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Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) is a Great Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?
ZACKS· 2026-02-03 18:01
Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-30 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record earnings for 2025 at over $412 million, with diluted EPS hitting $6 per share, a 15% increase year-over-year [5][10] - The PPNR ROA was consistently above 2% for the year, with a full-year ROA of 1.54%, up from 1.38% in the previous year [6][10] - Tangible book value increased by $5.59 per share, or 14.5%, for the full year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $7.3 million in the fourth quarter, or 12.2% annualized, with a full-year increase of $87.7 million, or 10.3% from 2024 [11][12] - Adjusted non-interest income decreased by $10.5 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to seasonal declines in mortgage [15] - Total non-interest expense decreased by $11.5 million in the fourth quarter, driven by lower compensation costs [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced almost 6% growth in earning assets during the fourth quarter, with loans growing nearly 5% despite elevated payoffs in the CRE portfolio [7][8] - Non-interest bearing deposits represented 29% of total deposits, indicating strong core deposit growth [9][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital returns and accretive growth to enhance shareholder value, with a strong emphasis on organic growth strategies [4][9] - The management highlighted the importance of maintaining a simple common stock capital structure and being opportunistic in share repurchases [7][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential in 2026, citing strong pipelines and healthy economic indicators [8][20] - The company anticipates some margin compression due to deposit cost pressures but remains focused on core profitability and organic growth [12][31] Other Important Information - The company paid off all subordinated debt during 2025, simplifying its capital structure [6] - The efficiency ratio improved to 50% for the year, down from 53.2% the previous year [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on loan production and future payoffs - Management noted that elevated payoffs were typical for the fourth quarter and expect moderation in the first half of the year [20][22] Question: Impact of interest rates on loan production - Management believes that changes in interest rates could accelerate opportunities for loan production rather than causing significant payoffs [23] Question: Hiring strategy and talent management - The company is focused on upgrading talent without significantly increasing headcount, having hired 21 lenders but only netting an increase of 3 [25][26] Question: Margin expectations for the upcoming year - Management anticipates a potential margin decline of 5-10 basis points over the next few quarters due to deposit cost pressures [31] Question: Deposit trends and growth outlook - Management confirmed that while there was a decline in non-interest bearing deposits, they have seen a recovery and continue to focus on core deposit growth [46][48] Question: Provision build and unfunded commitments - The company is building reserves for unfunded commitments, which is seen as a positive signal for future loan growth [52][54]
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-30 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record earnings for 2025 at over $412 million, with diluted EPS hitting $6 per share, a 15% increase year-over-year [5][10] - The PPNR ROA was consistently above 2% for the year, with a reported efficiency ratio of 50% [6][10] - Tangible book value grew by over 14% for the year, ending at $44.18 per share [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $7.3 million in the fourth quarter, or 12.2% annualized, with a full-year increase of $87.7 million, or 10.3% from 2024 [11][12] - Adjusted non-interest income decreased by $10.5 million in the fourth quarter, but increased by $1.4 million year-over-year for the full year [15] - Total non-interest expense decreased by $11.5 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to lower compensation costs [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced almost 6% growth in earning assets during the fourth quarter, with loans growing nearly 5% despite elevated payoffs in the CRE portfolio [7][8] - Non-interest bearing deposits represented 29% of total deposits, indicating strong core deposit growth [9][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital returns and organic growth to enhance shareholder value, with a strong emphasis on core profitability and maintaining a simple capital structure [4][6] - The management highlighted the importance of relationship banking and core deposits as key drivers for future growth [9][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about loan production and pipeline strength, anticipating a moderation in payoffs moving into 2026 [20][22] - The company expects net charge-offs to remain low, with guidance for 2026 set at 20-25 basis points [14][42] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $77 million of its stock during the year, or 2% of the company, at an average price under $67 [7][11] - Capital ratios remained strong, with Common Equity Tier 1 at 13.2% and tangible common equity ratio growing to 11.4% [7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on loan production and future payoffs - Management noted that fourth quarter payoffs were unusually high but expect moderation in the first half of the year, with a strong pipeline for loan production [20][22] Question: Margin expectations and deposit trends - Management indicated that margin could see slight compression due to deposit costs, with expectations of 5-10 basis points decline over the next few quarters [31][32] Question: Capital management and buyback strategy - The company remains opportunistic in buybacks, focusing on organic growth and maintaining a strong capital position [41][65] Question: Competitive landscape and loan growth - Management acknowledged increased competition primarily on pricing but emphasized their ability to adapt and capture opportunities in high-growth markets [76] Question: Mortgage segment performance - The mortgage segment saw a decline in fee income due to a heavier mix of wholesale production, but overall performance aligned with expectations [59][60]
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-30 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record earnings for 2025 at over $412 million, with diluted EPS hitting $6 per share, a 15% increase year-over-year [5][10] - The return on assets (ROA) for the full year improved to 1.54% from 1.38% in the previous year, while the return on tangible common equity (ROTC) increased to 14.51% from 14.41% [10] - The efficiency ratio improved to 50% for the year, down from 53.2% the previous year, indicating better cost management [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $7.3 million in the fourth quarter, representing a 12.2% annualized growth, while total non-interest expense decreased by $11.5 million in the quarter [11][14] - The core bank grew by approximately $8.7 million, although mortgage and premium finance segments experienced seasonal declines [11] - Adjusted non-interest income decreased by $10.5 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to seasonal declines in the mortgage segment [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 6% growth in revenue for the year, while expenses declined by 1%, contributing to positive operating leverage [5] - Non-interest bearing deposits represented 29% of total deposits, indicating a strong funding base despite typical seasonality [9] - The company ended the year with total assets of $27.5 billion, reflecting a 4.8% growth in the balance sheet [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and enhancing shareholder value through capital returns and accretive growth strategies [4] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining strong capital ratios, with Common equity Tier 1 at 13.2% and tangible common equity ratio at 11.4% [6] - The company aims to leverage its position in high-growth Southeastern markets to drive future growth [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about loan production and pipeline strength, indicating a positive outlook for 2026 [20] - The company anticipates some margin compression due to rising deposit costs but remains focused on maintaining profitability [12][30] - Management noted that asset quality trends remain strong, with low net charge-offs and non-performing assets [13] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $77 million of its stock during the year, representing 2% of the company, and announced an increased share repurchase program [6][11] - The company paid off all subordinated debt during 2025, simplifying its capital structure [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about future payoffs and loan growth visibility? - Management noted that elevated payoffs in the CRE portfolio were typical for the fourth quarter and expect moderation in the first half of the year [20] Question: How do you see rates affecting loan production and payoffs? - Management believes that changes in rates could accelerate opportunities for loan production rather than causing significant payoffs [22] Question: Can you provide guidance on margin expectations for the year? - Management indicated a potential margin decline of 5-10 basis points from current levels, depending on deposit costs [30] Question: What are your thoughts on deposit trends and NIB growth? - Management acknowledged seasonal fluctuations in deposits but remains optimistic about the growth of non-interest bearing accounts [46] Question: Can you discuss the drivers of net charge-off activity this quarter? - Management highlighted that charge-offs were consistent with previous quarters and remain below prior year levels [42]
Ameris Bancorp 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (NYSE:ABCB) 2026-01-30
Seeking Alpha· 2026-01-30 14:32
Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding company or industry insights [1]
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Presentation
2026-01-30 14:00
Ameris Profile 4th Quarter 2025 Results Investor Presentation Cautionary Statements This presentation contains forward-looking statements, as defined by federal securities laws, including, among other forward- looking statements, certain plans, expectations and goals. Words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions, are m ...
Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates
ZACKS· 2026-01-30 01:00
Core Insights - Ameris Bancorp reported revenue of $308.11 million for Q4 2025, a 6% year-over-year increase, with an EPS of $1.59 compared to $1.38 a year ago [1] - The revenue fell slightly short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $308.67 million, resulting in a surprise of -0.18%, while the EPS exceeded the consensus estimate of $1.56 by 2.25% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Net interest margin (TE) was reported at 3.9%, surpassing the average estimate of 3.8% from three analysts [4] - The efficiency ratio stood at 46.6%, better than the average estimate of 50.5% from three analysts [4] - Book value per share at period end was $59.92, slightly above the estimated $59.68 [4] - Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized) were 0.3%, higher than the average estimate of 0.2% [4] - Total non-performing assets amounted to $120.47 million, exceeding the average estimate of $114.45 million [4] - Average balances of total earning assets were $25.4 billion, close to the estimated $25.37 billion [4] - Net interest income (TE) was reported at $246.29 million, above the average estimate of $239.71 million [4] - Total non-interest income was $61.83 million, below the average estimate of $68.95 million [4] - Net interest income was $245.31 million, exceeding the average estimate of $239.84 million [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Ameris Bancorp have returned +7.3% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]
Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates
ZACKS· 2026-01-30 00:26
Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.59 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.56 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.38 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.25%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank would post earnings of $1.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.53, delivering a surprise of +4.08%.Over the last four quarters, the company has ...
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Results
2026-01-29 21:16
Financial Performance - Net income for Q4 2025 was $108.4 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, up from $94.4 million, or $1.37 per diluted share in Q4 2024[3] - Full year 2025 net income reached $412.2 million, or $6.00 per diluted share, compared to $358.7 million, or $5.19 per diluted share in 2024, driven by a $87.7 million, or 10.3% increase in net interest income[4] - Net income for the three months ended December 2025 was $108,356,000, compared to $87,935,000 for the same period in 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 23.2%[27] - Adjusted net income for the twelve months ended December 2025 was $411,625,000, up from $346,640,000 in 2024, reflecting a growth of 18.7%[27] - Net income for the twelve months ended December 2025 was $412,154,000, compared to $358,685,000 in 2024, showing an increase of 14.9%[29] - Net income available to common shareholders for Q4 2025 was $108,356,000, compared to $106,029,000 in Q3 2025, reflecting a growth of 2.2%[44] - Net income for the Banking Division in Q4 2025 reached $83,224,000, an increase of 10.9% compared to $75,065,000 in Q3 2025[52] - Net income for the company in 2025 was $412,154,000, an increase of 15% from $358,685,000 in 2024[52] Earnings and Shareholder Value - Basic earnings per share for the three months ended December 2025 was $1.59, compared to $1.28 for the same period in 2024, an increase of 24.2%[27] - Diluted earnings per common share for Q4 2025 was $1.59, up from $1.37 in Q4 2024, reflecting a growth of 16.1%[29] - The book value per share at the end of December 2025 was $59.92, compared to $54.32 at the end of December 2024, representing an increase of 10.5%[27] - Tangible book value per share at the end of December 2025 was $44.18, up from $38.59 in December 2024, marking a growth of 14.5%[46] Asset and Deposit Growth - Total assets increased to $27.52 billion at December 31, 2025, up from $26.26 billion at December 31, 2024[16] - Total deposits increased by $653.5 million, or 3.0%, to $22.38 billion at December 31, 2025[17] - Total deposits increased to $22,375,995,000 in December 2025 from $21,722,448,000 in December 2024, representing a rise of 3.0%[31] - Total earning assets increased to $25,399,767 thousand in December 2025, up from $24,956,298 thousand in September 2025, representing a growth of 1.77%[37] - Total deposits rose to $22,397,329 thousand in December 2025, compared to $21,898,464 thousand in September 2025, indicating an increase of 2.28%[37] Income and Expense Analysis - Total interest income for Q4 2025 was $358,063,000, an increase from $346,363,000 in Q4 2024, representing a growth of 3.9% year-over-year[29] - Noninterest income decreased by $14.4 million, or 18.9%, in Q4 2025, totaling $61.8 million compared to $76.3 million in Q3 2025[11] - Noninterest income for Q4 2025 totaled $61,827,000, a decrease from $68,959,000 in Q4 2024, indicating a decline of 10.3% year-over-year[29] - Total noninterest expense for the twelve months ended December 2025 was $603,950,000, a slight decrease from $607,794,000 in 2024[29] - Total noninterest expense for the Banking Division in Q4 2025 was $103,420,000, a decrease of 9.2% from $113,973,000 in Q3 2025[52] Efficiency and Profitability Metrics - Return on average assets (ROA) for Q4 2025 was 1.57%, with a full year ROA of 1.54%[6] - The return on average assets for the three months ended December 2025 was 1.57%, up from 1.36% in the same period of 2024, indicating improved operational efficiency[27] - The efficiency ratio for the three months ended December 2025 was 46.59%, a decrease from 52.83% in the same period of 2024, showing enhanced cost management[27] - Adjusted efficiency ratio for December 2025 improved to 46.59%, compared to 52.26% in December 2024, indicating enhanced operational efficiency[46] - The efficiency ratio for the twelve months ended December 2025 was 50.00%, down from 53.20% in December 2024, indicating improved cost management[46] Loan and Credit Quality - The allowance for loan losses remained stable at 1.62% of loans, with a net charge-off ratio of 26 basis points for Q4 2025[19] - The provision for credit losses was $16,601 thousand in December 2025, compared to $11,176 thousand in September 2025, marking an increase of 48.5%[33] - Non-performing assets totaled $120,472 thousand in December 2025, up from $109,428 thousand in September 2025, indicating a rise of 9.5%[33] - The net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized) increased to 0.26% in December 2025 from 0.14% in September 2025[33] - The total allowance for credit losses remained stable at $401,558 thousand in December 2025, consistent with the previous quarter[33] Market and Trading Activity - The average daily trading volume for the three months ended December 2025 was 448,341 shares, compared to 432,964 shares in the same period of 2024, indicating increased market activity[27] - The market data showed a high intraday price of $78.99 in December 2025, compared to $74.56 in December 2024, indicating a positive market perception[27]