MOULTRIE, Ga., May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AMERIS BANCORP (NASDAQ-GS: ABCB), today announced that all necessary regulatory approvals have been received with respect to both of the Company's pending acquisition transactions.   The Merchants and Southern Bank acquisition is scheduled to close on May 22, 2015, with a conversion date of September 25, 2015.  The branch acquisition from Bank of America is scheduled to close on June 12, 2015, with a simultaneous conversion.

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and CEO of Ameris Bancorp, said, "We are excited to have received regulatory approval for both deals and look forward to integrating the acquired operations in the near future.  The conversion teams are working diligently to ensure a seamless process for our new customers, and I am confident that we can emerge from that process in short order and be in position to better serve all of our customers' banking needs throughout our expanded footprint."

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and at the end of the most recent quarter had 73 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.  

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate" and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates which they were made. Ameris Bancorp (the "Company") undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are referred to the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a summary of certain factors that may impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

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SOURCE Ameris Bancorp