10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 001-13901

AMERIS BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GEORGIA	58-1456434
(State of incorporation)	(IRS Employer ID No.)

310 FIRST STREET, S.E., MOULTRIE, GA 31768

(Address of principal executive offices)

(229) 890-1111

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	x
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

There were 23,876,680 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 30, 2013.

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012			March 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)			(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	50,487		$	80,256		$	64,963
Federal funds sold and interest bearing accounts		81,205			193,677			194,172
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value		324,029			346,909			371,791
Other investments		5,528			6,832			10,967
Mortgage loans held for sale		42,332			48,786			14,863
Loans		1,492,753			1,450,635			1,323,844
Covered loans		460,724			507,712			653,377
Less: allowance for loan losses		23,382			23,593			28,689
Loans, net		1,930,095			1,934,754			1,948,532
Other real estate owned		40,434			39,850			40,035
Covered other real estate owned		77,915			88,273			85,803
Total other real estate owned		118,349			128,123			125,838
Premises and equipment, net		72,340			75,983			72,755
FDIC loss-share receivable		160,979			159,724			220,016
Intangible assets		2,676			3,040			4,179
Goodwill		956			956			956
Cash value of bank owned life insurance		45,832			15,603			—
Other assets		26,843			24,409			14,202
Total assets	$	2,861,651		$	3,019,052		$	3,043,234
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	490,961		$	510,751		$	444,707
Interest-bearing		1,999,012			2,113,912			2,220,653
Total deposits		2,489,973			2,624,663			2,665,360
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		22,919			50,120			28,790
Other borrowings		—			—			3,810
Other liabilities		22,768			22,983			5,308
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures		42,269			42,269			42,269
Total liabilities		2,577,929			2,740,035			2,745,537
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 28,000, 28,000 and 52,000 shares issued and outstanding		27,753			27,662			50,884
Common stock, par value $1; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 25,238,635, 25,154,818 and 25,150,318 shares issued		25,239			25,155			25,150
Capital surplus		165,078			164,949			166,579
Retained earnings		70,554			65,710			59,402
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,274			6,607			6,513
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,362,955, 1,355,050 and 1,336,174 shares		(11,176	)		(11,066	)		(10,831	)
Total stockholders’ equity		283,722			279,017			297,697
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,861,651		$	3,019,052		$	3,043,234

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

1

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	$	28,716		$	29,482
Interest on taxable securities		1,697			2,309
Interest on nontaxable securities		375			365
Interest on deposits in other banks		85			120
Interest on federal funds sold		—			6
Total interest income		30,873			32,282
Interest expense
Interest on deposits		2,226			4,084
Interest on other borrowings		309			471
Total interest expense		2,535			4,555
Net interest income		28,338			27,727
Provision for loan losses		2,923			12,882
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		25,415			14,845
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,837			4,386
Mortgage origination fees		4,464			1,475
Other service charges, commissions and fees		329			391
Gain on acquisition		—			20,037
Gain on sale of securities		172			—
Other		1,558			975
Total noninterest income		11,360			27,264
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		13,806			11,446
Occupancy and equipment expense		2,931			3,335
Advertising and marketing expense		255			349
Amortization of intangible assets		364			220
Data processing and communications costs		2,570			1,925
Other operating expenses		8,958			16,971
Total noninterest expense		28,884			34,246
Income before income tax expense		7,891			7,863
Applicable income tax expense		2,606			2,498
Net income	$	5,285		$	5,365
Preferred stock dividends		441			815
Net income available to common stockholders	$	4,844		$	4,550
Other comprehensive loss
Unrealized holding loss arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax		(429	)		(689	)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax		(112	)		—
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during period , net of tax		209			(94	)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(332	)	$	(783	)
Comprehensive income	$	4,512		$	3,767
Basic and Diluted earnings per share	$	0.20		$	0.19
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		23,868			23,762
Diluted		24,246			23,916

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

2

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2013					March 31, 2012
	Shares		Amount			Shares		Amount
PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of period		28,000	$	27,662			52,000	$	50,727
Accretion of fair value of warrant		—		91			—		157
Balance at end of period		28,000	$	27,753			52,000	$	50,884
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of period		25,154,818	$	25,155			25,087,468	$	25,087
Issuance of restricted shares		81,400		81			62,450		62
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,417		3			400		1
Balance at end of period		25,238,635	$	25,239			25,150,318	$	25,150
CAPITAL SURPLUS
Balance at beginning of period			$	164,949				$	166,639
Stock-based compensation				197					—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				13					2
Issuance of restricted shares				(81	)				(62	)
Balance at end of period			$	165,078				$	166,579
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period			$	65,710				$	54,852
Net income				5,284					5,365
Dividends on preferred shares				(349	)				(657	)
Accretion of fair value warrant				(91	)				(158	)
Balance at end of period			$	70,554				$	59,402
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX
Unrealized gains on securities and derivatives:
Balance at beginning of period			$	6,607				$	7,296
Other comprehensive income during the period				(333	)				(783	)
Balance at end of period			$	6,274				$	6,513
TREASURY STOCK
Balance at beginning of period			$	11,066				$	10,831
Purchase of treasury shares				110					—
Balance at end of period			$	11,176				$	10,831
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY			$	283,722				$	297,697

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	5,285		$	5,365
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		1,246			1,143
Stock based compensation expense		197			—
Net (gains) losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment		6			(4	)
Net gains on securities available for sale		(172	)		—
Gain on acquisition		—			(20,037	)
Net losses or write-downs on sale of other real estate owned		3,047			7,252
Provision for loan losses		2,923			12,882
Amortization of intangible assets		364			220
Net change in mortgage loans held for sale		6,454			(3,300	)
Other prepaids, deferrals and accruals, net		11,571			4,201
Net cash provided by operating activities		30,921			7,722
Cash flows from investing activities, net of effects of business combinations:
Net decrease (increase) in federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits		112,472			34,870
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale		20,746			21,912
Purchase of securities available for sale		(25,328	)		(15,637	)
Purchase of bank owned life insurance		(28,674	)		—
Decrease in restricted equity securities, net		1,304			—
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		26,802			760
Net change in loans		(13,805	)		17,496
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned		10,140			16,296
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment		713			305
(Increase) decrease in FDIC indemnification asset		(1,255	)		75,032
Net cash proceeds received from FDIC-assisted acquisitions		—			65,050
Purchases of premises and equipment		(1,470	)		(1,075	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		101,645			215,009
Cash flows from financing activities, net of effects of business combinations:
Net (decrease) increase in deposits		(134,690	)		(187,242	)
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(27,201	)		(8,875	)
Repayment of other borrowings		—			(26,524	)
Dividends paid - preferred stock		(350	)		(657	)
Purchase of treasury shares		(110	)		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		16			2
Net cash used in financing activities		(162,335	)		(223,296	)
Net decrease in cash and due from banks		(29,769	)		(565	)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period		80,256			65,528
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$	50,487		$	64,963
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	2,805		$	5,098
Income taxes	$	780		$	—
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	$	15,541		$	14,291

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

4

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Ameris Bancorp (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. Ameris conducts substantially all of its operations through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank (the “Bank”). At March 31, 2013 the Bank operated 57 branches in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our business model capitalizes on the efficiencies of a large financial services company while still providing the community with the personalized banking service expected by our customers. We manage our Bank through a balance of decentralized management responsibilities and efficient centralized operating systems, products and loan underwriting standards. Ameris’ Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within Ameris’ established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of his or her unique market.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Ameris have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited but reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and the report of our registered independent public accounting firm included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2013-02 - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under United States generally accepted accounting principles to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For all other amounts, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about these amounts. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. It did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2012-06 - Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution (“ASU 2012-06”). When an entity recognizes an indemnification asset and subsequently a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs as a result of a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnified asset, ASU 2012-06 requires the entity to recognize the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the indemnified assets. Any amortization of changes in value of the indemnification asset should be limited to the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life of the indemnified assets. ASU 2012-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2012, and early adoption is permitted. It is to be applied prospectively to any new indemnification assets acquired after the date of adoption and to indemnification assets existing as of the date of adoption arising from a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution. ASU 2012-06 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-04 - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 generally represents clarifications of Topic 820, but also includes some instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. ASU 2011-04 results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 was to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 for public companies. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

5

ASU 2011-05 - Amendments to Topic 220, Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 grants an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. For public entities, ASU 2011-05 was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and was to be adopted retrospectively. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-08 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 grants an entity the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This conclusion can be used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required in Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The fair value hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and other accounts recorded based on their fair value:

Cash, Due From Banks, Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks and Federal Funds Sold: The carrying amount of cash, due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold approximates fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and municipal bonds. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third-party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Other Investments: Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock is included in other investment securities at its original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no ready market for such investments.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale: The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

6

Loans: The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals. To the extent that market appraisals or other methods do not produce reliable determinations of fair value, these assets are deemed to be Level 3.

Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3.

Covered Assets: Covered assets include loans and other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to an annual review for impairment.

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans, and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared-loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared-loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently offered for certificates with similar maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar type borrowing arrangements.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The carrying amount of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities approximates fair value.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

7

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,930,095	$	—	$	1,458,604	$	501,874	$	1,960,478
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,489,973		—		2,491,282		—		2,491,282

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,934,754	$	—	$	1,406,366	$	560,226	$	1,966,592
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,624,663		—		2,624,883		—		2,624,883

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,948,532	$	—	$	1,258,402	$	722,983	$	1,981,385
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,665,360		—		2,667,731		—		2,667,731
Other borrowings		3,810		—		3,854		—		3,854

8

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	5,015	$	—	$	5,015	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		115,532		—		115,532		—
Corporate debt securities		10,297		—		8,297		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		193,185		4,054		189,131		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		42,332		—		42,332		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	366,361	$	4,054	$	360,307	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	6,870	$	—	$	6,870	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		114,390		4,854		109,536		—
Corporate debt securities		10,328		—		8,328		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		215,321		23,893		191,428		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		48,786		—		48,786		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	395,695	$	28,747	$	364,948	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	28,848	$	—	$	28,848	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		81,997		—		81,997		—
Corporate debt securities		11,385		—		9,385		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		249,561		2,292		247,269		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	371,791	$	2,292	$	367,499	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—

9

The following table is a presentation of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	51,150	$	—	$	—	$	51,150
Other real estate owned		40,434		—		—		40,434
Covered loans		460,724		—		—		460,724
Covered other real estate owned		77,915		—		—		77,915
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	630,223	$	—	$	—	$	630,223

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	52,514	$	—	$	—	$	52,514
Other real estate owned		39,850		—		—		39,850
Covered loans		507,712		—		—		507,712
Covered other real estate owned		88,273		—		—		88,273
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	688,349	$	—	$	—	$	688,349

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	69,606	$	—	$	—	$	69,606
Other real estate owned		40,035		—		—		40,035
Covered loans		653,377		—		—		653,377
Covered other real estate owned		85,803		—		—		85,803
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	848,821	$	—	$	—	$	848,821

10

Below is the Company’s reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2013.

	Investment Securities Available for Sale		Impaired Loans Carried at Fair Value			Other Real Estate Owned			Covered Loans			Covered Other Real Estate Owned
Beginning balance January 1, 2013	$	2,000	$	52,514		$	39,850		$	507,712		$	88,273
Total gains/(losses) included in net income		—		—			(15	)		—			(3,032	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net		—		1,262			(2,027	)		(31,449	)		(22,865	)
Transfers in or out of Level 3		—		(2,626	)		2,626			(15,539	)		15,539
Ending balance March 31, 2013	$	2,000	$	51,150		$	40,434		$	460,724		$	77,915

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Ameris’ investment policy blends the Company’s liquidity needs and interest rate risk management with its desire to increase income and provide funds for expected growth in loans. The investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and agencies, state, county and municipal securities and corporate debt securities. Ameris’ portfolio and investing philosophy concentrate activities in obligations where the credit risk is limited. For the small portion of Ameris’ portfolio found to present credit risk, the Company has reviewed the investments and financial performance of the obligors and believes the credit risk to be acceptable.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 are presented below:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	5,000	$	15	$	—		$	5,015
State, county and municipal securities		110,628		5,051		(147	)		115,532
Corporate debt securities		10,542		355		(600	)		10,297
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		5,342		(649	)		193,185
Total debt securities	$	314,662	$	10,763	$	(1,396	)	$	324,029
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	6,605	$	271	$	(6	)	$	6,870
State, county and municipal securities		109,736		4,864		(210	)		114,390
Corporate debt securities		10,545		330		(547	)		10,328
Mortgage-backed securities		209,824		5,701		(204	)		215,321
Total debt securities	$	336,710	$	11,166	$	(967	)	$	346,909
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	28,634	$	258	$	(44	)	$	28,848
State, county and municipal securities		78,440		3,723		(166	)		81,997
Corporate debt securities		11,639		217		(471	)		11,385
Mortgage-backed securities		244,232		5,573		(244	)		249,561
Total debt securities	$	362,945	$	9,771	$	(925	)	$	371,791

11

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2013 by contractual maturity are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligations without prepayment penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	3,027	$	3,041
Due from one year to five years		29,250		30,645
Due from five to ten years		58,652		61,448
Due after ten years		35,241		35,710
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		193,185
	$	314,662	$	324,029

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $245.4 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits and other purposes required or permitted by law at March 31, 2013.

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		19,159		(138	)		505		(9	)		19,664		(147	)
Corporate debt securities		244		(6	)		4,506		(594	)		4,750		(600	)
Mortgage-backed securities		55,189		(648	)		1,120		(1	)		56,309		(649	)
Total debt securities	$	74,592	$	(792	)	$	6,131	$	(604	)	$	80,723	$	(1,396	)
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	4,994	$	(6	)	$	—	$	—		$	4,994	$	(6	)
State, county and municipal securities		15,595		(199	)		505		(11	)		16,100		(210	)
Corporate debt securities		—		—			4,560		(547	)		4,560		(547	)
Mortgage-backed securities		23,951		(181	)		3,617		(23	)		27,568		(204	)
Total debt securities	$	44,540	$	(386	)	$	8,682	$	(581	)	$	53,222	$	(967	)
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	8,960	$	(44	)	$	—	$	—		$	8,960	$	(44	)
State, county and municipal securities		8,960		(166	)		—		—			8,960		(166	)
Corporate debt securities		100		—			6,611		(471	)		6,711		(471	)
Mortgage-backed securities		37,860		(234	)		2,292		(10	)		40,152		(244	)
Total debt securities	$	55,880	$	(444	)	$	8,903	$	(481	)	$	64,783	$	(925	)

12

NOTE 3 – LOANS

The Company engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Ameris concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond Ameris’ control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio.

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production and other business purposes. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Company evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, construction of one-to-four family residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. The Company’s residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank’s market areas.

Consumer installment loans and other loans include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.

Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	180,888	$	174,217	$	149,320
Real estate – construction and development		130,161		114,199		122,331
Real estate – commercial and farmland		766,227		732,322		658,054
Real estate – residential		355,716		346,480		328,053
Consumer installment		37,335		40,178		42,085
Other		22,426		43,239		24,001
	$	1,492,753	$	1,450,635	$	1,323,844

Covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Covered loans totaling $460.7 million, $507.7 million and $653.4 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively, are not included in the above schedule.

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	28,568	$	32,606	$	43,157
Real estate – construction and development		57,114		70,184		93,430
Real estate – commercial and farmland		260,159		278,506		350,244
Real estate – residential		113,668		125,056		162,768
Consumer installment		1,215		1,360		3,778
	$	460,724	$	507,712	$	653,377

13

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged to interest income. Interest on loans that are classified as non-accrual is recognized when received. Past due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 90 days or more. In some cases, where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, loans may be restructured to provide terms significantly different from the original contractual terms.

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	3,756	$	4,138	$	4,732
Real estate – construction and development		9,390		9,281		10,647
Real estate – commercial and farmland		9,798		11,962		21,539
Real estate – residential		13,840		12,595		14,065
Consumer installment		692		909		1,275
	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258

The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	8,718	$	10,765	$	14,185
Real estate – construction and development		18,956		20,027		35,170
Real estate – commercial and farmland		47,580		55,946		79,620
Real estate – residential		23,018		28,672		40,609
Consumer installment		243		302		637
	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221

14

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,797	$	149	$	3,729	$	5,675	$	175,213	$	180,888	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		1,538		1,538		8,312		11,388		118,773		130,161		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,115		3,220		9,352		23,687		742,540		766,227		—
Real estate – residential		7,686		1,719		11,699		21,104		334,612		355,716		—
Consumer installment loans		745		169		563		1,477		35,858		37,335		—
Other		—		—		—		—		22,426		22,426		—
Total	$	22,881	$	6,795	$	33,655	$	63,331	$	1,429,422	$	1,492,753	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	258	$	312	$	3,969	$	4,539	$	169,678	$	174,217	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		347		332		8,969		9,648		104,551		114,199		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		2,867		2,296		9,544		14,707		717,615		732,322		—
Real estate – residential		7,651		2,766		10,990		21,407		325,073		346,480		—
Consumer installment loans		702		391		815		1,908		38,270		40,178		—
Other		—		—		—		—		43,239		43,239		—
Total	$	11,825	$	6,097	$	34,287	$	52,209	$	1,398,426	$	1,450,635	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,477	$	291	$	4,559	$	6,327	$	142,993	$	149,320	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		2,356		481		9,531		12,368		109,963		122,331		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		9,991		2,412		19,646		32,049		626,005		658,054		—
Real estate – residential		3,905		6,175		13,298		23,378		304,675		328,053		—
Consumer installment loans		856		497		1,070		2,423		39,662		42,085		—
Other		—		—		—		—		24,001		24,001		—
Total	$	18,585	$	9,856	$	48,104	$	76,545	$	1,247,299	$	1,323,844	$	—

15

The following table presents an analysis of covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	756	$	314	$	7,270	$	8,340	$	20,228	$	28,568	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		3,971		876		17,415		22,262		34,852		57,114		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		10,227		2,837		42,464		55,528		204,631		260,159		—
Real estate – residential		5,608		345		18,895		24,848		88,820		113,668		48
Consumer installment loans		41		11		205		257		958		1,215		—
Total	$	20,603	$	4,383	$	86,249	$	111,235	$	349,489	$	460,724	$	146

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	2,390	$	1,105	$	10,612	$	14,107	$	18,499	$	32,606	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		1,584		2,592		19,656		23,832		46,352		70,184		1,077
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,451		7,373		52,570		71,394		207,112		278,506		1,347
Real estate – residential		6,066		3,396		24,976		34,438		90,618		125,056		779
Consumer installment loans		45		13		258		316		1,044		1,360		—
Total	$	21,536	$	14,479	$	108,072	$	144,087	$	363,625	$	507,712	$	3,301

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	682	$	430	$	14,229	$	15,341	$	27,816	$	43,157	$	549
Real estate – construction & development		2,704		778		32,302		35,784		57,646		93,430		909
Real estate – commercial & farmland		12,905		6,994		68,282		88,181		262,063		350,244		2,583
Real estate – residential		5,859		3,514		34,870		44,243		118,525		162,768		3
Consumer installment loans		65		68		685		818		2,960		3,778		241
Total	$	22,215	$	11,784	$	150,368	$	184,367	$	469,010	$	653,377	$	4,285

16

Impaired Loans

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. When determining if the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considers the borrower’s capacity to pay, which includes such factors as the borrower’s current financial statements, an analysis of global cash flow sufficient to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantor support and collateral value. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. The Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans greater than $200,000 and rated substandard or worse and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000. If a loan is deemed impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary, so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis.

The following is a summary of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		18,513		18,744		26,848
Total impaired loans	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	4,839	$	5,115	$	9,500
Average investment in impaired loans	$	56,808	$	70,209	$	83,940
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	78	$	495	$	57
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	54	$	718	$	187

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,818	$	—	$	4,555	$	4,555	$	740	$	4,747
Real estate – construction & development		20,633		—		11,273		11,273		922		11,144
Real estate – commercial & farmland		22,996		—		18,676		18,676		1,816		19,793
Real estate – residential		24,777		—		20,792		20,792		1,344		20,320
Consumer installment loans		920		—		693		693		17		804
Total	$	77,144	$	—	$	55,989	$	55,989	$	4,839	$	56,808

17

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	8,024	$	—	$	4,940	$	4,940	$	743	$	4,968
Real estate – construction & development		20,316		—		11,016		11,016		910		11,706
Real estate – commercial & farmland		25,076		—		20,910		20,910		2,191		30,638
Real estate – residential		24,155		—		19,848		19,848		1,246		21,813
Consumer installment loans		1,187		—		915		915		25		1,084
Total	$	78,758	$	—	$	57,629	$	57,629	$	5,115	$	70,209

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,599	$	—	$	4,732	$	4,732	$	932	$	4,921
Real estate – construction & development		20,593		—		11,952		11,952		1,993		13,812
Real estate – commercial & farmland		45,098		—		39,304		39,304		3,615		42,155
Real estate – residential		24,845		—		21,843		21,843		2,928		21,948
Consumer installment loans		1,391		—		1,275		1,275		32		1,104
Total	$	99,526	$	—	$	79,106	$	79,106	$	9,500	$	83,940

The following is a summary of information pertaining to covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		21,592		19,194		18,220
Total impaired loans	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	—	$	—	$	—
Average investment in impaired loans	$	127,507	$	163,825	$	184,162
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	169	$	849	$	179
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	147	$	491	$	441

18

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired covered loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,301	$	8,754	$	—	$	8,754	$	—	$	9,778
Real estate – construction & development		78,421		23,978		—		23,978		—		23,607
Real estate – commercial & farmland		139,197		55,822		—		55,822		—		60,026
Real estate – residential		54,422		31,310		—		31,310		—		33,823
Consumer installment loans		324		243		—		243		—		273
Total	$	296,665	$	120,107	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	127,507
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	27,060	$	10,802	$	—	$	10,802	$	—	$	12,506
Real estate – construction & development		85,279		23,236		—		23,236		—		29,970
Real estate – commercial & farmland		159,493		64,231		—		64,231		—		78,790
Real estate – residential		63,559		36,335		—		36,335		—		42,061
Consumer installment loans		393		302		—		302		—		498
Total	$	335,784	$	134,906	$	—	$	134,906	$	—	$	163,825
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,085	$	14,260	$	—	$	14,260	$	—	$	13,144
Real estate – construction & development		59,102		37,831		—		37,831		—		36,097
Real estate – commercial & farmland		128,389		90,847		—		90,847		—		87,793
Real estate – residential		65,971		44,866		—		44,866		—		46,573
Consumer installment loans		786		637		—		637		—		555
Total	$	278,333	$	188,441	$	—	$	188,441	$	—	$	184,162

19

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. The following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:

Grade 10 – Prime Credit – This grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents.

Grade 15 – Good Credit – This grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of a Satisfactory Credit. Generally, debt service coverage and borrower’s liquidity is materially better than required by the Company’s loan policy.

Grade 20 – Satisfactory Credit – This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay.

Grade 23 – Performing, Under-Collateralized Credit – This grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110%, based on a documented collateral valuation.

Grade 25 – Minimum Acceptable Credit – This grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of a Satisfactory Credit, but warrant more than normal level of banker supervision due to: (i) circumstances which elevate the risks of performance (such as start-up operations, untested management, heavy leverage and interim losses); (ii) adverse, extraordinary events that have affected, or could affect, the borrower’s cash flow, financial condition, ability to continue operating profitability or refinancing (such as death of principal, fire and divorce); (iii) loans that require more than the normal servicing requirements (such as any type of construction financing, acquisition and development loans, accounts receivable or inventory loans and floor plan loans); (iv) existing technical exceptions which raise some doubts about the Bank’s perfection in its collateral position or the continued financial capacity of the borrower; or (v) improvements in formerly criticized borrowers, which may warrant banker supervision.

Grade 30 – Other Asset Especially Mentioned – This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Grade 40 – Substandard – This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.

Grade 50 – Doubtful – This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Grade 60 – Loss – This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loss has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.

20

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	32,223	$	—	$	304	$	500	$	7,241	$	—	$	40,268
15		11,569		4,794		146,563		68,212		1,635		—		232,773
20		75,503		34,947		385,984		127,294		19,623		22,426		665,777
23		45		6,606		8,970		13,662		120		—		29,403
25		52,631		66,012		187,567		112,096		7,340		—		425,646
30		3,324		6,004		12,334		10,573		250		—		32,485
40		5,494		11,643		24,505		23,379		1,126		—		66,147
50		99		155		—		—		—		—		254
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	180,888	$	130,161	$	766,227	$	355,716	$	37,335	$	22,426	$	1,492,753

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	24,623	$	—	$	309	$	464	$	7,597	$	—	$	32,993
15		11,316		4,373		147,966		71,254		1,591		—		236,500
20		79,522		31,413		351,997		114,418		21,361		43,239		641,950
23		42		8,521		9,012		13,788		70		—		31,433
25		49,071		52,577		176,395		113,591		7,576		—		399,210
30		2,343		3,394		19,401		9,672		488		—		35,298
40		7,200		13,765		27,242		23,292		1,495		—		72,994
50		100		156		—		1		—		—		257
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	174,217	$	114,199	$	732,322	$	346,480	$	40,178	$	43,239	$	1,450,635

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	18,767	$	19	$	211	$	415	$	7,042	$	—	$	26,454
15		14,063		5,402		155,568		80,623		1,198		—		256,854
20		63,200		33,805		269,746		85,022		19,478		24,001		495,252
23		265		8,458		9,188		11,719		1		—		29,631
25		44,035		58,943		164,642		107,530		11,983		—		387,133
30		3,148		1,955		20,551		16,135		540		—		42,329
40		5,716		13,459		38,148		26,515		1,828		—		85,666
50		123		290		—		94		15		—		522
60		3		—		—		—		—		—		3
Total	$	149,320	$	122,331	$	658,054	$	328,053	$	42,085	$	24,001	$	1,323,844

21

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		34		1,598		638		—		—		2,270
20		3,117		11,106		36,020		27,547		266		—		78,056
23		75		1,248		9,153		1,946		—		—		12,422
25		8,135		10,184		110,985		40,863		508		—		170,675
30		2,979		4,457		35,601		8,784		50		—		51,871
40		14,262		30,085		66,802		33,890		391		—		145,430
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	28,568	$	57,114	$	260,159	$	113,668	$	1,215	$	—	$	460,724

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		39		1,640		644		—		—		2,323
20		3,997		12,194		37,098		31,337		292		—		84,918
23		28		1,174		9,576		2,052		—		—		12,830
25		10,013		19,216		114,849		40,194		558		—		184,830
30		4,294		7,214		38,665		11,883		50		—		62,106
40		14,274		30,347		76,678		38,946		460		—		160,705
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	32,606	$	70,184	$	278,506	$	125,056	$	1,360	$	—	$	507,712

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	216	$	9	$	—	$	1,036	$	458	$	—	$	1,719
15		26		51		1,734		579		12		—		2,402
20		4,592		5,541		24,784		17,716		622		—		53,255
23		11		1,534		3,763		1,686		—		—		6,994
25		17,075		31,707		157,031		75,809		1,550		—		283,172
30		2,400		10,628		49,518		12,044		102		—		74,692
40		18,837		43,960		113,414		53,898		1,034		—		231,143
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	43,157	$	93,430	$	350,244	$	162,768	$	3,778	$	—	$	653,377

22

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms.

The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition.

The Company’s policy states in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time that the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or (ii) when it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment, approved by the Company’s Senior Credit Officer.

In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed as troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in the first three months of 2013 totaling $27.4 million and loans in 2012 totaling $40.3 million under such parameters. In addition, the Company offers consumer loan customers an annual skip-a-pay program that is based on certain qualifying parameters and not based on financial difficulties. The Company does not treat these as troubled debt restructurings.

23

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		1		6		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		6	$	1,305		4	$	1,626
Real estate – commercial & farmland		18		17,765		2		2,176
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

24

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted under restructured terms at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		54	$	18,738		6	$	5,177
As of March 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		7	$	2,413		3	$	518
Real estate – commercial & farmland		19		17,869		1		2,072
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		48	$	28,060		7	$	3,655

25

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,843		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,504		1		207
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		10		7,033		2		182
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		17		4,046		2		3,100
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,711		1		255
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		—		—		2		1,011
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,873		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,518		1		372
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		11		7,075		1		177
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		18		4,061		2		3,420
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,798		—		—
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		43		1		1,202
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		3	$	2,275		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		2		893		1		136
Payment Modification Only		2		5,202		1		307
Rate Reduction Only		10		6,541		4		1,140
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		12		8,360		1		103
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		16		3,514		1		1,109
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		63		1		2,072
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

26

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,689		1	$	176
Raw Land		1		1,285		1		43
Hotel & Motel		3		2,273		—		—
Office		4		2,095		1		2,450
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,821		1		969
1-4 Family Residential		30		7,550		3		1,111
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		3		500		1		6
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,692		1	$	177
Raw Land		2		1,337		—		—
Hotel & Motel		3		2,318		—		—
Office		4		2,105		1		2,770
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,833		1		1,202
1-4 Family Residential		31		7,651		2		1,022
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		4		508		—		—
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Apartments		1	$	5,111		—	$	—
Warehouse		1		1,343		—		—
Raw Land		4		1,595		1		137
Hotel & Motel		3		2,449		1		2,072
Office		3		1,695		1		103
Retail, including Strip Centers		9		6,657		—		—
1-4 Family Residential		25		7,998		6		2,555
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

As of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, the Company had a balance of $23.3 million, $23.9 million and $31.7 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings. The Company has recorded $2.6 million, $1.9 million and $2.3 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loan losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $591,000, $640,000 and $3.2 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. At March 31, 2013, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings

27

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by independent auditors and regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. Certain reviewed loans are assigned specific allowances when a review of relevant data determines that a general allocation is not sufficient or when the review affords management the opportunity to adjust the amount of exposure in a given credit. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on data such as current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in their markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events.

The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exception of credit card receivables and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor to be applied to the loan balance to determine the adequate amount of reserve. Many of the larger loans require an annual review by an independent loan officer or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be assigned specific reserve allocations. Other loans that surface as problem loans may also be assigned specific reserves. Past due loans are assigned risk ratings based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Internal Audit.

Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $320,000, $2.6 million and $282,000, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. These amounts are excluded from the rollforwards above and below but are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

28

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Provision for loan losses		254			1,467			696			339			(153	)		2,603
Loans charged off		(410	)		(655	)		(1,025	)		(779	)		(167	)		(3,036	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		84			2			3			85			48			222
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	675		$	641		$	1,890		$	1,203		$	—		$	4,409
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,692			5,516			6,941			4,340			484			18,973
Ending balance	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,334		$	8,281		$	19,545		$	14,069		$	—		$	45,229
Collectively evaluated for impairment		177,554			121,880			746,682			341,647			59,761			1,447,524
Ending balance	$	180,888		$	130,161		$	766,227		$	355,716		$	59,761		$	1,492,753
	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		815			5,245			15,000			6,267			1,124			28,451
Loans charged off		(1,451	)		(9,380	)		(20,551	)		(8,722	)		(1,059	)		(41,163	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		157			40			482			225			245			1,149
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	659		$	611		$	2,228		$	1,056		$	—		$	4,554
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,780			4,732			6,929			4,842			756			19,039
Ending balance	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,351		$	7,617		$	21,332		$	13,020		$	—		$	45,320
Collectively evaluated for impairment		170,866			106,582			710,990			333,460			83,417			1,405,315
Ending balance	$	174,217		$	114,199		$	732,322		$	346,480		$	83,417		$	1,450,635

29

	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		(693	)		1,967			8,585			2,002			739			12,600
Loans charged off		(155	)		(3,930	)		(12,964	)		(2,123	)		(165	)		(19,337	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		48			17			16			141			48			270
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	827		$	1,450		$	3,421		$	2,659		$	3		$	8,360
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,291			6,042			6,442			5,489			1,065			20,329
Ending balance	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,220		$	8,980		$	35,971		$	17,098		$	17		$	65,286
Collectively evaluated for impairment		146,100			113,351			622,083			310,955			66,069			1,258,558
Ending balance	$	149,320		$	122,331		$	658,054		$	328,053		$	66,086		$	1,323,844

30

NOTE 4 – ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include:

Bank Acquired	Location	Branches	Date Acquired
American United Bank (“AUB”)	Lawrenceville, Ga.	1	October 23, 2009
United Security Bank (“USB”)	Sparta, Ga.	2	November 6, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”)	St. Marys, Ga.	1	May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”)	Jacksonville, Fl.	2	October 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”)	Tifton, Ga.	1	November 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”)	Vidalia, Ga.	7	November 12, 2010
High Trust Bank (“HTB”)	Stockbridge, Ga.	2	July 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (“OGB”)	Midtown Atlanta, Ga.	1	July 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”)	Ellaville, Ga.	5	February 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”)	Ailey, Ga.	2	July 6, 2012

The determination of the initial fair values of loans at the acquisition date and the initial fair values of the related FDIC indemnification assets involves a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying values of the acquired loans and the FDIC indemnification assets reflect management’s best estimate of the fair value of each of these assets as of the date of acquisition. However, the amount that the Company realizes on these assets could differ materially from the carrying values reflected in the financial statements included in this report, based upon the timing and amount of collections on the acquired loans in future periods. Because of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, the Company does not expect to incur any significant losses. To the extent the actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the estimates, the indemnification assets will generally be affected in an offsetting manner due to the loss-sharing support from the FDIC.

FASB ASC 310 – 30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310”), applies to a loan with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable. ASC 310 prohibits carrying over or creating an allowance for loan losses upon initial recognition for loans which fall under the scope of this statement. At the acquisition dates, a majority of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the future cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of underlying collateral. There was no allowance for credit losses established related to these ASC 310 loans at the acquisition dates, based on the provisions of this statement. Over the life of the acquired loans, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected increases, then the Company adjusts the amount of accretable discount recognized on a prospective basis over the loan’s remaining life. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected decreases, then the Company records a provision for loan loss in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

31

The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 and their origin:

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2013:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	25,001	$	2,508	$	—	$	22,493	$	8,079	$	100	$	7,979	$	30,472	$	4,176
USB		25,921		3,879		—		22,042		5,379		139		5,240		27,282		9,932
SCB		40,008		3,189		—		36,819		6,670		299		6,371		43,190		8,189
FBJ		31,479		5,662		11		25,806		1,450		93		1,357		27,163		6,840
DBT		146,178		35,461		83		110,634		25,990		1,895		24,095		134,729		37,333
TBC		42,302		4,450		133		37,719		10,478		1,814		8,664		46,383		8,050
HTB		82,202		14,068		49		68,085		14,823		3,445		11,378		79,463		21,423
OGB		73,279		14,877		127		58,275		10,384		4,144		6,240		64,515		18,687
CBG		109,596		30,605		140		78,851		8,424		1,833		6,591		85,442		46,349
Total	$	575,966	$	114,699	$	543	$	460,724	$	91,677	$	13,762	$	77,915	$	538,639	$	160,979
	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of December 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	27,169	$	2,481	$	—	$	24,688	$	10,636	$	102	$	10,534	$	35,222	$	2,905
USB		27,286		4,320		—		22,966		7,087		99		6,988		29,954		6,619
SCB		41,389		3,285		—		38,104		10,686		654		10,032		48,136		6,133
FBJ		32,574		6,204		27		26,343		3,260		526		2,734		29,077		6,589
DBT		169,527		41,631		207		127,689		30,395		2,160		28,235		155,924		47,012
TBC		46,796		4,979		173		41,644		11,089		1,381		9,708		51,352		8,073
HTB		90,602		16,072		52		74,478		13,980		4,954		9,026		83,504		20,020
OGB		81,908		17,127		136		64,645		9,168		4,078		5,090		69,735		16,871
CBG		124,200		36,884		161		87,155		9,046		3,120		5,926		93,081		45,502
Total	$	641,451	$	132,983	$	756	$	507,712	$	105,347	$	17,074	$	88,273	$	595,985	$	159,724

32

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	33,063	$	2,672	$	—	$	30,391	$	11,842	$	—	$	11,842	$	42,233	$	2,648
USB		48,017		5,083		—		42,934		8,401		50		8,351		51,285		6,621
SCB		53,643		5,628		52		47,963		10,833		405		10,428		58,391		7,660
FBJ		38,116		6,994		76		31,046		2,674		534		2,140		33,186		7,540
DBT		245,117		64,530		579		180,008		28,759		2,253		26,506		206,514		65,932
TBC		74,893		14,052		292		60,549		6,678		880		5,798		66,347		18,166
HTB		106,730		23,637		73		83,020		17,755		8,055		9,700		92,720		29,997
OGB		96,271		27,105		190		68,976		12,049		7,037		5,012		73,988		30,126
CBG		164,541		55,830		221		108,490		13,792		7,766		6,026		114,516		51,326
Total	$	860,391	$	205,531	$	1,483	$	653,377	$	112,783	$	26,980	$	85,803	$	739,180	$	220,016

33

On the dates of acquisition, the Company estimated the future cash flows on each individual loan and made the necessary adjustments to reflect the asset at fair value. At each quarter end subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company revises the estimates of future cash flows based on current information and makes the necessary adjustments to continue reflecting the assets at fair value. The adjustments to fair value are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the following:

Total Amounts	March 31,   2013		December 31, 2012		March 31,   2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	4,052	$	23,050	$	2,818
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		1,600		13,190		1,410
Amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Earnings	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	810	$	4,610	$	564
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		320		2,638		282

A rollforward of acquired loans with deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	282,737		$	307,790		$	307,790
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(5,391	)		(17,712	)		(3,388	)
Additions due to acquisitions		—			73,414			73,414
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(22,279	)		(80,755	)		(9,451	)
Ending balance	$	255,067		$	282,737		$	368,365

A rollforward of acquired loans without deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	228,602		$	266,966		$	266,966
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(2,625	)		1,376			222
Additions due to acquisitions		—			51,368			51,367
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(20,229	)		(91,108	)		(19,684	)
Ending balance	$	205,748		$	228,602		$	298,871

34

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	16,698		$	29,537		$	29,537
Additions due to acquisitions		—			9,863			9,863
Accretion		(7,218	)		(45,752	)		(12,051	)
Other activity, net		4,052			23,050			2,818
Ending balance	$	13,532		$	16,698		$	30,167

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2013, for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	159,724		$	242,394		$	242,394
Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions		—			52,654			52,654
Payments received from FDIC		(6,324	)		(128,730	)		(71,169	)
Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets		7,579			(6,594	)		(3,863	)
Ending balance	$	160,979		$	159,724		$	220,016

NOTE 5 – WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

	For the  Three Months     Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
	(share data in thousands)
Basic shares outstanding		23,868		23,762
Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs		63		105
Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted Grants		315		49
Diluted shares outstanding		24,246		23,916

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has excluded 408,000 and 476,000, respectively, potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive.

NOTE 6 – OTHER BORROWINGS

The Company has, from time to time, utilized certain borrowing arrangements with various financial institutions to fund growth in earning assets or provide additional liquidity when appropriate spreads can be realized. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks. At March 31, 2012, there were $3.8 million outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks. The Company’s success with attracting and retaining retail deposits has allowed for very low dependence on more volatile non-deposit funding.

35

NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Company issues standby letters of credit, which are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements and expire in decreasing amounts with varying terms. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company holds various assets as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary.

The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.

The Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commitments to extend credit	$	190,813	$	180,733	$	156,330
Standby letters of credit	$	6,747	$	6,788	$	8,349

NOTE 8 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive income for the Company consists of changes in net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale and interest rate swap derivatives. The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, as of March 31, 2013 and 2012.

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	856		$	6,440		$	7,296
Current year changes		(94	)		(689	)		(783	)
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	762		$	5,751		$	6,513

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on  Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(23	)	$	6,630		$	6,607
Reclassification for gains included in net income		—			(112	)		(112	)
Current year changes		208			(429	)		(221	)
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	185		$	6,089		$	6,274

36

NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On May 2, 2013, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which the Company will acquire The Prosperity Banking Company (“Prosperity”), the parent company of Prosperity Bank. Upon completion of the holding company merger, Prosperity Bank will be merged with and into Ameris Bank. Prosperity currently operates 12 banking locations in Bay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, Florida. As of December 31, 2012, Prosperity reported assets of $742 million, loans of $464 million and deposits of $478 million.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Prosperity shareholders will have the option to elect to receive either 3.125 shares of Ameris common stock or $41.50 in cash for each share of Prosperity common stock, subject to the requirement that no more than 50% of the overall consideration will be in the form of cash. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013 and is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of Prosperity.

Assuming that all consideration is paid with shares of Ameris common stock, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 1, 2013, the transaction would be valued at approximately $15.7 million and represents 89% of Prosperity’s tangible book value as of December 31, 2012. The purchase price will be allocated to the assets purchased as appropriate with the remaining amounts being reported as goodwill. The Company will not be able to make the remaining disclosures required by purchase accounting standards until the transaction closes.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, legislative and regulatory initiatives; additional competition in Ameris’ markets; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or internal restructuring, that may be pursued by Ameris; state and federal banking regulations; changes in or application of environmental and other laws and regulations to which Ameris is subject; political, legal and economic conditions and developments; financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; changes in commodity prices and interest rates; weather, natural disasters and other catastrophic events; and other factors discussed in Ameris’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.

All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Our forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report or the respective date of the document from which they are incorporated herein by reference. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the previous five quarters. This data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the information contained in this Item 2.

	2013			2012
(in thousands, except share data, taxable equivalent)	First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter
Results of Operations:
Net interest income	$	28,338		$	29,559		$	28,238		$	28,881		$	27,727
Net interest income (tax equivalent)		28,695			29,898			28,420			29,058			27,655
Provision for loan losses		2,923			4,442			6,540			7,225			12,882
Non-interest income		11,360			11,904			9,831			8,875			27,264
Non-interest expense		28,884			29,791			28,810			26,623			34,246
Income tax expense		2,606			2,558			816			1,413			2,498
Preferred stock dividends		441			1,118			827			817			815
Net income available to common Shareholders		4,844			3,554			1,076			1,678			4,550
Selected Average Balances:
Loans, net of unearned income	$	1,488,326		$	1,471,065		$	1,430,227		$	1,378,448		$	1,329,146
Covered loans		491,691			519,892			574,897			601,802			602,353
Investment securities		340,564			352,790			364,786			370,928			356,112
Earning assets		2,428,720			2,503,381			2,502,908			2,505,744			2,482,070
Assets		2,875,274			2,985,116			2,935,715			2,966,527			2,978,469
Deposits		2,511,511			2,604,320			2,616,866			2,591,607			2,589,978
Common shareholders’ equity		251,214			240,787			242,614			243,463			242,817
Period-End Balances:
Loans, net of unearned income	$	1,492,753		$	1,450,635		$	1,439,862		$	1,365,489		$	1,323,844
Covered loans		460,724			507,712			546,234			601,737			653,377
Earning assets		2,401,043			2,547,719			2,443,040			2,465,116			2,558,047
Total assets		2,861,651			3,019,052			2,949,383			2,920,311			3,043,234
Deposits		2,489,973			2,624,663			2,580,117			2,544,672			2,665,360
Common shareholders’ equity		255,969			251,355			247,999			249,895			246,813
Per Common Share Data:
Earnings per share – Basic	$	0.20		$	0.15		$	0.05		$	0.07		$	0.19
Earnings per share – Diluted		0.20			0.15			0.04			0.07			0.19
Common book value per share		10.72			10.56			10.41			10.49			10.36
End of period shares outstanding		23,875,680			23,799,768			23,819,144			23,819,144			23,814,144
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		23,867,691			23,815,583			23,819,144			23,818,814			23,762,196
Diluted		24,246,346			23,857,095			23,973,369			23,973,039			23,916,421
Market Data:
High closing price	$	14.51		$	12.71		$	12.88		$	13.40		$	13.32
Low closing price		12.79			10.50			11.27			10.88			10.34
Closing price for quarter		14.35			12.49			12.59			12.60			13.14
Average daily trading volume		51,887			48,295			45,543			58,370			59,139
Cash dividends per share		—			—			—			—			—
Stock dividend		—			—			—			—			—
Price to earnings		17.94			20.82			78.69			45.00			17.29
Closing price to book value		1.34			1.18			1.21			1.20			1.27
Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		0.75	%		0.62	%		0.26	%		0.34	%		0.72	%
Return on average common equity		8.53	%		7.72	%		3.12	%		4.12	%		8.89	%
Average loan to average deposits		78.84	%		76.45	%		76.62	%		76.41	%		74.58	%
Average equity to average assets		9.70	%		9.39	%		10.01	%		9.93	%		9.86	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)		4.79	%		4.75	%		4.52	%		4.66	%		4.48	%
Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent)		72.76	%		71.85	%		75.68	%		70.51	%		62.28	%

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Overview

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013, as compared to December 31, 2012, and operating results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. These comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability

Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $4.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to $4.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2012. The Company’s return on average assets and average stockholders’ equity in the first quarter of 2013 was 0.75% and 8.53%, respectively, compared to 0.72% and 8.89%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2012. The Company’s mortgage banking activities have had a significant impact on the overall financial results of the Company. Below is a more detailed analysis of the retail banking activities and mortgage banking activities of the Company.

	Retail Banking		Mortgage Banking		Total
	(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Net interest income	$	27,766	$	572	$	28,338
Provision for loan losses		2,923		—		2,923
Non-interest income		6,896		4,461		11,360
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		11,037		2,769		13,806
Occupancy		2,765		166		2,931
Data Processing		2,471		99		2,570
Other expenses		8,890		687		9,577
Total non-interest expense		25,163		3,721		28,884
Income before income taxes		6,576		1,315		7,891
Income tax expense		2,146		460		2,606
Net income		4,430		855		5,285
Preferred stock dividends		441		—		441
Net income available to common Shareholders	$	3,989	$	855	$	4,844
	Retail Banking		Mortgage Banking		Total
	(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Net interest income	$	27,586	$	141	$	27,727
Provision for loan losses		128823		—		12,882
Non-interest income		25,789		1,475		27,264
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		10,262		1,184		11,446
Occupancy		3,253		82		3,335
Data Processing		1,880		45		1,925
Other expenses		17,368		172		17,540
Total non-interest expense		32,763		1,483		34,246
Income before income taxes		7,730		133		7,863
Income tax expense		2,451		47		2,498
Net income		5,279		86		5,365
Preferred stock dividends		815		—		815
Net income available to common Shareholders	$	4,464	$	86	$	4,550

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Net Interest Income and Margins

On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the first quarter of 2013 was $28.7 million, an increase of $1.0 million compared to the same quarter in 2012. Significant increases in the Company’s net interest margin have been the result of flat yields on all classes of earning assets complemented by steady decreases in the Company’s cost of funds. The Company’s net interest margin increased during the first quarter of 2013 to 4.79%, compared to 4.48% during the first quarter of 2012. Steady improvements in the earning asset mix and decreased funding costs have positively impacted the Company’s net interest margin over the past year.

Total interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, during the first quarter of 2013 was $31.2 million compared to $32.3 million in the same quarter of 2012. Yields on earning assets fell slightly to 5.21%, compared to 5.22% reported in the first quarter of 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, loans comprised 81.5% of earning assets, compared to 77.8% in the same quarter of 2012. Increased lending activities have provided opportunities to begin to grow the legacy loan portfolio. Yields on legacy loans increased slightly to 5.58% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 5.57% in the same period of 2012. Covered loan yields declined from 7.33% in the first quarter of 2012 to 7.23% in the first quarter of 2013. Management anticipates improving economic conditions and increased loan demand will provide opportunities to invest a portion of the short-term assets at higher yields.

Total funding costs declined to 0.40% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 0.69% during the first quarter of 2012. Deposit costs decreased from 0.63% in the first quarter of 2012 to 0.36% in the first quarter of 2013. Ongoing efforts to maintain the percentage of funding from transaction deposits have succeeded such that non-CD deposits averaged 72.1% of total deposits in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 66.0% during the first quarter of 2012. Lower costs on deposits were realized due mostly to the lower rate environment and the Company’s ability to be less competitive on higher priced CDs due to its larger than normal position in short-term assets. Further opportunity to realize savings on deposits exists but may be limited due to current costs. Average balances of interest bearing deposits and their respective costs for the first quarter of 2013 and 2012 are shown below:

	March 31, 2013					March 31, 2012
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Balance		Average Cost			Average Balance		Average Cost
NOW	$	633,313		0.19	%	$	619,047		0.34	%
MMDA		592,842		0.36	%		598,956		0.56	%
Savings		102,380		0.11	%		87,219		0.16	%
Retail CDs < $100,000		313,191		0.64	%		373,519		1.01	%
Retail CDs > $100,000		368,577		0.78	%		444,838		1.12	%
Brokered CDs		19,448		3.52	%		61,287		3.29	%
Interest bearing deposits	$	2,029,751		0.44	%	$	2,184,866		0.75	%

Provision for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The Company’s provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2013 amounted to $2.9 million, compared to $4.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and to $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2012. Although the Company has experienced improving trends in criticized and classified assets for several quarters, provision for loan losses has still been required to account for continued devaluation of real estate collateral. At March 31, 2013, classified loans still accruing totaled $28.6 million, compared to $32.4 million at March 31, 2012. Non-covered non-accrual loans at March 31, 2013 totaled $37.5 million, a 28.3% decrease from $52.3 million reported at the end of the first quarter of 2012.

At March 31, 2013, OREO (excluding covered OREO) totaled $40.4 million, compared to $36.4 million at March 31, 2012. Management regularly assesses the valuation of OREO through periodic reappraisal and through inquiries received in the marketing process. The Company has found that with a marketing window of 3-6 months, the liquidation of properties varies from 85% to 100% of current book value. Certain properties, mostly raw land and subdivision lots, have extended marketing periods because of excessive inventory and record low home building activity. At the end of the first quarter of 2013, total non-covered non-performing assets decreased to 2.72% of total assets compared to 2.91% at March 31, 2012. Management continues to aggressively identify and resolve problem assets while seeking quality credits to grow the loan portfolio.

Net charge-offs on loans during the first quarter of 2013 decreased to $2.8 million, or 0.76% of loans on an annualized basis, compared to $19.1 million, or 5.79% of loans, in the first quarter of 2012. The increased level of charge-offs in the first quarter of 2012 relates to the Company’s bulk sale of non-performing loans during that quarter. Excluding amounts charged-off in the bulk sale, the Company’s net charge-offs would have been $8.7 million, or 2.65% of loans on an annualized basis for the first quarter of 2012. The Company’s allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2013 was $23.4 million, or 1.57% of total loans, compared to $28.7 million, or 2.17% of total loans, at March 31, 2012.

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Non-interest Income

Total non-interest income for the first quarter of 2013 was $11.4 million, compared to $27.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. The Company recorded a $20.0 million gain on acquisition in the first quarter of 2012. Excluding the gain on acquisition, non-interest income increased $4.1 million, or 57.2%, in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012. Income from mortgage related activities continued to increase as a result of the Company’s increased number of mortgage bankers and higher level of productions. Service charges on deposit accounts in the first quarter of 2013 increased to $4.8 million, compared to $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2012. This increase was driven by higher balances in accounts subject to service charges and continued growth of core accounts through the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisition strategy.

Non-interest Expense

Total non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2013 decreased to $28.9 million, compared to $34.2 million at the same time in 2012. Salaries and employee benefits increased from $11.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $13.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. The majority of the increase is due to the reinstatement of foregone compensation (including incentive accruals and board fees) during 2012. Occupancy and equipment expense decreased during the quarter from $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2013. Total data processing and telecommunications expense in the first quarter of 2013 was $2.6 million, compared to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2012. Credit related expenses in the first quarter of 2013 totaled $4.8 million, compared to $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2012. The elevated credit costs in the first quarter of 2012 related to the Company’s bulk sale of problem assets during that quarter.

Income taxes

Income tax expense is influenced by the amount of taxable income, the amount of tax-exempt income and the amount of non-deductible expenses. For the first quarter of 2013, the Company reported income tax expense of $2.6 million, compared to $2.5 million in the same period of 2012. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was 33.0% and 31.8%, respectively.

Balance Sheet Comparison

Securities

Debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax effect. Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are classified as other investment securities and are recorded at their fair market value.

The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the settlement date. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.

In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Substantially all of the unrealized losses on debt securities are related to changes in interest rates and do not affect the expected cash flows of the issuer or underlying collateral. All unrealized losses are considered temporary because each security carries an acceptable investment grade and the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2013, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore, at March 31, 2013, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than temporary basis.

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The following table illustrates certain information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio with respect to yields, sensitivities and expected cash flows over the next twelve months assuming constant prepayments and maturities:

	Book Value		Fair Value		Yield			Modified Duration		Estimated Cash Flows 12 months
	Dollars in Thousands
March 31, 2013:
U.S. government agencies	$	5,000	$	5,015		1.50	%		0.82	$	5,000
State, county and municipal securities	$	110,628	$	115,532		3.77	%		5.75	$	8,698
Corporate debt securities	$	10,542	$	10,297		6.63	%		7.42	$	—
Mortgage-backed securities	$	188,492	$	193,185		2.44	%		3.41	$	42,921
Total debt securities	$	314,662	$	324,029		3.04	%		4.33	$	56,619
March 31, 2012:
U.S. government agencies	$	28,634	$	28,848		1.55	%		1.42	$	18,000
State, county and municipal securities	$	78,440	$	81,997		4.59	%		6.04	$	6,017
Corporate debt securities	$	11,639	$	11,385		6.80	%		7.20	$	1,350
Mortgage-backed securities	$	244,232	$	249,561		2.88	%		2.82	$	75,992
Total debt securities	$	362,945	$	371,791		3.28	%		3.54	$	101,359

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At March 31, 2013, gross loans outstanding (including covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale) were $2.00 billion, a slight increase compared to the $1.99 billion reported at December 31, 2012. Mortgage loans held for sale decreased from $48.8 million at December 31, 2012 to $42.3 million at March 31, 2013. Other non-covered loans increased $42.1 million, from $1.45 billion at December 31, 2012 to $1.49 billion at March 31, 2013. Covered loans decreased $47.0 million, from $507.7 million at December 31, 2012 to $460.7 million at March 31, 2013.

The Company regularly monitors the composition of the loan portfolio to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses in light of the impact that changes in the economic environment may have on the loan portfolio. The Company focuses on the following loan categories: (1) commercial, financial and agricultural; (2) residential real estate; (3) commercial and farmland real estate; (4) construction and development related real estate; and (5) consumer. The Company’s management has strategically located its branches in select markets in south and southeast Georgia, north Florida, southeast Alabama and throughout South Carolina to take advantage of the growth in these areas.

The Company’s risk management processes include a loan review program designed to evaluate the credit risk in the loan portfolio and ensure credit grade accuracy. Through the loan review process, the Company conducts (1) a loan portfolio summary analysis, (2) charge-off and recovery analysis, (3) trends in accruing problem loan analysis and (4) problem and past due loan analysis. This analysis process serves as a tool to assist management in assessing the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Loans classified as “substandard” are loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses and/or questionable collateral values. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans but have an increased risk of loss. Loans classified as “loss” are those loans which are considered uncollectible and are in the process of being charged-off.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the size and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of non-performing and past due loans, historical trends of charged-off loans and recoveries, prevailing economic conditions and other factors management deems appropriate. The Company’s management has established an allowance for loan losses which it believes is adequate for the risk of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. Based on a credit evaluation of the loan portfolio, management presents a monthly review of the allowance for loan losses to the Company’s Board of Directors. The review that management has developed primarily focuses on risk by evaluating individual loans in certain risk categories. These categories have also been established by management and take the form of loan grades. By grading the loan portfolio in this manner the Company’s management is able to effectively evaluate the portfolio by risk, which management believes is the most effective way to analyze the loan portfolio and thus analyze the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

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The allowance for loan losses is established by examining (1) the large classified loans, nonaccrual loans and loans considered impaired and evaluating them individually to determine the specific reserve allocation and (2) the remainder of the loan portfolio to allocate a portion of the allowance based on past loss experience and the economic conditions for the particular loan category. The Company also considers other factors such as changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in national, regional and/or local economic and business conditions; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; changes in the experience, ability and depth of either the bank president or lending staff; changes in the volume and severity of past due and classified loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s corporate loan review system; and other factors management deems appropriate.

For the three month period ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded net charge-offs totaling $2.8 million, compared to $19.1 million for the period ended March 31, 2012. The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased to $2.6 million, compared to $12.6 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2012. Increased levels of charge-offs and provision expense in the first quarter of 2012 relates almost entirely to the Company’s bulk sale of non-performing loans during that quarter. At the end of the first quarter of 2013, the allowance for loan losses totaled $23.4 million, or 1.57% of total loans, compared to $23.6 million, or 1.63% of total loans, at December 31, 2012 and $28.7 million, or 2.17% of total loans, at March 31, 2012.

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013			March 31, 2012
Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	23,593		$	35,156
Provision charged to operating expense		2,603			12,600
Charge-offs:
Commercial, financial and agricultural		410			155
Real estate – residential		779			2,123
Real estate – commercial and farmland		1,025			12,964
Real estate – construction and development		655			3,930
Consumer installment		167			165
Other		—			—
Total charge-offs		3,036			19,337
Recoveries:
Commercial, financial and agricultural		84			48
Real estate – residential		85			141
Real estate – commercial and farmland		3			16
Real estate – construction and development		2			17
Consumer installment		48			48
Other		—			—
Total recoveries		222			270
Net charge-offs		2,814			19,067
Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	23,382		$	28,689
Net annualized charge-offs as a percentage of average loans		0.76	%		5.79	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans at end of period		1.57	%		2.17	%

Assets Covered by Loss-Sharing Agreements with the FDIC

Loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“covered loans”) totaled $460.7 million, $507.7 million and $653.4 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. OREO that is covered by the loss- sharing agreements with the FDIC totaled $77.9 million, $88.3 million and $85.8 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. The loss-sharing agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreements with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair value on the acquisition dates. The FDIC loss-share receivable reported at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 was $161.0 million, $159.7 million and $220.0 million, respectively.

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The Company recorded the loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company is confident in its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has deteriorated from its initial assessment of fair value, a reserve for loan losses will be established to account for that difference. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $320,000, $2.6 million and $282,000, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively.

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	28,568	$	32,606	$	43,157
Real estate – construction and development		57,114		70,184		93,430
Real estate – commercial and farmland		260,159		278,506		350,244
Real estate – residential		113,668		125,056		162,768
Consumer installment		1,215		1,360		3,778
	$	460,724	$	507,712	$	653,377

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets include nonaccrual loans, accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more, repossessed personal property, and other real estate owned. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when management has concerns relating to the ability to collect the principal and interest and generally when such loans are 90 days or more past due. Management performs a detailed review and valuation assessment of impaired loans on a quarterly basis and recognizes losses when impairment is identified. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that not all principal and interest amounts will be collected according to the loan contract. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current income.

At March 31, 2013, nonaccrual loans totaled $37.5 million, a decrease of approximately $1.4 million since December 31, 2012. The decrease in nonaccrual loans is due to the sale of problem assets during the first quarter of 2013 and a significant slowdown in the formation of new problem credits. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 2.72%, 2.61% and 2.91% at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

Non-performing assets at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 were as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Total nonaccrual loans	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more		—		—		—
Other real estate owned and repossessed collateral		40,434		39,850		36,414
Total non-performing assets	$	77,910	$	78,735	$	88,672

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. The following table presents the amount of accruing troubled debt restructurings by loan class at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	March 31,2013				December 31,2012				March 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
Loan class:	#		Balance		#		Balance		#		Balance
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		5		1,735		6		1,305
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		16		8,947		18		17,765
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		28		7,254		22		7,778
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6		—		—
Total		52	$	18,513		55	$	18,744		46	$	26,848

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Commercial Lending Practices

On December 12, 2006, the Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies released guidance on Concentration in Commercial Real Estate Lending. This guidance defines commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans as loans secured by raw land, land development and construction (including 1-4 family residential construction), multi-family property and non-farm nonresidential property where the primary or a significant source of repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property, excluding owner occupied properties (loans for which 50% or more of the source of repayment is derived from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the party, or affiliate of the party, who owns the property) or the proceeds of the sale, refinancing or permanent financing of the property. Loans for owner occupied CRE are generally excluded from the CRE guidance.

The CRE guidance is applicable when either:

(1) total loans for construction, land development and other land, net of owner occupied loans, represent 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or

(2) total loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development and other land, net of owner occupied loans, represent 300% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital.

Banks that are subject to the CRE guidance’s criteria are required to implement enhanced strategic planning, CRE underwriting policies, risk management and internal controls, portfolio stress testing, risk exposure limits, and other policies, including management compensation and incentives, to address the CRE risks. Higher allowances for loan losses and capital levels may also be appropriate.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company exhibited a concentration in CRE loans based on Federal Reserve Call codes. The primary risks of CRE lending are:

(1) within CRE loans, construction and development loans are somewhat dependent upon continued strength in demand for residential real estate, which is reliant on favorable real estate mortgage rates and changing population demographics;

(2) on average, CRE loan sizes are generally larger than non-CRE loan types; and

(3) certain construction and development loans may be less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor.

The following table outlines CRE loan categories and CRE loans as a percentage of total loans as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The loan categories and concentrations below are based on Federal Reserve Call codes and include covered loans.

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
(Dollars in Thousands)	Balance		% of Total Loans			Balance		% of Total Loans
Construction and development loans	$	187,275		10	%	$	184,383		9	%
Multi-family loans		69,273		3	%		60,111		3	%
Nonfarm non-residential loans		957,205		49	%		950,910		49	%
Total CRE Loans	$	1,213,753		62	%	$	1,195,404		61	%
All other loan types		739,724		38	%		762,943		39	%
Total Loans	$	1,953,477		100	%	$	1,958,347		100	%

The following table outlines the percent of total CRE loans, net owner occupied loans to total risk-based capital, and the Company’s internal concentration limits as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

	Internal			March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Limit			Actual			Actual
Construction and development		100	%		66	%		66	%
Commercial real estate		300	%		236	%		237	%

Short-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of federal funds sold and interest bearing balances. At March 31, 2013, the Company’s short-term investments were $81.2 million, compared to $193.7 million and $194.2 million at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. At March 31, 2013, all of the balance was comprised of interest bearing balances, the majority of which were at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company had a cash flow hedge with a notional amount of $37.1 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 for the purpose of converting the variable rate on the junior subordinated debentures to fixed rate. The fair value of these instruments amounted to a liability of approximately $2.6 million, $3.0 million and $2.1 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. The Company also had forward contracts with a fair value of approximately $1.6 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. No hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow hedges was recognized in the statement of operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Capital

Capital management consists of providing equity to support both current and anticipated future operations. The Company is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “GDBF”), and the Bank is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the FDIC and the GDBF.

The FRB, the FDIC and the GDBF have adopted risk-based capital requirements for assessing bank holding company and bank capital adequacy. These standards define and establish minimum capital requirements in relation to assets and off-balance sheet exposure, adjusted for credit risk. The risk-based capital standards currently in effect are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies and banks and to account for off-balance sheet exposure. The regulatory capital standards are defined by the following three key measurements:

a) The “Leverage Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to average assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a leverage ratio greater than or equal to 4.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a leverage ratio greater than or equal to 5.00%.

b) The “Core Capital Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a core capital ratio greater than or equal to 4.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a core capital ratio greater than or equal to 6.00%.

c) The “Total Capital Ratio” is defined as total capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 10.00%.

As of March 31, 2013, under the regulatory capital standards, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under all capital measurements. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital ratios of Ameris at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012			March 31, 2012
Leverage Ratio(tier 1 capital to average assets)
Consolidated		10.93	%		10.34	%		11.01	%
Ameris Bank		10.88			10.30			10.93
Core Capital Ratio(tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
Consolidated		17.49			17.49			19.12
Ameris Bank		17.43			17.40			19.01
Total Capital Ratio(total capital to risk weighted assets)
Consolidated		18.74			18.74			20.38
Ameris Bank		18.68			18.65			20.27

Capital Purchase Program

On November 21, 2008, the Company, pursuant to the Capital Purchase Program established in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program, issued and sold to the U.S. Treasury, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $52 million, (i) 52,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and (ii) a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 679,443 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $11.48 per share. On June 14, 2012, the Preferred Shares were sold by the Treasury through a registered public offering. On August 22, 2012, the Company repurchased the Warrant from the Treasury for $2.67 million, and in December 2012, the Company repurchased 24,000 of the outstanding Preferred Shares.

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Cumulative dividends on the Preferred Shares that remain outstanding will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter, but such dividends will be paid only if, as and when declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to the Common Stock (and pari passu with the Company’s other authorized preferred stock, of which no shares are currently designated or outstanding) with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company. Subject to the approval of the Federal Reserve, the Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of the Company at 100% of their liquidation preference.

The Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Preferred Shares and the Warrant were sold contains limitations on the payment of dividends on the Common Stock and on the Company’s ability to repurchase its Common Stock, and subjects the Company to certain of the executive compensation limitations included in the EESA and related regulations.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

The Company’s primary market risk exposures are credit, interest rate risk, and to a lesser degree, liquidity risk. The Bank operates under an Asset Liability Management Policy approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”). The policy outlines limits on interest rate risk in terms of changes in net interest income and changes in the net market values of assets and liabilities over certain changes in interest rate environments. These measurements are made through a simulation model which projects the impact of changes in interest rates on the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The policy also outlines responsibility for monitoring interest rate risk, and the process for the approval, implementation and monitoring of interest rate risk strategies to achieve the Bank’s interest rate risk objectives.

The ALCO Committee is comprised of senior officers of Ameris and two outside members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The ALCO Committee makes all strategic decisions with respect to the sources and uses of funds that may affect net interest income, including net interest spread and net interest margin. The objective of the ALCO Committee is to identify the interest rate, liquidity and market value risks of the Company’s balance sheet and use reasonable methods approved by the Company’s board and executive management to minimize those identified risks.

The normal course of business activity exposes the Company to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is managed within an overall asset and liability framework for the Company. The principal objectives of asset and liability management are to predict the sensitivity of net interest spreads to potential changes in interest rates, control risk and enhance profitability. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to properly manage risk and liquidity. The Company employs sensitivity analysis in the form of a net interest income simulation to help characterize the market risk arising from changes in interest rates. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates usually result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows and net interest income. The Company’s interest rate risk position is managed by the ALCO Committee.

The Company uses a simulation modeling process to measure interest rate risk and evaluate potential strategies. Interest rate scenario models are prepared using software created and licensed from an outside vendor. The Company’s simulation includes all financial assets and liabilities. Simulation results quantify interest rate risk under various interest rate scenarios. Management then develops and implements appropriate strategies. The ALCO Committee has determined that an acceptable level of interest rate risk would be for net interest income to decrease no more than 5.00% given a change in selected interest rates of 200 basis points over any 24-month period.

Liquidity management involves the matching of the cash flow requirements of customers, who may be either depositors desiring to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs, and the ability of Ameris to manage those requirements. The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity position by managing the balances and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities so that the balance it has in short-term investments at any given time will adequately cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. Additionally, the Bank maintains relationships with correspondent banks, which could provide funds on short notice, if needed. The Company has invested in FHLB stock for the purpose of establishing credit lines with the FHLB. The credit availability to the Bank is equal to 20% of the Bank’s total assets as reported on the most recent quarterly financial information submitted to the regulators subject to the pledging of sufficient collateral. There were no outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. At March 31, 2012, there were $3.8 million outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks.

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The following liquidity ratios compare certain assets and liabilities to total deposits or total assets:

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012
Investment securities available for sale to total deposits		13.01	%		13.22	%		13.99	%		14.42	%		13.95	%
Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits(1)		59.95	%		55.27	%		55.81	%		53.66	%		49.67	%
Interest-earning assets to total assets		83.90	%		84.39	%		82.83	%		84.41	%		84.06	%
Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits		80.28	%		80.54	%		82.00	%		83.14	%		83.32	%

(1) Loans exclude covered assets where appropriate

The liquidity resources of the Company are monitored continuously by the ALCO Committee and on a periodic basis by state and federal regulatory authorities. As determined under guidelines established by these regulatory authorities, the Company’s and the Bank’s liquidity ratios at March 31, 2013 were considered satisfactory. The Company is aware of no events or trends likely to result in a material change in liquidity.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed only to U.S. dollar interest rate changes, and, accordingly, the Company manages exposure by considering the possible changes in the net interest margin. The Company does not have any trading instruments nor does it classify any portion of the investment portfolio as held for trading. The Company’s hedging activities are limited to cash flow hedges and are part of the Company’s program to manage interest rate sensitivity. At March 31, 2013, the Company had one effective LIBOR rate swap with a notional amount of $37.1 million. The LIBOR rate swap exchanges fixed rate payments of 4.15% for floating rate payments based on the three month LIBOR and matures December 2018. The Company also had forward contracts with a fair value of approximately $1.6 million at March 31, 2013 to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. Finally, the Company has no exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and other market risks.

Interest rates play a major part in the net interest income of a financial institution. The sensitivity to rate changes is known as “interest rate risk.” The repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities can influence the changes in net interest income. As part of the Company’s asset/liability management program, the timing of repriced assets and liabilities is referred to as “Gap management.”

The Company uses simulation analysis to monitor changes in net interest income due to changes in market interest rates. The simulation of rising, declining and flat interest rate scenarios allows management to monitor and adjust interest rate sensitivity to minimize the impact of market interest rate swings. The analysis of the impact on net interest income over a twelve-month period is subjected to a gradual 200 basis point increase or decrease in market rates on net interest income and is monitored on a quarterly basis.

Additional information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is set forth under Part I, Item 2 of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Nothing to report with respect to the period covered by this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits required to be furnished with this report are listed on the exhibit index attached hereto.

SIGNATURE

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

	AMERIS BANCORP
Date: May 10, 2013
	/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
	Dennis J. Zember Jr.,
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(duly authorized signatory and principal accounting and financial officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
3.1	Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A filed with the Commission on August 14, 1987).
3.2	Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 28, 1996).
3.3	Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Ameris Bancorp’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission on July 17, 1996).
3.4	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 25, 1998).
3.5	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 26, 1999).
3.6	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 31, 2003).
3.7	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 1, 2005).
3.8	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 21, 2008).
3.9	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 1, 2011).
3.10	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005).
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
32.1	Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
32.2	Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
101	The following financial statements from Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, formatted as interactive data files in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. (1)

⁽¹⁾  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not to be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

51

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, of Ameris Bancorp;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: May 10, 2013	/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.
	Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Dennis J. Zember Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, of Ameris Bancorp;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: May 10, 2013	/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
	Dennis J. Zember Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(principal accounting and financial officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION

I, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”), do hereby certify, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ending March 31, 2013 (the “Periodic Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 10, 2013	/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.
	Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION

I, Dennis J. Zember Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”), do hereby certify, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ending March 31, 2013 (the “Periodic Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 10, 2013	/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
	Dennis J. Zember Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(principal accounting and financial officer)

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Loans - Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables (Summary of Non-Covered Impaired Loans) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 200,000
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	23,300,000	31,700,000	23,900,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	37,476,000	52,258,000	38,885,000
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	18,513,000	26,848,000	18,744,000
Total impaired loans	55,989,000	79,106,000	57,629,000
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	55,989,000	79,106,000	57,629,000
Allowance related to impaired loans	4,839,000	9,500,000	5,115,000
Average investment in impaired loans	56,808,000	83,940,000	70,209,000
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	78,000	57,000	495,000
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$ 54,000	$ 187,000	$ 718,000

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Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Schedule of Changes in Accretable Discount Related Acquired Loan (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 16,698	$ 29,537	$ 29,537
Additions due to acquisitions		9,863	9,863
Accretion	(7,218)	(12,051)	(45,752)
Other activity, net	4,052	2,818	23,050
Ending balance	$ 13,532	$ 30,167	$ 16,698

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Loans - Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Collateral Types (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 23,300	$ 23,900	$ 31,700
Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	52	55	46
Troubled debt restructuring loans	18,513	18,744	26,848
Accruing Loans [Member] | Warehouse [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,689	1,692	1,343
Accruing Loans [Member] | Raw Land [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	2	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,285	1,337	1,595
Accruing Loans [Member] | Hotel & Motel [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	3	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	2,273	2,318	2,449
Accruing Loans [Member] | Office [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	4	4	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	2,095	2,105	1,695
Accruing Loans [Member] | Retail, including Strip Centers [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	6	6	9
Troubled debt restructuring loans	2,821	2,833	6,657
Accruing Loans [Member] | 1-4 Family Residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	30	31	25
Troubled debt restructuring loans	7,550	7,651	7,998
Accruing Loans [Member] | Life Insurance Policy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	250	250
Accruing Loans [Member] | Automobile/Equipment/Inventory [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	500	508
Accruing Loans [Member] | Unsecured [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	50	50
Accruing Loans [Member] | Apartments [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts			1
Troubled debt restructuring loans			5,111
Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	8	5	9
Troubled debt restructuring loans	4,755	5,171	4,867
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Warehouse [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	176	177
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Raw Land [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1		1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	43		137
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Hotel & Motel [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts			1
Troubled debt restructuring loans			2,072
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Office [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	2,450	2,770	103
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Retail, including Strip Centers [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	969	1,202
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | 1-4 Family Residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	2	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,111	1,022	2,555
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Life Insurance Policy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Automobile/Equipment/Inventory [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	6
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Unsecured [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Apartments [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans

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Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Changes in FDIC Shared Loss Receivable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Banking And Thrift [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 159,724	$ 242,394	$ 242,394
Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions		52,654	52,654
Payments received from FDIC	(6,324)	(71,169)	(128,730)
Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets	7,579	(3,863)	(6,594)
Balance, end of year	$ 160,979	$ 220,016	$ 159,724

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Loans - Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Loan Class, Classified Separately Under Terms (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013 Contract	Dec. 31, 2012 Contract	Mar. 31, 2012 Contract
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	52	54	48
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 18,513	$ 18,738	$ 28,060
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	5	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	799	802
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	5	5	7
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,883	1,735	2,413
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	16	16	19
Troubled debt restructuring loans	8,878	8,947	17,869
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	26	28	22
Troubled debt restructuring loans	6,953	7,254	7,778
Loans Currently Paying Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	8	6	7
Troubled debt restructuring loans	4,755	5,177	3,655
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1		3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	43		518
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	3,595	4,149	2,072
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	2	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,111	1,022	1,065
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 6	$ 6

XML

Loans - Schedule of Accounts Notes Loans and Financial Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	$ 1,492,753	$ 1,450,635	$ 1,323,844
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	180,888	174,217	149,320
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	355,716	346,480	328,053
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	37,335	40,178	42,085
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and deferred loan fees receivables	$ 22,426	$ 43,239	$ 24,001

XML

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti dilutive common shares excluded	408,000	476,000

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Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies - Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$ 1,960,478	$ 1,966,592	$ 1,981,385
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	2,491,282	2,624,883	2,667,731
Other borrowings			3,854
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial assets:
Loans, net	1,930,095	1,934,754	1,948,532
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	2,489,973	2,624,663	2,665,360
Other borrowings			3,810
Level 1 [Member]
Financial assets:
Loans, net
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
Other borrowings
Level 2 [Member]
Financial assets:
Loans, net	1,458,604	1,406,366	1,258,402
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	2,491,282	2,624,883	2,667,731
Other borrowings			3,854
Level 3 [Member]
Financial assets:
Loans, net	501,874	560,226	722,983
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
Other borrowings

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Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Schedule of Acquisition Details (Detail)	33 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012 Entity
American United Bank (AUB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	American United Bank ("AUB")
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Oct. 23, 2009
United Security Bank (USB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	United Security Bank ("USB")
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Nov. 06, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (SCB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Satilla Community Bank ("SCB")
Branches	1
Date Acquired	May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (FBJ) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	First Bank of Jacksonville ("FBJ")
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Oct. 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (TBC) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Tifton Banking Company ("TBC")
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Nov. 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (DBT) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Darby Bank & Trust ("DBT")
Branches	7
Date Acquired	Nov. 12, 2010
High Trust Bank [HTB] [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	High Trust Bank ("HTB")
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Jul. 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (OGB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	One Georgia Bank ("OGB")
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Jul. 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (CBG) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Central Bank of Georgia ("CBG")
Branches	5
Date Acquired	Feb. 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (MBT) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Montgomery Bank & Trust ("MBT")
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Jul. 06, 2012

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Loans - Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables (Analysis of Covered Impaired Loans) (Detail) (Covered Loans [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	$ 296,665	$ 278,333	$ 335,784
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	120,107	188,441	134,906
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	120,107	188,441	134,906
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	127,507	184,162	163,825
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	24,301	24,085	27,060
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	8,754	14,260	10,802
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	8,754	14,260	10,802
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	9,778	13,144	12,506
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	78,421	59,102	85,279
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	23,978	37,831	23,236
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	23,978	37,831	23,236
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	23,607	36,097	29,970
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	139,197	128,389	159,493
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	55,822	90,847	64,231
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	55,822	90,847	64,231
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	60,026	87,793	78,790
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	54,422	65,971	63,559
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	31,310	44,866	36,335
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	31,310	44,866	36,335
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	33,823	46,573	42,061
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	324	786	393
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	243	637	302
Recorded Investment With Allowance
Total impaired loans	243	637	302
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment	$ 273	$ 555	$ 498

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Loans - Summary of Non-Covered Past Due Financial Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	$ 27,400	$ 40,300
Total Loans	1,492,753	1,450,635	1,323,844
Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	22,881	11,825	18,585
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	6,795	6,097	9,856
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	33,655	34,287	48,104
Total Loans Past Due	63,331	52,209	76,545
Current Loans	1,429,422	1,398,426	1,247,299
Total Loans	1,492,753	1,450,635	1,323,844
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	180,888	174,217	149,320
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	1,797	258	1,477
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	149	312	291
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	3,729	3,969	4,559
Total Loans Past Due	5,675	4,539	6,327
Current Loans	175,213	169,678	142,993
Total Loans	180,888	174,217	149,320
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	1,538	347	2,356
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	1,538	332	481
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	8,312	8,969	9,531
Total Loans Past Due	11,388	9,648	12,368
Current Loans	118,773	104,551	109,963
Total Loans	130,161	114,199	122,331
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	11,115	2,867	9,991
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	3,220	2,296	2,412
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	9,352	9,544	19,646
Total Loans Past Due	23,687	14,707	32,049
Current Loans	742,540	717,615	626,005
Total Loans	766,227	732,322	658,054
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Real estate - residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	355,716	346,480	328,053
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	7,686	7,651	3,905
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	1,719	2,766	6,175
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	11,699	10,990	13,298
Total Loans Past Due	21,104	21,407	23,378
Current Loans	334,612	325,073	304,675
Total Loans	355,716	346,480	328,053
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	37,335	40,178	42,085
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	745	702	856
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	169	391	497
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	563	815	1,070
Total Loans Past Due	1,477	1,908	2,423
Current Loans	35,858	38,270	39,662
Total Loans	37,335	40,178	42,085
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
Other [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	22,426	43,239	24,001
Other [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due
Total Loans Past Due
Current Loans	22,426	43,239	24,001
Total Loans	22,426	43,239	24,001
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing

XML

Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Loan-By-Loan Basis Performance of Fair Value Adjustments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Partners Capital [Abstract]
Adjustments needed where the Company's initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$ 4,052	$ 2,818	$ 23,050
Adjustments needed where the Company's initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)	1,600	1,410	13,190
Adjustments needed where the Company's initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	810	564	4,610
Adjustments needed where the Company's initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)	$ 320	$ 282	$ 2,638

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Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Prosperity Bank [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Location	Dec. 31, 2012	May 01, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member]	May 02, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of banking locations	12
Assets acquired through merger		$ 742
Loans acquired through merger		464
Deposits acquired through merger		478
Share issued as consideration				3.125
Common stock value of Prosperity Bank				$ 41.5
Purchase consideration percentage				50.00%
Approximate transaction value			$ 15.7
Percentage of tangible book value			89.00%

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Loans - Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Concessions Made Types (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 23,300	$ 23,900	$ 31,700
Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	52	55	46
Troubled debt restructuring loans	18,513	18,744	26,848
Accruing Loans [Member] | Forbearance of Interest [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	2	2	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,843	1,873	2,275
Accruing Loans [Member] | Forgiveness of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	3	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,504	1,518	893
Accruing Loans [Member] | Payment Modification Only [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	2	2	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	376	376	5,202
Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction Only [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	10	11	10
Troubled debt restructuring loans	7,033	7,075	6,541
Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	17	18	12
Troubled debt restructuring loans	4,046	4,061	8,360
Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	18	18	16
Troubled debt restructuring loans	3,711	3,798	3,514
Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Payment Modification [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts		1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans		43	63
Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	8	5	9
Troubled debt restructuring loans	4,755	5,171	4,867
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Forbearance of Interest [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Forgiveness of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	207	372	136
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Payment Modification Only [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts			1
Troubled debt restructuring loans			307
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction Only [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	2	1	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	182	177	1,140
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	2	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	3,100	3,420	103
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1		1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	255		1,109
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Rate Reduction, Payment Modification [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	2	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,011	$ 1,202	$ 2,072

XML

LOANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Receivables [Abstract]

LOANS

NOTE 3 – LOANS

The Company engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Ameris concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond Ameris’ control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio.

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production and other business purposes. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Company evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, construction of one-to-four family residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. The Company’s residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank’s market areas.

Consumer installment loans and other loans include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.

Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	180,888	$	174,217	$	149,320
Real estate – construction and development		130,161		114,199		122,331
Real estate – commercial and farmland		766,227		732,322		658,054
Real estate – residential		355,716		346,480		328,053
Consumer installment		37,335		40,178		42,085
Other		22,426		43,239		24,001
	$	1,492,753	$	1,450,635	$	1,323,844

Covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Covered loans totaling $460.7 million, $507.7 million and $653.4 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively, are not included in the above schedule.

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	28,568	$	32,606	$	43,157
Real estate – construction and development		57,114		70,184		93,430
Real estate – commercial and farmland		260,159		278,506		350,244
Real estate – residential		113,668		125,056		162,768
Consumer installment		1,215		1,360		3,778
	$	460,724	$	507,712	$	653,377

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged to interest income. Interest on loans that are classified as non-accrual is recognized when received. Past due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 90 days or more. In some cases, where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, loans may be restructured to provide terms significantly different from the original contractual terms.

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	3,756	$	4,138	$	4,732
Real estate – construction and development		9,390		9,281		10,647
Real estate – commercial and farmland		9,798		11,962		21,539
Real estate – residential		13,840		12,595		14,065
Consumer installment		692		909		1,275
	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258

The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	8,718	$	10,765	$	14,185
Real estate – construction and development		18,956		20,027		35,170
Real estate – commercial and farmland		47,580		55,946		79,620
Real estate – residential		23,018		28,672		40,609
Consumer installment		243		302		637
	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,797	$	149	$	3,729	$	5,675	$	175,213	$	180,888	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		1,538		1,538		8,312		11,388		118,773		130,161		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,115		3,220		9,352		23,687		742,540		766,227		—
Real estate – residential		7,686		1,719		11,699		21,104		334,612		355,716		—
Consumer installment loans		745		169		563		1,477		35,858		37,335		—
Other		—		—		—		—		22,426		22,426		—
Total	$	22,881	$	6,795	$	33,655	$	63,331	$	1,429,422	$	1,492,753	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	258	$	312	$	3,969	$	4,539	$	169,678	$	174,217	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		347		332		8,969		9,648		104,551		114,199		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		2,867		2,296		9,544		14,707		717,615		732,322		—
Real estate – residential		7,651		2,766		10,990		21,407		325,073		346,480		—
Consumer installment loans		702		391		815		1,908		38,270		40,178		—
Other		—		—		—		—		43,239		43,239		—
Total	$	11,825	$	6,097	$	34,287	$	52,209	$	1,398,426	$	1,450,635	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,477	$	291	$	4,559	$	6,327	$	142,993	$	149,320	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		2,356		481		9,531		12,368		109,963		122,331		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		9,991		2,412		19,646		32,049		626,005		658,054		—
Real estate – residential		3,905		6,175		13,298		23,378		304,675		328,053		—
Consumer installment loans		856		497		1,070		2,423		39,662		42,085		—
Other		—		—		—		—		24,001		24,001		—
Total	$	18,585	$	9,856	$	48,104	$	76,545	$	1,247,299	$	1,323,844	$	—

The following table presents an analysis of covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	756	$	314	$	7,270	$	8,340	$	20,228	$	28,568	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		3,971		876		17,415		22,262		34,852		57,114		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		10,227		2,837		42,464		55,528		204,631		260,159		—
Real estate – residential		5,608		345		18,895		24,848		88,820		113,668		48
Consumer installment loans		41		11		205		257		958		1,215		—
Total	$	20,603	$	4,383	$	86,249	$	111,235	$	349,489	$	460,724	$	146

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	2,390	$	1,105	$	10,612	$	14,107	$	18,499	$	32,606	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		1,584		2,592		19,656		23,832		46,352		70,184		1,077
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,451		7,373		52,570		71,394		207,112		278,506		1,347
Real estate – residential		6,066		3,396		24,976		34,438		90,618		125,056		779
Consumer installment loans		45		13		258		316		1,044		1,360		—
Total	$	21,536	$	14,479	$	108,072	$	144,087	$	363,625	$	507,712	$	3,301

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	682	$	430	$	14,229	$	15,341	$	27,816	$	43,157	$	549
Real estate – construction & development		2,704		778		32,302		35,784		57,646		93,430		909
Real estate – commercial & farmland		12,905		6,994		68,282		88,181		262,063		350,244		2,583
Real estate – residential		5,859		3,514		34,870		44,243		118,525		162,768		3
Consumer installment loans		65		68		685		818		2,960		3,778		241
Total	$	22,215	$	11,784	$	150,368	$	184,367	$	469,010	$	653,377	$	4,285

Impaired Loans

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. When determining if the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considers the borrower’s capacity to pay, which includes such factors as the borrower’s current financial statements, an analysis of global cash flow sufficient to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantor support and collateral value. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. The Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans greater than $200,000 and rated substandard or worse and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000. If a loan is deemed impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary, so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis.

The following is a summary of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		18,513		18,744		26,848
Total impaired loans	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	4,839	$	5,115	$	9,500
Average investment in impaired loans	$	56,808	$	70,209	$	83,940
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	78	$	495	$	57
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	54	$	718	$	187

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,818	$	—	$	4,555	$	4,555	$	740	$	4,747
Real estate – construction & development		20,633		—		11,273		11,273		922		11,144
Real estate – commercial & farmland		22,996		—		18,676		18,676		1,816		19,793
Real estate – residential		24,777		—		20,792		20,792		1,344		20,320
Consumer installment loans		920		—		693		693		17		804
Total	$	77,144	$	—	$	55,989	$	55,989	$	4,839	$	56,808

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	8,024	$	—	$	4,940	$	4,940	$	743	$	4,968
Real estate – construction & development		20,316		—		11,016		11,016		910		11,706
Real estate – commercial & farmland		25,076		—		20,910		20,910		2,191		30,638
Real estate – residential		24,155		—		19,848		19,848		1,246		21,813
Consumer installment loans		1,187		—		915		915		25		1,084
Total	$	78,758	$	—	$	57,629	$	57,629	$	5,115	$	70,209

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,599	$	—	$	4,732	$	4,732	$	932	$	4,921
Real estate – construction & development		20,593		—		11,952		11,952		1,993		13,812
Real estate – commercial & farmland		45,098		—		39,304		39,304		3,615		42,155
Real estate – residential		24,845		—		21,843		21,843		2,928		21,948
Consumer installment loans		1,391		—		1,275		1,275		32		1,104
Total	$	99,526	$	—	$	79,106	$	79,106	$	9,500	$	83,940

The following is a summary of information pertaining to covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		21,592		19,194		18,220
Total impaired loans	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	—	$	—	$	—
Average investment in impaired loans	$	127,507	$	163,825	$	184,162
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	169	$	849	$	179
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	147	$	491	$	441

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired covered loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,301	$	8,754	$	—	$	8,754	$	—	$	9,778
Real estate – construction & development		78,421		23,978		—		23,978		—		23,607
Real estate – commercial & farmland		139,197		55,822		—		55,822		—		60,026
Real estate – residential		54,422		31,310		—		31,310		—		33,823
Consumer installment loans		324		243		—		243		—		273
Total	$	296,665	$	120,107	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	127,507
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	27,060	$	10,802	$	—	$	10,802	$	—	$	12,506
Real estate – construction & development		85,279		23,236		—		23,236		—		29,970
Real estate – commercial & farmland		159,493		64,231		—		64,231		—		78,790
Real estate – residential		63,559		36,335		—		36,335		—		42,061
Consumer installment loans		393		302		—		302		—		498
Total	$	335,784	$	134,906	$	—	$	134,906	$	—	$	163,825
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,085	$	14,260	$	—	$	14,260	$	—	$	13,144
Real estate – construction & development		59,102		37,831		—		37,831		—		36,097
Real estate – commercial & farmland		128,389		90,847		—		90,847		—		87,793
Real estate – residential		65,971		44,866		—		44,866		—		46,573
Consumer installment loans		786		637		—		637		—		555
Total	$	278,333	$	188,441	$	—	$	188,441	$	—	$	184,162

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. The following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:

Grade 10 – Prime Credit – This grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents.

Grade 15 – Good Credit – This grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of a Satisfactory Credit. Generally, debt service coverage and borrower’s liquidity is materially better than required by the Company’s loan policy.

Grade 20 – Satisfactory Credit – This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay.

Grade 23 – Performing, Under-Collateralized Credit – This grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110%, based on a documented collateral valuation.

Grade 25 – Minimum Acceptable Credit – This grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of a Satisfactory Credit, but warrant more than normal level of banker supervision due to: (i) circumstances which elevate the risks of performance (such as start-up operations, untested management, heavy leverage and interim losses); (ii) adverse, extraordinary events that have affected, or could affect, the borrower’s cash flow, financial condition, ability to continue operating profitability or refinancing (such as death of principal, fire and divorce); (iii) loans that require more than the normal servicing requirements (such as any type of construction financing, acquisition and development loans, accounts receivable or inventory loans and floor plan loans); (iv) existing technical exceptions which raise some doubts about the Bank’s perfection in its collateral position or the continued financial capacity of the borrower; or (v) improvements in formerly criticized borrowers, which may warrant banker supervision.

Grade 30 – Other Asset Especially Mentioned – This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Grade 40 – Substandard – This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.

Grade 50 – Doubtful – This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Grade 60 – Loss – This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loss has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	32,223	$	—	$	304	$	500	$	7,241	$	—	$	40,268
15		11,569		4,794		146,563		68,212		1,635		—		232,773
20		75,503		34,947		385,984		127,294		19,623		22,426		665,777
23		45		6,606		8,970		13,662		120		—		29,403
25		52,631		66,012		187,567		112,096		7,340		—		425,646
30		3,324		6,004		12,334		10,573		250		—		32,485
40		5,494		11,643		24,505		23,379		1,126		—		66,147
50		99		155		—		—		—		—		254
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	180,888	$	130,161	$	766,227	$	355,716	$	37,335	$	22,426	$	1,492,753

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	24,623	$	—	$	309	$	464	$	7,597	$	—	$	32,993
15		11,316		4,373		147,966		71,254		1,591		—		236,500
20		79,522		31,413		351,997		114,418		21,361		43,239		641,950
23		42		8,521		9,012		13,788		70		—		31,433
25		49,071		52,577		176,395		113,591		7,576		—		399,210
30		2,343		3,394		19,401		9,672		488		—		35,298
40		7,200		13,765		27,242		23,292		1,495		—		72,994
50		100		156		—		1		—		—		257
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	174,217	$	114,199	$	732,322	$	346,480	$	40,178	$	43,239	$	1,450,635

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	18,767	$	19	$	211	$	415	$	7,042	$	—	$	26,454
15		14,063		5,402		155,568		80,623		1,198		—		256,854
20		63,200		33,805		269,746		85,022		19,478		24,001		495,252
23		265		8,458		9,188		11,719		1		—		29,631
25		44,035		58,943		164,642		107,530		11,983		—		387,133
30		3,148		1,955		20,551		16,135		540		—		42,329
40		5,716		13,459		38,148		26,515		1,828		—		85,666
50		123		290		—		94		15		—		522
60		3		—		—		—		—		—		3
Total	$	149,320	$	122,331	$	658,054	$	328,053	$	42,085	$	24,001	$	1,323,844

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		34		1,598		638		—		—		2,270
20		3,117		11,106		36,020		27,547		266		—		78,056
23		75		1,248		9,153		1,946		—		—		12,422
25		8,135		10,184		110,985		40,863		508		—		170,675
30		2,979		4,457		35,601		8,784		50		—		51,871
40		14,262		30,085		66,802		33,890		391		—		145,430
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	28,568	$	57,114	$	260,159	$	113,668	$	1,215	$	—	$	460,724

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		39		1,640		644		—		—		2,323
20		3,997		12,194		37,098		31,337		292		—		84,918
23		28		1,174		9,576		2,052		—		—		12,830
25		10,013		19,216		114,849		40,194		558		—		184,830
30		4,294		7,214		38,665		11,883		50		—		62,106
40		14,274		30,347		76,678		38,946		460		—		160,705
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	32,606	$	70,184	$	278,506	$	125,056	$	1,360	$	—	$	507,712

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	216	$	9	$	—	$	1,036	$	458	$	—	$	1,719
15		26		51		1,734		579		12		—		2,402
20		4,592		5,541		24,784		17,716		622		—		53,255
23		11		1,534		3,763		1,686		—		—		6,994
25		17,075		31,707		157,031		75,809		1,550		—		283,172
30		2,400		10,628		49,518		12,044		102		—		74,692
40		18,837		43,960		113,414		53,898		1,034		—		231,143
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	43,157	$	93,430	$	350,244	$	162,768	$	3,778	$	—	$	653,377

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms.

The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition.

The Company’s policy states in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time that the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or (ii) when it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment, approved by the Company’s Senior Credit Officer.

In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed as troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in the first three months of 2013 totaling $27.4 million and loans in 2012 totaling $40.3 million under such parameters. In addition, the Company offers consumer loan customers an annual skip-a-pay program that is based on certain qualifying parameters and not based on financial difficulties. The Company does not treat these as troubled debt restructurings.

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		1		6		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		6	$	1,305		4	$	1,626
Real estate – commercial & farmland		18		17,765		2		2,176
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted under restructured terms at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		54	$	18,738		6	$	5,177
As of March 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		7	$	2,413		3	$	518
Real estate – commercial & farmland		19		17,869		1		2,072
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		48	$	28,060		7	$	3,655

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,843		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,504		1		207
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		10		7,033		2		182
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		17		4,046		2		3,100
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,711		1		255
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		—		—		2		1,011
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,873		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,518		1		372
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		11		7,075		1		177
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		18		4,061		2		3,420
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,798		—		—
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		43		1		1,202
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		3	$	2,275		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		2		893		1		136
Payment Modification Only		2		5,202		1		307
Rate Reduction Only		10		6,541		4		1,140
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		12		8,360		1		103
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		16		3,514		1		1,109
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		63		1		2,072
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,689		1	$	176
Raw Land		1		1,285		1		43
Hotel & Motel		3		2,273		—		—
Office		4		2,095		1		2,450
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,821		1		969
1-4 Family Residential		30		7,550		3		1,111
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		3		500		1		6
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,692		1	$	177
Raw Land		2		1,337		—		—
Hotel & Motel		3		2,318		—		—
Office		4		2,105		1		2,770
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,833		1		1,202
1-4 Family Residential		31		7,651		2		1,022
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		4		508		—		—
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Apartments		1	$	5,111		—	$	—
Warehouse		1		1,343		—		—
Raw Land		4		1,595		1		137
Hotel & Motel		3		2,449		1		2,072
Office		3		1,695		1		103
Retail, including Strip Centers		9		6,657		—		—
1-4 Family Residential		25		7,998		6		2,555
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

As of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, the Company had a balance of $23.3 million, $23.9 million and $31.7 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings. The Company has recorded $2.6 million, $1.9 million and $2.3 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loan losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $591,000, $640,000 and $3.2 million at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively. At March 31, 2013, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by independent auditors and regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. Certain reviewed loans are assigned specific allowances when a review of relevant data determines that a general allocation is not sufficient or when the review affords management the opportunity to adjust the amount of exposure in a given credit. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on data such as current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in their markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events.

The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exception of credit card receivables and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor to be applied to the loan balance to determine the adequate amount of reserve. Many of the larger loans require an annual review by an independent loan officer or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be assigned specific reserve allocations. Other loans that surface as problem loans may also be assigned specific reserves. Past due loans are assigned risk ratings based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Internal Audit.

Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $320,000, $2.6 million and $282,000, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. These amounts are excluded from the rollforwards above and below but are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Provision for loan losses		254			1,467			696			339			(153	)		2,603
Loans charged off		(410	)		(655	)		(1,025	)		(779	)		(167	)		(3,036	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		84			2			3			85			48			222
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	675		$	641		$	1,890		$	1,203		$	—		$	4,409
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,692			5,516			6,941			4,340			484			18,973
Ending balance	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,334		$	8,281		$	19,545		$	14,069		$	—		$	45,229
Collectively evaluated for impairment		177,554			121,880			746,682			341,647			59,761			1,447,524
Ending balance	$	180,888		$	130,161		$	766,227		$	355,716		$	59,761		$	1,492,753
	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		815			5,245			15,000			6,267			1,124			28,451
Loans charged off		(1,451	)		(9,380	)		(20,551	)		(8,722	)		(1,059	)		(41,163	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		157			40			482			225			245			1,149
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	659		$	611		$	2,228		$	1,056		$	—		$	4,554
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,780			4,732			6,929			4,842			756			19,039
Ending balance	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,351		$	7,617		$	21,332		$	13,020		$	—		$	45,320
Collectively evaluated for impairment		170,866			106,582			710,990			333,460			83,417			1,405,315
Ending balance	$	174,217		$	114,199		$	732,322		$	346,480		$	83,417		$	1,450,635
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		(693	)		1,967			8,585			2,002			739			12,600
Loans charged off		(155	)		(3,930	)		(12,964	)		(2,123	)		(165	)		(19,337	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		48			17			16			141			48			270
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	827		$	1,450		$	3,421		$	2,659		$	3		$	8,360
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,291			6,042			6,442			5,489			1,065			20,329
Ending balance	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,220		$	8,980		$	35,971		$	17,098		$	17		$	65,286
Collectively evaluated for impairment		146,100			113,351			622,083			310,955			66,069			1,258,558
Ending balance	$	149,320		$	122,331		$	658,054		$	328,053		$	66,086		$	1,323,844

XML

Loans - Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable (Non-Covered Loan Portfolio) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 1,492,753	$ 1,450,635	$ 1,323,844
Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,492,753	1,450,635	1,323,844
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	40,268	32,993	26,454
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	232,773	236,500	256,854
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	665,777	641,950	495,252
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	29,403	31,433	29,631
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	425,646	399,210	387,133
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	32,485	35,298	42,329
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	66,147	72,994	85,666
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	254	257	522
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			3
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	180,888	174,217	149,320
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	180,888	174,217	149,320
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	32,223	24,623	18,767
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	11,569	11,316	14,063
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	75,503	79,522	63,200
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	45	42	265
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	52,631	49,071	44,035
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	3,324	2,343	3,148
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,494	7,200	5,716
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	99	100	123
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			3
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			19
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	4,794	4,373	5,402
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	34,947	31,413	33,805
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,606	8,521	8,458
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	66,012	52,577	58,943
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,004	3,394	1,955
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	11,643	13,765	13,459
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	155	156	290
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	304	309	211
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	146,563	147,966	155,568
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	385,984	351,997	269,746
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,970	9,012	9,188
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	187,567	176,395	164,642
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	12,334	19,401	20,551
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	24,505	27,242	38,148
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	355,716	346,480	328,053
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	355,716	346,480	328,053
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	500	464	415
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	68,212	71,254	80,623
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	127,294	114,418	85,022
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	13,662	13,788	11,719
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	112,096	113,591	107,530
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	10,573	9,672	16,135
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	23,379	23,292	26,515
Real estate - residential [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade		1	94
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	37,335	40,178	42,085
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	37,335	40,178	42,085
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	7,241	7,597	7,042
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,635	1,591	1,198
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	19,623	21,361	19,478
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	120	70	1
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	7,340	7,576	11,983
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	250	488	540
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,126	1,495	1,828
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			15
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	22,426	43,239	24,001
Other [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	22,426	43,239	24,001
Other [Member] | Non-Covered Loan [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 22,426	$ 43,239	$ 24,001

XML

Investment Securities - Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Investment Securities Available for Sale (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 314,662	$ 336,710	$ 362,945
Gross Unrealized Gains	10,763	11,166	9,771
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,396)	(967)	(925)
Fair Value	324,029	346,909	371,791
U.S. government agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5,000	6,605	28,634
Gross Unrealized Gains	15	271	258
Gross Unrealized Losses		(6)	(44)
Fair Value	5,015	6,870	28,848
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	110,628	109,736	78,440
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,051	4,864	3,723
Gross Unrealized Losses	(147)	(210)	(166)
Fair Value	115,532	114,390	81,997
Corporate debt securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	10,542	10,545	11,639
Gross Unrealized Gains	355	330	217
Gross Unrealized Losses	(600)	(547)	(471)
Fair Value	10,297	10,328	11,385
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	188,492	209,824	244,232
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,342	5,701	5,573
Gross Unrealized Losses	(649)	(204)	(244)
Fair Value	$ 193,185	$ 215,321	$ 249,561

XML

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies - Schedule of Company's Reconciliation of Level 3 assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Investment Securities Available for Sale [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Investment Securities Available for Sale [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Impaired Loans Carried at Fair Value [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Other Real Estate Owned [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Covered Loans [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Covered Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 2,000	$ 2,000	$ 52,514	$ 39,850	$ 507,712	$ 88,273
Total gains/(losses) included in net income				(15)		(3,032)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net			1,262	(2,027)	(31,449)	(22,865)
Transfers in or out of Level 3			(2,626)	2,626	(15,539)	15,539
Ending balance	$ 2,000	$ 2,000	$ 51,150	$ 40,434	$ 460,724	$ 77,915

XML

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Summary Of Weighted Average Number of Shares (Detail) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic shares outstanding	23,868	23,762
Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs	63	105
Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted Grants	315	49
Diluted shares outstanding	24,246	23,916

XML

Loans - Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable (Covered Loan Portfolio) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 1,492,753	$ 1,450,635	$ 1,323,844
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	460,724	507,712	653,377
Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			1,719
Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,270	2,323	2,402
Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	78,056	84,918	53,255
Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	12,422	12,830	6,994
Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	170,675	184,830	283,172
Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	51,871	62,106	74,692
Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	145,430	160,705	231,143
Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	180,888	174,217	149,320
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	28,568	32,606	43,157
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			216
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			26
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	3,117	3,997	4,592
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	75	28	11
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,135	10,013	17,075
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,979	4,294	2,400
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	14,262	14,274	18,837
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	57,114	70,184	93,430
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			9
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	34	39	51
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	11,106	12,194	5,541
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,248	1,174	1,534
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	10,184	19,216	31,707
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	4,457	7,214	10,628
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	30,085	30,347	43,960
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	260,159	278,506	350,244
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,598	1,640	1,734
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	36,020	37,098	24,784
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	9,153	9,576	3,763
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	110,985	114,849	157,031
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	35,601	38,665	49,518
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	66,802	76,678	113,414
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	355,716	346,480	328,053
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	113,668	125,056	162,768
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			1,036
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	638	644	579
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	27,547	31,337	17,716
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,946	2,052	1,686
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	40,863	40,194	75,809
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,784	11,883	12,044
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	33,890	38,946	53,898
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	37,335	40,178	42,085
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,215	1,360	3,778
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			458
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade			12
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	266	292	622
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	508	558	1,550
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	50	50	102
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	391	460	1,034
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	22,426	43,239	24,001
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 10
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 20
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 23
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 40
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 50
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade
Other [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | 60
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade

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Investment Securities - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$ 3,027
Due from one year to five years, Amortized Cost	29,250
Due from five to ten years, Amortized Cost	58,652
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	35,241
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized cost	188,492
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	314,662	336,710	362,945
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	3,041
Due from one year to five years, Fair Value	30,645
Due from five to ten years, Fair Value	61,448
Due after ten years, Fair Value	35,710
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	193,185
Fair Value	$ 324,029	$ 346,909	$ 371,791

XML

Investment Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Securities, carrying value	$ 245.4

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INVESTMENT SECURITIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Ameris’ investment policy blends the Company’s liquidity needs and interest rate risk management with its desire to increase income and provide funds for expected growth in loans. The investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and agencies, state, county and municipal securities and corporate debt securities. Ameris’ portfolio and investing philosophy concentrate activities in obligations where the credit risk is limited. For the small portion of Ameris’ portfolio found to present credit risk, the Company has reviewed the investments and financial performance of the obligors and believes the credit risk to be acceptable.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 are presented below:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	5,000	$	15	$	—		$	5,015
State, county and municipal securities		110,628		5,051		(147	)		115,532
Corporate debt securities		10,542		355		(600	)		10,297
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		5,342		(649	)		193,185
Total debt securities	$	314,662	$	10,763	$	(1,396	)	$	324,029
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	6,605	$	271	$	(6	)	$	6,870
State, county and municipal securities		109,736		4,864		(210	)		114,390
Corporate debt securities		10,545		330		(547	)		10,328
Mortgage-backed securities		209,824		5,701		(204	)		215,321
Total debt securities	$	336,710	$	11,166	$	(967	)	$	346,909
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	28,634	$	258	$	(44	)	$	28,848
State, county and municipal securities		78,440		3,723		(166	)		81,997
Corporate debt securities		11,639		217		(471	)		11,385
Mortgage-backed securities		244,232		5,573		(244	)		249,561
Total debt securities	$	362,945	$	9,771	$	(925	)	$	371,791

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2013 by contractual maturity are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligations without prepayment penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	3,027	$	3,041
Due from one year to five years		29,250		30,645
Due from five to ten years		58,652		61,448
Due after ten years		35,241		35,710
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		193,185
	$	314,662	$	324,029

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $245.4 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits and other purposes required or permitted by law at March 31, 2013.

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		19,159		(138	)		505		(9	)		19,664		(147	)
Corporate debt securities		244		(6	)		4,506		(594	)		4,750		(600	)
Mortgage-backed securities		55,189		(648	)		1,120		(1	)		56,309		(649	)
Total debt securities	$	74,592	$	(792	)	$	6,131	$	(604	)	$	80,723	$	(1,396	)
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	4,994	$	(6	)	$	—	$	—		$	4,994	$	(6	)
State, county and municipal securities		15,595		(199	)		505		(11	)		16,100		(210	)
Corporate debt securities		—		—			4,560		(547	)		4,560		(547	)
Mortgage-backed securities		23,951		(181	)		3,617		(23	)		27,568		(204	)
Total debt securities	$	44,540	$	(386	)	$	8,682	$	(581	)	$	53,222	$	(967	)
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	8,960	$	(44	)	$	—	$	—		$	8,960	$	(44	)
State, county and municipal securities		8,960		(166	)		—		—			8,960		(166	)
Corporate debt securities		100		—			6,611		(471	)		6,711		(471	)
Mortgage-backed securities		37,860		(234	)		2,292		(10	)		40,152		(244	)
Total debt securities	$	55,880	$	(444	)	$	8,903	$	(481	)	$	64,783	$	(925	)

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Investment Securities - Schedule of Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months Unrealized Losses	$ (792)	$ (386)	$ (444)
12 Months or More Unrealized Losses	(604)	(581)	(481)
Total Unrealized Losses	(1,396)	(967)	(925)
Less Than 12 Months Fair Value	74,592	44,540	55,880
12 Months or More Fair Value	6,131	8,682	8,903
Total Fair Value	80,723	53,222	64,783
U.S. government agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months Unrealized Losses		(6)	(44)
Total Unrealized Losses		(6)	(44)
Less Than 12 Months Fair Value		4,994	8,960
Total Fair Value		4,994	8,960
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months Unrealized Losses	(138)	(199)	(166)
12 Months or More Unrealized Losses	(9)	(11)
Total Unrealized Losses	(147)	(210)	(166)
Less Than 12 Months Fair Value	19,159	15,595	8,960
12 Months or More Fair Value	505	505
Total Fair Value	19,664	16,100	8,960
Corporate debt securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months Unrealized Losses	(6)
12 Months or More Unrealized Losses	(594)	(547)	(471)
Total Unrealized Losses	(600)	(547)	(471)
Less Than 12 Months Fair Value	244		100
12 Months or More Fair Value	4,506	4,560	6,611
Total Fair Value	4,750	4,560	6,711
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months Unrealized Losses	(648)	(181)	(234)
12 Months or More Unrealized Losses	(1)	(23)	(10)
Total Unrealized Losses	(649)	(204)	(244)
Less Than 12 Months Fair Value	55,189	23,951	37,860
12 Months or More Fair Value	1,120	3,617	2,292
Total Fair Value	$ 56,309	$ 27,568	$ 40,152

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Loans - Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables (Analysis of Non-Covered Impaired Loans) (Detail) (Non-Covered Loan [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	$ 77,144	$ 99,526	$ 78,758
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	55,989	79,106	57,629
Total Recorded Investment	55,989	79,106	57,629
Related Allowance	4,839	9,500	5,115
Average Recorded Investment	56,808	83,940	70,209
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	7,818	7,599	8,024
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	4,555	4,732	4,940
Total Recorded Investment	4,555	4,732	4,940
Related Allowance	740	932	743
Average Recorded Investment	4,747	4,921	4,968
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	20,633	20,593	20,316
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	11,273	11,952	11,016
Total Recorded Investment	11,273	11,952	11,016
Related Allowance	922	1,993	910
Average Recorded Investment	11,144	13,812	11,706
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	22,996	45,098	25,076
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	18,676	39,304	20,910
Total Recorded Investment	18,676	39,304	20,910
Related Allowance	1,816	3,615	2,191
Average Recorded Investment	19,793	42,155	30,638
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	24,777	24,845	24,155
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	20,792	21,843	19,848
Total Recorded Investment	20,792	21,843	19,848
Related Allowance	1,344	2,928	1,246
Average Recorded Investment	20,320	21,948	21,813
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	920	1,391	1,187
Recorded Investment With No Allowance
Recorded Investment With Allowance	693	1,275	915
Total Recorded Investment	693	1,275	915
Related Allowance	17	32	25
Average Recorded Investment	$ 804	$ 1,104	$ 1,084

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Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Rollforward of Acquired Loans Deterioration of Credit Quality (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Balance, beginning of year	$ 16,698	$ 29,537	$ 29,537	$ 13,532	$ 30,167
Additions due to acquisitions		9,863	9,863
Balance, end of year	160,979	220,016	159,724			242,394
Loans With Deterioration Of Credit Quality [Member]
Balance, beginning of year	282,737	307,790	307,790
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries	(5,391)	(3,388)	(17,712)
Additions due to acquisitions		73,414	73,414
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)	(22,279)	(9,451)	(80,755)
Balance, end of year	255,067	368,365	282,737
Loans without Deterioration of Credit Quality [Member]
Balance, beginning of year	228,602	266,966	266,966
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries	(2,625)	222	1,376
Additions due to acquisitions		51,367	51,368
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)	(20,229)	(19,684)	(91,108)
Balance, end of year	$ 205,748	$ 298,871	$ 228,602

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 50,487	$ 80,256	$ 64,963
Federal funds sold and interest bearing accounts	81,205	193,677	194,172
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	324,029	346,909	371,791
Other investments	5,528	6,832	10,967
Mortgage loans held for sale	42,332	48,786	14,863
Loans	1,492,753	1,450,635	1,323,844
Covered loans	460,724	507,712	653,377
Less: allowance for loan losses	23,382	23,593	28,689
Loans, net	1,930,095	1,934,754	1,948,532
Other real estate owned	40,434	39,850	40,035
Covered other real estate owned	77,915	88,273	85,803
Total other real estate owned	118,349	128,123	125,838
Premises and equipment, net	72,340	75,983	72,755
FDIC loss-share receivable	160,979	159,724	220,016
Intangible assets	2,676	3,040	4,179
Goodwill	956	956	956
Cash value of bank owned life insurance	45,832	15,603
Other assets	26,843	24,409	14,202
Total assets	2,861,651	3,019,052	3,043,234
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing	490,961	510,751	444,707
Interest-bearing	1,999,012	2,113,912	2,220,653
Total deposits	2,489,973	2,624,663	2,665,360
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	22,919	50,120	28,790
Other borrowings	0	0	3,810
Other liabilities	22,768	22,983	5,308
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	42,269	42,269	42,269
Total liabilities	2,577,929	2,740,035	2,745,537
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 28,000, 28,000 and 52,000 shares issued and outstanding	27,753	27,662	50,884
Common stock, par value $1; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 25,238,635, 25,154,818 and 25,150,318 shares issued	25,239	25,155	25,150
Capital surplus	165,078	164,949	166,579
Retained earnings	70,554	65,710	59,402
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,274	6,607	6,513
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,362,955, 1,355,050 and 1,336,174 shares	(11,176)	(11,066)	(10,831)
Total stockholders' equity	283,722	279,017	297,697
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,861,651	$ 3,019,052	$ 3,043,234

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Loans - Summary of Trouble Debt Restructuring by Loan Class (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 23,300	$ 23,900	$ 31,700
Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	52	55	46
Troubled debt restructuring loans	18,513	18,744	26,848
Accruing Loans [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	5	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	799	802
Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	5	5	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,883	1,735	1,305
Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	16	16	18
Troubled debt restructuring loans	8,878	8,947	17,765
Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	26	28	22
Troubled debt restructuring loans	6,953	7,254	7,778
Accruing Loans [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts		1
Troubled debt restructuring loans		6
Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	8	5	9
Troubled debt restructuring loans	4,755	5,171	4,867
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts
Troubled debt restructuring loans
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1		4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	43		1,626
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	3	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	3,595	4,149	2,176
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	3	2	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	1,111	1,022	1,065
Non-Accruing Loans [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 6

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 5,285	$ 5,365
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	1,246	1,143
Stock based compensation expense	197
Net (gains) losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment	6	(4)
Net gains on securities available for sale	(172)
Gain on acquisition		(20,037)
Net losses or write-downs on sale of other real estate owned	3,047	7,252
Provision for loan losses	2,923	12,882
Amortization of intangible assets	364	220
Net change in mortgage loans held for sale	6,454	(3,300)
Other prepaids, deferrals and accruals, net	11,571	4,201
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,921	7,722
Cash flows from investing activities, net of effects of business combinations:
Net decrease (increase) in federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits	112,472	34,870
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale	20,746	21,912
Purchase of securities available for sale	(25,328)	(15,637)
Purchase of bank owned life insurance	(28,674)
Decrease in restricted equity securities, net	1,304
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	26,802	760
Net change in loans	(13,805)	17,496
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned	10,140	16,296
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment	713	305
(Increase) decrease in FDIC indemnification asset	(1,255)	75,032
Net cash proceeds received from FDIC-assisted acquisitions		65,050
Purchases of premises and equipment	(1,470)	(1,075)
Net cash provided by investing activities	101,645	215,009
Cash flows from financing activities, net of effects of business combinations:
Net (decrease) increase in deposits	(134,690)	(187,242)
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(27,201)	(8,875)
Repayment of other borrowings		(26,524)
Dividends paid - preferred stock	(350)	(657)
Purchase of treasury shares	(110)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	16	2
Net cash used in financing activities	(162,335)	(223,296)
Net decrease in cash and due from banks	(29,769)	(565)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	80,256	65,528
Cash and due from banks at end of period	50,487	64,963
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INFORMATION
Interest	2,805	5,098
Income taxes	780
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	$ 15,541	$ 14,291

XML

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments to extend credit	$ 190,813	$ 180,733	$ 156,330
Standby letters of credit	$ 6,747	$ 6,788	$ 8,349

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Loans - Summary of Covered Loans According to Loan Type (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	$ 460,724	$ 507,712	$ 653,377
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	28,568	32,606	43,157
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	57,114	70,184	93,430
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	260,159	278,506	350,244
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	113,668	125,056	162,768
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	$ 1,215	$ 1,360	$ 3,778

XML

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit

The Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commitments to extend credit	$	190,813	$	180,733	$	156,330
Standby letters of credit	$	6,747	$	6,788	$	8,349

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Loans - Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	$ 200,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	37,476,000	38,885,000	52,258,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	3,756,000	4,138,000	4,732,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	9,390,000	9,281,000	10,647,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	9,798,000	11,962,000	21,539,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	13,840,000	12,595,000	14,065,000
Non-Covered Loan [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	692,000	909,000	1,275,000
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	98,515,000	115,712,000	170,221,000
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	8,718,000	10,765,000	14,185,000
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	18,956,000	20,027,000	35,170,000
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	47,580,000	55,946,000	79,620,000
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	23,018,000	28,672,000	40,609,000
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans	$ 243,000	$ 302,000	$ 637,000

XML

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of branches operated	57
Minimum [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortized over an estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortized over an estimated useful life	10 years

XML

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Ameris Bancorp (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. Ameris conducts substantially all of its operations through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank (the “Bank”). At March 31, 2013 the Bank operated 57 branches in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our business model capitalizes on the efficiencies of a large financial services company while still providing the community with the personalized banking service expected by our customers. We manage our Bank through a balance of decentralized management responsibilities and efficient centralized operating systems, products and loan underwriting standards. Ameris’ Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within Ameris’ established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of his or her unique market.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Ameris have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited but reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and the report of our registered independent public accounting firm included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2013-02 - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under United States generally accepted accounting principles to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For all other amounts, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about these amounts. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. It did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2012-06 - Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution (“ASU 2012-06”). When an entity recognizes an indemnification asset and subsequently a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs as a result of a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnified asset, ASU 2012-06 requires the entity to recognize the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the indemnified assets. Any amortization of changes in value of the indemnification asset should be limited to the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life of the indemnified assets. ASU 2012-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2012, and early adoption is permitted. It is to be applied prospectively to any new indemnification assets acquired after the date of adoption and to indemnification assets existing as of the date of adoption arising from a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution. ASU 2012-06 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-04 - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 generally represents clarifications of Topic 820, but also includes some instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. ASU 2011-04 results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 was to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 for public companies. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-05 - Amendments to Topic 220, Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 grants an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. For public entities, ASU 2011-05 was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and was to be adopted retrospectively. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-08 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 grants an entity the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This conclusion can be used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required in Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The fair value hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and other accounts recorded based on their fair value:

Cash, Due From Banks, Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks and Federal Funds Sold: The carrying amount of cash, due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold approximates fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and municipal bonds. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third-party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Other Investments: Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock is included in other investment securities at its original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no ready market for such investments.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale: The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans: The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals. To the extent that market appraisals or other methods do not produce reliable determinations of fair value, these assets are deemed to be Level 3.

Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3.

Covered Assets: Covered assets include loans and other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to an annual review for impairment.

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans, and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared-loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared-loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently offered for certificates with similar maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar type borrowing arrangements.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The carrying amount of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities approximates fair value.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,930,095	$	—	$	1,458,604	$	501,874	$	1,960,478
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,489,973		—		2,491,282		—		2,491,282

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,934,754	$	—	$	1,406,366	$	560,226	$	1,966,592
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,624,663		—		2,624,883		—		2,624,883

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,948,532	$	—	$	1,258,402	$	722,983	$	1,981,385
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,665,360		—		2,667,731		—		2,667,731
Other borrowings		3,810		—		3,854		—		3,854

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	5,015	$	—	$	5,015	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		115,532		—		115,532		—
Corporate debt securities		10,297		—		8,297		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		193,185		4,054		189,131		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		42,332		—		42,332		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	366,361	$	4,054	$	360,307	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	6,870	$	—	$	6,870	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		114,390		4,854		109,536		—
Corporate debt securities		10,328		—		8,328		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		215,321		23,893		191,428		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		48,786		—		48,786		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	395,695	$	28,747	$	364,948	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	28,848	$	—	$	28,848	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		81,997		—		81,997		—
Corporate debt securities		11,385		—		9,385		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		249,561		2,292		247,269		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	371,791	$	2,292	$	367,499	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—

The following table is a presentation of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	51,150	$	—	$	—	$	51,150
Other real estate owned		40,434		—		—		40,434
Covered loans		460,724		—		—		460,724
Covered other real estate owned		77,915		—		—		77,915
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	630,223	$	—	$	—	$	630,223

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	52,514	$	—	$	—	$	52,514
Other real estate owned		39,850		—		—		39,850
Covered loans		507,712		—		—		507,712
Covered other real estate owned		88,273		—		—		88,273
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	688,349	$	—	$	—	$	688,349

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	69,606	$	—	$	—	$	69,606
Other real estate owned		40,035		—		—		40,035
Covered loans		653,377		—		—		653,377
Covered other real estate owned		85,803		—		—		85,803
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	848,821	$	—	$	—	$	848,821

Below is the Company’s reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2013.

	Investment Securities Available for Sale		Impaired Loans Carried at Fair Value			Other Real Estate Owned			Covered Loans			Covered Other Real Estate Owned
Beginning balance January 1, 2013	$	2,000	$	52,514		$	39,850		$	507,712		$	88,273
Total gains/(losses) included in net income		—		—			(15	)		—			(3,032	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net		—		1,262			(2,027	)		(31,449	)		(22,865	)
Transfers in or out of Level 3		—		(2,626	)		2,626			(15,539	)		15,539
Ending balance March 31, 2013	$	2,000	$	51,150		$	40,434		$	460,724		$	77,915

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, stated value	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	28,000	28,000	52,000
Preferred stock, shares Outstanding	28,000	28,000	52,000
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,238,635	25,154,818	25,150,318
Treasury stock, shares	1,362,955	1,355,050	1,336,174

XML

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,930,095	$	—	$	1,458,604	$	501,874	$	1,960,478
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,489,973		—		2,491,282		—		2,491,282

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,934,754	$	—	$	1,406,366	$	560,226	$	1,966,592
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,624,663		—		2,624,883		—		2,624,883

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,948,532	$	—	$	1,258,402	$	722,983	$	1,981,385
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,665,360		—		2,667,731		—		2,667,731
Other borrowings		3,810		—		3,854		—		3,854

Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	5,015	$	—	$	5,015	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		115,532		—		115,532		—
Corporate debt securities		10,297		—		8,297		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		193,185		4,054		189,131		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		42,332		—		42,332		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	366,361	$	4,054	$	360,307	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	6,870	$	—	$	6,870	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		114,390		4,854		109,536		—
Corporate debt securities		10,328		—		8,328		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		215,321		23,893		191,428		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		48,786		—		48,786		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	395,695	$	28,747	$	364,948	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	28,848	$	—	$	28,848	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		81,997		—		81,997		—
Corporate debt securities		11,385		—		9,385		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		249,561		2,292		247,269		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	371,791	$	2,292	$	367,499	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—

Valuation Methodologies for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis

The following table is a presentation of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	51,150	$	—	$	—	$	51,150
Other real estate owned		40,434		—		—		40,434
Covered loans		460,724		—		—		460,724
Covered other real estate owned		77,915		—		—		77,915
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	630,223	$	—	$	—	$	630,223

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	52,514	$	—	$	—	$	52,514
Other real estate owned		39,850		—		—		39,850
Covered loans		507,712		—		—		507,712
Covered other real estate owned		88,273		—		—		88,273
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	688,349	$	—	$	—	$	688,349

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	69,606	$	—	$	—	$	69,606
Other real estate owned		40,035		—		—		40,035
Covered loans		653,377		—		—		653,377
Covered other real estate owned		85,803		—		—		85,803
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	848,821	$	—	$	—	$	848,821

Schedule of Company's Reconciliation of Level 3 assets

Below is the Company’s reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2013.

	Investment Securities Available for Sale		Impaired Loans Carried at Fair Value			Other Real Estate Owned			Covered Loans			Covered Other Real Estate Owned
Beginning balance January 1, 2013	$	2,000	$	52,514		$	39,850		$	507,712		$	88,273
Total gains/(losses) included in net income		—		—			(15	)		—			(3,032	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net		—		1,262			(2,027	)		(31,449	)		(22,865	)
Transfers in or out of Level 3		—		(2,626	)		2,626			(15,539	)		15,539
Ending balance March 31, 2013	$	2,000	$	51,150		$	40,434		$	460,724		$	77,915

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Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ABCB
Entity Registrant Name	Ameris Bancorp
Entity Central Index Key	0000351569
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,876,680

XML

INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Investment Securities Available for Sale

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 are presented below:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	5,000	$	15	$	—		$	5,015
State, county and municipal securities		110,628		5,051		(147	)		115,532
Corporate debt securities		10,542		355		(600	)		10,297
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		5,342		(649	)		193,185
Total debt securities	$	314,662	$	10,763	$	(1,396	)	$	324,029
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	6,605	$	271	$	(6	)	$	6,870
State, county and municipal securities		109,736		4,864		(210	)		114,390
Corporate debt securities		10,545		330		(547	)		10,328
Mortgage-backed securities		209,824		5,701		(204	)		215,321
Total debt securities	$	336,710	$	11,166	$	(967	)	$	346,909
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	28,634	$	258	$	(44	)	$	28,848
State, county and municipal securities		78,440		3,723		(166	)		81,997
Corporate debt securities		11,639		217		(471	)		11,385
Mortgage-backed securities		244,232		5,573		(244	)		249,561
Total debt securities	$	362,945	$	9,771	$	(925	)	$	371,791

Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-sale Securities by Contractual Maturity

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2013 by contractual maturity are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligations without prepayment penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	3,027	$	3,041
Due from one year to five years		29,250		30,645
Due from five to ten years		58,652		61,448
Due after ten years		35,241		35,710
Mortgage-backed securities		188,492		193,185
	$	314,662	$	324,029

Schedule of Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Securities

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31, 2013:
U. S. government agencies	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		19,159		(138	)		505		(9	)		19,664		(147	)
Corporate debt securities		244		(6	)		4,506		(594	)		4,750		(600	)
Mortgage-backed securities		55,189		(648	)		1,120		(1	)		56,309		(649	)
Total debt securities	$	74,592	$	(792	)	$	6,131	$	(604	)	$	80,723	$	(1,396	)
December 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	4,994	$	(6	)	$	—	$	—		$	4,994	$	(6	)
State, county and municipal securities		15,595		(199	)		505		(11	)		16,100		(210	)
Corporate debt securities		—		—			4,560		(547	)		4,560		(547	)
Mortgage-backed securities		23,951		(181	)		3,617		(23	)		27,568		(204	)
Total debt securities	$	44,540	$	(386	)	$	8,682	$	(581	)	$	53,222	$	(967	)
March 31, 2012:
U. S. government agencies	$	8,960	$	(44	)	$	—	$	—		$	8,960	$	(44	)
State, county and municipal securities		8,960		(166	)		—		—			8,960		(166	)
Corporate debt securities		100		—			6,611		(471	)		6,711		(471	)
Mortgage-backed securities		37,860		(234	)		2,292		(10	)		40,152		(244	)
Total debt securities	$	55,880	$	(444	)	$	8,903	$	(481	)	$	64,783	$	(925	)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	$ 28,716	$ 29,482
Interest on taxable securities	1,697	2,309
Interest on nontaxable securities	375	365
Interest on deposits in other banks	85	120
Interest on federal funds sold		6
Total interest income	30,873	32,282
Interest expense
Interest on deposits	2,226	4,084
Interest on other borrowings	309	471
Total interest expense	2,535	4,555
Net interest income	28,338	27,727
Provision for loan losses	2,923	12,882
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	25,415	14,845
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	4,837	4,386
Mortgage origination fees	4,464	1,475
Other service charges, commissions and fees	329	391
Gain on acquisition		20,037
Gain on sale of securities	172
Other	1,558	975
Total noninterest income	11,360	27,264
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	13,806	11,446
Occupancy and equipment expense	2,931	3,335
Advertising and marketing expense	255	349
Amortization of intangible assets	364	220
Data processing and communications costs	2,570	1,925
Other operating expenses	8,958	16,971
Total noninterest expense	28,884	34,246
Income before income tax expense	7,891	7,863
Applicable income tax expense	2,606	2,498
Net income	5,285	5,365
Preferred stock dividends	441	815
Net income available to common stockholders	4,844	4,550
Other comprehensive loss
Unrealized holding loss arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax	(429)	(689)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax	(112)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during period , net of tax	209	(94)
Other comprehensive loss	(332)	(783)
Comprehensive income	$ 4,512	$ 3,767
Basic and Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.20	$ 0.19
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	23,868	23,762
Diluted	24,246	23,916

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OTHER BORROWINGS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

OTHER BORROWINGS

NOTE 6 – OTHER BORROWINGS

The Company has, from time to time, utilized certain borrowing arrangements with various financial institutions to fund growth in earning assets or provide additional liquidity when appropriate spreads can be realized. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks. At March 31, 2012, there were $3.8 million outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks. The Company’s success with attracting and retaining retail deposits has allowed for very low dependence on more volatile non-deposit funding.

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

NOTE 5 – WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

	For the  Three Months     Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
	(share data in thousands)
Basic shares outstanding		23,868		23,762
Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs		63		105
Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted Grants		315		49
Diluted shares outstanding		24,246		23,916

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has excluded 408,000 and 476,000, respectively, potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive.

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Text Block [Abstract]

Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, as of March 31, 2013 and 2012.

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	856		$	6,440		$	7,296
Current year changes		(94	)		(689	)		(783	)
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	762		$	5,751		$	6,513

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on  Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(23	)	$	6,630		$	6,607
Reclassification for gains included in net income		—			(112	)		(112	)
Current year changes		208			(429	)		(221	)
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	185		$	6,089		$	6,274

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LOANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Schedule of Accounts Notes Loans and Financial Receivables

Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	180,888	$	174,217	$	149,320
Real estate – construction and development		130,161		114,199		122,331
Real estate – commercial and farmland		766,227		732,322		658,054
Real estate – residential		355,716		346,480		328,053
Consumer installment		37,335		40,178		42,085
Other		22,426		43,239		24,001
	$	1,492,753	$	1,450,635	$	1,323,844

Summary of Covered Loans According to Loan Type

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	28,568	$	32,606	$	43,157
Real estate – construction and development		57,114		70,184		93,430
Real estate – commercial and farmland		260,159		278,506		350,244
Real estate – residential		113,668		125,056		162,768
Consumer installment		1,215		1,360		3,778
	$	460,724	$	507,712	$	653,377

Summary of Trouble Debt Restructuring by Loan Class

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		1		6		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		6	$	1,305		4	$	1,626
Real estate – commercial & farmland		18		17,765		2		2,176
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Loan Class

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted under restructured terms at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	799		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,883		1		43
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,878		3		3,595
Real estate – residential		26		6,953		3		1,111
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Commercial, financial & agricultural		5	$	802		—	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		5		1,735		—		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		16		8,947		3		4,149
Real estate – residential		28		7,254		2		1,022
Consumer installment		—		—		1		6
Total		54	$	18,738		6	$	5,177
As of March 31, 2012	Loans Currently  Paying Under Restructured Terms				Loans that have  Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan class:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Real estate – construction & development		7	$	2,413		3	$	518
Real estate – commercial & farmland		19		17,869		1		2,072
Real estate – residential		22		7,778		3		1,065
Total		48	$	28,060		7	$	3,655

Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Concessions Made Types

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,843		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,504		1		207
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		10		7,033		2		182
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		17		4,046		2		3,100
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,711		1		255
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		—		—		2		1,011
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		2	$	1,873		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		3		1,518		1		372
Payment Modification Only		2		376		—		—
Rate Reduction Only		11		7,075		1		177
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		18		4,061		2		3,420
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		18		3,798		—		—
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		43		1		1,202
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Forbearance of Interest		3	$	2,275		—	$	—
Forgiveness of Principal		2		893		1		136
Payment Modification Only		2		5,202		1		307
Rate Reduction Only		10		6,541		4		1,140
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest		12		8,360		1		103
Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal		16		3,514		1		1,109
Rate Reduction, Payment Modification		1		63		1		2,072
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Collateral types

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2013	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,689		1	$	176
Raw Land		1		1,285		1		43
Hotel & Motel		3		2,273		—		—
Office		4		2,095		1		2,450
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,821		1		969
1-4 Family Residential		30		7,550		3		1,111
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		3		500		1		6
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		52	$	18,513		8	$	4,755
As of December 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Warehouse		3	$	1,692		1	$	177
Raw Land		2		1,337		—		—
Hotel & Motel		3		2,318		—		—
Office		4		2,105		1		2,770
Retail, including Strip Centers		6		2,833		1		1,202
1-4 Family Residential		31		7,651		2		1,022
Life Insurance Policy		1		250		—		—
Automobile/Equipment/Inventory		4		508		—		—
Unsecured		1		50		—		—
Total		55	$	18,744		5	$	5,171
As of March 31, 2012	Accruing Loans				Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral type:	#		Balance (in  thousands)		#		Balance (in  thousands)
Apartments		1	$	5,111		—	$	—
Warehouse		1		1,343		—		—
Raw Land		4		1,595		1		137
Hotel & Motel		3		2,449		1		2,072
Office		3		1,695		1		103
Retail, including Strip Centers		9		6,657		—		—
1-4 Family Residential		25		7,998		6		2,555
Total		46	$	26,848		9	$	4,867

Schedule of Allowances for Loan Losses by Portfolio Segment

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Provision for loan losses		254			1,467			696			339			(153	)		2,603
Loans charged off		(410	)		(655	)		(1,025	)		(779	)		(167	)		(3,036	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		84			2			3			85			48			222
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	675		$	641		$	1,890		$	1,203		$	—		$	4,409
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,692			5,516			6,941			4,340			484			18,973
Ending balance	$	2,367		$	6,157		$	8,831		$	5,543		$	484		$	23,382
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,334		$	8,281		$	19,545		$	14,069		$	—		$	45,229
Collectively evaluated for impairment		177,554			121,880			746,682			341,647			59,761			1,447,524
Ending balance	$	180,888		$	130,161		$	766,227		$	355,716		$	59,761		$	1,492,753
	Commercial, financial & agricultural			Real estate - construction & development			Real estate - commercial & farmland			Real estate - residential			Consumer installment loans and Other			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		815			5,245			15,000			6,267			1,124			28,451
Loans charged off		(1,451	)		(9,380	)		(20,551	)		(8,722	)		(1,059	)		(41,163	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		157			40			482			225			245			1,149
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	659		$	611		$	2,228		$	1,056		$	—		$	4,554
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,780			4,732			6,929			4,842			756			19,039
Ending balance	$	2,439		$	5,343		$	9,157		$	5,898		$	756		$	23,593
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,351		$	7,617		$	21,332		$	13,020		$	—		$	45,320
Collectively evaluated for impairment		170,866			106,582			710,990			333,460			83,417			1,405,315
Ending balance	$	174,217		$	114,199		$	732,322		$	346,480		$	83,417		$	1,450,635
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,918		$	9,438		$	14,226		$	8,128		$	446		$	35,156
Provision for loan losses		(693	)		1,967			8,585			2,002			739			12,600
Loans charged off		(155	)		(3,930	)		(12,964	)		(2,123	)		(165	)		(19,337	)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		48			17			16			141			48			270
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	827		$	1,450		$	3,421		$	2,659		$	3		$	8,360
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,291			6,042			6,442			5,489			1,065			20,329
Ending balance	$	2,118		$	7,492		$	9,863		$	8,148		$	1,068		$	28,689
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,220		$	8,980		$	35,971		$	17,098		$	17		$	65,286
Collectively evaluated for impairment		146,100			113,351			622,083			310,955			66,069			1,258,558
Ending balance	$	149,320		$	122,331		$	658,054		$	328,053		$	66,086		$	1,323,844

Non-Covered Loan [Member]

Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	3,756	$	4,138	$	4,732
Real estate – construction and development		9,390		9,281		10,647
Real estate – commercial and farmland		9,798		11,962		21,539
Real estate – residential		13,840		12,595		14,065
Consumer installment		692		909		1,275
	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258

Covered Loans [Member]

Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis

The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	8,718	$	10,765	$	14,185
Real estate – construction and development		18,956		20,027		35,170
Real estate – commercial and farmland		47,580		55,946		79,620
Real estate – residential		23,018		28,672		40,609
Consumer installment		243		302		637
	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221

Summary of Past Due Financial Receivables

The following table presents an analysis of covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	756	$	314	$	7,270	$	8,340	$	20,228	$	28,568	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		3,971		876		17,415		22,262		34,852		57,114		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		10,227		2,837		42,464		55,528		204,631		260,159		—
Real estate – residential		5,608		345		18,895		24,848		88,820		113,668		48
Consumer installment loans		41		11		205		257		958		1,215		—
Total	$	20,603	$	4,383	$	86,249	$	111,235	$	349,489	$	460,724	$	146

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	2,390	$	1,105	$	10,612	$	14,107	$	18,499	$	32,606	$	98
Real estate – construction & development		1,584		2,592		19,656		23,832		46,352		70,184		1,077
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,451		7,373		52,570		71,394		207,112		278,506		1,347
Real estate – residential		6,066		3,396		24,976		34,438		90,618		125,056		779
Consumer installment loans		45		13		258		316		1,044		1,360		—
Total	$	21,536	$	14,479	$	108,072	$	144,087	$	363,625	$	507,712	$	3,301

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	682	$	430	$	14,229	$	15,341	$	27,816	$	43,157	$	549
Real estate – construction & development		2,704		778		32,302		35,784		57,646		93,430		909
Real estate – commercial & farmland		12,905		6,994		68,282		88,181		262,063		350,244		2,583
Real estate – residential		5,859		3,514		34,870		44,243		118,525		162,768		3
Consumer installment loans		65		68		685		818		2,960		3,778		241
Total	$	22,215	$	11,784	$	150,368	$	184,367	$	469,010	$	653,377	$	4,285

Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables

The following is a summary of information pertaining to covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	98,515	$	115,712	$	170,221
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		21,592		19,194		18,220
Total impaired loans	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	120,107	$	134,906	$	188,441
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	—	$	—	$	—
Average investment in impaired loans	$	127,507	$	163,825	$	184,162
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	169	$	849	$	179
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	147	$	491	$	441

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired covered loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,301	$	8,754	$	—	$	8,754	$	—	$	9,778
Real estate – construction & development		78,421		23,978		—		23,978		—		23,607
Real estate – commercial & farmland		139,197		55,822		—		55,822		—		60,026
Real estate – residential		54,422		31,310		—		31,310		—		33,823
Consumer installment loans		324		243		—		243		—		273
Total	$	296,665	$	120,107	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	127,507
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	27,060	$	10,802	$	—	$	10,802	$	—	$	12,506
Real estate – construction & development		85,279		23,236		—		23,236		—		29,970
Real estate – commercial & farmland		159,493		64,231		—		64,231		—		78,790
Real estate – residential		63,559		36,335		—		36,335		—		42,061
Consumer installment loans		393		302		—		302		—		498
Total	$	335,784	$	134,906	$	—	$	134,906	$	—	$	163,825
	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	24,085	$	14,260	$	—	$	14,260	$	—	$	13,144
Real estate – construction & development		59,102		37,831		—		37,831		—		36,097
Real estate – commercial & farmland		128,389		90,847		—		90,847		—		87,793
Real estate – residential		65,971		44,866		—		44,866		—		46,573
Consumer installment loans		786		637		—		637		—		555
Total	$	278,333	$	188,441	$	—	$	188,441	$	—	$	184,162

Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		34		1,598		638		—		—		2,270
20		3,117		11,106		36,020		27,547		266		—		78,056
23		75		1,248		9,153		1,946		—		—		12,422
25		8,135		10,184		110,985		40,863		508		—		170,675
30		2,979		4,457		35,601		8,784		50		—		51,871
40		14,262		30,085		66,802		33,890		391		—		145,430
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	28,568	$	57,114	$	260,159	$	113,668	$	1,215	$	—	$	460,724

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
15		—		39		1,640		644		—		—		2,323
20		3,997		12,194		37,098		31,337		292		—		84,918
23		28		1,174		9,576		2,052		—		—		12,830
25		10,013		19,216		114,849		40,194		558		—		184,830
30		4,294		7,214		38,665		11,883		50		—		62,106
40		14,274		30,347		76,678		38,946		460		—		160,705
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	32,606	$	70,184	$	278,506	$	125,056	$	1,360	$	—	$	507,712

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	216	$	9	$	—	$	1,036	$	458	$	—	$	1,719
15		26		51		1,734		579		12		—		2,402
20		4,592		5,541		24,784		17,716		622		—		53,255
23		11		1,534		3,763		1,686		—		—		6,994
25		17,075		31,707		157,031		75,809		1,550		—		283,172
30		2,400		10,628		49,518		12,044		102		—		74,692
40		18,837		43,960		113,414		53,898		1,034		—		231,143
50		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	43,157	$	93,430	$	350,244	$	162,768	$	3,778	$	—	$	653,377

Non Covered Loan [Member]

Summary of Past Due Financial Receivables

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered past due loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,797	$	149	$	3,729	$	5,675	$	175,213	$	180,888	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		1,538		1,538		8,312		11,388		118,773		130,161		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		11,115		3,220		9,352		23,687		742,540		766,227		—
Real estate – residential		7,686		1,719		11,699		21,104		334,612		355,716		—
Consumer installment loans		745		169		563		1,477		35,858		37,335		—
Other		—		—		—		—		22,426		22,426		—
Total	$	22,881	$	6,795	$	33,655	$	63,331	$	1,429,422	$	1,492,753	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 30, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	258	$	312	$	3,969	$	4,539	$	169,678	$	174,217	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		347		332		8,969		9,648		104,551		114,199		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		2,867		2,296		9,544		14,707		717,615		732,322		—
Real estate – residential		7,651		2,766		10,990		21,407		325,073		346,480		—
Consumer installment loans		702		391		815		1,908		38,270		40,178		—
Other		—		—		—		—		43,239		43,239		—
Total	$	11,825	$	6,097	$	34,287	$	52,209	$	1,398,426	$	1,450,635	$	—

	Loans 30-59 Days Past Due		Loans 60-89 Days Past Due		Loans 90 or More Days Past Due		Total Loans Past Due		Current Loans		Total Loans		Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	1,477	$	291	$	4,559	$	6,327	$	142,993	$	149,320	$	—
Real estate – construction & development		2,356		481		9,531		12,368		109,963		122,331		—
Real estate – commercial & farmland		9,991		2,412		19,646		32,049		626,005		658,054		—
Real estate – residential		3,905		6,175		13,298		23,378		304,675		328,053		—
Consumer installment loans		856		497		1,070		2,423		39,662		42,085		—
Other		—		—		—		—		24,001		24,001		—
Total	$	18,585	$	9,856	$	48,104	$	76,545	$	1,247,299	$	1,323,844	$	—

Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables

The following is a summary of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans:

	As of and For the Period Ended
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	37,476	$	38,885	$	52,258
Troubled debt restructurings not included above		18,513		18,744		26,848
Total impaired loans	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance	$	55,989	$	57,629	$	79,106
Allowance related to impaired loans	$	4,839	$	5,115	$	9,500
Average investment in impaired loans	$	56,808	$	70,209	$	83,940
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	78	$	495	$	57
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$	54	$	718	$	187

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012:

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2013:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,818	$	—	$	4,555	$	4,555	$	740	$	4,747
Real estate – construction & development		20,633		—		11,273		11,273		922		11,144
Real estate – commercial & farmland		22,996		—		18,676		18,676		1,816		19,793
Real estate – residential		24,777		—		20,792		20,792		1,344		20,320
Consumer installment loans		920		—		693		693		17		804
Total	$	77,144	$	—	$	55,989	$	55,989	$	4,839	$	56,808

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	8,024	$	—	$	4,940	$	4,940	$	743	$	4,968
Real estate – construction & development		20,316		—		11,016		11,016		910		11,706
Real estate – commercial & farmland		25,076		—		20,910		20,910		2,191		30,638
Real estate – residential		24,155		—		19,848		19,848		1,246		21,813
Consumer installment loans		1,187		—		915		915		25		1,084
Total	$	78,758	$	—	$	57,629	$	57,629	$	5,115	$	70,209

	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2012:
Commercial, financial & agricultural	$	7,599	$	—	$	4,732	$	4,732	$	932	$	4,921
Real estate – construction & development		20,593		—		11,952		11,952		1,993		13,812
Real estate – commercial & farmland		45,098		—		39,304		39,304		3,615		42,155
Real estate – residential		24,845		—		21,843		21,843		2,928		21,948
Consumer installment loans		1,391		—		1,275		1,275		32		1,104
Total	$	99,526	$	—	$	79,106	$	79,106	$	9,500	$	83,940

Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2013:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	32,223	$	—	$	304	$	500	$	7,241	$	—	$	40,268
15		11,569		4,794		146,563		68,212		1,635		—		232,773
20		75,503		34,947		385,984		127,294		19,623		22,426		665,777
23		45		6,606		8,970		13,662		120		—		29,403
25		52,631		66,012		187,567		112,096		7,340		—		425,646
30		3,324		6,004		12,334		10,573		250		—		32,485
40		5,494		11,643		24,505		23,379		1,126		—		66,147
50		99		155		—		—		—		—		254
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	180,888	$	130,161	$	766,227	$	355,716	$	37,335	$	22,426	$	1,492,753

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	24,623	$	—	$	309	$	464	$	7,597	$	—	$	32,993
15		11,316		4,373		147,966		71,254		1,591		—		236,500
20		79,522		31,413		351,997		114,418		21,361		43,239		641,950
23		42		8,521		9,012		13,788		70		—		31,433
25		49,071		52,577		176,395		113,591		7,576		—		399,210
30		2,343		3,394		19,401		9,672		488		—		35,298
40		7,200		13,765		27,242		23,292		1,495		—		72,994
50		100		156		—		1		—		—		257
60		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	174,217	$	114,199	$	732,322	$	346,480	$	40,178	$	43,239	$	1,450,635

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of March 31, 2012:

Risk Grade	Commercial, financial & agricultural		Real estate - construction & development		Real estate - commercial & farmland		Real estate - residential		Consumer installment loans		Other		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10	$	18,767	$	19	$	211	$	415	$	7,042	$	—	$	26,454
15		14,063		5,402		155,568		80,623		1,198		—		256,854
20		63,200		33,805		269,746		85,022		19,478		24,001		495,252
23		265		8,458		9,188		11,719		1		—		29,631
25		44,035		58,943		164,642		107,530		11,983		—		387,133
30		3,148		1,955		20,551		16,135		540		—		42,329
40		5,716		13,459		38,148		26,515		1,828		—		85,666
50		123		290		—		94		15		—		522
60		3		—		—		—		—		—		3
Total	$	149,320	$	122,331	$	658,054	$	328,053	$	42,085	$	24,001	$	1,323,844

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SUBSEQUENT EVENT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On May 2, 2013, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which the Company will acquire The Prosperity Banking Company (“Prosperity”), the parent company of Prosperity Bank. Upon completion of the holding company merger, Prosperity Bank will be merged with and into Ameris Bank. Prosperity currently operates 12 banking locations in Bay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, Florida. As of December 31, 2012, Prosperity reported assets of $742 million, loans of $464 million and deposits of $478 million.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Prosperity shareholders will have the option to elect to receive either 3.125 shares of Ameris common stock or $41.50 in cash for each share of Prosperity common stock, subject to the requirement that no more than 50% of the overall consideration will be in the form of cash. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013 and is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of Prosperity.

Assuming that all consideration is paid with shares of Ameris common stock, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 1, 2013, the transaction would be valued at approximately $15.7 million and represents 89% of Prosperity’s tangible book value as of December 31, 2012. The purchase price will be allocated to the assets purchased as appropriate with the remaining amounts being reported as goodwill. The Company will not be able to make the remaining disclosures required by purchase accounting standards until the transaction closes.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 6,607	$ 7,296
Reclassification for gains included in net income	(112)
Current year changes	(332)	(783)
Ending balance	6,274	6,513
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives [Member]
Schedule Of Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(23)	856
Current year changes	208	(94)
Ending balance	185	762
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	6,630	6,440
Reclassification for gains included in net income	(112)
Current year changes	(429)	(689)
Ending balance	$ 6,089	$ 5,751

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Company issues standby letters of credit, which are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements and expire in decreasing amounts with varying terms. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company holds various assets as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary.

The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.

The Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are presented in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
Commitments to extend credit	$	190,813	$	180,733	$	156,330
Standby letters of credit	$	6,747	$	6,788	$	8,349

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Text Block [Abstract]

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

NOTE 8 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive income for the Company consists of changes in net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale and interest rate swap derivatives. The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, as of March 31, 2013 and 2012.

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2012	$	856		$	6,440		$	7,296
Current year changes		(94	)		(689	)		(783	)
Balance, March 31, 2012	$	762		$	5,751		$	6,513

(Dollars in Thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on  Derivatives			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(23	)	$	6,630		$	6,607
Reclassification for gains included in net income		—			(112	)		(112	)
Current year changes		208			(429	)		(221	)
Balance, March 31, 2013	$	185		$	6,089		$	6,274

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The fair value hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and other accounts recorded based on their fair value:

Cash, Due From Banks, Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks and Federal Funds Sold: The carrying amount of cash, due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold approximates fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and municipal bonds. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third-party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Other Investments: Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock is included in other investment securities at its original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no ready market for such investments.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale: The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans: The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals. To the extent that market appraisals or other methods do not produce reliable determinations of fair value, these assets are deemed to be Level 3.

Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3.

Covered Assets: Covered assets include loans and other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to an annual review for impairment.

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans, and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared-loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared-loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently offered for certificates with similar maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar type borrowing arrangements.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The carrying amount of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities approximates fair value.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,930,095	$	—	$	1,458,604	$	501,874	$	1,960,478
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,489,973		—		2,491,282		—		2,491,282

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,934,754	$	—	$	1,406,366	$	560,226	$	1,966,592
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,624,663		—		2,624,883		—		2,624,883

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2012 Using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Loans, net	$	1,948,532	$	—	$	1,258,402	$	722,983	$	1,981,385
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		2,665,360		—		2,667,731		—		2,667,731
Other borrowings		3,810		—		3,854		—		3,854

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	5,015	$	—	$	5,015	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		115,532		—		115,532		—
Corporate debt securities		10,297		—		8,297		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		193,185		4,054		189,131		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		42,332		—		42,332		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	366,361	$	4,054	$	360,307	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,553	$	—	$	2,553	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	6,870	$	—	$	6,870	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		114,390		4,854		109,536		—
Corporate debt securities		10,328		—		8,328		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		215,321		23,893		191,428		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		48,786		—		48,786		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	395,695	$	28,747	$	364,948	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,978	$	—	$	2,978	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies	$	28,848	$	—	$	28,848	$	—
State, county and municipal securities		81,997		—		81,997		—
Corporate debt securities		11,385		—		9,385		2,000
Mortgage-backed securities		249,561		2,292		247,269		—
Total recurring assets at fair value	$	371,791	$	2,292	$	367,499	$	2,000
Derivative financial instruments	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—
Total recurring liabilities at fair value	$	2,089	$	—	$	2,089	$	—

The following table is a presentation of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	51,150	$	—	$	—	$	51,150
Other real estate owned		40,434		—		—		40,434
Covered loans		460,724		—		—		460,724
Covered other real estate owned		77,915		—		—		77,915
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	630,223	$	—	$	—	$	630,223

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	52,514	$	—	$	—	$	52,514
Other real estate owned		39,850		—		—		39,850
Covered loans		507,712		—		—		507,712
Covered other real estate owned		88,273		—		—		88,273
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	688,349	$	—	$	—	$	688,349

	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of March 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans carried at fair value	$	69,606	$	—	$	—	$	69,606
Other real estate owned		40,035		—		—		40,035
Covered loans		653,377		—		—		653,377
Covered other real estate owned		85,803		—		—		85,803
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value	$	848,821	$	—	$	—	$	848,821

Below is the Company’s reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2013.

	Investment Securities Available for Sale		Impaired Loans Carried at Fair Value			Other Real Estate Owned			Covered Loans			Covered Other Real Estate Owned
Beginning balance January 1, 2013	$	2,000	$	52,514		$	39,850		$	507,712		$	88,273
Total gains/(losses) included in net income		—		—			(15	)		—			(3,032	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net		—		1,262			(2,027	)		(31,449	)		(22,865	)
Transfers in or out of Level 3		—		(2,626	)		2,626			(15,539	)		15,539
Ending balance March 31, 2013	$	2,000	$	51,150		$	40,434		$	460,724		$	77,915

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Loans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions	$ 460,700,000	$ 653,400,000	$ 507,700,000
Nonaccrual loans	200,000
Loan-to-value ratio	110.00%
Modified loans	27,400,000		40,300,000
Troubled debt restructurings	23,300,000	31,700,000	23,900,000
Troubled debt restructurings, previous charge-offs	2,600,000	2,300,000	1,900,000
Allowance for loan losses allocated to troubled debt restructurings	591,000	3,200,000	640,000
Troubled debt restructurings, provision for loan loss expense	320,000	282,000	2,600,000
Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 100,000

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Assets Acquired In FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions - Components of Covered Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Covered loans	$ 575,966	$ 641,451	$ 860,391
Less Credit risk adjustments	114,699	132,983	205,531
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	543	756	1,483
Total covered loans	460,724	507,712	653,377
OREO	91,677	105,347	112,783
Less Fair value adjustments	13,762	17,074	26,980
Total covered OREO	77,915	88,273	85,803
Total covered assets	538,639	595,985	739,180
FDIC indemnification asset	160,979	159,724	220,016
American United Bank (AUB) [Member]
Covered loans	25,001	27,169	33,063
Less Credit risk adjustments	2,508	2,481	2,672
Total covered loans	22,493	24,688	30,391
OREO	8,079	10,636	11,842
Less Fair value adjustments	100	102
Total covered OREO	7,979	10,534	11,842
Total covered assets	30,472	35,222	42,233
FDIC indemnification asset	4,176	2,905	2,648
United Security Bank (USB) [Member]
Covered loans	25,921	27,286	48,017
Less Credit risk adjustments	3,879	4,320	5,083
Total covered loans	22,042	22,966	42,934
OREO	5,379	7,087	8,401
Less Fair value adjustments	139	99	50
Total covered OREO	5,240	6,988	8,351
Total covered assets	27,282	29,954	51,285
FDIC indemnification asset	9,932	6,619	6,621
Satilla Community Bank (SCB) [Member]
Covered loans	40,008	41,389	53,643
Less Credit risk adjustments	3,189	3,285	5,628
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments			52
Total covered loans	36,819	38,104	47,963
OREO	6,670	10,686	10,833
Less Fair value adjustments	299	654	405
Total covered OREO	6,371	10,032	10,428
Total covered assets	43,190	48,136	58,391
FDIC indemnification asset	8,189	6,133	7,660
First Bank of Jacksonville (FBJ) [Member]
Covered loans	31,479	32,574	38,116
Less Credit risk adjustments	5,662	6,204	6,994
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	11	27	76
Total covered loans	25,806	26,343	31,046
OREO	1,450	3,260	2,674
Less Fair value adjustments	93	526	534
Total covered OREO	1,357	2,734	2,140
Total covered assets	27,163	29,077	33,186
FDIC indemnification asset	6,840	6,589	7,540
Darby Bank & Trust (DBT) [Member]
Covered loans	146,178	169,527	245,117
Less Credit risk adjustments	35,461	41,631	64,530
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	83	207	579
Total covered loans	110,634	127,689	180,008
OREO	25,990	30,395	28,759
Less Fair value adjustments	1,895	2,160	2,253
Total covered OREO	24,095	28,235	26,506
Total covered assets	134,729	155,924	206,514
FDIC indemnification asset	37,333	47,012	65,932
Tifton Banking Company (TBC) [Member]
Covered loans	42,302	46,796	74,893
Less Credit risk adjustments	4,450	4,979	14,052
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	133	173	292
Total covered loans	37,719	41,644	60,549
OREO	10,478	11,089	6,678
Less Fair value adjustments	1,814	1,381	880
Total covered OREO	8,664	9,708	5,798
Total covered assets	46,383	51,352	66,347
FDIC indemnification asset	8,050	8,073	18,166
High Trust Bank [HTB] [Member]
Covered loans	82,202	90,602	106,730
Less Credit risk adjustments	14,068	16,072	23,637
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	49	52	73
Total covered loans	68,085	74,478	83,020
OREO	14,823	13,980	17,755
Less Fair value adjustments	3,445	4,954	8,055
Total covered OREO	11,378	9,026	9,700
Total covered assets	79,463	83,504	92,720
FDIC indemnification asset	21,423	20,020	29,997
One Georgia Bank (OGB) [Member]
Covered loans	73,279	81,908	96,271
Less Credit risk adjustments	14,877	17,127	27,105
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	127	136	190
Total covered loans	58,275	64,645	68,976
OREO	10,384	9,168	12,049
Less Fair value adjustments	4,144	4,078	7,037
Total covered OREO	6,240	5,090	5,012
Total covered assets	64,515	69,735	73,988
FDIC indemnification asset	18,687	16,871	30,126
Central Bank of Georgia (CBG) [Member]
Covered loans	109,596	124,200	164,541
Less Credit risk adjustments	30,605	36,884	55,830
Less Liquidity and rate adjustments	140	161	221
Total covered loans	78,851	87,155	108,490
OREO	8,424	9,046	13,792
Less Fair value adjustments	1,833	3,120	7,766
Total covered OREO	6,591	5,926	6,026
Total covered assets	85,442	93,081	114,516
FDIC indemnification asset	$ 46,349	$ 45,502	$ 51,326

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Weighted Average Number of Shares

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

	For the  Three Months     Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
	(share data in thousands)
Basic shares outstanding		23,868		23,762
Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs		63		105
Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted Grants		315		49
Diluted shares outstanding		24,246		23,916

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Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured as Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	$ 366,361	$ 395,695	$ 371,791
Recurring liabilities at fair value	2,553	2,978	2,089
U.S. government agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	5,015	6,870	28,848
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	115,532	114,390	81,997
Corporate debt securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	10,297	10,328	11,385
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	193,185	215,321	249,561
Mortgage loans held for sale [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	42,332	48,786
Derivative financial instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	2,553	2,978	2,089
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	4,054	28,747	2,292
Level 1 [Member] | State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value		4,854
Level 1 [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	4,054	23,893	2,292
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	360,307	364,948	367,499
Recurring liabilities at fair value	2,553	2,978	2,089
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	5,015	6,870	28,848
Level 2 [Member] | State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	115,532	109,536	81,997
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	8,297	8,328	9,385
Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	189,131	191,428	247,269
Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage loans held for sale [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	42,332	48,786
Level 2 [Member] | Derivative financial instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	2,553	2,978	2,089
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	2,000	2,000	2,000
Level 3 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	$ 2,000	$ 2,000	$ 2,000

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Loans - Schedule of Allowances for Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 23,593	$ 35,156	$ 35,156
Provision for loan losses	2,603	12,600	28,451
Loans charged off	(3,036)	(19,337)	(41,163)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	222	270	1,149
Ending balance	23,382	28,689	23,593
Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	4,409	8,360	4,554
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	18,973	20,329	19,039
Ending balance	23,382	28,689	23,593
Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	45,229	65,286	45,320
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,447,524	1,258,558	1,405,315
Ending balance	1,492,753	1,323,844	1,450,635
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2,439	2,918	2,918
Provision for loan losses	254	(693)	815
Loans charged off	(410)	(155)	(1,451)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	84	48	157
Ending balance	2,367	2,118	2,439
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	675	827	659
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,692	1,291	1,780
Ending balance	2,367	2,118	2,439
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	3,334	3,220	3,351
Collectively evaluated for impairment	177,554	146,100	170,866
Ending balance	180,888	149,320	174,217
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,343	9,438	9,438
Provision for loan losses	1,467	1,967	5,245
Loans charged off	(655)	(3,930)	(9,380)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	2	17	40
Ending balance	6,157	7,492	5,343
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	641	1,450	611
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	5,516	6,042	4,732
Ending balance	6,157	7,492	5,343
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	8,281	8,980	7,617
Collectively evaluated for impairment	121,880	113,351	106,582
Ending balance	130,161	122,331	114,199
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	9,157	14,226	14,226
Provision for loan losses	696	8,585	15,000
Loans charged off	(1,025)	(12,964)	(20,551)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	3	16	482
Ending balance	8,831	9,863	9,157
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,890	3,421	2,228
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	6,941	6,442	6,929
Ending balance	8,831	9,863	9,157
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	19,545	35,971	21,332
Collectively evaluated for impairment	746,682	622,083	710,990
Ending balance	766,227	658,054	732,322
Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,898	8,128	8,128
Provision for loan losses	339	2,002	6,267
Loans charged off	(779)	(2,123)	(8,722)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	85	141	225
Ending balance	5,543	8,148	5,898
Real estate - residential [Member] | Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,203	2,659	1,056
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,340	5,489	4,842
Ending balance	5,543	8,148	5,898
Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment	14,069	17,098	13,020
Collectively evaluated for impairment	341,647	310,955	333,460
Ending balance	355,716	328,053	346,480
Consumer Installment and Other [Member] | Loans Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	756	446	446
Provision for loan losses	(153)	739	1,124
Loans charged off	(167)	(165)	(1,059)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	48	48	245
Ending balance	484	1,068	756
Consumer Installment and Other [Member] | Period-end amount allocated to: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment		3
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	484	1,065	756
Ending balance	484	1,068	756
Consumer Installment and Other [Member] | Loans: [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Individually evaluated for impairment		17
Collectively evaluated for impairment	59,761	66,069	83,417
Ending balance	$ 59,761	$ 66,086	$ 83,417

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Loans - Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables (Summary of Covered Impaired Loans) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 200,000
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	23,300,000	31,700,000	23,900,000
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	98,515,000	170,221,000	115,712,000
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	21,592,000	18,220,000	19,194,000
Total impaired loans	120,107,000	188,441,000	134,906,000
Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance	120,107,000	188,441,000	134,906,000
Impaired loans requiring a related allowance
Allowance related to impaired loans
Average investment in impaired loans	127,507,000	184,162,000	163,825,000
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	169,000	179,000	849,000
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$ 147,000	$ 441,000	$ 491,000

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	PREFERRED STOCK [Member]	COMMON STOCK [Member]	CAPITAL SURPLUS [Member]	RETAINED EARNINGS [Member]	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX [Member]	TREASURY STOCK [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 50,727	$ 25,087	$ 166,639	$ 54,852	$ 7,296	$ 10,831
Balance at beginning of period, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		52,000	25,087,468
Net income	5,365				5,365
Other comprehensive income during the period	(783)					(783)
Issuance of restricted shares			62	(62)
Accretion of fair value of warrant		157
Dividends on preferred shares					(657)
Issuance of restricted shares, Shares			62,450
Accretion of fair value of warrant, Shares
Accretion of fair value warrant					(158)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1	2
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, Shares			400
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2012	297,697	50,884	25,150	166,579	59,402	6,513	10,831
Balance at end of period, Shares at Mar. 31, 2012		52,000	25,150,318
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	279,017	27,662	25,155	164,949	65,710	6,607	11,066
Balance at beginning of period, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012		28,000	25,154,818
Stock-based compensation				197
Net income	5,285				5,284
Other comprehensive income during the period	(332)					(333)
Purchase of treasury shares							110
Issuance of restricted shares			81	(81)
Accretion of fair value of warrant		91
Dividends on preferred shares					(349)
Issuance of restricted shares, Shares			81,400
Accretion of fair value of warrant, Shares
Accretion of fair value warrant					(91)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			3	13
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, Shares			2,417
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 283,722	$ 27,753	$ 25,239	$ 165,078	$ 70,554	$ 6,274	$ 11,176
Balance at end of period, Shares at Mar. 31, 2013		28,000	25,238,635

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ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

NOTE 4 – ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include:

Bank Acquired	Location	Branches	Date Acquired
American United Bank (“AUB”)	Lawrenceville, Ga.	1	October 23, 2009
United Security Bank (“USB”)	Sparta, Ga.	2	November 6, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”)	St. Marys, Ga.	1	May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”)	Jacksonville, Fl.	2	October 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”)	Tifton, Ga.	1	November 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”)	Vidalia, Ga.	7	November 12, 2010
High Trust Bank (“HTB”)	Stockbridge, Ga.	2	July 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (“OGB”)	Midtown Atlanta, Ga.	1	July 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”)	Ellaville, Ga.	5	February 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”)	Ailey, Ga.	2	July 6, 2012

The determination of the initial fair values of loans at the acquisition date and the initial fair values of the related FDIC indemnification assets involves a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying values of the acquired loans and the FDIC indemnification assets reflect management’s best estimate of the fair value of each of these assets as of the date of acquisition. However, the amount that the Company realizes on these assets could differ materially from the carrying values reflected in the financial statements included in this report, based upon the timing and amount of collections on the acquired loans in future periods. Because of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, the Company does not expect to incur any significant losses. To the extent the actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the estimates, the indemnification assets will generally be affected in an offsetting manner due to the loss-sharing support from the FDIC.

FASB ASC 310 – 30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310”), applies to a loan with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable. ASC 310 prohibits carrying over or creating an allowance for loan losses upon initial recognition for loans which fall under the scope of this statement. At the acquisition dates, a majority of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the future cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of underlying collateral. There was no allowance for credit losses established related to these ASC 310 loans at the acquisition dates, based on the provisions of this statement. Over the life of the acquired loans, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected increases, then the Company adjusts the amount of accretable discount recognized on a prospective basis over the loan’s remaining life. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected decreases, then the Company records a provision for loan loss in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 and their origin:

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2013:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	25,001	$	2,508	$	—	$	22,493	$	8,079	$	100	$	7,979	$	30,472	$	4,176
USB		25,921		3,879		—		22,042		5,379		139		5,240		27,282		9,932
SCB		40,008		3,189		—		36,819		6,670		299		6,371		43,190		8,189
FBJ		31,479		5,662		11		25,806		1,450		93		1,357		27,163		6,840
DBT		146,178		35,461		83		110,634		25,990		1,895		24,095		134,729		37,333
TBC		42,302		4,450		133		37,719		10,478		1,814		8,664		46,383		8,050
HTB		82,202		14,068		49		68,085		14,823		3,445		11,378		79,463		21,423
OGB		73,279		14,877		127		58,275		10,384		4,144		6,240		64,515		18,687
CBG		109,596		30,605		140		78,851		8,424		1,833		6,591		85,442		46,349
Total	$	575,966	$	114,699	$	543	$	460,724	$	91,677	$	13,762	$	77,915	$	538,639	$	160,979
	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of December 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	27,169	$	2,481	$	—	$	24,688	$	10,636	$	102	$	10,534	$	35,222	$	2,905
USB		27,286		4,320		—		22,966		7,087		99		6,988		29,954		6,619
SCB		41,389		3,285		—		38,104		10,686		654		10,032		48,136		6,133
FBJ		32,574		6,204		27		26,343		3,260		526		2,734		29,077		6,589
DBT		169,527		41,631		207		127,689		30,395		2,160		28,235		155,924		47,012
TBC		46,796		4,979		173		41,644		11,089		1,381		9,708		51,352		8,073
HTB		90,602		16,072		52		74,478		13,980		4,954		9,026		83,504		20,020
OGB		81,908		17,127		136		64,645		9,168		4,078		5,090		69,735		16,871
CBG		124,200		36,884		161		87,155		9,046		3,120		5,926		93,081		45,502
Total	$	641,451	$	132,983	$	756	$	507,712	$	105,347	$	17,074	$	88,273	$	595,985	$	159,724

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	33,063	$	2,672	$	—	$	30,391	$	11,842	$	—	$	11,842	$	42,233	$	2,648
USB		48,017		5,083		—		42,934		8,401		50		8,351		51,285		6,621
SCB		53,643		5,628		52		47,963		10,833		405		10,428		58,391		7,660
FBJ		38,116		6,994		76		31,046		2,674		534		2,140		33,186		7,540
DBT		245,117		64,530		579		180,008		28,759		2,253		26,506		206,514		65,932
TBC		74,893		14,052		292		60,549		6,678		880		5,798		66,347		18,166
HTB		106,730		23,637		73		83,020		17,755		8,055		9,700		92,720		29,997
OGB		96,271		27,105		190		68,976		12,049		7,037		5,012		73,988		30,126
CBG		164,541		55,830		221		108,490		13,792		7,766		6,026		114,516		51,326
Total	$	860,391	$	205,531	$	1,483	$	653,377	$	112,783	$	26,980	$	85,803	$	739,180	$	220,016

On the dates of acquisition, the Company estimated the future cash flows on each individual loan and made the necessary adjustments to reflect the asset at fair value. At each quarter end subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company revises the estimates of future cash flows based on current information and makes the necessary adjustments to continue reflecting the assets at fair value. The adjustments to fair value are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the following:

Total Amounts	March 31,   2013		December 31, 2012		March 31,   2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	4,052	$	23,050	$	2,818
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		1,600		13,190		1,410
Amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Earnings	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	810	$	4,610	$	564
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		320		2,638		282

A rollforward of acquired loans with deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	282,737		$	307,790		$	307,790
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(5,391	)		(17,712	)		(3,388	)
Additions due to acquisitions		—			73,414			73,414
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(22,279	)		(80,755	)		(9,451	)
Ending balance	$	255,067		$	282,737		$	368,365

A rollforward of acquired loans without deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	228,602		$	266,966		$	266,966
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(2,625	)		1,376			222
Additions due to acquisitions		—			51,368			51,367
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(20,229	)		(91,108	)		(19,684	)
Ending balance	$	205,748		$	228,602		$	298,871

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	16,698		$	29,537		$	29,537
Additions due to acquisitions		—			9,863			9,863
Accretion		(7,218	)		(45,752	)		(12,051	)
Other activity, net		4,052			23,050			2,818
Ending balance	$	13,532		$	16,698		$	30,167

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2013, for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	159,724		$	242,394		$	242,394
Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions		—			52,654			52,654
Payments received from FDIC		(6,324	)		(128,730	)		(71,169	)
Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets		7,579			(6,594	)		(3,863	)
Ending balance	$	160,979		$	159,724		$	220,016

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Other Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding borrowings	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,810

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Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies - Valuation Methodologies for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	$ 630,223	$ 688,349	$ 848,821
Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	51,150	52,514	69,606
Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	40,434	39,850	40,035
Covered Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	460,724	507,712	653,377
Covered Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	77,915	88,273	85,803
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 1 [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 1 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 1 [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 1 [Member] | Covered Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 2 [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 2 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 2 [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 2 [Member] | Covered Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	630,223	688,349	848,821
Level 3 [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	51,150	52,514	69,606
Level 3 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	40,434	39,850	40,035
Level 3 [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	460,724	507,712	653,377
Level 3 [Member] | Covered Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	$ 77,915	$ 88,273	$ 85,803

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Loans - Summary of Covered Past Due Financial Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	$ 27,400	$ 40,300
Total Loans	1,492,753	1,450,635	1,323,844
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	20,603	21,536	22,215
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	4,383	14,479	11,784
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	86,249	108,072	150,368
Total Loans Past Due	111,235	144,087	184,367
Current Loans	349,489	363,625	469,010
Total Loans	460,724	507,712	653,377
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	146	3,301	4,285
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	180,888	174,217	149,320
Commercial, financial & agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	756	2,390	682
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	314	1,105	430
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	7,270	10,612	14,229
Total Loans Past Due	8,340	14,107	15,341
Current Loans	20,228	18,499	27,816
Total Loans	28,568	32,606	43,157
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	98	98	549
Real estate - construction & development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	130,161	114,199	122,331
Real estate - construction & development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	3,971	1,584	2,704
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	876	2,592	778
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	17,415	19,656	32,302
Total Loans Past Due	22,262	23,832	35,784
Current Loans	34,852	46,352	57,646
Total Loans	57,114	70,184	93,430
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing		1,077	909
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	766,227	732,322	658,054
Real estate - commercial & farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	10,227	11,451	12,905
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	2,837	7,373	6,994
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	42,464	52,570	68,282
Total Loans Past Due	55,528	71,394	88,181
Current Loans	204,631	207,112	262,063
Total Loans	260,159	278,506	350,244
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing		1,347	2,583
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	355,716	346,480	328,053
Real estate - residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	5,608	6,066	5,859
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	345	3,396	3,514
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	18,895	24,976	34,870
Total Loans Past Due	24,848	34,438	44,243
Current Loans	88,820	90,618	118,525
Total Loans	113,668	125,056	162,768
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	48	779	3
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	37,335	40,178	42,085
Consumer installment loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans 30-59 Days Past Due	41	45	65
Loans 60-89 Days Past Due	11	13	68
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due	205	258	685
Total Loans Past Due	257	316	818
Current Loans	958	1,044	2,960
Total Loans	1,215	1,360	3,778
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing			$ 241

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ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Schedule of Acquisition Details

From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include:

Bank Acquired	Location	Branches	Date Acquired
American United Bank (“AUB”)	Lawrenceville, Ga.	1	October 23, 2009
United Security Bank (“USB”)	Sparta, Ga.	2	November 6, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”)	St. Marys, Ga.	1	May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”)	Jacksonville, Fl.	2	October 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”)	Tifton, Ga.	1	November 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”)	Vidalia, Ga.	7	November 12, 2010
High Trust Bank (“HTB”)	Stockbridge, Ga.	2	July 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (“OGB”)	Midtown Atlanta, Ga.	1	July 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”)	Ellaville, Ga.	5	February 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”)	Ailey, Ga.	2	July 6, 2012

Components of Covered Assets

The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 and their origin:

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2013:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	25,001	$	2,508	$	—	$	22,493	$	8,079	$	100	$	7,979	$	30,472	$	4,176
USB		25,921		3,879		—		22,042		5,379		139		5,240		27,282		9,932
SCB		40,008		3,189		—		36,819		6,670		299		6,371		43,190		8,189
FBJ		31,479		5,662		11		25,806		1,450		93		1,357		27,163		6,840
DBT		146,178		35,461		83		110,634		25,990		1,895		24,095		134,729		37,333
TBC		42,302		4,450		133		37,719		10,478		1,814		8,664		46,383		8,050
HTB		82,202		14,068		49		68,085		14,823		3,445		11,378		79,463		21,423
OGB		73,279		14,877		127		58,275		10,384		4,144		6,240		64,515		18,687
CBG		109,596		30,605		140		78,851		8,424		1,833		6,591		85,442		46,349
Total	$	575,966	$	114,699	$	543	$	460,724	$	91,677	$	13,762	$	77,915	$	538,639	$	160,979
	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of December 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	27,169	$	2,481	$	—	$	24,688	$	10,636	$	102	$	10,534	$	35,222	$	2,905
USB		27,286		4,320		—		22,966		7,087		99		6,988		29,954		6,619
SCB		41,389		3,285		—		38,104		10,686		654		10,032		48,136		6,133
FBJ		32,574		6,204		27		26,343		3,260		526		2,734		29,077		6,589
DBT		169,527		41,631		207		127,689		30,395		2,160		28,235		155,924		47,012
TBC		46,796		4,979		173		41,644		11,089		1,381		9,708		51,352		8,073
HTB		90,602		16,072		52		74,478		13,980		4,954		9,026		83,504		20,020
OGB		81,908		17,127		136		64,645		9,168		4,078		5,090		69,735		16,871
CBG		124,200		36,884		161		87,155		9,046		3,120		5,926		93,081		45,502
Total	$	641,451	$	132,983	$	756	$	507,712	$	105,347	$	17,074	$	88,273	$	595,985	$	159,724

	Covered loans		Less: Credit risk adjustments		Less: Liquidity and rate adjustments		Total covered loans		OREO		Less: Fair value adjustments		Total covered OREO		Total covered assets		FDIC indemnification asset
As of March 31, 2012:	(Dollars in thousands)
AUB	$	33,063	$	2,672	$	—	$	30,391	$	11,842	$	—	$	11,842	$	42,233	$	2,648
USB		48,017		5,083		—		42,934		8,401		50		8,351		51,285		6,621
SCB		53,643		5,628		52		47,963		10,833		405		10,428		58,391		7,660
FBJ		38,116		6,994		76		31,046		2,674		534		2,140		33,186		7,540
DBT		245,117		64,530		579		180,008		28,759		2,253		26,506		206,514		65,932
TBC		74,893		14,052		292		60,549		6,678		880		5,798		66,347		18,166
HTB		106,730		23,637		73		83,020		17,755		8,055		9,700		92,720		29,997
OGB		96,271		27,105		190		68,976		12,049		7,037		5,012		73,988		30,126
CBG		164,541		55,830		221		108,490		13,792		7,766		6,026		114,516		51,326
Total	$	860,391	$	205,531	$	1,483	$	653,377	$	112,783	$	26,980	$	85,803	$	739,180	$	220,016

Loan-by-Loan Basis Performance of Fair Value Adjustments

On the dates of acquisition, the Company estimated the future cash flows on each individual loan and made the necessary adjustments to reflect the asset at fair value. At each quarter end subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company revises the estimates of future cash flows based on current information and makes the necessary adjustments to continue reflecting the assets at fair value. The adjustments to fair value are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the following:

Total Amounts	March 31,   2013		December 31, 2012		March 31,   2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	4,052	$	23,050	$	2,818
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		1,600		13,190		1,410
Amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Earnings	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)	$	810	$	4,610	$	564
Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)		320		2,638		282

Schedule of Changes in Accretable Discount Related Acquired Loan

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	16,698		$	29,537		$	29,537
Additions due to acquisitions		—			9,863			9,863
Accretion		(7,218	)		(45,752	)		(12,051	)
Other activity, net		4,052			23,050			2,818
Ending balance	$	13,532		$	16,698		$	30,167

Changes in FDIC Shared Loss Receivable

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2013, for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	159,724		$	242,394		$	242,394
Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions		—			52,654			52,654
Payments received from FDIC		(6,324	)		(128,730	)		(71,169	)
Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets		7,579			(6,594	)		(3,863	)
Ending balance	$	160,979		$	159,724		$	220,016

Loans With Deterioration Of Credit Quality [Member]

Rollforward of Acquired Loans Deterioration of Credit Quality

A rollforward of acquired loans with deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	282,737		$	307,790		$	307,790
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(5,391	)		(17,712	)		(3,388	)
Additions due to acquisitions		—			73,414			73,414
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(22,279	)		(80,755	)		(9,451	)
Ending balance	$	255,067		$	282,737		$	368,365

Loans without Deterioration of Credit Quality [Member]

Rollforward of Acquired Loans Deterioration of Credit Quality

A rollforward of acquired loans without deterioration of credit quality for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)	March 31,   2013			December 31, 2012			March 31,   2012
Balance, January 1	$	228,602		$	266,966		$	266,966
Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries		(2,625	)		1,376			222
Additions due to acquisitions		—			51,368			51,367
Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)		(20,229	)		(91,108	)		(19,684	)
Ending balance	$	205,748		$	228,602		$	298,871