Company Update

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 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 25, 2018 Ameris Bancorp (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Georgia 001-13901 58-1456434 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 310 First Street, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia 31768 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (229) 890-1111 (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)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ¨ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ Item 8.01 Other Events. On October 25, 2018, Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase in the aggregate of up to $100 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. A copy of that press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. Under the program, repurchases of shares may be made from time to time over the next twelve months in the open market or by negotiated transactions and will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits. 99.1 Press release dated October 25, 2018 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized. AMERIS BANCORP By: /s/ Nicole S. Stokes Nicole S. Stokes Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: October 25, 2018