Ameris Bancorp : Annual Report - 2020

2020 ANNUAL REPORT

2 | AMERIS BANCORP

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

For the banking community, the restrictions and challenges imposed by COVID-19 affected every aspect of life and business - socially, economically, and physically - and ultimately caused a shift in both consumer and business behaviors. This, in turn, presented some opportunities.

Ameris was ready. Our core priorities stood firm: providing banking services that meet the needs of our customers and communities, continuously advancing our technological offerings, delivering exceptional customer service, and constantly nurturing our culture. Our leadership and management team adjusted our tactical plans based on work- from-home requirements and changes in customer behaviors. We were poised and ready to overcome new and challenging hurdles to accommodate customer needs and expectations. Our optimistic spirit and fierce determination are more prevalent than ever before.

For Ameris, 2020 was a record year. For the first time in the history of our company, our revenue surpassed $1 billion, and we reported total assets over $20 billion. Our success is attributable to our strong leadership team and the solid talent found throughout our organization. Our focus on commercial and industrial lending continued as we added several talented bankers throughout the Ameris footprint. Our disciplined risk management and controls provide the guidance and support necessary for continued growth. Our markets are strong and resilient, and we proudly support the families and businesses in our markets as they rebound from the many challenges presented by the pandemic.

Ameris recognizes that our teammates represent our strongest asset. Our focus on equal dignity resulted in many accomplishments and record financial results. Continuing to recruit, develop and retain a diverse team of talent remains a priority. We are committed to empowering teammates and fostering an inclusive environment throughout our organization. This report outlines several initiatives already in place and our plan to support these efforts in the future.

We thank our teammates for adapting, executing bold strategies, and producing high-performing results, and we are grateful to our Board of Directors for continuing to provide sound strategic oversight with a passion for community banking. To our valued customers and shareholders, thank you for your continued trust and confidence.

Ameris is well positioned for the future. We are fortunate to write this letter with great excitement about the years ahead. The momentum created in 2020 is tremendous, and we plan to capitalize on this energy and continue to exceed expectations.

With sincere appreciation,

H. Palmer Proctor Jr.	Leo J. Hill
Chief Executive Officer	Lead Independent Director
Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank	Ameris Bancorp

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 3