Ameris Bancorp Reports Strong Third Quarter 2025 Results, Highlighting Solid Deposit Growth, Improved Margins, and Robust Capital Strength
Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB), the parent company of Ameris Bank, has reported another quarter of strong financial performance, reflecting the company’s continued operational discipline, deposit growth momentum, and resilience amid a dynamic economic landscape. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, the company recorded net income of $106.0 million, translating to $1.54 per diluted share, up from $99.2 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, Ameris Bancorp achieved year-to-date net income of $303.8 million, or $4.41 per diluted share, compared to $264.3 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, during the same period in 2024—demonstrating a strong 15% year-over-year improvement in profitability.
CEO Highlights Consistent Growth and Strong Fundamentals
Commenting on the quarter’s performance, Palmer Proctor, Chief Executive Officer of Ameris Bancorp, emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Our performance continues to be outstanding, with a third-quarter return on assets of 1.56% and return on tangible common equity of 14.6%,” Proctor said. “Our focus on sustainable growth in both core deposits and tangible book value per share was again evident in the quarter. Deposits grew 5% annualized while our non-interest-bearing deposit mix remained over 30%. Tangible book value grew by more than 15% annualized to almost $43 per share.
He also underscored Ameris Bancorp’s strong profitability metrics, including a net interest margin (NIM) of 3.80%, which ranks among the highest in the industry. With a low efficiency ratio and strong revenue growth of roughly 18% annualized, the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities across its Southeast U.S. footprint in 2026 and beyond.
Net Interest Income and Margin Expansion Drive Core Profitability
The third quarter reflected notable strength in Ameris Bancorp’s core banking operations, with net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis rising to $238.9 million, up 2.7% from the prior quarter and 11.1% year-over-year. This performance was fueled by higher average earning assets and continued balance sheet expansion.
Average earning assets increased by $186 million, or 3% annualized, driven by growth in both investment securities and portfolio loans. Average balances of investment securities rose $168.4 million, while portfolio loans increased $109.5 million compared to the prior quarter.
The company’s net interest margin improved to 3.80%, up 3 basis points from Q2 2025 and 29 basis points higher than the 3.51% reported a year earlier. The improvement was primarily attributed to disciplined balance sheet management, including a two-basis-point increase in yields on earning assets to 5.66%, and a one-basis-point decrease in total funding costs to 2.05%.
The cost of deposits also decreased slightly to 1.94%, reflecting Ameris Bancorp’s stable funding mix and a strong base of low-cost core deposits. Interest-bearing deposit costs edged down to 2.82%, demonstrating prudent interest rate management amid an evolving rate environment.
Noninterest Income Strengthened by Mortgage and Fee-Based Growth
Ameris Bancorp also delivered a solid increase in noninterest income, which rose 10.7% quarter-over-quarter to $76.3 million, compared with $68.9 million in Q2 2025. Growth was broad-based across several revenue streams, including equipment finance, derivative fee income, and securities gains.
- Equipment finance income increased by $2.3 million.
- Derivative fee income rose by $1.4 million.
- The company also recognized a $1.6 million gain on the sale of securities.
Mortgage banking remained a key contributor, with income climbing 3.7% to $40.7 million. While total retail mortgage production declined to $1.09 billion from $1.27 billion in the prior quarter, the retail open pipeline strengthened to $787.2 million, signaling sustained housing market activity heading into late 2025.
Other noninterest income also increased by nearly 20%, reaching $10.1 million, supported by higher derivative-related fees. These gains underscore Ameris Bancorp’s success in diversifying its noninterest income streams, which are increasingly balancing its net interest revenues.
Operating Efficiency Remains a Competitive Advantag
Operating discipline remains a cornerstone of Ameris Bancorp’s success. Noninterest expenses declined modestly to $154.6 million, down from $155.3 million in the second quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower variable expenses linked to reduced mortgage production, partially offset by higher incentive compensation and healthcare costs within the banking division.
As a result, the company’s efficiency ratio improved to 49.19%, compared with 51.63% in Q2 2025 and 53.49% a year earlier—marking continued progress toward leaner, more productive operations.
Balance Sheet Growth and Deposit Stability
Ameris Bancorp’s balance sheet continues to expand at a steady pace. Total assets reached $27.10 billion as of September 30, 2025, up from $26.68 billion in June and $26.26 billion at year-end 2024.
Loan growth was healthy, with total loans (net of unearned income) increasing $216.9 million to $21.26 billion, representing 4.1% annualized growth. Unfunded commitments increased by nearly $191 million, underscoring strong loan demand.
The investment portfolio also grew, with debt securities available-for-sale increasing to $2.13 billion, up from $1.87 billion in June and $1.67 billion at the end of 2024.
Deposits demonstrated steady momentum, climbing to $22.23 billion at quarter-end from $21.72 billion at the end of 2024. Growth was led by money market accounts (+$242.1 million) and brokered CDs (+$66.7 million). Notably, noninterest-bearing deposits represented 30.4% of total deposits, reflecting a strong and sticky customer base.
Capital Strength and Shareholder Returns
Ameris Bancorp’s shareholders’ equity rose to $4.02 billion, up 7.1% since year-end 2024, driven by solid earnings and improved other comprehensive income. The company’s tangible book value per share increased $4.31 year-to-date to $42.90, representing an impressive 14.9% annualized growth rate.
The company also continues to enhance shareholder value through capital return initiatives. In Q3 2025, Ameris repurchased 125,900 shares of its common stock and later announced a new $200 million share repurchase authorization extending through October 2026. The new program expands upon the prior authorization, under which $36.3 million of stock was repurchased over the past 12 months.
In addition, Ameris redeemed multiple tranches of subordinated debt during the period, including its 5.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due 2030 ($74 million) and 3.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due 2030 ($110 million), further strengthening its balance sheet and reducing future interest expenses.
Credit Quality Remains Sound
Credit quality metrics remain stable, reflecting conservative risk management. The company recorded a $22.6 million provision for credit losses during Q3, up from $2.8 million in Q2, largely due to higher unfunded commitments tied to new loan growth.
The allowance for credit losses stood at 1.62% of loans, consistent with 1.63% at year-end 2024. Nonperforming assets increased slightly to 0.40% of total assets, though approximately 18% of NPAs are GNMA-guaranteed loans with minimal loss exposure. Excluding these, nonperforming assets accounted for just 0.33% of total assets. The net charge-off ratio remained steady at 0.14%, underscoring continued credit discipline.
Tax Rate and Earnings Outlook
Ameris Bancorp’s effective tax rate for Q3 2025 was 22.6%, slightly lower than the 23.0% rate in Q2, primarily due to reduced state tax impacts. Management continues to optimize the company’s tax structure to align with its long-term profitability objectives.
With robust capital levels, stable credit quality, and expanding net interest margins, Ameris Bancorp is positioned for continued growth across its Southeastern markets
A Consistent Performer in Regional Banking
Ameris Bancorp’s third quarter 2025 results reaffirm its standing as one of the strongest performing regional banks in the United States. Through disciplined growth, efficient operations, and prudent risk management, the company continues to deliver solid returns for shareholders while maintaining a customer-centric focus across its regional footprint.
As it heads into 2026, Ameris Bancorp’s balance sheet strength, consistent profitability, and strategic market positioning suggest continued stability and opportunity in a competitive financial landscape.
