Revenue during the quarter grew 14.07 percent to $84.46 million from $74.04 million in the previous year period. Net interest income for the quarter rose 20.13 percent over the prior year period to $60.59 million. Non-interest income for the quarter rose 5.85 percent over the last year period to $25.71 million.

Ameris Bancorp has made provision of $1.84 million for loan losses during the quarter, up 169.60 percent from $0.68 million in the same period last year.

Net interest margin contracted 6 basis points to 3.97 percent in the quarter from 4.03 percent in the last year period. Efficiency ratio for the quarter improved to 61.52 percent from 74.41 percent in the previous year period. A decline in efficiency ratio indicates a rise in profitability.

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., the Company's president and chief executive officer, said, "We delivered another quarter of consistent financial results with very little noise. Generally, the first quarter is our most challenging quarter, but control of operating expenses and double digit growth in year-over-year revenue led us to solid results. Our pipelines are very strong and I expect reliable growth in earnings through the remainder of 2017."

Deposits stood at $5,642.37 million as on Mar. 31, 2017, up 7.87 percent compared with $5,230.79 million on Mar. 31, 2016.

Noninterest-bearing deposit liabilities were $1,654.72 million or 29.33 percent of total deposits on Mar. 31, 2017, compared with $1,529.04 million or 29.23 percent of total deposits on Mar. 31, 2016.

Investments stood at $866.72 million as on Mar. 31, 2017, up 1.98 percent or $16.81 million from year-ago. Shareholders equity was at $758.22 million as on Mar. 31, 2017.

Return on average assets moved up 36 basis points to 1.24 percent in the quarter from 0.88 percent in the last year period. At the same time, return on average equity increased 319 basis points to 12.33 percent in the quarter from 9.14 percent in the last year period.

Nonperforming assets moved down 20.78 percent or $17.04 million to $64.95 million on Mar. 31, 2017 from $82 million on Mar. 31, 2016. Meanwhile, nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.92 percent in the quarter, down from 1.34 percent in the last year period.

Equity to assets ratio was 10.69 percent for the quarter, up from 9.85 percent for the previous year quarter. Book value per share was $20.42 for the quarter, up 18.38 percent or $3.17 compared to $17.25 for the same period last year.