Ameris Bancorp

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Ameris Bancorp and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and whose primary business is presently conducted by Ameris Bank, its wholly owned banking subsidiary (the “Bank”). Through the Bank, the Company operates a full service banking business and offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services to its customers concentrated in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Bank also engages in mortgage banking activities, and, as such, originates, acquires, sells and services one-to-four family residential mortgage loans in the Southeast. The Bank also originates, administers and services commercial insurance premium loans, equipment finance loans and SBA loans made to borrowers throughout the United States. The Company and the Bank are subject to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and are periodically examined by those regulatory agencies.

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Variable Interest Entities for which the Company or its subsidiaries have been determined to be the primary beneficiary are also consolidated. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Acquisition Accounting

In accounting for business combinations, the Company uses the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Any identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged separately from the entity). If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. In addition, management will assess and record the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulting from differences in the carrying value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for income tax purposes, including acquired net operating loss carryforwards and other acquired assets with built-in losses that are expected to be settled or otherwise recovered in future periods where the realization of such benefits would be subject to applicable limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date. Loans which have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, as determined by the Company's assessment, are considered purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") loans. At acquisition, expected credit losses for purchased loans with credit deterioration are initially recognized as an allowance for credit losses and are added to the purchase price to determine the amortized cost basis of the loans. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring such loans is recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the remaining lives of the loans. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the change in the allowance for credit losses on PCD loans is recognized through provision for credit losses. The non-credit discount or premium is accreted or amortized, respectively, into interest income over the remaining life of the PCD loan on a level-yield basis. Purchased loans which do not meet the criteria to be classified as PCD loans are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date and no allowance for credit losses is carried over from the seller. The resulting purchase discount or premium is accreted or amortized, respectively, into interest income over the remaining life of the non-PCD loan on a level-yield basis.

Transfer of financial assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks, federal funds sold and restricted cash. There was no restricted cash held at either December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Investment Securities

The Company classifies its debt securities in one of three categories: (i) trading, (ii) held-to-maturity or (iii) available-for-sale. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other debt securities are classified as available-for-sale.

Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost.

The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the expected life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the trade date. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and report accrued interest in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. There was no accrued interest related to debt securities reversed against interest income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Accrued interest receivable on debt securities totaled $7.5 million and $7.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company evaluates available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if credit-related impairment exists. The Company first evaluates whether it intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell an impaired security before recovering its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the entire amount of unrealized loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security's amortized cost basis. If either of the above criteria is not met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value is attributable to credit or resulted from other factors. If credit-related impairment exists, the Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses ("ACL"), limited to the amount by which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the ACL for available-for-sale securities. Any impairment not recognized through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax, as a non credit-related impairment.

The Company uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for debt securities held-to-maturity considering the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the portfolio. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the held-to-maturity portfolio. The Company monitors the held-to-maturity portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether a valuation account would need to be recorded. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $141.5 million and $134.9 million held-to-maturity securities, respectively, andno related valuation account.

Other Investments

Other investments include Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values due to restrictions placed on transferability and therefore are carried at cost. These investments are periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value or cost basis. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Also included in other investments are 57,611 Visa Class B restricted shares owned by the Bank with a carrying value of approximately $242,000 as of December 31, 2023. These shares are transferable only under limited circumstances until they can be converted into the publicly traded Visa Class A common shares. This conversion will not occur until the settlement of certain litigation which will be indemnified by Visa members, including the Bank. Visa funded an escrow account from its initial public offering to settle these litigation claims. Should this escrow account be insufficient to cover these litigation claims, Visa is entitled to fund additional amounts to the escrow account by reducing each member bank’s Visa Class B conversion ratio to unrestricted Visa Class A shares. As of December 31, 2023, the conversion ratio was 1.5875. On January 23, 2024, Visa’s common stockholders approved amendments to the Visa’s certificate of incorporation authorizing Visa to implement an exchange offer program that would have the effect of releasing transfer restrictions on portions of the Visa’s class B common stock. The certificate of incorporation amendments automatically redenominate all shares of class B common stock as class B-1 common stock with no changes to the par value, conversion features, rights and privileges of the class B common stock. The amendments also authorized new classes of class B common stock that will only be issuable in connection with an exchange offer where a preceding class of B common stock was tendered in exchange and retired.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage and SBA loans held for sale are carried at the estimated fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary market. Adjustments to reflect unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and realized gains and losses upon ultimate sale of the mortgage loans held for sale are classified as mortgage banking activity in the consolidated statements of income. Adjustments to reflect unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of SBA loans held for sale and realized gains and losses upon ultimate sale of the SBA loans held for sale are classified as gain on sale of SBA loans in the consolidated statements of income. Other loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

Servicing Rights

When mortgage and SBA loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in mortgage banking activity or gain on sale of SBA loans accordingly. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans.

Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement in mortgage banking activity for serviced mortgage loans and other noninterest income for all other serviced loans, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into strata based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized for a particular stratum through a valuation allowance, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular stratum, a reduction of the valuation allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances related to servicing rights are reported in mortgage banking activity and other noninterest income on the income statement. Refer to Note 23 for additional information related to the valuation allowance on servicing rights. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.

Loans

Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances less unearned income, net of deferred fees, origination costs and unaccreted or unamortized non-credit purchase discounts or premiums, respectively. Interest income is accrued on the outstanding principal balance. For all classes of loans, the accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Mortgage loans and commercial loans are charged off to the extent principal or interest is deemed uncollectible. Consumer loans continue to accrue interest until they are charged off, generally between 90 and 120 days past due, unless the loan is in the process of collection. All interest accrued, but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off, is reversed against interest income. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is applied against principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

Under the current expected credit loss model, the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with GAAP that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans.

The Company estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying loans’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to reverse accrued interest in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the measurement of ACL. Accrued interest receivable on loans is reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $79.2 million and $69.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Expected credit losses are reflected in the allowance for credit losses through a charge to provision for credit losses. The Company measures expected credit losses of loans on a collective (pool) basis, when the loans share similar risk characteristics. Depending on the nature of the pool of loans with similar risk characteristics, the Company estimates a quantitative component which currently uses the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method or the PD×LGD method which may be adjusted for qualitative factors as discussed further below.

The Company’s methodologies for estimating the ACL consider available relevant information about the collectability of cash flows, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The methodologies apply historical loss information, adjusted for asset-specific characteristics, economic conditions at the measurement date, and forecasts about future economic conditions over a period that has been determined to be reasonable and supportable, to the identified pools of loans with similar risk characteristics for which the historical loss experience was observed. The Company’s methodologies revert back to historical loss information on a straight-line basis over four quarters when it can no longer develop reasonable and supportable forecasts.

The Company has identified the following pools of loans with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses:

Commercial, financial, and agricultural - These loans and leases include both secured and unsecured borrowings for working capital, expansion, crop production, equipment finance and other business purposes. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans also include certain U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, including loans outstanding under the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Bank evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

Consumer - These loans include home improvement loans, direct automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, personal lines of credit, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.

Indirect automobile- Indirect automobile loans are secured by automobile collateral, generally new and used cars and trucks from auto dealers that operate within selected states. Repayment of these loans depends largely on the personal income of the borrowers which can be affected by changes in economic conditions such as unemployment levels. Collateral consists of rapidly depreciating assets that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the event of default.

Mortgage warehouse - Mortgage warehouse facilities are provided to unaffiliated mortgage origination companies and are collateralized by one-to-four family residential loans or mortgage servicing rights. The originator closes new mortgage loans with the intent to sell these loans to third party investors for a profit. The Bank provides funding to the mortgage companies for the period between the origination and their sale of the loan. The Bank has a policy that requires that it separately validate that each residential mortgage loan was underwritten consistent with the underwriting requirements of the final investor or market standards prior to advancing funds. The Bank is repaid with the proceeds received from sale of the mortgage loan to the final investor.

Municipal- Municipal loans consists of loans made to counties, municipalities and political subdivisions. The source of repayment for these loans is either general revenue of the municipality or revenues of the project being financed by the loan. These loans may be secured by real estate, machinery, equipment or assignment of certain revenues.

Premium Finance - Premium finance provides loans for the acquisition of certain commercial insurance policies. Repayment of these loans is dependent on the cash flow of the insured which can be affected by changes in economic conditions. The Bank has procedures in place to cancel the insurance policy after default by the borrower to minimize the risk of loss.

Real Estate - Construction and Development - Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, one-to-four family home residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied and investment properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures.

Real Estate - Commercial and Farmland - Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Lodging (hotel / motel) loans are a subsegment of commercial real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties.

Real Estate - Residential - The Company's residential loans include permanent mortgage financing and home equity lines of credit secured by residential properties located within the Bank's market areas. Residential real estate loans also include purchased loan pools secured by residential properties located outside the Bank's market area.

Discounted Cash Flow Method

The Company uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate expected credit losses for the commercial, financial and agricultural, consumer, real estate - construction and development, real estate - commercial and farmland and real estate - residential loan segments. For each of these loan segments, the Company generates cash flow projections at the loan level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speed, curtailments, time to recovery, probability of default, and loss given default. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds and curtailment rates are based on historical internal data. The prepayment speeds additionally utilize a forward-looking third-party prepayment model, which considers current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions.

The Company uses regression analysis of historical internal and peer loss data to determine suitable macroeconomic variables to utilize when modeling lifetime probability of default and loss given default. This analysis also determines how expected probability of default and loss given default will react to forecasted levels of the macroeconomic variables over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. For all loan pools utilizing the DCF method, the Company uses a combination of national and regional data including gross domestic product, commercial real estate price indices, home price indices, unemployment rates, retail sales, and rental vacancy rates depending on the nature of the underlying loan pool and how well that macroeconomic variable correlates to expected future losses.

For all DCF models, management has determined that four quarters represents a reasonable and supportable forecast period and reverts back to a historical loss rate over four quarters on a straight-line basis. Management leverages economic projections comprising multiple weighted scenarios from a reputable and independent third party to inform its macroeconomic variable forecasts over the four-quarter forecast period.

The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the loan level. Loan effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the loan expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce a loan-level net present value of expected cash flows (“NPV”). An ACL is established for the difference between the loan’s NPV and amortized cost basis.

PD×LGD Method

The Company uses the PD×LGD method to estimate expected credit losses (“EL”) for the indirect automobile, municipal and premium finance loan segments. Under the PD×LGD method, the loss rate is a function of two components: (1) the lifetime default rate (“PD”); and (2) the loss given default (“LGD”). For the indirect automobile and premium finance loan segments, calculations of lifetime default rates and corresponding loss given default rates of static pools are performed. The PD×LGD method uses the default rates and loss given default rates of different static pools to quantify the relationship between those rates and the credit mix of the pools and applies that relationship on a going forward basis. The Company has not incurred any historical defaults or charge offs in its municipal portfolio. Therefore, in lieu of historical loss rates, the Company applies historical benchmarking PD and LGD ratios provided by a reputable and independent third party to the current municipal loan balance.

Qualitative Factors

The Company uses qualitative factors for model limitations and risk uncertainty as well as for loan segment specific risks that cannot be addressed in the quantitative methods. Any additional qualitative factor reserves needed will be approved by the Allowance Committee quarterly. Sources for quantitative metrics for qualitative factor adjustments include, but are not limited to, third-party economic and forecast analysis, default rate & loss studies, academic studies, historical loss rate benchmarking (internal & external) and statistical modeling and adjustments.

Individually Evaluated Assets

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. For collateral dependent loans where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment of the loan to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the loan exceeds the present value of expected cash flows from the operation of the collateral. The Company may, in the alternative, measure the expected credit loss as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the loan exceeds the estimated fair value of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized costs basis of the loan exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The ACL may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of the loan.

The Company’s estimate of the ACL reflects losses expected over the remaining contractual life of the loans. The contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications unless the Company has identified an expected modification.

The Company periodically provides modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. These modifications include either payment deferrals, term extensions, interest rate reductions, principal forgiveness or combinations of modification types. The determination of whether the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of the modification. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of principal forgiveness is charged off against the allowance for credit losses with a corresponding reduction in the amortized cost basis of the loan. Modifications are evaluated to determine if the restructuring results in more than a minor modification, considered to be a change in present value of remaining cash flows under the original instrument and under the modified terms. If the modification is determined to be more than minor, the modification is booked as a new loan and any existing deferred fees or costs are recognized immediately. Otherwise, the modification is booked as a continuation of the existing loan.

Charge-offs and Recoveries

Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, and the guarantor demonstrates willingness and capacity to support the debt, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to a loan risk rating of 9 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.

Loan Commitments and Financial Instruments

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Company records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancelable, through a charge to provision for unfunded commitments in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur as well as any third-party guarantees and is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Other premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. In general, estimated lives for buildings are up to 40 years, furniture and equipment useful lives range from three to 20 years and the lives of software and computer related equipment range from three tofive years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related lease, or the related assets, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for major improvements of the Company’s premises and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Minor repairs, maintenance and improvements are charged to operations as incurred. When assets are sold or disposed of, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Leases

The Company has entered into various operating leases for certain branch locations, ATM locations, loan production offices, and corporate support services locations. Generally, these leases have initial lease terms of 13 years or less. Many of the leases have one or more lease renewal options. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company does not consider exercise of any lease renewal options reasonably certain. Certain of our lease agreements contain early termination options. No renewal options or early termination options have been included in the calculation of the operating right-of-use assets or operating lease liabilities. Certain of our lease agreements provide for periodic adjustments to rental payments for inflation. At the commencement date of the lease, the Company recognizes a lease liability at the present value of the lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the discount rate for the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. As the majority of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the term of the lease. Incremental borrowing rates on January 1, 2019 were used for operating leases that commenced prior to that date. At the commencement date, the company also recognizes a right-of-use asset measured at (i) the initial measurement of the lease liability; (ii) any lease payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received; and (iii) any initial direct costs incurred by the lessee. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. For these short-term leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. At December 31, 2023, the Company had no leases classified as finance leases.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets purchased in business combinations. Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment or whenever events occur that may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount is not probable. In the event of an impairment, the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value is charged to earnings. The Company performs its annual impairment testing of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year. Refer to Note 6 for additional information related to goodwill.

Intangible assets include core deposit premiums from various past bank acquisitions as well as intangible assets recorded in connection with certain non-bank acquisitions for referral relationships, trade names, non-compete agreements and patent assets. Intangible assets are initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the acquisition date.

Core deposit premiums acquired in various past bank acquisitions are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is amortized over an estimated useful life ofseven toten years.

The referral relationship intangibles are amortized over an estimated useful life ofeight toten years. Trade name intangible assets are being amortized over an estimated useful life offive toseven years. Non-compete agreement and patent intangible assets are being amortized over estimated useful lives ofthree years andten years, respectively.

Amortization periods for intangible assets are reviewed annually in connection with the annual impairment testing of goodwill.

Cash Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain officers. The life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Other Real Estate Owned

Foreclosed assets acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell. Any write-down to fair value at the time of transfer to foreclosed assets is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Costs of improvements are capitalized up to the fair value of the property, whereas costs relating to holding foreclosed assets and subsequent adjustments to the value are charged to operations in credit resolution-related expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates.

In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities results in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

The Company evaluates income tax positions using the recognition and cumulative probability measurement thresholds. The Company includes the current and deferred tax effects of its tax positions in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained based on their technical merits. For positions that meet that recognition threshold, the Company utilizes the cumulative probability measurement and records the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that is greater than 50% likely of realization upon settlement with the taxing authorities. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits as of the reporting date, the Company assumes the taxing authority will examine the position and have full knowledge of all relevant information.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in other noninterest expenses.

Loss Contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock compensation plans using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company recorded approximately $10.0 million, $6.7 million, and $7.9 million of share-based compensation cost for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

Treasury Stock

The Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in a reduction of shareholders' equity.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the effect of the issuance of potential common shares that are dilutive. Potential common shares consist of stock options and restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and are determined using the treasury stock method. The Company has determined that certain of its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities, since all dividends on these awards are paid similar to other dividends. The difference between earnings per share calculated under the treasury method versus under the two class method which is required when participating securities exist is immaterial.

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there wereno anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per share.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The goal of the Company’s interest rate risk management process is to minimize the volatility in the net interest margin caused by changes in interest rates. Derivative instruments are used to hedge certain assets or liabilities as a part of this process. The Company is required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. All derivative instruments are required to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet.

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

The Company maintains a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the interest rate lock is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. In order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans, the Company enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate locks are entered into. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the interest on the loan is locked. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in mortgage banking activity in the Company's consolidated statement of income.

Customer Derivatives

The Company also enters into interest rate derivative agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies of certain clients. The Company mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting interest rate swap agreements with highly rated third-party financial institutions. The interest rate derivative agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized gain or loss recorded in other noninterest income in the Company's consolidated statements of income. These instruments, and their offsetting positions, are recorded in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Risk Participation Agreements

The Company also may enter into risk participation agreements with a financial institution counterparty for an interest rate derivative contract related to a loan in which the Company may be a participant or the agent bank. The risk participation agreement provides credit protection to the agent bank should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contracts with the agent bank. The Company manages its credit risk on risk participation agreements by monitoring the creditworthiness of the borrower, which follows the same credit review process as derivative instruments entered into directly with the borrower. The notional amount of a risk participation agreement reflects the Company's pro rata share of the derivative instrument, consistent with its share of the related participated loan. Changes in the fair value of the risk participation agreement are recognized directly into earnings.

Revenue Recognition

With the exception of gains/losses on the sale of OREO discussed below, revenue from contracts with customers ("ASC 606 Revenue") is recorded in the service charges on deposit accounts category, the other service charges, commissions and fees category and the other noninterest income category in the Company's consolidated statement of income as part of noninterest income. Substantially all ASC 606 Revenue is recorded in the Banking Division.

Debit Card Interchange Fees - The Company earns debit card interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions conducted through various payment networks. Interchange fees from debit cardholders transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction amount and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the debit cardholder.

Overdraft Fees - Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs.

Other Service Charges on Deposit Accounts - Other service charges on deposit accounts include both transaction-based fees and account maintenance fees. Transaction based fees, which include wire transfer fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, and automated clearing house ("ACH") fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer's request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

ATM Fees -Transaction-based ATM usage fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point at which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

Gains on the Sale of OREO -The net gains and losses on sales of OREO are recorded in credit resolution related expenses in the Company's consolidated statement of income. The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. The Company does not provide financing for the sale of OREO unless these criteria are met and the OREO can be derecognized.

Trust and Wealth Management - Trust and wealth management income is primarily comprised of fees earned from personal trust administration, estate settlement, investment management, employee benefit plan administration, custody, United States tax code sections 1031/1033 exchanges ("Sections 1031/1033 exchanges") and escrow accounts. Personal trust administration, investment management, employee benefit plan administration and custody fees are generally earned/accrued monthly with billings typically done monthly, and are based on the assets/trust under management or administration and services with certain annual minimum fees provided as outlined in the applicable fee schedule. Sections 1031/1033 exchanges and escrow accounts fees are based on a contractual agreement. The Company’s fiduciary obligations are generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the monthly average market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is typically received in the following month. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives.

Comprehensive Income

The Company’s comprehensive income consists of net income and changes in the net unrealized holding gains and losses of securities available-for-sale. These amounts are carried in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are presented net of taxes.

Fair Value Measures

Fair values of assets and liabilities are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 17. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular assets and liabilities. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.

Operating Segments

The Company hasfive reportable segments, the Banking Division, the Retail Mortgage Division, the Warehouse Lending Division, the SBA Division and the Premium Finance Division. The Banking Division derives its revenues from the delivery of full service financial services to include commercial loans, consumer loans and deposit accounts. The Retail Mortgage Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The Warehouse Lending Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of warehouse lines to other businesses that are secured by underlying one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage servicing rights. The SBA Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of SBA loans. The Premium Finance Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of commercial insurance premium finance loans.

The Banking, Retail Mortgage, Warehouse Lending, SBA and Premium Finance Divisions are managed as separate business units because of the different products and services they provide. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations. There are no material intersegment sales or transfers.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company has assumed certain securitization transactions which involve the use of variable interest entities ("VIE"). A VIE is consolidated when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. When a company has a variable interest in a VIE, it qualitatively assesses whether it has a controlling financial interest in the entity and, if so, whether it is the primary beneficiary. In applying the qualitative assessment to identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the company is determined to have a controlling financial interest if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company considers the VIE's purpose and design, including the risks that the entity was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders.

Economic interest in the securitized and sold assets are generally retained in the form of senior or subordinated interest, cash reserve accounts, residual interest and servicing rights. The Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and the VIEs are consolidated in the Company's financial statements. The securitizations are accounted for as secured borrowings. Each of the securitization facilities was fully redeemed in January 2022.

The investors in the securitizations generally have no recourse to the Company's other assets outside the customary market representation and warranty provisions.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023

ASU No. 2022-02 – Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures ("ASU 2022-02"). ASU 2022-02 eliminates the troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") measurement and recognition guidance and requires that entities evaluate whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications. Additional disclosures relating to modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are required under ASU 2022-02. ASU 2022-02 also requires disclosure of current-period gross write-offs by year of origination. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2023 on a prospective basis, except for the amendments related to recognition and measurement of TDRs, which were adopted using the modified retrospective method. The adoption was not material and resulted in a reduction to the allowance for credit losses of $1.7 million and an increase to retained earnings of $1.3 million.

ASU No. 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. ASU No. 2022-06 extends the temporary relief in Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Topic 848 provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The objective of this guidance is to provide temporary relief during the transition period away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. This update was effective upon issuance. The Company adopted the guidance in Topic 848 effective January 1, 2023 and the adoption was not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption

ASU No. 2023-07 – Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 enhances segment disclosures to include significant segment expenses, disclose the amount of and provide a description of its composition a category of other segment items for items not included in significant segment expenses, require previous annual disclosures in interim periods and identify the position and title of the chief operating decision maker. ASU

2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments of ASU 2023-07 should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations but will increase disclosures of reporting segments.

ASU No. 2023-09 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU No. 2023-09 provides for enhanced income tax disclosures by, among other things, requiring specific breakout of certain categories in the reconciliation of statutory income tax rate to effective rate, establishing a quantitative threshold for further breakout of reconciling items exceeding the threshold and not already required to be separately disclosed, requiring a qualitative description of the state and local jurisdictions making up the majority (greater than 50%) of the effect of state and local income taxes category, and provide further disaggregation of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations but will increase disclosures of income taxes.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform with the current year presentations.

NOTE 2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Balboa Capital Corporation

On December 13, 2021, the Company announced the acquisition of Balboa Capital Corporation ("Balboa"), a point of sale and direct online provider of lending solutions to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. The acquisition was not material to the financial results of the Company. Goodwill of $87.6 million and other intangibles of $68.9 million were recorded in the acquisition. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

NOTE 3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale along with allowance for credit losses, gross unrealized gains and losses are summarized as follows:

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities held-to-maturity along with gross unrealized gains and losses are summarized as follows:

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity are shown below. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or repaid without penalty. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary.

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $532.6 million and $861.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, serve as collateral to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities aggregated by category and length of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s available-for-sale security portfolio consisted of 412 securities,396 of which were in an unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2023, the Company held 310 mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2023, the Company also held 30 SBA pool securities,22 state, county and municipal securities, seven corporate securities,26 U.S. treasury securities andone U.S. government-sponsored agency security that were in an unrealized loss position.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities aggregated by category and length of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s held-to-maturity security portfolio consisted of 27 securities, all of which were in an unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2023, the Company held 21 mortgage-backed securities andsix state, county and municipal securities that were in an unrealized loss position.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, all of the Company's mortgage-backed securities were obligations of government-sponsored agencies.

Management and the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluates available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation, to determine if credit-related impairment exists. Management first evaluates whether they intend to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell an impaired security before recovering its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the entire amount of unrealized loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security's amortized cost basis. If either of the above criteria is not met, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is attributable to credit or resulted from other factors. The Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Based on the results of management's review, at December 31, 2023, management determined $69,000 was attributable to credit impairment and decreased the allowance for credit losses accordingly. The remaining $44.7 million in unrealized loss was determined to be from factors other than credit, primarily changes in market interest rates.

The Company's held-to-maturity securities haveno expected credit losses andno related allowance for credit losses has been established.

The following table is a summary of sales activities in the Company's investment securities available for sale:

Net gain on securities reported on the consolidated statements of income is comprised of the following:

NOTE 4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Loans

Loans are stated at amortized cost. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table.

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged against interest income. Interest received on loans that are classified as nonaccrual is subsequently applied to principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest, or (ii) it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment, approved by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Past due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 30 days or more. In some cases, where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, loans may be restructured to provide terms significantly different from the original contractual terms.

The following table presents an analysis of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(1) Included in real estate - residential were $90.2 million and $69.6 million of serviced GNMA-guaranteed nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was not material.

The following table presents an analysis of nonaccrual loans with no related allowance for credit losses:

The following tables present an analysis of past-due loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Collateral-Dependent Loans

Collateral-dependent loans are loans where repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. If the Company determines that foreclosure is probable, these loans are written down to the lower of cost or collateral value less estimated costs to sell. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, the allowance for credit losses is calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the present value of expected cash flows from the operation of the collateral. The Company may, in the alternative, measure the allowance for credit loss as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeded the estimated fair value of the collateral. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were $40.4 million and $41.8 million, respectively, of collateral-dependent loans which are primarily secured by real estate, equipment and receivables.

The following table presents an analysis of collateral-dependent financial assets and related allowance for credit losses:

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. The following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:

Pass (Grades 1 - 5) –These grades represent acceptable credit risk to the Company based on factors including creditworthiness of the borrower, current performance and nature of the collateral.

Other Assets Especially Mentioned (Grade 6) –This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard (Grade 7) –This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current credit worthiness and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.

Doubtful (Grade 8) –This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Loss (Grade 9) –This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.

The following table presents the loan portfolio's amortized cost by class of financing receivable, risk grade and year of origination (in thousands). Generally, current period renewals of credit are underwritten again at the point of renewal and considered current period originations for purposes of the table below. The Company had an immaterial amount of revolving loans which converted to term loans and the amortized cost basis of those loans is included in the applicable origination year. There wereno loans risk graded 8 or 9 at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The Company periodically provides modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. These modifications include either payment deferrals, term extensions, interest rate reductions, principal forgiveness or combinations of modification types. The determination of whether the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of the modification. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of principal forgiveness is charged off against the allowance for credit losses with a corresponding reduction in the amortized cost basis of the loan.

The following table shows the amortized cost basis of the loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of concession granted as of December 31, 2023:

The Company has unfunded commitments of $1.5 million to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for which the Company has modified their loans.

The following table describes the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023:

The Company monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table depicts the performance of loans that have been modified in the last 12 months:

The following table provides the amortized cost basis of financing receivables at December 31, 2023 that had a payment default and were modified in the 12 months before default to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

Related Party Loans

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to certain executive officers, directors and their affiliates. These loans are made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transaction and do not involve more than normal credit risk. Changes in related party loans are summarized as follows:

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses represents an allowance for expected losses over the remaining contractual life of the assets adjusted for prepayments. The contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses was determined at both December 31, 2023 and 2022 using the Moody's baseline scenario economic forecast representing management's best estimate over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses increased primarily due to the updated economic forecast and organic loan growth during the period. The current forecast reflects, among other things, a decrease in forecast levels of commercial real estate prices, partially offset by improvements in forecast levels of home prices and gross domestic product compared with the forecast at December 31, 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company purchased a pool of lines of credit secured by cash value life insurance totaling $472.3 million. This purchase resulted in additions to the allowance for credit losses of approximately $1.8 million between the commercial, financial and agricultural and consumer loan segments.

The following table details activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the periods indicated. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

The Company acquired $952,000 in PCD loans from Balboa during the year ended December 31, 2021. A reconciliation of the purchase price to the par value, or unpaid principal balance ("UPB"), of the assets is below.

NOTE 5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows:

Depreciation expense was approximately $19.1 million, $18.4 million and $17.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

At December 31, 2023, estimated costs to complete construction projects in progress and other binding commitments for capital expenditures were not a material amount.

NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is summarized below for both the total Company and by the Company's reporting units.

During 2022, the Company recorded subsequent goodwill fair value adjustments of $3.0 million related to the Balboa acquisition.

The Company performs its annual impairment test at December 31 of each year and more frequently if a triggering event occurs. Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. The Company performed an interim qualitative assessment at March 31, 2023 considering the decline in the Company's stock price relative to book value and the impact of recent bank failures on the economy and determined that it was more likely than not that each reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company assessed the indicators of goodwill impairment and determined a triggering event had occurred due to the sustained decline in the Company's stock price. The Company performed a quantitative analysis of goodwill and determined no impairment existed at June 30, 2023. At September 30, 2023, the Company assessed the indicators of goodwill impairment and determined a triggering event had not occurred and no impairment test was performed

At December 31, 2023, the Company performed its annual qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the reporting units fair values exceeded their carrying values.

The carrying value of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $87.9 million and $106.2 million, respectively. Intangible assets are comprised of core deposit intangibles, referral relationships intangibles, trade name intangibles and non-compete agreement intangibles.

The following is a summary of information related to acquired intangible assets:

The aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $18.2 million, $19.7 million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 7. DEPOSITS

The scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2023 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $250,000 or more at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $809.2 million and $381.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had brokered deposits of $1.14 billion. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had brokered deposits of $280.5 million.

Deposits from principal officers, directors, and their affiliates at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $24.0 million and $33.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 8. OTHER BORROWINGS

Other borrowings consist of the following:

The advances from the FHLB are collateralized by a blanket lien on all eligible first mortgage loans and other specific loans in addition to FHLB stock. At December 31, 2023, $4.28 billion was available for additional borrowing on lines with the FHLB.

As of December 31, 2023, the Bank maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $127.0 million.

The Bank also participates in the Federal Reserve discount window borrowings program. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $3.62 billion of loans pledged at the Federal Reserve discount window and had $2.67 billion available for borrowing.

Subordinated Notes Payable

On March 13, 2017, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027 (the “2027 subordinated notes”). The 2027 subordinated notes were sold to the public at par pursuant to an underwriting agreement and were issued pursuant to an indenture and a supplemental indenture. The 2027 subordinated notes will mature on March 15, 2027 and through March 14, 2022 will bear a fixed rate of interest of 5.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on September 15 and March 15 of each year. Beginning March 15, 2022, the interest rate on the 2027 subordinated notes resets quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 3.616%, payable quarterly in arrears on June 15, September 15, December 15 and March 15 of each year to the maturity date or earlier redemption. On any scheduled interest payment date beginning March 15, 2022, the Company may, at its option, redeem the 2027 subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company elected to redeem all the outstanding notes on March 15, 2023.

On December 6, 2019, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $120.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029 (the “2029 subordinated notes”). The 2029 subordinated notes were sold to the public at par pursuant to an underwriting agreement and were issued pursuant to an indenture and a supplemental indenture. The 2029 subordinated notes will mature on December 15, 2029 and through December 14, 2024 will bear a fixed rate of interest of 4.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Beginning December 15, 2024, the interest rate on the 2029 subordinated notes resets quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month SOFR plus 2.94%, payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year to the maturity date or earlier redemption. On any scheduled interest payment date beginning December 15, 2024, the Company may, at its option, redeem the 2029 subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. During 2023, the Company repurchased on the open market and redeemed $12.0 million in aggregate principal of the 2029 subordinated notes.

On September 28, 2020, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $110.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.875% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030 (the “2030 subordinated notes”). The 2030 subordinated notes were sold to the public at par pursuant to an underwriting agreement and were issued pursuant to an indenture and a supplemental indenture. The 2030 subordinated notes will mature on October 1, 2030 and through September 30, 2025 will bear a fixed rate of interest of 3.875% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Beginning October 1, 2025, the interest rate on the 2030 subordinated notes resets quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month SOFR plus 3.753%, payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year to the maturity date or earlier redemption. On any scheduled interest payment date beginning October 1, 2025, the Company may, at its option, redeem the 2030 subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes are unsecured and rank equally with all other unsecured subordinated indebtedness of the Company, including any subordinated indebtedness issued in the future under the indenture governing the 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes. The 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes are subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of the Company. The 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes are obligations of the Company only and are not guaranteed by any subsidiaries, including the Bank. Additionally, the 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries, meaning that creditors of the Company’s subsidiaries (including, in the case of the Bank, its depositors) generally will be paid from those subsidiaries’ assets before holders of the 2029 and 2030 subordinated notes have any claim to those assets.

As a result of the Fidelity acquisition on July 1, 2019, the Bank assumed $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030 (the "Bank subordinated notes"). The Bank subordinated notes were acquired inclusive of an unaccreted purchase accounting fair value adjustment of $1.3 million. The Bank subordinated notes will mature on May 31, 2030, and through May 31, 2025 will bear a fixed rate of interest of 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on December 1 and June 1 of each year. Beginning on June 1, 2025, the interest rate on the Bank subordinated notes resets quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month SOFR plus 3.63%, payable quarterly in arrears on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1 of each year to the maturity date or earlier redemption. On any scheduled interest payment date beginning June 1, 2025, the Bank may, at its option, redeem the Bank subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Bank subordinated notes of the Bank are unsecured and structurally rank senior to all other unsecured subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Bank subordinated notes are subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of the Bank.

For regulatory capital adequacy purposes, the Bank subordinated notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for the Bank and the 2029, 2030 and Bank subordinated notes (collectively "subordinated notes") qualify as Tier 2 capital for the Company. If in the future the subordinated notes no longer qualify as Tier 2 capital, the subordinated notes may be redeemed by the Bank or Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to prior approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

As a result of the Balboa acquisition in December 2021, the Bank assumed Balboa's $50.0 million principal amount 5.50% Fixed Rate Subordinated Note due June 1, 2026 (the "Balboa Note"). The Balboa Note was assumed inclusive of an unaccreted purchase accounting fair value adjustment of $500,000. In January 2022, the Bank fully redeemed the Balboa Note, which was redeemable in whole or in part prior to maturity upon a qualifying change of control or at any time on or after the third anniversary of the issue date.

NOTE 9. SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES

Through formation and various acquisitions, the Company has assumed subordinated deferrable interest debenture obligations related to trusts that issued trust preferred securities. Under applicable accounting standards, the assets and liabilities of such trusts, as well as the related income and expenses, are excluded from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, the subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued by the Company and purchased by the trusts remain on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's investment in the common stock of the trusts is included in other assets and totaled $4.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022. In addition, the related interest expense continues to be included in the consolidated statements of income. For regulatory capital purposes, the trust preferred securities qualify as a component of Tier 2 Capital. At any interest payment date, the Company may redeem the debentures at par and thereby cause a redemption of the trust preferred securities in whole or in part.

The following table summarizes the terms of the Company's outstanding subordinated deferrable interest debentures as of December 31, 2023:

(1) Rate transitioned to 3-month term SOFR plus a comparable tenor spread adjustment beginning after July 1, 2023 as 3-month LIBOR ceased to be published effective July 1, 2023.

NOTE 10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the Company consists of changes in net unrealized gains and losses on debt securities available-for-sale. The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of tax, as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

NOTE 11. –REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The following provides information on noninterest income categories that contain ASC 606 Revenue for the periods indicated.

The following provides information on net gains recognized on the sale of OREO for the periods indicated.

NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES

The income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income consists of the following:

The Company’s income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal income tax statutory rates to income before income taxes. A reconciliation of the differences is as follows:

The components of deferred income taxes are as follows:

At December 31, 2023, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $50.7 million which expire at various dates from 2028 to 2036. At December 31, 2023, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $50.0 million which expire at various dates from 2028 to 2036. The federal net operating loss carryforwards are subject to limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and are expected to be recovered over the next 13 years. The state net operating loss carryforwards are subject to similar limitations and are expected to be recovered over the next 13 years. Deferred tax assets are recognized for net operating losses because the benefit is more likely than not to be realized.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deferred tax assets at December 31, 2023.

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in December 2021 Ameris Bank acquired Balboa Capital Corporation. The Company completed its analysis of the tax effects of this transaction during 2022. The consolidated balance sheet reflects this final analysis.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the various states. The Company is no longer subject to examination by federal taxing authorities for years before 2020 and state taxing authorities for years before 2019.

Although Ameris is unable to determine the ultimate outcome of current and future events, Ameris believes that the liability recorded for uncertain tax positions is adequate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows.

Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits are included as a component of income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $133,000 and $11,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, that, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate totaled $582,000 and $919,000 (net of the federal benefit on state income tax issues), respectively. Accruals of penalties and interest resulted in a expense of $100 and $153,000 in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Ameris expects that $585,000 of uncertain income tax positions will be either settled or resolved during the next twelve months.

NOTE 13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has established a retirement plan for eligible employees. The Ameris Bancorp 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan allows a participant to defer a portion of their compensation and provides that the Company will match a portion of the deferred compensation. The Plan also provides for non-elective and discretionary contributions. All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Plan provided they have met the eligibility requirements. An employee is eligible to participate in the Plan after 30 days of employment and having attained an age of 18 years.

The aggregate expense under the Plan charged to operations during 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $7.9 million, $6.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

NOTE 14. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company and the Bank have entered into separate deferred compensation arrangements and supplemental executive retirement plans with certain executive officers and directors. The plans call for certain amounts payable at retirement, death or disability. The estimated present value of the deferred compensation is being accrued over the expected service period. The Company and the Bank have purchased life insurance policies which they intend to use to fund these liabilities. The cash surrender value of the life insurance was $395.8 million and $388.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company and the Bank assumed certain split dollar agreements in the acquisition of Fidelity which provide for death benefits to designated beneficiaries of the executive or director. Accrued deferred compensation of $257,000 and $277,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, is included in other liabilities. Accrued supplemental executive retirement plan and split dollar agreement liabilities of $7.1 million and $11.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, is also included in other liabilities. Aggregate compensation expense under the plans was $78,000, $776,000 and $877,000 per year for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which is included in salaries and employee benefits.

NOTE 15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company awards its employees and directors various forms of share-based incentives under certain plans approved by its shareholders. Awards granted under the plans may be in the form of qualified or nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), long-term incentive compensation units consisting of cash and common stock, or any combination thereof within the limitations set forth in the plans. The plans provide that the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock which may be subject to award may not exceed 2,784,262 subject to adjustment in certain circumstances to prevent dilution. At December 31, 2023, there were 2,382,880 shares available to be issued under the plans.

All stock options have an exercise price that is equal to the closing fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date the options were granted. Options granted under the plans generally vest over afive-year period and have a 10-year maximum term.

The Company didnot grant any options during 2023, 2022 or 2021. As of December 31, 2023, there wasno unrecognized compensation cost related to options.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 257,673 outstanding restricted shares granted under the plans as compensation to certain employees and directors. These shares carry dividend and voting rights. Sales of these shares are restricted prior to the date of vesting, which isone tofive years from the date of the grant. Shares issued under the plans are recorded at their fair market value on the date of their grant. The compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related vesting period. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, compensation expense related to these grants was approximately $5.3 million, $4.4 million, and $5.3 million, respectively. The total income tax benefit related to these grants was approximately $770,000, $293,000 and $338,000 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

It is the Company’s policy to issue new shares for stock option exercises and restricted stock rather than issue treasury shares. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ related vesting term. The Company didnot record any share-based compensation expense related to stock options during 2023, 2022 and 2021. The total income tax benefit related to stock options was approximately $41,000, $339,000 and $631,000 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

A summary of the activity of non-performance-based options as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 is presented below.

A summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock awards as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 is presented below.

The balance of unearned compensation related to restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $6.1 million, $5.6 million, and $3.8 million, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

During 2023 and 2022, the Company issued 42,242 and 35,108 performance stock units ("PSUs") with a weighted average grant date fair value of $49.21 and $47.71, respectively, subject to a performance condition tied to tangible book value growth over athree-year period. The 2023 tangible book value awards also contain a potential modifier subject to a total shareholder return ("TSR") performance metric The Company also granted 42,245 and 35,108 PSUs in 2023 and 2022, respectively, subject to athree-year performance metric of return on tangible common equity relative to a market index with a potential modifier subject to a TSR performance metric with a weighted average grant date fair value of $49.21 and $48.53, respectively. The fair value of the PSUs subject to TSR at the grant date was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation method. The Company communicates threshold, target and maximum performance PSUs and performance targets to the applicable employees at the beginning of the performance periods. Dividends are not paid in respect of the awards during the performance period, although dividend equivalents do accrue over the life of the award and will vest, if at all, at the same time as the PSUs to which they relate. The number of PSUs that ultimately vest at the end of thethree-year performance period, if any, will be based on the Company's performance relative to the applicable performance metrics. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized compensation cost related to these grants of approximately $4.6 million, $2.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The balance of unearned compensation related to PSU grants as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $4.4 million, $3.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

A summary of the Company's nonvested PSUs for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 is presented below:

NOTE 16. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

The Company maintains a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. This program includes the use of forward contracts and other derivatives that are used to offset changes in value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. Forward contracts to sell primarily fixed-rate mortgage loans are entered into to reduce the exposure to market risk arising from potential changes in interest rates, which could affect the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and outstanding interest rate lock commitments, which guarantee a certain interest rate if the loan is ultimately funded or granted by the Company as a mortgage loan held for sale. The commitments to sell mortgage loans are at fixed prices and are scheduled to settle at specified dates.

The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments for residential mortgage loans which commits it to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. Interest rate lock commitments that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that, if originated, will be held for sale, are considered derivative financial instruments under applicable accounting guidance. Outstanding interest rate lock commitments expose the Company to the risk that the price of the mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates from inception of the rate lock to the funding of the loan and the eventual commitment for sale into the secondary market.

These mortgage banking derivatives are carried at fair value and are not designated in hedge relationships. Fair values are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date of the commitments. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage banking derivatives are included as a component of mortgage banking activity in the consolidated statements of income.

Customer Related Derivative Positions

The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts to facilitate the risk management strategies of certain clients. The Company mitigates this risk largely by entering into equal and offsetting interest rate swap agreements with highly rated counterparties. The interest rate contracts are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The credit risk to these clients is evaluated and included in the calculation of fair value. Fair value changes including credit-related adjustments are recorded as a component of other noninterest income.

Risk Participation Agreement

The Company has entered into a risk participation agreement swap, that is associated with a loan participation, where the Company is not the counterparty to the interest rate swap that is associated with the risk participation sold. The interest rate swap mark to market only impacts the Company if the swap is in a liability position to the counterparty and the customer defaults on payments to the counterparty.

The following table reflects the notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

(1)Derivative assets are included inother assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

(2)Derivative liabilities are included inother liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

(3)Includes interest rate contracts for client swaps and offsetting positions.

The net gains (losses) relating to changes in fair value from derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are summarized below for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

(1)Gain (loss) represents net fair value adjustments (including credit related adjustments) for client swaps and offsetting positions.

NOTE 17. FAIR VALUE MEASURES

The fair value of an asset or liability is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various assets and liabilities. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the asset or liability. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value measures excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The Company's loans held for sale under the fair value option are comprised of the following:

The Company has elected to record mortgage loans held for sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held for sale is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statement of income under the heading interest income – interest and fees on loans. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the interest rate lock commitments with borrowers. The mark to market adjustments related to mortgage loans held for sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities. A net gain of $6.4 million and net losses of $35.4 million and $14.2 million resulting from fair value changes of these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These amounts do not reflect changes in fair values of related derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans. The Company’s valuation of mortgage loans held for sale incorporates an assumption for credit risk; however, given the short-term period that the Company holds these loans, valuation adjustments attributable to instrument-specific credit risk is nominal. Net losses of $6.1 million, $7.3 million and $24.1 million resulting from changes in the fair value of the related derivative financial instruments used to hedge exposure to the market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for SBA loans held for sale measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale, loans held for sale and derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as collateral-dependent loans, loan servicing rights and OREO. Additionally, the Company is required to disclose, but not record, the fair value of other financial instruments.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and Due From Banks and Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks: Cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks are repriced on a short-term basis; as such, the carrying value approximates fair value approximates fair value.

Debt Securities: The fair value of debt securities is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows, and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and includes certain U.S.

agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage and debt obligations, SBA pool securities and municipal securities. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and may include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Loans Held for Sale: The Company records mortgage and SBA loans held for sale at fair value under the fair value option. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Other loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Loans: The fair value for loans held for investment is estimated using an exit price methodology. An exit price methodology considers expected cash flows that take into account contractual loan terms, as applicable, prepayment expectations, probability of default, loss severity in the event of default, recovery lag and, in the case of variable rate loans, expectations for future interest rate movements. These cash flows are present valued at a risk adjusted discount rate, which considers the cost of funding, liquidity, servicing costs, and other factors. Because observable quoted prices seldom exist for identical or similar assets carried in loans held for investment, Level 3 inputs are primarily used to determine fair value exit pricing. The fair value of collateral-dependent loans is estimated based on discounted cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. When foreclosure is probable, the fair value of collateral-dependent loans is determined based on collateral values less estimated costs to sell. The fair value of collateral dependent-loans for which foreclosure is not probable is measured either using discounted cash flows or estimated collateral value. Management has determined that the majority of collateral-dependent loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals.

Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of OREO is determined using certified appraisals and internal evaluations that value the property at its highest and best use by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that OREO should be classified as Level 3.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value due to those products having no stated maturity. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for certificates of similar maturities.

Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate other borrowings approximates fair value and is classified as Level 1. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements and is classified as Level 2.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The fair value of the Company’s trust preferred securities is based on discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms and remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of December 31, 2023, the

Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The inputs used to determine estimated fair value of collateral-dependent loans include market conditions, loan term, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine fair value of OREO include market conditions, estimated marketing period or holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was not a change in the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.

The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows.

NOTE 18. LEASES

Operating lease cost was $12.3 million, $11.6 million and $12.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, sublease income offsetting operating lease cost was not material. Variable rent expense and short-term lease expense were not material for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The following table presents the impact of leases on the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Future maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities are summarized as follows:

NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Loan Commitments

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. A summary of the Company’s commitments is as follows:

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. These commitments, predominantly at variable interest rates, generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Collateral is required in instances which the Company deems necessary. The Company has not been required to perform on any material financial standby letters of credit and the Company has not incurred any losses on financial standby letters of credit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments which is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The following table presents activity in the allowance for unfunded commitments for the periods presented.

Other Commitments

As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit issued by the FHLB totaling $950.0 million were used to guarantee the Bank’s performance related to a portion of its public fund deposit balances.

Litigation and Regulatory Contingencies

From time to time, the Company and the Bank are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company and the Bank are also subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations in the ordinary course of business. Based on the Company’s current knowledge and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal and regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal and regulatory matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition for any particular period.

The Company’s management and its legal counsel periodically assess contingent liabilities, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims, as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed.

NOTE 20. REGULATORY MATTERS

The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be declared without prior regulatory approval. At December 31, 2023, $149.3 million of retained earnings were available for dividend declaration without regulatory approval.

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Under the regulatory capital frameworks adopted by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, Ameris and the Bank must each maintain a common equity Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 6%, a total capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 8% and a leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets of at least 4%. Ameris and the Bank are also required to maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital of at least 2.5% of risk-weighted assets in addition to the minimum risk-based capital ratios in order to avoid certain restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments.

In March 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC issued an interim final rule that delays the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. The interim final rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL in 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. As a result, the Company and Bank elected thefive-year transition relief allowed under the interim final rule effective March 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the most recent notification from the regulatory authorities categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table.

The CET1 Ratios, the Tier 1 Capital Ratios, and the Total Capital Ratios displayed in the above table under the heading “For Capital Adequacy Purposes” includes the capital conservation buffer of 2.50% for December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

NOTE 21. SEGMENT REPORTING

The following table presents selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

NOTE 22. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

Condensed Balance Sheets

December 31, 2023 and 2022

Condensed Statements of Income

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

NOTE 23. LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS

The Company sells certain residential mortgage loans and SBA loans to third parties. All such transfers are accounted for as sales and the continuing involvement in the loans sold is limited to certain servicing responsibilities. The Company has also acquired portfolios of residential mortgage and SBA loans serviced for others. Loan servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently recorded at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized over the remaining service life of the loans, with consideration given to prepayment assumptions. Loan servicing rights are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

The carrying value of the loan servicing rights assets is shown in the table below:

Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company sells certain first-lien residential mortgage loans to third party investors, primarily Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). The Company retains the related mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) and receives servicing fees on certain of these loans. The net gain on loan sales, MSRs amortization and recoveries/impairment, and ongoing servicing fees on the portfolio of loans serviced for others are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as part of mortgage banking activity.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $61.8 million, $70.0 million and $51.4 million, respectively. Servicing fee income includes servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned for each period.

The table below is an analysis of the activity in the Company’s MSRs and impairment:

The key metrics and the sensitivity of the residential mortgage servicing rights fair value to adverse changes in model inputs and/or assumptions are summarized below:

The sensitivity calculations above are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. As indicated, changes in fair value based on adverse changes in model inputs and/or assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of a change in input or assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. In addition, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular input or assumption on the value of the residential mortgage servicing rights is calculated without changing any other input or assumption. In reality, a change in another factor may magnify or counteract the effect of the change in the first.

SBA Loans

All sales of SBA loans, consisting of the guaranteed portion, are executed on a servicing retained basis. These loans, which are partially guaranteed by the SBA, are generally secured by business property such as real estate, inventory, equipment and accounts receivable. The net gain on SBA loan sales, amortization and impairment/recoveries of servicing rights, and ongoing servicing fees are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as part of other noninterest income.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $2.8 million, $3.6 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Servicing fee income includes servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned for each period.

The table below is an analysis of the activity in the Company’s SBA loan servicing rights and impairment:

The key metrics and the sensitivity of the SBA servicing rights fair value to adverse changes in model inputs and/or assumptions are summarized below:

The sensitivity calculations above are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. As indicated, changes in fair value based on adverse changes in model inputs and/or assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of a change in input or assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. In addition, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular input or assumption on the value of the SBA servicing rights is calculated without changing any other input or assumption. In reality, a change in another factor may magnify or counteract the effect of the change in the first.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in their capacities indicated on February 28, 2024.

/s/ H. Palmer Proctor, Jr.

H. Palmer Proctor, Jr., Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

/s/ Nicole S. Stokes

Nicole S. Stokes, Corporate EVP and Chief Financial Officer

(principal accounting and financial officer)

/s/ William I. Bowen, Jr.

William I. Bowen, Jr., Director

/s/ Rodney D. Bullard

Rodney D. Bullard, Director

/s/ Wm. Millard Choate

Wm. Millard Choate, Director

/s/ R. Dale Ezzell

R. Dale Ezzell, Director

/s/ Leo J. Hill

Leo J. Hill, Director

/s/ Daniel B. Jeter

Daniel B. Jeter, Director

/s/ Robert P. Lynch

Robert P. Lynch, Director

/s/ Elizabeth A. McCague

Elizabeth A. McCague, Director

(Continued)

/s/ Claire E. McLean

Claire E. McLean, Director

/s/ James B. Miller, Jr.

James B. Miller, Jr., Chairman

/s/ Gloria A. O'Neal

Gloria A. O'Neal, Director

/s/ William H. Stern

William H. Stern, Director

/s/ Jimmy D. Veal

Jimmy D. Veal, Director

(Concluded)