37.8% in the first quarter of 2015 to $17.6 million, compared to $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2014
·Tangible common equity to tangible assets increased to 10.26%, a 38.3% increase compared to December 31, 2014

 

·Tangible book value per share increased to $13.01, compared to $10.99 at December 31, 2014

 

 
 

 

Pending Acquisitions

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

 

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

 

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

 

Operating Results

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

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

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

 

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

 

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

 

Non-interest Income

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

 

 
 

 

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

 

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

 

Non-interest Expense

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Balance Sheet Trends

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

 

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

 

Stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2015 totaled $489.8 million, compared to $366.0 million reported at December 31, 2014. The increase in stockholders’ equity was the result of the issuance of $114.9 million of common shares in the first quarter of 2015, together with earnings of $9.8 million during the quarter.

 

 
 

 

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

 

Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. EDT today (April 23, 2015) to discuss the Company's results and answer appropriate questions. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-504-1190 or 1-412-902-6630 for international participants and 1-855-669-9657 for Canada. The conference ID name is Ameris Bancorp.  A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference call until May 8, 2015. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 for international participants and 1-855-669-9658 for Canada. The conference replay access code is 10064031. The conference call replay and the financial information discussed will also be available on the Investor Relations page of the Ameris Bank website at www.amerisbank.com

 

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and at the end of the most recent quarter had 73 locations in

Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.  

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
EARNINGS                            
                     
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders  $9,764   $10,580   $11,663   $8,130   $8,064 
                          
PER COMMON SHARE DATA                         
Earnings per share available to common shareholders:                         
Basic  $0.32   $0.40   $0.44   $0.32   $0.32 
Diluted  $0.32   $0.39   $0.43   $0.32   $0.32 
Cash Dividends per share  $0.05   $0.05   $0.05   $0.05   $- 
Book value per share (period end)  $15.22   $13.67   $13.22   $12.83   $11.93 
Tangible book value per share (period end)  $13.01   $10.99   $10.68   $10.26   $10.31 
Weighted average number of shares:                         
Basic   30,442,998    26,771,636    26,773,033    25,180,665    25,144,342 
Diluted   30,796,148    27,090,293    27,160,886    25,633,130    25,573,320 
Period-end number of shares   32,182,143    26,773,863    26,774,402    26,771,821    25,159,073 
Market data:                         
High closing price  $26.55   $26.48   $24.04   $23.90   $24.00 
Low closing price  $22.75   $21.95   $21.00   $19.73   $19.86 
Period end closing price  $26.39   $25.64   $21.95   $21.56   $23.30 
Average daily volume   105,152    111,473    79,377    79,038    103,279 
                          
PERFORMANCE RATIOS                         
Return on average assets   0.97%   1.05%   1.17%   0.93%   0.96%
Return on average common equity   8.76%   11.57%   13.19%   10.53%   11.66%
Earning asset yield (TE)   4.79%   5.08%   4.96%   5.08%   5.01%
Total cost of funds   0.40%   0.43%   0.45%   0.42%   0.43%
Net interest margin (TE)   4.39%   4.64%   4.50%   4.65%   4.57%
Non-interest income excluding securities transactions,                         
as a percent of total revenue (TE)   29.06%   26.50%   28.86%   28.87%   25.02%
Efficiency ratio   72.38%   72.75%   67.64%   73.05%   70.36%
                          
CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)                         
Stockholders' equity to assets   11.79%   9.07%   8.85%   8.64%   8.60%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   10.26%   7.42%   7.27%   7.04%   7.53%
                          
EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION                         
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   10.26%   7.42%   7.27%   7.04%   7.53%
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles   1.54%   1.65%   1.58%   1.61%   1.07%
Equity to assets (GAAP)   11.79%   9.07%   8.85%   8.64%   8.60%
                          
OTHER PERIOD-END DATA                         
Banking Division FTE   852    853    867    888    785 
Mortgage Division FTE   170    174    176    175    161 
Total Ameris Bancorp FTE Headcount   1,022    1,027    1,043    1,063    946 
                          
Assets per Banking Division FTE  $4,874   $4,733   $4,613   $4,474   $4,443 
Branch locations   73    73    74    74    68 
Deposits per branch location  $47,674   $47,002   $45,583   $45,798   $44,274 

 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
                     
INCOME STATEMENT                    
                     
Interest income                            
Interest and fees on loans  $38,618   $41,235   $39,610   $35,297   $34,469 
Interest on taxable securities   3,153    3,114    3,034    2,953    2,985 
Interest on nontaxable securities   469    483    496    312    335 
Interest on deposits in other banks   124    66    46    45    79 
Interest on federal funds sold   4    2    -    -    5 
Total interest income   42,368    44,900    43,186    38,607    37,873 
                          
Interest expense                         
Interest on deposits  $2,280   $2,560   $2,540   $2,205   $2,183 
Interest on other borrowings   1,256    1,334    1,514    1,138    1,206 
Total interest expense   3,536    3,894    4,054    3,343    3,389 
                          
Net interest income   38,832    41,006    39,132    35,264    34,484 
                          
Provision for loan losses   1,069    888    1,669    1,365    1,726 
                          
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  $37,763   $40,118   $37,463   $33,899   $32,758 
                          
Noninterest income                         
Service charges on deposit accounts  $6,429   $6,522   $6,659   $5,847   $5,586 
Mortgage banking activity   8,083    6,476    7,498    6,944    5,068 
Other service charges, commissions and fees   668    643    690    662    652 
Gain(loss) on sale of securities   12    -    132    -    6 
Other non-interest income   2,383    2,721    2,922    2,366    1,442 
Total noninterest income   17,575    16,362    17,901    15,819    12,754 
                          
Noninterest expense                         
Salaries and employee benefits   20,632    19,316    20,226    16,942    17,394 
Occupancy and equipment expenses   4,554    4,717    4,669    4,071    4,064 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses   4,260    4,229    3,928    3,940    3,454 
Credit resolution related expenses (1)   3,161    5,290    3,186    2,840    2,190 
Advertising and marketing expenses   641    847    594    718    710 
Amortization of intangible assets   630    662    698    437    533 
Merger and conversion charges   15    67    551    2,872    450 
Other non-interest expenses   6,934    6,605    4,727    5,498    4,444 
Total noninterest expense   40,827    41,733    38,579    37,318    33,239 
                          
Income before income taxes  $14,511   $14,747   $16,785   $12,400   $12,273 
                          
Income tax expense   4,747    4,167    5,122    4,270    3,923 
                          
Net income  $9,764   $10,580   $11,663   $8,130   $8,350 
                          
Preferred stock dividends   -    -    -    -    286 
                          
Net income available to common shareholders  $9,764   $10,580   $11,663   $8,130   $8,064 
                          
Diluted earnings available to common shareholders   0.32    0.39    0.43    0.32    0.32 

 

 

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

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET            
                     
Assets            
Cash and due from banks  $80,142   $78,036   $69,421   $80,986   $71,387 
Federal funds sold and interest bearing balances   126,157    92,323    40,165    44,800    48,677 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   610,330    541,805    529,509    535,630    456,713 
Other investments   8,636    10,275    12,687    10,971    9,322 
Mortgage loans held for sale   73,796    94,759    110,059    81,491    51,693 
                          
Loans, net of unearned income   1,999,420    1,889,881    1,848,759    1,770,059    1,695,382 
Purchased, non-covered loans   643,092    674,239    673,724    702,131    437,269 
Covered loans   245,745    271,279    313,589    331,250    372,694 
Less allowance for loan losses   (21,852)   (21,157)   (22,212)   (22,254)   (22,744)
Loans, net   2,866,405    2,814,242    2,813,860    2,781,186    2,482,601 
                          
Other real estate owned   32,339    33,160    35,320    35,373    33,839 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned   13,818    15,585    13,660    16,598    3,864 
Covered other real estate owned   16,089    19,907    28,883    38,426    42,636 
Total other real estate owned   62,246    68,652    77,863    90,397    80,339 
                          
Premises and equipment, net   98,292    97,251    98,752    99,495    87,430 
Goodwill   63,547    63,547    58,879    58,903    35,049 
Other intangibles, net   7,591    8,221    9,114    9,812    5,477 
FDIC loss sharing receivable   23,312    31,351    38,233    49,180    53,181 
Cash value of bank owned life insurance   59,212    58,867    58,217    57,864    49,738 
Other assets   73,238    77,748    82,649    72,420    56,377 
Total assets  $4,152,904   $4,037,077   $3,999,408   $3,973,135   $3,487,984 
                          
Liabilities                         
Deposits:                         
Noninterest-bearing  $967,015   $839,377   $816,517   $790,798   $698,866 
Interest-bearing   2,513,216    2,591,772    2,556,602    2,598,237    2,311,781 
Total deposits   3,480,231    3,431,149    3,373,119    3,389,035    3,010,647 
Federal funds purchased & securities sold under                         
agreements to repurchase   55,520    73,310    32,351    51,109    49,974 
Other borrowings   43,851    78,881    147,409    100,293    59,677 
Other liabilities   17,952    22,384    27,615    24,457    12,028 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures   65,567    65,325    65,084    64,842    55,628 
Total liabilities   3,663,121    3,671,049    3,645,578    3,629,736    3,187,954 
                          
                          
Stockholders' equity                         
Preferred stock  $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Common stock   33,593    28,159    28,158    28,155    26,536 
Capital surplus   335,578    225,015    224,142    222,550    190,513 
Retained earnings   126,566    118,412    109,170    100,185    92,055 
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)   6,353    6,098    3,974    4,123    2,374 
Less treasury stock   (12,307)   (11,656)   (11,614)   (11,614)   (11,448)
Total stockholders' equity   489,783    366,028    353,830    343,399    300,030 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $4,152,904   $4,037,077   $3,999,408   $3,973,135   $3,487,984 
                          
                          
Other Data                         
Earning Assets   3,698,540    3,564,286    3,515,805    3,465,361    3,062,428 
Intangible Assets   71,138    71,768    67,993    68,715    40,526 
Interest Bearing Liabilities   2,678,154    2,809,288    2,801,446    2,814,481    2,477,060 
Average Assets   4,079,750    4,011,128    3,969,893    3,494,466    3,521,588 
Average Common Stockholders' Equity   452,132    362,659    350,733    309,696    290,462 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION (1)            
                     
Allowance for loan losses            
Balance at beginning of period  $21,157   $22,212   $22,254   $22,744   $22,377 
                          
Provision for loan loss (2)   1,100    650    1,573    997    1,501 
                          
Charge-offs   855    2,071    1,975    1,973    1,606 
Recoveries   450    366    360    486    472 
Net charge-offs (recoveries)   405    1,705    1,615    1,487    1,134 
                          
Ending balance  $21,852   $21,157   $22,212   $22,254   $22,744 
                          
As a percentage of loans   1.09%   1.12%   1.20%   1.26%   1.34%
As a percentage of nonperforming loans   104.85%   97.37%   97.38%   100.65%   85.09%
                          
                          
Net charge-off information                         
Charge-offs                         
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $392   $468   $191   $165   $743 
Real estate - residential   268    368    406    752    181 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   12    1,033    953    769    533 
Real estate - construction & development   97    74    296    157    65 
Consumer installment   86    128    129    130    84 
Total charge-offs   855    2,071    1,975    1,973    1,606 
                          
Recoveries                         
Commercial, financial & agricultural   285    91    47    134    49 
Real estate - residential   57    71    52    48    83 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   15    91    31    9    143 
Real estate - construction & development   31    49    96    96    108 
Consumer installment   62    64    134    199    89 
Total recoveries   450    366    360    486    472 
                          
Net charge-offs (recoveries)  $405   $1,705   $1,615   $1,487   $1,134 
                          
                          
                          
Non-accrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered                         
    and covered loans)  $20,841   $21,728   $22,810   $22,111   $26,729 
Non-accrual purchased non-covered loans   17,308    18,249    17,007    15,770    15,318 
Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)   32,339    33,160    35,320    35,373    33,839 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned   13,818    15,585    13,660    16,598    3,864 
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more   -    1    -    -    - 
Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets  $84,306   $88,723   $88,797   $89,852   $79,750 
                          
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets   2.03%   2.20%   2.22%   2.26%   2.29%
Net charge offs as a percent of loans (Annualized)   0.08%   0.36%   0.35%   0.34%   0.27%

 

 

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

 

(2) During 2014 and 2015, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions.  These amounts are excluded from the calculation above but reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   For the quarter ended: 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
Loans by Type  2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $334,917   $319,654   $334,783   $304,588   $270,571 
Real estate - construction & development   178,568    161,507    154,315    149,346    149,543 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   947,274    907,524    882,160    850,000    836,230 
Real estate - residential   496,043    456,106    436,515    422,731    393,001 
Consumer installment   29,113    30,782    31,403    31,902    32,345 
Other   13,505    14,308    9,583    11,492    13,692 
    Total Non-purchased  $1,999,420   $1,889,881   $1,848,759   $1,770,059   $1,695,382 
                          
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $36,258   $38,041   $38,077   $41,583   $30,810 
Real estate - construction & development   53,668    58,362    60,262    64,084    31,820 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   291,760    306,706    296,790    311,748    174,281 
Real estate - residential   257,216    266,342    273,347    278,451    196,078 
Consumer installment   4,190    4,788    5,248    6,265    4,280 
    Total Purchased non-covered (net of discounts)  $643,092   $674,239   $673,724   $702,131   $437,269 
                          
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $20,905   $21,467   $22,545   $25,209   $24,813 
Real estate - construction & development   19,519    23,447    27,756    31,600    41,434 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   130,290    147,627    180,566    188,643    214,649 
Real estate - residential   74,847    78,520    82,445    85,518    91,372 
Consumer installment   184    218    277    280    426 
    Total Covered (net of discounts)  $245,745   $271,279   $313,589   $331,250   $372,694 
                          
Total Loan Portfolio:                         
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $392,080   $379,162   $395,405   $371,380   $326,194 
Real estate - construction & development   251,755    243,316    242,333    245,030    222,797 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   1,369,324    1,361,857    1,359,516    1,350,391    1,225,160 
Real estate - residential   828,106    800,968    792,307    786,700    680,451 
Consumer installment   33,487    35,788    36,928    38,447    37,051 
Other   13,505    14,308    9,583    11,492    13,692 
    Total Loans  $2,888,257   $2,835,399   $2,836,072   $2,803,440   $2,505,345 
                          
                          
                          
Troubled Debt Restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:      
Accruing loan types:                         
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $277   $290   $257   $257   $711 
Real estate - construction & development   789    679    1,917    2,080    1,953 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   7,309    6,477    7,080    7,590    8,733 
Real estate - residential   4,513    5,258    7,973    7,335    7,364 
Consumer installment   47    55    34    75    87 
    Total Accruing TDRs  $12,935   $12,759   $17,261   $17,337   $18,848 
                          
Non-accruing loan types:                         
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $17   $13   $507   $465   $40 
Real estate - construction & development   90    228    196    32    29 
Real estate - commercial & farmland   64    724    1,672    2,151    1,316 
Real estate - residential   736    1,485    759    1,044    961 
Consumer installment   90    73    93    51    19 
    Total Non-accrual TDRs  $997   $2,523   $3,227   $3,743   $2,365 
                          
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings  $13,932   $15,282   $20,488   $21,080   $21,213 
                          
                          
                          

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

Grade 10 - Prime credit  $157,462   $128,577   $121,486   $110,842   $93,805 
Grade 15 - Good credit   205,929    217,804    222,714    226,652    243,963 
Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit   1,012,733    947,948    908,054    866,356    817,718 
Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit   28,643    29,205    28,826    28,429    31,056 
Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit   513,009    488,187    484,200    450,363    417,177 
Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned   25,461    25,983    31,750    33,360    38,240 
Grade 40 - Substandard   56,179    52,176    51,640    54,047    53,286 
Grade 50 - Doubtful   4    1    88    10    137 
Grade 60 - Loss   -    -    1    -    - 
  Total  $1,999,420   $1,889,881   $1,848,759   $1,770,059   $1,695,382 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
                     
AVERAGE BALANCES                    
                     
Federal funds sold  $5,500   $3,163   $500   $500   $7,455 
Interest bearing deposits in banks   158,286    69,772    63,355    50,850    99,751 
Investment securities - taxable   485,922    461,800    451,563    418,498    411,251 
Investment securities - nontaxable   71,229    72,072    74,176    49,631    51,092 
Other investments   9,450    9,804    8,209    6,629    12,330 
Mortgage loans held for sale   75,831    97,406    83,751    54,517    49,397 
Loans   1,911,601    1,871,618    1,795,059    1,706,564    1,639,672 
Purchased non-covered loans   650,331    659,472    688,452    433,249    441,138 
Covered loans   262,693    299,981    324,498    354,766    379,460 
  Total Earning Assets  $3,630,843   $3,545,088   $3,489,563    3,075,204    3,091,546 
                          
Noninterest bearing deposits  $897,937   $850,879   $807,416   $680,058   $666,493 
NOW accounts   756,795    786,511    743,352    691,353    675,199 
MMDA   857,346    840,397    861,197    770,047    749,150 
Savings accounts   163,624    156,663    155,559    145,528    143,109 
Retail CDs < $100,000   372,463    386,844    439,150    356,483    373,523 
Retail CDs > $100,000   383,962    401,934    370,166    360,703    361,861 
Brokered CDs   -    4,023    5,970    5,970    5,970 
  Total Deposits   3,432,127    3,427,251    3,382,810    3,010,142    2,975,305 
                          
FHLB advances   16,778    35,815    55,435    28,626    68,333 
Other borrowings   43,871    46,508    47,346    35,280    30,004 
Subordinated debentures   65,436    65,195    64,953    55,789    55,092 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold                         
under agreements to repurchase   52,707    47,247    44,316    40,008    57,112 
  Total Non-Deposit Funding   178,792    194,765    212,050    159,703    210,541 
                          
  Total Funding  $3,610,919   $3,622,016   $3,594,860   $3,169,845   $3,185,846 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE                
                     
INTEREST INCOME                
Federal funds sold  $4   $2   $-   $-   $5 
Interest bearing deposits in banks   124    66    47    45    79 
Investment securities - taxable   3,153    3,114    3,034    2,953    2,985 
Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)   633    652    670    421    452 
Mortgage loans held for sale   692    947    787    457    403 
Loans (TE)   22,418    23,294    21,790    21,996    20,647 
Purchased non-covered loans   11,840    12,612    12,610    7,933    6,865 
Covered loans   3,995    4,704    4,726    5,164    6,761 
Total Earning Assets  $42,859   $45,391   $43,663   $38,969   $38,197 
                          
INTEREST EXPENSE                         
Non-interest bearing deposits  $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
NOW accounts   376    414    324    291    288 
MMDA   663    768    783    722    681 
Savings accounts   37    45    42    40    37 
Retail CDs < $100,000   513    553    596    478    489 
Retail CDs > $100,000   691    746    749    626    640 
Brokered CDs   -    34    47    48    48 
Total Deposits   2,280    2,560    2,541    2,205    2,183 
                          
FHLB advances   15    26    51    26    37 
Other borrowings   366    379    558    415    408 
Subordinated debentures   832    887    866    666    708 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold                         
under agreements to repurchase   43    41    39    31    53 
Total Non-Deposit Funding   1,256    1,333    1,514    1,138    1,206 
                          
Total Funding  $3,536   $3,893   $4,055   $3,343   $3,389 
                          
Net Interest Income (TE)  $39,323   $41,498   $39,608   $35,626   $34,808 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
   2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
YIELDS (1)                    
                     
Federal funds sold   0.29%   0.25%   0.00%   0.00%   0.27%
Interest bearing deposits in banks   0.32%   0.38%   0.29%   0.35%   0.32%
Investment securities - taxable   2.63%   2.68%   2.67%   2.83%   2.94%
Investment securities - nontaxable   3.60%   3.59%   3.58%   3.40%   3.59%
Mortgage loans held for sale   3.70%   3.86%   3.73%   3.36%   3.31%
Loans   4.76%   4.94%   4.82%   5.17%   5.11%
Purchased non-covered loans   7.38%   7.59%   7.27%   7.34%   6.31%
Covered loans   6.17%   6.22%   5.78%   5.84%   7.23%
  Total Earning Assets   4.79%   5.08%   4.96%   5.08%   5.01%
                          
Noninterest bearing deposits   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%
NOW accounts   0.20%   0.21%   0.17%   0.17%   0.17%
MMDA   0.31%   0.36%   0.36%   0.38%   0.37%
Savings accounts   0.09%   0.11%   0.11%   0.11%   0.10%
Retail CDs < $100,000   0.56%   0.57%   0.54%   0.54%   0.53%
Retail CDs > $100,000   0.73%   0.74%   0.80%   0.70%   0.72%
Brokered CDs   0.00%   3.35%   3.12%   3.22%   3.26%
  Total Deposits   0.27%   0.30%   0.30%   0.29%   0.30%
                          
FHLB advances   0.36%   0.29%   0.36%   0.36%   0.22%
Other borrowings   3.38%   3.23%   4.68%   4.72%   5.51%
Subordinated debentures   5.16%   5.40%   5.29%   4.79%   5.21%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold                         
under agreements to repurchase   0.33%   0.34%   0.35%   0.31%   0.38%
  Total Non-Deposit Funding   2.85%   2.72%   2.83%   2.86%   2.32%
                          
  Total funding (3)   0.40%   0.43%   0.45%   0.42%   0.43%
                          
Net interest spread   4.39%   4.65%   4.52%   4.66%   4.58%
                          
Net interest margin   4.39%   4.64%   4.50%   4.65%   4.57%

 

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

(2) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

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

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

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

 

     Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
Net Operating Income Reconciliation  2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
Net income available to common shareholders  $9,764   $10,580   $11,663   $8,130   $8,064 
                          
Conversion charges   15    67    551    2,872    450 
Tax effect of conversion charges   (5)   (23)   (193)   (1,005)   (158)
Plus: After tax conversion charges   10    44    358    1,867    293 
                          
       Net operating income   9,774    10,624    12,021    9,997    8,357 
                          
                          
    Three Months Ended 
    Mar.    Dec.    Sept.    Jun.    Mar. 
Net Interest Margin and Yields on Total Loans   2015    2014    2014    2014    2014 
    Excluding Accretion Reconciliation.                         
                          
Total Interest Income (TE)  $42,859   $45,391   $43,663   $38,969   $38,197 
    Accretion Income   3,097    4,280    2,964    2,572    2,727 
Total Interest Income (TE) Excluding Accretion  $39,762   $41,111   $40,699   $36,397   $35,470 
                          
Yield on Total Loans Excluding Accretion   5.01%   5.05%   5.07%   5.19%   5.16%
                          
Net Interest Margin Excluding Accretion   4.05%   4.17%   4.17%   4.31%   4.21%
                          
                          
    Three Months Ended 
    Mar.    Dec.    Sept.    Jun.    Mar. 
Core Earnings Reconciliation   2015    2014    2014    2014    2014 
                          
Pre-tax operating profit  $14,511   $14,747   $16,785   $12,400   $12,273 
Plus: Credit Related Costs                         
    Provision for loan losses   1,069    888    1,669    1,365    1,726 
   (Gains)/Losses on the sale of legacy OREO   110    (228)   (3)   283    (55)
   Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO   20    344    (184)   249    118 
    Problem loan and OREO expense   3,031    5,175    3,373    2,309    2,127 
    Interest reversed (received) on non-accrual loans   156    (6)   94    71    246 
       Total Credit-Related Costs   4,386    6,173    4,949    4,277    4,162 
                          
Plus: Conversion charges   15    67    551    2,872    450 
Less: Non-recurring gains                         
    Gains on sales of securities   (12)   -    (132)   -    (6)
Gains on sales of bank premises   -    -    (616)   -    - 
    Other non-recurring adjustments   -    188    -   (870)   - 
                          
Pretax, Pre-provision earnings  $18,900   $21,175   $21,537   $18,679   $16,879 
                          
As percentage of average assets, annualized   1.88%   2.09%   2.15%   2.14%   1.94%
                          
    Three Months Ended 
    Mar.    Dec.    Sept.    Jun.    Mar. 
Recurring Operating Expenses   2015    2014    2014    2014    2014 
                          
Total Operating Expenses   40,827    41,733    38,579    37,318    33,239 
Less: Credit costs & non-recurring charges                         
   Gains/(Losses) on the sale of legacy OREO   (110)   228    3    (283)   55 
   Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO   (20)   (344)   184    (249)   (118)
    Problem loan and OREO expense   (3,031)   (5,175)   (3,373)   (2,309)   (2,127)
   Severance payments   -    (188)   -    -    - 
   Conversion expenses   (15)   (67)   (551)   (2,872)   (450)
   Gains/(Losses) on the sale of premises   -    -    616    -    - 
                          
Recurring operating expenses  $37,651   $36,187   $35,458   $31,605   $30,599 

 

 
 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(unaudited)

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   Mar.   Dec.   Sept.   Jun.   Mar. 
Segment Reporting  2015   2014   2014   2014   2014 
                     
Banking Division:                    
   Net interest income  $35,839   $38,045   $36,142   $33,345   $32,928 
   Provision for loan losses   927    737    994    1,365    1,726 
   Noninterest income   8,780    8,595    8,932    7,449    7,361 
   Noninterest expense:                         
      Salaries and employee benefits   15,362    14,196    14,819    12,509    13,577 
      Occupancy   4,144    4,319    4,277    3,752    3,749 
      Data Processing   4,011    3,901    3,619    3,590    3,326 
      Other expenses   10,356    12,320    8,722    10,753    7,380 
         Total noninterest expense   33,873    34,736    31,437    30,604    28,032 
Income before income taxes   9,819    11,167    12,643    8,825    10,531 
   Income Tax   3,105    2,914    3,672    3,019    3,313 
         Net income   6,714    8,253    8,971    5,806    7,218 
   Preferred stock dividends   -    -    -    -    286 
Net income available to common shareholders  $6,714   $8,253   $8,971   $5,806   $6,932 
                          
                          
Mortgage Division:                         
   Net interest income  $2,380   $2,574   $2,347   $1,339   $1,100 
   Provision for loan losses   142    151    675    -    - 
   Noninterest income   7,883    6,313    7,135    7,002    5,164 
   Noninterest expense:                         
      Salaries and employee benefits   4,654    4,259    4,409    3,937    3,568 
      Occupancy   382    373    368    300    302 
      Data Processing   245    326    306    343    122 
      Other expenses   968    999    869    1,312    815 
         Total noninterest expense   6,249    5,957    5,952    5,892    4,807 
Income before income taxes   3,872    2,779    2,855    2,449    1,457 
   Income Tax   1,355    973    999    857    510 
         Net income   2,517    1,806    1,856    1,592    947 
   Preferred stock dividends   -    -    -    -    - 
Net income available to common shareholders  $2,517   $1,806   $1,856   $1,592   $947 
                          
                          
SBA Division:                         
   Net interest income  $613   $387   $643   $580   $456 
   Provision for loan losses   -    -    -    -    - 
   Noninterest income   912    1,454    1,834    1,368    229 
   Noninterest expense:                         
      Salaries and employee benefits   616    861    998    496    249 
      Occupancy   28    25    24    19    13 
      Data Processing   4    2    3    7    6 
      Other expenses   57    152    165    300    132 
         Total noninterest expense   705    1,040    1,190    822    400 
Income before income taxes   820    801    1,287    1,126    285 
   Income Tax   287    280    450    394    100 
         Net income   533    521    837    732    185 
   Preferred stock dividends   -    -    -    -    - 
Net income available to common shareholders  $533   $521   $837   $732   $185 
                          
                          
Total Consolidated:                         
   Net interest income  $38,832   $41,006   $39,132   $35,264   $34,484 
   Provision for loan losses   1,069    888    1,669    1,365    1,726 
   Noninterest income   17,575    16,362    17,901    15,819    12,754 
   Noninterest expense:                         
      Salaries and employee benefits   20,632    19,316    20,226    16,942    17,394 
      Occupancy   4,554    4,717    4,669    4,071    4,064 
      Data Processing   4,260    4,229    3,928    3,940    3,454 
      Other expenses   11,381    13,471    9,756    12,365    8,327 
         Total noninterest expense   40,827    41,733    38,579    37,318    33,239 
Income before income taxes   14,511    14,747    16,785    12,400    12,273 
   Income Tax   4,747    4,167    5,122    4,270    3,923 
         Net income   9,764    10,580    11,663    8,130    8,350 
   Preferred stock dividends   -    -    -    -    286 
Net income available to common shareholders  $9,764   $10,580   $11,663   $8,130   $8,064 

 

 



Exhibit 99.2

 

Ameris Bancorp 1 st Quarter 2015 Earnings Presentation Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. – President & CEO Dennis J. Zember, Jr. – EVP & CFO

 
 

This presentation 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 . Tangible common equity and Tier 1 capital ratios are non - GAAP measures . The Company calculates the Tier 1 capital using current call report instructions . The Company’s management uses these measures to assess the quality of capital and believes that investors may find them useful in their evaluation of the Company . These capital measures may, or may not be necessarily comparable to similar capital measures that may be presented by other companies . This presentation may contain statements that constitute “forward - looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933 , as amended, and Section 21 E 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 . Cautionary Statements

 
 

• Announced acquisition covering $ 866 . 9 million in deposits • Virtually no runoff - Most recent update shows $ 864 . 4 million in total deposits (down 0 . 2 % ) vs . management estimate of 10 % • Build out of Ameris Bank customer care center and information technology systems underway ( 21 staff in call centers, 10 staff on I/T side) • Very confident in incremental revenues from investing the excess funds • Expected closure and conversion date of June 12 , 2015 assuming timely receipt of regulatory approvals Pending Acquisition Updates Bank of America Branches • $ 400 million acquisition in Gainesville, FL • Regulatory approvals received, Anticipated closure date of May 22 , 2015 • Currently recruiting for Treasury, SBA and Mortgage sales staff • Estimated conversion date in September, 2015 Merchants & Southern Bank Expected Impacts to ABCB • More than 15 % accretive to 2016 EPS with conservative assumptions and low execution risk • Along with supporting capital raise, accretive to TBV by approximately 4 . 5 % • Increases total assets by approximately $ 1 . 25 billion • Increases the Company’s concentration in low or no cost deposits

 
 

1 st Quarter Operating Results 1Q15 4Q14 1Q14 Interest Income before Accretion 39,271 40,620 35,193 Accretion income 3,097 4,280 2,680 Interest Expense 3,536 3,893 3,389 Net Interest Income 38,832 41,007 34,484 Provision for loan losses 1,069 888 1,726 Non - Interest Income 17,575 16,362 12,754 Core Operating Expenses (1) 37,651 36,376 30,599 Credit Costs 3,161 5,290 2,190 Merger - related expenses 15 67 450 Income before taxes 14,511 14,748 12,273 Income tax expense 4,747 4,167 3,923 Preferred Dividends - - 286 Net Income available to common shareholders 9,764 10,581 8,064 Earnings Per Share $0.32 $0.39 $0.32 Average Diluted Common Shares 30,796 27,090 25,573 (1) - core operating expenses excludes merger and credit costs seen elsewhere (2) - includes changes in legacy loans and purchased, non - covered loans • Net Income of $ 9 . 8 million, up 21 . 1 % vs . 1 Q 14 • Earnings per share of $ 0 . 32 per diluted share, flat against 1 Q 14 as a result of common raise in 1 Q 15 • Total Revenue increased 18 . 4 % vs . year ago period • Non - interest income, driven by mortgage success, increased 37 . 8 % to $ 17 . 6 million • Core Operating Expenses up 23 . 0 % vs . 1 Q 14 • Credit related costs of $ 3 . 1 million vs . $ 2 . 2 million in 1 Q 14 • Loan growth of 12 % annualized in 1 Q 15 ( 2 ) vs . linked quarter • NIB deposit growth of 38 . 4 % vs . 1 Q 14 ; Growth in 1 Q of $ 127 . 7 million or 15 . 2 % vs . linked quarter • Tangible Book Value per share of $ 13 . 01 per share ( $ 11 . 74 proforma for pending acquisitions) • Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets ratio of 10 . 26 % ( 7 . 04 % proforma for pending acquisitions)

 
 

Revenues – 1Q15 $26.2 $27.7 $27.9 $27.2 $34.8 $33.1 $36.7 $37.2 $36.2 $10.0 $20.0 $30.0 $40.0 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Net Interest Income (TE) before Accretion (in millions) • Average loans outstanding slightly lower in 1 Q 15 vs 4 Q 14 • Finished the 1 Q 15 with strong production and going into 2 Q 15 with 5 % more average loans than in 1 Q ; Expect a rebound in loan revenues • Production increased 30 % in 1 Q 15 to $ 407 . 3 million compared to $ 295 . 7 million in 4 Q 14 4.39% 4.64% 4.53% 4.10% 4.57% 4.32% 4.17% 4.17% 4.05% 3.0% 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0% 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Net Interest Margin - Ex Accretion Decline in Net Interest Margin (“NIM”) relates the following : 1. Heavier concentration in S/T assets resulting from capital raise ( 10 bps) 2. Lower yields on loans, partially offset by lower cost of funds 3. Lower loan yields resulting from more focus on variable rate loans, as well as success with municipal lending Proforma NIM with pending acquisitions : Initial NIM with heavier concentration in securities – 3 . 70 % Target NIM (by 4 Q 16 ) with equal weight in loans/securities – 3 . 90 %

 
 

Non - Interest Income – 1Q15 $6.9 $6.4 $5.9 $5.6 $6.9 $10.3 $12.0 $10.7 $11.8 $2.0 $5.0 $8.0 $11.0 $14.0 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Mortgage and SBA Revenues (in millions) • Mortgage and SBA net income totaled $ 3 . 1 million in 1 Q 15 vs . $ 2 . 3 million in 4 Q 14 and $ 1 . 1 million 1 Q 14 ; Net income increasing more than 2 x the growth rate in revenue ; Highly profitable divisions focused on more than just revenue growth 1Q15 4Q14 1Q14 Mortgage production (000's) 188,296 197,227 130,934 Mortgage GOS (1) - retail 4.04% 4.19% 3.82% Open Pipeline 110,856 57,005 75,201 SBA Production: 17,100 12,300 6,800 SBA sold loans 9,100 13,900 1,600 SBA GOS % 12% 12% 11% SBA Pipeline 67,000 57,900 18,200 1.58% 1.61% 1.75% 1.57% 1.45% 1.81% 1.80% 1.63% 1.72% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Net Interest Income as a % of Average Assets • Service charges in 1 Q 15 up 15 . 1 % over 1 Q 14 • Mortgage non - interest income in 1 Q 15 up 59 . 5 % over 1 Q 14 • SBA non - interest income in 1 Q 15 up 300 % over 1 Q 14 • Pending acquisitions had approximately 1 . 60 % non - interest income to average assets in 2014 but had very little in Mortgage or SBA income 1 – GOS – “gain on sale” of loans

 
 

Expenses – 1Q15 $24.0 $24.3 $25.4 $28.0 $30.6 $31.6 $34.8 $36.4 $37.7 $0.0 $10.0 $20.0 $30.0 $40.0 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Core Operating Expenses (1) (in millions) • 1 Q 15 includes approximately $ 1 . 4 million that we do not believe will be recurring in 2 Q 15 (detailed on following slide) • Core Opex in 1 Q 15 as a percentage of Assets is about flat compared to 1 Q 14 ; Rapid growth in assets (approximately 25 % per year over last 5 years including pending acquisitions) has been challenging to manage efficiently • Confident that our systems are adequate to allow for meaningful efficiency improvements with BofA and M&S acquisitions $4.8 $2.3 $3.0 $5.3 $2.2 $2.8 $3.2 $5.3 $3.2 $0.0 $1.0 $2.0 $3.0 $4.0 $5.0 $6.0 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Problem loan & OREO Expense (in millions) • Improvement in credit costs against the 4 Q 14 but negative when compared to 1 Q 14 • NPAs down 5 . 0 % in 1 Q 15 compared to 4 Q 14 • Net charge - offs of 0 . 08 % in 1 Q 15 vs . 0 . 31 % in YTD 14 • Elevated costs in the 1 Q 15 driven by legal fees and related costs associated with bankruptcies on several larger problem assets • Current efforts center on a pool of assets totaling approximately $ 25 million that we believe we can move with little to no cumulative loss 1 – Core operating expenses exclude Problem loan and OREO costs as well as merger - related charges

 
 

Expenses – 1Q15 Change compared to: Expense 1Q15 4Q14 1Q14 Salaries total $14,013 $440 $1,759 Coastal Salaries are approximately $1.37 million, remainder is build - out in I/T and customer care centers Incentive & FICA 3,242 1,158 1,431 Includes $900k of FICA on 2015 bonuses; Not recurring in 2Q15; Increase over 1Q14 relates also to higher incentive accrual by $1.25 million Mortgage Expense 6,249 292 1,442 Growth against 4Q14 and 1Q14 relates to growth in revenue and profitability in the Mortgage division; Earnings up 166%, expenses up only 30% SBA Expenses 705 (335) 305 Growth relates to continued recruiting and build out of this division and higher commissions tied to higher levels of production DP & IT 4,260 31 806 Relates to Coastal acquisition and quicker adoption of E - banking services offset by fee income; Renegotiated contract in 1Q, expect $400k in 2Q15 of savings FDIC Insurance 783 (133) 220 Growth relates to Coastal acquisition Occupancy 4,554 (163) 490 Partially the result of Coastal acquisition but also includes $90,000 of equipment write - off related to upgraded I/T Printing & Postage $1,060 ($3) $267 Higher due to preparation for pending acquisitions (forms, notices, etc .)

 
 

Loans – 1Q15 $1.49 $1.56 $1.59 $2.07 $2.13 $2.47 $2.52 $2.56 $2.64 $0.0 $0.5 $1.0 $1.5 $2.0 $2.5 $3.0 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Legacy & PNC (1) Loans Outstanding (in billions) • 1 Q 15 Loans outstanding increased 12 % annualized against the 4 Q 14 • Pipelines going into 2 Q 15 are strong ; We anticipate a faster growth rate in loans and are confident that we can achieve the 15 % growth rate that we assumed in our acquisition assumptions • Municipal loan outstandings increased 30 . 1 % annualized during the quarter ; Overall portfolio yields 4 . 69 % with a 6 . 9 year average life • Mortgage warehouse increased 51 . 6 % during the quarter (annualized) with a combined yield ( 2 ) of 5 . 65 % 1 – PNC – purchased, non - covered loans. 2 – combined yield includes transaction fees and interest earned. Loan Production Details Period Fixed Rate (2) Variable Rate (2) Total 1Q15 $ 300.2 4.72% $ 107.1 4.52% $ 407.3 4.67% 4Q14 $ 152.2 4.88% $ 143.4 4.16% $ 295.7 4.53% 1Q14 $ 236.5 4.88% $ 77.2 4.64% $ 313.8 4.82% • Total Loan Production in 1 Q 15 up 38 % against 4 Q 14 levels ; Yields steady to increasing with acceptable mix of fixed / floating • Shorter average life on our fixed rate credits • Production in 1 Q 15 up 30 % against 1 Q 14

 
 

Deposits – 1Q15 $491 $475 $476 $669 $699 $791 $817 $839 $967 $0 $400 $800 $1,200 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 NIB Demand Deposits (in millions) $1,217 $1,163 $1,146 $1,241 $1,485 $1,517 $1,706 $1,794 $1,818 $0 $400 $800 $1,200 $1,600 $2,000 1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 Non - Rate Sensitive Deposits (in millions) • Growth rate in NIB deposits continues to be strong ; 1 Q 15 growth in NIB deposits totaled $ 268 million or 38 . 3 % over 1 Q 14 • 26 % of the growth from the Coastal Bank acquisition • 74 % of the growth from internal sales efforts on consumer and commercial sales • Proforma NIB deposits after the pending acquisitions are $ 1 . 25 billion or 27 . 2 % of total proforma deposits • Non - rate sensitive deposits continue to climb, now at 53 . 1 % • Continued aggressive effort to grow non - rate sensitive balances ahead of a potential rate movement • Proforma non - rate sensitive deposits with the two acquisitions increase to $ 2 . 44 billion and 52 . 9 % of total deposits

 
 

Capital and TBV – 1Q15 9.15% 9.22% 6.83% 7.53% 7.04% 7.27% 7.42% 10.26% 7.07% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 2Q 13 4Q 13 2Q 14 4Q 14 Proforma Tangible Book Value • Steady capital levels ( proforma ) despite having a balance sheet much more centered in cash and securities • TCE at 1 Q 15 includes effect of the capital raise but not the incremental assets • Confident in our TCE build over the coming quarters and anticipate surpassing 8 . 0 % before 4 Q 16 $10.29 $10.23 $10.39 $10.31 $10.26 $10.68 $10.99 $13.01 $11.77 $4.0 $6.5 $9.0 $11.5 $14.0 2Q 13 4Q 13 2Q 14 4Q 14 Proforma Tangible Book Value • Breakout on TBV growth in the last few quarters • Proforma TBV for 1 Q 15 of $ 11 . 77 per share is 14 . 2 % higher than 1 Q 14 Proforma data shown here assumes $39.9 million of combined intangible assets on pending acquisitions and $1.25 billion of incremental assets.

 

 

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