UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date
of report (Date of earliest event reported):
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September
18, 2008 (September 17, 2008)
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Ameris
Bancorp
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(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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Georgia
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No.
001-13901
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No.58-1456434
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
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24
2nd Avenue,
S.E.,
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Moultrie,
Georgia 31768
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(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
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(229)
890-1111
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(Former
Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
[ ] Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
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Item
8.01 Other Events.
On September 17, 2008, Ameris Bancorp
issued a press release announcing steps taken to strengthen its balance sheet
and operating results. These steps include a reduction in the
quarterly dividend from $0.14 per share to $0.05 per share, restructuring
changes that resulted in an approximately 10% reduction in workforce, the
establishment of new funding lines resulting in $270 million of additional
borrowing capacity, and a reduction in investment portfolio risk, leading to
significant appreciation in market value of the investment portfolio with no
exposure to common or preferred stock of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
A copy of that press release is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.
Item
9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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99.1
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Press
release dated September 17, 2008.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERIS
BANCORP
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By: /s/
Dennis J. Zember Jr.
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Dennis
J. Zember Jr.,
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Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
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Dated: September
18, 2008
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
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Exhibit No.
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Exhibit
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99.1
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Press
release dated September 17, 2008.
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