Management anticipates mid-single-digit growth in both loans and core deposits, driven by organic expansion in high-growth Southeastern markets and strategic emphasis on relationship banking and treasury management. The company is driven by steady loan growth, improved operating efficiency, and stable asset quality, with total noninterest expense declining year-over-year largely due to lower compensation and marketing costs.
Cyborg Score Rationale
Ameris delivered record full-year profitability with diluted EPS at $6 (15% increase) and double-digit EPS growth, with tangible book value improvements driven by disciplined expense management and positive operating leverage. Asset quality metrics remained solid with allowance levels held steady at 1.62% of loans. Key headwinds include margin compression from rising deposit costs.
Top Insights
Tangible book value per share increased $5.59 for the full year (14.5%), with return on assets of 1.54%, up from 1.38% last year.
Net interest margin expanded to 3.85% in Q4, supported by improved funding costs and payoff of subordinated debt.
Efficiency ratio improved to 46.6% in Q4 and 50% for the year, down from 53.2% in the prior year.
Strategic focus remains on asset quality, selective hiring, and share repurchases to support future earnings.
Named Competitors
BB&T — Large regional bank competitor in Southeast
SouthState Bank — Regional competitor in Southeast markets
ServisFirst Bancshares — Southeast regional bank competitor
Recent Developments
(January 2026) Record 2025 earnings of $412 million with diluted EPS of $6 per share.
(January 2026) Net interest margin expanded five basis points sequentially to 3.85% for Q4.
(January 2026) Jennison Associates LLC lifted its stake in Ameris Bancorp by 31.3% in Q4, purchasing an additional 414,920 shares.
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