Ameris Bancorp announced that its board of directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock. Repurchases of shares, which are authorized to occur over the next twelve months, will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares.

Dennis J. Zember Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commenting on the program, stated, "Our internal earnings forecasts are substantial enough that we can be flexible in managing our capital and tangible book value. Purchases pursuant to this program will be materially accretive to earnings and, when combined with our earnings forecast, will continue to accommodate double-digit growth in tangible book value and an appropriate buildup in capital levels."