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):    April 20, 2018

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):

x 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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 20, 2018, Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. A copy of that press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) as Exhibit 99.1.

The information contained in this Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 attached to this Report 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, such information 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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

A copy of the investor presentation material that the Company will present regarding its earnings during the teleconference beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on April 20, 2018 is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.2. The investor presentation material is also available on the “Investor Relations” page of the Company’s website (http://www.amerisbank.com).

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in Exhibit 99.2 attached to this Report 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, such information 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 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)       Exhibits.

99.1	Press release dated April 20, 2018
99.2	Investor Presentation dated April 20, 2018

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Report 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 on which they were made. The forward-looking statements in this Report are based on current expectations and are provided to assist in the understanding of potential future performance. 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, including, without limitation, the following: general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including, without limitation, movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; the ability of the parties to the proposed Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation (“Atlantic”) and Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc. (“Hamilton”) merger transactions to consummate the proposed merger transactions or satisfy the conditions to the completion of the proposed merger transactions, including, without limitation, the receipt of shareholder approval and the receipt of required regulatory approvals on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; the ability of the parties to the proposed Atlantic and Hamilton merger transactions to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the proposed merger transactions; the businesses of the Company and Atlantic and/or Hamilton may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the proposed merger transactions may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes; disruption from the proposed merger transactions may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or others; diversion of management time to merger-related issues; dilution caused by the Company’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the proposed merger transactions; and success and timing of other business strategies. For a discussion of some of the other risks and other factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and none of the Company, Atlantic or Hamilton undertakes any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation

In connection with the proposed merger of the Company with Atlantic, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-222563) and a definitive Proxy Statement of Atlantic and a Prospectus of the Company, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed Atlantic transaction. The proposed transaction has been submitted to Atlantic’s stockholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. STOCKHOLDERS OF ATLANTIC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY DO AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. Stockholders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company on its website at http://www.AmerisBank.com and by Atlantic on its website at https://www.AtlanticCoastBank.net/.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation

The Company and Atlantic, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Atlantic in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Atlantic is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2018. Information about Atlantic’s directors and executive officers can also be found in Atlantic’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 18, 2017, and other documents subsequently filed by Atlantic with the SEC. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are contained in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC, which may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc.

The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of the Company’s common stock that will be issued to Hamilton’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Hamilton transaction. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed Hamilton transaction. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. SHAREHOLDERS OF HAMILTON ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Shareholders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company on its website at http://www.AmerisBank.com.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation

The Company and Hamilton, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Hamilton in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company and Hamilton and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of Hamilton in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for Hamilton’s special meeting of shareholders, which will be filed by the Company with the SEC. Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers can also be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the proposed merger transaction filed with the SEC when they become available.

SIGNATURE

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

AMERIS BANCORP
By:	/s/ Nicole S. Stokes
	Nicole S. Stokes
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 20, 2018

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Ameris Bancorp Announces Financial Results For First Quarter 2018

MOULTRIE, Ga., April 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq: ABCB) (the "Company") today reported net income of $26.7 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with $21.2 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The Company reported adjusted net income of $27.8 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018, compared with $21.6 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income excludes after-tax merger and acquisition costs and loss on the sale of former bank premises.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company's adjusted return on average assets was 1.44%, compared with 1.27% for the first quarter of 2017. Commenting on the Company's earnings, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said, "I am proud of the solid financial results our bankers continue to produce. We had an impressive first quarter on loan growth, which was ahead of last year's pace, and our pipelines grew consistently throughout the quarter. Our adjusted efficiency ratio improved as well, falling back below 60% in the quarter, and our credit quality improved slightly."

Following is a summary of the adjustments between reported net income and adjusted net income:

Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
(dollars in thousands except per share data)	2018			2017
Net income available to common shareholders	$	26,660		$	21,153
Adjustment items:
Merger and conversion charges	835			402
Loss on sale of premises	583			295
Tax effect of adjustment items	(298)			(244)
After tax adjustment items	1,120			453
Adjusted net income	$	27,780		$	21,606
Reported net income per diluted share	$	0.70		$	0.59
Adjusted net income per diluted share	$	0.73		$	0.60
Reported return on average assets	1.38		%	1.24		%
Adjusted return on average assets	1.44		%	1.27		%

Highlights of the Company's performance and results for the first quarter of 2018 include the following:

• Growth in adjusted net earnings of 28.6% compared with the first quarter of 2017
• Organic growth in loans of $153.8 million, or 10.8%, compared with $98.5 million, or 8.5%, in the first quarter of 2017
• Adjusted return on average assets of 1.44%, compared with 1.27% in the first quarter of 2017
• Adjusted return on average tangible common equity of 17.09%, compared with 15.84% in the first quarter of 2017
• Adjusted efficiency ratio of 59.95%, compared with 60.88% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 59.67% in the first quarter of 2017
• Excluding accretion, increases in net interest margin of 2 bps during the first quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and 5 bps compared with the first quarter of 2017
• Increase in total revenue to $95.3 million for the quarter
• Annualized net charge-offs of 0.09% of average total loans and 0.14% of average non-purchased loans

Pending Acquisitions
During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company announced its intent to acquire Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation ("Atlantic"), the parent company of Atlantic Coast Bank, Jacksonville, Florida. Atlantic Coast Bank operates 12 full-service banking locations, eight of which are located in the Jacksonville, Florida MSA, three of which are located in the Waycross, Georgia MSA, and one of which is located in the Douglas, Georgia MSA. The acquisition will further expand the Company's existing Southeastern footprint in the attractive Jacksonville market, where the Company will be the largest community bank by deposit market share after the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approval. The merger has been approved by Atlantic's stockholders.

Additionally, during the first quarter of 2018, the Company announced its intent to acquire Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc. ("Hamilton"), the parent company of Hamilton State Bank, Hoschton, Georgia. Hamilton currently operates 28 banking locations, 24 of which are located within the Atlanta MSA, two of which are located in the Gainesville, Georgia MSA and the other two of which are located in Georgia just outside the Atlanta MSA. Combined with the Company's existing Atlanta location, the combined bank will have approximately $1.4 billion of deposits in the Atlanta MSA and will be the thirteenth largest bank in the market. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approval and the approval of Hamilton's shareholders.

Upon completion of these transactions, the combined company will have approximately $11.3 billion in assets and a branching network across four states.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the first quarter of 2018 totaled $69.8 million, compared with $62.1 million for the first quarter of 2017, an increase of $7.7 million, or 12.4%. The Company's net interest margin, excluding the effects of accretion income, increased during the quarter to 3.84%, compared with 3.82% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Increasing margins against the linked quarter resulted from higher loan yields, reduced levels of short-term assets and steady deposit costs which, offset approximately six basis points of margin dilution associated with lower yields on tax-preferred assets. Accretion income in the first quarter of 2018 declined materially to $1.4 million, compared with $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Including accretion income and reflecting this decrease, the Company's net interest margin declined to 3.92% compared with 3.94% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Yields on earning assets in the first quarter of 2018 increased to 4.52%, compared with 4.49% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 4.38% in the first quarter of 2017. Interest income on legacy loans on a tax-equivalent basis increased during the first quarter of 2018 to $58.8 million, compared with $57.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $43.2 million in the first quarter of 2017. Excluding accretion income, yields on total loans were 4.75% in the first quarter of 2018, an increase from 4.70% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 4.56% in the first quarter of 2017. Increased loan yields reflect several quarters of increased variable rate production as well as continued increases in yields on quarterly loan production. Loan production yields in the first quarter averaged 5.19%, compared with 4.44% in the same quarter of 2017.

Total interest expense for the first quarter of 2018 was $10.7 million, compared with $6.5 million for the same quarter of 2017. Higher borrowing costs and continued increases in deposit costs were the primary reasons for this increase. Deposit costs increased in the first quarter of 2018 to 0.43%, a modest increase of three basis points compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. Borrowing costs increased to 2.89% in the first quarter of 2018, compared with 2.60% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Non-interest Income
Non-interest income in the first quarter of 2018 was $26.5 million, an increase of $758,000, or 2.9%, compared with the same quarter in 2017. The Company experienced mostly stable levels of service charge revenue in the first quarter of 2018 as compared with prior quarters.

The Company's mortgage division continued to grow, in both revenues and net income. Revenue in the retail mortgage group totaled $16.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 22.9% compared with $13.5 million in the first quarter of 2017. Net income for the Company's retail mortgage division increased 67.4% during the first quarter of 2018 to $4.7 million, compared with $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2017. Total production in the first quarter of 2018 for the retail mortgage group amounted to $356.1 million (86% retail and 14% wholesale), compared with $311.8 million in the same quarter of 2017 (85% retail and 15% wholesale). The Company's open pipeline increased in the first quarter of 2018 to $153.3 million, compared with $119.6 million at the end of 2017 and $146.3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Revenues from the Company's warehouse lending division increased by $828,000, or 58.1%, during the first quarter of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017. The division experienced increased profitability due to stabilized expenses, allowing the net income for the division to increase 70.2% from $942,000 in the first quarter of 2017 to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. Loan production increased from $647.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 to approximately $887.7 million in the current quarter.

Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense decreased $239,000 to $59.1 million during the first quarter of 2018, compared with $59.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. During the first quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $835,000 and $421,000, respectively, as well as losses on the sale of premises totaling $583,000 and $308,000, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred $434,000 of charges in the fourth quarter of 2017 in connection with exiting the consent order relating to Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") compliance. Excluding these charges, operating expenses decreased approximately $494,000 to $57.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, down from $58.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Efforts to improve and stabilize the Company's efficiency ratio and net overhead ratio have been successful. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company's adjusted efficiency ratio declined to 59.95%, compared with 60.88% in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Company's adjusted net overhead ratio also declined to 1.62% in the first quarter of 2018, compared with 1.77% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Management expects to continue improving efficiency and overhead ratios from the Company's expected organic growth in 2018, as well as from the movement expected to result from the Company's pending acquisitions.

Salaries and benefits were stable in the first quarter of 2018 at $$32.1 million, compared with $30.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Compared with the same quarter in 2017, compensation costs have increased by $4.3 million, which relates to higher incentive pay, increased investment in the Company's BSA function and new positions in the premium and equipment finance divisions.

Occupancy costs increased $321,000, or 5.5%, in the first quarter of 2018 to $6.2 million, from $5.9 million in the same quarter of 2017. Data processing and telecommunications costs for the quarter were $7.1 million, an increase of $563,000, or 8.6%, over the first quarter of 2017. Total credit costs (provision and non-provision credit resolution-related costs) totaled $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared with $2.8 million in the same quarter in 2017 and $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Income Tax Expense
The Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 was 22.4%, compared with 32.6% during the same period last year. The decrease is a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted in the fourth quarter of 2017. This reduction in the federal tax rate positively impacted the Company's diluted earnings per share by $0.08 and return on assets by 17 bps during the first quarter of 2018. The Company expects that future effective tax rates will be consistent with its effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2018.

Balance Sheet Trends
Total assets at March 31, 2018 were $8.02 billion, compared with $7.86 billion at December 31, 2017. Loans, including loans held for sale, totaled $6.30 billion at March 31, 2018, compared with $6.24 billion at December 31, 2017. During the quarter, growth in core loans (legacy and purchased non-covered loans) increased by $153.8 million, or 10.8% on an annualized basis. This loan growth was diversified across our markets and types of loans, with all categories of legacy loans showing increases.

Loan production and growth associated with the new premium finance division continue to be strong. Loans outstanding grew from $482.5 million at the end of 2017 to $501.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2018. Production during the first quarter of 2018 was $289.5 million in the division, compared with $241.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $251.6 million in the first quarter of 2017. The Company believes it can sustain annualized growth rates in the division of 10% - 15% for the next few years, with strong credit quality and steady profitability levels.

Investment securities at the end of the first quarter of 2018 were $880.8 million, or 11.9% of earning assets, compared with $853.1 million, or 11.7% of earning assets, at December 31, 2017.

The Company experienced a normal and seasonal decline in deposit balances of approximately $180 million with total deposits ending the quarter at $6.45 billion. Compared with the same period in 2017, deposits have increased by $803.8 million, or 14.2%, as the Company has aggressively pursued balances to fund its loan growth, despite being careful with respect to pricing and margins. Relative to total loan growth of $874.2 million, the Company has funded approximately 92% of its incremental loan growth with related deposit growth and has seen the pace of deposit growth regularly increase. Management believes that the pending mergers, which will give the Company a presence in Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa, will provide additional opportunities to increase deposit growth rates over already impressive levels.

Shareholders' equity at March 31, 2018 totaled $868.9 million, compared with $804.5 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in shareholders' equity was the result of the issuance of shares of common stock in the Company's purchase of the remainder of US Premium Finance Holding Company, plus earnings of $26.7 million during the quarter, partially offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $9.5 million during the quarter. Tangible book value per share at March 31, 2018 was $16.90, up slightly compared with $16.60 per share at the end of the same quarter in 2017.

Conference Call
The Company will host a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time today (April 20, 2018) 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 one hour after the end of the conference call until May 4, 2018. 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 10119157. 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 97 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina at the end of the most recent quarter.

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 on which they were made. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on current expectations and are provided to assist in the understanding of potential future performance. 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, including, without limitation, the following: general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including, without limitation, movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; the ability of the parties to the proposed Atlantic and Hamilton merger transactions to consummate the proposed merger transactions or satisfy the conditions to the completion of the proposed merger transactions, including, without limitation, the receipt of shareholder approval and the receipt of required regulatory approvals on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; the ability of the parties to the proposed Atlantic and Hamilton merger transactions to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the proposed merger transactions; the businesses of the Company and Atlantic and/or Hamilton may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the proposed merger transactions may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes; disruption from the proposed merger transactions may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or others; diversion of management time to merger-related issues; dilution caused by the Company's issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the proposed merger transactions; and success and timing of other business strategies. For a discussion of some of the other risks and other factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and none of the Company, Atlantic or Hamilton undertakes any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation
In connection with the proposed merger of the Company with Atlantic, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-222563) and a definitive Proxy Statement of Atlantic and a Prospectus of the Company, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed Atlantic transaction. The proposed transaction has been submitted to Atlantic's stockholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. STOCKHOLDERS OF ATLANTIC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY DO AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. Stockholders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company on its website at http://www.AmerisBank.com and by Atlantic on its website at https://www.AtlanticCoastBank.net/.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation
The Company and Atlantic, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Atlantic in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Atlantic is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2018. Information about Atlantic's directors and executive officers can also be found in Atlantic's definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 18, 2017, and other documents subsequently filed by Atlantic with the SEC. Information regarding the Company's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are contained in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC, which may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc.
The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of the Company's common stock that will be issued to Hamilton's shareholders in connection with the proposed Hamilton transaction. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed Hamilton transaction. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. SHAREHOLDERS OF HAMILTON ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Shareholders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company on its website at http://www.AmerisBank.com.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation
The Company and Hamilton, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Hamilton in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company and Hamilton and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of Hamilton in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for Hamilton's special meeting of shareholders, which will be filed by the Company with the SEC. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers can also be found in the Company's definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the proposed merger transaction filed with the SEC when they become available.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Financial Highlights	Table 1
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands except per share data)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
EARNINGS
Net income	$	26,660		$	9,150		$	20,158		$	23,087		$	21,153
Adjusted net income	$	27,780		$	23,590		$	23,617		$	23,458		$	21,606
COMMON SHARE DATA
Earnings per share available to common shareholders
Basic	$	0.70		$	0.25		$	0.54		$	0.62		$	0.59
Diluted	$	0.70		$	0.24		$	0.54		$	0.62		$	0.59
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$	0.73		$	0.63		$	0.63		$	0.63		$	0.60
Cash dividends per share	$	0.10		$	0.10		$	0.10		$	0.10		$	0.10
Book value per share (period end)	$	22.67		$	21.59		$	21.54		$	21.03		$	20.42
Tangible book value per share (period end)	$	16.90		$	17.86		$	17.78		$	17.24		$	16.60
Weighted average number of shares
Basic	37,966,781			37,238,564			37,225,418			37,162,810			35,664,420
Diluted	38,250,122			37,556,335			37,552,667			37,489,348			36,040,240
Period end number of shares	38,327,081			37,260,012			37,231,049			37,222,904			37,128,714
Market data
High intraday price	$	59.05		$	51.30		$	51.28		$	49.80		$	49.50
Low intraday price	$	47.90		$	44.75		$	41.05		$	42.60		$	41.60
Period end closing price	$	52.90		$	48.20		$	48.00		$	48.20		$	46.10
Average daily volume	235,964			206,178			168,911			169,617			242,982
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.38		%	0.47		%	1.07		%	1.29		%	1.24		%
Adjusted return on average assets	1.44		%	1.20		%	1.26		%	1.32		%	1.27		%
Return on average common equity	12.73		%	4.47		%	10.04		%	11.95		%	12.33		%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity	17.09		%	13.91		%	14.28		%	14.86		%	15.84		%
Earning asset yield (TE)	4.52		%	4.49		%	4.50		%	4.45		%	4.38		%
Total cost of funds	0.63		%	0.57		%	0.57		%	0.52		%	0.42		%
Net interest margin (TE)	3.92		%	3.94		%	3.95		%	3.95		%	3.97		%
Noninterest income excluding securities transactions, as a percent of total  revenue (TE)	24.71		%	22.41		%	25.68		%	27.81		%	27.27		%
Efficiency ratio	62.04		%	63.74		%	67.94		%	61.02		%	61.52		%
Adjusted efficiency ratio (TE)	59.95		%	60.88		%	61.09		%	59.37		%	59.67		%
CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)
Shareholders' equity to assets	10.83		%	10.24		%	10.48		%	10.58		%	10.69		%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets	8.30		%	8.62		%	8.81		%	8.84		%	8.86		%
EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION
Tangible common equity to tangible assets	8.30		%	8.62		%	8.81		%	8.84		%	8.86		%
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles	2.53		%	1.62		%	1.67		%	1.74		%	1.83		%
Equity to assets (GAAP)	10.83		%	10.24		%	10.48		%	10.58		%	10.69		%
OTHER DATA (period end)
Full time equivalent employees
Banking Division	1,072			1,085			1,080			1,082			1,039
Retail Mortgage Division	290			279			272			268			252
Warehouse Lending Division	7			8			8			8			8
SBA Division	21			20			23			23			20
Premium Finance Division	67			68			62			56			50
Total Ameris Bancorp FTE headcount	1,457			1,460			1,445			1,437			1,369
Assets per Banking Division FTE	$	7,484		$	7,241		$	7,083		$	6,837		$	6,829
Branch locations	97			97			97			97			97
Deposits per branch location	$	66,455		$	68,308		$	60,778		$	59,726		$	58,169

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Income Statement	Table 2
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands except per share data)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	$	73,267	$	73,440	$	70,462	$	65,464	$	61,521
Interest on taxable securities	5,207		5,097		5,062		5,195		4,800
Interest on nontaxable securities	322		372		392		401		416
Interest on deposits in other banks	716		655		406		351		313
Interest on federal funds sold	—		—		—		—		—
Total interest income	79,512		79,564		76,322		71,411		67,050
Interest expense
Interest on deposits	6,772		6,398		5,136		4,580		3,763
Interest on other borrowings	3,939		3,643		4,331		3,674		2,697
Total interest expense	10,711		10,041		9,467		8,254		6,460
Net interest income	68,801		69,523		66,855		63,157		60,590
Provision for loan losses	1,801		2,536		1,787		2,205		1,836
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	67,000		66,987		65,068		60,952		58,754
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposits accounts	10,228		10,340		10,535		10,616		10,563
Mortgage banking activity	11,900		10,037		13,340		13,943		11,215
Other service charges, commissions and fees	719		735		699		729		709
Gain on sale of securities	37		—		—		37		—
Other noninterest income	3,580		2,451		2,425		2,864		3,219
Total noninterest income	26,464		23,563		26,999		28,189		25,706
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	32,089		30,507		32,583		29,132		27,794
Occupancy and equipment expenses	6,198		6,010		6,036		6,146		5,877
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	7,135		7,219		7,050		7,028		6,572
Credit resolution related expenses(1)	549		614		1,347		599		933
Advertising and marketing expenses	1,229		1,519		1,247		1,259		1,106
Amortization of intangible assets	934		942		941		1,013		1,036
Merger and conversion charges	835		421		92		—		402
Other noninterest expenses	10,129		12,105		14,471		10,562		9,373
Total noninterest expense	59,098		59,337		63,767		55,739		53,093
Income before income tax expense	34,366		31,213		28,300		33,402		31,367
Income tax expense	7,706		22,063		8,142		10,315		10,214
Net income	$	26,660	$	9,150	$	20,158	$	23,087	$	21,153
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.70	$	0.24	$	0.54	$	0.62	$	0.59
(1) Includes expenses associated with problem loans and OREO, as well as OREO losses and writedowns.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Period End Balance Sheet	Table 3
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	123,945	$	139,313	$	131,071	$	139,500	$	127,164
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks	210,930		191,345		112,844		137,811		232,045
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	848,585		810,873		819,593		818,693		830,765
Other investments	32,227		42,270		47,977		42,495		35,950
Loans held for sale, at fair value	111,135		197,442		137,392		146,766		105,637
Loans	5,051,986		4,856,514		4,574,678		4,230,228		3,785,480
Purchased loans	818,587		861,595		917,126		950,499		1,006,935
Purchased loan pools	319,598		328,246		465,218		490,114		529,099
Loans, net of unearned income	6,190,171		6,046,355		5,957,022		5,670,841		5,321,514
Allowance for loan losses	(26,200)		(25,791)		(25,966)		(25,101)		(25,250)
Loans, net	6,163,971		6,020,564		5,931,056		5,645,740		5,296,264
Other real estate owned	9,171		8,464		9,391		11,483		10,466
Purchased other real estate owned	6,723		9,011		9,946		11,330		11,668
Total other real estate owned	15,894		17,475		19,337		22,813		22,134
Premises and equipment, net	116,381		117,738		119,458		121,108		121,610
Goodwill	208,513		125,532		125,532		125,532		125,532
Other intangible assets, net	12,562		13,496		14,437		15,378		16,391
Deferred income taxes, net	28,677		28,320		39,365		41,124		41,505
Cash value of bank owned life insurance	80,007		79,641		79,241		78,834		78,442
Other assets	70,001		72,194		72,517		62,064		61,417
Total assets	$	8,022,828	$	7,856,203	$	7,649,820	$	7,397,858	$	7,094,856
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	1,867,900	$	1,777,141	$	1,718,022	$	1,672,918	$	1,654,723
Interest-bearing	4,578,265		4,848,704		4,177,482		4,120,479		3,987,646
Total deposits	6,446,165		6,625,845		5,895,504		5,793,397		5,642,369
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	23,270		30,638		14,156		18,400		40,415
Other borrowings	555,535		250,554		808,572		679,591		525,669
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	85,881		85,550		85,220		84,889		84,559
Other liabilities	43,033		59,137		44,447		38,899		43,628
Total liabilities	7,153,884		7,051,724		6,847,899		6,615,176		6,336,640
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	—		—		—		—		—
Common stock	39,820		38,735		38,706		38,698		38,603
Capital stock	559,040		508,404		506,779		505,803		503,543
Retained earnings	296,366		273,119		267,694		251,259		231,894
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(10,823)		(1,280)		3,241		1,421		(1,209)
Treasury stock	(15,459)		(14,499)		(14,499)		(14,499)		(14,615)
Total shareholders' equity	868,944		804,479		801,921		782,682		758,216
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	8,022,828	$	7,856,203	$	7,649,820	$	7,397,858	$	7,094,856
Other Data
Earning assets	$	7,393,048	$	7,288,285	$	7,074,828	$	6,816,606	$	6,525,911
Intangible assets	221,075		139,028		139,969		140,910		141,923
Interest-bearing liabilities	5,242,951		5,215,446		5,085,430		4,903,359		4,638,289
Average assets	7,823,451		7,777,996		7,461,367		7,152,024		6,915,965
Average common shareholders' equity	849,346		812,264		796,856		774,664		695,830

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Asset Quality Information	Table 4
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	25,791		$	25,966		$	25,101		$	25,250		$	23,920
Provision for loan losses	1,801			2,536			1,787			2,205			1,836
Charge-offs	2,872			3,638			2,443			3,284			1,102
Recoveries	1,480			927			1,521			930			596
Net charge-offs (recoveries)	1,392			2,711			922			2,354			506
Ending balance	$	26,200		$	25,791		$	25,966		$	25,101		$	25,250
Net Charge-off Information
Charge-offs
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	1,449		$	954		$	1,091		$	701		$	104
Real estate - construction and development	—			—			1			41			53
Real estate - commercial and farmland	142			440			18			386			9
Real estate - residential	198			120			852			963			216
Consumer installment	962			696			320			438			164
Purchased loans	121			1,428			161			755			556
Purchased loan pools	—			—			—			—			—
Total charge-offs	2,872			3,638			2,443			3,284			1,102
Recoveries
Commercial, financial and agricultural	656			571			409			221			69
Real estate - construction and development	114			2			126			98			20
Real estate - commercial and farmland	24			28			26			121			9
Real estate - residential	182			47			56			73			61
Consumer installment	67			38			17			44			17
Purchased loans	437			241			887			373			420
Purchased loan pools	—			—			—			—			—
Total recoveries	1,480			927			1,521			930			596
Net charge-offs (recoveries)	$	1,392		$	2,711		$	922		$	2,354		$	506
Non-Performing Assets
Nonaccrual loans (excluding purchased loans)	$	14,420		$	14,202		$	15,325		$	17,083		$	18,281
Nonaccrual purchased loans	15,940			15,428			19,049			17,357			23,606
Nonaccrual purchased loan pools	—			—			915			918			—
Other real estate owned	9,171			8,464			9,391			11,483			10,466
Purchased other real estate owned	6,723			9,011			9,946			11,330			11,668
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more (excluding purchased loans)	2,497			5,991			2,941			1,784			933
Accruing purchased loans delinquent 90 days or more	—			—			—			147			—
Total non-performing assets	$	48,751		$	53,096		$	57,567		$	60,102		$	64,954
Asset Quality Ratios
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets	0.61		%	0.68		%	0.75		%	0.81		%	0.92		%
Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans (annualized)	0.09		%	0.18		%	0.06		%	0.17		%	0.04		%
Net charge-offs, excluding purchased loans as a percent of average loans (annualized)	0.14		%	0.13		%	0.15		%	0.20		%	0.04		%

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Loan Information	Table 5
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Loans by Type
Legacy loans
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	1,387,437	$	1,362,508	$	1,307,209	$	1,218,633	$	1,061,599
Real estate - construction and development	631,504		624,595		550,189		486,858		415,029
Real estate - commercial and farmland	1,636,654		1,535,439		1,558,882		1,519,002		1,458,110
Real estate - residential	1,080,028		1,009,461		969,289		857,069		726,795
Consumer installment	316,363		324,511		189,109		148,666		123,947
Total legacy loans	$	5,051,986	$	4,856,514	$	4,574,678	$	4,230,228	$	3,785,480
Purchased loans
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	64,612	$	74,378	$	80,895	$	87,612	$	89,897
Real estate - construction and development	48,940		65,513		68,583		73,567		82,378
Real estate - commercial and farmland	465,870		468,246		500,169		510,312		538,046
Real estate - residential	236,453		250,539		264,312		275,504		292,911
Consumer installment	2,712		2,919		3,167		3,504		3,703
Total purchased loans	$	818,587	$	861,595	$	917,126	$	950,499	$	1,006,935
Purchased loan pools
Real estate - residential	$	319,598	$	328,246	$	465,218	$	490,114	$	529,099
Total purchased loan pools	$	319,598	$	328,246	$	465,218	$	490,114	$	529,099
Total loan portfolio
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	1,452,049	$	1,436,886	$	1,388,104	$	1,306,245	$	1,151,496
Real estate - construction and development	680,444		690,108		618,772		560,425		497,407
Real estate - commercial and farmland	2,102,524		2,003,685		2,059,051		2,029,314		1,996,156
Real estate - residential	1,636,079		1,588,246		1,698,819		1,622,687		1,548,805
Consumer installment	319,075		327,430		192,276		152,170		127,650
Total loans	$	6,190,171	$	6,046,355	$	5,957,022	$	5,670,841	$	5,321,514
Troubled Debt Restructurings (excluding purchased loans)
Accruing troubled debt restructurings
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	39	$	41	$	44	$	40	$	42
Real estate - construction and development	176		417		424		429		435
Real estate - commercial and farmland	4,606		4,680		4,769		4,859		3,944
Real estate - residential	6,547		6,199		7,209		6,829		9,220
Consumer installment	7		5		6		12		18
Total accruing troubled debt restructurings	$	11,375	$	11,342	$	12,452	$	12,169	$	13,659
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	224	$	120	$	129	$	136	$	142
Real estate - construction and development	7		34		34		34		34
Real estate - commercial and farmland	2,127		204		210		192		1,617
Real estate - residential	838		1,508		1,212		1,975		998
Consumer installment	93		98		130		133		129
Total nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings	$	3,289	$	1,964	$	1,715	$	2,470	$	2,920
Total troubled debt restructurings (excluding purchased loans)	$	14,664	$	13,306	$	14,167	$	14,639	$	16,579

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Loan Information (continued)	Table 5
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Loans by Risk Grade
Legacy loans
Grade 1 - Prime credit	$	557,625	$	554,979	$	510,262	$	490,514	$	420,814
Grade 2 - Strong credit	673,591		688,481		692,217		631,141		587,180
Grade 3 - Good credit	2,050,717		2,033,979		2,003,173		1,875,308		1,718,749
Grade 4 - Satisfactory credit	1,676,308		1,487,781		1,277,969		1,147,786		958,623
Grade 5 - Fair credit	17,499		16,996		14,977		15,386		20,889
Grade 6 - Other assets especially mentioned	39,795		30,075		36,143		32,871		37,298
Grade 7 - Substandard	36,444		44,216		39,930		37,116		41,821
Grade 8 - Doubtful	7		7		7		106		106
Grade 9 - Loss	—		—		—		—		—
Total legacy loans	$	5,051,986	$	4,856,514	$	4,574,678	$	4,230,228	$	3,785,480
Purchased loans
Grade 1 - Prime credit	$	3,808	$	3,964	$	4,039	$	5,959	$	6,017
Grade 2 - Strong credit	97,448		101,098		107,097		39,391		38,179
Grade 3 - Good credit	243,730		259,872		275,855		327,449		365,434
Grade 4 - Satisfactory credit	367,997		385,080		411,776		459,903		476,954
Grade 5 - Fair credit	20,012		19,736		19,859		22,058		22,081
Grade 6 - Other assets especially mentioned	33,705		37,121		50,696		41,869		43,450
Grade 7 - Substandard	51,887		54,724		47,804		53,870		54,820
Grade 8 - Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—
Grade 9 - Loss	—		—		—		—		—
Total purchased loans	$	818,587	$	861,595	$	917,126	$	950,499	$	1,006,935
Purchased loan pools
Grade 3 - Good credit	$	318,696	$	327,342	$	464,303	$	489,196	$	528,181
Grade 7 - Substandard	902		904		915		918		918
Total purchased loan pools	$	319,598	$	328,246	$	465,218	$	490,114	$	529,099

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Average Balances	Table 6
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Earning Assets
Federal funds sold	$	9	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	147,481		184,287		109,266		121,810		147,385
Investment securities - taxable	777,310		759,253		760,907		766,375		759,850
Investment securities - nontaxable	48,455		58,858		60,862		63,210		65,374
Other investments	34,654		32,706		42,687		37,375		37,392
Loans held for sale	138,129		138,468		126,798		110,933		77,617
Loans	4,902,082		4,692,997		4,379,082		3,994,213		3,678,149
Purchased loans	842,509		888,854		937,595		973,521		1,034,983
Purchased loan pools	325,113		446,677		475,742		516,949		547,057
Total Earning Assets	$	7,215,742	$	7,202,103	$	6,892,939	$	6,584,386	$	6,347,807
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	1,780,738	$	1,805,996	$	1,654,467	$	1,615,001	$	1,604,495
NOW accounts	1,337,718		1,301,628		1,201,151		1,154,364		1,169,567
MMDA	1,970,571		1,964,437		1,682,306		1,621,487		1,486,972
Savings accounts	278,080		273,979		278,991		278,666		268,741
Retail CDs < $100,000	422,771		433,303		437,641		441,556		444,195
Retail CDs $100,000 and over	593,635		592,916		582,598		560,320		517,354
Brokered CDs	—		—		—		—		—
Total Deposits	6,383,513		6,372,259		5,837,154		5,671,394		5,491,324
Non-Deposit Funding
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	20,909		25,970		19,414		27,088		42,589
FHLB advances	371,556		369,076		608,413		483,583		525,583
Other borrowings	75,553		75,571		75,590		75,625		47,738
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	85,701		85,372		85,040		84,710		84,379
Total Non-Deposit Funding	553,719		555,989		788,457		671,006		700,289
Total Funding	$	6,937,232	$	6,928,248	$	6,625,611	$	6,342,400	$	6,191,613

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Interest Income and Interest Expense (TE)									Table 7
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Interest Income
Federal funds sold	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	716		655		406		351		313
Investment securities - taxable	5,207		5,097		5,062		5,195		4,800
Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)	408		572		603		617		640
Loans held for sale	1,210		1,380		1,131		1,058		653
Loans (TE)	58,771		57,193		53,394		47,255		43,157
Purchased loans	11,762		13,150		14,048		14,765		15,173
Purchased loan pools	2,424		3,531		3,491		3,786		3,832
Total Earning Assets	$	80,498	$	81,578	$	78,135	$	73,027	$	68,568
Accretion income (included above)	$	1,444	$	2,183	$	2,725	$	2,896	$	2,810
Interest Expense
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
NOW accounts	953		811		600		520		497
MMDA	3,526		3,288		2,316		2,008		1,538
Savings accounts	47		46		47		45		43
Retail CDs < $100,000	668		702		684		636		562
Retail CDs $100,000 and over	1,578		1,551		1,489		1,371		1,123
Brokered CDs	—		—		—		—		—
Total Deposits	6,772		6,398		5,136		4,580		3,763
Non-Deposit Funding
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	9		12		11		13		20
FHLB advances	1,457		1,180		1,849		1,238		907
Other borrowings	1,134		1,144		1,183		1,158		559
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	1,339		1,307		1,288		1,265		1,211
Total Non-Deposit Funding	3,939		3,643		4,331		3,674		2,697
Total Funding	$	10,711	$	10,041	$	9,467	$	8,254	$	6,460
Net Interest Income (TE)	$	69,787	$	71,537	$	68,668	$	64,773	$	62,108

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Yields(1)									Table 8
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Earning Assets
Federal funds sold	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	1.97	%	1.41	%	1.47	%	1.16	%	0.86	%
Investment securities - taxable	2.72	%	2.66	%	2.64	%	2.72	%	2.56	%
Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)	3.41	%	3.86	%	3.93	%	3.92	%	3.97	%
Loans held for sale	3.55	%	3.95	%	3.54	%	3.83	%	3.41	%
Loans (TE)	4.86	%	4.84	%	4.84	%	4.75	%	4.76	%
Purchased loans	5.66	%	5.87	%	5.94	%	6.08	%	5.95	%
Purchased loan pools	3.02	%	3.14	%	2.91	%	2.94	%	2.84	%
Total Earning Assets	4.52	%	4.49	%	4.50	%	4.45	%	4.38	%
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing deposits	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%
NOW accounts	0.29	%	0.25	%	0.20	%	0.18	%	0.17	%
MMDA	0.73	%	0.66	%	0.55	%	0.50	%	0.42	%
Savings accounts	0.07	%	0.07	%	0.07	%	0.06	%	0.06	%
Retail CDs < $100,000	0.64	%	0.64	%	0.62	%	0.58	%	0.51	%
Retail CDs $100,000 and over	1.08	%	1.04	%	1.01	%	0.98	%	0.88	%
Brokered CDs	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%
Total Deposits	0.43	%	0.40	%	0.35	%	0.32	%	0.28	%
Non-Deposit Funding
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0.17	%	0.18	%	0.22	%	0.19	%	0.19	%
FHLB advances	1.59	%	1.27	%	1.21	%	1.03	%	0.70	%
Other borrowings	6.09	%	6.01	%	6.21	%	6.14	%	4.75	%
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	6.34	%	6.07	%	6.01	%	5.99	%	5.82	%
Total Non-Deposit Funding	2.89	%	2.60	%	2.18	%	2.20	%	1.56	%
Total Funding(2)	0.63	%	0.57	%	0.57	%	0.52	%	0.42	%
Net Interest Spread	3.89	%	3.92	%	3.93	%	3.93	%	3.96	%
Net Interest Margin(3)	3.92	%	3.94	%	3.95	%	3.95	%	3.97	%
(1) Interest and average rates are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017.
(2) Rate calculated based on total average funding including noninterest-bearing deposits.
(3) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Adjusted Net Income													Table 9A
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands except per share data)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
Net income available to common shareholders	$	26,660		$	9,150		$	20,158		$	23,087		$	21,153
Adjustment items:
Merger and conversion charges	835			421			92			—			402
Certain compliance resolution expenses	—			434			4,729			—			—
Accelerated premium amortization on loans sold from purchased loan pools	—			456			—			—			—
Financial impact of Hurricane Irma	—			—			410			—			—
Loss on sale of premises	583			308			91			570			295
Tax effect of adjustment items	(298)			(567)			(1,863)			(199)			(244)
After tax adjustment items	1,120			1,052			3,459			371			453
Tax expense attributable to remeasurement of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at reduced federal corporate tax rate	—			13,388			—			—			—
Adjusted net income	$	27,780		$	23,590		$	23,617		$	23,458		$	21,606
Weighted average number of shares - diluted	38,250,122			37,566,335			37,552,667			37,489,348			36,040,240
Net income per diluted share	$	0.70		$	0.24		$	0.54		$	0.62		$	0.59
Adjusted net income per diluted share	$	0.73		$	0.63		$	0.63		$	0.63		$	0.60
Average assets	$	7,823,451		$	7,777,996		$	7,461,367		$	7,152,024		$	6,915,965
Return on average assets	1.38		%	0.47		%	1.07		%	1.29		%	1.24		%
Adjusted return on average assets	1.44		%	1.20		%	1.26		%	1.32		%	1.27		%
Average common equity	$	849,346		$	812,264		$	796,856		$	774,664		$	695,830
Average tangible common equity	$	659,096		$	672,728		$	656,375		$	633,190		$	553,335
Return on average common equity	12.73		%	4.47		%	10.04		%	11.95		%	12.33		%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity	17.09		%	13.91		%	14.28		%	14.86		%	15.84		%
Net Interest Margin Excluding Accretion and Yield on Total Loans Excluding Accretion													Table 9B
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
Total interest income (TE)	$	80,498		$	81,578		$	78,135		$	73,027		$	68,568
Accretion income	1,444			2,183			2,725			2,896			2,810
Total interest income (TE) excluding accretion	79,054			79,395			75,410			70,131			65,758
Interest expense	10,711			10,041			9,467			8,254			6,460
Net interest income (TE) excluding accretion	$	68,343		$	69,354		$	65,943		$	61,877		$	59,298
Yield on total loans (TE) excluding accretion	4.75		%	4.70		%	4.65		%	4.59		%	4.56		%
Net interest margin (TE) excluding accretion	3.84		%	3.82		%	3.80		%	3.77		%	3.79		%

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Non-GAAP Reconciliations (continued)
Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (TE)													Table 9C
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
Adjusted Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense	$	59,098		$	59,337		$	63,767		$	55,739		$	53,093
Adjustment items:
Merger and conversion expenses	(835)			(421)			(92)			—			(402)
Certain compliance resolution expenses	—			(434)			(4,729)			—			—
Financial impact of Hurricane Irma	—			—			(410)			—			—
Loss on sale of premises	(583)			(308)			(91)			(570)			(295)
Adjusted noninterest expense	$	57,680		$	58,174		$	58,445		$	55,169		$	52,396
Total Revenue
Net interest income	$	68,801		$	69,523		$	66,855		$	63,157		$	60,590
Noninterest income	26,464			23,563			26,999			28,189			25,706
Total revenue	$	95,265		$	93,086		$	93,854		$	91,346		$	86,296
Adjusted Total Revenue
Net interest income (TE)	$	69,787		$	71,537		$	68,668		$	64,773		$	62,108
Noninterest income	26,464			23,563			26,999			28,189			25,706
Total revenue (TE)	96,251			95,100			95,667			92,962			87,814
Adjustment items:
Gain on sale of securities	(37)			—			—			(37)			—
Accelerated premium amortization on loans sold from purchased loan pools	—			456			—			—			—
Adjusted total revenue (TE)	$	96,214		$	95,556		$	95,667		$	92,925		$	87,814
Efficiency ratio	62.04		%	63.74		%	67.94		%	61.02		%	61.52		%
Adjusted efficiency ratio (TE)	59.95		%	60.88		%	61.09		%	59.37		%	59.67		%
Tangible Book Value Per Share													Table 9D
	Three Months Ended
	Mar			Dec			Sep			Jun			Mar
(dollars in thousands except per share data)	2018			2017			2017			2017			2017
Total shareholders' equity	$	868,944		$	804,479		$	801,921		$	782,682		$	758,216
Less:
Goodwill	208,513			125,532			125,532			125,532			125,532
Other intangibles, net	12,562			13,496			14,437			15,378			16,391
Total tangible shareholders' equity	$	647,869		$	665,451		$	661,952		$	641,772		$	616,293
Period end number of shares	38,327,081			37,260,012			37,231,049			37,222,904			37,128,714
Book value per share (period end)	$	22.67		$	21.59		$	21.54		$	21.03		$	20.42
Tangible book value per share (period end)	$	16.90		$	17.86		$	17.78		$	17.24		$	16.60

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Segment Reporting									Table 10
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
Banking Division
Net interest income	$	55,359	$	55,193	$	53,600	$	51,800	$	50,126
Provision for loan losses	888		2,277		1,037		1,491		1,982
Noninterest income	13,099		12,442		13,007		12,954		13,013
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	22,068		20,100		20,554		19,359		18,844
Occupancy and equipment expenses	5,477		5,368		5,384		5,427		5,257
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	6,304		6,399		6,357		6,378		6,043
Other noninterest expenses	11,080		11,837		14,905		10,209		9,241
Total noninterest expense	44,929		43,704		47,200		41,373		39,385
Income before income tax expense	22,641		21,654		18,370		21,890		21,772
Income tax expense	5,242		18,717		4,850		6,095		6,856
Net income	$	17,399	$	2,937	$	13,520	$	15,795	$	14,916
Retail Mortgage Division
Net interest income	$	4,997	$	4,876	$	4,265	$	3,470	$	2,976
Provision for loan losses	217		154		262		347		8
Noninterest income	11,585		9,090		12,257		13,053		10,513
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	7,742		8,225		9,792		7,763		7,216
Occupancy and equipment expenses	593		533		555		610		519
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	389		429		425		440		317
Other noninterest expenses	1,731		1,230		1,001		888		1,141
Total noninterest expense	10,455		10,417		11,773		9,701		9,193
Income before income tax expense	5,910		3,395		4,487		6,475		4,288
Income tax expense	1,244		1,189		1,475		2,361		1,501
Net income	$	4,666	$	2,206	$	3,012	$	4,114	$	2,787
Warehouse Lending Division
Net interest income	$	1,855	$	1,983	$	1,535	$	1,254	$	1,105
Provision for loan losses	—		27		215		176		(232)
Noninterest income	397		399		583		438		319
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	138		127		129		127		147
Occupancy and equipment expenses	—		1		1		1		1
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	33		18		28		25		27
Other noninterest expenses	52		26		51		54		32
Total noninterest expense	223		172		209		207		207
Income before income tax expense	2,029		2,183		1,694		1,309		1,449
Income tax expense	426		763		580		472		507
Net income	$	1,603	$	1,420	$	1,114	$	837	$	942

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL TABLES
Segment Reporting (continued)									Table 10
	Three Months Ended
	Mar		Dec		Sep		Jun		Mar
(dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2017		2017		2017
SBA Division
Net interest income	$	924	$	971	$	981	$	885	$	907
Provision for loan losses	537		(209)		(1)		51		48
Noninterest income	1,370		1,614		1,130		1,718		1,815
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	740		787		858		890		591
Occupancy and equipment expenses	58		56		54		54		51
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	9		9		9		2		1
Other noninterest expenses	236		205		63		259		211
Total noninterest expense	1,043		1,057		984		1,205		854
Income before income tax expense	714		1,737		1,128		1,347		1,820
Income tax expense	150		608		394		472		637
Net income	$	564	$	1,129	$	734	$	875	$	1,183
Premium Finance Division
Net interest income	$	5,666	$	6,500	$	6,474	$	5,748	$	5,476
Provision for loan losses	159		287		274		140		30
Noninterest income	13		18		22		26		46
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	1,401		1,268		1,250		993		996
Occupancy and equipment expenses	70		52		42		54		49
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	400		364		231		183		184
Other noninterest expenses	577		2,303		2,078		2,023		2,225
Total noninterest expense	2,448		3,987		3,601		3,253		3,454
Income before income tax expense	3,072		2,244		2,621		2,381		2,038
Income tax expense	644		786		843		915		713
Net income	$	2,428	$	1,458	$	1,778	$	1,466	$	1,325
Total Consolidated
Net interest income	$	68,801	$	69,523	$	66,855	$	63,157	$	60,590
Provision for loan losses	1,801		2,536		1,787		2,205		1,836
Noninterest income	26,464		23,563		26,999		28,189		25,706
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	32,089		30,507		32,583		29,132		27,794
Occupancy and equipment expenses	6,198		6,010		6,036		6,146		5,877
Data processing and telecommunications expenses	7,135		7,219		7,050		7,028		6,572
Other noninterest expenses	13,676		15,601		18,098		13,433		12,850
Total noninterest expense	59,098		59,337		63,767		55,739		53,093
Income before income tax expense	34,366		31,213		28,300		33,402		31,367
Income tax expense	7,706		22,063		8,142		10,315		10,214
Net income	$	26,660	$	9,150	$	20,158	$	23,087	$	21,153

CONTACT: Nicole S. Stokes, Executive Vice President and CFO, (229) 890-1111

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Ameris Bancorp 1 st Quarter 2018 Results Investor Presentation

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 ratio 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 1

Almost singular focus of our team right now is “to produce top quartile operating results, consistently” • Manage the momentum we have to produce 15 % + growth in loans and deposits in 2018 • Continue to manage stable margins in various growth and rate scenarios • Expand non - interest income lines where appropriate to manage their contribution to EPS and ROA • Continue efforts to leverage existing staff and infrastructure to hold efficiency ratio below 60 % Current Focus Consistent Operating Performance M&A Opportunities and Impact of Crossing $10 Billion • Evaluate M&A opportunities that fit within our culture • Opportunities that compliment our existing footprint or position us in growing MSAs • Fine tune our infrastructure and systems to cross $ 10 billion and continue growing Drive Earnings Per Share from Organic Sources • Organic Sources of loans from existing set of producers . More resources supporting our relationship managers to support much larger portfolios • Insulate ourselves from rate movements and economic swings with highly stable, non - rate sensitive deposits • Grow capital levels and book value through higher than average ROAs and ROTCE • Avoid concentrations ; take the long view 2

Earnings Summary – Operating Basis 3 Quarter to Date Results 1Q18 1Q17 Change Operating Earnings $ 27,780 $ 21,606 29% Earnings Per Share $ 0.73 $ 0.60 22% Return on Assets 1.44% 1.27% 13% Return on TCE 17.09% 15.84% 8% NIM (net of accretion) 3.84% 3.79% 1% Efficiency Ratio 59.95% 59.67% .5% Net Overhead Ratio 1.62% 1.57% - 3%

1Q 2018 Operating Highlights • Growth in adjusted net earnings of 28.6% compared with 1Q 2017 • Organic Loan Growth of $153.8 million, or 10.8% annualized during 1Q 2018 • Net Interest Margin (excluding accretion) expanded by 2bps compared to 4Q 2017 • Operating efficiency ratio of 59.95% compared to 60.88% in 4Q 2017 • Total Revenue of $95.3 million, growth of 10.4% compared to 1Q 2017 • Legacy non - accrual assets improved to 0.33% of total assets • Net income contribution from lines of business of $9.3 million or 34.7% of operating net income. Standalone efficiency ratio of 52.9% 4

Income Tax Law Impact • 1Q18 Effective tax rate of 22.4% • Positive impact to EPS of $0.08 • Positive impact to ROA of 17 bps • Negative impact to margin of 6 bps due to tax equivalent adjustment on municipal securities and loans 5

Operating Highlights (1) Core Operating expenses exclude merger related charges and gain/loss on sale of premises (2) Operating efficiency ratio is Core Operating Expenses divided by Net Interest Income and Non - interest income 6 1Q18 1Q17 Asset Growth 166,625 202,825 Asset Growth Rate 8.60% 11.94% Organic Loan Growth 153,775 98,512 Organic Loan Growth Rate 10.81% 8.50% Total Revenue 95,265 86,296 Total Revenue Growth 10.39% 15.49% Core Operating Expenses (1) 57,680 52,396 Core OPEX Growth 10.08% 8.08% Operating Efficiency (2) 59.95% 59.67% Legacy NPAs / Assets 0.33% 0.42% Credit Related Costs 2,350 2,769

Total Revenue Spread Revenues • $867.9 million or 13.7% growth in average earning assets over 1Q 2017 • Steady to increasing margin despite strong growth in existing rate environment. Margin (excluding accretion) of 3.84% in current quarter compared to 3.79% a year ago Non - Interest Income • Mortgage Revenue – increased $685,000, or 6.1% over 1Q 2017 despite tighter gain on sale. Production increased 14.2% to offset the reduced gain on sale • Service charges – declined $335,000, or 3.2%, from 1Q 2017 due to competitive service charge routines – we remain focused on attracting quality customers • SBA revenues – decreased 15.7% to $2.7 million during 1Q 2018 due to steady production but decreased premium on sale 7

Net Interest Margin Spread Income and Margin supported by: • Growth in average earning assets of $867.9 million or 13.7% compared to 1Q17 • Margin (excluding accretion) higher by 2bps; despite tax equivalent yield affect of 6bps due to tax law change Accretion income a decreasingly lower part of our revenues: • 1.5% of revenue in 1Q 2018 • 2.9% of revenue in YTD 2017 • 4.3% of revenue in YTD 2016 Margin expansion despite $1.3 billion of growth in earning assets in current rate environment Loan Production Details Period Fixed Rate (2) Variable Rate (2) Total 1Q18 230.4 5.10% 187.2 5.30% 417.6 5.19% 4Q17 264.2 4.79% 203.9 5.03% 468.1 4.89% 3Q17 296.6 4.72% 167.1 4.77% 463.7 4.74% $48.2 $51.3 $54.4 $56.0 $59.3 $61.9 $65.9 $69.4 $68.3 3.73% 3.79% 3.77% 3.80% 3.82% 3.84% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% $20.0 $30.0 $40.0 $50.0 $60.0 $70.0 $80.0 1Q 16 2Q 16 3Q 16 4Q 16 1Q 17 2Q 17 3Q 17 4Q17 1Q18 Net Interest Income before Accretion (in millions) 8

Expenses – 1Q18 • Basically no increase in core bank operating expenses, even with the buildout of the robust BSA department • Continue to monitor expense control throughout the company and look for efficiencies in our administrative functions • Operating expenses (excluding merger costs and loss on sale of former bank premises) decreased $ 494 , 000 in 1 Q 18 , compared to 4 Q 17 : – $ 1 . 1 million increase in payroll taxes in 1 Q 18 , which is typical for first quarter of each year – $ 1 . 2 million decrease in premium finance division due to termination of MLA agreement 1 – Recurring operating expenses exclude Problem loan and OREO costs, merger costs and special compliance charges in 4Q16 and 3Q 17. OPEX Highlights: Steady, Adjusted Operating Expenses $11.3 $12.1 $10.7 $13.7 $14.4 $16.6 $15.6 $14.2 $39.3 $39.6 $37.2 $38.1 $40.8 $41.0 $42.7 $43.5 0.0 25.0 50.0 75.0 2Q 16 3Q 16 4Q 16 1Q 17 2Q 17 3Q 17 4Q 17 1Q 18 Core Operating Expenses (in millions) LOB Expenses Core Bank 9

Capital and TBV – 1Q18 • Historically, consistent growth in TBV • TBV negatively impacted in 1Q18 by $0.25 per share due to increase in unrealized loss on available for sale securities Consistent Growth in TBV • TCE / TA at quarter end of 8.30%, down from 8.62% due to an increase in goodwill resulting from the purchase of USPF during 1Q18 • 1Q 2018 Operating ROTCE of 17.1% • Normalized ROTCE in the range of 16% - 18% for 2018 Steady Capital Levels Support Growth Rate $13.89 $14.38 $14.42 $16.57 $17.24 $17.78 $17.86 $16.90 $6.0 $8.5 $11.0 $13.5 $16.0 $18.5 2Q 16 3Q 16 4Q 16 1Q 17 2Q 17 3Q 17 4Q 17 1Q 18 Tangible Book Value 10

Investment Rationale Organic Growth Opportunities • Top Quartile ROA & Top Quartile Growth Rate • Strong ROTCE’s that support organic and M&A growth . • Efficiency ratio below 60 % ahead of pending M&A deals that should drive additional operating leverage . Operating Performance M&A Opportunities • Disciplined Acquirer that announces deals with reliable metrics • Pending acquisitions augment organic growth and earnings momentum • Current capital position gives us significantly more flexibility in driving consideration mix and metrics • Organic growth opportunities already producing double digit growth . • Pending acquisitions put us in Orlando, Tampa and Atlanta with enough presence to improve already strong growth rates . • Deposit growth has accelerated to such a point that we are funding almost 100 % of our organic loan growth with new deposits . Peer group includes CSFL, SSB, STBZ, HOMB, OZRK, PSTB, LION, PNFP, SFNC, UCBI 11

Ameris Bancorp Press Release & Financial Highlights March 31, 2018