Ameris Bancorp


Ameris Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta. Through its bank subsidiary, Ameris Bank, the company operates branches in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.

History

In 1971, the company was founded in Moultrie, Georgia as American Banking Company.
In 1980, ABC Holding Company was formed as a parent company to American Banking Company.
In 1986, ABC Holding Company changed its name to ABC Bancorp.
In 1987, ABC Bancorp became a public company via an initial public offering.
In 1994, ABC Bancorp began trading on the NASDAQ.
In 1996, the bank expanded into Alabama.
In 2000, the bank expanded into Florida.
In 2005, the company changed its name to Ameris Bancorp.
In 2006, the bank expanded into South Carolina.
In 2008, the company received a $52 million investment from the United States Department of the Treasury as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Between 2009 and 2012, in transactions organized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the company acquired American United Bank, United Security Bank, Satilla Community Bank, First Bank of Jacksonville, Darby Bank & Trust, Tifton Banking Company, One Georgia Bank, High Trust Bank, Central Bank of Georgia, and Montgomery Bank & Trust, all of which suffered from bank failure.
In 2013, Ameris acquired Prosperity Banking Company for $24.5 million.
In 2014, Ameris acquired Coastal Bankshares for $37.3 million.
In 2015, Ameris acquired Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida for $50.0 million. It also acquired 18 bank branches from Bank of America in North Florida and South Georgia and acquired Jacksonville Bancorp.
In 2016, Ameris moves its executive team to new offices in Jacksonville, Florida.
In May 2018, Ameris acquired Atlantic Coast Financial.
In July 2019, Ameris acquired Fidelity Southern Corporation.
In October 2019, the company moved its headquarters to Atlanta.