What the changes say
- Ameris Bancorp added risks regarding dividend suspensions, accounting estimates, and anti-takeover provisions.
- The DOJ consent order for Jacksonville fair lending was dropped.
What changed since the prior 10-K
New
- NewStrategic Risk
We may be unable to pay dividends on our Common Stock
The company may reduce or discontinue common stock dividends or share repurchases due to regulatory restrictions, profitability, or capital needs.
- NewOperational Risk
Our financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates, which, if wrong, could cause unexpected losses in the future
Inaccurate accounting estimates and assumptions regarding loan loss and litigation reserves or goodwill could result in unexpected losses or restatements.
- NewMarket and General Risk
Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our shareholders
Georgia law, corporate bylaws, and federal banking laws contain anti-takeover provisions that may inhibit third-party acquisitions and affect the stock price.
Dropped
- DroppedOperational Risk
hire and retain qualified technology, risk and back-office personnel, which increases the competition to identify, hire and retain talented employees
- DroppedRegulatory and Compliance Risk
The Bank is subject to additional requirements included in the consent order entered into with the DOJ concerning our Jacksonville, Florida market
Reworded
- 49% rewrittenOperational Risk
Our business could suffer if we fail to attract and retain experienced people and maintain our culture
Added specific language regarding competition to identify, hire, and retain technology, risk, and back-office personnel.
- 41% rewrittenRegulatory and Compliance Risk
We could be subject to changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our income tax provision
Added a specific reference to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed in July 2025 and its impact on tax provisions.
- 37% rewrittenStrategic Risk
We may need to rely on the financial markets to provide needed capital
Removed the final sentence warning that the company may be unable to pay dividends on common stock.
- 22% rewrittenRegulatory and Compliance Risk
We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by various federal and state entities
Changed the description of increased scrutiny and intense supervision from happening in recent years to occurring over time.
- 20% rewrittenStrategic Risk
We are subject to significant industry competition which may adversely affect our success
Minor grammatical or stylistic touch-ups with no substantive changes to the competition risk.
Was: We are subject to significant industry competition which may have adversely affect our success
All 37 risk factors
Headings as the filing states them, in filing order.
Strategic Risk
- 01We are subject to significant industry competition which may adversely affect our success20% rewritten
- 02Our growth and financial performance may be negatively impacted if we are unable to successfully execute our growth plans, including with respect to any strategic acquisitions we may choose to pursue
- 03Changes in the policies of monetary authorities and other government action could materially adversely affect our profitability
- 04We engage in acquisitions of other businesses from time to time. These acquisitions may not produce revenue or earnings enhancements or cost savings at levels or within timeframes originally anticipated and may result in unforeseen integration difficulties
- 05Our revenues are highly correlated to market interest rates
- 06Certain changes in interest rates, inflation, deflation or the financial markets could affect demand for our products and our ability to deliver products efficiently
- 07If we lose or are unable to grow and retain our deposits, we may be subject to liquidity risk and higher funding costs
- 08We face additional risks due to our mortgage banking activities that could negatively impact our liquidity and earnings
- 09We rely on dividends from the Bank for most of our revenue
- 10Our allowance for credit losses may be insufficient
- 11Unrealized losses in our securities portfolio could affect liquidity
- 12We may need to rely on the financial markets to provide needed capital37% rewritten
- 13We may be unable to pay dividends on our Common StockNew
- 14We may borrow funds or issue additional debt and equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, any of which may be senior to our Common Stock as to distributions and in liquidation, which could negatively affect the value of our Common Stock
Operational Risk
- 15Cyberattacks or other security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our business
- 16We face risks related to our operational, technological and organizational infrastructure
- 17Fraud remains an elevated risk for us and for all banks, and we may experience increased losses due to fraud
- 18If our enterprise risk management framework is not effective at mitigating risk and loss to us, we could suffer unexpected losses and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected
- 19We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure
- 20The adoption of artificial intelligence tools by us and our third-party vendors and service providers may increase the risk of errors, omissions, unfair treatment or fraudulent behavior by our employees, clients or counterparties, or other third parties
- 21Financial services companies, like Ameris, depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties
- 22Our business could suffer if we fail to attract and retain experienced people and maintain our culture49% rewritten
- 23There may be risks resulting from the extensive use of models in our business
- 24Our financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates, which, if wrong, could cause unexpected losses in the futureNew
Regulatory and Compliance Risk
- 25Legislation and regulatory proposals, including those enacted in response to market, economic and political conditions, may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations
- 26We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by various federal and state entities22% rewritten
- 27We may become subject to enforcement actions even though noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional
- 28We may be a defendant from time to time in a variety of litigation and other actions, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows
- 29We could be subject to changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our income tax provision41% rewritten
Market and General Risk
- 30Our business is highly correlated to local economic conditions in a geographically concentrated part of the United States
- 31Our concentration of real estate loans subjects the Company to risks that could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition
- 32We are subject to risk arising from conditions in the commercial real estate market
- 33Damage to our reputation could significantly harm our business, including our competitive position and business prospects
- 34Inflationary pressures and rising prices could negatively impact our business, our profitability and our stock price
- 35Natural disasters, geopolitical events, public health crises and other catastrophic events beyond our control could adversely affect us
- 36The stock price of financial institutions, like Ameris, can be volatile
- 37Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our shareholdersNew
Other Ameris Bancorp 10-Ks
- FY2024 10-K risk factors36 risks
Ameris Bancorp relies heavily on net interest income and geographic concentration in the Southeastern United States. Mortgage banking activities, credit quality in real estate loans, and regulatory compliance drive key risks. A DOJ consent order in the Jacksonville market highlights compliance exposure.
Filed Feb 28, 2025
About this page
The headings are the filing's own. The one-line readings and the overview are automated and can be wrong: read Item 1A of the 10-K for the exact wording.