AMERIS BANKannounced today a definitive agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to assume the deposits and certain assets of One Georgia Bank, a full-service bank with one location in MidtownAtlanta, Georgia, and also to assume the deposits and certain assets of High Trust Bank, a full-service bank with a main office in Stockbridgeand a branch location inLeary, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Banking & Finance declared One Georgia Bank inAtlanta, and High Trust Bank, headquartered inStockbridgeclosed today and appointed the FDIC as receiver for both financial institutions. The FDIC entered into a loss-share transaction and sold the assets and deposit liabilities of One Georgia Bank and High Trust Bank toAmeris Bank.

All of the branches of High Trust Bank and the one branch of One Georgia Bank will reopen as branches ofAmeris Bankat their next regularly scheduled time on eitherSaturday, July 16, 2011orMonday, July 18, 2011. All depositors of both banks will automatically become depositors ofAmeris Bank, and all deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC. With these acquisitions,Ameris Bankwill now operate 62 locations inGeorgia,Florida,AlabamaandSouth Carolina.

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., CEO commented, "We appreciate the opportunity to welcome customers and employees of both One Georgia Bank and High Trust Bank to theAmeris Bankfamily. Customers can be confident that their deposits are safe and readily accessible.Ameris Bankhas supported the financial needs of local communities since 1971."