Exhibit 99.1

	News Release
For more information contact:
Dennis J. Zember Jr.
Executive Vice President & CFO
(229) 890-1111

AMERIS BANCORP REPORTS RECORD NET INCOME FOR 2006

January 31, 2007

AMERIS BANCORP (NasdaqGS: ABCB), Moultrie, Georgia, reported record net income of $22.1 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to net income in 2005 of $13.7 million, or $1.14 per diluted share. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $5.8 million or $0.43 per diluted share compared to $2.7 million or $0.22 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Ameris Bancorp’s quarterly and yearly performance were highlighted by the following significant items:

• Sustained balance sheet growth from existing markets during the year with total assets at year’s end of $2.04 billion.

• Record net income of $22.1 million or $1.67 per diluted share, an increase of $8.4 million.

• Substantially improved credit quality ratios, with total non-performing assets at December 31, 2006 of 0.60%, a decrease of 33.3% during 2006.

• Completed purchase of Islands Bancorp on December 31, 2006, and recruited a visible and successful management team to quickly build a meaningful franchise in South Carolina.

• Closed 2006 as one bank with a single, recognizable brand.

Record level of total assets from sustained growth in existing markets

Total assets at December 31, 2006 were $2.04 billion, an increase of 20.3%, or $345.6 million, from December 31, 2005. Of the increase reported in total assets, approximately $92 million was related to the acquisition of Islands Bancorp that was consummated on December 31, 2006.

Loans outstanding increased to $1.44 billion at the end of 2006, an increase of 21.6% or $256.4 million compared to levels reported at the end of 2005. Of this increase in loans outstanding, $63.4 million related to the acquisition of Islands Bancorp. Internal growth in loans from the Company’s existing markets was $193.0 million, an increase of 16.3% from December 2005. Stronger sales efforts, additional producers in many of the Company’s markets and momentum from the single bank and brand

strategies were the major reasons behind the Company’s second consecutive year of improved growth rates. Total deposits at year-end were $1.71 billion, an increase of $338.1 million, or 24.6% from balances at December 2005. Internal growth rates in deposits accounted for $271.6 million in growth, or 19.8%, while the Islands Bancorp transaction added approximately $66.5 million in total deposits. Aggressive marketing of interest-bearing and non-interest -bearing demand deposits, together with intense training and sales efforts, yielded improved results across the Company’s markets, both in growth markets and in the legacy markets. Several markets, including Jacksonville, Florida and Gainesville, Florida reported growth rates in core deposits in excess of 20% for the year.

Record levels of net income

The Company reported net income for 2006 of $22.1 million, or $1.67 per share. This level of net income included some core and non-core amounts, including:

• Three bank charter sales totaling $1.9 million after tax or $0.14 per diluted share. Total assets, loans and deposits disposed of during these sales amounted to $11.3 million, $1.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Two of the charter sales totaling approximately $1.2 million or $0.09 per share were recorded during the fourth quarter of 2006.

• Charges taken during 2006 associated with the Company’s conversion to a single bank with a recognizable brand, including costs to complete data and process re-engineering totaled approximately $900,000, or $0.07 per diluted share. Of these charges, approximately $750,000 after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share, was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2006. Total costs incurred to date, including amounts booked in 2005, associated with the Company’s restructuring efforts amount to approximately $2.5 million after tax or $0.19 per diluted share.

• Losses on the sale of investment securities amounting to $308,000 before tax, or $0.01 per diluted share, taken during the second quarter of 2006.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $5.8 million or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2005. Results for the fourth quarter of 2005 included a special charge to earnings of approximately $1.8 million after tax, or $0.14 per diluted share. Operating net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 amounted to $5.3 million or $0.40 per diluted share, an increase of 16% when compared to operating net income of $4.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005. Operating net income excludes income associated with the sales of banking charters and the charges associated with the Company’s restructuring efforts.

Improvement in credit quality

Ameris concentrated significant efforts during 2006 on improving credit quality, capitalizing on each opportunity to reduce exposure to credits that the Company did not believe met its desired risk profile. Non-performing assets at December 31, 2006 were 0.60% of total loans, representing a reduction in problem loans of 33.3% from the levels reported at December 31, 2005. The Company also continued an important trend related to peer level or better losses on its loan portfolio. Net charge-offs for 2006 were 0.10% of total loans, compared to 0.04% for 2005.

The Company’s loan loss reserve at December 31, 2006 amounted to $24.9 million or 1.72% of total loans outstanding. This compares to a loan loss reserve equal to 1.88% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2005. The Company’s provision for loan losses increased $1.2 million in 2006 to $2.8 million, due primarily to continued growth in loans outstanding.

Recruited successful management team in efforts to expand franchise to South Carolina

Efforts to expand the franchise to additional growth markets led Ameris to several experienced bankers in South Carolina. With the completion of its acquisition of Islands Bancorp on December 31, 2006,

Ameris began official banking operations in South Carolina and expects to continue recruiting talented and successful decision makers to build a meaningful franchise in South Carolina’s larger markets. Branching and staff expansion efforts are currently underway in Beaufort, Charleston and Columbia, as well as in the mortgage and private banking lines of business, across the Company’s footprint.

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and CEO, commented on the record year for Ameris Bancorp and said, “2006 was a year of many accomplishments in our Company. Many distractions existed with our efforts to build a single bank, but our employees focused intensely on our customers and on our bottom line, producing a memorable year for our shareholders. I am thankful for the decision makers at every level in Ameris that understand our vision and share our passion for being a company of distinction.”

Ameris Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and has 44 locations in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida and South Carolina.

**********************************************************************************************

Ameris Bancorp Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select 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.

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended															Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006			Sept. 2006			June 2006			Mar. 2006			Dec. 2005			Dec. 2006			Dec. 2005
EARNINGS
Net Income	$	5,758		$	5,954		$	5,315		$	5,100		$	2,723		$	22,127		$	13,728
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Earnings per share:
Basic		0.44			0.46			0.41			0.39			0.22			1.70			1.15
Diluted		0.43			0.45			0.40			0.39			0.22			1.67			1.14
Cash Dividends per share		0.14			0.14			0.14			0.14			0.14			0.56			0.56
Book value per share (period end)		13.24			12.31			11.75			11.68			11.48			13.24			11.48
Tangible book value per share (period end)		8.88			8.58			7.99			7.86			7.64			8.88			7.64
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic		13,044,493			13,022,400			12,985,424			12,951,765			12,232,165			13,001,333			11,933,582
Diluted		13,269,289			13,226,055			13,139,130			13,102,633			12,365,296			13,288,633			12,047,046
Period-end number of shares		13,553,002			13,033,193			13,021,510			12,967,576			12,952,318			13,553,002			12,952,709
Market data:
High closing price		29.13			27.91			23.24			23.29			20.99			29.13			20.93
Low closing price		25.90			21.09			20.23			19.71			17.57			19.71			15.43
Period end closing price		28.18			27.21			23.14			23.26			19.84			28.18			19.84
Average daily volume		23,016			36,957			21,949			15,952			13,687			24,502			15,921
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets		1.17	%		1.28	%		1.23	%		1.20	%		0.77	%		1.22	%		1.04	%
Return on average equity		13.51	%		14.65	%		14.60	%		13.60	%		8.51	%		13.90	%		10.87	%
Earning asset yield (TE)		7.64	%		7.73	%		7.58	%		7.13	%		6.97	%		7.54	%		6.44	%
Total cost of funds		3.65	%		3.50	%		3.10	%		2.83	%		2.58	%		3.29	%		2.54	%
Net interest margin (TE)		4.03	%		4.26	%		4.50	%		4.32	%		4.46	%		4.27	%		4.31	%
Non-interest income excluding securities transactions, as a percent of total revenue (TE)		17.02	%		13.82	%		11.50	%		12.48	%		12.35	%		13.91	%		15.19	%
Efficiency ratio		62.66	%		58.24	%		57.97	%		59.57	%		74.71	%		59.71	%		65.94	%
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
Equity to assets		8.78	%		8.25	%		8.58	%		8.71	%		8.76	%		8.78	%		8.75	%
Tangible common equity to assets		6.07	%		5.90	%		6.00	%		6.03	%		6.01	%		6.07	%		6.09	%
OTHER PERIOD-END DATA
FTE Headcount		600			588			585			584			585			600			585
Assets per FTE	$	3,405		$	3,309		$	3,048		$	2,978		$	2,901		$	3,405		$	2,901
Branch locations		44			43			42			42			42			44			42
Deposits per branch location	$	38,940		$	38,162		$	34,432		$	33,836		$	32,744		$	38,940		$	32,744

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended													Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006		Sept. 2006			June 2006			Mar. 2006		Dec. 2005			Dec. 2006			Dec. 2005
INCOME STATEMENT
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	$	29,175	$	28,553		$	26,355		$	23,476	$	19,836		$	107,559		$	69,238
Interest on taxable securities		3,032		2,986			2,950			2,742		2,186			11,710			8,547
Interest on nontaxable securities		174		156			127			98		43			555			163
Interest on deposits in other banks		1,626		899			390			667		774			3,582			1,502
Interest on federal funds sold		73		30			—			158		53			261			89
Total interest income		34,080		32,624			29,822			27,141		22,892			123,667			79,539
Interest expense
Interest on deposits		14,392		12,600			9,979			8,628		6,238			45,599			18,629
Interest on federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		62		37			48			33		38			185			103
Interest on other borrowings		1,713		2,090			2,122			2,088		2,015			8,008			8,202
Total interest expense		16,167		14,727			12,149			10,749		8,291			53,792			26,934
Net interest income		17,913		17,897			17,673			16,392		14,601			69,875			52,605
Provision for loan losses		713		713			901			510		28			2,837			1,651
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		17,200		17,184			16,772			15,882		14,573			67,038			50,954
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts		3,665		2,978			2,926			2,631		2,695			12,200			10,428
Other service charges, commissions and fees		871		857			803			719		286			3,250			2,870
Other		2,486		1,420			121			535		191			4,562			623
Gain (loss) on sale of securities		—		(3	)		(314	)		9		(452	)		(308	)		(391	)
Total noninterest income		7,022		5,252			3,536			3,894		2,720			19,704			13,530
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		7,445		7,131			6,042			6,624		5,205			27,242			22,483
Equipment and occupancy expense		2,281		1,658			1,544			1,353		1,033			6,836			4,931
Amortization of intangible assets		322		344			232			209		206			1,107			819
Other operating expenses		5,577		4,348			4,476			3,899		6,496			18,300			15,374
Total noninterest expense		15,625		13,481			12,294			12,085		12,940			53,485			43,607
Operating Profit		8,597		8,955			8,014			7,691		4,353			33,257			20,877
Provision for income taxes		2,838		3,001			2,699			2,591		1,630			11,129			7,149
Net Income	$	5,758	$	5,954		$	5,315		$	5,100	$	2,723		$	22,127		$	13,728
Diluted earnings per share		0.43		0.45			0.40			0.39		0.22			1.67			1.14

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Dec. 2006			Sept. 2006			June 2006			Mar. 2006			Dec. 2005
PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	70,041		$	54,093		$	63,894		$	67,570		$	74,420
Federal funds sold & interest bearing balances		135,232			148,118			26,642			56,998			99,781
Securities available for sale, at fair value		282,972			266,546			257,283			273,031			235,145
Loans		1,442,951			1,373,071			1,330,713			1,240,436			1,186,601
Less: allowance for loan losses		24,863			23,905			23,366			22,616			22,294
Loans, net		1,418,088			1,349,166			1,307,347			1,217,820			1,164,307
Premises and equipment, net		46,604			42,266			40,625			40,194			39,606
Intangible assets, net		6,099			5,640			5,971			6,203			6,412
Goodwill		52,991			42,933			42,933			43,304			43,304
Other assets		30,771			37,142			38,649			33,771			34,234
Total Assets	$	2,042,798		$	1,945,904		$	1,783,344		$	1,738,891		$	1,697,209
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	225,095		$	226,939		$	201,489		$	193,869		$	200,840
Interest-bearing demand		544,005			517,300			418,310			423,682			420,248
Savings		63,254			66,645			71,873			73,532			73,268
Time deposits		880,995			830,082			754,456			730,023			680,876
Total deposits		1,713,349			1,640,966			1,446,128			1,421,106			1,375,232
Federal funds purchased & securities sold under agreements to repurchase		15,933			6,725			3,769			8,502			10,307
Other borrowings		75,591			76,287			124,094			100,095			106,022
Other liabilities		16,209			19,217			15,629			17,036			16,223
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures		42,269			42,269			40,722			40,722			40,722
Total liabilities		1,863,351			1,785,464			1,630,342			1,587,461			1,548,506
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock		14,876			14,356			14,340			14,286			14,271
Capital surplus		82,791			68,663			68,459			67,520			67,381
Retained earnings		95,523			91,589			87,466			83,970			80,683
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,488	)		(2,640	)		(5,675	)		(3,442	)		(2,625	)
Unearned compensation		(662	)		(935	)		(1,107	)		(423	)		(526	)
Less treasury stock		(10,593	)		(10,593	)		(10,481	)		(10,481	)		(10,481	)
Total stockholders’ equity		179,447			160,440			153,002			151,430			148,703
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,042,798		$	1,945,904		$	1,783,344		$	1,738,891		$	1,697,209
Other Balance Sheet Data
Earning Assets		1,861,155			1,787,735			1,614,638			1,570,465			1,521,527
Intangible Assets		59,091			48,573			48,904			49,507			49,716
Interest bearing liabilities		1,622,047			1,539,308			1,413,224			1,376,556			1,331,443

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended															Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006			Sept. 2006			June 2006			Mar. 2006			Dec. 2005			Dec. 2006			Dec. 2005
ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION
Allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	23,905		$	23,366		$	22,616		$	22,294		$	17,261		$	22,294		$	15,493
Acquired Reserves		1,024			—			—			—			5,528			1,024			5,528
Provision for loan loss		713			713			901			510			28			2,837			1,651
Charge-offs		1,635			744			339			1,419			863			4,137			2,154
Recoveries		856			570			188			1,231			340			2,845			1,776
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		779			174			151			188			523			1,292			378
Ending balance	$	24,863		$	23,905		$	23,366		$	22,616		$	22,294		$	24,863		$	22,294
As a percentage of loans		1.72	%		1.74	%		1.76	%		1.82	%		1.88	%		1.72	%		1.88	%
As a percentage of nonperforming loans		361.54	%		283.37	%		316.74	%		231.67	%		232.57	%		361.54	%		232.57	%
As a percentage of nonperforming assets		285.29	%		237.91	%		250.95	%		203.05	%		207.68	%		285.29	%		207.68	%
Net Charge-off information
Charge-offs
Commercial	$	1,078		$	300		$	153		$	181		$	385		$	1,712		$	649
Installment		385			159			167			163			259			874			718
Real Estate		145			280			14			1,005			199			1,444			543
Agriculture		7			4			3			—			18			14			231
Other		20			1			2			70			2			93			14
Total charge-offs		1,635			744			339			1,419			863			4,137			2,155
Recoveries
Commercial		356			481			55			636			150			1,528			601
Installment		107			61			62			247			100			477			308
Real Estate		362			21			27			335			42			745			644
Agriculture		31			4			32			—			47			67			213
Other		—			3			12			13			1			28			11
Total recoveries		856			570			188			1,231			340			2,845			1,777
Net charge-offs (recoveries)	$	779		$	174		$	151		$	188		$	523		$	1,292		$	378
Non-accrual loans		6,877			8,436			7,377			9,762			9,586			6,877			9,586
Foreclosed assets		1,838			1,612			1,934			1,376			1,149			1,838			1,149
Total non-performing assets		8,715			10,048			9,311			11,138			10,735			8,715			10,735
Non-performing assets as a percent of loans and foreclosed assets		0.60	%		0.73	%		0.70	%		0.90	%		0.90	%		0.60	%		0.90	%
Net charge offs as a percent of loans		0.05	%		0.01	%		0.01	%		0.02	%		0.04	%		0.10	%		0.04	%

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006		Sept. 2006		June 2006		Mar. 2006		Dec. 2005		Dec. 2006		Dec. 2005
AVERAGE BALANCES
Short term assets	$	126,332	$	64,374	$	25,277	$	69,529	$	62,080	$	72,183	$	55,762
Investment securities		272,769		266,450		270,842		265,680		215,867		267,343		223,633
Loans		1,377,824		1,351,601		1,289,354		1,213,916		1,028,705		1,308,405		952,647
Total Earning Assets		1,776,925		1,682,425		1,585,473		1,549,125		1,306,652		1,647,931		1,232,042
Noninterest bearing deposits		199,812		180,932		188,562		190,075		161,398		194,150		152,906
Interest bearing deposits		521,539		476,371		417,953		409,215		332,980		452,192		317,384
Savings		64,450		70,282		73,368		73,062		70,502		69,591		72,058
CDs		841,387		801,856		738,859		707,895		568,205		773,089		500,606
Deposits		1,627,188		1,529,441		1,418,742		1,380,247		1,133,085		1,489,021		1,042,954
FHLB advances		71,087		86,141		101,044		100,866		97,794		91,119		99,555
Subordinated debentures		42,269		43,580		40,722		40,722		36,426		41,841		35,595
Other borrowings		14,810		11,884		12,737		17,664		8,879		11,910		8,279
Total non-deposit funding		128,166		141,605		154,503		159,252		143,099		144,869		143,429
Total funding	$	1,755,354	$	1,671,046	$	1,573,245	$	1,539,499	$	1,276,184	$	1,633,890	$	1,186,383

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006		Sept. 2006		June 2006		Mar. 2006		Dec. 2005		Dec. 2006		Dec. 2005
INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE
Short term assets	$	1,699	$	929	$	390	$	825	$	827	$	3,843	$	1,371
Investment securities (TE)		3,294		3,223		3,143		2,890		2,252		12,550		8,637
Loans (TE)		29,239		28,622		26,419		23,529		19,890		107,809		69,329
Total Earning Assets		34,232		32,774		29,952		27,244		22,969		124,202		79,337
Noninterest bearing deposits		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Interest bearing deposits		3,866		3,120		2,045		1,635		1,279		10,666		3,260
Savings		178		193		186		174		167		731		559
CDs		10,349		9,287		7,748		6,819		4,792		34,203		14,562
Deposits		14,392		12,600		9,979		8,628		6,238		45,599		18,381
FHLB advances		899		1,087		1,131		1,129		1,174		4,246		4,665
Subordinated debentures		724		916		909		884		800		3,433		3,477
Other borrowings		152		124		130		108		79		514		51
Total non-deposit funding		1,775		2,127		2,170		2,121		2,053		8,193		8,193
Total funding	$	16,167	$	14,727	$	12,149	$	10,749	$	8,291	$	53,792	$	26,574
Net Interest Income (TE)	$	18,065	$	18,047	$	17,803	$	16,495	$	14,678	$	70,410	$	52,763

AMERIS BANCORP

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except per share data and FTE headcount)

	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 2006		Sept. 2006		June 2006		Mar. 2006		Dec. 2005		Dec. 2006		Dec. 2005
YIELDS (1)
Short term assets	5.34	%	5.73	%	6.19	%	4.81	%	5.29	%	5.32	%	2.46	%
Investment securities	4.79	%	4.80	%	4.65	%	4.41	%	4.14	%	4.69	%	3.86	%
Loans	8.42	%	8.40	%	8.22	%	7.86	%	7.67	%	8.24	%	7.28	%
Total Earning Assets (2)	7.64	%	7.73	%	7.58	%	7.13	%	6.97	%	7.54	%	6.44	%
Noninterest bearing deposits
Interest bearing deposits	2.94	%	2.60	%	1.96	%	1.62	%	1.52	%	2.36	%	1.03	%
Savings	1.09	%	1.09	%	1.02	%	0.97	%	0.94	%	1.05	%	0.78	%
CDs	4.88	%	4.59	%	4.21	%	3.91	%	3.35	%	4.42	%	2.91	%
Deposits	3.51	%	3.27	%	2.82	%	2.54	%	2.18	%	3.06	%	1.76	%
FHLB advances	5.02	%	5.01	%	4.49	%	4.54	%	4.76	%	4.66	%	4.69	%
Subordinated debentures	6.80	%	8.34	%	8.95	%	8.80	%	8.71	%	8.20	%	9.77	%
Other borrowings	4.07	%	4.14	%	4.09	%	2.48	%	3.53	%	4.32	%	0.61	%
Total non-deposit funding	5.49	%	5.96	%	5.63	%	5.40	%	5.69	%	5.66	%	5.71	%
Total funding (3)	3.65	%	3.50	%	3.10	%	2.83	%	2.58	%	3.29	%	2.24	%
Net interest spread	3.99	%	4.23	%	4.48	%	4.30	%	4.40	%	4.24	%	4.20	%
Net interest margin	4.03	%	4.26	%	4.50	%	4.32	%	4.46	%	4.27	%	4.28	%

(1) Interest and average rates are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 34%.

(2) Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

(3) Rate calculated based on average interest bearing liabilities.