8-K

                  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):
October 29, 2009 (October 23, 2009)
	Ameris Bancorp
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Georgia	No. 001-13901	No.58-1456434
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
	310 First Street, SE
	Moultrie, Georgia   31768
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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))

Item 8.01.Other Events.

On October 23, 2009, Ameris Bancorp issued a press release announcing the acquisition, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank, of certain assets, and the assumption of certain liabilities, of American United Bank, a full service, single office bank located in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  This transaction was completed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), as receiver, after American United Bank was declared closed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  As a result of this transaction, Ameris Bank acquired the assets and deposits of American United Bank at a discount of $19,645,000 and a premium on deposits totaling approximately $286,000.  Ameris Bank assumed approximately $101 million in total deposits and acquired $83 million in total loans and $3.6 million in other real estate (ORE).  The acquired loans are covered by a five-year loss share agreement with the FDIC.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 (d)  Exhibits.

 99.1 Press Release dated October 23, 2009

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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:  October 29, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1                                Press release dated October 23, 2009

EX-99.1 CHARTER

News Release

For more information contact:

Dennis J. Zember Jr.

Executive Vice President & CFO

(229) 890-1111

AMERIS BANCORP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF AMERICAN UNITED BANK

October 23, 2009

AMERIS BANCORP (NASDAQ-GS: ABCB), Moultrie, Georgia, announced today that itswholly-owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank, has entered into a definitive agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) to assume all of the deposits and acquire certain assets of American United Bank, a full service, single office bank located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance today declared American United Bank closed and appointed the FDIC as receiver.

As a branch of Ameris Bank, the Lawrenceville location will be open and serving customers on Monday, October 26, 2009, during the bank’s normal business hours.  American United Bank depositors will automatically become depositors of Ameris Bank, and deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC. With this acquisition, Ameris Bank will now operate 51 locations in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President & CEO of Ameris Bank commented, “We are excited to welcome the American United Bank customers and employees to Ameris Bank.  Customers can be confident that their deposits are safe and readily accessible.  Ameris Bank has supported the financial needs of local communities since 1971 and is excited about continuing this tradition through loss-sharing arrangements with the FDIC.”

As a result of this acquisition, Ameris Bank will be acquiring the assets and deposits of American United Bank at a discount of $19,645,000 and a premium on deposits totaling approximately $286,000.  Ameris Bank will assume approximately $101 million in total deposits and acquire $83 million in total loans and $3.6 million in other real estate (ORE).  The loans being purchased are covered by a loss share agreement which affords Ameris Bank significant loss protection for the next five years.

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and has 51 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.  For additional information about Ameris Bank, please visit our web site at www.amerisbank.com.

 Ameris Bancorp Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ABCB”. The preceding 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.