Ameris Bancorp Reports Net Income of $8.4M for 1Q 2014

Press release from the issuing company

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014

On Tuesday, AMERIS BANCORP reported net income available to common shareholders of $8.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $4.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Commenting on the Company's improved profitability, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our first quarter results reflect a full quarter of the additional revenues we expected from the acquisition of The Prosperity Banking Company and Prosperity Bank during the fourth quarter of 2013. On the expense side, we completed the data processing conversion and should have a full run rate of expense savings in the coming quarter."

Highlights of the results of the first quarter of 2014 include the following:

  • Net income available to common shareholders increased 66.5%, compared to the same quarter in 2013.
  • The remaining TARP preferred stock investment was redeemed during the quarter with no additional borrowings or issuances of common stock.
  • The Company's net interest margin was 4.57%, compared to 4.43% in the fourth quarter of 2013.
  • Return on average assets and return on average tangible equity improved to 0.96% and 13.30%, respectively compared to 0.75% and 8.61% for the same quarter in 2013.
  • Credit costs (provision and problem loan and OREO expenses) declined to $3.9 million, compared to $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.
  • Legacy loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) increased by $76.9 million during the quarter, an annualized growth rate of 19.3%.
  • Tangible common equity to tangible assets increased significantly to 7.53% at March 31, 2014, compared to 6.83% at December 31, 2013.
  • Total legacy classified loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) decreased 8.1%, compared to December 31, 2013.
  • Noninterest income was $12.8 million, compared to $11.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.
  • Net income from the Company's mortgage operation improved during the first quarter of 2014, totaling $947,000, compared to $38,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Operating Results
Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2014 totaled $8.1 million, compared to $4.8 million for the same quarter in 2013. Revenue during the first quarter totaled $47.2 million, an increase of 19.0% compared to the first quarter of 2013. Increases in revenue resulted from the addition of The Prosperity Banking Company, as well as modest increases from growth in legacy portfolio loans with minimal decreases in yields. The Company's return on assets improved from 0.75% in the first quarter of 2013 to 0.96% in the first quarter of 2014. Return on tangible common equity increased to 13.30% in the current quarter, from 8.61% in the first quarter of 2013, due to additional earnings and capital utilization.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2014 totaled $34.5 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or 21.7%, compared to $28.3 million reported for the first quarter of 2013. The Company's net interest margin increased during the first quarter of 2014 to 4.57% compared to 4.43% in the fourth quarter of 2013. The higher net interest margin resulted from several factors, including steady yields on the Company's loan portfolios and lower levels of excess liquidity than those reported during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Yields on legacy loans declined only slightly from 5.15% in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 5.11% in the first quarter of 2014. Yields declined by a larger margin compared to the same quarter in 2013 when the Company reported legacy loan yields of 5.58%. The Company has expected a slower pace of compression on loan yields as loan production on new and renewed loans has been steady for several quarters at levels much closer to the overall portfolio yield than in the past.

The Company's cost of deposits decreased during the first quarter of 2014 to 0.30%, compared to 0.32% in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 0.36% in the first quarter of 2013. Continued shifts in the funding mix toward non-interest bearing demand and other lower cost deposit categories was the primary reason for the decline. A sales focus on business deposit accounts continues to result in favorable growth in non-interest bearing demand deposits, which increased to $698.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2014, an annualized growth rate of 18.4%, when compared to balances at December 31, 2013. Compared to the same period in 2013, non-interest bearing demand deposits have increased $207.9 million, or 42.3%.

Non-interest Income
Recurring levels of non-interest income in the first quarter of 2014 improved to $12.8 million, compared to $11.4 million in the same quarter of 2013 and $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. As a percentage of total assets, recurring non-interest income has decreased from 1.61% at March 31, 2013 to 1.48% at the end of the current quarter. The majority of the decline in non-interest income contribution as a percentage of total assets relates to Prosperity's income statement which was more heavily centered on traditional spread income. The Company believes the new markets are attractive opportunities for its existing strategies and believes non-interest income levels will grow in the coming quarters commensurate with the rest of the Company's markets.

Much of the non-interest income growth has related to the Company's mortgage strategy, although fees and service charges on deposit accounts have remained at strong levels. Mortgage revenue increased compared to the same quarter of 2013, as loan pipelines and closings improved from the lower levels the Company reported in the fourth quarter of 2013. At the end of the first quarter of 2014, the Company's open pipeline of mortgage loans totaled $75.2 million, compared to $40.5 million at the end of 2013. Growth in the pipeline and growth in closings are the result of excellent relationships the Company has developed with certain realtors and builders. The Company is still selectively searching for strong, seasoned producers to add to the team but believes additional improvement in volumes will result from its builder and realtor contacts going forward.

Non-interest Expense
Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2014 were $33.2 million, compared to $28.9 million for the same quarter of 2013. Increases in operating expenses were primarily the result of the recently closed Prosperity Bank acquisition, which added approximately $4.8 million in quarterly expenses. Additional expenses related to increases in mortgage volume totaled $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter in 2013. Offsetting these increases in operating expenses were declines in credit-related expenses of $2.7 million from the same quarter in 2013.

On a comparative basis, the Company recorded $30.6 million of core non-interest expense in the first quarter, (excluding credit and merger related expenses), an increase of $2.6 million compared to core non-interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2013, (excluding credit related expenses and $4.3 million of merger related expenses).

The Company completed the data conversion for the Prosperity Bank acquisition during the first quarter of 2014, which resulted in approximately $450,000 of conversion related expenses that will be non-recurring in future quarters. These costs were principally related to compensation, professional fees and travel expenses.

Credit Expenses and Asset Quality
Total classified legacy assets declined during the quarter to $87.3 million at March 31, 2014, compared to $106.8 million for the same quarter in 2013. As a percentage of capital, classified assets improved to 29.1% at the end of the current quarter, compared to 37.7% at March 31, 2013.

During the quarter, the Company downgraded certain assets acquired with the acquisition of Prosperity Bank to non-accrual in an effort to force borrower actions on assets that were well collateralized. The assets in question were identified by the Company in its due diligence as assets that would require more aggressive collection efforts and were marked accordingly. The Company does not anticipate losses from these downgraded assets and believes resolution will come relatively quickly given the operating status of the borrowers and underlying collateral values. Loan to value on the three largest relationships is approximately 53% in the aggregate.

Credit costs continued to improve as expected. During the quarter, credit expenses (provision and credit-related operating expenses) fell to $3.9 million, or 0.94% annualized, of non-covered loans, compared to $7.8 million, or 2.11% annualized, of non-covered loans in the same quarter in 2013. Higher levels of real estate activity and better prices were the primary factors for the improvement.

Balance Sheet Trends
Total assets at March 31, 2014 were $3.49 billion, a 4.9% decrease compared to the $3.67 billion reported at December 31, 2013. Earning assets declined $153.5 million to $3.06 billion at March 31, 2014. Short-term assets declined as a percentage of earning assets to 3.9%, compared to 8.3% at December 31, 2013 and 5.5% at March 31, 2013. Declines in earning assets were primarily related to excess liquidity at year end resulting from certain larger municipal and corporate deposits.

Total legacy loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) increased $76.9 million during the first quarter of 2014 at an annualized rate of 19.3%, to end at $1.70 billion at March 31, 2014. During the first quarter, purchased non-covered loans decreased by $11.5 million to $437.3 million, down from $448.8 million reported at December 31, 2013. Covered loans decreased by $17.5 million to $372.7 million at March 31, 2014, from $390.2 million at December 31, 2013. Increases in legacy loans were centered mostly in commercial real estate, municipal and residential loan types, while the declines in covered loans were centered mostly in classified assets resulting from normal workout efforts as the Company approaches the maturity of its first loss-share agreements.

Total deposits increased $11.4 million to $3.01 billion during the first quarter of 2014, compared to $3.00 billion at December 31, 2013. Non-interest bearing deposits grew to 23.2% of total deposits at March 31, 2014, compared to 19.7% at the same time in 2013.

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining $28 million in shares of the preferred stock originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in November 2008. The redemption of preferred stock was completed with no additional borrowings or issuances of common stock.

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and at the end of the most recent quarter had 68 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

     

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       

EARNINGS

                 
                       
 

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders

$ 8,064

 

$ 966

 

$ 6,234

 

$ 6,236

 

$ 4,844

                       

PER COMMON SHARE DATA

                 
 

Earnings per share available to common shareholders:

                 
   

Basic

$ 0.32

 

$ 0.04

 

$ 0.26

 

$ 0.26

 

$ 0.20

   

Diluted

$ 0.32

 

$ 0.04

 

$ 0.26

 

$ 0.26

 

$ 0.20

 

Cash Dividends per share

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

Stock dividend

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Book value per share (period end)

$ 11.93

 

$ 11.50

 

$ 10.98

 

$ 10.88

 

$ 10.72

 

Tangible book value per share (period end)

$ 10.31

 

$ 9.87

 

$ 10.85

 

$ 10.74

 

$ 10.57

 

Weighted average number of shares:

                 
   

Basic

25,144,342

 

24,021,447

 

23,900,665

 

23,878,898

 

23,867,691

   

Diluted

25,573,320

 

24,450,619

 

24,315,821

 

24,287,628

 

24,246,346

 

Period-end number of shares

25,159,073

 

25,098,427

 

23,907,509

 

23,894,327

 

23,875,680

 

Market data:

                 
   

High closing price

$ 24.00

 

$ 21.42

 

$ 19.79

 

$ 16.94

 

$ 14.51

   

Low closing price

$ 19.86

 

$ 17.69

 

$ 17.35

 

$ 13.16

 

$ 12.79

   

Period end closing price

$ 23.30

 

$ 21.11

 

$ 18.38

 

$ 16.85

 

$ 14.35

   

Average daily volume

103,279

 

94,636

 

75,545

 

53,403

 

51,887

                       

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                 
 

Return on average assets

0.96%

 

0.19%

 

0.94%

 

0.95%

 

0.75%

 

Return on average common equity

11.66%

 

2.20%

 

10.75%

 

10.66%

 

8.53%

 

Earning asset yield (TE)

5.01%

 

4.84%

 

5.20%

 

5.38%

 

5.23%

 

Total cost of funds

0.43%

 

0.40%

 

0.39%

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

 

Net interest margin (TE)

4.57%

 

4.43%

 

4.80%

 

4.96%

 

4.81%

 

Non-interest income excluding securities transactions,

                 
   

as a percent of total revenue (TE) (1)

25.02%

 

26.45%

 

27.76%

 

26.16%

 

26.44%

 

Efficiency ratio

70.36%

 

92.74%

 

69.09%

 

65.32%

 

72.76%

                       

CAPITAL ADEQUACY (period end)

                 
 

Stockholders' equity to assets

8.60%

 

8.63%

 

10.30%

 

10.25%

 

9.91%

 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

7.53%

 

6.83%

 

9.22%

 

9.15%

 

8.83%

                       

EQUITY TO ASSETS RECONCILIATION

                 
 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

7.53%

 

6.83%

 

9.22%

 

9.15%

 

8.83%

 

Effect of preferred equity

0.00%

 

0.76%

 

0.99%

 

0.99%

 

0.97%

 

Effect of goodwill and other intangibles

1.07%

 

1.04%

 

0.09%

 

0.11%

 

0.12%

   

Equity to assets (GAAP)

8.60%

 

8.63%

 

10.30%

 

10.25%

 

9.91%

                       

OTHER PERIOD-END DATA

                 
 

Banking Division FTE

785

 

820

 

678

 

683

 

693

 

Mortgage Division FTE

161

 

164

 

158

 

155

 

127

   

Total Ameris Bancorp FTE Headcount

946

 

984

 

836

 

838

 

820

                       
 

Assets per Banking Division FTE

$ 4,443

 

$ 4,473

 

$ 4,157

 

$ 4,112

 

$ 4,129

 

Branch locations

68

 

68

 

57

 

57

 

57

 

Deposits per branch location

$ 44,274

 

$ 44,106

 

$ 42,867

 

$ 42,861

 

$ 43,684

                       
 

(1)Includes gain from acquisition.

                 
                        

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

     

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       
                       

INCOME STATEMENT

                 
                       

Interest income

                 
 

Interest and fees on loans

$ 34,469

 

$ 29,289

 

$ 29,633

 

$ 29,859

 

$ 28,716

 

Interest on taxable securities

2,985

 

1,998

 

1,720

 

1,719

 

1,697

 

Interest on nontaxable securities

335

 

342

 

352

 

344

 

375

 

Interest on deposits in other banks

79

 

118

 

44

 

29

 

85

 

Interest on federal funds sold

5

 

2

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Total interest income

37,873

 

31,749

 

31,749

 

31,951

 

30,873

                       

Interest expense

                 
 

Interest on deposits

$ 2,183

 

$ 2,066

 

$ 2,025

 

$ 2,083

 

$ 2,226

 

Interest on other borrowings

1,206

 

632

 

404

 

392

 

309

   

Total interest expense

3,389

 

2,698

 

2,429

 

2,475

 

2,535

                       

Net interest income

34,484

 

29,051

 

29,320

 

29,476

 

28,338

                       

Provision for loan losses

1,726

 

1,478

 

2,920

 

4,165

 

2,923

                       

Net interest income/(loss) after provision for loan losses

$ 32,758

 

$ 27,573

 

$ 26,400

 

$ 25,311

 

$ 25,415

                       

Noninterest income

                 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts

$ 5,586

 

$ 5,065

 

$ 4,948

 

$ 4,695

 

$ 4,837

 

Mortgage banking activity

5,068

 

4,431

 

5,232

 

5,001

 

4,464

 

Other service charges, commissions and fees

652

 

612

 

593

 

617

 

329

 

Gain(loss) on sale of securities

6

 

-

 

-

 

(1)

 

172

 

Gains from acquisitions

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Other non-interest income

1,442

 

1,409

 

1,515

 

1,072

 

1,558

   

Total noninterest income

12,754

 

11,517

 

12,288

 

11,384

 

11,360

                       

Noninterest expense

                 
 

Salaries and employee benefits

17,394

 

15,071

 

14,412

 

13,381

 

13,806

 

Occupancy and equipment expenses

4,064

 

3,228

 

3,149

 

2,978

 

2,931

 

Data processing and telecommunications expenses

3,454

 

3,061

 

3,072

 

2,836

 

2,570

 

Credit related expenses (1)

2,190

 

5,322

 

2,971

 

2,349

 

4,844

 

Advertising and marketing expenses

710

 

604

 

434

 

327

 

255

 

Amortization of intangible assets

533

 

346

 

346

 

358

 

364

 

Other non-interest expenses

4,894

 

9,992

 

4,365

 

4,459

 

4,114

   

Total noninterest expense

33,239

 

37,624

 

28,749

 

26,688

 

28,884

                       

Operating profit

$ 12,273

 

$ 1,466

 

$ 9,939

 

$ 10,007

 

$ 7,891

                       
 

Income tax expense

3,923

 

88

 

3,262

 

3,329

 

2,606

                       

Net income

$ 8,350

 

$ 1,378

 

$ 6,677

 

$ 6,678

 

$ 5,285

                       

Preferred stock dividends

286

 

412

 

443

 

442

 

441

                       

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 8,064

 

$ 966

 

$ 6,234

 

$ 6,236

 

$ 4,844

                       

Diluted earnings available to common shareholders

0.32

 

0.04

 

0.26

 

0.26

 

0.20

                       
 

(1) Includes expenses associated with problem loans and OREO, as well as OREO losses and writedowns.

           
                       
                       

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

     

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       

PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET

                 
                       

Assets

                 
 

Cash and due from banks

$ 71,387

 

$ 62,955

 

$ 53,516

 

$ 50,343

 

$ 50,487

 

Federal funds sold and interest bearing balances

48,677

 

204,984

 

73,899

 

43,904

 

81,205

 

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

456,713

 

486,235

 

312,248

 

316,168

 

324,029

 

Other investments

9,322

 

16,828

 

7,764

 

7,764

 

5,528

 

Mortgage loans held for sale

51,693

 

67,278

 

69,634

 

62,580

 

42,332

                       
 

Loans, net of unearned income

1,695,382

 

1,618,454

 

1,589,267

 

1,555,827

 

1,492,753

 

Purchased non-covered loans

437,269

 

448,753

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Covered loans

372,694

 

390,237

 

417,649

 

443,517

 

460,724

 

Less allowance for loan losses

22,744

 

22,377

 

23,854

 

24,217

 

23,382

   

Loans, net

2,482,601

 

2,435,067

 

1,983,062

 

1,975,127

 

1,930,095

                       
 

Other real estate owned

33,839

 

33,351

 

37,978

 

39,885

 

40,434

 

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned

3,864

 

4,276

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Covered other real estate owned

42,636

 

45,893

 

52,552

 

62,178

 

77,915

   

Total other real estate owned

80,339

 

83,520

 

90,530

 

102,063

 

118,349

                       
 

Premises and equipment, net

87,430

 

103,188

 

65,661

 

70,167

 

72,340

 

Intangible assets, net

5,477

 

6,009

 

1,972

 

2,318

 

2,676

 

Goodwill

35,049

 

35,049

 

956

 

956

 

956

 

FDIC loss sharing receivable

53,181

 

65,441

 

81,763

 

105,513

 

160,979

 

Cash value of bank owned life insurance

49,738

 

49,432

 

49,095

 

47,495

 

45,832

 

Other assets

56,377

 

51,663

 

28,402

 

24,277

 

26,843

   

Total assets

$ 3,487,984

 

$ 3,667,649

 

$ 2,818,502

 

$ 2,808,675

 

$ 2,861,651

                       

Liabilities

                 
 

Deposits:

                 
   

Noninterest-bearing

$ 698,866

 

$ 668,531

 

$ 475,505

 

$ 475,445

 

$ 490,961

   

Interest-bearing

2,311,781

 

2,330,700

 

1,967,916

 

1,967,658

 

1,999,012

 

Total deposits

3,010,647

 

2,999,231

 

2,443,421

 

2,443,103

 

2,489,973

 

Federal funds purchased & securities sold under

                 
   

agreements to repurchase

49,974

 

83,516

 

20,255

 

19,142

 

22,919

 

Other borrowings

59,677

 

194,572

 

5,000

 

-

 

-

 

Other liabilities

12,028

 

18,165

 

17,201

 

16,384

 

22,768

 

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

55,628

 

55,466

 

42,269

 

42,269

 

42,269

   

Total liabilities

3,187,954

 

3,350,950

 

2,528,146

 

2,520,898

 

2,577,929

                       
                       

Stockholders' equity

                 

Preferred stock

$ -

 

$ 28,000

 

$ 27,938

 

$ 27,845

 

$ 27,753

Common stock

26,536

 

26,462

 

25,271

 

25,258

 

25,239

Capital surplus

190,513

 

189,722

 

165,835

 

165,483

 

165,078

Retained earnings

92,055

 

83,991

 

83,025

 

76,791

 

70,554

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

2,374

 

(294)

 

(531)

 

3,582

 

6,274

Less treasury stock

(11,448)

 

(11,182)

 

(11,182)

 

(11,182)

 

(11,176)

   

Total stockholders' equity

300,030

 

316,699

 

290,356

 

287,777

 

283,722

   

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 3,487,984

 

$ 3,667,649

 

$ 2,818,502

 

$ 2,808,675

 

$ 2,861,651

                       
                       

Other Data

                 

Earning Assets

3,062,428

 

3,215,941

 

2,462,697

 

2,421,996

 

2,401,043

Intangible Assets

40,526

 

41,058

 

2,928

 

3,274

 

3,632

Interest Bearing Liabilities

2,477,060

 

2,664,254

 

2,035,440

 

2,029,069

 

2,064,200

Average Assets

3,521,588

 

2,937,434

 

2,806,799

 

2,820,863

 

2,875,274

Average Common Stockholders' Equity

290,462

 

248,429

 

246,490

 

251,240

 

251,214

                       
                                       

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

     

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       

ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION(1)

                 
                       

Allowance for loan losses

                 
 

Balance at beginning of period

$ 22,377

 

$ 23,854

 

$ 24,217

 

$ 23,382

 

$ 23,593

                       
 

Provision for loan loss (2)

1,501

 

1,200

 

2,449

 

3,695

 

2,603

                       
   

Charge-offs

1,606

 

3,591

 

3,457

 

3,200

 

3,036

   

Recoveries

472

 

914

 

645

 

340

 

222

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

1,134

 

2,677

 

2,812

 

2,860

 

2,814

                       
 

Ending balance

$ 22,744

 

$ 22,377

 

$ 23,854

 

$ 24,217

 

$ 23,382

                       
 

As a percentage of loans

1.34%

 

1.38%

 

1.50%

 

1.56%

 

1.57%

 

As a percentage of nonperforming loans

85.09%

 

76.63%

 

75.20%

 

76.13%

 

62.39%

                       
                       

Net charge-off information

                 
 

Charge-offs

                 
 

Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

$ 743

 

$ 543

 

$ 482

 

$ 324

 

$ 410

 

Real Estate - Residential

181

 

1,785

 

1,323

 

1,328

 

779

 

Real Estate - Commercial and Farmland

533

 

698

 

1,080

 

768

 

1,025

 

Real Estate - Construction and Development

65

 

422

 

367

 

576

 

655

 

Consumer Installment

84

 

143

 

205

 

204

 

167

   

Total charge-offs

1,606

 

3,591

 

3,457

 

3,200

 

3,036

                       
 

Recoveries

                 
 

Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

49

 

92

 

212

 

44

 

84

 

Real Estate - Residential

83

 

368

 

291

 

144

 

85

 

Real Estate - Commercial and Farmland

143

 

12

 

5

 

10

 

3

 

Real Estate - Construction and Development

108

 

385

 

84

 

2

 

2

 

Consumer Installment

89

 

57

 

53

 

140

 

48

   

Total recoveries

472

 

914

 

645

 

340

 

222

                       
 

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

$ 1,134

 

$ 2,677

 

$ 2,812

 

$ 2,860

 

$ 2,814

                       
                       
                       

Non-accrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered 
and covered loans)

26,729

 

29,203

 

31,720

 

31,811

 

37,476

Non-accrual purchased non-covered loans

15,318

 

6,659

 

-

 

-

 

-

Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)

33,839

 

33,351

 

37,978

 

39,885

 

40,434

Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned

3,864

 

4,276

 

-

 

-

 

-

Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets

79,750

 

73,489

 

69,698

 

71,696

 

77,910

                       

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

2.29%

 

2.00%

 

2.47%

 

2.55%

 

2.72%

Net charge offs as a percent of loans (Annualized)

0.27%

 

0.66%

 

0.70%

 

0.74%

 

0.76%

                       
                       

(1) Asset quality information is presented net of covered assets where the Company's risk exposure is limited substantially by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

(2) During 2012 and 2013, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans

acquired in FDIC assisted acquisitions. These amounts are excluded from the calculation above but reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.

                       
                         
                         

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

For the quarter ended:

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

   

Loans by Type

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 270,571

 

$ 244,373

 

$ 244,991

 

$ 208,424

 

$ 180,888

   

Real estate - construction & development

149,543

 

146,371

 

132,277

 

134,607

 

130,161

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

836,230

 

808,323

 

799,149

 

788,654

 

766,227

   

Real estate - residential

347,574

 

351,886

 

355,920

 

357,685

 

355,716

   

Consumer installment

32,345

 

34,249

 

36,303

 

36,923

 

37,335

   

Other

59,119

 

33,252

 

20,627

 

29,534

 

22,426

   

  Total Legacy (excluding purchased non-covered and covered)

$ 1,695,382

 

$ 1,618,454

 

$ 1,589,267

 

$ 1,555,827

 

$ 1,492,753

                       
   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 30,810

 

$ 32,141

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

   

Real estate - construction & development

31,820

 

31,176

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

174,281

 

179,898

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Real estate - residential

196,078

 

200,851

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Consumer installment

4,280

 

4,687

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

  Total Purchased non-covered (at fair value)

$ 437,269

 

$ 448,753

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

                       
   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 24,813

 

$ 26,550

 

$ 27,768

 

$ 27,371

 

$ 28,568

   

Real estate - construction & development

41,434

 

43,179

 

50,702

 

52,972

 

57,114

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

214,649

 

224,451

 

237,086

 

255,102

 

260,159

   

Real estate - residential

91,372

 

95,173

 

101,146

 

107,107

 

113,668

   

Consumer installment

426

 

884

 

947

 

965

 

1,215

   

  Total Covered (at fair value)

$ 372,694

 

$ 390,237

 

$ 417,649

 

$ 443,517

 

$ 460,724

                       
   

Total Loan Portfolio:

                 
   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 326,194

 

$ 303,064

 

$ 272,759

 

$ 235,795

 

$ 209,456

   

Real estate - construction & development

222,797

 

220,726

 

182,979

 

187,579

 

187,275

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

1,225,160

 

1,212,672

 

1,036,235

 

1,043,756

 

1,026,386

   

Real estate - residential

635,024

 

647,910

 

457,066

 

464,792

 

469,384

   

Consumer installment

37,051

 

39,820

 

37,250

 

37,888

 

38,550

   

Other

59,119

 

33,252

 

20,627

 

29,534

 

22,426

   

  Total Loans

$ 2,505,345

 

$ 2,457,444

 

$ 2,006,916

 

$ 1,999,344

 

$ 1,953,477

                       
                       
                       
   

Troubled Debt Restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

         
   

Accruing loan types:

                 
   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 711

 

$ 515

 

$ 521

 

$ 1,059

 

$ 799

   

Real estate - construction & development

1,953

 

1,896

 

1,926

 

1,946

 

1,883

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

8,733

 

6,913

 

6,693

 

7,529

 

8,878

   

Real estate - residential

7,364

 

7,818

 

7,871

 

7,468

 

6,953

   

Consumer installment

87

 

72

 

13

 

13

 

-

   

  Total Accruing TDRs

$ 18,848

 

$ 17,214

 

$ 17,024

 

$ 18,015

 

$ 18,513

                       
   

Non-accruing loan types:

                 
   

Commercial, financial & agricultural

$ 40

 

$ 525

 

$ 533

 

$ -

 

$ -

   

Real estate - construction & development

29

 

32

 

29

 

29

 

43

   

Real estate - commercial & farmland

1,316

 

2,273

 

1,858

 

1,493

 

3,595

   

Real estate - residential

961

 

834

 

704

 

1,046

 

1,111

   

Consumer installment

19

 

19

 

26

 

-

 

6

   

  Total Non-accrual TDRs

$ 2,365

 

$ 3,683

 

$ 3,150

 

$ 2,568

 

$ 4,755

                       
   

Total Troubled Debt Restructurings

$ 21,213

 

$ 20,897

 

$ 20,174

 

$ 20,583

 

$ 23,268

                       
                       
                       

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

   
   

Grade 10 - Prime credit

$ 93,805

 

$ 74,381

 

$ 72,759

 

$ 44,852

 

$ 40,268

   

Grade 15 - Good credit

243,963

 

230,212

 

230,810

 

241,690

 

232,773

   

Grade 20 - Satisfactory credit

817,718

 

773,051

 

731,154

 

708,606

 

665,777

   

Grade 23 - Performing, under-collateralized credit

31,056

 

31,604

 

30,729

 

29,829

 

29,403

   

Grade 25 - Minimum acceptable credit

417,177

 

420,491

 

433,358

 

443,105

 

425,646

   

Grade 30 - Other asset especially mentioned

38,240

 

30,591

 

28,952

 

29,265

 

32,485

   

Grade 40 - Substandard

53,286

 

57,987

 

61,270

 

57,880

 

66,147

   

Grade 50 - Doubtful

137

 

137

 

235

 

598

 

254

   

Grade 60 - Loss

-

 

-

 

-

 

2

 

-

   

  Total

$ 1,695,382

 

$ 1,618,454

 

$ 1,589,267

 

$ 1,555,827

 

$ 1,492,753

                       

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                     
                     
   

Three Months Ended

   

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

   

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                     
                     

AVERAGE BALANCES

                 
                     
   

Federal funds sold

$ 7,455

 

$ 3,243

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

   

Interest bearing deposits in banks

99,751

 

172,117

 

66,424

 

52,090

 

101,452

   

Investment securities - taxable

411,251

 

276,702

 

260,262

 

271,282

 

286,745

   

Investment securities - nontaxable

51,092

 

51,291

 

52,279

 

50,300

 

53,819

   

Other investments

12,330

 

8,255

 

7,764

 

7,002

 

6,687

   

Mortgage loans held for sale

49,397

 

65,683

 

61,249

 

48,890

 

32,639

   

Loans

1,639,672

 

1,602,942

 

1,564,311

 

1,523,654

 

1,455,687

   

Purchased non-covered loans

441,138

 

43,900

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Covered loans

379,460

 

401,045

 

427,482

 

444,616

 

491,691

   

Total Earning Assets

$ 3,091,546

 

$ 2,625,178

 

$ 2,439,771

 

$ 2,397,834

 

2,428,720

                       
   

Noninterest bearing deposits

$ 666,493

 

$ 528,732

 

$ 468,588

 

$ 479,054

 

$ 481,760

   

NOW accounts

675,199

 

604,828

 

573,088

 

579,312

 

633,313

   

MMDA

749,150

 

655,782

 

639,304

 

611,562

 

592,842

   

Savings accounts

143,109

 

107,058

 

104,498

 

104,534

 

102,380

   

Retail CDs < $100,000

373,523

 

293,689

 

290,771

 

298,553

 

313,191

   

Retail CDs > $100,000

361,861

 

352,043

 

349,931

 

358,980

 

368,577

   

Brokered CDs

5,970

 

10,687

 

12,970

 

16,176

 

19,448

   

Total Deposits

2,975,305

 

2,552,819

 

2,439,150

 

2,448,171

 

2,511,511

                       
   

FHLB advances

68,333

 

9,521

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Other borrowings

30,004

 

6,304

 

1,739

 

-

 

-

   

Subordinated debentures

55,092

 

46,263

 

42,269

 

42,269

 

42,269

   

Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                 
   

under agreements to repurchase

57,112

 

41,402

 

18,446

 

20,530

 

27,191

   

Total Non-Deposit Funding

210,541

 

103,490

 

62,454

 

62,799

 

69,460

                       
   

Total Funding

$ 3,185,846

 

$ 2,656,309

 

$ 2,501,604

 

$ 2,510,970

 

$ 2,580,971

                       
                         

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                   
 

Three Months Ended

 

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE

                 

INTEREST INCOME

                 
 

Federal funds sold

$5

 

$2

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

Interest bearing deposits in banks

79

 

118

 

44

 

29

 

85

 

Investment securities - taxable

2,985

 

1,998

 

1,720

 

1,719

 

1,697

 

Investment securities - nontaxable (TE)

452

 

462

 

475

 

464

 

506

 

Mortgage loans held for sale

403

 

554

 

603

 

467

 

291

 

Loans (TE)

20,647

 

20,810

 

20,882

 

20,396

 

19,604

 

Purchased non-covered loans

6,865

 

570

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Covered loans

6,761

 

7,508

 

8,248

 

9,066

 

8,765

 

Total Earning Assets

$38,197

 

$32,022

 

$31,972

 

$32,141

 

$30,948

                     

INTEREST EXPENSE

                 
 

Non-interest bearing deposits

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

$ -

 

NOW accounts

288

 

297

 

248

 

250

 

302

 

MMDA

681

 

625

 

606

 

555

 

522

 

Savings accounts

37

 

29

 

29

 

29

 

29

 

Retail CDs < $100,000

489

 

399

 

406

 

437

 

498

 

Retail CDs > $100,000

640

 

629

 

635

 

675

 

706

 

Brokered CDs

48

 

86

 

101

 

137

 

169

 

Total Deposits

2,183

 

2,065

 

2,025

 

2,083

 

2,226

                     
 

FHLB advances

37

 

63

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Other borrowings

408

 

137

 

20

 

-

 

-

 

Subordinated debentures

708

 

376

 

359

 

363

 

270

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                 
 

under agreements to repurchase

53

 

56

 

26

 

29

 

39

 

Total Non-Deposit Funding

1,206

 

632

 

405

 

392

 

309

                     
 

Total Funding

$3,389

 

$2,697

 

$2,430

 

$2,475

 

$2,535

                     
 

Net Interest Income (TE)

$34,808

 

$29,325

 

$29,542

 

$29,666

 

$28,413

                   

 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

     

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

YIELDS (1)

                 
                       
   

Federal funds sold

0.27%

 

0.24%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

   

Interest bearing deposits in banks

0.32%

 

0.27%

 

0.26%

 

0.22%

 

0.34%

   

Investment securities - taxable

2.94%

 

2.86%

 

2.62%

 

2.54%

 

2.40%

   

Investment securities - nontaxable

3.59%

 

3.57%

 

3.61%

 

3.70%

 

3.81%

   

Mortgage loans held for sale

3.31%

 

3.35%

 

3.91%

 

3.83%

 

3.62%

   

Loans

5.11%

 

5.15%

 

5.30%

 

5.37%

 

5.46%

   

Purchased non-covered loans

6.31%

 

5.15%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

   

Covered loans

7.23%

 

7.43%

 

7.65%

 

8.18%

 

7.23%

   

Total Earning Assets

5.01%

 

4.84%

 

5.20%

 

5.38%

 

5.17%

                       
   

Noninterest bearing deposits

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

   

NOW accounts

0.17%

 

0.19%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.19%

   

MMDA

0.37%

 

0.38%

 

0.38%

 

0.36%

 

0.36%

   

Savings accounts

0.10%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

   

Retail CDs < $100,000

0.53%

 

0.54%

 

0.55%

 

0.59%

 

0.64%

   

Retail CDs > $100,000

0.72%

 

0.71%

 

0.72%

 

0.75%

 

0.78%

   

Brokered CDs

3.26%

 

3.19%

 

3.09%

 

3.40%

 

3.52%

   

Total Deposits

0.30%

 

0.32%

 

0.33%

 

0.34%

 

0.36%

                       
   

FHLB advances

0.22%

 

2.63%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

   

Other borrowings

5.51%

 

8.62%

 

4.56%

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

   

Subordinated debentures

5.21%

 

3.22%

 

3.37%

 

3.44%

 

2.59%

   

Federal funds purchased and securities sold

                 
   

under agreements to repurchase

0.38%

 

0.54%

 

0.56%

 

0.57%

 

0.58%

   

Total Non-Deposit Funding

2.32%

 

2.42%

 

2.57%

 

2.50%

 

1.80%

                       
   

Total funding (3)

0.43%

 

0.40%

 

0.39%

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

                       
   

Net interest spread

4.58%

 

4.44%

 

4.81%

 

4.98%

 

4.81%

                       
   

Net interest margin

4.57%

 

4.43%

 

4.80%

 

4.96%

 

4.74%

                       
                       
                       

(1) Interest and average rates are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 35%.

 

(2) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

           

(3) Rate calculated based on total average funding including non-interest bearing liabilities.

     
                       

 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

   

Pretax, Pre-provision Earnings Reconciliation

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       
   

Pre-tax operating profit/(loss)

$ 12,273

 

$ 1,466

 

$ 9,939

 

$ 10,007

 

$ 7,891

   

Plus: Credit Related Costs

                 
   

Provision for loan losses

1,726

 

1,478

 

2,920

 

4,165

 

2,923

   

(Gains)/Losses on the sale of legacy OREO

(55)

 

310

 

(157)

 

134

 

(20)

   

Problem loan and OREO expense

2,127

 

5,012

 

3,128

 

2,215

 

4,864

   

Interest reversed (received) on non-accrual loans

246

 

29

 

216

 

118

 

54

   

Total Credit-Related Costs

4,044

 

6,829

 

6,107

 

6,632

 

7,821

                       
   

Plus: Non-recurring acquisition/conversion charges

450

 

4,350

 

512

 

-

 

-

   

Less: Non-recurring gains

                 
   

Gains related to FDIC acquisitions

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Gains on sales of securities

(6)

 

-

 

-

 

1

 

(172)

   

Gains on sales of bank premises

-

 

-

 

159

 

(227)

 

(242)

   

Other non-recurring adjustments

-

 

-

 

(1,771)

 

(2,067)

 

(1,017)

                       
   

Pretax, Pre-provision earnings

$ 16,761

 

$ 12,645

 

$ 14,946

 

$ 14,346

 

$ 14,281

                       
   

As percentage of average assets, annualized

1.93%

 

1.71%

 

2.11%

 

2.04%

 

2.01%

                       
                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

   

Recurring Operating Expenses

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       
   

Total Operating Expenses

33,239

 

37,624

 

28,749

 

26,688

 

28,884

   

Less: Credit costs & non-recurring charges

                 
   

Gains/(Losses) on the sale of legacy OREO

55

 

(310)

 

157

 

(134)

 

20

   

Gains/(Losses) on the sale of covered OREO

(118)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,176)

   

Problem loan and OREO expense

(2,127)

 

(5,012)

 

(3,128)

 

(2,215)

 

(1,688)

   

Severance payments

-

 

-

 

(99)

 

-

 

-

   

Conversion/acquisition expenses

(450)

 

(4,350)

 

(413)

 

-

 

-

   

Gains/(Losses) on the sale of premises

-

 

-

 

(159)

 

227

 

242

                       
   

Recurring operating expenses

$ 30,599

 

$ 27,952

 

$ 25,107

 

$ 24,566

 

$ 24,282

                       

 

 

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

                       
                       
     

Three Months Ended

     

Mar.

 

Dec.

 

Sept.

 

Jun.

 

Mar.

   

Segment Reporting

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

 

2013

                       
   

Banking Division:

                 
   

Net interest income

$ 33,384

 

$ 27,930

 

$ 28,089

 

$ 28,517

 

$ 27,766

   

Provision for loan losses

1,726

 

1,478

 

2,920

 

4,165

 

2,923

   

Noninterest income

7,590

 

7,086

 

7,054

 

6,383

 

6,896

   

Noninterest expense:

                 
   

Salaries and employee benefits

13,826

 

11,841

 

10,799

 

10,478

 

11,037

   

Occupancy

3,762

 

3,080

 

3,029

 

2,781

 

2,765

   

Data Processing

3,332

 

2,953

 

2,908

 

2,634

 

2,471

   

Other expenses

7,512

 

14,257

 

7,473

 

6,444

 

8,890

   

Total noninterest expense

28,432

 

32,131

 

24,209

 

22,337

 

25,163

   

Income before income taxes

10,816

 

1,407

 

8,014

 

8,398

 

6,576

   

Income Tax

3,413

 

67

 

2,588

 

2,766

 

2,146

   

Net income

7,403

 

1,340

 

5,426

 

5,632

 

4,430

   

Preferred stock dividends

286

 

412

 

443

 

442

 

441

   

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 7,117

 

$ 928

 

$ 4,983

 

$ 5,190

 

$ 3,989

                       
                       
   

Mortgage Division:

                 
   

Net interest income

$ 1,100

 

$ 1,121

 

$ 1,231

 

$ 959

 

$ 572

   

Provision for loan losses

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Noninterest income

5,164

 

4,431

 

5,234

 

5,001

 

4,464

   

Noninterest expense:

                 
   

Salaries and employee benefits

3,568

 

3,230

 

3,613

 

2,903

 

2,769

   

Occupancy

302

 

148

 

120

 

197

 

166

   

Data Processing

122

 

108

 

164

 

202

 

99

   

Other expenses

815

 

2,007

 

643

 

1,049

 

687

   

Total noninterest expense

4,807

 

5,493

 

4,540

 

4,351

 

3,721

   

Income before income taxes

1,457

 

59

 

1,925

 

1,609

 

1,315

   

Income Tax

510

 

21

 

674

 

563

 

460

   

Net income

947

 

38

 

1,251

 

1,046

 

855

   

Preferred stock dividends

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 947

 

$ 38

 

$ 1,251

 

$ 1,046

 

$ 855

                       
                       
   

Total Consolidated:

                 
   

Net interest income

$ 34,484

 

$ 29,051

 

$ 29,320

 

$ 29,476

 

$ 28,338

   

Provision for loan losses

1,726

 

1,478

 

2,920

 

4,165

 

2,923

   

Noninterest income

12,754

 

11,517

 

12,288

 

11,384

 

11,360

   

Noninterest expense:

                 
   

Salaries and employee benefits

17,394

 

15,071

 

14,412

 

13,381

 

13,806

   

Occupancy

4,064

 

3,228

 

3,149

 

2,978

 

2,931

   

Data Processing

3,454

 

3,061

 

3,072

 

2,836

 

2,570

   

Other expenses

8,327

 

16,264

 

8,116

 

7,493

 

9,577

   

Total noninterest expense

33,239

 

37,624

 

28,749

 

26,688

 

28,884

   

Income before income taxes

12,273

 

1,466

 

9,939

 

10,007

 

7,891

   

Income Tax

3,923

 

88

 

3,262

 

3,329

 

2,606

   

Net income

8,350

 

1,378

 

6,677

 

6,678

 

5,285

   

Preferred stock dividends

286

 

412

 

443

 

442

 

441

   

Net income available to common shareholders

$ 8,064

 

$ 966

 

$ 6,234

 

$ 6,236

 

$ 4,844