MOULTRIE, Ga., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq: ABCB), today announced that Ameris has completed its acquisition of First National Banc, Inc. The acquisition of First National increased Ameris Bancorp's total assets to approximately $1.7 billion, managed in 42 banking offices across Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051117/CLTH039LOGO)

The acquisition of First National strengthens the Company's coastal footprint, adding five banking offices in two attractive markets. Ameris is now the market share leader in St. Marys, Georgia and is the largest community bank in Orange Park, Florida. Hortman commented on the closing, saying "Our strategy of concentrating more of the Company's assets in growth markets has accelerated with this acquisition. Our expanded footprint on the coast now stretches approximately 100 miles and is in communities where our banks are leaders. Our banking operations in these markets will be efficient and very competitive. Our single brand, Ameris, will be especially visible in these markets, providing additional expansion opportunities."

Under the terms of the acquisition, Ameris issued approximately 1.088 million shares and paid approximately $12.9 million in cash for 100% of the outstanding stock of First National Banc, Inc.

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia.

Ameris Bancorp Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "ABCB". The preceding release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate" and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE  Ameris Bancorp
    -0-                             12/23/2005
    /CONTACT:  Dennis J. Zember, Jr., EVP & Chief Financial Officer of Ameris
Bancorp, +1-229-890-1111/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051117/CLTH039LOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.amerisbank.com/
    (ABCB)

CO:  Ameris Bancorp; First National Banc, Inc.
ST:  Georgia, Florida, Alabama
IN:  FIN
SU:  TNM

JE-CF
-- CLF012 --
2259 12/23/200511:04 ESThttp://www.prnewswire.com