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Ameris Bank Names Andy Cheney as Executive Vice President and President of Florida and Coastal Georgia Banking Operation.

February 9, 2009

Jacksonville, FL, Today, Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank, announced that longtime Florida banker, Andy Cheney, was named Executive Vice President and a member of the Company's Executive Team. Mr. Cheney will assume responsibility for all core banking activities in Florida and Coastal Georgia. Cheney has been a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, for many years and will maintain his office in an Ameris Bank location in the Jacksonville area.

In making this announcement, Mr. Hortman stated, "Andy will be an outstanding addition to our executive team. For thirty years, he has been one of the top bankers in Florida and known for his exceptional leadership and visionary skills. For almost 25 years, Andy was an executive with Barnett Bank serving as President of North Florida in his last position with them. Barnett was long regarded as one of Florida's most respected, landmark banks." Hortman further commented, "Andy is an exceptional banker. His valuable experience will help us continue to build our Company, as he works closely with John Hipp, our Banking Group President."

During the past eight years, Mr. Cheney worked with Mercantile Bank, serving as CEO for six years, and as the Chairman for two years. Cheney, who grew up in Live Oak, Florida, is a University of Florida graduate, who majored in business administration and played football with the Florida Gators. He has been an involved community leader throughout northern Florida in such roles as: Chairman of the Gator Bowl, Chairman of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Florida Bankers Association, and Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida.

Mr. Cheney stated, "I am truly looking forward to joining the Ameris Bank Team and helping to further build the franchise in Florida and Coastal Georgia. The 'community banking' culture at Ameris Bank matches very well with the banking needs and opportunities in these great local markets."

Ameris Bank is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and has locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina. The company is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ABCB. For more information about Ameris Bank, please visit us on the web at www.amerisbank.com.

For more information contact:
John Hipp
Group Banking President
(803) 733-2686