ABCB 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2014 | Alphaminr

ABCB 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014

AMERIS BANCORP
10-Ks and 10-Qs
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
10-Q
10-Q
10-Q
10-K
PROXIES
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
DEF 14A
10-Q 1 d795915d10q.htm 10-Q 10-Q
Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2014

OR

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

Commission File Number: 001-13901

LOGO

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 a 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 28,160,598 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 31, 2014.


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September  30, 2013

1

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

2

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September  30, 2014 and 2013

3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

Item 2.

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

45

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

70

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

70

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

71

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

71

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

71

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

71

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

71

Item 5.

Other Information.

71

Item 6.

Exhibits.

71

Signatures

72


Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$ 69,421 $ 62,955 $ 53,516

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts

40,165 204,984 73,899

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

529,509 486,235 312,248

Other investments

12,687 16,828 7,764

Mortgage loans held for sale

110,059 67,278 69,634

Loans, net of unearned income

1,848,759 1,618,454 1,589,267

Purchased loans not covered by FDIC loss share agreements (“purchased non-covered loans”)

673,724 448,753

Purchased loans covered by FDIC loss share agreements (“covered loans”)

313,589 390,237 417,649

Less: allowance for loan losses

(22,212 ) (22,377 ) (23,854 )

Loans, net

2,813,860 2,435,067 1,983,062

Other real estate owned, net

35,320 33,351 37,978

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned, net

13,660 4,276

Covered other real estate owned, net

28,883 45,893 52,552

Total other real estate owned, net

77,863 83,520 90,530

Premises and equipment, net

98,752 103,188 65,661

FDIC loss-share receivable

38,233 65,441 81,763

Other intangible assets, net

9,114 6,009 1,972

Goodwill

58,879 35,049 956

Cash value of bank owned life insurance

58,217 49,432 49,095

Other assets

82,649 51,663 28,402

Total assets

$ 3,999,408 $ 3,667,649 $ 2,818,502

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Liabilities

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$ 816,517 $ 668,531 $ 475,505

Interest-bearing

2,556,602 2,330,700 1,967,916

Total deposits

3,373,119 2,999,231 2,443,421

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

32,351 83,516 20,255

Other borrowings

147,409 194,572 5,000

Other liabilities

27,615 18,165 17,201

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

65,084 55,466 42,269

Total liabilities

3,645,578 3,350,950 2,528,146

Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0, 28,000 and 28,000 shares issued and outstanding

28,000 27,938

Common stock, par value $1; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,157,898; 26,461,769 and 25,270,851 issued

28,158 26,462 25,271

Capital surplus

224,142 189,722 165,835

Retained earnings

109,170 83,991 83,025

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

3,974 (294 ) (531 )

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,383,496; 1,363,342 and 1,363,342 shares

(11,614 ) (11,182 ) (11,182 )

Total stockholders’ equity

353,830 316,699 290,356

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 3,999,408 $ 3,667,649 $ 2,818,502

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2014 2013 2014 2013

Interest income

Interest and fees on loans

$ 39,610 $ 29,633 $ 109,376 $ 88,208

Interest on taxable securities

3,034 1,720 8,972 5,136

Interest on nontaxable securities

496 352 1,143 1,071

Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold

46 44 175 158

Total interest income

43,186 31,749 119,666 94,573

Interest expense

Interest on deposits

2,540 2,025 6,928 6,334

Interest on other borrowings

1,514 404 3,858 1,105

Total interest expense

4,054 2,429 10,786 7,439

Net interest income

39,132 29,320 108,880 87,134

Provision for loan losses

1,669 2,920 4,760 10,008

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

37,463 26,400 104,120 77,126

Noninterest income

Service charges on deposit accounts

6,659 4,948 18,092 14,480

Mortgage banking activity

7,498 5,232 19,510 14,697

Other service charges, commissions and fees

690 593 2,004 1,539

Gain (loss) on sale of securities

132 138 171

Other noninterest income

2,922 1,515 6,730 4,145

Total noninterest income

17,901 12,288 46,474 35,032

Noninterest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

20,226 14,412 54,562 41,599

Occupancy and equipment

4,669 3,149 12,804 9,058

Advertising and marketing expenses

594 434 2,022 1,016

Amortization of intangible assets

698 346 1,668 1,068

Data processing and telecommunications expenses

3,928 3,072 11,322 8,478

Credit resolution related expenses

3,186 2,971 8,216 10,164

Merger and conversion charges

551 512 3,873 512

Other noninterest expenses

4,727 3,853 14,669 12,426

Total noninterest expense

38,579 28,749 109,136 84,321

Income before income tax expense

16,785 9,939 41,458 27,837

Income tax expense

5,122 3,262 13,315 9,197

Net income

11,663 6,677 28,143 18,640

Less preferred stock dividends and discount accretion

443 286 1,326

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 11,663 $ 6,234 $ 27,857 $ 17,314

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax of $114, $2,158, ($2,610) and $4,375

(211 ) (4,007 ) 4,847 (8,125 )

Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in earnings, net of tax of $46, $0, $48 and $60

(86 ) (90 ) (111 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax of ($80), $57, $264 and ($591)

149 (106 ) (489 ) 1,098

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(148 ) (4,113 ) 4,268 (7,138 )

Total comprehensive income

$ 11,515 $ 2,564 $ 32,411 $ 11,502

Basic earnings per common share

$ 0.44 $ 0.26 $ 1.08 $ 0.72

Diluted earnings per common share

$ 0.43 $ 0.26 $ 1.07 $ 0.71

Dividends declared per common share

$ 0.05 $ $ 0.10 $

Weighted average common shares outstanding

Basic

26,773 23,901 25,705 23,883

Diluted

27,161 24,316 26,099 24,298

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

2


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014 September 30, 2013
Shares Amount Shares Amount

PREFERRED STOCK

Issued at beginning of period

28,000 $ 28,000 28,000 $ 27,662

Repurchase of preferred stock

(28,000 ) (28,000 )

Accretion of fair value of warrant

276

Issued at end of period

$ 28,000 $ 27,938

COMMON STOCK

Issued at beginning of period

26,461,769 $ 26,462 25,154,818 $ 25,155

Issuance of restricted shares

68,047 68 83,400 83

Issuance of common stock

1,598,998 1,599

Cancellation of restricted shares

(1,000 ) (1 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

29,084 29 33,633 34

Issued at end of period

28,157,898 $ 28,158 25,270,851 $ 25,271

CAPITAL SURPLUS

Balance at beginning of period

$ 189,722 $ 164,949

Stock-based compensation

1,230 592

Issuance of common stock

32,875

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

383 376

Issuance of restricted shares

(68 ) (83 )

Cancellation of restricted shares

1

Balance at end of period

$ 224,142 $ 165,835

RETAINED EARNINGS

Balance at beginning of period

$ 83,991 $ 65,710

Net income

28,143 18,640

Cash dividends declared, $0.10 per share

(2,678 )

Dividends on preferred shares

(286 ) (1,050 )

Accretion of fair value of warrant

(275 )

Balance at end of period

$ 109,170 $ 83,025

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

Unrealized gains on securities and derivatives:

Balance at beginning of period

$ (294 ) $ 6,607

Other comprehensive income (loss)

4,268 (7,138 )

Balance at end of period

$ 3,974 $ (531 )

TREASURY STOCK

Balance at beginning of period

(1,363,342 ) $ (11,182 ) (1,355,050 ) $ (11,066 )

Purchase of treasury shares

(20,154 ) (432 ) (8,292 ) (116 )

Balance at end of period

(1,383,496 ) $ (11,614 ) (1,363,342 ) $ (11,182 )

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$ 353,830 $ 290,356

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2014 2013

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$ 28,143 $ 18,640

Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation

5,850 3,683

Stock based compensation expense

1,230 592

Net gains on sale or disposal of premises and equipment

(615 ) (61 )

Net losses or write-downs on sale of other real estate owned

2,344 5,646

Provision for loan losses

4,760 10,008

Accretion of discount on covered loans

(20,822 ) (36,552 )

Accretion of discount on purchased non-covered loans

(5,840 )

Accretion of FDIC loss-share receivable, net of amortization of FDIC clawback payable

8,699 19,721

Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI

(973 ) (898 )

Amortization of intangible assets

1,668 1,068

Net amortization of investment securities available for sale

2,609 2,531

Originations of mortgage loans held for sale

(504,164 ) (399,606 )

Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale

468,671 378,758

Net gains on securities available for sale

(138 ) (171 )

Change attributable to other operating activities

3,685 15,843

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(4,893 ) 19,202

Cash flows from investing activities, net of effect of business combinations:

Net decrease in federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits

180,742 119,778

Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale

37,706 43,474

Purchase of securities available for sale

(102,340 ) (61,445 )

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

92,975 36,669

Purchase of bank owned life insurance

(30,000 )

Net increase in loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans

(243,809 ) (155,447 )

Payments received on purchased non-covered loans

58,350

Payments received on covered loans

85,946 96,629

Payments received from FDIC under loss share agreements

18,509 58,240

Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned

31,913 55,270

Decrease in restricted equity securities, net

5,116

Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment

1,213 1,889

Purchases of premises and equipment

(3,779 ) (4,136 )

Net cash proceeds received from acquisitions

1,099

Net cash provided by investing activities

163,641 160,921

Cash flows from financing activities, net of effect of business combinations:

Net increase/(decrease) in deposits

4,864 (181,242 )

Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

(56,593 ) (29,865 )

Repayment of other borrowings

(187,032 )

Proceeds from other borrowings

117,463 5,000

Redemption of preferred stock

(28,000 )

Dividends paid—preferred stock

(286 ) (1,050 )

Dividends paid—common stock

(2,678 )

Purchase of treasury shares

(432 ) (116 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

412 410

Net cash used in financing activities

(152,282 ) (206,863 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks

6,466 (26,740 )

Cash and due from banks at beginning of period

62,955 80,256

Cash and due from banks at end of period

$ 69,421 $ 53,516

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid/(received) during the period for:

Interest

$ 10,773 $ 7,840

Income taxes

$ 15,008 $ 11,304

Loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) transferred to other real estate owned

$ 9,268 $ 8,329

Purchased non-covered loans transferred to other real estate owned

$ 1,955 $

Covered loans transferred to other real estate owned

$ 10,840 $ 28,725

Issuance of common stock in acquisitions

$ 34,474 $

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

(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 September 30, 2014, the Bank operated 74 retail branches and 11 mortgage offices 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. The Company’s Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within the Company’s established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of their 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 September 30, 2014 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, 2013.

Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 provides guidance that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective prospectively, for annual and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2014-04 – Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (“ASU 2014-04”). ASU 2014-04 clarifies when a creditor should reclassify mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate from loans to other real estate owned. It defines when an in-substance repossession or foreclosure has occurred and when a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate collateralizing a mortgage loan. ASU 2014-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2014, and early adoption is permitted. It can be applied either prospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard may have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2013-11— Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. However, if a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of these revisions did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

5


Table of Contents

NOTE 2 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Coastal Bankshares, Inc.

On June 30, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of The Coastal Bankshares, Inc. (“Coastal”), a bank holding company headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Coastal was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger. At that time, Coastal’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, The Coastal Bank (“Coastal Bank”), was also merged with and into the Bank. The acquisition grew the Company’s existing market presence, as Coastal Bank had a total of six banking locations in Chatham, Liberty and Effingham Counties, Georgia. Coastal’s common shareholders received 0.4671 of a share of the Company’s common stock in exchange for each share of Coastal’s common stock. As a result, the Company issued 1,598,998 common shares at a fair value of $34.5 million and paid $2.8 million cash in exchange for outstanding warrants.

The acquisition of Coastal was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations . Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. During the third quarter of 2014, management revised its initial estimates regarding the valuation of other real estate owned. In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, management completed its assessment and recorded the deferred tax assets resulting from differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for income tax purposes. This estimate also reflects acquired net operating loss carryforwards and other acquired assets with built-in losses that are expected to be settled or otherwise recovered in future periods where the realization of such benefits would be subject to applicable limitations under Sections 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of Coastal assumed as of June 30, 2014 and their fair value estimates:

(Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by
Coastal
Initial Fair
Value
Adjustments
Subsequent
Fair Value
Adjustments
As Recorded
by Ameris

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 3,895 $ $ $ 3,895

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances

15,923 15,923

Investment securities

67,266 (500 )(a) 66,766

Other investments

975 975

Mortgage loans held for sale

7,288 7,288

Loans

296,141 (16,700 )(b) 279,441

Less allowance for loan losses

(3,218 ) 3,218 (c)

Loans, net

292,923 (13,482 ) 279,441

Other real estate owned

14,992 (3,528 )(d) (2,600 )(g) 8,864

Premises and equipment

11,882 11,882

Intangible assets

507 4,266 (e) 4,773

Other assets

22,710 2,624 (h) 25,334

Total assets

$ 438,361 $ (13,244 ) $ 24 $ 425,141

Liabilities

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$ 80,012 $ $ $ 80,012

Interest-bearing

289,012 289,012

Total deposits

369,024 369,024

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

5,428 5,428

Other borrowings

22,005 22,005

Other liabilities

6,192 6,192

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

15,465 (6,413 )(f) 9,052

Total liabilities

418,114 (6,413 ) 411,701

Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed

20,247 (6,831 ) 13,440

Goodwill

23,854 24 23,830

Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed

$ 20,247 $ 17,023 $ $ 37,270

Consideration:

Ameris Bancorp common shares issued

1,598,998

Purchase price per share of the Company’s common stock

$ 21.56

Company common stock issued

34,474

Cash exchanged for shares

2,796

Fair value of total consideration transferred

$ 37,270

Explanation of fair value adjustments

(a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date.

6


Table of Contents
(b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

(c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Coastal’s allowance for loan losses.

(d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.

(e) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(f) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.

(g) Adjustment reflects the additional fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.

(h) Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.

Goodwill of $23.8 million, which is the excess of the merger consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Coastal acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The results of operations of Coastal subsequent to the acquisition date are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013, unadjusted for potential cost savings (in thousands).

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2013 2014 2013

Net interest income and noninterest income

$ 46,373 $ 165,913 $ 137,590

Net income

$ 6,680 $ 26,275 $ 19,733

Net income available to common stockholders

$ 6,237 $ 25,989 $ 18,407

Income per common share available to common stockholders – basic

$ 0.24 $ 0.95 $ 0.72

Income per common share available to common stockholders – diluted

$ 0.24 $ 0.94 $ 0.71

Average number of shares outstanding, basic

25,500 27,304 25,482

Average number of shares outstanding, diluted

25,915 27,698 25,897

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $279.4 million of loans at fair value, net of $16.7 million, or 5.64%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $29.3 million that were considered to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payment, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payment have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

Contractually required principal and interest

$ 38,194

Non-accretable difference

(5,632 )

Cash flows expected to be collected

32,562

Accretable yield

(3,282 )

Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired

$ 29,280

7


Table of Contents

Prosperity Banking Company

On December 23, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of The Prosperity Banking Company (“Prosperity”), a bank holding company headquartered in Saint Augustine, Florida. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Prosperity was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger. At that time, Prosperity’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, Prosperity Bank, was also merged with and into the Bank. Prosperity Bank had a total of 12 banking locations, with the majority of the franchise concentrated in northeast Florida. Prosperity’s common shareholders were entitled to elect to receive either 3.125 shares of the Company’s common stock or $41.50 in cash in exchange for each share of Prosperity’s voting common stock. As a result of Prosperity shareholders’ elections, the Company issued 1,168,918 common shares at a fair value of $24.6 million.

The acquisition of Prosperity was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations . Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of Prosperity assumed as of December 23, 2013 and their initial fair value estimates:

(Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by
Prosperity
Fair Value
Adjustments
As Recorded
by Ameris

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 4,285 $ $ 4,285

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances

21,687 21,687

Investment securities

151,863 411 (a) 152,274

Other investments

8,727 8,727

Loans

487,358 (37,662 )(b) 449,696

Less allowance for loan losses

(6,811 ) 6,811 (c)

Loans, net

480,547 (30,851 ) 449,696

Other real estate owned

6,883 (1,260 )(d) 5,623

Premises and equipment

36,293 36,293

Intangible assets

174 4,383 (e) 4,557

Other assets

26,600 1,192 (f) 27,792

Total assets

$ 737,059 $ (26,125 ) $ 710,934

Liabilities

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$ 149,242 $ $ 149,242

Interest-bearing

324,441 324,441

Total deposits

473,683 473,683

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

21,530 21,530

Other borrowings

185,000 12,313 (g) 197,313

Other liabilities

14,058 455 (h) 14,513

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

29,500 (16,303 )(i) 13,197

Total liabilities

723,771 (3,535 ) 720,236

Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed

13,288 (22,590 ) (9,302 )

Goodwill

34,093 34,093

Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed

$ 13,288 $ 11,503 $ 24,791

Consideration:

Ameris Bancorp common shares issued

1,168,918

Purchase price per share of the Company’s common stock

$ 21.07

Company common stock issued

24,629

Cash exchanged for shares

162

Fair value of total consideration transferred

$ 24,791

Explanation of fair value adjustments

(a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date.

(b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

(c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Prosperity’s allowance for loan losses.

8


Table of Contents
(d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.

(e) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(f) Adjustment reflects the adjustment to write-off the non-realizable portion of Prosperity’s deferred tax asset of ($6.644 million), to record the deferred tax asset generated by purchase accounting adjustments of $8.435 million and to record the fair value adjustment of other assets of ($0.599 million) at the acquisition date.

(g) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment (premium) to the FHLB borrowings of $12.741 million and the fair value adjustment to the subordinated debt of $0.428 million.

(h) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment of other liabilities at the acquisition date.

(i) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.

Goodwill of $34.1 million, which is the excess of the merger consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Prosperity acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The results of operations of Prosperity subsequent to the acquisition date are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013, unadjusted for potential cost savings (in thousands).

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2013 2013

Net interest income and noninterest income

$ 48,541 $ 142,390

Net income

$ 7,214 $ 18,729

Net income available to common stockholders

$ 6,771 $ 17,403

Income per common share available to common stockholders – basic

$ 0.27 $ 0.69

Income per common share available to common stockholders – diluted

$ 0.27 $ 0.68

Average number of shares outstanding, basic

25,070 25,052

Average number of shares outstanding, diluted

25,485 25,467

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $449.7 million of loans at fair value, net of $37.7 million, or 7.73%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $67.2 million that were considered to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payment, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payment have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

Contractually required principal and interest

$ 92,461

Non-accretable difference

(14,311 )

Cash flows expected to be collected

78,150

Accretable yield

(10,985 )

Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired

$ 67,165

9


Table of Contents

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 carrying value. The adjustments are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the Company recording a $4,000 provision for loan loss expense during the three month period ended September 30, 2014. There were no adjustments needed during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

A rollforward of purchased non-covered loans with deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 67,165 $ $

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

(4 )

Additions due to acquisitions

29,280 67,165

Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)

(4,440 )

Ending balance

$ 92,001 $ 67,165 $

A rollforward of purchased non-covered loans without deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 381,588 $ $

Additions due to acquisitions

250,161 382,531

Loan payments, transfers, etc.

(50,026 ) (943 )

Ending balance

$ 581,723 $ 381,588 $

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of purchased non-covered loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 26,189 $ $

Additions due to acquisitions

7,799 26,189

Accretion

(5,840 )

Other activity, net

916

Ending balance

$ 29,064 $ 26,189 $

10


Table of Contents

NOTE 3 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The Company’s 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. The Company’s portfolio and investing philosophy concentrate activities in obligations where the credit risk is limited. For the small portion of the Company’s 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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 are presented below:

Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30, 2014:

U. S. government agencies

$ 14,951 $ $ (491 ) $ 14,460

State, county and municipal securities

134,641 3,708 (714 ) 137,635

Corporate debt securities

10,801 237 (73 ) 10,965

Mortgage-backed securities

364,399 4,493 (2,443 ) 366,449

Total securities

$ 524,792 $ 8,438 $ (3,721 ) $ 529,509

December 31, 2013:

U. S. government agencies

$ 14,947 $ $ (1,021 ) $ 13,926

State, county and municipal securities

112,659 2,269 (2,174 ) 112,754

Corporate debt securities

10,311 275 (261 ) 10,325

Collateralized debt obligations

1,480 1,480

Mortgage-backed securities

349,441 2,347 (4,038 ) 347,750

Total securities

$ 488,838 $ 4,891 $ (7,494 ) $ 486,235

September 30, 2013:

U. S. government agencies

$ 14,945 $ $ (1,028 ) $ 13,917

State, county and municipal securities

112,643 2,331 (2,035 ) 112,939

Corporate debt securities

10,314 280 (856 ) 9,738

Mortgage-backed securities

176,818 2,714 (3,878 ) 175,654

Total securities

$ 314,720 $ 5,325 $ (7,797 ) $ 312,248

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2014 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. The weighted average life of these securities is less than 4.5 years and modeled not to extend beyond 6 years in an increasing rate scenario. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary:

Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less

$ 10,647 $ 10,844

Due from one year to five years

35,432 36,856

Due from five to ten years

66,554 67,094

Due after ten years

47,760 48,266

Mortgage-backed securities

364,399 366,449

$ 524,792 $ 529,509

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $265.9 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law at September 30, 2014, compared to $399.0 million and $217.3 million at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

11


Table of Contents

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

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)

September 30, 2014:

U. S. government agencies

$ $ $ 14,460 $ (491 ) $ 14,460 $ (491 )

State, county and municipal securities

10,296 (98 ) 22,696 (616 ) 32,992 (714 )

Corporate debt securities

4,997 (73 ) 4,997 (73 )

Mortgage-backed securities

71,050 (416 ) 51,314 (2,027 ) 122,364 (2,443 )

Total temporarily impaired securities

$ 81,346 $ (514 ) $ 93,467 $ (3,207 ) $ 174,813 $ (3,721 )

December 31, 2013:

U. S. government agencies

$ 13,926 $ (1,021 ) $ $ $ 13,926 $ (1,021 )

State, county and municipal securities

47,401 (1,882 ) 3,794 (292 ) 51,195 (2,174 )

Corporate debt securities

4,826 (261 ) 4,826 (261 )

Collateralized debt obligations

Mortgage-backed securities

94,989 (2,493 ) 23,388 (1,545 ) 118,377 (4,038 )

Total temporarily impaired securities

$ 156,316 $ (5,396 ) $ 32,008 $ (2,098 ) $ 188,324 $ (7,494 )

September 30, 2013:

U. S. government agencies

$ 13,917 $ (1,028 ) $ $ $ 13,917 $ (1,028 )

State, county and municipal securities

46,516 (1,735 ) 3,807 (300 ) 50,323 (2,035 )

Corporate debt securities

4,235 (856 ) 4,235 (856 )

Mortgage-backed securities

90,639 (3,878 ) 90,639 (3,878 )

Total temporarily impaired securities

$ 151,072 $ (6,641 ) $ 8,042 $ (1,156 ) $ 159,114 $ (7,797 )

Management and the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. While the majority of the unrealized losses on debt securities relate to changes in interest rates, corporate debt securities have also been affected by reduced levels of liquidity and higher risk premiums. Occasionally, management engages independent third parties to evaluate the Company’s position in certain corporate debt securities to aid management and the ALCO Committee in its determination regarding the status of impairment. The Company believes that each investment poses minimal credit risk and further, that the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2014, 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 September 30, 2014, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than-temporary basis.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were obligations of government-sponsored agencies.

The following table is a summary of sales activities in the Company’s investment securities available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, year ended December 31, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2013:

September 30,
2014
December 31, 2013 September 30,
2013
(Dollars in Thousands)

Gross gains on sales of securities

$ 141 $ 353 $ 353

Gross losses on sales of securities

(3 ) (182 ) (182 )

Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale

$ 138 $ 171 $ 171

Sales proceeds

$ 92,975 $ 36,669 $ 36,669

12


Table of Contents

NOTE 4 – 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 the Company’s 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, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 334,783 $ 244,373 $ 244,991

Real estate – construction and development

154,315 146,371 132,277

Real estate – commercial and farmland

882,160 808,323 799,149

Real estate – residential

436,515 366,882 355,920

Consumer installment

31,403 34,249 36,303

Other

9,583 18,256 20,627

$ 1,848,759 $ 1,618,454 $ 1,589,267

Purchased non-covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in bank acquisitions that are not covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Purchased non-covered loans totaling $673.7 million and $448.8 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are not included in the above schedule. There were no purchased non-covered loans at September 30, 2013.

Purchased non-covered loans are shown below according to major loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 38,077 $ 32,141 $

Real estate – construction and development

60,262 31,176

Real estate – commercial and farmland

296,790 179,898

Real estate – residential

273,347 200,851

Consumer installment

5,248 4,687

$ 673,724 $ 448,753 $

13


Table of Contents

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 $313.6 million, $390.2 million and $417.6 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 22,545 $ 26,550 $ 27,768

Real estate – construction and development

27,756 43,179 50,702

Real estate – commercial and farmland

180,566 224,451 237,086

Real estate – residential

82,445 95,173 101,146

Consumer installment

277 884 947

$ 313,589 $ 390,237 $ 417,649

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 against interest income. Interest payments on nonaccrual 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. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Nonaccrual 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 loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 2,695 $ 4,103 $ 4,198

Real estate – construction and development

3,037 3,971 4,229

Real estate – commercial and farmland

8,983 8,566 9,548

Real estate – residential

7,608 12,152 13,303

Consumer installment

487 411 442

$ 22,810 $ 29,203 $ 31,720

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

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 54 $ 11 $

Real estate – construction and development

1,969 325

Real estate – commercial and farmland

8,776 1,653

Real estate – residential

6,132 4,658

Consumer installment

76 12

$ 17,007 $ 6,659 $

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

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 8,441 $ 7,257 $ 7,872

Real estate – construction and development

8,896 14,781 16,582

Real estate – commercial and farmland

14,617 33,495 37,079

Real estate – residential

7,227 13,278 13,028

Consumer installment

102 341 350

$ 39,283 $ 69,152 $ 74,911

14


Table of Contents

The following table presents an aging analysis of loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered past due loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

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 September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 271 $ 400 $ 2,483 $ 3,154 $ 331,629 $ 334,783 $

Real estate – construction & development

1,232 285 2,899 4,416 149,899 154,315

Real estate – commercial & farmland

3,025 484 8,918 12,427 869,733 882,160

Real estate – residential

4,416 2,085 7,303 13,804 422,711 436,515

Consumer installment loans

333 113 396 842 30,561 31,403

Other

9,583 9,583

Total

$ 9,277 $ 3,367 $ 21,999 $ 34,643 $ 1,814,116 $ 1,848,759 $

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 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 10,893 $ 272 $ 4,081 $ 15,246 $ 229,127 $ 244,373 $

Real estate – construction & development

1,026 69 3,935 5,030 141,341 146,371

Real estate – commercial & farmland

3,981 1,388 7,751 13,120 795,203 808,323

Real estate – residential

5,422 1,735 11,587 18,744 348,138 366,882

Consumer installment loans

568 197 305 1,070 33,179 34,249

Other

18,256 18,256

Total

$ 21,890 $ 3,661 $ 27,659 $ 53,210 $ 1,565,244 $ 1,618,454 $

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 September 30, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 623 $ 297 $ 4,107 $ 5,027 $ 239,964 $ 244,991 $

Real estate – construction & development

1,200 794 4,229 6,223 126,054 132,277

Real estate – commercial & farmland

3,883 2,458 9,523 15,864 783,285 799,149

Real estate – residential

5,515 3,531 11,818 20,864 335,056 355,920

Consumer installment loans

497 255 327 1,079 35,224 36,303

Other

20,627 20,627

Total

$ 11,718 $ 7,335 $ 30,004 $ 49,057 $ 1,540,210 $ 1,589,267 $

15


Table of Contents

The following table presents an aging analysis of purchased non-covered past due loans based on the recorded basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. There were no purchased non-covered loans as of September 30, 2013:

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 September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 33 $ 46 $ 55 $ 134 $ 37,943 $ 38,077 $

Real estate – construction & development

520 135 3,069 3,724 56,538 60,262 1,100

Real estate – commercial & farmland

3,497 1,227 8,266 12,990 283,800 296,790 258

Real estate – residential

3,915 1,440 5,929 11,284 262,063 273,347

Consumer installment loans

36 5 76 117 5,131 5,248

Total

$ 8,001 $ 2,853 $ 17,395 $ 28,249 $ 645,475 $ 673,724 $ 1,358

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 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 370 $ 70 $ 11 $ 451 $ 31,690 $ 32,141 $

Real estate – construction & development

1,008 89 325 1,422 29,754 31,176

Real estate – commercial & farmland

6,851 2,064 1,516 10,431 169,467 179,898

Real estate – residential

4,667 1,074 3,428 9,169 191,682 200,851

Consumer installment loans

7 17 9 33 4,654 4,687

Total

$ 12,903 $ 3,314 $ 5,289 $ 21,506 $ 427,247 $ 448,753 $

16


Table of Contents

The following table presents an aging analysis of covered loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

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 September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 568 $ 188 $ 1,978 $ 2,734 $ 19,811 $ 22,545 $

Real estate – construction & development

632 72 8,659 9,363 18,393 27,756

Real estate – commercial & farmland

7,100 322 8,930 16,352 164,214 180,566 305

Real estate – residential

2,694 1,473 5,563 9,730 72,715 82,445 65

Consumer installment loans

2 7 101 110 167 277

Total

$ 10,996 $ 2,062 $ 25,231 $ 38,289 $ 275,300 $ 313,589 $ 370

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 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 3,966 $ 12 $ 6,165 $ 10,143 $ 16,407 $ 26,550 $

Real estate – construction & development

843 144 14,055 15,042 28,137 43,179

Real estate – commercial & farmland

8,482 4,350 26,428 39,260 185,191 224,451 346

Real estate – residential

7,648 1,914 10,244 19,806 75,367 95,173

Consumer installment loans

51 14 305 370 514 884

Total

$ 20,990 $ 6,434 $ 57,197 $ 84,621 $ 305,616 $ 390,237 $ 346

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 September 30, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 319 $ 50 $ 6,695 $ 7,064 $ 20,704 $ 27,768 $

Real estate – construction & development

2,831 658 15,781 19,270 31,432 50,702 266

Real estate – commercial & farmland

7,365 5,350 30,503 43,218 193,868 237,086 568

Real estate – residential

2,980 1,727 11,078 15,785 85,361 101,146 823

Consumer installment loans

49 311 360 587 947

Total

$ 13,544 $ 7,785 $ 64,368 $ 85,697 $ 331,952 $ 417,649 $ 1,657

17


Table of Contents

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 impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

As of and For the Period Ended
September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(Dollars in Thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

$ 22,810 $ 29,203 $ 31,720

Troubled debt restructurings not included above

17,261 17,214 17,024

Total impaired loans

$ 40,071 $ 46,417 $ 48,744

Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 117 $ 54 $ 17

Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 799 $ 522 $ 468

Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ 138 $ 30 $ 216

Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ 161 $ 418 $ 388

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Nine Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 4,445 $ 8 $ 2,943 $ 2,951 $ 631 $ 2,402 $ 3,285

Real estate – construction & development

8,824 211 4,743 4,954 612 5,243 5,596

Real estate – commercial & farmland

18,955 7,311 8,753 16,064 1,698 16,242 16,312

Real estate – residential

18,251 5,635 9,946 15,581 1,286 15,356 17,169

Consumer installment loans

606 521 521 10 517 516

Total

$ 51,081 $ 13,165 $ 26,906 $ 40,071 $ 4,237 $ 39,760 $ 42,878

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Twelve Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of December 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 6,240 $ $ 4,618 $ 4,618 $ 435 $ 4,669 $ 4,844

Real estate – construction & development

11,363 5,867 5,867 512 6,011 8,341

Real estate – commercial & farmland

18,456 15,479 15,479 1,443 15,860 17,559

Real estate – residential

24,342 19,970 19,970 1,472 20,571 20,335

Consumer installment loans

623 483 483 9 469 642

Total

$ 61,024 $ $ 46,417 $ 46,417 $ 3,871 $ 47,580 $ 51,721

18


Table of Contents
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Twelve Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of September 30, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 7,401 $ $ 4,719 $ 4,719 $ 820 $ 5,052 $ 4,900

Real estate – construction & development

14,299 6,155 6,155 821 6,775 8,960

Real estate – commercial & farmland

18,628 16,241 16,241 1,999 16,366 18,079

Real estate – residential

24,701 21,174 21,174 1,530 20,533 20,427

Consumer installment loans

565 455 455 10 559 681

Total

$ 65,594 $ $ 48,744 $ 48,744 $ 5,180 $ 49,285 $ 53,047

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

As of and For the Period Ended
September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(Dollars in Thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

$ 17,007 $ 6,659 $

Troubled debt restructurings not included above

583

Total impaired loans

$ 17,590 $ 6,659 $

Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 19 $ $

Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 35 $ $

Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ 18 $ $

Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ 176 $ $

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired purchased non-covered loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. There were no purchased non-covered loans as of September 30, 2013:

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Nine Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 438 $ 54 $ $ 54 $ $ 98 $ 81

Real estate – construction & development

3,794 2,274 2,274 2,273 1,501

Real estate – commercial & farmland

12,354 8,776 8,776 7,712 5,976

Real estate – residential

9,610 6,407 6,407 6,533 6,233

Consumer installment loans

184 79 79 64 43

Total

$ 26,380 $ 17,590 $ $ 17,590 $ $ 16,680 $ 13,834

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Twelve Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of December 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 19 $ 11 $ $ 11 $ $ 1 $

Real estate – construction & development

542 325 325 25 6

Real estate – commercial & farmland

2,673 1,653 1,653 126 32

Real estate – residential

7,712 4,658 4,658 354 90

Consumer installment loans

20 12 12 1

Total

$ 10,996 $ 6,659 $ $ 6,659 $ $ 507 $ 128

19


Table of Contents

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

As of and For the Period Ended
September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(Dollars in Thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

$ 39,283 $ 69,152 $ 74,911

Troubled debt restructurings not included above

22,757 22,243 21,184

Total impaired loans

$ 62,040 $ 91,395 $ 96,095

Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 176 $ 175 $ 9

Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans

$ 1,115 $ 968 $ 793

Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ $ 44 $ 44

Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans

$ 94 $ 330 $ 286

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired covered loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Nine Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of September 30, 2014:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 11,356 $ 8,467 $ $ 8,467 $ $ 10,367 $ 9,511

Real estate – construction & development

13,268 11,920 11,920 11,484 14,760

Real estate – commercial & farmland

26,624 23,118 23,118 23,562 29,904

Real estate – residential

20,331 18,430 18,430 19,112 21,456

Consumer installment loans

134 105 105 116 177

Total

$ 71,713 $ 62,040 $ $ 62,040 $ $ 64,641 $ 75,808

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Twelve Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of December 31, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 9,680 $ 7,270 $ $ 7,270 $ $ 7,577 $ 8,696

Real estate – construction & development

20,915 18,037 18,037 19,464 21,794

Real estate – commercial & farmland

46,612 40,749 40,749 42,014 51,584

Real estate – residential

29,089 24,998 24,998 24,345 28,452

Consumer installment loans

394 341 341 346 304

Total

$ 106,690 $ 91,395 $ $ 91,395 $ $ 93,745 $ 110,830

Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Nine Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in Thousands)

As of September 30, 2013:

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 10,645 $ 7,884 $ $ 7,884 $ $ 8,327 $ 9,052

Real estate – construction & development

25,401 20,890 20,890 21,860 22,734

Real estate – commercial & farmland

51,105 43,279 43,279 48,558 54,292

Real estate – residential

28,078 23,692 23,692 24,810 29,316

Consumer installment loans

404 350 350 318 295

Total

$ 115,633 $ 96,095 $ $ 96,095 $ $ 103,872 $ 115,689

20


Table of Contents

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. Every loan is assigned a risk rating, with the exception of credit card receivables and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools and assigned a risk rating. All relationships greater than $1.0 million and the majority of relationships greater than $250,000 are reviewed annually by the Bank’s independent internal loan review department or an independent third party loan review. 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, the 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 of borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate the 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 exhibit 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 a 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.

21


Table of Contents

The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by risk grade as of September 30, 2014.

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

$ 114,298 $ 171 $ 251 $ 479 $ 6,287 $ $ 121,486

15

29,665 4,114 136,303 51,508 1,124 222,714

20

110,337 50,427 478,551 241,457 17,700 9,583 908,055

23

186 9,292 9,574 9,469 305 28,826

25

73,251 83,245 217,226 105,635 4,842 484,199

30

3,438 1,781 16,217 10,060 254 31,750

40

3,608 5,285 23,950 17,907 890 51,640

50

88 88

60

1 1

Total

$ 334,783 $ 154,315 $ 882,160 $ 436,515 $ 31,403 $ 9,583 $ 1,848,759

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

$ 66,983 $ $ 265 $ 419 $ 6,714 $ $ 74,381

15

24,789 4,655 147,157 52,335 1,276 230,212

20

93,852 45,195 431,790 165,339 18,619 18,256 773,051

23

127 8,343 10,219 12,641 274 31,604

25

50,373 78,736 181,645 103,427 6,310 420,491

30

2,111 2,876 11,849 13,558 197 30,591

40

6,011 6,566 25,398 19,153 859 57,987

50

127 10 137

60

Total

$ 244,373 $ 146,371 $ 808,323 $ 366,882 $ 34,249 $ 18,256 $ 1,618,454

The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by risk grade as of September 30, 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

$ 65,033 $ $ 278 $ 420 $ 7,028 $ $ 72,759

15

20,668 5,080 147,355 56,464 1,243 230,810

20

89,216 37,765 421,669 142,186 19,691 20,627 731,154

23

97 7,085 10,054 13,275 218 30,729

25

60,407 72,942 183,371 109,604 7,034 433,358

30

3,019 2,264 12,089 11,427 153 28,952

40

6,326 7,141 24,333 22,534 936 61,270

50

225 10 235

60

Total

$ 244,991 $ 132,277 $ 799,149 $ 355,920 $ 36,303 $ 20,627 $ 1,589,267

22


Table of Contents

The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2014:

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

$ 3,187 $ $ $ 292 $ 486 $ $ 3,965

15

5,023 447 14,136 15,336 519 35,461

20

11,230 12,345 90,915 64,178 2,034 180,702

23

8 1,208 1,216

25

16,467 38,426 167,458 175,313 2,065 399,729

30

1,494 2,164 9,300 7,071 19 20,048

40

668 6,880 14,981 9,915 121 32,565

50

34 4 38

60

Total

$ 38,077 $ 60,262 $ 296,790 $ 273,347 $ 5,248 $ $ 673,724

The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 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

$ 1,865 $ $ $ 289 $ 451 $ $ 2,605

15

4,606 7 12,998 16,160 703 34,474

20

5,172 3,960 43,802 34,576 1,383 88,893

23

25

19,638 20,733 102,260 129,923 1,888 274,442

30

576 1,760 9,554 10,878 194 22,962

40

284 4,716 11,284 9,025 68 25,377

50

60

Total

$ 32,141 $ 31,176 $ 179,898 $ 200,851 $ 4,687 $ $ 448,753

There were no purchased non-covered loans as of September 30, 2013.

23


Table of Contents

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2014:

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

2 795 531 1,328

20

1,302 3,380 33,200 15,957 71 53,910

23

145 547 14,640 5,815 21,147

25

5,687 11,725 89,201 35,344 41 141,998

30

4,827 3,006 8,808 8,649 43 25,333

40

10,584 9,096 33,922 16,149 122 69,873

50

60

Total

$ 22,545 $ 27,756 $ 180,566 $ 82,445 $ 277 $ $ 313,589

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 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

16 1,048 638 1,702

20

2,184 8,549 34,674 21,363 193 66,963

23

134 1,085 17,037 4,748 51 23,055

25

7,508 9,611 101,657 38,427 235 157,438

30

5,125 2,006 21,297 6,979 17 35,424

40

11,599 21,912 48,738 23,018 388 105,655

50

60

Total

$ 26,550 $ 43,179 $ 224,451 $ 95,173 $ 884 $ $ 390,237

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 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

22 1,098 641 1,761

20

2,697 11,347 34,252 22,545 208 71,049

23

135 1,080 16,708 2,902 51 20,876

25

7,609 7,360 108,886 39,632 250 163,737

30

1,485 5,505 24,790 9,196 14 40,990

40

15,842 25,388 51,352 26,230 424 119,236

50

60

Total

$ 27,768 $ 50,702 $ 237,086 $ 101,146 $ 947 $ $ 417,649

24


Table of Contents

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 a 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 on 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) 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 nine months of 2014 and 2013 totaling $8.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively, 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.

As of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the Company had a balance of $20.5 million, $20.9 million and $20.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans. The Company has recorded $4.4 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loan losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $2.2 million, $2.1 million and $1.7 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

During the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2014, the Company modified loans as troubled debt restructurings with principal balances of $763,000 and $2.4 million, respectively. These modifications impacted the Company’s allowance for loan losses by $49,000 and $203,000, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014. Troubled debt restructurings with an outstanding balance of $528,000 at June 30, 2014 defaulted during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. Troubled debt restructurings with an outstanding balance of $1.3 million at December 31, 2013 defaulted during the first nine months of 2014 and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss.

25


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 257 4 $ 507

Real estate – construction & development

11 1,917 4 196

Real estate – commercial & farmland

21 7,080 2 1,672

Real estate – residential

43 7,973 10 759

Consumer installment

9 34 12 93

Total

88 $ 17,261 32 $ 3,227

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 515 3 $ 525

Real estate – construction & development

8 1,896 2 32

Real estate – commercial & farmland

17 6,913 4 2,273

Real estate – residential

37 7,818 8 834

Consumer installment

6 72 3 19

Total

72 $ 17,214 20 $ 3,683

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 521 3 $ 533

Real estate – construction & development

8 1,926 1 29

Real estate – commercial & farmland

16 6,693 3 1,858

Real estate – residential

35 7,871 7 704

Consumer installment

1 13 2 26

Total

64 $ 17,024 16 $ 3,150

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had a balance of $583,000 in troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans. The Company did not have any troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013. The Company has not recorded any previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ $

Real estate – construction & development

1 305

Real estate – commercial & farmland

Real estate – residential

4 275 2 247

Consumer installment

1 3

Total

6 $ 583 2 $ 247

26


Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the Company had a balance of $25.0 million, $27.3 million and $28.4 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans. The Company has recorded $2.1 million, $1.6 million and $3.7 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

1 $ 26 1 $ 3

Real estate – construction & development

3 3,024 3 56

Real estate – commercial & farmland

15 8,501 6 1,225

Real estate – residential

94 11,202 13 965

Consumer installment

1 4

Total

114 $ 22,757 23 $ 2,249

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

1 $ 13 5 $ 71

Real estate – construction & development

3 3,256 4 52

Real estate – commercial & farmland

13 7,255 5 3,946

Real estate – residential

83 11,719 8 942

Consumer installment

2 10

Total

100 $ 22,243 24 $ 5,021

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

1 $ 12 3 $ 40

Real estate – construction & development

5 4,308 4 690

Real estate – commercial & farmland

11 6,200 7 4,805

Real estate – residential

79 10,461 11 1,874

Consumer installment

1 5

Total

96 $ 20,981 26 $ 7,414

27


Table of Contents

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents an allowance for probable incurred 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 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 the Company’s 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 certain mortgage loans serviced at a third party, mortgage warehouse lines 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. All relationships greater than $1.0 million and the majority of relationships greater than $250,000 are reviewed annually by the Bank’s independent internal loan review department or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be identified as having deteriorating credit quality. 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 independent internal loan review department.

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 (“FFIEC”) 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $685,000, $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $4,000 to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on purchased, non-covered loans. Charge-offs on purchased loans, both covered and non-covered, are recorded when impairment is recorded. Provision expense for covered loans is recorded net of the indemnification by the FDIC loss-share agreements.

28


Table of Contents

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the periods indicated. 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
Purchased
non-covered
loans
Covered
loans
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Three months ended September 30, 2014:

Balance, June 30, 2014

$ 2,185 $ 5,431 $ 8,317 $ 5,166 $ 1,155 $ $ $ 22,254

Provision for loan losses

540 63 1,237 595 (862 ) 4 92 1,669

Loans charged off

(191 ) (296 ) (953 ) (406 ) (129 ) (4 ) (376 ) (2,355 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

47 96 31 52 134 284 644

Balance, September 30, 2014

$ 2,581 $ 5,294 $ 8,632 $ 5,407 $ 298 $ $ $ 22,212

Nine months ended September 30, 2014:

Balance, January 1, 2014

$ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ $ $ 22,377

Provision for loan losses

1,627 (26 ) 2,311 529 (370 ) 4 685 4,760

Loans charged off

(1,099 ) (518 ) (2,255 ) (1,339 ) (343 ) (4 ) (1,514 ) (7,072 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

230 300 183 183 422 829 2,147

Balance, September 30, 2014

$ 2,581 $ 5,294 $ 8,632 $ 5,407 $ 298 $ $ $ 22,212

Period-end amount allocated to:

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

$ 611 $ 540 $ 1,682 $ 1,272 $ $ $ $ 4,105

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

1,970 4,754 6,950 4,135 298 18,107

Ending balance

$ 2,581 $ 5,294 $ 8,632 $ 5,407 $ 298 $ $ $ 22,212

Loans:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$ 1,549 $ 3,078 $ 17,129 $ 11,860 $ $ $ $ 33,616

Collectively evaluated for impairment

333,234 151,237 865,031 424,655 40,986 581,723 142,128 2,538,994

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality

92,001 171,461 263,462

Ending balance

$ 334,783 $ 154,315 $ 882,160 $ 436,515 $ 40,986 $ 673,724 $ 313,589 $ 2,836,072

29


Table of Contents
Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
Real estate –
construction &
development
Real estate –
commercial &
farmland
Real estate –
residential
Consumer
installment
loans and
Other
Purchased
non-covered
loans
Covered
loans
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Twelve months ended December 31, 2013:

Balance, January 1, 2013

$ 2,439 $ 5,343 $ 9,157 $ 5,898 $ 756 $ $ $ 23,593

Provision for loan losses

711 1,742 2,777 4,463 254 1,539 11,486

Loans charged off

(1,759 ) (2,020 ) (3,571 ) (5,215 ) (719 ) (1,539 ) (14,823 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

432 473 30 888 298 2,121

Balance, December 31, 2013

$ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ $ $ 22,377

Period-end amount allocated to:

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

$ 356 $ 407 $ 1,427 $ 1,395 $ $ $ $ 3,585

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

1,467 5,131 6,966 4,639 589 18,792

Ending balance

$ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ $ $ 22,377

Loans:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$ 3,457 $ 3,581 $ 15,240 $ 16,925 $ $ $ $ 39,203

Collectively evaluated for impairment

240,916 142,790 793,083 349,957 52,505 381,588 173,190 2,134,029

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality

67,165 217,047 284,212

Ending balance

$ 244,373 $ 146,371 $ 808,323 $ 366,882 $ 52,505 $ 448,753 $ 390,237 $ 2,457,444

Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
Real estate –
construction &
development
Real estate –
commercial &
farmland
Real estate –
residential
Consumer
installment
loans and
Other
Purchased
non-
covered
loans
Covered
loans
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Three months ended September 30, 2013:

Balance, June 30, 2013

$ 2,951 $ 5,642 $ 8,797 $ 6,360 $ 467 $ $ $ 24,217

Provision for loan losses

(107 ) 601 1,212 626 117 471 2,920

Loans charged off

(482 ) (367 ) (1,080 ) (1,323 ) (205 ) (471 ) (3,928 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

212 84 5 291 53 645

Balance, September 30, 2013

$ 2,574 $ 5,960 $ 8,934 $ 5,954 $ 432 $ $ $ 23,854

Nine months ended September 30, 2013:

Balance, January 1, 2013

$ 2,439 $ 5,343 $ 9,157 $ 5,898 $ 756 $ $ $ 23,593

Provision for loan losses

1,011 2,127 2,632 2,966 11 1,261 10,008

Loans charged off

(1,216 ) (1,598 ) (2,873 ) (3,430 ) (576 ) (1,261 ) (10,954 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

340 88 18 520 241 1,207

Balance, September 30, 2013

$ 2,574 $ 5,960 $ 8,934 $ 5,954 $ 432 $ $ $ 23,854

Period-end amount allocated to:

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

$ 741 $ 682 $ 1,997 $ 1,429 $ $ $ $ 4,849

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

1,833 5,278 6,937 4,525 432 19,005

Ending balance

$ 2,574 $ 5,960 $ 8,934 $ 5,954 $ 432 $ $ $ 23,854

Loans:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$ 3,657 $ 3,524 $ 14,605 $ 16,919 $ $ $ $ 38,705

Collectively evaluated for impairment

241,334 128,753 784,544 339,001 56,930 186,060 1,736,622

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality

231,589 231,589

Ending balance

$ 244,991 $ 132,277 $ 799,149 $ 355,920 $ 56,930 $ $ 417,649 $ 2,006,916

30


Table of Contents

NOTE 5 – 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 the following:

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.

At September 30, 2014, the Company’s FDIC loss-sharing receivable totaled $38.2 million, which is comprised of $21.5 million in indemnification asset (for reimbursements associated with anticipated losses in future quarters) and $16.7 million in current charge-offs and expenses already incurred but not yet submitted for reimbursement.

31


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 and their origin:

Covered loans Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
loans
OREO Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
OREO
Total
covered
assets
FDIC
loss-share
receivable

As of September 30, 2014:

AUB

$ 8,902 $ $ 8.902 $ 666 $ $ 666 $ 9,568 $ 882

USB

13,576 351 13,225 2,134 48 2,086 15,311 (439 )

SCB

28,534 789 27,745 2,665 308 2,357 30,102 1,855

FBJ

22,421 2,346 20,075 1,578 90 1,488 21,563 2,138

DBT

75,683 8,531 67,152 9,804 1,024 8,780 75,932 9,337

TBC

25,577 1,465 24,112 3,552 394 3,158 27,270 2,542

HTB

54,317 5,761 48,556 3,477 1,239 2,238 50,794 7,152

OGB

48,889 4,160 44,729 2,244 39 2,205 46,934 5,803

CBG

67,273 8,180 59,093 7,195 1,290 5,905 64,998 8,963

Total

$ 345,172 $ 31,583 $ 313,589 $ 33,315 $ 4,432 $ 28,883 $ 342,472 $ 38,233

Covered loans Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
loans
OREO Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
OREO
Total
covered
assets
FDIC
loss-share
receivable

As of December 31, 2013:

AUB

$ 15,787 $ 231 $ 15,556 $ 4,264 $ $ 4,264 $ 19,820 $ 1,452

USB

18,504 1,427 17,077 2,865 141 2,724 19,801 889

SCB

34,637 1,483 33,154 3,461 303 3,158 36,312 3,175

FBJ

25,891 3,730 22,161 1,880 242 1,638 23,799 3,689

DBT

105,157 17,819 87,338 17,023 1,282 15,741 103,079 18,724

TBC

32,590 2,354 30,236 4,844 745 4,099 34,335 3,721

HTB

67,126 7,359 59,767 6,374 2,304 4,070 63,837 9,325

OGB

58,512 5,067 53,445 7,506 2,984 4,522 57,967 9,645

CBG

85,118 13,615 71,503 7,610 1,933 5,677 77,180 14,821

Total

$ 443,322 $ 53,085 $ 390,237 $ 55,827 $ 9,934 $ 45,893 $ 436,130 $ 65,441

32


Table of Contents
Covered loans Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
loans
OREO Less: Fair
value
adjustments
Total
covered
OREO
Total
covered
assets
FDIC loss-share
receivable

As of September 30, 2013:

AUB

$ 19,336 $ 915 $ 18,421 $ 3,338 $ 3 $ 3,335 $ 21,756 $ 3,704

USB

21,168 1,665 19,503 3,066 139 2,927 22,430 2,796

SCB

35,555 1,902 33,653 5,348 429 4,919 38,572 4,020

FBJ

27,222 3,965 23,257 1,582 170 1,412 24,669 4,990

DBT

116,685 21,739 94,946 19,720 1,639 18,081 113,027 23,955

TBC

35,588 2,573 33,015 5,912 843 5,069 38,084 4,315

HTB

70,156 8,273 61,883 6,998 2,445 4,553 66,436 11,065

OGB

63,794 6,766 57,028 9,921 3,918 6,003 63,031 9,458

CBG

92,755 16,812 75,943 8,299 2,046 6,253 82,196 17,460

Total

$ 482,259 $ 64,610 $ 417,649 $ 64,184 $ 11,632 $ 52,552 $ 470,201 $ 81,763

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 carrying value. Amounts reflected in the Company’s statement of earnings are net of indemnification provided under loss share agreements with the FDIC. The adjustments are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the following adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

Total Amounts

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(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 to be accreted into income over remaining term of the loan)

$ 16,070 $ 51,003 $ 50,703

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)

3,425 7,695 6,305

Amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Operations

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(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 to be accreted into income over remaining term of the loan)

$ 3,214 $ 10,201 $ 10,141

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)

685 1,539 1,261

33


Table of Contents

A rollforward of covered loans with deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 217,047 $ 282,737 $ 282,737

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

(8,099 ) (35,306 ) (30,371 )

Additions due to acquisitions

Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)

(37,487 ) (30,384 ) (20,777 )

Ending balance

$ 171,461 $ 217,047 $ 231,589

A rollforward of covered loans without deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 173,190 $ 228,602 $ 228,602

Additions due to acquisitions

Loan payments, transfers, etc.

(31,062 ) (55,412 ) (42,316 )

Ending balance

$ 142,128 $ 173,190 $ 186,286

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of covered loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 25,493 $ 16,698 $ 16,698

Additions due to acquisitions

Accretion

(20,822 ) (42,208 ) (36,552 )

Other activity, net

16,070 51,003 50,703

Ending balance

$ 20,741 $ 25,493 $ 30,849

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. As of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the Company has recorded a clawback liability of $5.9 million, $5.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, which represents the obligation of the Company to reimburse the FDIC should actual losses be less than certain thresholds established in each loss share agreement. Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Balance, January 1

$ 65,441 $ 159,724 $ 159,724

Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions

Payments received from FDIC

(18,509 ) (68,822 ) (58,240 )

Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets

(8,699 ) (25,461 ) (19,721 )

Ending balance

$ 38,233 $ 65,441 $ 81,763

34


Table of Contents

NOTE 6 – 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 September 30,
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2014 2013 2014 2013
(Share Data in
Thousands)
(Share Data in
Thousands)

Basic shares outstanding

26,773 23,901 25,705 23,883

Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs

111 62 116 62

Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted grants

277 353 278 353

Diluted shares outstanding

27,161 24,316 26,099 24,298

For the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company has excluded 112,000 and 289,000, respectively, potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company has excluded 110,000 and 341,000, respectively, potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive.

NOTE 7 – 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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, there were $147.4 million, $194.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks.

Details of other borrowings, including contractual interest rates and maturity dates are included in the following table:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Daily Rate Credit from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.36%

$ 75,000 $ $

Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.16%, due October 24, 2014

25,000

Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.17%, due January 24, 2014

165,000

Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (3.73% at September 30, 2014) due in August 2016, secured by subsidiary bank stock

22,500

Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 4.00% (4.24% and 4.27% at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013) due in August 2016, secured by subsidiary bank stock

10,000 5,000

Advance from correspondent bank with a fixed interest rate of 4.50%, due November 27, 2017, secured by subsidiary bank loan receivable

4,909

Subordinated debt issued by Prosperity Bank due June 2016 with an interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.60% (1.83% and 1.84% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)

5,000 5,000

Subordinated debt issued by The Prosperity Banking Company due September 2016 with an interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.75% (1.98% and 1.99% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)

15,000 14,572

Total

$ 147,409 $ 194,572 $ 5,000

The advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) are collateralized by a blanket lien on all first mortgage loans and other specific loans in addition to FHLB stock. At September 30, 2014, $320.8 million was available for borrowing on lines with the FHLB.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $60 million.

The Company also participates in the Federal Reserve discount window borrowings. At September 30, 2014, the Company had $584.1 million of loans pledged at the Federal Reserve discount window and had $425.1 million available for borrowing.

35


Table of Contents

NOTE 8 – COMMITMENTS

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)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commitments to extend credit

$ 332,808 $ 257,195 $ 208,303

Standby letters of credit

$ 9,168 $ 7,665 $ 6,954

Mortgage interest rate lock commitments

$ 2,295 $ 1,180 $ 2,506

NOTE 9 – 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 September 30, 2014 and 2013:

(Dollars in Thousands)

Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Securities
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
(Loss)

Balance, January 1, 2014

$ 1,397 $ (1,691 ) $ (294 )

Reclassification for gains included in net income

(90 ) (90 )

Current year changes

(489 ) 4,847 4,358

Balance, September 30, 2014

$ 908 $ 3,066 $ 3,974

(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

(111 ) (111 )

Current year changes

1,098 (8,125 ) (7,027 )

Balance, September 30, 2013

$ 1,075 $ (1,606 ) $ (531 )

36


Table of Contents

NOTE 10 – 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 Company has elected to record mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-sale is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive income under the heading “Interest income – interest and fees on loans”. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the Interest Rate Lock Commitments (“IRLCs”) with borrowers. The mark to market adjustments related to loans held-for-sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities. Net gains of $1.1 million and $2.1 million resulting from fair value changes of these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2014, respectively. The amount does not reflect changes in fair values of related derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans. The change in fair value of both mortgage loans held for sale and the related derivative instruments are recorded in “Mortgage banking activity” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The Company’s valuation of mortgage loans held for sale incorporates an assumption for credit risk; however, given the short-term period that the Company holds these loans, valuation adjustments attributable to instrument-specific credit risk is nominal. Interest income on mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value is accrued as it is earned based on contractual rates and is reflected in loan interest income on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 213 and September 31, 2013:

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
(Dollars in Thousands)

Aggregate Fair Value of Mortgage Loans held for sale

$ 110,059 $ 67,278 $ 69,634

Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance

$ 105,882 $ 65,522 $ 67,406

Past due loans of 90 days or more

$ $ $

Nonaccrual loans

$ $ $

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:

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

37


Table of Contents

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 investments at its original cost basis. It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale: The Company records mortgage loans held for sale at fair value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and is 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 expected future 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 loan will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with accounting standards 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.

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.

FDIC Loss-Share Receivable: The fair value of the FDIC loss-share receivable is based on the net present value of projected future cash flows expected to be received from the FDIC under the provision of the loss-share agreements using a discount rate that is based on current market rates.

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable: The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value.

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 borrowing arrangements.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The fair value of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities is based primarily upon discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms and remaining maturities.

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.

38


Table of Contents

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 is 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 derivatives 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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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 September 30, 2014 Using:
Carrying
Amount
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Financial assets:

Cash and due from banks

$ 69,421 $ 69,421 $ $ $ 69,421

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts

$ 40,165 $ 40,165 $ $ $ 40,165

Loans, net

$ 2,778,026 $ $ $ 2,773,291 $ 2,773,291

FDIC loss-share receivable

$ 38,233 $ $ $ 21,397 $ 21,397

Accrued interest receivable

$ 17,171 $ 17,171 $ $ $ 17,171

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

3,373,119 3,374,055 3,374,055

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

32,351 32,351 32,351

Other borrowings

147,409 147,409 147,409

Accrued interest payable

1,444 1,444 1,444

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

65,084 46,214 46,214

39


Table of Contents
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using:
Carrying
Amount
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Financial assets:

Cash and due from banks

$ 62,955 $ 62,955 $ $ $ 62,995

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts

$ 204,984 $ 204,984 $ $ $ 204,984

Loans, net

$ 2,392,521 $ $ $ 2,404,909 $ 2,404,909

FDIC loss-share receivable

$ 65,441 $ $ $ 61,317 $ 61,317

Accrued interest receivable

$ 15,071 $ 15,071 $ $ $ 15,071

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

2,999,231 3,000,061 3,000,061

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

83,516 83,516 83,516

Other borrowings

194,572 194,572 194,572

Accrued interest payable

1,431 1,431 1,431

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

55,466 36,277 36,277

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using:
Carrying
Amount
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Financial assets:

Cash and due from banks

$ 53,516 $ 53,516 $ $ $ 53,516

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts

$ 73,899 $ 73,899 $ $ $ 73,899

Loans, net

$ 1,939,498 $ $ $ 1,912,634 $ 1,912,634

FDIC loss-share receivable

$ 81,763 $ $ $ 76,346 $ 76,346

Accrued interest receivable

$ 13,030 $ 13,030 $ $ $ 13,030

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

2,443,421 2,444,244 2,444,244

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

20,255 20,255 20,255

Accrued interest payable

831 831 831

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures

42,269 23,331 23,331

40


Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 2014
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

$ 14,460 $ $ 14,460 $

State, county and municipal securities

137,635 137,635

Corporate debt securities

10,965 8,465 2,500

Mortgage-backed securities

366,449 10,273 356,176

Mortgage loans held for sale

110,059 110,059

IRLCs and forward contracts

2,295 2,295

Total recurring assets at fair value

$ 641,863 $ 10,273 $ 629,090 $ 2,500

Derivative financial instruments

$ 807 $ $ 807 $

Total recurring liabilities at fair value

$ 807 $ $ 807 $

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of December 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

$ 13,926 $ $ 13,926 $

State, county and municipal securities

112,754 112,754

Collateralized debt obligations

1,480 1,480

Corporate debt securities

10,325 8,325 2,000

Mortgage-backed securities

347,750 182,461 165,289

Mortgage loans held for sale

67,278 67,278

IRLCs and forward contracts

1,180 1,180

Total recurring assets at fair value

$ 554,693 $ 183,941 $ 368,752 $ 2,000

Derivative financial instruments

$ 370 $ $ 370 $

Total recurring liabilities at fair value

$ 370 $ $ 370 $

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 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

$ 13,917 $ $ 13,917 $

State, county and municipal securities

112,939 4,460 108,479

Corporate debt securities

9,738 7,738 2,000

Mortgage-backed securities

175,654 9,375 166,279

Mortgage loans held for sale

69,634 69,634

IRLCs and forward contracts

2,506 2,506

Total recurring assets at fair value

$ 384,388 $ 13,835 $ 368,553 $ 2,000

Derivative financial instruments

$ 972 $ $ 972 $

Total recurring liabilities at fair value

$ 972 $ $ 972 $

41


Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 2014
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

$ 35,834 $ $ $ 35,834

Other real estate owned

35,320 35,320

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned

13,660 13,660

Covered other real estate owned

28,883 28,883

Total nonrecurring assets at fair value

$ 113,697 $ $ $ 113,697

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of December 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

$ 42,546 $ $ $ 42,546

Other real estate owned

33,351 33,351

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned

4,276 4,276

Covered other real estate owned

45,893 45,893

Total nonrecurring assets at fair value

$ 126,066 $ $ $ 126,066

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 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

$ 43,564 $ $ $ 43,564

Other real estate owned

39,978 39,978

Covered other real estate owned

52,552 52,552

Total nonrecurring assets at fair value

$ 136,094 $ $ $ 136,094

42


Table of Contents

The inputs used to determine estimated fair value of impaired loans include market conditions, loan terms, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine fair value of other real estate owned, purchased non-covered other real estate owned and covered other real estate owned include market conditions, estimated marketing period or holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was not a change in the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.

The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014.

Measurements

Fair Value at
September 30, 2014
Valuation
Technique
Unobservable Inputs Range
(Dollars in Thousands)

Nonrecurring:

Impaired loans

$ 35,834 Third party appraisals and
discounted cash flows
Collateral discounts and
discount rates
4.00% - 90.00%

Other real estate owned

$ 35,320 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
10.00% - 90.00%

Purchased non-covered other real estate owned

$ 13,660 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
22.00% - 94.00%

Covered real estate owned

$ 28,883 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
10.00% - 90.00%

Recurring:

Investment securities available for sale

$ 2,500 Discounted par values Credit quality of
underlying issuer
0.00%

The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013.

Measurements

Fair Value at
December 31, 2013
Valuation
Technique
Unobservable Inputs Range
(Dollars in Thousands)

Nonrecurring:

Impaired loans

$ 42,546 Third party appraisals and
discounted cash flows
Collateral discounts and
discount rates
4.00% - 75.00%

Other real estate owned

$ 33,351 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
10.00% - 74.00%

Purchased, non-covered loans

$ 448,753 Third party appraisals and
discounted cash flows
Collateral discounts and
discount rates
1.00% - 40.00%

Purchased non-covered other real estate owned

$ 4,276 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
15.00% - 63.00%

Covered loans

$ 390,237 Third party appraisals and
discounted cash flows
Collateral discounts

Discount rate

1.75% - 75.00%

Covered real estate owned

$ 45,893 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and
estimated costs to sell
10.00% - 86.00%

Recurring:

Investment securities available for sale

$ 2,000 Discounted par values Credit quality of
underlying issuer
0.00%

43


Table of Contents

NOTE 11 – SEGMENT REPORTING

The following tables present selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the three- month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013
Retail
Banking
Mortgage
Banking
Total Retail
Banking
Mortgage
Banking
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Net interest income

$ 36,785 $ 2,347 $ 39,132 $ 28,089 $ 1,231 $ 29,320

Provision for loan losses

994 675 1,669 2,920 2,920

Noninterest income

10,766 7,135 17,901 7,054 5,234 12,288

Noninterest expense:

Salaries and employee benefits

15,817 4,409 20,226 10,799 3,613 14,412

Equipment and occupancy expenses

4,301 368 4,669 3,029 120 3,149

Data processing and telecommunications expenses

3,622 306 3,928 2,908 164 30,72

Other expenses

8,887 869 9,756 7,473 643 8,116

Total noninterest expense

32,627 5,952 38,579 24,209 4,540 28,749

Income before income tax expense

13,930 2,855 16,785 8,014 1,925 9,939

Income tax expense

4,123 999 5,122 2,588 674 3,262

Net income

9,807 1,856 11,663 5,426 1,251 6,677

Less preferred stock dividends

443 443

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 9,807 $ 1,856 $ 11,663 $ 4,983 $ 1,251 $ 6,234

Total assets

$ 3,772,050 $ 227,358 $ 3,999,408 $ 2,707,200 $ 111,302 $ 2,818,502

Stockholders’ equity

309,904 43,926 353,830 250,863 39,493 290,356

The following tables present selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the nine- month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
Retail
Banking
Mortgage
Banking
Total Retail
Banking
Mortgage
Banking
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

Net interest income

$ 104,094 $ 4,786 $ 108,880 $ 84,372 $ 2,762 $ 87,134

Provision for loan losses

4,085 675 4,760 10,008 10,008

Noninterest income

27,173 19,301 46,474 20,333 14,699 35,032

Noninterest expense:

Salaries and employee benefits

42,648 11,914 54,562 32,314 9,285 41,599

Equipment and occupancy expenses

11,834 970 12,804 8,575 483 9,058

Data processing and telecommunications expenses

10,551 771 11,322 8,013 465 8,478

Other expenses

27,452 2,996 30,448 22,807 2,379 25,186

Total noninterest expense

92,485 16,651 109,136 71,709 12,612 84,321

Income before income tax expense

34,697 6,761 41,458 22,988 4,849 27,837

Income tax expense

10,949 2,366 13,315 7,500 1,697 9,197

Net income

23,748 4,395 28,143 15,488 3,152 18,640

Less preferred stock dividends

286 286 1,326 1,326

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 23,462 $ 4,395 $ 27,857 $ 14,162 $ 3,152 $ 17,314

44


Table of Contents

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Any Forward-Looking Statements

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 our 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 our 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.

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 September 30, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2013 and operating results for the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. These comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein.

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

45


Table of Contents

(in thousands, except share data,

taxable equivalent)

Third
Quarter
2014
Second
Quarter
2014
First
Quarter
2014
Fourth
Quarter
2013
Third
Quarter
2013
For Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013

Results of Operations:

Net interest income

$ 39,132 $ 35,264 $ 34,484 $ 29,051 $ 29,320 $ 108,880 $ 87,134

Net interest income (tax equivalent)

39,608 35,626 34,808 29,325 29,542 110,042 87,902

Provision for loan losses

1,669 1,365 1,726 1,478 2,920 4,760 10,008

Non-interest income

17,901 15,819 12,754 11,517 12,288 46,474 35,032

Non-interest expense

38,579 37,318 33,239 37,624 28,749 109,136 84,321

Income tax expense

5,122 4,270 3,923 88 3,262 13,315 9,197

Preferred stock dividends

286 412 443 286 1,326

Net income available to common shareholders

11,663 8,130 8,064 966 6,234 27,857 17,314

Selected Average Balances:

Mortgage loans held for sale

$ 83,751 $ 54,517 $ 49,397 $ 65,683 $ 61,249 $ 62,506 $ 107,658

Loans, net of unearned income

1,795,059 1,706,564 1,639,672 1,602,942 1,564,311 1,697,559 1,458,988

Purchased non-covered loans

688,452 433,249 441,138 43,900 538,802

Covered loans

324,498 354,766 379,460 401,045 427,482 352,707 454,361

Investment securities

525,739 468,129 462,343 327,993 312,541 485,636 325,430

Earning assets

3,489,563 3,075,204 3,091,546 2,625,178 2,439,771 3,219,288 2,422,786

Assets

3,969,893 3,494,466 3,521,588 2,937,434 2,806,799 3,663,696 2,837,758

Deposits

3,382,810 3,010,142 2,975,305 2,552,819 2,439,150 3,124,245 2,466,013

Common shareholders’ equity

350,733 309,696 290,462 248,429 246,489 319,435 249,630

Period-End Balances:

Mortgage loans held for sale

$ 110,059 $ 81,491 $ 51,693 $ 67,278 $ 69,634 $ 110,059 $ 69,634

Loans, net of unearned income

1,848,759 1,770,059 1,695,382 1,618,454 1,589,267 1,848,759 1,589,267

Purchased non-covered loans

673,724 702,131 437,269 448,753 673,724

Covered loans

313,589 331,250 372,694 390,237 417,649 313,589 417,649

Earning assets

3,515,805 3,465,361 3,062,428 3,215,941 2,462,697 3,515,805 2,462,697

Total assets

3,999,408 3,973,135 3,487,984 3,667,649 2,818,502 3,999,408 2,818,502

Total deposits

3,373,119 3,389,035 3,010,647 2,999,231 2,443,421 3,373,119 2,443,421

Common shareholders’ equity

353,830 343,399 300,030 288,699 262,418 353,830 262,418

Per Common Share Data:

Earnings per share—basic

$ 0.44 $ 0.32 $ 0.32 $ 0.04 $ 0.26 $ 1.08 $ 0.72

Earnings per share—diluted

0.43 0.32 0.32 0.04 0.26 1.07 0.71

Common book value per share

13.22 12.83 11.93 11.50 10.98 13.22 10.98

End of period shares outstanding

26,774,402 26,771,821 25,159,073 25,098,427 23,907,509 26,774,402 23,907,509

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

26,773,033 25,180,665 25,144,342 24,021,447 23,900,665 25,705,313 23,882,539

Diluted

27,160,886 25,572,405 25,573,320 24,450,619 24,315,821 26,099,413 24,297,695

Market Price:

High closing price

$ 24.04 $ 23.90 $ 24.00 $ 21.42 $ 19.79 24.04 19.79

Low closing price

21.00 19.73 19.86 17.69 17.35 19.73 12.79

Closing price for quarter

21.95 21.56 23.30 21.11 18.38 21.95 18.38

Average daily trading volume

79,377 79,038 103,279 94,636 75,545 87,019 60,457

Closing price to book value

1.66 1.68 1.95 1.84 1.67 1.66 1.67

Performance Ratios:

Return on average assets

1.17 % 0.93 % 0.96 % 0.19 % 0.94 % 1.01 % 0.89 %

Return on average common equity

13.19 % 10.53 % 11.66 % 2.20 % 10.75 % 10.73 % 10.11 %

Average loans to average deposits

85.48 % 84.68 % 84.35 % 82.79 % 84.17 % 84.87 % 81.79 %

Average equity to average assets

8.83 % 8.86 % 9.04 % 9.41 % 9.78 % 8.94 % 9.78 %

Net interest margin (tax equivalent)

4.50 % 4.65 % 4.57 % 4.43 % 4.80 % 4.57 % 4.85 %

Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent)

67.64 % 73.05 % 70.36 % 92.74 % 69.09 % 70.25 % 69.02 %

46


Table of Contents

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability

Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $11.7 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, compared to $6.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the same period in 2013. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity of 1.17% and 13.19%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 0.94% and 10.75%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2013. 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 during the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively:

Retail Banking Mortgage Banking Total
(in thousands)

For the three months ended September 30, 2014:

Net interest income

$ 36,785 $ 2,347 $ 39,132

Provision for loan losses

994 675 1,669

Non-interest income

10,766 7,135 17,901

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

15,817 4,409 20,226

Occupancy

4,301 368 4,669

Data processing

3,622 306 3,928

Other expenses

8,887 869 9,756

Total non-interest expense

32,627 5,952 38,579

Income before income taxes

13,930 2,855 16,785

Income tax expense

4,123 999 5,122

Net income

9,807 1,856 11,663

Preferred stock dividends

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 9,807 $ 1,856 $ 11,663

Retail Banking Mortgage Banking Total
(in thousands)

For the three months ended September 30, 2013:

Net interest income

$ 28,089 $ 1,231 $ 29,320

Provision for loan losses

2,920 2,920

Non-interest income

7,054 5,234 12,288

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

10,799 3,613 14,412

Occupancy

3,029 120 3,149

Data processing

2,908 164 3,072

Other expenses

7,473 643 8,116

Total non-interest expense

24,209 4,540 28,749

Income before income taxes

8,014 1,925 9,939

Income tax expense

2,588 674 3,262

Net income

5,426 1,251 6,677

Preferred stock dividends

443 443

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 4,983 $ 1,251 $ 6,234

47


Table of Contents

Net Interest Income and Margins

The following tables set forth the amount of our interest income or interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% federal tax rate.

Quarter Ended September 30,
2014 2013
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
(in Thousands)

ASSETS

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$ 2,891,760 $ 39,912 5.48 % $ 2,053,042 $ 29,733 5.75 %

Investment securities

533,948 3,704 2.75 320,305 2,195 2.72

Short-term assets

63,855 47 0.29 66,424 44 0.26

Total interest- earning assets

3,489,563 43,663 4.96 2,439,771 31,972 5.20

Noninterest-earning assets

480,330 367,028

Total assets

$ 3,969,893 $ 2,806,799

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits

$ 1,760,108 $ 1,148 0.26 % $ 1,316,890 $ 883 0.27 %

Time deposits

815,286 1,392 0.68 653,672 1,142 0.69

Other borrowings

47,346 558 4.68 1,739 20 4.56

FHLB advances

55,435 51 0.36

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

44,316 39 0.35 18,446 26 0.56

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

64,953 866 5.29 42,269 358 3.36

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,787,444 4,054 0.58 2,033,016 2,429 0.47

Demand deposits

807,416 468,588

Other liabilities

24,300 15,939

Stockholders’ equity

350,733 289,256

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 3,969,893 $ 2,806,799

Interest rate spread

4.39 % 4.73 %

Net interest income

$ 39,609 $ 29,543

Net interest margin

4.50 % 4.80 %

On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 2014 was $39.6 million, an increase of $10.1 million compared to $29.5 million reported in the same quarter in 2013. The higher net interest income is a result of the acquisition of Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the acquisition of Coastal Bank in the second quarter of 2014, along with steady yields on the loan portfolio and continued low rates in the Company’s cost of funds. The Company’s net interest margin decreased during the third quarter of 2014 to 4.50%, compared to 4.65% during the second quarter of 2014 and 4.80% reported in the third quarter of 2013.

48


Table of Contents

Total interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, during the third quarter of 2014 was $43.7 million compared to $32.0 million in the same quarter of 2013. Yields on earning assets fell slightly to 4.96%, compared to 5.20% reported in the third quarter of 2013. During the third quarter of 2014, loans comprised 82.9% of earning assets, compared to 84.1% in the same quarter of 2013. Increased lending activities have provided opportunities to grow the legacy loan portfolio. Yields on legacy loans decreased to 4.82% in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 5.36% in the same period of 2013. Covered loan yields declined from 7.65% in the third quarter of 2013 to 5.78% in the third quarter of 2014. The yield on purchased non-covered loans was 7.27% for the third quarter of 2014. Management anticipates improving economic conditions and increased loan demand will provide consistent interest income.

Total funding costs increased slightly to 0.45% in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 0.39% during the third quarter of 2013. The increase was driven by the increased cost of subordinated debentures acquired in the Prosperity and Coastal acquisitions. The average cost of subordinated debentures was 5.29% in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 3.37% in the third quarter of 2013. The subordinated debentures that are assumed in the acquisitions are recorded at fair value, which carries a current market rate higher than the Company’s previous subordinated debentures.

Deposit costs decreased from 0.33% in the third quarter of 2013 to 0.30% in the third quarter of 2014, while non- deposit funding costs increased from 2.57% in the third quarter of 2013 to 2.83% in the third quarter of 2014. Continued shifts in the funding mix toward noninterest-bearing demand and other lower cost deposit categories were the primary reason for the decline in deposit costs. Ongoing efforts to maintain the percentage of funding from transaction deposits have succeeded such that non-CD deposits averaged 76.0% of total deposits in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 73.2% during the third quarter of 2013. Lower costs on deposits were realized due mostly to the lower rate environment and the Company’s ability to rely less 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 third quarter of 2014 and 2013 are shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30, 2014 September 30, 2013
Average
Balance
Average
Cost
Average
Balance
Average
Cost

NOW

$ 743,352 0.17 % $ 573,088 0.17 %

MMDA

861,197 0.36 % 639,304 0.38 %

Savings

155,559 0.11 % 104,498 0.11 %

Retail CDs < $100,000

439,150 0.54 % 290,771 0.55 %

Retail CDs > $100,000

370,166 0.80 % 349,931 0.72 %

Brokered CDs

5,970 3.12 % 12,970 3.09 %

Interest-bearing deposits

$ 2,575,394 0.39 % $ 1,970,562 0.41 %

Provision for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The Company’s provision for loan losses during the third quarter of 2014 amounted to $1.7 million, compared to $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2014 and $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. Although the Company has experienced improving trends in criticized and classified assets for several quarters, provision for loan losses continues to be required to account for loan growth and continued devaluation of real estate collateral. At September 30, 2014, classified loans still accruing totaled $43.5 million, compared to $31.3 million at September 30, 2013. This increase is predominately due to the addition of classified loans in the Prosperity Bank and Coastal Bank acquisitions. Non-accrual loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, totaled $22.8 million at September 30, 2014, a 28.1% decrease from $31.7 million reported at the end of the third quarter of 2013. Nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans totaled $17.0 million at September 30, 2014. There were no nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans at the end of the third quarter of 2013.

At September 30, 2014, other real estate owned (excluding purchased non-covered and covered OREO) totaled $35.3 million, compared to $35.4 million at June 30, 2014 and $38.0 million at September 30, 2013. 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 six to twelve months, the liquidation of properties occurs between 85% and 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 third quarter of 2014, total non-performing assets were 2.22% of total assets, compared to 2.00% at December 31, 2013 and 2.47% at September 30, 2013. This increase is due to the Prosperity Bank and Coastal Bank acquisitions completed in the fourth quarter of 2013 and second quarter of 2014, respectively. Management continues to aggressively identify and resolve problem assets while seeking quality credits to grow the loan portfolio.

49


Table of Contents

Net charge-offs on loans during the third quarter of 2014 were $1.6 million, or 0.35% of loans on an annualized basis, compared to $2.8 million, or 0.70% of loans, in the third quarter of 2013. The Company’s allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2014 was $22.2 million, or 1.20% of loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans), compared to $23.9 million, or 1.50% of loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans), at September 30, 2013.

Noninterest Income

Total non-interest income for the third quarter of 2014 was $17.9 million, compared to $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Income from mortgage related activities continued to increase as a result of the Company’s increased number of mortgage bankers and higher levels of production. Service charges on deposit accounts in the third quarter of 2014 increased to $6.7 million, compared to $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. This increase was driven by the growth of core accounts through the acquisition of Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013 and Coastal Bank during the second quarter of 2014, along with higher balances in accounts subject to service charges.

Noninterest Expense

Total non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 2014 increased to $38.6 million, compared to $28.7 million in the same quarter in 2013. Increases in noninterest expenses were primarily the result of the acquisition of Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013, the acquisition of Coastal Bank in the second quarter of 2014 and additional expenses related to increases in mortgage volume. Salaries and benefits increased $5.8 million when compared to the third quarter of 2013. Occupancy and equipment expense increased during the quarter from $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2013 to $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2014. Data processing and telecommunications expenses increased to $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2014 from $3.1 million for the same period in 2013. Credit resolution related expenses, including problem loan and OREO expense and OREO write-downs and losses, increased to $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2013.

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 third quarter of 2014, the Company reported income tax expense of $5.1 million, compared to $3.3 million in the same period of 2013. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ending September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 30.5% and 32.8%, respectively.

50


Table of Contents

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $27.9 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $17.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the same period in 2013. 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 during the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively:

Retail Banking Mortgage Banking Total
(in thousands)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

Net interest income

$ 104,094 $ 4,786 $ 108,880

Provision for loan losses

4,085 675 4,760

Non-interest income

27,173 19,301 46,474

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

42,648 11,914 54,562

Occupancy

11,834 970 12,804

Data processing

10,551 771 11,322

Other expenses

27,452 2,996 30,448

Total non-interest expense

92,485 16,651 109,136

Income before income taxes

34,697 6,761 41,458

Income tax expense

10,949 2,366 13,315

Net income

23,748 4,395 28,143

Preferred stock dividends

286 286

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 23,462 $ 4,395 $ 27,857

Retail Banking Mortgage Banking Total
(in thousands)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

Net interest income

$ 84,372 $ 2,762 $ 87,134

Provision for loan losses

10,008 10,008

Non-interest income

20,333 14,699 35,032

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

32,314 9,285 41,599

Occupancy

8,575 483 9,058

Data processing

8,013 465 8,478

Other expenses

22,807 2,379 25,186

Total non-interest expense

71,709 12,612 84,321

Income before income taxes

22,988 4,849 27,837

Income tax expense

7,500 1,697 9,197

Net income

15,488 3,152 18,640

Preferred stock dividends

1,326 1,326

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 14,162 $ 3,152 $ 17,314

Interest Income

Interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $120.8 million, an increase of $25.5 million when compared to $95.3 million for the same period in 2013. Average earning assets for the nine-month period increased $796.5 million to $3.22 billion as of September 30, 2014, compared to $2.42 billion as of September 30, 2013. The increase in average earning assets is due to the Prosperity Bank acquisition completed in December 2013 and the Coastal Bank acquisition completed in June 2014. Yield on average earning assets was 5.02% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to 5.26% in the first nine months of 2013.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $10.8 million, reflecting a $3.4 million increase from the $7.4 million expense recorded in the same period of 2013. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company’s funding costs increased slightly to 0.43% from 0.39% reported in 2013. Deposit costs decreased to 0.30% during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to 0.34% during the same period in 2013. Total non-deposit funding costs increased from 2.28% during the first nine months of 2013 to 2.66% during the first nine months of 2014.

51


Table of Contents

Net Interest Income

The following tables set forth the amount of our interest income or interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% federal tax rate.

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2014 2013
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
(in Thousands)

ASSETS

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$ 2,651,574 $ 110,138 5.55 % $ 2,017,007 $ 88,602 5.87 %

Investment securities

493,736 10,515 2.85 332,585 6,582 2.65

Short-term assets

73,978 176 0.32 73,194 158 0.29

Total interest- earning assets

3,219,288 120,829 5.02 2,422,786 95,342 5.26

Noninterest-earning assets

444,408 414,972

Total assets

$ 3,663,696 $ 2,837,758

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits

$ 1,645,535 $ 3,208 0.26 % $ 1,313,569 $ 2,570 0.26 %

Time deposits

760,203 3,720 0.65 676,025 3,764 0.74

Other borrowings

37,607 1,381 4.91 586 20 4.56

FHLB advances

50,751 114 0.30

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

47,099 123 0.35 22,024 94 0.57

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

58,647 2,240 5.11 42,269 991 3.13

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,599,842 10,786 0.55 2,054,473 7,439 0.48

Demand deposits

718,505 476,419

Other liabilities

17,812 19,762

Stockholders’ equity

327,537 287,104

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 3,663,696 $ 2,837,758

Interest rate spread

4.46 % 4.78 %

Net interest income

$ 110,043 $ 87,903

Net interest margin

4.57 % 4.85 %

For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2014, the Company reported $110.1 million of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis, compared to $87.96 million of net interest income for the same period in 2013. The average balance of earning assets increased 32.9%, from $2.4 billion during the first nine months of 2013 to $3.2 billion during the first nine months of 2014. The Company’s net interest margin decreased to 4.57% in the nine month period ending September 30, 2014, compared to 4.85% in the same period in 2013.

52


Table of Contents

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses decreased to $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $10.0 million in the same period in 2013. Non-performing assets (excluding covered assets) totaled $88.8 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $69.7 million at September 30, 2013. The majority of the increase is due to the Prosperity acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2013. Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets decreased from 2.47% at September 30, 2013 to 2.22% at September 30, 2014. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company had net charge-offs totaling $4.2 million, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2013. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) decreased to 0.31% during the first nine months of 2014, compared to 0.71% during the first nine months of 2013.

Noninterest Income

Non-interest income for the first nine months of 2014 was $46.5 million, compared to $35.0 million in the same period in 2013. Service charges on deposit accounts increased approximately $3.6 million to $18.1 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $14.5 million in the same period in 2013. This increase was driven by the growth of core accounts through the acquisition of Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013 and Coastal Bank during the second quarter of 2014, along with higher balances in accounts subject to service charges. Income from mortgage banking activity increased from $14.7 million in the first nine months of 2013 to $19.5 million in the first nine months of 2014, due to an increased number of mortgage bankers and higher levels of production.

Noninterest Expense

Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2014 increased to $109.1 million, compared to $84.3 million in the same period in 2013. During the first nine months of 2014, the Company recorded $3.3 million of merger charges related to the Coastal acquisition. Other increases in noninterest expenses were primarily the result of the acquisition of Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013, the acquisition of Coastal Bank during the second quarter of 2014 and additional expenses related to increases in mortgage volume. Salaries and benefits increased $13.0 million when compared to the first nine months of 2013. Occupancy and equipment expenses for the first nine months of 2014 amounted to $12.8 million, representing an increase of $3.7 million from the same period in 2013. Data processing and telecommunications expenses increased from $8.5 million in the first nine months of 2013 to $11.3 million in the first nine months of 2014. Credit resolution related expenses, including problem loan and OREO expense and OREO write-downs and losses, decreased to $8.2 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $10.2 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Income Taxes

In the first nine months of 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense of $13.3 million, compared to $9.2 million in the same period of 2013. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 32.1% and 33.0%, respectively.

Financial Condition as of September 30, 2014

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 investments and are recorded at cost.

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 quarterly, 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 September 30, 2014, 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 September 30, 2014, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than temporary basis.

53


Table of Contents

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

September 30, 2014:

U.S. government agencies

$ 14,951 $ 14,460 1.85 % 5.22 $

State and municipal securities

134,641 137,635 4.05 % 6.11 5,892

Corporate debt securities

10,801 10,965 6.401 % 7.38 1,250

Mortgage-backed securities

364,399 366,449 2.47 % 3.95 60,567

Total debt securities

$ 524,792 $ 529,509 2.94 % 4.61 $ 67,709

September 30, 2013:

U.S. government agencies

$ 14,945 $ 13,917 1.85 % 5.91 $

State and municipal securities

112,643 112,939 3.62 % 5.58 5,104

Corporate debt securities

10,314 9,738 6.51 % 7.14

Mortgage-backed securities

176,818 175,654 2.67 % 4.05 27,818

Total debt securities

$ 314,720 $ 312,248 3.11 % 4.79 $ 32,922

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At September 30, 2014, gross loans outstanding (including mortgage loans held for sale and purchased non-covered and covered loans) were $2.95 billion, an increase from $2.52 billion reported at December 31, 2013 and $2.08 billion reported at September 30, 2013. Legacy loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) increased $230.3 million, from $1.62 billion at December 31, 2013 to $1.85 billion at September 30, 2014. Purchased non-covered loans increased $225.0 million, from $448.8 million at December 31, 2013 to $673.7 million at September 30, 2014. Covered loans decreased $76.6 million, from $390.2 million at December 31, 2013 to $313.6 million at September 30, 2014.

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 probable incurred losses 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.

54


Table of Contents

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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded net charge-offs totaling $4.2 million, compared to $8.5 million for the period ended September 30, 2013. The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased to $4.8 million, compared to $10.0 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. At the end of the third quarter of 2014, the allowance for loan losses totaled $22.2 million, or 1.20% of total legacy loans, compared to $22.4 million, or 1.38% of total legacy loans, at December 31, 2013 and $23.9 million, or 1.50% of total legacy loans, at September 30, 2013. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-covered loans reflects the improving credit quality trends in the loan portfolio and the reduced annualized charge-offs as a percentage of average loans ratio.

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013

Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

$ 22,377 $ 23,593

Provision charged to operating expense

4,071 8,747

Charge-offs:

Commercial, financial and agricultural

1,099 1,216

Real estate – residential

1,339 3,430

Real estate – commercial and farmland

2,255 2,873

Real estate – construction and development

518 1,598

Consumer installment

343 576

Other

Total charge-offs

5,554 9,693

Recoveries:

Commercial, financial and agricultural

230 340

Real estate – residential

183 520

Real estate – commercial and farmland

183 18

Real estate – construction and development

300 88

Consumer installment

422 241

Other

Total recoveries

1,318 1,207

Net charge-offs

4,236 8,486

Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period

$ 22,212 $ 23,854

Net annualized charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.31 % 0.71 %

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period end loans net of purchased loans

1.20 % 1.50 %

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 $313.6 million, $390.2 million and $417.6 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. OREO that is covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC totaled $28.9 million, $45.9 million and $52.6 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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 September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 was $38.2 million, $65.4 million and $81.8 million, respectively. Of the $38.2 million FDIC loss-sharing receivable at September 30, 2014, $21.5 million is in indemnification asset (for reimbursements associated with anticipated losses in future quarters) and $16.7 million is current charge-offs and expenses already incurred but not yet submitted for reimbursement.

55


Table of Contents

The Bank initially recorded the loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company believes its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans is adequate. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014, the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $685,000, $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, net of the FDIC loss share receivable, 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, then the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively, with an associated write off of the remaining indemnification asset over the shorter of the life of the loan or the loss share agreement.

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

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 22,545 $ 26,550 $ 27,768

Real estate – construction and development

27,756 43,179 50,702

Real estate – commercial and farmland

180,566 224,451 237,086

Real estate – residential

82,445 95,173 101,146

Consumer installment

277 884 947

$ 313,589 $ 390,237 $ 417,649

Purchased Non-Covered Assets

Loans that were acquired in transactions that are not covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“purchased non-covered loans”) totaled $673.7 million and $448.8 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company did not have any purchased non-covered loans at September 30, 2013. OREO that was acquired in transactions and are not covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC totaled $13.7 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company did not have any purchased non-covered OREO at September 30, 2013.

The Bank initially recorded the loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company believes its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans is adequate. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $4,000 to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on purchased non-covered loans. The Company did not have any provision for loan loss expense during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 related to purchased non-covered loans. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, then the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively.

Purchased non-covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Commercial, financial and agricultural

$ 38,077 $ 32,141 $

Real estate – construction and development

60,262 31,176

Real estate – commercial and farmland

296,790 179,898

Real estate – residential

273,347 200,851

Consumer installment

5,248 4,687

$ 673,724 $ 448,753 $

56


Table of Contents

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 permanent 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.

As of September 30, 2014, nonaccrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) totaled $22.8 million, a decrease of approximately $6.4 million since December 31, 2013. The decrease in nonaccrual loans is due to the success in the foreclosure and resolution process and a significant slowdown in the formation of new problem credits. Nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans totaled $17.0 million, an increase of approximately $10.3 million since December 31, 2013 due to the Coastal acquisition. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 2.22%, 2.00% and 2.47% at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Non-performing assets at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 were as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Total nonaccrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans)

$ 22,810 $ 29,203 $ 31,720

Nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans

17,007 6,659

Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more

Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)

35,320 33,351 37,978

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned

13,660 4,276

Total non-performing assets

$ 88,797 $ 73,489 $ 69,698

57


Table of Contents

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. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 257 4 $ 507

Real estate – construction & development

11 1,917 4 196

Real estate – commercial & farmland

21 7,080 2 1,672

Real estate – residential

43 7,973 10 759

Consumer installment

9 34 12 93

Total

88 $ 17,261 32 $ 3,227

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 515 3 $ 525

Real estate – construction & development

8 1,896 2 32

Real estate – commercial & farmland

17 6,913 4 2,273

Real estate – residential

37 7,818 8 834

Consumer installment

6 72 3 19

Total

72 $ 17,214 20 $ 3,683

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

4 $ 521 3 $ 533

Real estate – construction & development

8 1,926 1 29

Real estate – commercial & farmland

16 6,693 3 1,858

Real estate – residential

35 7,871 7 704

Consumer installment

1 13 2 26

Total

64 $ 17,024 16 $ 3,150

58


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured
Terms
Loans that have Defaulted
Under Restructured
Terms

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

6 $ 271 2 $ 493

Real estate – construction & development

9 1,881 6 232

Real estate – commercial & farmland

19 6,811 4 1,941

Real estate – residential

37 6,919 16 1,813

Consumer installment

7 29 14 98

Total

78 $ 15,911 42 $ 4,577

As of December 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

4 $ 515 3 $ 525

Real estate – construction & development

8 1,896 2 32

Real estate – commercial & farmland

16 6,396 5 2,789

Real estate – residential

32 6,699 13 1,953

Consumer installment

7 90 2 2

Total

67 $ 15,596 25 $ 5,301

As of September 30, 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

3 $ 508 4 $ 546

Real estate – construction & development

6 1,881 3 74

Real estate – commercial & farmland

14 6,550 5 2,001

Real estate – residential

31 7,282 11 1,293

Consumer installment

2 37 1 2

Total

56 $ 16,258 24 $ 3,916

59


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of interest

13 $ 2,197 1 $ 31

Forgiveness of principal

6 2,426

Rate reduction only

17 7,350 4 509

Rate reduction, forbearance of interest

35 3,390 23 2,619

Rate reduction, forbearance of principal

17 1,898 3 39

Rate reduction, payment modification

1 29

Total

88 $ 17,261 32 $ 3,227

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of interest

10 $ 2,170 2 $ 97

Forgiveness of principal

3 1,467 1 145

Payment modification only

1 280 1 88

Rate reduction only

14 7,069 3 913

Rate reduction, forbearance of interest

26 3,252 12 2,411

Rate reduction, forbearance of principal

18 2,976

Rate reduction, payment modification

1 29

Total

72 $ 17,214 20 $ 3,683

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of interest

9 $ 2,135 2 $ 101

Forgiveness of principal

3 1,479 1 145

Payment modification only

2 370

Rate reduction only

14 7,146 2 496

Rate reduction, forbearance of interest

18 2,878 10 2,379

Rate reduction, forbearance of principal

18 3,016

Rate reduction, payment modification

1 29

Total

64 $ 17,024 16 $ 3,150

60


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Warehouse

6 $ 944 $

Raw land

5 1,258 1 29

Agricultural land

2 373

Hotel & motel

3 2,062

Office

4 1,639

Retail, including strip centers

5 1,700 2 1,672

1-4 family residential

50 8,638 14 943

Church

1 362

Automobile/equipment/inventory

11 47 14 540

Unsecured

1 238 1 43

Total

88 $ 17,261 32 $ 3,227

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Warehouse

4 $ 1,346 2 $ 592

Raw land

11 2,345 2 32

Hotel & motel

3 2,185

Office

4 1,909

Retail, including strip centers

4 1,095 2 1,680

1-4 family residential

36 7,747 9 852

Life insurance policy

1 250

Automobile/equipment/inventory

8 92 4 479

Unsecured

1 245 1 48

Total

72 $ 17,214 20 $ 3,683

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Warehouse

3 $ 1,065 1 $ 176

Raw land

3 1,337 1 29

Agricultural land

2 380

Hotel & motel

3 2,219

Office

4 1,924

Retail, including strip centers

4 1,105 2 1,682

1-4 family residential

40 8,460 7 704

Life insurance policy

1 250

Automobile/equipment/inventory

3 36 4 509

Unsecured

1 248 1 50

Total

64 $ 17,024 16 $ 3,150

61


Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had a balance of $583,000 in troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans. The Company did not have any troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ $

Real estate – construction & development

1 305

Real estate – commercial & farmland

Real estate – residential

4 275 2 247

Consumer installment

1 3

Total

6 $ 583 2 $ 247

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2014:

As of September 30, 2014 Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured

Terms
Loans that have Defaulted
Under Restructured

Terms

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ $

Real estate – construction & development

1 305

Real estate – commercial & farmland

Real estate – residential

4 275 2 247

Consumer installment

1 3

Total

6 $ 583 2 $ 247

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of Concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of Interest

2 $ 67 $

Rate Reduction Only

2 361 1 26

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

2 155 1 221

Total

6 $ 583 2 $ 247

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

1-4 Family Residential

5 $ 580 2 $ 247

Automobile/Equipment/Inventory

1 3

Total

6 $ 583 2 $ 247

62


Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the Company had a balance of $25.0 million, $9.1 million and $28.4 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

1 $ 26 1 $ 3

Real estate – construction & development

3 3,024 3 56

Real estate – commercial & farmland

15 8,501 6 1,225

Real estate – residential

94 11,202 13 965

Consumer installment

1 4

Total

114 $ 22,757 23 $ 2,249

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 2 $ 67

Real estate – construction & development

1 16

Real estate – commercial & farmland

4 579 1 134

Real estate – residential

72 7,830 6 464

Consumer installment

1 5

Total

76 $ 8,409 11 $ 686

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

1 $ 12 3 $ 40

Real estate – construction & development

5 4,308 4 690

Real estate – commercial & farmland

11 6,200 7 4,805

Real estate – residential

79 10,461 11 1,874

Consumer installment

1 5

Total

96 $ 20,981 26 $ 7,414

63


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted under restructured terms at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
Loans that have Defaulted
Under Restructured Terms

Loan class:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Commercial, financial & agricultural

2 $ 29 $

Real estate – construction & development

4 3,050 2 29

Real estate – commercial & farmland

18 9,279 3 447

Real estate – residential

86 10,168 21 2,000

Consumer installment

1 4

Total

111 $ 22,530 26 $ 2,476

As of December 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

1 $ 27 1 $ 40

Real estate – construction & development

1 16

Real estate – commercial & farmland

5 713

Real estate – residential

58 5,830 20 2,463

Consumer installment

1 6

Total

66 $ 6,592 21 $ 2,503

As of September 30, 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

2 $ 12 2 $ 40

Real estate – construction & development

7 4,331 2 667

Real estate – commercial & farmland

14 6,419 4 4,586

Real estate – residential

72 10,042 18 2,293

Consumer installment

1 5

Total

96 $ 20,809 26 $ 7,586

64


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of Concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of Interest

2 $ 1,548 4 $ 116

Forbearance of Principal

8 228

Rate Reduction Only

97 17,404 5 760

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

6 490 4 241

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal

9 3,315 1 89

Rate Reduction, payment modification

1 815

Total

114 $ 22,757 23 $ 2,249

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of Concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Rate Reduction Only

68 $ 7,510 6 $ 457

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

3 88 4 96

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal

5 811 1 133

Total

76 $ 8,409 11 $ 686

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Type of Concession:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Forbearance of Interest

1 $ 24 6 $ 1,189

Rate Reduction Only

84 17,409 10 1,463

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

3 89 6 1,299

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal

7 2,605 4 3,463

Rate reduction, payment modification

1 854

Total

96 $ 20,981 26 $ 7,414

65


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Warehouse

2 $ 1,548 2 $ 309

Raw Land

1 376 3 63

Hotel & Motel

6 4,635

Office

1 480 2 883

Retail, including Strip Centers

7 4,332 1 10

1-4 Family Residential

96 11,361 14 981

Automobile/Equipment/Inventory

1 3

Unsecured

1 25

Total

114 $ 22,757 23 $ 2,249

As of December 31, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Raw Land

$ 1 $ 16

Hotel & Motel

1 172

Retail, including Strip Centers

2 283 1 134

1-4 Family Residential

73 7,954 7 469

Automobile/Equipment/Inventory

2 67

Total

76 $ 8,409 11 $ 686

As of September 30, 2013 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans

Collateral type:

# Balance
(in thousands)
# Balance
(in thousands)

Warehouse

$ 1 $ 377

Raw Land

1 357 2 672

Hotel & Motel

6 5,104 1 159

Office

1 855 1 82

Retail, including Strip Centers

6 3,882 3 4,147

1-4 Family Residential

81 10,771 15 1,937

Automobile/Equipment/Inventory

3 40

Unsecured

1 12

Total

96 $ 20,981 26 $ 7,414

66


Table of Contents

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 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 September 30, 2014, the Company exhibited a concentration in the CRE loan category 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The loan categories and concentrations below are based on Federal Reserve Call codes and include purchased on-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30, 2014 December 31, 2013
Balance % of Total
Loans
Balance % of Total
Loans

Construction and development loans

$ 242,333 9 % $ 220,726 9 %

Multi-family loans

70,868 3 % 67,607 3 %

Nonfarm non-residential loans

1,288,648 45 % 1,145,065 46 %

Total CRE Loans

1,601,849 57 % 1,433,398 58 %

All other loan types

1,234,223 43 % 1,024,046 42 %

Total Loans

$ 2,836,072 100 % $ 2,457,444 100 %

The following table outlines the percentage of total CRE loans, net owner occupied loans to total risk-based capital, and the Company’s internal concentration limits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

Internal
Limit
September 30, 2014 December 31, 2013
Actual Actual

Construction and development

100 % 69 % 70 %

Commercial real estate

300 % 236 % 232 %

Short-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances. At September 30, 2014, the Company’s short-term investments were $40.2 million, compared to $205.0 million and $73.9 million at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The decrease in short-term investments during the first nine months of 2014 is mostly due to the Company’s repayment of other borrowings that were recorded in the Prosperity acquisition. At September 30, 2014, $39.7 million of the balance was comprised of interest-bearing balances, the majority of which were at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

67


Table of Contents

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company had a cash flow hedge that matures September 15, 2020 with a notional amount of $37.1 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 for the purpose of converting the variable rate on the junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of 4.11%. The fair value of these instruments amounted to a liability of approximately $807,000, $370,000 and $972,000 at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company also had forward contracts and IRLCs to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset with a fair value of approximately $2.3 million, $1.2 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. No material hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow hedges was recognized in the statement of earnings. 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 September 30, 2014, under the regulatory capital standards, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under all capital measurements. On July 2, 2013, the FRB adopted a new regulatory capital framework as a part of the Basel III regulatory capital reforms. Management currently believes that Ameris will be in compliance with the revised capital requirements when they become applicable to the Company on January 1, 2015. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital ratios of Ameris at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

September 30, December 31, September 30,
2014 2013 2013

Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)

Consolidated

8.83 % 11.33 % 11.73 %

Ameris Bank

9.67 11.93 11.65

Core Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

12.47 14.35 18.25

Ameris Bank

13.66 15.06 18.13

Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

13.27 15.32 19.50

Ameris Bank

14.46 16.03 19.38

68


Table of Contents

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. In December 2012, the Company repurchased 24,000 outstanding Preferred Shares, and in March 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining 28,000 outstanding Preferred Shares.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

The Company’s primary market risk exposures are credit risk, 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 of Directors 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 the Company 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. At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, there were $147.4 million, $194.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks.

69


Table of Contents

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

September 30,
2014
June 30,
2014
March 31,
2014
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013

Investment securities available for sale to total deposits

15.70 % 15.80 % 15.17 % 16.21 % 12.78 %

Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits

84.08 % 82.72 % 83.22 % 81.94 % 82.14 %

Interest-earning assets to total assets

87.91 % 87.22 % 87.80 % 87.68 % 87.38 %

Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits

75.79 % 76.67 % 76.79 % 77.71 % 80.54 %

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 September 30, 2014 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 part of the Company’s program to manage interest rate sensitivity. At September 30, 2014, 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 $2.3 million at September 30, 2014 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 and shock 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 September 30, 2014, there were no changes 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 materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

70


Table of Contents

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 I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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.

71


Table of Contents

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.

Date: November 7, 2014

AMERIS BANCORP

/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)

72


Table of Contents

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).
10.1 First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated as of September 26, 2014 by and between Ameris Bancorp and NexBank SSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 29, 2014).
10.2 Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note dated as of September 26, 2014 issued by Ameris Bancorp to NexBank SSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 29, 2014).
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 September 30, 2014, 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.

73

TABLE OF CONTENTS