ABCB

Ameris

Fundamental data last updated:April 13, 2026

company profile

SECTOR

Financial Services

industry

Banks - Regional

Exchange

NYSE

County of HQ

United States

Next Earnings Date

04/23/26

Business Summary

Ameris Bancorp operates as a regional bank generating revenue primarily through net interest income — capturing the spread between deposits and loans — and fee-based banking services. Its moat is local market density, customer relationships, and balance sheet scale within its regional footprint, allowing it to fund loans at competitive costs. Cash generation depends on disciplined underwriting and maintaining spreads wide enough to sustain its 10.10% operating margin. While not a wide-moat franchise, its institutional ownership and scale provide competitive durability against smaller community banks, though it remains exposed to credit cycles and funding cost volatility.

VALUATION

P/E

13.8

Market Cap ($M USD)

$5,656

Forward P/E

11.9

PEG

1.7

PRICE TO SALES

4.9

PRICE TO BOOK

1.4

EV / EBITDA

-

5-Year Average P/E

DIVIDEND

Yield

1.00%

Annual Payout

$0.80

Payout Ratio

13.30%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

2

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

5.90%

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$6.02

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$6.98

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

6.30%

Return on Equity (ROE)

10.10%

Operating Margin

51.50%

Debt-to-Equity

0.2

Piotroski F-Score

5

Altman Z-Score

0.4

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

18.20%%

Current Ratio

-

Quick Ratio

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

At 13.8x earnings and 11.9x forward earnings, ABCB trades at a modest multiple for a regional bank, but the 1.7 forward PEG suggests growth is not cheap relative to expectations. The market is assigning a reasonable valuation to a bank generating 18.20% ROIC, yet the Altman Z-Score of 0.4 is a flashing red signal about balance sheet stress and financial resilience. With Return on Equity at just 6.30% and an operating margin of 10.10%, profitability is positive but not elite, implying this is not a high-quality compounder being ignored — it is a middling operator priced fairly, with solvency risk metrics that demand caution rather than enthusiasm.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

As a regional bank in Financial Services, ABCB’s AI exposure is primarily operational — automation, underwriting analytics, and risk modeling — rather than product-driven disruption. The ability to leverage data for credit decisions and cost control could support its 10.10% operating margin if executed well. However, banks face competitive pressure from fintech and digital-native platforms, meaning tech adaptation is defensive rather than transformational.

The Bull Case

A GARP-oriented investor could justify ownership based on the 11.9 forward P/E combined with estimated EPS next year of $6.02, implying earnings expansion at a reasonable multiple. The 18.20% ROIC is the standout metric here, signaling efficient capital deployment despite only 6.30% ROE, and the Piotroski F-Score of 5 suggests operational stability rather than deterioration. Institutional ownership at 89.93% indicates serious capital backing the name, while a Price/Book of 1.4 keeps valuation grounded relative to asset value. Add in a 1.00% dividend per share and a 2% five-year average dividend rate, and you have a bank that offers income, moderate growth, and institutional validation at a non-demanding earnings multiple.

The Bear Case

The structural concerns are material. A Debt/Equity ratio of 51.50% in combination with an Altman Z-Score of 0.4 points to balance sheet fragility, and a 1.7 PEG ratio undermines the argument that growth is attractively priced. Short interest at 5.90% of float is not extreme but signals meaningful skepticism, and the 0.2 TTM yield offers little downside protection for equity holders. With Return on Equity stuck at 6.30% and operating margin at 10.10%, profitability does not compensate adequately for solvency and leverage risks, making this far from a deep value asymmetric opportunity.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

4.10%

Analyst Consensus

2

Average Analyst Price Target

$89.93

Institutional Ownership %

97.20%

1-Year Beta

0.98

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

5.40%%

Distance to 52-Week High

94.20%%

Distance to 52-Week Low

165.70%%