The following statement is being issued by Levi & Korsinsky, LLP:

To: All Persons or Entities who purchased Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation (“Atlantic Coast” or the “Company”) (NASDAQGS: ACFC) stock prior to November 17, 2017.

You are hereby notified that Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has commenced an investigation into the fairness of the sale of Atlantic Coast Financial to Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQGS: ABCB) for 0.17 shares of Ameris common stock and $1.39 in cash per share. To learn more about the action and your rights, go to:

http://www.zlk.com/mna/atlantic-coast-financial-corporation

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. There is no cost or obligation to you.

The investigation concerns whether the Board of Atlantic Coast Financial breached their fiduciary duties to stockholders by failing to adequately shop the Company before agreeing to enter into this transaction, and whether Ameris Bancorp is underpaying for Atlantic Coast Financial shares, thus unlawfully harming Atlantic Coast Financial shareholders.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys listed below. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.