Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) Q3 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q3 net income was $116.1M, or $1.73 diluted EPS, versus $106.0M and $1.54 a year earlier; ROAA was 1.61%.

• Average earning assets grew $300.5M, loans $173.1M and deposits $319.4M; annualized growth rates were 4.5%, 3.1% and 5.6%, respectively.

• Nine-month net income fell to $278.0M from $303.8M, primarily reflecting an $84.9M litigation accrual tied mainly to a California employment-case verdict.

Financial highlights

• Q3 tax-equivalent net interest income was $258.6M, up $5.2M QoQ and $19.7M YoY; GAAP net interest income was $257.7M.

• Q3 tax-equivalent revenue was $321.8M; noninterest income was $64.2M, down $9.4M QoQ, including a $7.2M decline in securities gains and lower mortgage revenue.

• Noninterest expense was $158.7M versus $154.6M YoY; adjusted Q3 expense was $157.8M versus $160.2M QoQ.

• YTD reported net income was $278.0M, down from $303.8M; adjusted net income rose 11% to $333.8M and adjusted diluted EPS rose 13% to $4.96.

• September 30 assets were $28.55B, loans $22.35B and deposits $22.91B.

Outlook and guidance

• Near-term loan and deposit growth was expected in the mid-single digits; deposit growth will guide longer-term loan growth.

• Adjusted efficiency ratio was expected to finish the year near 50%; core quarterly expenses were projected at $165M-$169M for 2027, with mortgage activity affecting costs.

• Net charge-offs were expected at 20-25 bps near term; margin could fluctuate by a few basis points for several quarters amid deposit pricing and mix pressures.

• Interest-rate simulation projected 12-month NII changes of +2.2% under +200 bps and -1.5% under -200 bps; 24-month changes were +7.2% and -8.1%.