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SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES

NOTE 14. SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES

During 2005, the Company acquired First National Banc Statutory Trust I, a subsidiary of First National Banc, Inc., whose sole purpose was to issue $5,000,000 principal amount of trust preferred securities at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR plus 2.80% (3.11% at December 31, 2012) through a pool sponsored by a national brokerage firm. The trust preferred securities have a maturity of 30 years and are redeemable at the Company’s option on any quarterly interest payment date beginning in April 2009. There are certain circumstances (as described in the trust agreement) in which the securities may be redeemed within the first five years at the Company’s option. The aggregate principal amount of trust preferred certificates outstanding at December 31, 2012, was $5,000,000. The aggregate principal amount of debentures outstanding was $5,155,000.

During 2006, the Company formed Ameris Statutory Trust I, issuing trust preferred certificates in the aggregate principal amount of $36,000,000. The related debentures issued by the Company were in the aggregate principal amount of $37,114,000. Both the trust preferred securities and the related debentures bear interest at 3-Month LIBOR plus 1.63% (1.94% at December 31, 2012). Distributions on the trust preferred securities are paid quarterly, with interest on the debentures being paid on the corresponding dates. The trust preferred securities mature on December 15, 2036 and are redeemable at the Company’s option beginning September 15, 2011.

Under applicable accounting standards, the assets and liabilities of such trusts, as well as the related income and expenses, are excluded from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, the subordinated debentures issued by the Company and purchased by the trusts remain on the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the related interest expense continues to be included in the consolidated statements of operations. For regulatory capital purposes, the trust preferred securities qualify as a component of Tier 1 Capital.