Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) 10-K 29 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 18, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	Ameris Bancorp
Entity Central Index Key	351,569
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 788.7
Trading Symbol	ABCB
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,211,385

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 118,518	$ 78,036
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	266,545	86,823
Federal funds sold	5,500	5,500
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	783,185	541,805
Other investments	9,323	10,275
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value	111,182	94,759
Loans, net of unearned income	2,406,877	1,889,881
Purchased loans not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements ("purchased non-covered loans")	771,554	674,239
Purchased loan pools not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements ("purchased loan pools")	592,963	0
Purchased loans covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements ("covered loans")	137,529	271,279
Less: allowance for loan losses	(21,062)	(21,157)
Loans, net	3,887,861	2,814,242
Other real estate owned, net	16,147	33,160
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned, net	14,333	15,585
Covered other real estate owned, net	5,011	19,907
Total other real estate owned, net	35,491	68,652
Premises and equipment, net	121,639	97,251
FDIC loss-share receivable, net	6,301	31,351
Other intangible assets, net	17,058	8,221
Goodwill	90,082	63,547
Cash value of bank owned life insurance	64,251	58,867
Other assets	72,004	77,748
Total assets	5,588,940	4,037,077
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing	1,329,857	839,377
Interest-bearing	3,549,433	2,591,772
Total deposits	4,879,290	3,431,149
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	63,585	73,310
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures, net	69,874	65,325
Other liabilities	22,432	22,384
Total liabilities	5,074,181	3,671,049
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $1; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 33,625,162 and 28,159,027 shares issued	33,625	28,159
Capital surplus	337,349	225,015
Retained earnings	152,820	118,412
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,353	6,098
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,413,777 and 1,385,164 shares	(12,388)	(11,656)
Total stockholders’ equity	514,759	366,028
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 5,588,940	$ 4,037,077

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS _Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parenthetical] - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	33,625,162	28,159,027
Treasury Stock, Shares	1,413,777	1,385,164

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	$ 171,567	$ 150,611	$ 117,497
Interest on taxable securities	16,134	12,086	7,134
Interest on nontaxable securities	1,869	1,626	1,413
Interest on deposits in other banks	790	236	276
Interest on federal funds sold	33	7	2
Total interest income	190,393	164,566	126,322
Interest expense
Interest on deposits	9,752	9,488	8,400
Interest on other borrowings	5,104	5,192	1,737
Total interest expense	14,856	14,680	10,137
Net interest income	175,537	149,886	116,185
Provision for loan losses	5,264	5,648	11,486
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	170,273	144,238	104,699
Other income
Service charges on deposit accounts	34,465	24,614	19,545
Mortgage banking activity	36,800	25,986	19,128
Other service charges, commissions and fees	3,754	2,647	2,151
Net gains on sales of securities	137	138	171
Gain on sale of SBA loans	4,522	3,896	1,500
Other noninterest income	5,908	5,555	4,054
Total noninterest income	85,586	62,836	46,549
Other expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	94,003	73,878	56,670
Occupancy and equipment	21,195	17,521	12,286
Advertising and marketing	3,312	2,869	1,620
Amortization of intangible assets	3,741	2,330	1,414
Data processing and communications expenses	19,849	15,551	11,539
Credit resolution related expenses	17,707	13,506	15,486
Merger and conversion charges	7,980	3,940	4,350
FDIC insurance	3,475	2,972	2,323
Other noninterest expenses	27,853	18,302	16,257
Total noninterest expense	199,115	150,869	121,945
Income before income tax expense	56,744	56,205	29,303
Income tax expense	(15,897)	(17,482)	(9,285)
Net income	40,847	38,723	20,018
Preferred stock dividends	0	286	1,738
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 40,847	$ 38,437	$ 18,280
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 1.48	$ 0.76
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	1.27	1.46	0.75
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.2	$ 0.15	$ 0
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	31,762	25,974	23,918
Diluted (in shares)	32,127	26,259	24,348

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income	$ 40,847	$ 38,723	$ 20,018
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gain/(loss) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax (benefit) of ($1,239), $3,969 and ($4,421)	(2,300)	7,371	(8,210)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in operations, net of tax of $48, $48 and $60	(89)	(90)	(111)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges during the period, net of tax (benefit) of ($192), ($479) and $765	(356)	(889)	1,420
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,745)	6,392	(6,901)
Comprehensive income	$ 43,592	$ 45,115	$ 13,117

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Parenthetical] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, tax	$ (1,239)	$ 3,969	$ (4,421)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in operations,tax	48	48	60
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge during the period, tax	$ (192)	$ (479)	$ 765

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital Surplus [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Member]Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Member]Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 27,662	$ 25,155	$ 164,949	$ 65,710		$ (23)	$ 6,630	$ (11,066)
Balance at beginning of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		28,000	25,154,818						1,355,050
Repurchase of preferred stock		$ 0
Accretion of fair value of warrant		338			(338)
Issuance of common stock			$ 1,169	23,460
Issuance of common stock, Shares			1,168,918
Issuance of restricted shares			$ 108	(108)
Issuance of restricted shares,shares			108,400
Exercise of stock options			$ 34	376
Exercise of stock options, shares			33,633
Stock-based compensation				1,041
Stock-based compensation net tax benefit				0
Forfeitures of restricted shares			$ (4)	4
Forfeitures of restricted shares, shares			(4,000)
Dividends on preferred shares					(1,399)
Dividends on common shares					0
Purchase of treasury shares									$ (116)
Purchase of treasury shares,shares									8,292
Net income	$ 20,018				20,018
Change during period	(6,901)						1,420	(8,321)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	316,699	$ 28,000	$ 26,462	189,722	83,991	$ (294)	1,397	(1,691)	$ (11,182)
Balance at end of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		28,000	26,461,769						1,363,342
Repurchase of preferred stock		$ (28,000)
Repurchase of preferred stock, Shares		(28,000)
Accretion of fair value of warrant		$ 0			0
Issuance of common stock			$ 1,599	32,875
Issuance of common stock, Shares			1,598,998
Issuance of restricted shares			$ 77	(77)
Issuance of restricted shares,shares			77,047
Exercise of stock options			$ 32	427
Exercise of stock options, shares			31,784
Stock-based compensation				2,057
Stock-based compensation net tax benefit				0
Forfeitures of restricted shares			$ (11)	11
Forfeitures of restricted shares, shares			(10,571)
Dividends on preferred shares					(286)
Dividends on common shares					(4,016)
Purchase of treasury shares									$ (474)
Purchase of treasury shares,shares									21,822
Net income	38,723				38,723
Change during period	6,392						(889)	7,281
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	366,028	$ 0	$ 28,159	225,015	118,412	6,098	508	5,590	$ (11,656)
Balance at end of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		0	28,159,027						1,385,164
Repurchase of preferred stock		$ 0
Accretion of fair value of warrant		0			0
Issuance of common stock			$ 5,320	109,569
Issuance of common stock, Shares			5,320,000
Issuance of restricted shares			$ 71	(71)
Issuance of restricted shares,shares			71,000
Exercise of stock options			$ 75	1,116
Exercise of stock options, shares			75,135
Stock-based compensation				1,485
Stock-based compensation net tax benefit				235
Forfeitures of restricted shares			$ 0	0
Dividends on preferred shares					0
Dividends on common shares					(6,439)
Purchase of treasury shares									$ (732)
Purchase of treasury shares,shares									28,613
Net income	40,847				40,847
Change during period	(2,745)						(356)	(2,389)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 514,759	$ 0	$ 33,625	$ 337,349	$ 152,820	$ 3,353	$ 152	$ 3,201	$ (12,388)
Balance at end of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2015			33,625,162						1,413,777

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 40,847	$ 38,723	$ 20,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	8,058	6,642	4,938
Amortization of intangible assets	3,741	2,330	1,414
Net amortization of investment securities available for sale	5,881	3,666	3,191
Net gains on securities available for sale	(137)	(138)	(171)
Stock based compensation expense	1,485	2,057	1,041
Net (gains) losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment	184	(516)	(55)
Net write-downs and losses on sale of other real estate owned	15,696	4,950	9,162
Provision for loan losses	5,264	5,648	11,486
Accretion of discount on covered loans	(9,658)	(22,188)	(42,208)
Accretion of discount on purchased non-covered loans	(10,590)	(9,745)	0
Changes in FDIC loss-share receivable, net of cash payments received	5,777	11,596	25,461
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI	(1,384)	(1,623)	(1,223)
Provision for deferred taxes	(344)	6,516	3,543
(Increase)/decrease in interest receivable	(4,251)	(1,952)	(1,395)
Increase/(decrease) in interest payable	(327)	(49)	199
Increase/(decrease) in taxes payable	9,033	(7,221)	(1,420)
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale	(1,038,691)	(687,090)	(525,376)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale	991,310	695,429	524,559
Net gains on mortgage loans held for sale	(40,389)	(28,532)	(17,675)
Originations of SBA loans	(54,594)	(58,089)	(12,486)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans	39,484	32,782	15,754
Net gains on sale of SBA loans	(4,522)	(3,896)	(1,500)
Decrease in prepaid FDIC assessments	0	0	2,843
Change attributable to other operating activities	12,904	5,104	1,749
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(25,223)	(5,596)	21,849
INVESTING ACTIVITIES, net of effects of business combinations
Purchases of securities available for sale	(249,115)	(126,909)	(90,033)
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale	89,030	51,215	50,490
Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale	72,528	94,051	36,669
(Increase)/decrease in restricted equity securities, net	1,824	8,028	(1,269)
Net increase in loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans	(413,775)	(251,955)	(183,731)
Purchase of loan pools	(622,533)	0	0
Payments received on purchased non-covered loans	154,666	74,931	943
Payments received on covered loans	79,372	102,996	120,155
Purchase of premises and equipment	(12,576)	(5,709)	(5,634)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment	244	1,213	2,114
Purchase of bank owned life insurance	(4,000)	0	(30,000)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned	43,269	43,793	68,917
Payments received from FDIC under loss-sharing agreements	19,273	22,494	68,822
Net cash proceeds received from acquisitions	673,933	17,022	25,810
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(167,860)	31,170	63,253
FINANCING ACTIVITIES, net of effects of business combinations
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	353,984	62,894	(99,115)
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(9,725)	(15,634)	11,866
Repayment of other borrowings	(39,881)	(257,060)	(177,741)
Proceeds from other borrowings	0	118,963	175,000
Dividends paid - preferred stock	0	(286)	(1,400)
Dividends paid - common stock	(6,439)	(4,016)	0
Redemption of preferred stock	0	(28,000)	0
Issuance of common stock	114,889	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,191	459	410
Purchase of treasury shares	(732)	(474)	(116)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	413,287	(123,154)	(91,096)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks	220,204	(97,580)	(5,994)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,359	267,939	273,933
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	390,563	170,359	267,939
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for: Interest	15,183	14,667	9,938
Cash paid during the year for: Income taxes	5,828	19,281	16,925
Loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) transferred to other real estate owned	11,261	11,972	9,137
Purchased non-covered loans transferred to other real estate owned	4,473	4,160	0
Covered loans transferred to other real estate owned	7,910	13,650	31,833
Loans transferred from mortgage loans available for sale to loans	71,347	0	0
Loans provided for the sales of other real estate owned	4,826	1,109	2,416
Assets acquired in business combinations	1,169,990	448,971	745,027
Liabilities assumed in business combinations	1,099,988	411,701	720,236
Issuance of common stock in acquisitions	0	34,474	24,629
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net	(2,389)	7,281	(8,321)
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge (interest rate swap), net	$ (356)	$ (889)	$ 1,420

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) is a financial holding company whose primary business is presently conducted by Ameris Bank, its wholly owned banking subsidiary (the “Bank”). Through the Bank, the Company operates a full service banking business and offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services to its customers concentrated in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The Company also engages in mortgage banking activities and SBA lending, and, as such, acquires, sells and services one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and SBA loans in the Southeast. The Company and the Bank are subject to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and are periodically examined by those regulatory agencies. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Purchased assets and assumed liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the purchase date. Any identifiable intangible assets are also recorded at fair value. When the fair value of the assets purchased exceeds the fair value of liabilities assumed, it results in a “bargain purchase gain.” If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity). Because deposit liabilities and the related customer relationship intangible assets may be exchanged in a sale or exchange transaction, the intangible asset associated with the depositor relationship is considered identifiable. Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date and prohibit the carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. When the loans have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments, the difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount. The Company must estimate expected cash flows at each reporting date. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior provisions and adjust accretable discount if no prior provisions have been made. This increase in accretable discount will have a positive impact on interest income. For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and due from banks includes cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and amounts due from banks. The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The total of the average daily required reserve was approximately $ 27.8 20.1 The Company classifies its securities in one of three categories: (i) held to maturity, (ii) available for sale or (iii) trading. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Held to maturity securities are those securities for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities are classified as available for sale. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all securities were classified as available for sale. Held to maturity securities are recorded at cost, adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are excluded from net income and are reported in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains or losses associated with transfers of securities from held to maturity to available for sale are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. These unrealized holding gains or losses are amortized into income over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to the yield in a manner consistent with the amortization or accretion of the original purchase premium or discount on the associated security. The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the trade date. A decline in the market value of any available for sale or held to maturity investment below cost that is deemed other than temporary is charged to earnings and establishes a new cost basis for the security for the decline in value deemed to be credit related. The decline in value attributed to non-credit-related factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery or maturity. Other investments include Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank stock. The investments do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at cost. They are periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at the estimated fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary market. Adjustments to reflect unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale and realized gains and losses upon ultimate sale of the loans are classified as mortgage banking activity in the Consolidated Statements of Income. When mortgage and SBA loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in mortgage banking activity and gains on sales of SBA loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported with “Mortgage banking activity” on the income statement. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement as “Other noninterest income”, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income. Servicing fees totaled $ 1,268,000 1,011,000 611,000 Loans, excluding loans covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“covered loans”), purchased loans not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“purchased non-covered loans”) and purchased loan pools not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“purchased loan pools”) are reported at their outstanding principal balances less unearned income, net of deferred fees and origination costs and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the outstanding principal balance. For all classes of loans, the accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued and placed on non-accrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Mortgage loans and commercial loans are charged off to the extent principal or interest is deemed uncollectible. Consumer loans continue to accrue interest until they are charged off, generally between 90 and 120 days past due, unless the loan is in the process of collection. Non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. All interest accrued, but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off, is reversed against interest income. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is applied against principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Purchased loans include loans acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions (“covered loans”) and other acquisitions (“purchased non-covered loans”) and are initially recorded at fair value on the date of the purchase. Purchased loans that contain evidence of credit deterioration (“purchased credit impaired loans”) on the date of purchase are carried at the net present value of expected future proceeds. All other purchased loans are recorded at their initial fair value, adjusted for subsequent advances, pay downs, amortization or accretion of any premium or discount on purchase, charge-offs and any other adjustment to carrying value. There is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized by recording a charge-off of the loss and a corresponding provision expense. In determining the initial fair value of purchased loans without evidence of credit deterioration at the date of acquisition, management includes (i) no carryover of any previously recorded ALLL and (ii) an adjustment of the recorded investment to reflect an appropriate market rate of interest, given the risk profile and grade assigned to each loan. This adjustment is accreted into earnings as a yield adjustment, using methods approximating the effective yield method, over the remaining life of each loan. Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference). Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss is recorded as a provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income. Purchased loan pools include groups of loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions (“purchased loan pools”). Purchased loan pools are reported at their outstanding principal balances plus purchase premiums, net of accumulated amortization. Interest income is accrued on the outstanding principal balance. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated losses relating to specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred losses in the balance of the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of various risks in the loan portfolio highlighted by historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to pay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance for loan losses evaluation does not include the effects of expected losses on specific loans or groups of loans that are related to future events or expected changes in economic conditions. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Bank to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component includes loans management considers impaired and other loans or groups of loans that management has classified with higher risk characteristics. For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by independent loan reviewers and regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on data such as risk ratings, current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in their markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events. The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exception of warehouse lines of credit and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor of historical losses, calculated by loan type, to be applied to the balance of loans by risk rating and type, to determine the adequate amount of reserve. Many of the larger loans require an annual review by an independent loan officer or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be assigned specific reserve allocations. Assigned risk ratings can be adjusted based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the independent internal loan review department. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, and the guarantor demonstrates willingness and capacity to support the debt, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off. Land is carried at cost. Other premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. In general, estimated lives for buildings are up to 40 20 In connection with the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company has recorded an FDIC loss-share receivable to reflect the indemnification provided by the FDIC. Since the indemnified items are covered loans and covered foreclosed assets, which are initially measured at fair value, the FDIC loss-share receivable is also initially measured and recorded at fair value, and is calculated by discounting the cash flows expected to be received from the FDIC. These cash flows are estimated by multiplying estimated losses by the reimbursement rates as set forth in the loss-sharing agreements. The balance of the FDIC loss-share receivable and the accretion (or amortization) thereof is adjusted periodically to reflect changes in expectations of discounted cash flows, expense reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements and other factors. The Company is accreting (or amortizing) its FDIC loss-share receivable over the shorter of the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (ten years for the single family loss-sharing agreements, and five years for the non-single family loss-sharing agreements) or the remaining life of the indemnified asset. Pursuant to the clawback provisions of the loss-sharing agreements for the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company may be required to reimburse the FDIC should actual losses be less than certain thresholds established in each loss-sharing agreement. The amount of the clawback provision for each acquisition is measured and recorded at fair value. It is calculated as the difference between management’s estimated losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets and the loss threshold contained in each loss-sharing agreement, multiplied by the applicable clawback provisions contained in each loss-sharing agreement. This clawback amount, which is payable to the FDIC upon termination of the applicable loss-sharing agreement, is then discounted back to net present value, generally over ten years. To the extent that actual losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets are less than estimated losses, the applicable clawback payable to the FDIC upon termination of the loss-sharing agreements will increase. To the extent that actual losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets are more than estimated losses, the applicable clawback payable to the FDIC upon termination of the loss-sharing agreements will decrease. The balance of the FDIC clawback payable and the amortization thereof are adjusted periodically to reflect changes in expected losses on covered assets and the impact of such changes on the clawback payable and other factors. The FDIC loss-share receivable is reported net of the clawback liability. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets purchased in business combinations. Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment or whenever events occur that may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount is not probable. In the event of an impairment, the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value is charged to earnings. The Company performs its annual test of impairment in the fourth quarter of each year. Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of five to seven years. Amortization periods are reviewed annually in connection with the annual impairment testing of goodwill. The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain officers. The life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. Foreclosed assets acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell. Any write-down to fair value at the time of transfer to foreclosed assets is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Costs of improvements are capitalized up to the fair value of the property, whereas costs relating to holding foreclosed assets and subsequent adjustments to the value are charged to operations. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities results in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. The Company currently evaluates income tax positions judged to be uncertain. A loss contingency reserve is accrued if it is probable that the tax position will be challenged with a tax examination being presumed to occur, it is probable that the future resolution of the challenge will confirm that a loss has been incurred, and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in other noninterest expenses. The Company accounts for its stock compensation plans using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company recorded approximately $ 1.5 2.1 1.0 The Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in a reduction of stockholders’ equity. Basic earnings per common share are computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the effect of the issuance of potential common shares that are dilutive and by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Potential common shares consist of stock options and restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and are determined using the treasury stock method. The Company has determined that its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities, and all dividends on these awards are paid similar to other dividends. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Distributed earnings allocated to common stockholders $ 6,439 $ 4,016 $ - Undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders 34,408 34,421 18,280 Net income available to common shareholders $ 40,847 $ 38,437 $ 18,280 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 31,762 25,974 23,918 Effect of dilutive restricted grants 244 15 378 Effect of dilutive options 121 270 169 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share 32,127 26,259 24,465 For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company has not excluded any potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has excluded 6,000 324,000 The goal of the Company’s interest rate risk management process is to minimize the volatility in the net interest margin caused by changes in interest rates. Derivative instruments are used to hedge certain assets or liabilities as a part of this process. The Company is required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. All derivative instruments are required to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The Company’s current hedging strategies involve utilizing an interest rate swap classified as a cash flow hedge. Cash flows related to floating-rate liabilities will fluctuate with changes in an underlying rate index. When effectively hedged, the increases or decreases in cash flows related to the floating rate liability will generally be offset by changes in cash flows of the derivative instrument designated as a hedge. The fair value of derivatives is recognized as assets or liabilities in the financial statements. The accounting for the changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative instrument at inception. The change in fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges is accounted for in other comprehensive income rather than net income. The Company had a cash flow hedge with notional amount of $ 37.1 1,439 1,315 The Company maintains a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the interest rate lock is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. In order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans, the Company enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate locks are entered into. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the interest on the loan is locked. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in mortgage banking activity. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $ 2,687,000 1,757,000 137,000 249,000 The Company’s comprehensive income consists of net income, changes in the net unrealized holding gains and losses of securities available for sale, unrealized gain or loss on the effective portion of the cash flow hedge and the realized gain or loss recognized due to the sale or unwind of cash flow hedge prior to their contractual maturity date. These amounts are carried in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and are presented net of taxes. Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates. The Company has four reportable segments, the Banking Division, the Retail Mortgage Division, the Warehouse Lending Division and the SBA Division. The Banking Division derives its revenues from the delivery of full service financial services to include commercial loans, consumer loans and deposit accounts. The Retail Mortgage Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The Warehouse Lending Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of warehouse lines to other businesses that are secured by underlying one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The SBA Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales an

PENDING MERGER

PENDING MERGER	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
PENDING MERGER AND ACQUISITIONS	NOTE 2 – PENDING MERGER On September 30, 2015, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc., a Florida corporation (“JAXB”). The Jacksonville Bank is a wholly owned banking subsidiary of JAXB that has eight full-service branches located in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, Florida, as well as one virtual branch. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, JAXB shareholders will receive either 0.5861 shares of Ameris common stock or $16.50 in cash for each share of JAXB common stock or nonvoting common stock they hold, subject to the total consideration being allocated 75% stock and 25% cash. The transaction is expected to close in March 2016 and is subject to customary closing conditions. All required regulatory approvals for the transaction have been received. As of September 30, 2015, JAXB reported assets of $ 505.3 399.5 433.0

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	NOTE 3– BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Branch Acquisition On June 12, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of 18 20.0 3.00 15 4.0 10.7 The acquisition of the 18 branches was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Initial Fair Subsequent As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 630,220 $ - $ - $ 630,220 Loans 4,363 - (364) (d) 3,999 Premises and equipment 10,348 1,060 (a) (755) (e) 10,653 Intangible assets - 7,651 (b) 985 (f) 8,636 Other assets 126 - 126 Total assets $ 645,057 $ 8,711 $ (134) $ 653,634 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 149,854 $ - $ - $ 149,854 Interest-bearing 495,110 (215) (c) - 494,895 Total deposits 644,964 (215) - 644,749 Other liabilities 93 - - 93 Total liabilities 645,057 (215) - 644,842 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed - 8,926 (134) 8,792 Goodwill - 11,076 134 11,210 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ - $ 20,002 $ - $ 20,002 Consideration: Cash paid as deposit premium $ 20,002 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 20,002 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the premise and equipment as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (c) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the premise and equipment. (f) Adjustment reflects additional recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. Goodwill of $ 11.2 In the acquisition, the Company purchased $ 4.0 364,000 Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated On May 22, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of all shares of the outstanding common stock of Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated (“Merchants”), a bank holding company headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, for a total purchase price of $ 50,000,000 13 The acquisition of Merchants was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Initial Fair Subsequent As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,527 $ - $ - $ 7,527 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances 106,188 - - 106,188 Investment securities 164,421 (553) (a) (639) (j) 163,229 Other investments 872 - - 872 Loans 199,955 (8,500) (b) - 191,455 Less allowance for loan losses (3,354) 3,354 (c) - - Loans, net 196,601 (5,146) - 191,455 Other real estate owned 4,082 (1,115) (d) - 2,967 Premises and equipment 14,614 (3,680) (e) - 10,934 Intangible assets - 4,577 (f) (634) (k) 3,943 Other assets 2,333 2,335 (g) (1,307) (l) 3,361 Total assets $ 496,638 $ (3,582) $ (2,580) $ 490,476 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 121,708 $ - $ - $ 121,708 Interest-bearing 286,112 - 41,588 (m) 327,700 Total deposits 407,820 - - 449,408 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase 41,588 - (41,588) (m) - Other liabilities 2,151 81 (h) - 2,232 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 6,186 (2,680) (i) - 3,506 Total liabilities 457,745 (2,599) - 455,146 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed 38,893 (983) (2,580) 35,330 Goodwill - 12,090 2,580 14,670 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ 38,893 $ 11,107 $ - $ 50,000 Consideration: Cash exchanged for shares $ 50,000 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 50,000 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Merchants’ allowance for loan losses. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired premises. (f) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (g) Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (h) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of interest rate swap liabilities. (i) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date. (j) Adjustment reflects the additional fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (k) Adjustment reflects adjustment to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (l) Adjustment reflects the additional deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (m) Subsequent to acquisition, the acquired securities sold under agreements to repurchase were converted to deposit accounts and are no longer reported as securities sold under agreements to repurchase on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. Goodwill of $ 14.7 In the acquisition, the Company purchased $ 191.5 8.5 4.25 11.2 Contractually required principal and interest $ 17,201 Non-accretable difference (2,712) Cash flows expected to be collected 14,489 Accretable yield (3,254) Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $ 11,235 Fair Value of Gross Best Estimate (Dollars in Thousands) Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30 $ 11,235 $ 14,086 $ 2,712 Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30 $ 180,220 $ 184,906 $ - Coastal Bankshares, Inc. On June 30, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of The Coastal Bankshares, Inc. (“Coastal”), a bank holding company headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Coastal was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger. At that time, Coastal’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, The Coastal Bank (“Coastal Bank”), was also merged with and into the Bank. The acquisition grew the Company’s existing market presence, as Coastal Bank had a total of six banking locations in Chatham, Liberty and Effingham Counties, Georgia. Coastal ’s common shareholders received 0.4671 1,598,998 34.5 2.8 The acquisition of Coastal was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Fair Value As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,895 $ - $ 3,895 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances 15,923 - 15,923 Investment securities 67,266 (500) (a) 66,766 Other investments 975 - 975 Mortgage loans held for sale 7,288 - 7,288 Loans 296,141 (16,700) (b) 279,441 Less allowance for loan losses (3,218) 3,218 (c) - Loans, net 292,923 (13,482) 279,441 Other real estate owned 14,992 (6,935) (d) 8,057 Premises and equipment 11,882 - 11,882 Intangible assets 507 4,035 (e) 4,542 Cash value of bank owned life insurance 7,812 - 7,812 Other assets 14,898 (601) (f) 14,297 Total assets $ 438,361 $ (17,483) $ 420,878 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 80,012 $ - $ 80,012 Interest-bearing 289,012 - 289,012 Total deposits 369,024 - 369,024 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase 5,428 - 5,428 Other borrowings 22,005 - 22,005 Other liabilities 6,192 - 6,192 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 15,465 (6,413) (g) 9,052 Total liabilities 418,114 (6,413) 411,701 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed 20,247 (11,070) 9,177 Goodwill - 28,093 28,093 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ 20,247 $ 17,023 $ 37,270 Consideration: Ameris Bancorp common shares issued 1,598,998 Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock $ 21.56 Company common stock issued 34,474 Cash exchanged for shares 2,796 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 37,270 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Coastal’s allowance for loan losses. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (f) Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (g) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date. Goodwill of $ 28.1 In the acquisition, the Company purchased $ 279.4 16.7 5.64 29.3 Contractually required principal and interest $ 38,194 Non-accretable difference (5,632) Cash flows expected to be collected 32,562 Accretable yield (3,282) Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $ 29,280 The results of operations of Merchants and Coastal subsequent to the respective acquisition dates are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Net interest income and noninterest income $ 266,710 $ 238,055 Net income $ 40,514 $ 41,806 Net income available to common stockholders $ 40,514 $ 41,520 Income per common share available to common stockholders – basic $ 1.28 $ 1.51 Income per common share available to common stockholders – diluted $ 1.26 $ 1.49 Average number of shares outstanding, basic 31,762 27,573 Average number of shares outstanding, diluted 32,127 27,858 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 674,239 $ 448,753 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (991) (84) Additions due to acquisitions 195,818 279,441 Accretion 10,590 9,745 Transfers to purchased non-covered other real estate owned (4,473) (4,160) Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration 50,568 15,475 Payments received (154,666) (74,931) Other 469 - Ending balance $ 771,554 $ 674,239 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 25,716 $ 26,189 Additions due to acquisitions 5,788 7,799 Accretion (10,590) (9,745) Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration 1,665 - Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs (1,768) - Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net 3,974 1,473 Ending balance $ 24,785 $ 25,716

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTE

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS	NOTE 4. ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS Bank Acquired Location: Branches: Date Acquired American United Bank (“AUB”) Lawrenceville, Ga. 1 October 23, 2009 United Security Bank (“USB”) Sparta, Ga. 2 November 6, 2009 Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”) St. Marys, Ga. 1 May 14, 2010 First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”) Jacksonville, Fl. 2 October 22, 2010 Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”) Tifton, Ga. 1 November 12, 2010 Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”) Vidalia, Ga. 7 November 12, 2010 High Trust Bank (“HTB”) Stockbridge, Ga. 2 July 15, 2011 One Georgia Bank (“OGB”) Atlanta, Ga. 1 July 15, 2011 Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”) Ellaville, Ga. 5 February 24, 2012 Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”) Ailey, Ga. 2 July 6, 2012 AUB USB SCB FBJ TBC DBT HTB OGB CBG MBT Assets acquired Cash $ 26,452 $ 41,490 $ (33,093) $ 10,669 $ 4,862 $ (58,158) $ 36,432 $ 1,585 $ 65,050 $ 155,466 Investment securities 10,242 8,335 10,814 7,343 7,060 105,562 14,770 28,891 39,920 - Federal funds sold - 2,605 12,661 5,690 - - - 5,070 - - Loans 56,482 83,646 68,751 40,454 92,568 261,340 84,732 74,843 124,782 1,218 Foreclosed property 2,165 8,069 2,012 1,816 3,472 22,026 10,272 7,242 6,177 - FDIC loss share asset 24,200 21,640 22,400 11,307 22,807 112,404 49,485 45,488 52,654 - Core deposit intangible 187 386 185 132 175 1,180 - - 1,149 - Other assets 1,266 3,001 612 298 1,092 3,957 1,772 2,933 3,457 183 Total assets acquired 120,994 169,172 84,342 77,709 132,036 448,311 197,463 166,052 293,189 156,867 Liabilities assumed Deposits 100,470 141,094 75,530 71,869 132,939 386,958 175,887 136,101 261,036 156,699 FHLB advances 7,802 1,504 - 2,613 - 2,724 - 21,107 10,334 - Other liabilities 277 453 604 842 53 54,418 2,654 899 1,782 168 Total liabilities assumed 108,549 143,051 76,134 75,324 132,992 444,100 178,541 158,107 273,152 156,867 Net assets acquired $ 12,445 $ 26,121 $ 8,208 $ 2,385 $ (956) $ 4,211 $ 18,922 $ 7,945 $ 20,037 $ - Each acquisition with loss-sharing agreements has separate agreements for the single family residential assets (“SFR”) and the non-single family assets (“NSF”). The SFR agreements cover losses and recoveries for ten years. The NSF agreements are for eight years. During the first five years, losses and recoveries are covered. During the final three years, only recoveries, net of expenses, are covered. The AUB SFR agreement was terminated during 2012 and Ameris received a payment of $ 87,000 FDIC loss- Total Less Fair Total Total share Less Fair Value covered value covered covered receivable Covered loans adjustments loans OREO adjustments OREO assets (payable) (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2015: AUB $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 111 USB 3,639 16 3,623 165 - 165 3,788 (1,424) SCB 5,228 124 5,104 - - - 5,104 149 FBJ 4,782 562 4,220 41 - 41 4,261 252 DBT 15,934 1,131 14,803 - - - 14,803 (1,084) TBC 2,159 11 2,148 - - - 2,148 1,446 HTB 44,405 3,881 40,524 2,433 643 1,790 42,314 3,875 OGB 27,561 1,900 25,661 160 - 160 25,821 913 CBG 44,865 3,419 41,446 3,139 284 2,855 44,301 2,063 Total $ 148,573 $ 11,044 $ 137,529 $ 5,938 $ 927 $ 5,011 $ 142,540 $ 6,301 As of December 31, 2014: AUB $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 188 USB 4,350 150 4,200 165 - 165 4,365 (1,197) SCB 26,686 602 26,084 2,849 389 2,460 28,544 1,828 FBJ 21,243 1,825 19,418 632 0 632 20,050 1,885 DBT 64,338 6,437 57,901 6,655 514 6,141 64,042 6,860 TBC 23,487 1,117 22,370 2,388 367 2,021 24,391 3,287 HTB 52,699 5,120 47,579 3,670 1,283 2,387 49,966 6,459 OGB 42,971 3,785 39,186 2,244 39 2,205 41,391 3,906 CBG 60,950 6,409 54,541 4,805 909 3,896 58,437 8,135 Total $ 296,724 $ 25,445 $ 271,279 $ 23,408 $ 3,501 $ 19,907 $ 291,186 $ 31,351 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 271,279 $ 390,237 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (5,558) (9,255) Accretion 9,658 22,188 Transfers to covered other real estate owned (7,910) (13,650) Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss share expiration (50,568) (15,475) Payments received (79,372) (102,996) Other - 230 Ending balance $ 137,529 $ 271,279 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 15,578 $ 25,493 Accretion (9,658) (22,188) Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss share expiration (1,665) - Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net 4,808 12,273 Balance, end of year $ 9,063 $ 15,578 The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has recorded a clawback liability of $ 8.2 6.2 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Beginning balance $ 31,351 $ 65,441 Payments received from FDIC (19,273) (22,494) Amortization, net (8,878) (18,449) Change in clawback liability (2,008) (1,222) Increase in receivable due to: Charge-offs on covered loans 416 3,372 Write downs of covered other real estate owned 4,752 4,771 Reimbursable expenses on covered assets 2,582 1,078 Other activity, net (2,641) (1,146) Ending balance $ 6,301 $ 31,351

SECURITIES

SECURITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
SECURITIES	NOTE 5. SECURITIES Amortized Gross Gross Estimated Fair (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2015: U.S. Government sponsored agencies $ 14,959 $ - $ (69) $ 14,890 State, county and municipal securities 157,681 4,046 (411) 161,316 Corporate debt securities 5,900 145 (28) 6,017 Mortgage-backed securities 599,721 3,945 (2,704) 600,962 Total debt securities $ 778,261 $ 8,136 $ (3,212) $ 783,185 December 31, 2014: U.S. Government sponsored agencies $ 14,953 $ - $ (275) $ 14,678 State, county and municipal securities 137,873 3,935 (433) 141,375 Corporate debt securities 10,812 228 - 11,040 Mortgage-backed securities 369,581 6,534 (1,403) 374,712 Total debt securities $ 533,219 $ 10,697 $ (2,111) $ 541,805 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total Description of Securities Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2015: U. S. Government sponsored agencies $ 9,932 $ (27) $ 4,958 $ (42) $ 14,890 $ (69) State, county and municipal securities 19,293 (199) 11,557 (212) 30,850 (411) Corporate debt securities 1,383 (28) - - 1,383 (28) Mortgage-backed securities 263,281 (1,950) 29,950 (754) 293,231 (2,704) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 293,889 $ (2,204) $ 46,465 $ (1,008) $ 340,354 $ (3,212) December 31, 2014: U. S. Government sponsored agencies $ - $ - $ 14,678 $ (275) $ 14,678 $ (275) State, county and municipal securities 15,038 (70) 19,665 (363) 34,703 (433) Corporate debt securities - - - - - - Mortgage-backed securities 36,760 (221) 46,812 (1,182) 83,572 (1,403) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 51,798 $ (291) $ 81,155 $ (1,820) $ 132,953 $ (2,111) As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s security portfolio consisted of 365 126 At December 31, 2015, the Company held 100 At December 31, 2015, the Company held 20 During 2015 and 2014, the Company received timely and current interest and principal payments on all of the securities classified as corporate debt securities. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company received all interest payments due on a security that had previously deferred interest since the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company’s investments in subordinated debt include investments in regional and super-regional banks on which the Company prepares regular analysis through review of financial information or credit ratings. Investments in preferred securities are also concentrated in the preferred obligations of regional and super-regional banks through non-pooled investment structures. The Company did not have investments in “pooled” trust preferred securities at December 31, 2015 or 2014. Management and the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. While the majority of the unrealized losses on debt securities relate to changes in interest rates, corporate debt securities have also been affected by reduced levels of liquidity and higher risk premiums. Occasionally, management engages independent third parties to evaluate the Company’s position in certain corporate debt securities to aid management and the ALCO Committee in its determination regarding the status of impairment. The Company believes that each investment poses minimal credit risk and further, that the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore, at December 31, 2015, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than-temporary basis. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were obligations of government-sponsored agencies. Amortized Estimated (Dollars in Thousands) Due in one year or less $ 5,405 $ 5,421 Due from one year to five years 51,716 53,081 Due from five to ten years 62,296 63,868 Due after ten years 59,123 59,853 Mortgage-backed securities 599,721 600,962 $ 778,261 $ 783,185 Securities with a carrying value of approximately $ 551.0 286.6 December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Gross gains on sales of securities $ 396 $ 141 $ 353 Gross losses on sales of securities (259) (3) (182) Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $ 137 $ 138 $ 171

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LO

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	NOTE 6. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Loans The Bank engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The Bank also purchased loan pools during 2015 collateralized by properties located outside our Southeast markets, specifically in California, Washington and Illinois. The Bank concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond the Company’s control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio. A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate in the Bank’s primary market area. In addition, a substantial portion of the OREO is located in those same markets. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio and the recovery of a substantial portion of the carrying amount of OREO are susceptible to changes in real estate conditions in the Bank’s primary market area. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production, and other business purposes. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Company evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans. Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, construction of one-to-four family home residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. The Company's residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank's market areas. Consumer installment loans and other loans include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default. Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 449,623 $ 319,654 Real estate – construction & development 244,693 161,507 Real estate – commercial & farmland 1,104,991 907,524 Real estate – residential 570,430 456,106 Consumer installment 31,125 30,782 Other 6,015 14,308 2,406,877 1,889,881 Allowance for loan losses 20,481 21,157 Loans, net $ 2,386,396 $ 1,868,724 Purchased non-covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in bank acquisitions that are not covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Loans that were previously classified as covered loans where the loss-sharing agreements have expired are also included in purchased non-covered loans. Purchased non-covered loans totaling $ 771.6 674.2 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 45,462 $ 38,041 Real estate – construction & development 72,080 58,362 Real estate – commercial & farmland 390,755 306,706 Real estate – residential 258,153 266,342 Consumer installment loans 5,104 4,788 $ 771,554 $ 674,239 Purchased loan pools are defined as groups of loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions. As of December 31, 2015, purchased loan pools totaled $ 593.0 580.7 12.3 581,000 Covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Covered loans totaling $ 137.5 271.3 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 5,546 $ 21,467 Real estate – construction & development 7,612 23,447 Real estate – commercial & farmland 71,226 147,627 Real estate – residential 53,038 78,520 Consumer installment loans 107 218 $ 137,529 $ 271,279 Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans A loan is placed on non-accrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged to interest income. Interest on loans that are classified as non-accrual is subsequently applied to principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Past due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 30 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 1,302 $ 1,672 Real estate – construction & development 1,812 3,774 Real estate – commercial & farmland 7,019 8,141 Real estate – residential 6,278 7,663 Consumer installment loans 449 478 $ 16,860 $ 21,728 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 1,064 $ 175 Real estate – construction & development 1,106 1,119 Real estate – commercial & farmland 4,920 10,242 Real estate – residential 6,168 6,644 Consumer installment loans 72 69 $ 13,330 $ 18,249 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 2,803 $ 8,541 Real estate – construction & development 1,701 7,601 Real estate – commercial & farmland 5,034 12,584 Real estate – residential 3,663 6,595 Consumer installment loans 37 91 $ 13,238 $ 35,412 Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 568 $ 271 $ 835 $ 1,674 $ 447,949 $ 449,623 $ - Real estate – construction & development 1,413 261 1,739 3,413 241,280 244,693 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 1,781 641 6,912 9,334 1,095,657 1,104,991 - Real estate – residential 3,806 2,120 5,121 11,047 559,383 570,430 - Consumer installment loans 374 188 238 800 30,325 31,125 - Other - - - - 6,015 6,015 - Total $ 7,942 $ 3,481 $ 14,845 $ 26,268 $ 2,380,609 $ 2,406,877 $ - Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 900 $ 233 $ 1,577 $ 2,710 $ 316,944 $ 319,654 $ - Real estate – construction & development 1,382 286 3,367 5,035 156,472 161,507 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,859 635 7,668 11,162 896,362 907,524 - Real estate – residential 3,953 2,334 6,755 13,042 443,064 456,106 - Consumer installment loans 634 158 366 1,158 29,624 30,782 1 Other - - - - 14,308 14,308 - Total $ 9,728 $ 3,646 $ 19,733 $ 33,107 $ 1,856,774 $ 1,889,881 $ 1 Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 248 $ 13 $ 846 $ 1,107 $ 44,355 $ 45,462 $ - Real estate – construction & development 416 687 420 1,523 70,557 72,080 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,479 1,629 3,347 7,455 383,300 390,755 - Real estate – residential 4,965 2,176 4,928 12,069 246,084 258,153 - Consumer installment loans 31 9 70 110 4,994 5,104 - Total $ 8,139 $ 4,514 $ 9,611 $ 22,264 $ 749,290 $ 771,554 $ - Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 461 $ 90 $ 175 $ 726 $ 37,315 $ 38,041 $ - Real estate – construction & development 790 1,735 1,117 3,642 54,720 58,362 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,107 1,194 9,529 12,830 293,876 306,706 - Real estate – residential 6,907 1,401 6,369 14,677 251,665 266,342 - Consumer installment loans 82 - 65 147 4,641 4,788 - Total $ 10,347 $ 4,420 $ 17,255 $ 32,022 $ 642,217 $ 674,239 $ - Loans Loans Loans Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ - $ - $ 2,802 $ 2,802 $ 2,744 $ 5,546 $ - Real estate – construction & development 96 - 1,633 1,729 5,883 7,612 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 170 205 3,064 3,439 67,787 71,226 - Real estate – residential 2,155 1,001 2,658 5,814 47,224 53,038 - Consumer installment loans - - 37 37 70 107 - Total $ 2,421 $ 1,206 $ 10,194 $ 13,821 $ 123,708 $ 137,529 $ - Loans Loans Loans Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 451 $ 136 $ 1,878 $ 2,465 $ 19,002 $ 21,467 $ - Real estate – construction & development 238 226 6,703 7,167 16,280 23,447 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 4,371 1,486 7,711 13,568 134,059 147,627 714 Real estate – residential 3,464 962 5,656 10,082 68,438 78,520 - Consumer installment loans 10 - 91 101 117 218 - Total $ 8,534 $ 2,810 $ 22,039 $ 33,383 $ 237,896 $ 271,279 $ 714 Impaired Loans Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual status and accruing troubled debt restructurings. When determining if the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considers the borrower’s capacity to pay, which includes such factors as the borrower’s current financial statements, an analysis of global cash flow sufficient to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantor support and collateral value. The Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans greater than $ 200,000 100,000 As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 16,860 $ 21,728 $ 29,203 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 14,418 12,759 17,214 Total impaired loans $ 31,278 $ 34,487 $ 46,417 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 909 $ 1,991 $ 1,938 Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,204 $ 1,491 $ 1,784 The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,062 $ 158 $ 1,385 $ 1,543 $ 135 $ 2,275 Real estate – construction & development 3,581 230 2,374 2,604 774 3,228 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14,385 6,702 6,083 12,785 1,067 15,105 Real estate – residential 15,809 1,621 12,230 13,851 2,224 11,977 Consumer installment loans 592 - 495 495 9 488 Total $ 37,429 $ 8,711 $ 22,567 $ 31,278 $ 4,209 $ 33,073 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,387 $ 6 $ 1,956 $ 1,962 $ 395 $ 3,021 Real estate – construction & development 8,325 448 4,005 4,453 771 5,368 Real estate – commercial & farmland 17,514 4,967 9,651 14,618 1,859 15,972 Real estate – residential 15,571 3,514 9,407 12,921 974 16,317 Consumer installment loans 618 - 533 533 9 519 Total $ 45,415 $ 8,935 $ 25,552 $ 34,487 $ 4,008 $ 41,197 During 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $ 751,000 843,000 1.5 237,000 84,000 As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 13,330 $ 18,249 $ 6,659 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 9,373 1,212 5,938 Total impaired loans $ 22,703 $ 19,461 $ 12,597 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 785 $ 109 $ - Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,365 $ 1,759 $ - The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to purchased non-covered impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,103 $ 1,066 $ - $ 1,066 $ - $ 392 Real estate – construction & development 8,987 1,469 - 1,469 - 1,429 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14,999 11,134 - 11,134 - 10,806 Real estate – residential 14,946 8,957 - 8,957 - 8,067 Consumer installment loans 94 77 - 77 - 65 Total $ 42,129 $ 22,703 $ - $ 22,703 $ - $ 20,759 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 499 $ 175 $ - $ 175 $ - $ 165 Real estate – construction & development 2,210 1,436 - 1,436 - 1,643 Real estate – commercial & farmland 13,520 10,588 - 10,588 - 7,484 Real estate – residential 10,487 7,191 - 7,191 - 7,084 Consumer installment loans 169 71 - 71 - 68 Total $ 26,885 $ 19,461 $ - $ 19,461 $ - $ 16,444 As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 13,238 $ 35,412 $ 69,152 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 13,283 22,619 22,243 Total impaired loans $ 26,521 $ 58,031 $ 91,395 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 886 $ 1,134 $ 968 Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,596 $ 3,123 $ 4,674 The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to covered impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 5,188 $ 2,802 $ - $ 2,802 $ - $ 7,408 Real estate – construction & development 15,119 2,480 - 2,480 - 6,906 Real estate – commercial & farmland 20,508 7,001 - 7,001 - 18,504 Real estate – residential 15,830 14,192 - 14,192 - 16,010 Consumer installment loans 60 46 - 46 - 86 Total $ 56,705 $ 26,521 $ - $ 26,521 $ - $ 48,914 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 10,845 $ 8,582 $ - $ 8,582 $ - $ 9,777 Real estate – construction & development 11,621 10,638 - 10,638 - 14,132 Real estate – commercial & farmland 23,349 20,663 - 20,663 - 28,594 Real estate – residential 19,629 18,054 - 18,054 - 21,091 Consumer installment loans 111 94 - 94 - 163 Total $ 65,555 $ 58,031 $ - $ 58,031 $ - $ 73,757 Credit Quality Indicators The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. Following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades: Grade 10 – Prime Credit – This grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents. Grade 15 – Good Credit – This grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of a Satisfactory Credit Grade 20 – Satisfactory Credit – This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay. Grade 23 – Performing, Under-Collateralized Credit – This grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity, but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110 Grade 25 – Minimum Acceptable Credit – This grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of a Satisfactory Credit Grade 30 – Other Asset Especially Mentioned – This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Grade 40 – Substandard – This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values. Grade 50 – Doubtful – This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable. Grade 60 – Loss – This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loss has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off. As of December 31, 2015: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 241,721 $ 294 $ 116 $ 1,606 $ 6,872 $ - $ 250,609 15 28,420 2,074 117,880 78,165 1,191 - 227,730 20 97,142 46,221 685,538 369,624 19,780 6,015 1,224,320 23 559 7,827 13,073 6,112 36 - 27,607 25 77,829 183,512 254,012 91,465 2,595 - 609,413 30 1,492 1,620 13,821 7,347 143 - 24,423 40 2,460 3,145 20,551 16,111 506 - 42,773 50 - - - - - - - 60 - - - - 2 - 2 Total $ 449,623 $ 244,693 $ 1,104,991 $ 570,430 $ 31,125 $ 6,015 $ 2,406,877 As of December 31, 2014: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 121,355 $ 268 $ 155 $ 226 $ 6,573 $ - $ 128,577 15 25,318 4,010 128,170 59,301 1,005 - 217,804 20 100,599 47,541 511,198 256,758 17,544 14,308 947,948 23 56 8,933 10,507 9,672 37 - 29,205 25 62,519 93,514 224,464 102,998 4,692 - 488,187 30 3,758 1,474 13,035 7,459 257 - 25,983 40 6,049 5,767 19,995 19,692 673 - 52,176 50 - - - - 1 - 1 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 319,654 $ 161,507 $ 907,524 $ 456,106 $ 30,782 $ 14,308 $ 1,889,881 As of December 31, 2015: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 8,592 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,010 $ - $ 9,602 15 1,186 1,143 10,490 37,808 541 - 51,168 20 10,057 13,678 183,219 128,005 2,031 - 336,990 23 - 438 5,177 6,414 - - 12,029 25 17,565 47,517 162,253 66,166 1,328 - 294,829 30 6,657 4,185 14,297 5,503 51 - 30,693 40 1,373 5,119 15,319 14,257 143 - 36,211 50 30 - - - - - 30 60 2 - - - - - 2 Total $ 45,462 $ 72,080 $ 390,755 $ 258,153 $ 5,104 $ - $ 771,554 As of December 31, 2014: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer installment Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 6,624 $ - $ - $ 290 $ 480 $ - $ 7,394 15 1,376 522 13,277 14,051 501 - 29,727 20 13,657 12,991 116,308 64,083 1,647 - 208,686 23 73 - 3,207 3,298 - - 6,578 25 13,753 36,230 144,293 164,959 1,920 - 361,155 30 1,618 4,365 12,279 7,444 41 - 25,747 40 910 4,254 17,342 12,184 199 - 34,889 50 30 - - 33 - - 63 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 38,041 $ 58,362 $ 306,706 $ 266,342 $ 4,788 $ - $ 674,239 As of December 31, 2015: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - 15 - - - - - - - 20 93 800 11,698 10,040 - - 23,631 23 52 - 2,957 5,723 - - 8,732 25 2,594 3,907 38,741 24,345 11 - 69,598 30 5 828 2,857 4,552 - - 8,242 40 2,802 2,077 14,973 8,378 96 - 28,326 50 - - - - - - - 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 5,546 $ 7,612 $ 71,226 $ 53,038 $ 107 $ - $ 137,529 As of December 31, 2014: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 15 - 1 761 525 - - 1,287 20 917 3,184 23,167 14,089 77 - 41,434 23 164 537 11,404 6,642 - - 18,747 25 5,181 9,406 80,334 33,124 37 - 128,082 30 4,808 2,753 5,302 8,050 - - 20,913 40 10,397 7,566 26,659 16,090 104 - 60,816 50 - - - - - - - 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 21,467 $ 23,447 $ 147,627 $ 78,520 $ 218 $ - $ 271,279 Troubled Debt Restructurings The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms. The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition. The Company’s policy states in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time that the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest, or (ii) when it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment, approved by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed as troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in 2015 and 2014 totaling $ 96.5 29.1 As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a balance of $ 16.4 15.3 1.3 2.2 2.7 231,000 During the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company modified loans as troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, with principal balances of $ 7.3 2.8 1.4 232,000 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 7 $ 80 6 $ 100 Real estate – construction & development 2 15 5 264 Real estate – commercial & farmland 2 2,121 5 1,082 Real estate – residential 33 4,992 20 1,309 Consumer installment 16 61 16 67 Total 60 $ 7,269 52 $ 2,822 Troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, with an outstanding balance of $ 2.2 1.2 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 3 $ 37 1 $ 236 Real estate – construction & development 2 33 1 33 Real estate – commercial & farmland 3 624 2 570 Real estate – residential 20 1,493 6 314 Consumer installment 9 45 4 61 Total 37 $ 2,232 14 $ 1,214 As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 4 $ 240 10 $ 110 Real estate – construction & development 11 792 3 63 Real estate – commercial & farmland 16 5,766 3 596 Real estate – residential 51 7,574 20 1,123 Consumer installment 12 46 23 94 Total 94 $ 14,418 59 $ 1,986 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 6 $ 290 2 $ 13 Real estate – construction & development 9 679 5 228 Real estate – commercial & farmland 19 6,477 3 724 Real estate – residential 47 5,258 11 1,485 Consumer installment 11 55 11 73 Total 92 $ 12,759 32 $ 2,523 As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a balance of $ 10.0 1.2 377,000 29,000 During the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company modified purchased non-covered loans as troubled debt restructurings, with principal balances of $ 2.7 1.2 6.7 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 2 $ 21 - $ - Real estate – construction & development 2 30 1 317 Real estate – commercial & farmland 5 1,051 1 346 Real estate – residential 8 1,541 7 571 Consumer installment 3 8 1 2 Total 20 $ 2,651 10 $ 1,236 Troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans with an outstanding balance of $ 883,000 411,000 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - - $ - Real estate – construction & development 2 30 1 317 Real estate – commercial & farmland 2 57 - - Real estate – residential 6 795 2 91 Consumer installment 1 1 1 2 Total 11 $ 883 4 $ 411 As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 1 $ 2 2 $ 21 Real estate – construction & development 1 363 3 42 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14 6,214 3 412 Real estate – residential 13 2,789 4 180 Consumer installment 2 5 2 3 Total 31 $ 9,373 14 $ 658 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - - $ - Real estate – construction & development 1 317 - - Real estate – commercial & farmland 1 346 - - Real estate – residential 6 547 1 25 Consumer installment 1 2 - - Total 9 $ 1,212 1 $ 25 As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a balance of $ 15.5 24.6 1.2 1.8 During the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company modified covered loans as troubled debt restructurings, with principal balances of $ 2.2 4.3 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 1 $ 1 - $ - Real estate – construction & development 3 334 1 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 3 1,099 7 2,489 Real estate – residential 23 745 23 1,838 Consumer installment 1 8 - - Total 31 $ 2,187 31 $ 4,327 Troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans with an outstanding balance of $ 1.3 1.6 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - - $ - Real estate – construction & development - - 1 14 Real estate – commercial & farmland 2 145 1 79 Real estate – residential 16 1,190 17 1,509 Consumer installment - - - - Total 18 $ 1,335 19 $ 1,602 As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - 2 $ 1 Real estate – construction & development 4 779 - - Real estate – commercial & farmland 4 1,967 3 1,067 Real estate – residential 97 10,529 26 1,116 Consumer installment 2 8 - - Total 107 $ 13,283 31 $ 2,184 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 2 $ 40 2 $ - Real estate – construction & development 4 3,037 2 29 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14 8,079 5 1,082 Real estate – residential 96 11,460 8 831 Consumer installment 1 3 - - Total 117 $ 22,619 17 $ 1,942 Related Party Loans In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to certain directors and their affiliates. Company policy prohibits loans to executive officers. December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 4,403 $ 5,565 Advances 162 78 Repayments (674) (1,240) Transactions due to changes in related parties (73) - Balance, end of year $ 3,818 $ 4,403 Allowance for Loan Losses Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covered Total (Dollars in Thousands) Twelve months ended December 31, 2015: Balance, January 1, 2015 $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Provision for loan losses (73) 278 1,221 2,067 676 344 751 5,264 Loans charged off (1,438) (622) (2,367) (1,587) (410) (950) (1,759) (9,133) Recoveries of loans previously charged off 651 323 317 151 137 1,187 1,008 3,774 Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 1,144 $ 5,009 $ 7,994 $ 4,760 $ 1,574 $ 581 $ - $ 21,062 Period-end amount allocated to: Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 126 $ 759 $ 1,074 $ 2,172 $ - $ - $ - $ 4,131 Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,018 4,250 6,920 2,588 1,574 581 - 16,931 Ending balance $ 1,144 $ 5,009 $ 7,994 $ 4,760 $ 1,574 $ 581 $ - $ 21,062 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 323 $ 1,958 $ 11,877 $ 9,554 $ - $ - $ - $ 23,712 Collectively evaluated for impairment 449,300 242,735 1,093,114 560,876 37,140 1,261,821 52,451 3,697,437 Acquired with deteriorated credit quality - - - - - 102,696 85,078 187,774 Ending balance $ 449,623 $ 244,693 $ 1,104,991 $ 570,430 $ 37,140 $ 1,364,517 $ 137,529 $ 3,908,923 Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covered Total (Dollars in Thousands) Twelve months ended December 31, 2014: Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ - $ - $ 22,377 Provision for loan losses 1,427 (265) 3,444 (452) 567 84 843 5,648 Loans charged off (1,567) (592) (3,288) (1,707) (471) (84) (1,851) (9,560) Recoveries of loans previously charged off 321 349 274 254 486 - 1,008 2,692 Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Period-end amount allocated to: Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 375 $ 743 $ 1,861 $ 911 $ - $ - $ - $ 3,890 Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,629 4,287 6,962 3,218 1,171 - - 17,267 Ending balance $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 490 $ 3,709 $ 14,546 $ 8,904 $ - $ - $ - $ 27,649 Collectively evaluated for impairment 319,164 157,798 892,978 447,202 45,090 579,172 122,248 2,563,652 Acquired with deteriorated credit quality - - - - - 95,067 149,031 244,098 Ending balance $ 319,654 $ 161,507 $ 907,524 $ 456,106 $ 45,090 $ 674,239 $ 271,279 $ 2,835,399 Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covere

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED	NOTE 7. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 33,160 $ 33,351 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 11,261 11,972 Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs (9,971) (4,585) Sales proceeds (18,303) (7,578) Ending balance $ 16,147 $ 33,160 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 15,585 $ 4,276 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 4,473 4,160 Acquired in acquisitions 2,160 8,864 Transfer from covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration 3,148 1,226 Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs 201 828 Sales proceeds (11,234) (3,769) Ending balance $ 14,333 $ 15,585 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 19,907 $ 45,893 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 7,910 13,650 Transfer to purchased, non-covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration (3,148) (1,226) Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs (5,926) (5,965) Sales proceeds (13,732) (32,445) Ending balance $ 5,011 $ 19,907

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	NOTE 8. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Land $ 38,806 $ 31,709 Buildings 94,310 79,692 Furniture and equipment 48,140 41,472 Construction in progress 1,393 971 182,649 153,844 Accumulated depreciation (61,010) (56,593) $ 121,639 $ 97,251 Estimated costs to complete construction projects in progress were less than $ 1.5 8.1 6.6 4.8 Leases The Company has various operating leases with unrelated parties on 29 Rental expense amounted to approximately $ 2,962,867 2,189,000 1,777,000 2016 $ 2,999,694 2017 3,059,886 2018 2,685,184 2019 2,295,477 2020 2,074,955 Thereafter 1,508,542 $ 14,623,738

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS The Company recorded $ 11,210,000 14,700,000 27,437,000 656,000 28,093,000 The Company recorded a core deposit intangible asset of $ 8,636,000 3,943,000 4,542,000 As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated (Dollars in Thousands) Amortized intangible assets - core deposit premiums $ 39,328 $ 22,270 $ 26,749 $ 18,528 The aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $ 3,741,000 2,330,000 1,414,000 2016 $ 3,721 2017 3,223 2018 3,072 2019 3,072 2020 2,430 Thereafter 1,540 $ 17,058

DEPOSITS

DEPOSITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
DEPOSITS	NOTE 10. DEPOSITS The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $250,000 or more at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $ 131.5 135.1 (Dollars in 2016 $ 673,108 2017 101,996 2018 28,531 2019 12,674 2020 17,622 Thereafter 4,475 $ 838,406 The Company did not have any brokered deposits at December 31, 2015 and 2014. Deposits from principal officers, directors, and their affiliates at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $ 7,098,000 6,018,000

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHAS

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS	NOTE 11. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Company classifies the sales of securities under agreements to repurchase as short-term borrowings. The amounts received under these agreements are reflected as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the securities underlying these agreements are included in investment securities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all securities sold under agreements to repurchase mature on a daily basis. The market value of the securities fluctuate on a daily basis due to market conditions. The Company monitors the market value of the securities underlying these agreements on a daily basis and is required to transfer additional securities if the market value of the securities fall below the repurchase agreement price. The Company maintains an unpledged securities portfolio that it believes is sufficient to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase. As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Average daily balance during the year $ 50,988 $ 47,136 $ 26,908 Average interest rate during the year 0.34 % 0.35 % 0.54 % Maximum month-end balance during the year $ 68,300 $ 73,310 $ 83,516 Weighted average interest rate at year-end 0.30 % 0.31 % 0.57 % The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase at December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, December 31, Securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 63,585 $ 73,310 Total $ 63,585 $ 73,310 At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the investment securities underlying these agreements were all mortgage-backed securities.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company has established a retirement plan for eligible employees. The Ameris Bancorp 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan allows a participant to defer a portion of his compensation and provides that the Company will match a portion of the deferred compensation. The Plan also provides for non-elective and discretionary contributions. All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Plan provided they have met the eligibility requirements. Generally, a participant must have completed 12 1,000 21 The aggregate expense under the plan charged to operations during 2015, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $ 1,430,000 1,160,000 839,000

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS	NOTE 13. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS The Company and the Bank have entered into separate deferred compensation arrangements and supplemental executive retirement plans with certain executive officers and directors. The plans call for certain amounts payable at retirement, death or disability. The estimated present value of the deferred compensation is being accrued over the expected service period. The Company and the Bank have purchased life insurance policies which they intend to use to fund these liabilities. The cash surrender value of the life insurance was $ 64.3 58.9 991,000 655,000 2,443,000 1,594,000 849,000 743,000 601,000

OTHER BORROWINGS

OTHER BORROWINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER BORROWINGS	NOTE 14. OTHER BORROWINGS December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Daily Rate Credit from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.36%. $ - $ 35,000 Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (3.92% at December 31, 2015 and 3.73% at December 31, 2014) due in August 2016, secured by subsidiary bank stock. 24,000 24,000 Advance from correspondent bank with a fixed interest rate of 4.50%, due November 27, 2017, secured by subsidiary bank loan receivable. - 4,881 Subordinated debt issued by The Prosperity Banking Company due September 2016 with an interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.75% (2.28% at December 31, 2015 and 1.99% at December 31, 2014). 15,000 15,000 $ 39,000 $ 78,881 The contractual balance of the subordinated debt issued by The Prosperity Banking Company is $ 15.0 The advances from the FHLB are collateralized by a blanket lien on all eligible first mortgage loans and other specific loans in addition to FHLB stock. At December 31, 2015, $ 325.9 At December 31, 2015, $ 16.0 As of December 31, 2015, the Company maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $ 55 The Company also participates in the Federal Reserve discount window borrowings. At December 31, 2015, the Company had $ 708.4 474.8

PREFERRED STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
PREFERRED STOCK	NOTE 15. PREFERRED STOCK On November 21, 2008, Ameris sold 52,000 679,443 52 48.98 3.02 The preferred stock qualified as Tier I capital and paid cumulative dividends at a rate of 5 first five years 9 1,000 On June 14, 2012, the preferred stock was sold by the Treasury through a registered public offering. The sale of the preferred stock to new investors did not result in any accounting entries and did not change the Company’s capital position. On August 22, 2012, the Company repurchased the warrant from the Treasury for $ 2.67 24,000 28,000 28,000

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Current – federal $ 15,215 $ 10,499 $ 5,237 Current - state 1,026 467 505 Deferred - federal (344) 6,516 3,543 $ 15,897 $ 17,482 $ 9,285 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Tax at federal income tax rate $ 19,860 $ 19,672 $ 10,256 Change resulting from: Tax-exempt interest (2,490) (1,647) (841) Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance (484) (568) (446) State income tax, net of federal benefit 667 304 328 Other (1,656) (279) (12) Provision for income taxes $ 15,897 $ 17,482 $ 9,285 Net deferred income tax assets of $ 19,459,000 17,784,000 December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for loan losses $ 7,372 $ 7,405 Deferred compensation 1,202 787 Deferred gain on interest rate swap 381 477 Unrealized loss on interest rate swap 504 460 Nonaccrual interest 49 153 Purchase accounting adjustments 10,825 13,241 Goodwill and intangible assets 9,357 9,565 Other real estate owned 8,597 8,982 Net operating loss tax carryforward 11,179 12,146 Capitalized costs, accrued expenses and other 200 1,469 49,666 54,685 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization 5,591 4,821 Mortgage servicing rights 715 539 Subordinated debentures 7,732 7,159 FDIC-assisted transaction adjustments 14,446 21,372 Unrealized gain on securities available for sale 1,723 3,010 30,207 36,901 Net deferred tax asset $ 19,459 $ 17,784 At December 31, 2015, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 31.90 34.0 The Company did not record any interest and penalties related to income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the Company did not have any amount accrued for interest and penalties at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the various states. The Company is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2012.

SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTERES

SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES	NOTE 17. SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES During 2005, the Company acquired First National Banc Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust subsidiary of First National Banc, Inc., whose sole purpose was to issue $ 5,000,000 2.80 3.13 30 5,000,000 5,155,000 155,000 During 2006, the Company formed Ameris Statutory Trust I, issuing trust preferred certificates in the aggregate principal amount of $ 36,000,000 37,114,000 1.63 2.14 1,114,000 During 2013, the Company acquired Prosperity Banking Capital Trust I, a statutory trust subsidiary of Prosperity, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 5,000,000 2.57 3.17 30 5,000,000 5,155,000 3,260,000 155,000 During 2013, the Company acquired Prosperity Bank Statutory Trust II, a statutory trust subsidiary of Prosperity, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 4,500,000 3.15 3.75 30 4,500,000 4,640,000 3,275,000 140,000 During 2013, the Company acquired Prosperity Bank Statutory Trust III, a statutory trust subsidiary of Prosperity, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 10,000,000 1.60 2.11 30 10,000,000 10,310,000 5,230,000 310,000 During 2013, the Company acquired Prosperity Bank Statutory Trust IV, a statutory trust subsidiary of Prosperity, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 10,000,000 1.54 2.05 30 5,000,000 5,155,000 2,730,000 310,000 During 2014, the Company acquired Coastal Bankshares Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust subsidiary of Coastal, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 5,000,000 3.15 3.47 30 5,000,000 5,155,000 3,781,000 155,000 During 2014, the Company acquired Coastal Bankshares Statutory Trust II, a statutory trust subsidiary of Coastal, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 10,000,000 1.60 2.11 30 10,000,000 10,310,000 5,747,000 310,000 During 2015, the Company acquired Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust subsidiary of Merchants, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 3,000,000 1.90 2.43 30 3,000,000 3,093,000 1,878,000 93,000 During 2015, the Company acquired Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust II, a statutory trust subsidiary of Merchants, whose sole purpose was to issue $ 3,000,000 1.50 2.01 30 3,000,000 3,093,000 1,704,000 93,000 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 income. For regulatory capital purposes, the trust preferred securities qualify as a component of Tier 1 Capital.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	NOTE 18. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company awards its employees and directors various forms of stock-based incentives under certain plans approved by its shareholders. Awards granted under the plans may be in the form of qualified or nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), long-term incentive compensation units consisting of cash and common stock, or any combination thereof within the limitations set forth in the plans. The plans provide that the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock which may be subject to award may not exceed 2,985,000 1,120,000 All stock options have an exercise price that is equal to the closing fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date the options were granted. Options granted under the plans generally vest over a five 10 Most options granted since 2005 contain performance-based vesting conditions. The Company did not grant any options during 2015, 2014 or 2013. As of December 31, 2015, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted related to performance or non-performance-based options. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has 285,326 three five 1,485,000 2,058,000 1,041,000 1,069,000 861,000 152,000 It is the Company’s policy to issue new shares for stock option exercises and restricted stock rather than issue treasury shares. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ related vesting term. The Company did not record any stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during 2015, 2014 and 2013. The total income tax benefit related to stock options was approximately $ 102,000 49,000 The fair value of each stock-based compensation grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Shares Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Shares Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Under option, beginning of year 88,111 $ 18.00 359,331 $ 16.74 Granted - - - - Exercised (15,628) 15.47 $ 242 (59,507) 15.39 $ 916 Forfeited - - (75,691) 17.37 Under option, end of year 72,483 $ 18.55 2.13 $ 1,331 224,132 $ 16.92 1.80 $ 3,697 Exercisable at end of year 72,483 $ 18.55 2.13 $ 1,331 189,587 $ 15.91 2.06 $ 3,252 A summary of the activity of non- performance-based and performance-based options as of December 31, 2014 is presented below: Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Average Average Intrinsic Average Average Intrinsic Exercise Contractual Value Exercise Contractual Value Shares Price Term $ (000) Shares Price Term $ (000) Under option, beginning of year 115,459 $ 17.24 371,000 $ 16.76 Granted - - - - Exercised (25,395) 14.81 $ 148 (6,477) 11.05 $ 72 Forfeited (1,953) 14.88 (5,192) 25.51 Under option, end of year 88,111 $ 18.00 2.71 $ 884 359,331 $ 16.74 2.11 $ 2,955 Exercisable at end of year 88,111 $ 18.00 2.71 $ 884 341,030 $ 17.23 2.00 $ 2,629 A summary of the activity of non- performance-based and performance-based options as of December 31, 2013 is presented below: Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Average Average Intrinsic Average Average Intrinsic Exercise Contractual Value Exercise Contractual Value Shares Price Term $ (000) Shares Price Term $ (000) Under option, beginning of year 148,498 $ 16.37 391,321 $ 16.43 Granted - - - - Exercised (27,657) 13.29 $ 107 (4,524) 7.47 $ 42 Forfeited (5,382) 13.43 (15,797) 13.22 Under option, end of year 115,459 $ 17.24 3.04 $ 641 371,000 $ 16.76 3.12 $ 1,401 Exercisable at end of year 115,459 $ 17.24 3.04 $ 641 351,856 $ 17.27 3.01 $ 1,145 2015 2014 2013 Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Average Grant-Date Grant-Date Grant-Date Shares Fair Value Shares Fair Value Shares Fair Value Nonvested shares at beginning of year 323,151 $ 13.46 377,725 $ 11.78 295,075 $ 10.47 Granted 71,000 23.46 82,047 20.99 108,400 14.77 Vested (108,825) 9.96 (126,050) 13.12 (21,750) 9.31 Forfeited - - (10,571) 15.61 (4,000) 9.88 Nonvested shares at end of year 285,326 17.29 323,151 13.46 377,725 11.78 The balance of unearned compensation related to restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $ 1,749,000 1,568,000 2,129,000 2.0

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDG

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	NOTE 19. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES During 2010, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to lock in a fixed rate as opposed to the contractual variable interest rate on the junior subordinated debentures. The interest rate swap contract has a notional amount of $ 37.1 90-day LIBOR rate plus 1.63% 4.11 September 2020 This contract is classified as a cash flow hedge of an exposure to changes in the cash flow of a recognized liability. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the remaining instrument totaled a liability of $ 1,439,000 1,315,000 Mortgage Banking Derivatives The Company maintains a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. This program includes the use of forward contracts and other derivatives that are used to offset changes in value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. As a normal part of its operations, the Company enters into derivative contracts such as forward sale commitments and IRLCs to economically hedge risks associated with overall price risk related to IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale carried at fair value. These mortgage banking derivatives are not designated in hedge relationships. At December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $ 77.7 74.5 2.7 137,000 38.9 46.5 1.8 249,000 December 31, December 31, December 31, Location 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale Mortgage banking activity $ (137) $ (249) $ 98 Interest rate lock commitments Mortgage banking activity $ 2,687 $ 1,757 $ 1,082 2015 2014 Notional Notional Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value (Dollars in Thousands) Included in other assets: Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale $ - $ - $ - $ - Interest rate lock commitments 77,710 2,687 38,868 1,757 Total included in other assets $ 77,710 $ 2,687 $ 38,868 $ 1,757 Included in other liabilities: Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale $ 123,500 $ 137 $ 46,500 $ 249 Interest rate lock commitments - - - - Total included in other liabilities $ 123,500 $ 137 $ 46,500 $ 249

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	NOTE 20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Loan Commitments The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheets. The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commitments to extend credit $ 548,898 $ 293,517 Unused lines of credit 52,798 49,567 Financial standby letters of credit 14,712 9,683 Mortgage interest rate lock commitments 77,710 38,868 Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Collateral is required in instances which the Company deems necessary. The Company has not been required to perform on any material financial standby letters of credit and the Company has not incurred any losses on financial standby letters of credit for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Contingencies Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management and its legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company’s legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed. A former borrower of the Company has filed a claim related to a loan previously made by the Company asserting lender liability. The case was tried without a jury and an order was issued by the court against the Company awarding the borrower approximately $ 2.9

REGULATORY MATTERS

REGULATORY MATTERS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
REGULATORY MATTERS	NOTE 21. REGULATORY MATTERS The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be declared without prior regulatory approval. At December 31, 2015, $ 22.4 The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total, Tier I capital and Common Equity Tier 1 capital, as defined by the regulations, to risk-weighted assets, as defined, and of Tier I capital to average assets, as defined. Management believes that, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the most recent notification from the regulatory authorities categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Common Equity Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies. For Capital To Be Well Capitalized Adequacy Under Prompt Corrective Actual Purposes Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015 Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Consolidated $ 484,023 11.45 % $ 338,057 8.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 516,677 12.24 % $ 337,687 8.00 % $ 422,109 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 462,961 10.96 % $ 253,543 6.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 11.74 % $ 253,266 6.00 % $ 337,687 8.00 % Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 403,322 9.54 % $ 190,157 4.50 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 11.74 % $ 189,949 4.50 % $ 274,371 6.50 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated $ 462,961 8.70 % $ 212,771 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 9.32 % $ 212,608 4.00 % $ 265,760 5.00 % As of December 31, 2014 Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Consolidated $ 373,310 13.42 % $ 222,557 8.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 414,356 14.90 % $ 222,528 8.00 % $ 278,160 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 352,153 12.66 % $ 111,279 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 393,199 14.14 % $ 111,264 4.00 % $ 166,896 6.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated $ 352,153 8.94 % $ 157,574 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 393,199 10.01 % $ 157,165 4.00 % $ 196,456 5.00 %

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 22. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company. The Company has elected to record mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-sale is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive income under the heading “Interest income – interest and fees on loans”. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the IRLCs with borrowers. The mark to market adjustments related to loans held-for-sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities. Net gains of $ 3.5 1.7 December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Aggregate Fair Value of Mortgage Loans held for sale $ 111,182 $ 94,759 Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance $ 107,652 $ 90,418 Past due loans of 90 days or more $ - $ - Nonaccrual loans $ - $ - The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available for sale and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans and OREO. Additionally, the Company is required to disclose, but not record, the fair value of other financial instruments. Fair Value Hierarchy The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and other accounts recorded or disclosed based on their fair value: Cash, Due From Banks, Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks and Federal Funds Sold: The carrying amount of cash, due from banks , interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold approximates fair value. Securities Available For Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include certain U.S. agency bonds, collateralized mortgage and debt obligations and certain municipal securities. The level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities. Other Investments: FHLB and FRB stock is included in other investment securities at its original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no ready market for such investments. It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB and FRB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability. Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale: The Company records mortgage loans held for sale at fair value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Loans: The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals, internal evaluations and broker price opinions that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3. Covered Other Real Estate Owned: Covered other real estate owned includes other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3. Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to an annual review for impairment. FDIC Loss-Share Receivable: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans, and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans. Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable: The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value. Cash Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance: The carrying value of cash value of bank owned life insurance approximates fair value. Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposits approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposits is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for certificates of similar maturities. Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value and are classified as Level 1. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements and are classified as Level 2. Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The fair value of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities is based primarily upon discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms and remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2. Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure. Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves). The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) U.S. government sponsored agencies $ 14,890 $ - $ 14,890 $ - State, county and municipal securities 161,316 - 161,316 - Corporate debt securities 6,017 - 3,019 2,998 Mortgage-backed securities 600,962 - 600,962 - Mortgage loans held for sale 111,182 - 111,182 - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 2,687 - 2,687 - Total recurring assets at fair value $ 897,054 $ - $ 894,056 $ 2,998 Derivative financial instruments $ 1,439 $ - $ 1,439 $ - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 137 - 137 - Total recurring liabilities at fair value $ 1,576 $ - $ 1,576 $ - Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) U.S. government sponsored agencies $ 14,678 $ - $ 14,678 $ - State, county and municipal securities 141,375 - 141,375 - Corporate debt securities 11,040 - 8,540 2,500 Mortgage-backed securities 374,712 8,248 366,464 - Mortgage loans held for sale 94,759 - 94,759 - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 1,757 - 1,757 - Total recurring assets at fair value $ 638,321 $ 8,248 $ 627,573 $ 2,500 Derivative financial instruments $ 1,315 $ - $ 1,315 $ - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 249 - 249 - Total recurring liabilities at fair value $ 1,564 $ - $ 1,564 $ - Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) Impaired loans carried at fair value $ 27,069 $ - $ - $ 27,069 Other real estate owned 10,456 - - 10,456 Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned 14,333 - - 14,333 Covered other real estate owned 5,011 - - 5,011 Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $ 56,869 $ - $ - $ 56,869 Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) Impaired loans carried at fair value $ 30,479 $ - $ - $ 30,479 Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned 15,585 - - 15,585 Covered other real estate owned 19,907 - - 19,907 Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $ 65,971 $ - $ - $ 65,971 The inputs used to determine estimated fair value of impaired loans and covered loans include market conditions, loan term, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine fair value of other real estate owned and covered other real estate owned include market conditions, estimated marketing period or holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was not a change in the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value. Weighted Range of Average Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Discounts Discount As of December 31, 2015 Nonrecurring: Impaired loans $ 27,069 Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates 0% - 100% 29 % Other Real Estate Owned $ 10,456 Third party appraisals, sales contracts, Broker price opinions Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% - 90% 13 % Purchased non-covered real estate owned $ 14,333 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% -69% 19 % Covered real estate owned $ 5,011 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 0% - 74% 12 % Recurring: Investment securities available for sale $ 2,998 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0 % As of December 31, 2014 Nonrecurring: Impaired loans $ 30,479 Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates 0% - 50% 20 % Purchased non-covered real estate owned $ 15,585 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% -96% 33 % Covered real estate owned $ 19,907 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% - 90% 15 % Recurring: Investment securities available for sale $ 2,500 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0 % Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using: Carrying Amount Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in Thousands) Financial assets: Cash and due from banks $ 118,518 $ 118,518 $ - $ - $ 118,518 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts 272,045 272,045 - 272,045 Loans, net 3,971,974 - - 3,982,606 3,982,606 FDIC loss-share receivable 6,301 - - (944) (944) Accrued interest receivable 21,274 21,274 - - 21,274 Financial liabilities: Deposits 4,879,290 - 4,880,294 - 4,880,294 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 63,585 63,585 - - 36,585 Other borrowings 39,000 - 39,000 - 39,000 Accrued interest payable 1,054 1,054 - - 1,054 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 69,874 - 52,785 - 52,785 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using: Carrying Amount Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in Thousands) Financial assets: Cash and due from banks $ 78,036 $ 78,036 $ - $ - $ 78,036 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts 92,323 92,323 - 92,323 Loans, net 2,783,763 - - 2,785,627 2,785,627 FDIC loss-share receivable 31,351 - - 18,764 18,764 Accrued interest receivable 17,023 17,023 - - 17,023 Financial liabilities: Deposits 3,431,149 - 3,432,059 - 3,432,059 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 73,310 73,310 - - 73,310 Other borrowings 78,881 - 78,881 - 78,881 Accrued interest payable 1,382 1,382 - - 1,382 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 65,325 - 46,564 - 46,564

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	NOTE 23 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Accumulated Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized Gain (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Dollars in Thousands) on Derivatives on Securities (Loss) Balance, January 1, 2015 $ 508 $ 5,590 $ 6,098 Reclassification for gains included in net income - (89) (89) Current year changes (356) (2,300) (2,656) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 152 $ 3,201 $ 3,353 Accumulated Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized Gain (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Dollars in Thousands) on Derivatives on Securities (Loss) Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 1,397 $ (1,691) $ (294) Reclassification for gains included in net income - (90) (90) Current year changes (889) 7,371 6,482 Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 508 $ 5,590 $ 6,098

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	NOTE 24 – SEGMENT REPORTING Year Ended December 31, 2015 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 174,162 $ 8,821 $ 4,137 $ 3,273 $ 190,393 Interest expense 14,385 - - 471 14,856 Net interest income 159,777 8,821 4,137 2,802 175,537 Provision for loan losses 4,847 417 - - 5,264 Noninterest income 44,251 34,498 1,364 5,473 85,586 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 68,183 22,112 519 3,189 94,003 Equipment and occupancy expenses 19,320 1,674 7 194 21,195 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 18,681 1,065 95 8 19,849 Other expenses 59,636 3,787 123 522 64,068 Total noninterest expense 165,820 28,638 744 3,913 199,115 Income before income tax expense 33,361 14,264 4,757 4,362 56,744 Income tax expense 7,713 4,992 1,665 1,527 15,897 Net income 25,648 9,272 3,092 2,835 40,847 Less preferred stock dividends - - - - - Net income available to common shareholders $ 25,648 $ 9,272 $ 3,092 $ 2,835 $ 40,847 Total assets $ 5,166,045 $ 246,730 $ 101,893 $ 74,272 $ 5,588,940 Other intangible assets, net $ 17,058 $ - $ - $ - $ 17,058 Goodwill $ 90,082 $ - $ - $ - $ 90,082 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 154,898 $ 5,344 $ 2,016 $ 2,308 $ 164,566 Interest expense 14,438 - - 242 14,680 Net interest income 140,460 5,344 2,016 2,066 149,886 Provision for loan losses 4,822 826 - - 5,648 Noninterest income 32,337 24,959 655 4,885 62,836 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 55,101 15,918 255 2,604 73,878 Equipment and occupancy expenses 16,097 1,342 1 81 17,521 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 14,436 1,043 54 18 15,551 Other expenses 39,175 3,603 392 749 43,919 Total noninterest expense 124,809 21,906 702 3,452 150,869 Income before income tax expense 43,166 7,571 1,969 3,499 56,205 Income tax expense 12,918 2,650 689 1,225 17,482 Net income 30,248 4,921 1,280 2,274 38,723 Less preferred stock dividends 286 - - - 286 Net income available to common shareholders $ 29,962 $ 4,921 $ 1,280 $ 2,274 $ 38,437 Total assets $ 3,751,503 $ 164,588 $ 58,502 $ 62,484 $ 4,037,077 Other intangible assets, net $ 8,221 $ - $ - $ - $ 8,221 Goodwill $ 63,547 $ - $ - $ - $ 63,547 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 120,522 $ 3,162 $ 721 $ 1,917 $ 126,322 Interest expense 9,940 - - 197 10,137 Net interest income 110,582 3,162 721 1,720 116,185 Provision for loan losses 11,486 - - - 11,486 Noninterest income 25,282 18,967 163 2,137 46,549 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 43,524 12,341 174 631 56,670 Equipment and occupancy expenses 11,599 625 6 56 12,286 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 10,957 534 39 9 11,539 Other expenses 36,850 4,258 128 214 41,450 Total noninterest expense 102,930 17,758 347 910 121,945 Income before income tax expense 21,448 4,371 537 2,947 29,303 Income tax expense 6,536 1,530 188 1,031 9,285 Net income 14,912 2,841 349 1,916 20,018 Less preferred stock dividends 1,738 - - - 1,738 Net income available to common shareholders $ 13,174 $ 2,841 $ 349 $ 1,916 $ 18,280 Total assets $ 3,506,954 $ 108,198 $ 14,229 $ 38,268 $ 3,667,649 Other intangible assets, net $ 6,009 $ - $ - $ - $ 6,009 Goodwill $ 35,049 $ - $ - $ - $ 35,049

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaud

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	NOTE 25 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) 3.7 7.3 Quarters Ended December 31, 2015 4 3 2 1 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) Selected Income Statement Data: Interest income $ 52,601 $ 51,195 $ 44,229 $ 42,368 Interest expense 3,983 3,796 3,541 3,536 Net interest income 48,618 47,399 40,688 38,832 Provision for loan losses 553 986 2,656 1,069 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 48,065 46,413 38,032 37,763 Noninterest income 22,407 24,978 20,626 17,575 Noninterest expense 51,221 47,950 51,152 40,812 Acquisition related expenses 1,807 446 5,712 15 Income before income taxes 17,444 22,995 1,794 14,511 Income tax 3,296 7,368 486 4,747 Net income 14,148 15,627 1,308 9,764 Preferred stock dividends - - - - Net income available to common stockholders $ 14,148 $ 15,627 $ 1,308 $ 9,764 Per Share Data: Net income – basic 0.44 0.49 0.04 0.32 Net income – diluted 0.43 0.48 0.04 0.32 Common Dividends (Cash) 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Common Dividends (Stock) - - - - Quarters Ended December 31, 2014 4 3 2 1 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) Selected Income Statement Data: Interest income $ 44,900 $ 43,186 $ 38,607 $ 37,873 Interest expense 3,894 4,054 3,343 3,389 Net interest income 41,006 39,132 35,264 34,484 Provision for loan losses 888 1,669 1,365 1,726 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 40,118 37,463 33,899 32,758 Noninterest income 16,362 17,901 15,819 12,754 Noninterest expense 41,666 38,028 34,446 32,789 Acquisition related expenses 67 551 2,872 450 Income before income taxes 14,747 16,785 12,400 12,273 Income tax 4,167 5,122 4,270 3,923 Net income 10,580 11,663 8,130 8,350 Preferred stock dividends - - - 286 Net income available to common stockholders $ 10,580 $ 11,663 $ 8,130 $ 8,064 Per Share Data: Net income – basic 0.40 0.44 0.32 0.32 Net income – diluted 0.39 0.43 0.32 0.32 Common Dividends (Cash) 0.05 0.05 0.05 - Common Dividends (Stock) - - - -

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Financial Information of Ameris Bancorp (Parent Company Only)	NOTE 26. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Assets Cash and due from banks $ 5,847 $ 868 Investment in subsidiaries 617,134 470,557 Other assets 6,717 6,552 Total assets $ 629,698 $ 477,977 Liabilities Other liabilities $ 6,065 $ 7,624 Other borrowings 39,000 39,000 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 69,874 65,325 Total liabilities 114,939 111,949 Stockholders’ equity 514,759 366,028 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 629,698 $ 477,977 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income Dividends from subsidiaries $ 10,000 $ 29,000 $ 2,200 Other income 59 235 26 Total income 10,059 29,235 2,226 Expense Interest 4,813 4,558 1,527 Other expense 1,521 2,253 1,133 Total expense 6,334 6,811 2,660 Earnings (loss) before income tax benefit and dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries 3,725 22,424 (434) Income tax benefit 2,382 2,468 921 Earnings (loss) before dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 6,107 24,892 487 Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 34,740 13,831 19,531 Net income 40,847 38,723 20,018 Preferred stock dividend - 286 1,738 Net income available to common shareholders $ 40,847 $ 38,437 $ 18,280 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 40,847 $ 38,723 $ 20,018 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 1,485 2,058 1,041 Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries (34,740) (13,831) (19,531) (Increase) decrease in interest payable 20 (214) (5,300) Decrease in tax receivable (2,656) (256) (813) Provision for deferred taxes 188 (426) 39 Other operating activities 866 (1,558) (2,686) Total adjustments (34,837) (14,227) (27,250) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 6,010 24,496 (7,232) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investment in subsidiary (60,000) - - Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions (49,940) 144 249 Net cash provided by investing activities (109,940) 144 249 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issuance of common stock 114,889 - - Purchase of treasury shares (732) (474) (116) Dividends paid preferred stock - (286) (1,400) Dividends paid common stock (6,439) (4,016) - Proceeds from other borrowings - 14,000 10,000 Repayment of other borrowings - (9,005) - Repurchase of preferred stock - (28,000) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,191 459 410 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 108,909 (27,322) 8,894 Net change in cash and due from banks 4,979 (2,682) 1,911 Cash and due from banks at beginning of year 868 3,550 1,639 Cash and due from banks at end of year $ 5,847 $ 868 $ 3,550 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for interest $ 4,793 $ 4,772 $ 1,523 Cash paid during the year for income taxes $ - $ - $ -

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN35

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Business	Nature of Business Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) is a financial holding company whose primary business is presently conducted by Ameris Bank, its wholly owned banking subsidiary (the “Bank”). Through the Bank, the Company operates a full service banking business and offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services to its customers concentrated in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The Company also engages in mortgage banking activities and SBA lending, and, as such, acquires, sells and services one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and SBA loans in the Southeast. The Company and the Bank are subject to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and are periodically examined by those regulatory agencies.
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates	Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Acquisition Accounting	Acquisition Accounting Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Purchased assets and assumed liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the purchase date. Any identifiable intangible assets are also recorded at fair value. When the fair value of the assets purchased exceeds the fair value of liabilities assumed, it results in a “bargain purchase gain.” If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity). Because deposit liabilities and the related customer relationship intangible assets may be exchanged in a sale or exchange transaction, the intangible asset associated with the depositor relationship is considered identifiable. Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date and prohibit the carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. When the loans have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments, the difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount. The Company must estimate expected cash flows at each reporting date. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior provisions and adjust accretable discount if no prior provisions have been made. This increase in accretable discount will have a positive impact on interest income.
Cash, Due from Banks and Cash Flows	Cash, Due from Banks and Cash Flows For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and due from banks includes cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and amounts due from banks. The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The total of the average daily required reserve was approximately $ 27.8 20.1
Securities	Securities The Company classifies its securities in one of three categories: (i) held to maturity, (ii) available for sale or (iii) trading. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Held to maturity securities are those securities for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities are classified as available for sale. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all securities were classified as available for sale. Held to maturity securities are recorded at cost, adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are excluded from net income and are reported in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains or losses associated with transfers of securities from held to maturity to available for sale are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. These unrealized holding gains or losses are amortized into income over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to the yield in a manner consistent with the amortization or accretion of the original purchase premium or discount on the associated security. The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the trade date. A decline in the market value of any available for sale or held to maturity investment below cost that is deemed other than temporary is charged to earnings and establishes a new cost basis for the security for the decline in value deemed to be credit related. The decline in value attributed to non-credit-related factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery or maturity.
Other Investments	Other Investments Other investments include Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank stock. The investments do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at cost. They are periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale	Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at the estimated fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary market. Adjustments to reflect unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale and realized gains and losses upon ultimate sale of the loans are classified as mortgage banking activity in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Servicing Rights	Servicing Rights When mortgage and SBA loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in mortgage banking activity and gains on sales of SBA loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported with “Mortgage banking activity” on the income statement. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement as “Other noninterest income”, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income. Servicing fees totaled $ 1,268,000 1,011,000 611,000
Loans	Loans Loans, excluding loans covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“covered loans”), purchased loans not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“purchased non-covered loans”) and purchased loan pools not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements (“purchased loan pools”) are reported at their outstanding principal balances less unearned income, net of deferred fees and origination costs and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the outstanding principal balance. For all classes of loans, the accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued and placed on non-accrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Mortgage loans and commercial loans are charged off to the extent principal or interest is deemed uncollectible. Consumer loans continue to accrue interest until they are charged off, generally between 90 and 120 days past due, unless the loan is in the process of collection. Non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. All interest accrued, but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off, is reversed against interest income. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is applied against principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Purchased Loans	Purchased Loans Purchased loans include loans acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions (“covered loans”) and other acquisitions (“purchased non-covered loans”) and are initially recorded at fair value on the date of the purchase. Purchased loans that contain evidence of credit deterioration (“purchased credit impaired loans”) on the date of purchase are carried at the net present value of expected future proceeds. All other purchased loans are recorded at their initial fair value, adjusted for subsequent advances, pay downs, amortization or accretion of any premium or discount on purchase, charge-offs and any other adjustment to carrying value. There is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized by recording a charge-off of the loss and a corresponding provision expense. In determining the initial fair value of purchased loans without evidence of credit deterioration at the date of acquisition, management includes (i) no carryover of any previously recorded ALLL and (ii) an adjustment of the recorded investment to reflect an appropriate market rate of interest, given the risk profile and grade assigned to each loan. This adjustment is accreted into earnings as a yield adjustment, using methods approximating the effective yield method, over the remaining life of each loan. Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference). Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss is recorded as a provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.
Purchased loan pools	Purchased Loan Pools Purchased loan pools include groups of loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions (“purchased loan pools”). Purchased loan pools are reported at their outstanding principal balances plus purchase premiums, net of accumulated amortization. Interest income is accrued on the outstanding principal balance. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
Allowance for Loan Losses	Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated losses relating to specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred losses in the balance of the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of various risks in the loan portfolio highlighted by historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to pay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance for loan losses evaluation does not include the effects of expected losses on specific loans or groups of loans that are related to future events or expected changes in economic conditions. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Bank to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component includes loans management considers impaired and other loans or groups of loans that management has classified with higher risk characteristics. For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by independent loan reviewers and regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on data such as risk ratings, current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in their markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events. The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exception of warehouse lines of credit and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor of historical losses, calculated by loan type, to be applied to the balance of loans by risk rating and type, to determine the adequate amount of reserve. Many of the larger loans require an annual review by an independent loan officer or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be assigned specific reserve allocations. Assigned risk ratings can be adjusted based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the independent internal loan review department. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, and the guarantor demonstrates willingness and capacity to support the debt, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.
Premises and Equipment	Premises and Equipment Land is carried at cost. Other premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. In general, estimated lives for buildings are up to 40 20
FDIC Loss-Share Receivable	FDIC Loss-Share Receivable In connection with the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company has recorded an FDIC loss-share receivable to reflect the indemnification provided by the FDIC. Since the indemnified items are covered loans and covered foreclosed assets, which are initially measured at fair value, the FDIC loss-share receivable is also initially measured and recorded at fair value, and is calculated by discounting the cash flows expected to be received from the FDIC. These cash flows are estimated by multiplying estimated losses by the reimbursement rates as set forth in the loss-sharing agreements. The balance of the FDIC loss-share receivable and the accretion (or amortization) thereof is adjusted periodically to reflect changes in expectations of discounted cash flows, expense reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements and other factors. The Company is accreting (or amortizing) its FDIC loss-share receivable over the shorter of the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (ten years for the single family loss-sharing agreements, and five years for the non-single family loss-sharing agreements) or the remaining life of the indemnified asset. Pursuant to the clawback provisions of the loss-sharing agreements for the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company may be required to reimburse the FDIC should actual losses be less than certain thresholds established in each loss-sharing agreement. The amount of the clawback provision for each acquisition is measured and recorded at fair value. It is calculated as the difference between management’s estimated losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets and the loss threshold contained in each loss-sharing agreement, multiplied by the applicable clawback provisions contained in each loss-sharing agreement. This clawback amount, which is payable to the FDIC upon termination of the applicable loss-sharing agreement, is then discounted back to net present value, generally over ten years. To the extent that actual losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets are less than estimated losses, the applicable clawback payable to the FDIC upon termination of the loss-sharing agreements will increase. To the extent that actual losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets are more than estimated losses, the applicable clawback payable to the FDIC upon termination of the loss-sharing agreements will decrease. The balance of the FDIC clawback payable and the amortization thereof are adjusted periodically to reflect changes in expected losses on covered assets and the impact of such changes on the clawback payable and other factors. The FDIC loss-share receivable is reported net of the clawback liability.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets purchased in business combinations. Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment or whenever events occur that may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount is not probable. In the event of an impairment, the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value is charged to earnings. The Company performs its annual test of impairment in the fourth quarter of each year. Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of five to seven years. Amortization periods are reviewed annually in connection with the annual impairment testing of goodwill.
Cash Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance	Cash Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain officers. The life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Other Real Estate Owned	Other Real Estate Owned Foreclosed assets acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell. Any write-down to fair value at the time of transfer to foreclosed assets is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Costs of improvements are capitalized up to the fair value of the property, whereas costs relating to holding foreclosed assets and subsequent adjustments to the value are charged to operations.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities results in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. The Company currently evaluates income tax positions judged to be uncertain. A loss contingency reserve is accrued if it is probable that the tax position will be challenged with a tax examination being presumed to occur, it is probable that the future resolution of the challenge will confirm that a loss has been incurred, and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in other noninterest expenses.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for its stock compensation plans using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company recorded approximately $ 1.5 2.1 1.0
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock The Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in a reduction of stockholders’ equity.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per common share are computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the effect of the issuance of potential common shares that are dilutive and by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Potential common shares consist of stock options and restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and are determined using the treasury stock method. The Company has determined that its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities, and all dividends on these awards are paid similar to other dividends. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Distributed earnings allocated to common stockholders $ 6,439 $ 4,016 $ - Undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders 34,408 34,421 18,280 Net income available to common shareholders $ 40,847 $ 38,437 $ 18,280 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 31,762 25,974 23,918 Effect of dilutive restricted grants 244 15 378 Effect of dilutive options 121 270 169 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share 32,127 26,259 24,465 For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company has not excluded any potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has excluded 6,000 324,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The goal of the Company’s interest rate risk management process is to minimize the volatility in the net interest margin caused by changes in interest rates. Derivative instruments are used to hedge certain assets or liabilities as a part of this process. The Company is required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. All derivative instruments are required to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The Company’s current hedging strategies involve utilizing an interest rate swap classified as a cash flow hedge. Cash flows related to floating-rate liabilities will fluctuate with changes in an underlying rate index. When effectively hedged, the increases or decreases in cash flows related to the floating rate liability will generally be offset by changes in cash flows of the derivative instrument designated as a hedge. The fair value of derivatives is recognized as assets or liabilities in the financial statements. The accounting for the changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative instrument at inception. The change in fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges is accounted for in other comprehensive income rather than net income. The Company had a cash flow hedge with notional amount of $ 37.1 1,439 1,315
Mortgage Banking Derivatives	Mortgage Banking Derivatives The Company maintains a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the interest rate lock is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. In order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans, the Company enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate locks are entered into. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the interest on the loan is locked. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in mortgage banking activity. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $ 2,687,000 1,757,000 137,000 249,000
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income The Company’s comprehensive income consists of net income, changes in the net unrealized holding gains and losses of securities available for sale, unrealized gain or loss on the effective portion of the cash flow hedge and the realized gain or loss recognized due to the sale or unwind of cash flow hedge prior to their contractual maturity date. These amounts are carried in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and are presented net of taxes.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.
Operating Segments	Operating Segments The Company has four reportable segments, the Banking Division, the Retail Mortgage Division, the Warehouse Lending Division and the SBA Division. The Banking Division derives its revenues from the delivery of full service financial services to include commercial loans, consumer loans and deposit accounts. The Retail Mortgage Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The Warehouse Lending Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of warehouse lines to other businesses that are secured by underlying one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The SBA Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of SBA loans. The Banking, Retail Mortgage, Warehouse Lending and SBA Divisions are managed as separate business units because of the different products and services they provide. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations. There are no material intersegment sales or transfers.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards ASU 2015-16 – Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments ASU 2015-03 – Interest – Imputation of Interest ASU 2015-03 . It should be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact t ASU 2015-0 Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . ASU 2015-01 – Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items eliminates the concept of extraordinary items by no longer allowing companies to segregate an extraordinary item from the results of operations, separately present an extraordinary item on the income statement, or disclose income taxes or earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. ASU 2015-01 . The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s ASU 2014-11 – Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures Transfers and Servicing ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective prospectively, for annual and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact t
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform with the current year presentations.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN36

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Components Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Distributed earnings allocated to common stockholders $ 6,439 $ 4,016 $ - Undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders 34,408 34,421 18,280 Net income available to common shareholders $ 40,847 $ 38,437 $ 18,280 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 31,762 25,974 23,918 Effect of dilutive restricted grants 244 15 378 Effect of dilutive options 121 270 169 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share 32,127 26,259 24,465

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Rollforward of Acquired Non-Covered Loans	A rollforward of purchased non-covered loans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is shown below: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 674,239 $ 448,753 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (991) (84) Additions due to acquisitions 195,818 279,441 Accretion 10,590 9,745 Transfers to purchased non-covered other real estate owned (4,473) (4,160) Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration 50,568 15,475 Payments received (154,666) (74,931) Other 469 - Ending balance $ 771,554 $ 674,239
Bank Of America [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of June 12, 2015 and their fair value estimates. The fair value adjustments shown in the following table continue to be evaluated by management and may be subject to further adjustment: (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Initial Fair Subsequent As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 630,220 $ - $ - $ 630,220 Loans 4,363 - (364) (d) 3,999 Premises and equipment 10,348 1,060 (a) (755) (e) 10,653 Intangible assets - 7,651 (b) 985 (f) 8,636 Other assets 126 - 126 Total assets $ 645,057 $ 8,711 $ (134) $ 653,634 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 149,854 $ - $ - $ 149,854 Interest-bearing 495,110 (215) (c) - 494,895 Total deposits 644,964 (215) - 644,749 Other liabilities 93 - - 93 Total liabilities 645,057 (215) - 644,842 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed - 8,926 (134) 8,792 Goodwill - 11,076 134 11,210 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ - $ 20,002 $ - $ 20,002 Consideration: Cash paid as deposit premium $ 20,002 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 20,002 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the premise and equipment as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (c) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the premise and equipment. (f) Adjustment reflects additional recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of Coastal assumed as of June 30, 2014 and their fair value estimates: (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Fair Value As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,895 $ - $ 3,895 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances 15,923 - 15,923 Investment securities 67,266 (500) (a) 66,766 Other investments 975 - 975 Mortgage loans held for sale 7,288 - 7,288 Loans 296,141 (16,700) (b) 279,441 Less allowance for loan losses (3,218) 3,218 (c) - Loans, net 292,923 (13,482) 279,441 Other real estate owned 14,992 (6,935) (d) 8,057 Premises and equipment 11,882 - 11,882 Intangible assets 507 4,035 (e) 4,542 Cash value of bank owned life insurance 7,812 - 7,812 Other assets 14,898 (601) (f) 14,297 Total assets $ 438,361 $ (17,483) $ 420,878 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 80,012 $ - $ 80,012 Interest-bearing 289,012 - 289,012 Total deposits 369,024 - 369,024 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase 5,428 - 5,428 Other borrowings 22,005 - 22,005 Other liabilities 6,192 - 6,192 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 15,465 (6,413) (g) 9,052 Total liabilities 418,114 (6,413) 411,701 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed 20,247 (11,070) 9,177 Goodwill - 28,093 28,093 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ 20,247 $ 17,023 $ 37,270 Consideration: Ameris Bancorp common shares issued 1,598,998 Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock $ 21.56 Company common stock issued 34,474 Cash exchanged for shares 2,796 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 37,270 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Coastal’s allowance for loan losses. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (f) Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (g) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.
Pro Forma Information of Acquisitions	The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014, unadjusted for potential cost savings (in thousands). Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Net interest income and noninterest income $ 266,710 $ 238,055 Net income $ 40,514 $ 41,806 Net income available to common stockholders $ 40,514 $ 41,520 Income per common share available to common stockholders – basic $ 1.28 $ 1.51 Income per common share available to common stockholders – diluted $ 1.26 $ 1.49 Average number of shares outstanding, basic 31,762 27,573 Average number of shares outstanding, diluted 32,127 27,858
Summary of Contractually Required Principal and Interest Cash Payment of the Loans As of Acquisition Date for Purchased Credit Impaired Loans	The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payment, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payment have been adjusted for estimated prepayments. Contractually required principal and interest $ 38,194 Non-accretable difference (5,632) Cash flows expected to be collected 32,562 Accretable yield (3,282) Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $ 29,280
Discount Accretion [Member]
Schedule of Changes in Accretable Discounts Related Acquired Loans	The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of purchased non-covered loans during years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 25,716 $ 26,189 Additions due to acquisitions 5,788 7,799 Accretion (10,590) (9,745) Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration 1,665 - Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs (1,768) - Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net 3,974 1,473 Ending balance $ 24,785 $ 25,716
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of Merchants assumed as of May 22, 2015 and their fair value estimates. The fair value adjustments shown in the following table continue to be evaluated by management and may be subject to further adjustment: (Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by Initial Fair Subsequent As Recorded Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,527 $ - $ - $ 7,527 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances 106,188 - - 106,188 Investment securities 164,421 (553) (a) (639) (j) 163,229 Other investments 872 - - 872 Loans 199,955 (8,500) (b) - 191,455 Less allowance for loan losses (3,354) 3,354 (c) - - Loans, net 196,601 (5,146) - 191,455 Other real estate owned 4,082 (1,115) (d) - 2,967 Premises and equipment 14,614 (3,680) (e) - 10,934 Intangible assets - 4,577 (f) (634) (k) 3,943 Other assets 2,333 2,335 (g) (1,307) (l) 3,361 Total assets $ 496,638 $ (3,582) $ (2,580) $ 490,476 Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 121,708 $ - $ - $ 121,708 Interest-bearing 286,112 - 41,588 (m) 327,700 Total deposits 407,820 - - 449,408 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase 41,588 - (41,588) (m) - Other liabilities 2,151 81 (h) - 2,232 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 6,186 (2,680) (i) - 3,506 Total liabilities 457,745 (2,599) - 455,146 Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed 38,893 (983) (2,580) 35,330 Goodwill - 12,090 2,580 14,670 Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $ 38,893 $ 11,107 $ - $ 50,000 Consideration: Cash exchanged for shares $ 50,000 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 50,000 Explanation of fair value adjustments (a) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (b) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio. (c) Adjustment reflects the elimination of Merchants’ allowance for loan losses. (d) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio. (e) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired premises. (f) Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (g) Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (h) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of interest rate swap liabilities. (i) Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date. (j) Adjustment reflects the additional fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date. (k) Adjustment reflects adjustment to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts. (l) Adjustment reflects the additional deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. (m) Subsequent to acquisition, the acquired securities sold under agreements to repurchase were converted to deposit accounts and are no longer reported as securities sold under agreements to repurchase on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.
Summary of Contractually Required Principal and Interest Cash Payment of the Loans As of Acquisition Date for Purchased Credit Impaired Loans	The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payment, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest $ 17,201 Non-accretable difference (2,712) Cash flows expected to be collected 14,489 Accretable yield (3,254) Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $ 11,235
Schedule of Acquired Loans	The following table presents the acquired loan data for the Merchants acquisition. Fair Value of Gross Best Estimate (Dollars in Thousands) Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30 $ 11,235 $ 14,086 $ 2,712 Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30 $ 180,220 $ 184,906 $ -

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS38

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Acquisition Details	From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company has participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions (the “acquisitions”) whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include: Bank Acquired Location: Branches: Date Acquired American United Bank (“AUB”) Lawrenceville, Ga. 1 October 23, 2009 United Security Bank (“USB”) Sparta, Ga. 2 November 6, 2009 Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”) St. Marys, Ga. 1 May 14, 2010 First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”) Jacksonville, Fl. 2 October 22, 2010 Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”) Tifton, Ga. 1 November 12, 2010 Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”) Vidalia, Ga. 7 November 12, 2010 High Trust Bank (“HTB”) Stockbridge, Ga. 2 July 15, 2011 One Georgia Bank (“OGB”) Atlanta, Ga. 1 July 15, 2011 Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”) Ellaville, Ga. 5 February 24, 2012 Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”) Ailey, Ga. 2 July 6, 2012
Components of Covered Assets	The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and their origin. The FDIC loss-share receivable is shown net of the clawback liability. FDIC loss- Total Less Fair Total Total share Less Fair Value covered value covered covered receivable Covered loans adjustments loans OREO adjustments OREO assets (payable) (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2015: AUB $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 111 USB 3,639 16 3,623 165 - 165 3,788 (1,424) SCB 5,228 124 5,104 - - - 5,104 149 FBJ 4,782 562 4,220 41 - 41 4,261 252 DBT 15,934 1,131 14,803 - - - 14,803 (1,084) TBC 2,159 11 2,148 - - - 2,148 1,446 HTB 44,405 3,881 40,524 2,433 643 1,790 42,314 3,875 OGB 27,561 1,900 25,661 160 - 160 25,821 913 CBG 44,865 3,419 41,446 3,139 284 2,855 44,301 2,063 Total $ 148,573 $ 11,044 $ 137,529 $ 5,938 $ 927 $ 5,011 $ 142,540 $ 6,301 As of December 31, 2014: AUB $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 188 USB 4,350 150 4,200 165 - 165 4,365 (1,197) SCB 26,686 602 26,084 2,849 389 2,460 28,544 1,828 FBJ 21,243 1,825 19,418 632 0 632 20,050 1,885 DBT 64,338 6,437 57,901 6,655 514 6,141 64,042 6,860 TBC 23,487 1,117 22,370 2,388 367 2,021 24,391 3,287 HTB 52,699 5,120 47,579 3,670 1,283 2,387 49,966 6,459 OGB 42,971 3,785 39,186 2,244 39 2,205 41,391 3,906 CBG 60,950 6,409 54,541 4,805 909 3,896 58,437 8,135 Total $ 296,724 $ 25,445 $ 271,279 $ 23,408 $ 3,501 $ 19,907 $ 291,186 $ 31,351
Rollforward of Acquired Covered Loans	A rollforward of acquired covered loans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is shown below: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 271,279 $ 390,237 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (5,558) (9,255) Accretion 9,658 22,188 Transfers to covered other real estate owned (7,910) (13,650) Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss share expiration (50,568) (15,475) Payments received (79,372) (102,996) Other - 230 Ending balance $ 137,529 $ 271,279
Schedule Of Changes In Accretable Discounts Of Acquired Loans	The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired covered loans during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 15,578 $ 25,493 Accretion (9,658) (22,188) Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss share expiration (1,665) - Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net 4,808 12,273 Balance, end of year $ 9,063 $ 15,578
Changes in FDIC Shared-Loss Receivable	Changes in the FDIC loss-share receivable are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Beginning balance $ 31,351 $ 65,441 Payments received from FDIC (19,273) (22,494) Amortization, net (8,878) (18,449) Change in clawback liability (2,008) (1,222) Increase in receivable due to: Charge-offs on covered loans 416 3,372 Write downs of covered other real estate owned 4,752 4,771 Reimbursable expenses on covered assets 2,582 1,078 Other activity, net (2,641) (1,146) Ending balance $ 6,301 $ 31,351
The FDIC and the Bank [Member]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions, as well as key elements of the purchase and assumption agreements between the FDIC and the Bank (in thousands): AUB USB SCB FBJ TBC DBT HTB OGB CBG MBT Assets acquired Cash $ 26,452 $ 41,490 $ (33,093) $ 10,669 $ 4,862 $ (58,158) $ 36,432 $ 1,585 $ 65,050 $ 155,466 Investment securities 10,242 8,335 10,814 7,343 7,060 105,562 14,770 28,891 39,920 - Federal funds sold - 2,605 12,661 5,690 - - - 5,070 - - Loans 56,482 83,646 68,751 40,454 92,568 261,340 84,732 74,843 124,782 1,218 Foreclosed property 2,165 8,069 2,012 1,816 3,472 22,026 10,272 7,242 6,177 - FDIC loss share asset 24,200 21,640 22,400 11,307 22,807 112,404 49,485 45,488 52,654 - Core deposit intangible 187 386 185 132 175 1,180 - - 1,149 - Other assets 1,266 3,001 612 298 1,092 3,957 1,772 2,933 3,457 183 Total assets acquired 120,994 169,172 84,342 77,709 132,036 448,311 197,463 166,052 293,189 156,867 Liabilities assumed Deposits 100,470 141,094 75,530 71,869 132,939 386,958 175,887 136,101 261,036 156,699 FHLB advances 7,802 1,504 - 2,613 - 2,724 - 21,107 10,334 - Other liabilities 277 453 604 842 53 54,418 2,654 899 1,782 168 Total liabilities assumed 108,549 143,051 76,134 75,324 132,992 444,100 178,541 158,107 273,152 156,867 Net assets acquired $ 12,445 $ 26,121 $ 8,208 $ 2,385 $ (956) $ 4,211 $ 18,922 $ 7,945 $ 20,037 $ -

SECURITIES (Tables)

SECURITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Investment Securities Available for Sale	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale with gross unrealized gains and losses are summarized as follows: Amortized Gross Gross Estimated Fair (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2015: U.S. Government sponsored agencies $ 14,959 $ - $ (69) $ 14,890 State, county and municipal securities 157,681 4,046 (411) 161,316 Corporate debt securities 5,900 145 (28) 6,017 Mortgage-backed securities 599,721 3,945 (2,704) 600,962 Total debt securities $ 778,261 $ 8,136 $ (3,212) $ 783,185 December 31, 2014: U.S. Government sponsored agencies $ 14,953 $ - $ (275) $ 14,678 State, county and municipal securities 137,873 3,935 (433) 141,375 Corporate debt securities 10,812 228 - 11,040 Mortgage-backed securities 369,581 6,534 (1,403) 374,712 Total debt securities $ 533,219 $ 10,697 $ (2,111) $ 541,805
Schedule of Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Securities	The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of securities aggregated by category and length of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015 and 2014. Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total Description of Securities Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2015: U. S. Government sponsored agencies $ 9,932 $ (27) $ 4,958 $ (42) $ 14,890 $ (69) State, county and municipal securities 19,293 (199) 11,557 (212) 30,850 (411) Corporate debt securities 1,383 (28) - - 1,383 (28) Mortgage-backed securities 263,281 (1,950) 29,950 (754) 293,231 (2,704) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 293,889 $ (2,204) $ 46,465 $ (1,008) $ 340,354 $ (3,212) December 31, 2014: U. S. Government sponsored agencies $ - $ - $ 14,678 $ (275) $ 14,678 $ (275) State, county and municipal securities 15,038 (70) 19,665 (363) 34,703 (433) Corporate debt securities - - - - - - Mortgage-backed securities 36,760 (221) 46,812 (1,182) 83,572 (1,403) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 51,798 $ (291) $ 81,155 $ (1,820) $ 132,953 $ (2,111)
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available for Sale Securities by Contractual Maturity	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale as of December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity are shown below. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or repaid without penalty. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary. Amortized Estimated (Dollars in Thousands) Due in one year or less $ 5,405 $ 5,421 Due from one year to five years 51,716 53,081 Due from five to ten years 62,296 63,868 Due after ten years 59,123 59,853 Mortgage-backed securities 599,721 600,962 $ 778,261 $ 783,185
Gross Realized Gains And Losses On Sales Of Available For Sale Securities	Gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Gross gains on sales of securities $ 396 $ 141 $ 353 Gross losses on sales of securities (259) (3) (182) Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $ 137 $ 138 $ 171

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 40

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Accounts Notes Loans and Financial Receivables	Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 449,623 $ 319,654 Real estate – construction & development 244,693 161,507 Real estate – commercial & farmland 1,104,991 907,524 Real estate – residential 570,430 456,106 Consumer installment 31,125 30,782 Other 6,015 14,308 2,406,877 1,889,881 Allowance for loan losses 20,481 21,157 Loans, net $ 2,386,396 $ 1,868,724
Summary of Covered Loans According to Loan Type	The carrying value of covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the years shown: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 5,546 $ 21,467 Real estate – construction & development 7,612 23,447 Real estate – commercial & farmland 71,226 147,627 Real estate – residential 53,038 78,520 Consumer installment loans 107 218 $ 137,529 $ 271,279
Schedule of Allowances for Loan Losses by Portfolio Segment	The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the periods indicated. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories. Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covered Total (Dollars in Thousands) Twelve months ended December 31, 2015: Balance, January 1, 2015 $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Provision for loan losses (73) 278 1,221 2,067 676 344 751 5,264 Loans charged off (1,438) (622) (2,367) (1,587) (410) (950) (1,759) (9,133) Recoveries of loans previously charged off 651 323 317 151 137 1,187 1,008 3,774 Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 1,144 $ 5,009 $ 7,994 $ 4,760 $ 1,574 $ 581 $ - $ 21,062 Period-end amount allocated to: Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 126 $ 759 $ 1,074 $ 2,172 $ - $ - $ - $ 4,131 Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,018 4,250 6,920 2,588 1,574 581 - 16,931 Ending balance $ 1,144 $ 5,009 $ 7,994 $ 4,760 $ 1,574 $ 581 $ - $ 21,062 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 323 $ 1,958 $ 11,877 $ 9,554 $ - $ - $ - $ 23,712 Collectively evaluated for impairment 449,300 242,735 1,093,114 560,876 37,140 1,261,821 52,451 3,697,437 Acquired with deteriorated credit quality - - - - - 102,696 85,078 187,774 Ending balance $ 449,623 $ 244,693 $ 1,104,991 $ 570,430 $ 37,140 $ 1,364,517 $ 137,529 $ 3,908,923 Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covered Total (Dollars in Thousands) Twelve months ended December 31, 2014: Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ - $ - $ 22,377 Provision for loan losses 1,427 (265) 3,444 (452) 567 84 843 5,648 Loans charged off (1,567) (592) (3,288) (1,707) (471) (84) (1,851) (9,560) Recoveries of loans previously charged off 321 349 274 254 486 - 1,008 2,692 Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Period-end amount allocated to: Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 375 $ 743 $ 1,861 $ 911 $ - $ - $ - $ 3,890 Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,629 4,287 6,962 3,218 1,171 - - 17,267 Ending balance $ 2,004 $ 5,030 $ 8,823 $ 4,129 $ 1,171 $ - $ - $ 21,157 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 490 $ 3,709 $ 14,546 $ 8,904 $ - $ - $ - $ 27,649 Collectively evaluated for impairment 319,164 157,798 892,978 447,202 45,090 579,172 122,248 2,563,652 Acquired with deteriorated credit quality - - - - - 95,067 149,031 244,098 Ending balance $ 319,654 $ 161,507 $ 907,524 $ 456,106 $ 45,090 $ 674,239 $ 271,279 $ 2,835,399 Commercial, Real estate – Real estate – Real estate - Consumer Purchased Covered Total (Dollars in Thousands) Twelve months ended December 31, 2013: Balance, January 1, 2013 $ 2,439 $ 5,343 $ 9,157 $ 5,898 $ 756 $ - $ - $ 23,593 Provision for loan losses 711 1,742 2,777 4,463 254 - 1,539 11,486 Loans charged off (1,759) (2,020) (3,571) (5,215) (719) - (1,539) (14,823) Recoveries of loans previously charged off 432 473 30 888 298 - - 2,121 Balance, December 31, 2013 $ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ - $ - $ 22,377 Period-end amount allocated to: Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 356 $ 407 $ 1,427 $ 1,395 $ - $ - $ - $ 3,585 Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,467 5,131 6,966 4,639 589 - - 18,792 Ending balance $ 1,823 $ 5,538 $ 8,393 $ 6,034 $ 589 $ - $ - $ 22,377 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 3,457 $ 3,581 $ 15,240 $ 16,925 $ - $ - $ - $ 39,203 Collectively evaluated for impairment 240,916 142,790 793,083 349,957 52,505 381,588 173,190 2,134,029 Acquired with deteriorated credit quality - - - - - 67,165 217,047 284,212 Ending balance $ 244,373 $ 146,371 $ 808,323 $ 366,882 $ 52,505 $ 448,753 $ 390,237 $ 2,457,444
Summary of Changes in Related Party Loans	Changes in related party loans are summarized as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 4,403 $ 5,565 Advances 162 78 Repayments (674) (1,240) Transactions due to changes in related parties (73) - Balance, end of year $ 3,818 $ 4,403
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Summary of Carrying Value of Purchased Non-Covered Loans According to Loan Type	The carrying value of purchased non-covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the years shown: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 45,462 $ 38,041 Real estate – construction & development 72,080 58,362 Real estate – commercial & farmland 390,755 306,706 Real estate – residential 258,153 266,342 Consumer installment loans 5,104 4,788 $ 771,554 $ 674,239
Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis	The following table presents an analysis of purchased non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 1,064 $ 175 Real estate – construction & development 1,106 1,119 Real estate – commercial & farmland 4,920 10,242 Real estate – residential 6,168 6,644 Consumer installment loans 72 69 $ 13,330 $ 18,249
Summary of Past Due Financial Receivables	The following table presents an analysis of purchased non-covered past due loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 248 $ 13 $ 846 $ 1,107 $ 44,355 $ 45,462 $ - Real estate – construction & development 416 687 420 1,523 70,557 72,080 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,479 1,629 3,347 7,455 383,300 390,755 - Real estate – residential 4,965 2,176 4,928 12,069 246,084 258,153 - Consumer installment loans 31 9 70 110 4,994 5,104 - Total $ 8,139 $ 4,514 $ 9,611 $ 22,264 $ 749,290 $ 771,554 $ - Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 461 $ 90 $ 175 $ 726 $ 37,315 $ 38,041 $ - Real estate – construction & development 790 1,735 1,117 3,642 54,720 58,362 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,107 1,194 9,529 12,830 293,876 306,706 - Real estate – residential 6,907 1,401 6,369 14,677 251,665 266,342 - Consumer installment loans 82 - 65 147 4,641 4,788 - Total $ 10,347 $ 4,420 $ 17,255 $ 32,022 $ 642,217 $ 674,239 $ -
Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables	The following is a summary of information pertaining to purchased non-covered impaired loans: As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 13,330 $ 18,249 $ 6,659 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 9,373 1,212 5,938 Total impaired loans $ 22,703 $ 19,461 $ 12,597 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 785 $ 109 $ - Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,365 $ 1,759 $ - The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to purchased non-covered impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,103 $ 1,066 $ - $ 1,066 $ - $ 392 Real estate – construction & development 8,987 1,469 - 1,469 - 1,429 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14,999 11,134 - 11,134 - 10,806 Real estate – residential 14,946 8,957 - 8,957 - 8,067 Consumer installment loans 94 77 - 77 - 65 Total $ 42,129 $ 22,703 $ - $ 22,703 $ - $ 20,759 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 499 $ 175 $ - $ 175 $ - $ 165 Real estate – construction & development 2,210 1,436 - 1,436 - 1,643 Real estate – commercial & farmland 13,520 10,588 - 10,588 - 7,484 Real estate – residential 10,487 7,191 - 7,191 - 7,084 Consumer installment loans 169 71 - 71 - 68 Total $ 26,885 $ 19,461 $ - $ 19,461 $ - $ 16,444
Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable	The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 8,592 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,010 $ - $ 9,602 15 1,186 1,143 10,490 37,808 541 - 51,168 20 10,057 13,678 183,219 128,005 2,031 - 336,990 23 - 438 5,177 6,414 - - 12,029 25 17,565 47,517 162,253 66,166 1,328 - 294,829 30 6,657 4,185 14,297 5,503 51 - 30,693 40 1,373 5,119 15,319 14,257 143 - 36,211 50 30 - - - - - 30 60 2 - - - - - 2 Total $ 45,462 $ 72,080 $ 390,755 $ 258,153 $ 5,104 $ - $ 771,554 As of December 31, 2014: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer installment Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 6,624 $ - $ - $ 290 $ 480 $ - $ 7,394 15 1,376 522 13,277 14,051 501 - 29,727 20 13,657 12,991 116,308 64,083 1,647 - 208,686 23 73 - 3,207 3,298 - - 6,578 25 13,753 36,230 144,293 164,959 1,920 - 361,155 30 1,618 4,365 12,279 7,444 41 - 25,747 40 910 4,254 17,342 12,184 199 - 34,889 50 30 - - 33 - - 63 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 38,041 $ 58,362 $ 306,706 $ 266,342 $ 4,788 $ - $ 674,239
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Loan Class	The following table presents the purchased non-covered loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, which occurred during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 2 $ 21 - $ - Real estate – construction & development 2 30 1 317 Real estate – commercial & farmland 5 1,051 1 346 Real estate – residential 8 1,541 7 571 Consumer installment 3 8 1 2 Total 20 $ 2,651 10 $ 1,236
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Loan Class, Classified Separately under Restructured Terms	The following table presents the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - - $ - Real estate – construction & development 2 30 1 317 Real estate – commercial & farmland 2 57 - - Real estate – residential 6 795 2 91 Consumer installment 1 1 1 2 Total 11 $ 883 4 $ 411
Troubled Debt Restructurings On Financing Receivables Payment Default	The following table presents the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 3 $ 37 1 $ 236 Real estate – construction & development 2 33 1 33 Real estate – commercial & farmland 3 624 2 570 Real estate – residential 20 1,493 6 314 Consumer installment 9 45 4 61 Total 37 $ 2,232 14 $ 1,214
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis	The following table presents an analysis of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 1,302 $ 1,672 Real estate – construction & development 1,812 3,774 Real estate – commercial & farmland 7,019 8,141 Real estate – residential 6,278 7,663 Consumer installment loans 449 478 $ 16,860 $ 21,728
Summary of Past Due Financial Receivables	The following table presents an analysis of loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered past due loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 568 $ 271 $ 835 $ 1,674 $ 447,949 $ 449,623 $ - Real estate – construction & development 1,413 261 1,739 3,413 241,280 244,693 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 1,781 641 6,912 9,334 1,095,657 1,104,991 - Real estate – residential 3,806 2,120 5,121 11,047 559,383 570,430 - Consumer installment loans 374 188 238 800 30,325 31,125 - Other - - - - 6,015 6,015 - Total $ 7,942 $ 3,481 $ 14,845 $ 26,268 $ 2,380,609 $ 2,406,877 $ - Loans Loans Loans 90 Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 900 $ 233 $ 1,577 $ 2,710 $ 316,944 $ 319,654 $ - Real estate – construction & development 1,382 286 3,367 5,035 156,472 161,507 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 2,859 635 7,668 11,162 896,362 907,524 - Real estate – residential 3,953 2,334 6,755 13,042 443,064 456,106 - Consumer installment loans 634 158 366 1,158 29,624 30,782 1 Other - - - - 14,308 14,308 - Total $ 9,728 $ 3,646 $ 19,733 $ 33,107 $ 1,856,774 $ 1,889,881 $ 1
Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables	The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans: As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 16,860 $ 21,728 $ 29,203 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 14,418 12,759 17,214 Total impaired loans $ 31,278 $ 34,487 $ 46,417 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 909 $ 1,991 $ 1,938 Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,204 $ 1,491 $ 1,784 The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,062 $ 158 $ 1,385 $ 1,543 $ 135 $ 2,275 Real estate – construction & development 3,581 230 2,374 2,604 774 3,228 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14,385 6,702 6,083 12,785 1,067 15,105 Real estate – residential 15,809 1,621 12,230 13,851 2,224 11,977 Consumer installment loans 592 - 495 495 9 488 Total $ 37,429 $ 8,711 $ 22,567 $ 31,278 $ 4,209 $ 33,073 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,387 $ 6 $ 1,956 $ 1,962 $ 395 $ 3,021 Real estate – construction & development 8,325 448 4,005 4,453 771 5,368 Real estate – commercial & farmland 17,514 4,967 9,651 14,618 1,859 15,972 Real estate – residential 15,571 3,514 9,407 12,921 974 16,317 Consumer installment loans 618 - 533 533 9 519 Total $ 45,415 $ 8,935 $ 25,552 $ 34,487 $ 4,008 $ 41,197
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Loan Class	The following table presents the loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, which occurred during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 7 $ 80 6 $ 100 Real estate – construction & development 2 15 5 264 Real estate – commercial & farmland 2 2,121 5 1,082 Real estate – residential 33 4,992 20 1,309 Consumer installment 16 61 16 67 Total 60 $ 7,269 52 $ 2,822
Financing Receivable Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis	The following table presents the covered loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, which occurred during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 1 $ 1 - $ - Real estate – construction & development 3 334 1 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 3 1,099 7 2,489 Real estate – residential 23 745 23 1,838 Consumer installment 1 8 - - Total 31 $ 2,187 31 $ 4,327
Covered Loans [Member]
Summary of Financial Receivable Nonaccrual Basis	The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis: 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 2,803 $ 8,541 Real estate – construction & development 1,701 7,601 Real estate – commercial & farmland 5,034 12,584 Real estate – residential 3,663 6,595 Consumer installment loans 37 91 $ 13,238 $ 35,412
Summary of Past Due Financial Receivables	The following table presents an analysis of covered past due loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Loans Loans Loans Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 30, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ - $ - $ 2,802 $ 2,802 $ 2,744 $ 5,546 $ - Real estate – construction & development 96 - 1,633 1,729 5,883 7,612 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 170 205 3,064 3,439 67,787 71,226 - Real estate – residential 2,155 1,001 2,658 5,814 47,224 53,038 - Consumer installment loans - - 37 37 70 107 - Total $ 2,421 $ 1,206 $ 10,194 $ 13,821 $ 123,708 $ 137,529 $ - Loans Loans Loans Total Current Total Loans 90 (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 451 $ 136 $ 1,878 $ 2,465 $ 19,002 $ 21,467 $ - Real estate – construction & development 238 226 6,703 7,167 16,280 23,447 - Real estate – commercial & farmland 4,371 1,486 7,711 13,568 134,059 147,627 714 Real estate – residential 3,464 962 5,656 10,082 68,438 78,520 - Consumer installment loans 10 - 91 101 117 218 - Total $ 8,534 $ 2,810 $ 22,039 $ 33,383 $ 237,896 $ 271,279 $ 714
Summary of Impaired Financial Receivables	The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans: As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Nonaccrual loans $ 16,860 $ 21,728 $ 29,203 Troubled debt restructurings not included above 14,418 12,759 17,214 Total impaired loans $ 31,278 $ 34,487 $ 46,417 Interest income recognized on impaired loans $ 909 $ 1,991 $ 1,938 Foregone interest income on impaired loans $ 1,204 $ 1,491 $ 1,784 The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,062 $ 158 $ 1,385 $ 1,543 $ 135 $ 2,275 Real estate – construction & development 3,581 230 2,374 2,604 774 3,228 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14,385 6,702 6,083 12,785 1,067 15,105 Real estate – residential 15,809 1,621 12,230 13,851 2,224 11,977 Consumer installment loans 592 - 495 495 9 488 Total $ 37,429 $ 8,711 $ 22,567 $ 31,278 $ 4,209 $ 33,073 Unpaid Recorded Recorded Total Related Average (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014: Commercial, financial & agricultural $ 3,387 $ 6 $ 1,956 $ 1,962 $ 395 $ 3,021 Real estate – construction & development 8,325 448 4,005 4,453 771 5,368 Real estate – commercial & farmland 17,514 4,967 9,651 14,618 1,859 15,972 Real estate – residential 15,571 3,514 9,407 12,921 974 16,317 Consumer installment loans 618 - 533 533 9 519 Total $ 45,415 $ 8,935 $ 25,552 $ 34,487 $ 4,008 $ 41,197
Summary of Credit Quality Indicate Financial Receivable	The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by risk grade as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 241,721 $ 294 $ 116 $ 1,606 $ 6,872 $ - $ 250,609 15 28,420 2,074 117,880 78,165 1,191 - 227,730 20 97,142 46,221 685,538 369,624 19,780 6,015 1,224,320 23 559 7,827 13,073 6,112 36 - 27,607 25 77,829 183,512 254,012 91,465 2,595 - 609,413 30 1,492 1,620 13,821 7,347 143 - 24,423 40 2,460 3,145 20,551 16,111 506 - 42,773 50 - - - - - - - 60 - - - - 2 - 2 Total $ 449,623 $ 244,693 $ 1,104,991 $ 570,430 $ 31,125 $ 6,015 $ 2,406,877 As of December 31, 2014: Risk Grade Commercial, Real estate - Real estate - Real estate - Consumer Other Total (Dollars in Thousands) 10 $ 121,355 $ 268 $ 155 $ 226 $ 6,573 $ - $ 128,577 15 25,318 4,010 128,170 59,301 1,005 - 217,804 20 100,599 47,541 511,198 256,758 17,544 14,308 947,948 23 56 8,933 10,507 9,672 37 - 29,205 25 62,519 93,514 224,464 102,998 4,692 - 488,187 30 3,758 1,474 13,035 7,459 257 - 25,983 40 6,049 5,767 19,995 19,692 673 - 52,176 50 - - - - 1 - 1 60 - - - - - - - Total $ 319,654 $ 161,507 $ 907,524 $ 456,106 $ 30,782 $ 14,308 $ 1,889,881
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Loan Class	The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - 2 $ 1 Real estate – construction & development 4 779 - - Real estate – commercial & farmland 4 1,967 3 1,067 Real estate – residential 97 10,529 26 1,116 Consumer installment 2 8 - - Total 107 $ 13,283 31 $ 2,184 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 2 $ 40 2 $ - Real estate – construction & development 4 3,037 2 29 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14 8,079 5 1,082 Real estate – residential 96 11,460 8 831 Consumer installment 1 3 - - Total 117 $ 22,619 17 $ 1,942
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructuring by Loan Class, Classified Separately under Restructured Terms	The following table presents the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the year ending December 31, 2015 and 2014. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 3 $ 37 1 $ 236 Real estate – construction & development 2 33 1 33 Real estate – commercial & farmland 3 624 2 570 Real estate – residential 20 1,493 6 314 Consumer installment 9 45 4 61 Total 37 $ 2,232 14 $ 1,214
Accrual And Non Accrual [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Loan Class	The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 1 $ 2 2 $ 21 Real estate – construction & development 1 363 3 42 Real estate – commercial & farmland 14 6,214 3 412 Real estate – residential 13 2,789 4 180 Consumer installment 2 5 2 3 Total 31 $ 9,373 14 $ 658 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural - $ - - $ - Real estate – construction & development 1 317 - - Real estate – commercial & farmland 1 346 - - Real estate – residential 6 547 1 25 Consumer installment 1 2 - - Total 9 $ 1,212 1 $ 25
Accrual And Non Accrual [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Summary of Troubled Debt Restructurings by Loan Class	The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 4 $ 240 10 $ 110 Real estate – construction & development 11 792 3 63 Real estate – commercial & farmland 16 5,766 3 596 Real estate – residential 51 7,574 20 1,123 Consumer installment 12 46 23 94 Total 94 $ 14,418 59 $ 1,986 As of December 31, 2014 Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans Balance Balance Loan class: # (in thousands) # (in thousands) Commercial, financial & agricultural 6 $ 290 2 $ 13 Real estate – construction & development 9 679 5 228 Real estate – commercial & farmland 19 6,477 3 724 Real estate – residential 47 5,258 11 1,485 Consumer installment 11 55 11 73 Total 92 $ 12,759 32 $ 2,523

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Tables

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Summary of Activity in Other Real Estate Owned	The following is a summary of the activity in other real estate owned during years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 33,160 $ 33,351 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 11,261 11,972 Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs (9,971) (4,585) Sales proceeds (18,303) (7,578) Ending balance $ 16,147 $ 33,160
Summary of Activity in Purchased Non-Covered Other Real Estate Owned	The following is a summary of the activity in purchased, non-covered other real estate owned during years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 15,585 $ 4,276 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 4,473 4,160 Acquired in acquisitions 2,160 8,864 Transfer from covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration 3,148 1,226 Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs 201 828 Sales proceeds (11,234) (3,769) Ending balance $ 14,333 $ 15,585
Summary of Activity in Covered Other Real Estate Owned	The following is a summary of the activity in covered other real estate owned during years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Balance, January 1 $ 19,907 $ 45,893 Loans transferred to other real estate owned 7,910 13,650 Transfer to purchased, non-covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration (3,148) (1,226) Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs (5,926) (5,965) Sales proceeds (13,732) (32,445) Ending balance $ 5,011 $ 19,907

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Premises and Equipment	Premises and equipment are summarized as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Land $ 38,806 $ 31,709 Buildings 94,310 79,692 Furniture and equipment 48,140 41,472 Construction in progress 1,393 971 182,649 153,844 Accumulated depreciation (61,010) (56,593) $ 121,639 $ 97,251
Summary of Future Minimum Lease Commitments	Future minimum lease commitments under the Company’s operating leases, excluding any renewal options, are summarized as follows: 2016 $ 2,999,694 2017 3,059,886 2018 2,685,184 2019 2,295,477 2020 2,074,955 Thereafter 1,508,542 $ 14,623,738

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Information Related to Acquired Intangible Assets	As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated (Dollars in Thousands) Amortized intangible assets - core deposit premiums $ 39,328 $ 22,270 $ 26,749 $ 18,528
Estimated Amortization Expense	2016 $ 3,721 2017 3,223 2018 3,072 2019 3,072 2020 2,430 Thereafter 1,540 $ 17,058

DEPOSITS (Tables)

DEPOSITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Scheduled Maturities of Time Deposits	The scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2015 are as follows: (Dollars in 2016 $ 673,108 2017 101,996 2018 28,531 2019 12,674 2020 17,622 Thereafter 4,475 $ 838,406

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCH45

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
Summary of Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements	As of and For the Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Average daily balance during the year $ 50,988 $ 47,136 $ 26,908 Average interest rate during the year 0.34 % 0.35 % 0.54 % Maximum month-end balance during the year $ 68,300 $ 73,310 $ 83,516 Weighted average interest rate at year-end 0.30 % 0.31 % 0.57 % The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase at December 31, 2015 and 2014: (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, December 31, Securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 63,585 $ 73,310 Total $ 63,585 $ 73,310

OTHER BORROWINGS (Tables)

OTHER BORROWINGS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER BORROWINGS	Other borrowings consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Daily Rate Credit from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.36%. $ - $ 35,000 Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (3.92% at December 31, 2015 and 3.73% at December 31, 2014) due in August 2016, secured by subsidiary bank stock. 24,000 24,000 Advance from correspondent bank with a fixed interest rate of 4.50%, due November 27, 2017, secured by subsidiary bank loan receivable. - 4,881 Subordinated debt issued by The Prosperity Banking Company due September 2016 with an interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.75% (2.28% at December 31, 2015 and 1.99% at December 31, 2014). 15,000 15,000 $ 39,000 $ 78,881

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax Expense in Consolidated Statements of Income	The income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income consists of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Current – federal $ 15,215 $ 10,499 $ 5,237 Current - state 1,026 467 505 Deferred - federal (344) 6,516 3,543 $ 15,897 $ 17,482 $ 9,285
Schedule of Reconciliation of Differences in Company's Income Tax Expense	The Company’s income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal income tax statutory rates to income before income taxes. A reconciliation of the differences is as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Tax at federal income tax rate $ 19,860 $ 19,672 $ 10,256 Change resulting from: Tax-exempt interest (2,490) (1,647) (841) Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance (484) (568) (446) State income tax, net of federal benefit 667 304 328 Other (1,656) (279) (12) Provision for income taxes $ 15,897 $ 17,482 $ 9,285
Components of Deferred Income Taxes	The components of deferred income taxes are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for loan losses $ 7,372 $ 7,405 Deferred compensation 1,202 787 Deferred gain on interest rate swap 381 477 Unrealized loss on interest rate swap 504 460 Nonaccrual interest 49 153 Purchase accounting adjustments 10,825 13,241 Goodwill and intangible assets 9,357 9,565 Other real estate owned 8,597 8,982 Net operating loss tax carryforward 11,179 12,146 Capitalized costs, accrued expenses and other 200 1,469 49,666 54,685 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization 5,591 4,821 Mortgage servicing rights 715 539 Subordinated debentures 7,732 7,159 FDIC-assisted transaction adjustments 14,446 21,372 Unrealized gain on securities available for sale 1,723 3,010 30,207 36,901 Net deferred tax asset $ 19,459 $ 17,784

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Activity of Non-Performance Based and Performance Based Options	A summary of the activity of non-performance-based and performance-based options as of December 31, 2015 is presented below: Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Shares Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Shares Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Under option, beginning of year 88,111 $ 18.00 359,331 $ 16.74 Granted - - - - Exercised (15,628) 15.47 $ 242 (59,507) 15.39 $ 916 Forfeited - - (75,691) 17.37 Under option, end of year 72,483 $ 18.55 2.13 $ 1,331 224,132 $ 16.92 1.80 $ 3,697 Exercisable at end of year 72,483 $ 18.55 2.13 $ 1,331 189,587 $ 15.91 2.06 $ 3,252 A summary of the activity of non- performance-based and performance-based options as of December 31, 2014 is presented below: Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Average Average Intrinsic Average Average Intrinsic Exercise Contractual Value Exercise Contractual Value Shares Price Term $ (000) Shares Price Term $ (000) Under option, beginning of year 115,459 $ 17.24 371,000 $ 16.76 Granted - - - - Exercised (25,395) 14.81 $ 148 (6,477) 11.05 $ 72 Forfeited (1,953) 14.88 (5,192) 25.51 Under option, end of year 88,111 $ 18.00 2.71 $ 884 359,331 $ 16.74 2.11 $ 2,955 Exercisable at end of year 88,111 $ 18.00 2.71 $ 884 341,030 $ 17.23 2.00 $ 2,629 A summary of the activity of non- performance-based and performance-based options as of December 31, 2013 is presented below: Non-Performance-Based Performance-Based Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Weighted- Weighted Aggregate Average Average Intrinsic Average Average Intrinsic Exercise Contractual Value Exercise Contractual Value Shares Price Term $ (000) Shares Price Term $ (000) Under option, beginning of year 148,498 $ 16.37 391,321 $ 16.43 Granted - - - - Exercised (27,657) 13.29 $ 107 (4,524) 7.47 $ 42 Forfeited (5,382) 13.43 (15,797) 13.22 Under option, end of year 115,459 $ 17.24 3.04 $ 641 371,000 $ 16.76 3.12 $ 1,401 Exercisable at end of year 115,459 $ 17.24 3.04 $ 641 351,856 $ 17.27 3.01 $ 1,145
Summary of the Status of the Company's Restricted Stock Awards	A summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock awards as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is presented below: 2015 2014 2013 Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Average Grant-Date Grant-Date Grant-Date Shares Fair Value Shares Fair Value Shares Fair Value Nonvested shares at beginning of year 323,151 $ 13.46 377,725 $ 11.78 295,075 $ 10.47 Granted 71,000 23.46 82,047 20.99 108,400 14.77 Vested (108,825) 9.96 (126,050) 13.12 (21,750) 9.31 Forfeited - - (10,571) 15.61 (4,000) 9.88 Nonvested shares at end of year 285,326 17.29 323,151 13.46 377,725 11.78

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HE49

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Gains (losses) Relating to Free-Standing Derivative Instruments	The net gains (losses) relating to free-standing derivative instruments used for risk management are summarized below as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: December 31, December 31, December 31, Location 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale Mortgage banking activity $ (137) $ (249) $ 98 Interest rate lock commitments Mortgage banking activity $ 2,687 $ 1,757 $ 1,082
Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments	The following table reflects the amount and market value of mortgage banking derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Notional Notional Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value (Dollars in Thousands) Included in other assets: Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale $ - $ - $ - $ - Interest rate lock commitments 77,710 2,687 38,868 1,757 Total included in other assets $ 77,710 $ 2,687 $ 38,868 $ 1,757 Included in other liabilities: Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale $ 123,500 $ 137 $ 46,500 $ 249 Interest rate lock commitments - - - - Total included in other liabilities $ 123,500 $ 137 $ 46,500 $ 249

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI50

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations	A summary of the Company’s commitments is as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Commitments to extend credit $ 548,898 $ 293,517 Unused lines of credit 52,798 49,567 Financial standby letters of credit 14,712 9,683 Mortgage interest rate lock commitments 77,710 38,868

REGULATORY MATTERS (Tables)

REGULATORY MATTERS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Company's and Bank's Actual Capital Amounts and Ratios	The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table. For Capital To Be Well Capitalized Adequacy Under Prompt Corrective Actual Purposes Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio (Dollars in Thousands) As of December 31, 2015 Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Consolidated $ 484,023 11.45 % $ 338,057 8.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 516,677 12.24 % $ 337,687 8.00 % $ 422,109 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 462,961 10.96 % $ 253,543 6.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 11.74 % $ 253,266 6.00 % $ 337,687 8.00 % Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 403,322 9.54 % $ 190,157 4.50 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 11.74 % $ 189,949 4.50 % $ 274,371 6.50 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated $ 462,961 8.70 % $ 212,771 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 495,615 9.32 % $ 212,608 4.00 % $ 265,760 5.00 % As of December 31, 2014 Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Consolidated $ 373,310 13.42 % $ 222,557 8.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 414,356 14.90 % $ 222,528 8.00 % $ 278,160 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 352,153 12.66 % $ 111,279 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 393,199 14.14 % $ 111,264 4.00 % $ 166,896 6.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated $ 352,153 8.94 % $ 157,574 4.00 % —N/A— Ameris Bank $ 393,199 10.01 % $ 157,165 4.00 % $ 196,456 5.00 %

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR52

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Difference Between Fair Value and Principal Balance for Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Measured at Fair Value	The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) Aggregate Fair Value of Mortgage Loans held for sale $ 111,182 $ 94,759 Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance $ 107,652 $ 90,418 Past due loans of 90 days or more $ - $ - Nonaccrual loans $ - $ -
Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) U.S. government sponsored agencies $ 14,890 $ - $ 14,890 $ - State, county and municipal securities 161,316 - 161,316 - Corporate debt securities 6,017 - 3,019 2,998 Mortgage-backed securities 600,962 - 600,962 - Mortgage loans held for sale 111,182 - 111,182 - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 2,687 - 2,687 - Total recurring assets at fair value $ 897,054 $ - $ 894,056 $ 2,998 Derivative financial instruments $ 1,439 $ - $ 1,439 $ - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 137 - 137 - Total recurring liabilities at fair value $ 1,576 $ - $ 1,576 $ - Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) U.S. government sponsored agencies $ 14,678 $ - $ 14,678 $ - State, county and municipal securities 141,375 - 141,375 - Corporate debt securities 11,040 - 8,540 2,500 Mortgage-backed securities 374,712 8,248 366,464 - Mortgage loans held for sale 94,759 - 94,759 - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 1,757 - 1,757 - Total recurring assets at fair value $ 638,321 $ 8,248 $ 627,573 $ 2,500 Derivative financial instruments $ 1,315 $ - $ 1,315 $ - Mortgage banking derivative instruments 249 - 249 - Total recurring liabilities at fair value $ 1,564 $ - $ 1,564 $ -
Summary of Fair Value Measurements of Assets Measured at Fair Value on Non-Recurring Basis	The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) Impaired loans carried at fair value $ 27,069 $ - $ - $ 27,069 Other real estate owned 10,456 - - 10,456 Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned 14,333 - - 14,333 Covered other real estate owned 5,011 - - 5,011 Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $ 56,869 $ - $ - $ 56,869 Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Assets Inputs Inputs Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Dollars in Thousands) Impaired loans carried at fair value $ 30,479 $ - $ - $ 30,479 Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned 15,585 - - 15,585 Covered other real estate owned 19,907 - - 19,907 Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $ 65,971 $ - $ - $ 65,971
Summary of Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Fair Value Measurement of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities	The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities. Weighted Range of Average Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Discounts Discount As of December 31, 2015 Nonrecurring: Impaired loans $ 27,069 Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates 0% - 100% 29 % Other Real Estate Owned $ 10,456 Third party appraisals, sales contracts, Broker price opinions Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% - 90% 13 % Purchased non-covered real estate owned $ 14,333 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% -69% 19 % Covered real estate owned $ 5,011 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 0% - 74% 12 % Recurring: Investment securities available for sale $ 2,998 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0 % As of December 31, 2014 Nonrecurring: Impaired loans $ 30,479 Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates 0% - 50% 20 % Purchased non-covered real estate owned $ 15,585 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% -96% 33 % Covered real estate owned $ 19,907 Third party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell 10% - 90% 15 % Recurring: Investment securities available for sale $ 2,500 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0 %
Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using: Carrying Amount Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in Thousands) Financial assets: Cash and due from banks $ 118,518 $ 118,518 $ - $ - $ 118,518 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts 272,045 272,045 - 272,045 Loans, net 3,971,974 - - 3,982,606 3,982,606 FDIC loss-share receivable 6,301 - - (944) (944) Accrued interest receivable 21,274 21,274 - - 21,274 Financial liabilities: Deposits 4,879,290 - 4,880,294 - 4,880,294 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 63,585 63,585 - - 36,585 Other borrowings 39,000 - 39,000 - 39,000 Accrued interest payable 1,054 1,054 - - 1,054 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 69,874 - 52,785 - 52,785 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using: Carrying Amount Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in Thousands) Financial assets: Cash and due from banks $ 78,036 $ 78,036 $ - $ - $ 78,036 Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts 92,323 92,323 - 92,323 Loans, net 2,783,763 - - 2,785,627 2,785,627 FDIC loss-share receivable 31,351 - - 18,764 18,764 Accrued interest receivable 17,023 17,023 - - 17,023 Financial liabilities: Deposits 3,431,149 - 3,432,059 - 3,432,059 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 73,310 73,310 - - 73,310 Other borrowings 78,881 - 78,881 - 78,881 Accrued interest payable 1,382 1,382 - - 1,382 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 65,325 - 46,564 - 46,564

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI53

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Accumulated Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized Gain (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Dollars in Thousands) on Derivatives on Securities (Loss) Balance, January 1, 2015 $ 508 $ 5,590 $ 6,098 Reclassification for gains included in net income - (89) (89) Current year changes (356) (2,300) (2,656) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 152 $ 3,201 $ 3,353 Accumulated Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized Gain (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Dollars in Thousands) on Derivatives on Securities (Loss) Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 1,397 $ (1,691) $ (294) Reclassification for gains included in net income - (90) (90) Current year changes (889) 7,371 6,482 Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 508 $ 5,590 $ 6,098

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Information with Respect to Company's Reportable Business Segments	The following table presents selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Year Ended December 31, 2015 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 174,162 $ 8,821 $ 4,137 $ 3,273 $ 190,393 Interest expense 14,385 - - 471 14,856 Net interest income 159,777 8,821 4,137 2,802 175,537 Provision for loan losses 4,847 417 - - 5,264 Noninterest income 44,251 34,498 1,364 5,473 85,586 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 68,183 22,112 519 3,189 94,003 Equipment and occupancy expenses 19,320 1,674 7 194 21,195 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 18,681 1,065 95 8 19,849 Other expenses 59,636 3,787 123 522 64,068 Total noninterest expense 165,820 28,638 744 3,913 199,115 Income before income tax expense 33,361 14,264 4,757 4,362 56,744 Income tax expense 7,713 4,992 1,665 1,527 15,897 Net income 25,648 9,272 3,092 2,835 40,847 Less preferred stock dividends - - - - - Net income available to common shareholders $ 25,648 $ 9,272 $ 3,092 $ 2,835 $ 40,847 Total assets $ 5,166,045 $ 246,730 $ 101,893 $ 74,272 $ 5,588,940 Other intangible assets, net $ 17,058 $ - $ - $ - $ 17,058 Goodwill $ 90,082 $ - $ - $ - $ 90,082 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 154,898 $ 5,344 $ 2,016 $ 2,308 $ 164,566 Interest expense 14,438 - - 242 14,680 Net interest income 140,460 5,344 2,016 2,066 149,886 Provision for loan losses 4,822 826 - - 5,648 Noninterest income 32,337 24,959 655 4,885 62,836 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 55,101 15,918 255 2,604 73,878 Equipment and occupancy expenses 16,097 1,342 1 81 17,521 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 14,436 1,043 54 18 15,551 Other expenses 39,175 3,603 392 749 43,919 Total noninterest expense 124,809 21,906 702 3,452 150,869 Income before income tax expense 43,166 7,571 1,969 3,499 56,205 Income tax expense 12,918 2,650 689 1,225 17,482 Net income 30,248 4,921 1,280 2,274 38,723 Less preferred stock dividends 286 - - - 286 Net income available to common shareholders $ 29,962 $ 4,921 $ 1,280 $ 2,274 $ 38,437 Total assets $ 3,751,503 $ 164,588 $ 58,502 $ 62,484 $ 4,037,077 Other intangible assets, net $ 8,221 $ - $ - $ - $ 8,221 Goodwill $ 63,547 $ - $ - $ - $ 63,547 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Warehouse Retail Mortgage Lending Banking Division Division Division SBA Division Total (Dollars in Thousands) Interest income $ 120,522 $ 3,162 $ 721 $ 1,917 $ 126,322 Interest expense 9,940 - - 197 10,137 Net interest income 110,582 3,162 721 1,720 116,185 Provision for loan losses 11,486 - - - 11,486 Noninterest income 25,282 18,967 163 2,137 46,549 Noninterest expense Salaries and employee benefits 43,524 12,341 174 631 56,670 Equipment and occupancy expenses 11,599 625 6 56 12,286 Data processing and telecommunications expenses 10,957 534 39 9 11,539 Other expenses 36,850 4,258 128 214 41,450 Total noninterest expense 102,930 17,758 347 910 121,945 Income before income tax expense 21,448 4,371 537 2,947 29,303 Income tax expense 6,536 1,530 188 1,031 9,285 Net income 14,912 2,841 349 1,916 20,018 Less preferred stock dividends 1,738 - - - 1,738 Net income available to common shareholders $ 13,174 $ 2,841 $ 349 $ 1,916 $ 18,280 Total assets $ 3,506,954 $ 108,198 $ 14,229 $ 38,268 $ 3,667,649 Other intangible assets, net $ 6,009 $ - $ - $ - $ 6,009 Goodwill $ 35,049 $ - $ - $ - $ 35,049

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (una55

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Consolidated Quarterly Financial Information	The following table sets forth certain consolidated quarterly financial information of the Company. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Merchants and completed the acquisition and data conversion of 18 additional branches in South Georgia and North Florida from Bank of America. The Company recorded approximately $ 3.7 7.3 Quarters Ended December 31, 2015 4 3 2 1 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) Selected Income Statement Data: Interest income $ 52,601 $ 51,195 $ 44,229 $ 42,368 Interest expense 3,983 3,796 3,541 3,536 Net interest income 48,618 47,399 40,688 38,832 Provision for loan losses 553 986 2,656 1,069 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 48,065 46,413 38,032 37,763 Noninterest income 22,407 24,978 20,626 17,575 Noninterest expense 51,221 47,950 51,152 40,812 Acquisition related expenses 1,807 446 5,712 15 Income before income taxes 17,444 22,995 1,794 14,511 Income tax 3,296 7,368 486 4,747 Net income 14,148 15,627 1,308 9,764 Preferred stock dividends - - - - Net income available to common stockholders $ 14,148 $ 15,627 $ 1,308 $ 9,764 Per Share Data: Net income – basic 0.44 0.49 0.04 0.32 Net income – diluted 0.43 0.48 0.04 0.32 Common Dividends (Cash) 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Common Dividends (Stock) - - - - Quarters Ended December 31, 2014 4 3 2 1 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) Selected Income Statement Data: Interest income $ 44,900 $ 43,186 $ 38,607 $ 37,873 Interest expense 3,894 4,054 3,343 3,389 Net interest income 41,006 39,132 35,264 34,484 Provision for loan losses 888 1,669 1,365 1,726 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 40,118 37,463 33,899 32,758 Noninterest income 16,362 17,901 15,819 12,754 Noninterest expense 41,666 38,028 34,446 32,789 Acquisition related expenses 67 551 2,872 450 Income before income taxes 14,747 16,785 12,400 12,273 Income tax 4,167 5,122 4,270 3,923 Net income 10,580 11,663 8,130 8,350 Preferred stock dividends - - - 286 Net income available to common stockholders $ 10,580 $ 11,663 $ 8,130 $ 8,064 Per Share Data: Net income – basic 0.40 0.44 0.32 0.32 Net income – diluted 0.39 0.43 0.32 0.32 Common Dividends (Cash) 0.05 0.05 0.05 - Common Dividends (Stock) - - - -

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATI56

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheets	CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 Assets Cash and due from banks $ 5,847 $ 868 Investment in subsidiaries 617,134 470,557 Other assets 6,717 6,552 Total assets $ 629,698 $ 477,977 Liabilities Other liabilities $ 6,065 $ 7,624 Other borrowings 39,000 39,000 Subordinated deferrable interest debentures 69,874 65,325 Total liabilities 114,939 111,949 Stockholders’ equity 514,759 366,028 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 629,698 $ 477,977
Condensed Statements of Income	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income Dividends from subsidiaries $ 10,000 $ 29,000 $ 2,200 Other income 59 235 26 Total income 10,059 29,235 2,226 Expense Interest 4,813 4,558 1,527 Other expense 1,521 2,253 1,133 Total expense 6,334 6,811 2,660 Earnings (loss) before income tax benefit and dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries 3,725 22,424 (434) Income tax benefit 2,382 2,468 921 Earnings (loss) before dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 6,107 24,892 487 Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 34,740 13,831 19,531 Net income 40,847 38,723 20,018 Preferred stock dividend - 286 1,738 Net income available to common shareholders $ 40,847 $ 38,437 $ 18,280
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 40,847 $ 38,723 $ 20,018 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 1,485 2,058 1,041 Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries (34,740) (13,831) (19,531) (Increase) decrease in interest payable 20 (214) (5,300) Decrease in tax receivable (2,656) (256) (813) Provision for deferred taxes 188 (426) 39 Other operating activities 866 (1,558) (2,686) Total adjustments (34,837) (14,227) (27,250) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 6,010 24,496 (7,232) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investment in subsidiary (60,000) - - Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions (49,940) 144 249 Net cash provided by investing activities (109,940) 144 249 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issuance of common stock 114,889 - - Purchase of treasury shares (732) (474) (116) Dividends paid preferred stock - (286) (1,400) Dividends paid common stock (6,439) (4,016) - Proceeds from other borrowings - 14,000 10,000 Repayment of other borrowings - (9,005) - Repurchase of preferred stock - (28,000) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,191 459 410 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 108,909 (27,322) 8,894 Net change in cash and due from banks 4,979 (2,682) 1,911 Cash and due from banks at beginning of year 868 3,550 1,639 Cash and due from banks at end of year $ 5,847 $ 868 $ 3,550 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for interest $ 4,793 $ 4,772 $ 1,523 Cash paid during the year for income taxes $ - $ - $ -

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN57

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Distributed earnings allocated to common stockholders									$ 6,439	$ 4,016	$ 0
Undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders									34,408	34,421	18,280
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,064	$ 40,847	$ 38,437	$ 18,280
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding									31,762	25,974	23,918
Effect of dilutive restricted grants									244	15	378
Effect of dilutive options									121	270	169
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share									32,127	26,259	24,348

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum Refinement Period Of Fair Value After Closing Date Of Acquisition	1 year
Total of the average daily required reserve	$ 27,800,000	$ 20,100,000
Servicing fees	1,268,000	1,011,000	$ 611,000
Company stock-based compensation cost	1,500,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 1,000,000
Anti-dilutive common shares excluded		6,000	324,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	2,687,000	$ 1,757,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	$ 137,000	249,000
Minimum [Member] | Core Deposits [Member]
Intangible assets amortized over an estimated useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Core Deposits [Member]
Intangible assets amortized over an estimated useful life	7 years
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Cash flow for the purpose of converting floating rate loans to a fixed rate	$ 37,100,000	37,100,000	$ 37,100,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Cash flow for the purpose of converting floating rate loans to a fixed rate	$ 1,439,000	$ 1,315,000
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Software And Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Software And Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives	5 years

PENDING MERGER (Details Textual

PENDING MERGER (Details Textual) - Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Description of merger agreement	Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, JAXB shareholders will receive either 0.5861 shares of Ameris common stock or $16.50 in cash for each share of JAXB common stock or nonvoting common stock they hold, subject to the total consideration being allocated 75% stock and 25% cash.
Reported assets	$ 505.3
Gross loans	399.5
Deposits	$ 433

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		Jun. 12, 2015	May. 22, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash value of bank owned life insurance					$ 64,251	$ 58,867
Deposits:
Goodwill					$ 90,082	$ 63,547	$ 35,049
Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents				$ 3,895
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances				15,923
Investment securities				67,266
Other investments				975
Mortgage loans held for sale				7,288
Loans				296,141
Less allowance for loan losses				(3,218)
Loans, net				292,923
Other real estate owned				14,992
Premises and equipment				11,882
Intangible assets				507
Cash value of bank owned life insurance				7,812
Other assets				14,898
Total assets				438,361
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing				80,012
Interest-bearing				289,012
Total deposits				369,024
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase				5,428
Other borrowings				22,005
Other liabilities				6,192
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures				15,465
Total liabilities				418,114
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				20,247
Goodwill				0
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				$ 20,247
Consideration:
Ameris Bancorp common shares issued				1,598,998
Purchase price per share of the Company’s common stock				$ 21.56
Company common stock issued				$ 34,474
Cash exchanged for shares				2,796
Fair value of total consideration transferred				37,270
Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member] | Initial Fair Value Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents				0
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances				0
Investment securities	[1]			(500)
Other investments				0
Mortgage loans held for sale				0
Loans	[2]			(16,700)
Less allowance for loan losses	[3]			3,218
Loans, net				(13,482)
Other real estate owned	[4]			(6,935)
Premises and equipment				0
Intangible assets	[5]			4,035
Cash value of bank owned life insurance				0
Other assets	[6]			(601)
Total assets				(17,483)
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing				0
Interest-bearing				0
Total deposits				0
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase				0
Other borrowings				0
Other liabilities				0
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	[7]			(6,413)
Total liabilities				(6,413)
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				(11,070)
Goodwill				28,093
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				17,023
Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents				3,895
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances				15,923
Investment securities				66,766
Other investments				975
Mortgage loans held for sale				7,288
Loans				279,441
Less allowance for loan losses				0
Loans, net				279,441
Other real estate owned				8,057
Premises and equipment				11,882
Intangible assets				4,542
Cash value of bank owned life insurance				7,812
Other assets				14,297
Total assets				420,878
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing				80,012
Interest-bearing				289,012
Total deposits				369,024
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase				5,428
Other borrowings				22,005
Other liabilities				6,192
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures				9,052
Total liabilities				411,701
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				9,177
Goodwill				28,093
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				$ 37,270
Bank Of America [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 630,220
Loans		4,363
Premises and equipment		10,348
Intangible assets		0
Other assets		126
Total assets		645,057
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		149,854
Interest-bearing		495,110
Total deposits		644,964
Other liabilities		93
Total liabilities		645,057
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		0
Goodwill		0
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		0
Consideration:
Cash exchanged for shares		20,000
Cash paid as deposit premium		20,002
Fair value of total consideration transferred		20,002
Bank Of America [Member] | Subsequent Fair Value Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		0
Loans	[2]	(364)
Premises and equipment	[8]	(755)
Intangible assets	[9]	985
Other assets		0
Total assets		(134)
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		0
Interest-bearing		0
Total deposits		0
Other liabilities		0
Total liabilities		0
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		(134)
Goodwill		134
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		0
Bank Of America [Member] | Initial Fair Value Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		0
Loans		0
Premises and equipment	[10]	1,060
Intangible assets	[5]	7,651
Total assets		8,711
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		0
Interest-bearing	[11]	(215)
Total deposits		(215)
Other liabilities		0
Total liabilities		(215)
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		8,926
Goodwill		11,076
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		20,002
Bank Of America [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		630,220
Loans		3,999
Premises and equipment		10,653
Intangible assets		8,636
Other assets		126
Total assets		653,634
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		149,854
Interest-bearing		494,895
Total deposits		644,749
Other liabilities		93
Total liabilities		644,842
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		8,792
Goodwill		11,210
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed		$ 20,002
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 7,527
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances			106,188
Investment securities			164,421
Other investments			872
Loans			199,955
Less allowance for loan losses			(3,354)
Loans, net			196,601
Other real estate owned			4,082
Premises and equipment			14,614
Intangible assets			0
Other assets			2,333
Total assets			496,638
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing			121,708
Interest-bearing			286,112
Total deposits			407,820
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			41,588
Other liabilities			2,151
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures			6,186
Total liabilities			457,745
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			38,893
Goodwill			0
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			38,893
Consideration:
Cash exchanged for shares			50,000
Fair value of total consideration transferred			50,000
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member] | Subsequent Fair Value Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			0
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances			0
Investment securities	[12]		(639)
Other investments			0
Loans			0
Less allowance for loan losses			0
Loans, net			0
Other real estate owned			0
Premises and equipment			0
Intangible assets	[13]		(634)
Other assets	[14]		(1,307)
Total assets			(2,580)
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing			0
Interest-bearing	[15]		41,588
Total deposits			0
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	[15]		(41,588)
Other liabilities			0
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures			0
Total liabilities			0
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			(2,580)
Goodwill			2,580
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			0
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member] | Initial Fair Value Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			0
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances			0
Investment securities	[1]		(553)
Other investments			0
Loans	[2]		(8,500)
Less allowance for loan losses	[16]		3,354
Loans, net			(5,146)
Other real estate owned	[4]		(1,115)
Premises and equipment	[17]		(3,680)
Intangible assets	[5]		4,577
Other assets	[6]		2,335
Total assets			(3,582)
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing			0
Interest-bearing			0
Total deposits			0
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			0
Other liabilities	[18]		81
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	[19]		(2,680)
Total liabilities			(2,599)
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			(983)
Goodwill			12,090
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			11,107
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			7,527
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances			106,188
Investment securities			163,229
Other investments			872
Loans			191,455
Less allowance for loan losses			0
Loans, net			191,455
Other real estate owned			2,967
Premises and equipment			10,934
Intangible assets			3,943
Other assets			3,361
Total assets			490,476
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing			121,708
Interest-bearing			327,700
Total deposits			449,408
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			0
Other liabilities			2,232
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures			3,506
Total liabilities			455,146
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			35,330
Goodwill	[6]		14,670
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed			$ 50,000
[1]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date.
[2]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.
[3]	Adjustment reflects the elimination of Coastal’s allowance for loan losses.
[4]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.
[5]	Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
[6]	Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
[7]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.
[8]	Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the premise and equipment.
[9]	Adjustment reflects additional recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
[10]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the premise and equipment as of the acquisition date.
[11]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits.
[12]	Adjustment reflects the additional fair value adjustments of the available for sale portfolio as of the acquisition date.
[13]	Adjustment reflects adjustment to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
[14]	Adjustment reflects the additional deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
[15]	Subsequent to acquisition, the acquired securities sold under agreements to repurchase were converted to deposit accounts and are no longer reported as securities sold under agreements to repurchase on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.
[16]	Adjustment reflects the elimination of Merchants’ allowance for loan losses.
[17]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired premises.
[18]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of interest rate swap liabilities.
[19]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details 1)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member]
Contractually required principal and interest	$ 38,194
Non-accretable difference	(5,632)
Cash flows expected to be collected	32,562
Accretable yield	(3,282)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired	29,280
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member]
Contractually required principal and interest	17,201,000
Non-accretable difference	(2,712,000)
Cash flows expected to be collected	14,489,000
Accretable yield	(3,254,000)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired	$ 11,235,000

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Detail62

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details 2) - Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member] $ in Thousands	Mar. 22, 2015USD ($)
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30, Fair Value of Acquired Loans at Acquisition Date	$ 11,235
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30, Gross Contractual Amounts Receivable at Acquisition Date	14,086
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30, Best Estimate at Acquisition Date of Contractual Cash Flows Not Expected to be Collected	2,712
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30, Fair Value of Acquired Loans at Acquisition Date	180,220
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30, Gross Contractual Amounts Receivable at Acquisition Date	184,906
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30, Best Estimate at Acquisition Date of Contractual Cash Flows Not Expected to be Collected	$ 0

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Detail63

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details 3) - Coastal Bankshares, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net interest income and noninterest income	$ 266,710	$ 238,055
Net income	40,514	41,806
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 40,514	$ 41,520
Income per common share available to common stockholders - basic	$ 1.28	$ 1.51
Income per common share available to common stockholders - diluted	$ 1.26	$ 1.49
Average number of shares outstanding, basic	31,762	27,573
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted	32,127	27,858

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Detail64

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Transfers to purchased non-covered other real estate owned	$ (4,473)	$ (4,160)	$ 0
Non Covered Loan [Member]
Balance, beginning of year	674,239	448,753
Charge-offs, net of recoveries	(991)	(84)
Additions due to acquisitions	195,818	279,441
Accretion	10,590	9,745
Transfers to purchased non-covered other real estate owned	(4,473)	(4,160)
Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration	50,568	15,475
Payments received	(154,666)	(74,931)
Other	469	0
Balance, ending of year	$ 771,554	$ 674,239	$ 448,753

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Detail65

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Covered Loans Acquired Accretable Discounts [Line Items]
Accretion	$ (10,590)	$ (9,745)	$ 0
Non Covered Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Covered Loans Acquired Accretable Discounts [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	674,239	448,753
Additions due to acquisitions	195,818	279,441
Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration	50,568	15,475
Balance, ending of year	771,554	674,239	448,753
Discount Accretion [Member] | Non Covered Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Covered Loans Acquired Accretable Discounts [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	25,716	26,189
Additions due to acquisitions	5,788	7,799
Accretion	(10,590)	(9,745)
Transfer from covered loans due to loss share expiration	1,665	0
Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs	(1,768)	0
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net	3,974	1,473
Balance, ending of year	$ 24,785	$ 25,716	$ 26,189

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Detail66

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details Textual)		Jun. 12, 2015USD ($)	May. 22, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets					$ 90,082,000	$ 63,547,000	$ 35,049,000
Issuance of common stock, fair value					$ 0	34,474,000	$ 24,629,000
Coastal Bank share Inc [Member]
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets						$ 28,093,000
Shares to receive for each share of Prosperity common stock pursuant to the merger agreement				0.4671
Issuance of common stock, shares | shares				1,598,998
Issuance of common stock, fair value				$ 34,500,000
Fair value of loans acquired				279,400,000
Net of loans acquired				$ 16,700,000
Estimated discount				5.64%
Accretable yield				$ 29,300,000
Coastal Bank share Inc [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets				28,100,000
Coastal Bank share Inc [Member] | Warrant [Member]
Cash in exchange for outstanding warrants				$ 2,800,000
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member]
Number of banking locations			13
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets			$ 0
Fair value of loans acquired			191,500,000
Net of loans acquired			$ 8,500,000
Estimated discount			4.25%
Accretable yield			$ 11,200,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			50,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			14,614,000
Purchase price			50,000,000
Merchants and Southern Banks of Florida [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets	[1]		14,670,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			$ 10,934,000
Bank Of America [Member]
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets		$ 0
Fair value of loans acquired		4,000,000
Net of loans acquired		4,000,000
Accretable yield		$ 364,000
Number Of Bank Branches		18
Deposit Premium On Deposits Assumed		3.00%
Average Daily Deposits Period		15 days
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 20,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment		10,348,000
Purchase price		20,002,000
Bank Of America [Member] | As Recorded by Acquired Bank [Member]
Goodwill, excess of the merger consideration over fair value of net assets		11,210,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment		$ 10,653,000
[1]	Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS67

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
American United Bank (AUB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	American United Bank (“AUB”)
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Oct. 23, 2009
United Security Bank (USB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	United Security Bank (“USB”)
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Nov. 6, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (SCB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”)
Branches	1
Date Acquired	May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (FBJ) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”)
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Oct. 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (TBC) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”)
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Nov. 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (DBT) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”)
Branches	7
Date Acquired	Nov. 12, 2010
High Trust Bank (HTB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	High Trust Bank (“HTB”)
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Jul. 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (OGB) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	One Georgia Bank (“OGB”)
Branches	1
Date Acquired	Jul. 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (CBG) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”)
Branches	5
Date Acquired	Feb. 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (MBT) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bank Acquired	Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”)
Branches	2
Date Acquired	Jul. 6, 2012

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS68

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details 1) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
American United Bank [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	$ 26,452
Investment securities	10,242
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	56,482
Foreclosed property	2,165
FDIC loss share asset	24,200
Core deposit intangible	187
Other assets	1,266
Total assets acquired	120,994
Deposits	100,470
FHLB advances	7,802
Other liabilities	277
Total liabilities assumed	108,549
Net assets acquired	12,445
United Security Bank [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	41,490
Investment securities	8,335
Federal funds sold	2,605
Loans	83,646
Foreclosed property	8,069
FDIC loss share asset	21,640
Core deposit intangible	386
Other assets	3,001
Total assets acquired	169,172
Deposits	141,094
FHLB advances	1,504
Other liabilities	453
Total liabilities assumed	143,051
Net assets acquired	26,121
Satilla Community Bank [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	(33,093)
Investment securities	10,814
Federal funds sold	12,661
Loans	68,751
Foreclosed property	2,012
FDIC loss share asset	22,400
Core deposit intangible	185
Other assets	612
Total assets acquired	84,342
Deposits	75,530
FHLB advances	0
Other liabilities	604
Total liabilities assumed	76,134
Net assets acquired	8,208
First Bank of Jacksonville [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	10,669
Investment securities	7,343
Federal funds sold	5,690
Loans	40,454
Foreclosed property	1,816
FDIC loss share asset	11,307
Core deposit intangible	132
Other assets	298
Total assets acquired	77,709
Deposits	71,869
FHLB advances	2,613
Other liabilities	842
Total liabilities assumed	75,324
Net assets acquired	2,385
Tifton Banking Company [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	4,862
Investment securities	7,060
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	92,568
Foreclosed property	3,472
FDIC loss share asset	22,807
Core deposit intangible	175
Other assets	1,092
Total assets acquired	132,036
Deposits	132,939
FHLB advances	0
Other liabilities	53
Total liabilities assumed	132,992
Net assets acquired	(956)
Darby Bank and Trust [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	(58,158)
Investment securities	105,562
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	261,340
Foreclosed property	22,026
FDIC loss share asset	112,404
Core deposit intangible	1,180
Other assets	3,957
Total assets acquired	448,311
Deposits	386,958
FHLB advances	2,724
Other liabilities	54,418
Total liabilities assumed	444,100
Net assets acquired	4,211
High Trust Bank [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	36,432
Investment securities	14,770
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	84,732
Foreclosed property	10,272
FDIC loss share asset	49,485
Core deposit intangible	0
Other assets	1,772
Total assets acquired	197,463
Deposits	175,887
FHLB advances	0
Other liabilities	2,654
Total liabilities assumed	178,541
Net assets acquired	18,922
One Georgia Bank [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	1,585
Investment securities	28,891
Federal funds sold	5,070
Loans	74,843
Foreclosed property	7,242
FDIC loss share asset	45,488
Core deposit intangible	0
Other assets	2,933
Total assets acquired	166,052
Deposits	136,101
FHLB advances	21,107
Other liabilities	899
Total liabilities assumed	158,107
Net assets acquired	7,945
Central Bank of Georgia [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	65,050
Investment securities	39,920
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	124,782
Foreclosed property	6,177
FDIC loss share asset	52,654
Core deposit intangible	1,149
Other assets	3,457
Total assets acquired	293,189
Deposits	261,036
FHLB advances	10,334
Other liabilities	1,782
Total liabilities assumed	273,152
Net assets acquired	20,037
Montgomery Bank and Trust [Member]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Cash	155,466
Investment securities	0
Federal funds sold	0
Loans	1,218
Foreclosed property	0
FDIC loss share asset	0
Core deposit intangible	0
Other assets	183
Total assets acquired	156,867
Deposits	156,699
FHLB advances	0
Other liabilities	168
Total liabilities assumed	156,867
Net assets acquired	$ 0

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS69

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	$ 148,573	$ 296,724
Less: Fair value adjustments	11,044	25,445
Total covered loans	137,529	271,279
OREO	5,938	23,408
Less: Fair value adjustments	927	3,501
Total covered OREO	5,011	19,907
Total covered assets	142,540	291,186
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	6,301	31,351	$ 65,441
American United Bank [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	0	0
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	0
Total covered loans	0	0
OREO	0	0
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	0
Total covered OREO	0	0
Total covered assets	0	0
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	111	188
United Security Bank [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	3,639	4,350
Less: Fair value adjustments	16	150
Total covered loans	3,623	4,200
OREO	165	165
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	0
Total covered OREO	165	165
Total covered assets	3,788	4,365
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	(1,424)	(1,197)
Satilla Community Bank [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	5,228	26,686
Less: Fair value adjustments	124	602
Total covered loans	5,104	26,084
OREO	0	2,849
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	389
Total covered OREO	0	2,460
Total covered assets	5,104	28,544
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	149	1,828
First Bank of Jacksonville [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	4,782	21,243
Less: Fair value adjustments	562	1,825
Total covered loans	4,220	19,418
OREO	41	632
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	0
Total covered OREO	41	632
Total covered assets	4,261	20,050
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	252	1,885
Darby Bank and Trust [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	15,934	64,338
Less: Fair value adjustments	1,131	6,437
Total covered loans	14,803	57,901
OREO	0	6,655
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	514
Total covered OREO	0	6,141
Total covered assets	14,803	64,042
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	(1,084)	6,860
Tifton Banking Company [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	2,159	23,487
Less: Fair value adjustments	11	1,117
Total covered loans	2,148	22,370
OREO	0	2,388
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	367
Total covered OREO	0	2,021
Total covered assets	2,148	24,391
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	1,446	3,287
High Trust Bank [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	44,405	52,699
Less: Fair value adjustments	3,881	5,120
Total covered loans	40,524	47,579
OREO	2,433	3,670
Less: Fair value adjustments	643	1,283
Total covered OREO	1,790	2,387
Total covered assets	42,314	49,966
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	3,875	6,459
One Georgia Bank [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	27,561	42,971
Less: Fair value adjustments	1,900	3,785
Total covered loans	25,661	39,186
OREO	160	2,244
Less: Fair value adjustments	0	39
Total covered OREO	160	2,205
Total covered assets	25,821	41,391
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	913	3,906
Central Bank of Georgia [Member]
Covered Assets [Line Items]
Covered loans	44,865	60,950
Less: Fair value adjustments	3,419	6,409
Total covered loans	41,446	54,541
OREO	3,139	4,805
Less: Fair value adjustments	284	909
Total covered OREO	2,855	3,896
Total covered assets	44,301	58,437
FDIC loss-share receivable (payable)	$ 2,063	$ 8,135

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS70

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Covered Loans [Line Items]
Transfer to covered other real estate owned	$ (4,473)	$ (4,160)	$ 0
Loans with Deterioration of Credit Quality [Member]
Covered Loans [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	271,279	390,237
Charge-offs, net of recoveries	(5,558)	(9,255)
Accretion	9,658	22,188
Transfer to covered other real estate owned	(7,910)	(13,650)
Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss-share expiration	(50,568)	(15,475)
Payments received	(79,372)	(102,996)
Other	0	230
Balance, ending of year	$ 137,529	$ 271,279	$ 390,237

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS71

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details 4) - Covered Loans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations
Balance, beginning of year	$ 15,578	$ 25,493
Accretion	(9,658)	(22,188)
Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss-share expiration	(1,665)	0
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net	4,808	12,273
Balance, ending of year	$ 9,063	$ 15,578

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS72

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 31,351	$ 65,441
Payments received from FDIC	(19,273)	(22,494)
Amortization, net	(8,878)	(18,449)
Change in clawback liability	(2,008)	(1,222)
Charge-offs on covered loans	416	3,372
Write downs of covered other real estate owned	4,752	4,771
Reimbursable expenses on covered assets	2,582	1,078
Other activity, net	(2,641)	(1,146)
Ending balance	$ 6,301	$ 31,351

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSIS73

ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Clawback Liability	$ 6,200,000	$ 8,200,000
Reimbursement Revenue	$ 87,000

SECURITIES (Details)

SECURITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 778,261	$ 533,219
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,136	10,697
Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,212)	(2,111)
Fair Value	783,185	541,805
U.S. government sponsored agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	14,959	14,953
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(69)	(275)
Fair Value	14,890	14,678
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	157,681	137,873
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,046	3,935
Gross Unrealized Losses	(411)	(433)
Fair Value	161,316	141,375
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5,900	10,812
Gross Unrealized Gains	145	228
Gross Unrealized Losses	(28)	0
Fair Value	6,017	11,040
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	599,721	369,581
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,945	6,534
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,704)	(1,403)
Fair Value	$ 600,962	$ 374,712

SECURITIES (Details 1)

SECURITIES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 293,889	$ 51,798
12 Months or More, Fair Value	46,465	81,155
Total Fair Value	340,354	132,953
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(2,204)	(291)
12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	(1,008)	(1,820)
Total Unrealized Losses	(3,212)	(2,111)
US Government Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	9,932	0
12 Months or More, Fair Value	4,958	14,678
Total Fair Value	14,890	14,678
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(27)	0
12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	(42)	(275)
Total Unrealized Losses	(69)	(275)
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	19,293	15,038
12 Months or More, Fair Value	11,557	19,665
Total Fair Value	30,850	34,703
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(199)	(70)
12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	(212)	(363)
Total Unrealized Losses	(411)	(433)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,383	0
12 Months or More, Fair Value	0	0
Total Fair Value	1,383	0
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(28)	0
12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Total Unrealized Losses	(28)	0
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	263,281	36,760
12 Months or More, Fair Value	29,950	46,812
Total Fair Value	293,231	83,572
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(1,950)	(221)
12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	(754)	(1,182)
Total Unrealized Losses	$ (2,704)	$ (1,403)

SECURITIES (Details 2)

SECURITIES (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$ 5,405
Due from one year to five years, Amortized Cost	51,716
Due from five to ten years, Amortized Cost	62,296
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	59,123
Mortgage-backed Securities, Amortized Cost	599,721
Amortized Cost	778,261	$ 533,219
Due in one year or less,Fair Value	5,421
Due from one year to five years, Fair Value	53,081
Due from five to ten years, Fair Value	63,868
Due after ten years, Fair Value	59,853
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	600,962
Total Fair Value	$ 783,185	$ 541,805

SECURITIES (Details 3)

SECURITIES (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Gross gains on sales of securities	$ 396	$ 141	$ 353
Gross losses on sales of securities	(259)	(3)	(182)
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale	$ 137	$ 138	$ 171

SECURITIES (Details Textual)

SECURITIES (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Securities, carrying value	$ 551	$ 286.6
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Securities In Security Portfolio	365
Number of securities in unrealized loss position	126
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number of securities in unrealized loss position	100
State, County and Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number of securities in unrealized loss position	20

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 79

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$ 2,406,877	$ 1,889,881
Allowance for loan losses	21,062	21,157
Loans, net	3,887,861	2,814,242
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	449,623	319,654
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	244,693	161,507
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,104,991	907,524
Real Estate - Residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	570,430	456,106
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	31,125	30,782
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$ 6,015	$ 14,308

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 80

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	$ 21,062	$ 21,157
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	771,554	674,239
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	45,462	38,041
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	72,080	58,362
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	390,755	306,706
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate - Residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	258,153	266,342
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total non-covered loans	$ 5,104	$ 4,788

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 81

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	$ 137,529	$ 271,279
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	5,546	21,467
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	7,612	23,447
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	71,226	147,627
Real Estate - Residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	53,038	78,520
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Covered Loans	$ 107	$ 218

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 82

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 16,860	$ 21,728	$ 29,203
Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	13,330	18,249	$ 6,659
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	13,238	35,412
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	1,302	1,672
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	1,064	175
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	2,803	8,541
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	1,812	3,774
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	1,106	1,119
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	1,701	7,601
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	7,019	8,141
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	4,920	10,242
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	5,034	12,584
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	6,278	7,663
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	6,168	6,644
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	3,663	6,595
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	449	478
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non-Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	72	69
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 37	$ 91

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 83

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 96,500	$ 29,100
Total Loans	2,406,877	1,889,881
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	26,268	33,107
Current Loans	2,380,609	1,856,774
Total Loans	2,406,877	1,889,881
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	1
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	7,942	9,728
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,481	3,646
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	14,845	19,733
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	449,623	319,654
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,674	2,710
Current Loans	447,949	316,944
Total Loans	449,623	319,654
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	568	900
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	271	233
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	835	1,577
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	244,693	161,507
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,413	5,035
Current Loans	241,280	156,472
Total Loans	244,693	161,507
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,413	1,382
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	261	286
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,739	3,367
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	1,104,991	907,524
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	9,334	11,162
Current Loans	1,095,657	896,362
Total Loans	1,104,991	907,524
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,781	2,859
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	641	635
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	6,912	7,668
Real Estate - Residential [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	570,430	456,106
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	11,047	13,042
Current Loans	559,383	443,064
Total Loans	570,430	456,106
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,806	3,953
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,120	2,334
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	5,121	6,755
Consumer Installment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	31,125	30,782
Consumer Installment [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	800	1,158
Current Loans	30,325	29,624
Total Loans	31,125	30,782
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	1
Consumer Installment [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	374	634
Consumer Installment [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	188	158
Consumer Installment [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	238	366
Other [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	6,015	14,308
Other [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	0
Current Loans	6,015	14,308
Total Loans	6,015	14,308
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Other [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	0
Other [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	0
Other [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 84

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 96,500	$ 29,100
Total Loans	2,406,877	1,889,881
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	22,264	32,022
Current Loans	749,290	642,217
Total Loans	771,554	674,239
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	8,139	10,347
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	4,514	4,420
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	9,611	17,255
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	449,623	319,654
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,107	726
Current Loans	44,355	37,315
Total Loans	45,462	38,041
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	248	461
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	13	90
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	846	175
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	244,693	161,507
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,523	3,642
Current Loans	70,557	54,720
Total Loans	72,080	58,362
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	416	790
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	687	1,735
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	420	1,117
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	1,104,991	907,524
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	7,455	12,830
Current Loans	383,300	293,876
Total Loans	390,755	306,706
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,479	2,107
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,629	1,194
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,347	9,529
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	570,430	456,106
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	12,069	14,677
Current Loans	246,084	251,665
Total Loans	258,153	266,342
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	4,965	6,907
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,176	1,401
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	4,928	6,369
Consumer Installment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans	31,125	30,782
Consumer Installment [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	110	147
Current Loans	4,994	4,641
Total Loans	5,104	4,788
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Consumer Installment [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	31	82
Consumer Installment [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	9	0
Consumer Installment [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 70	$ 65

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 85

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 96,500	$ 29,100
Total Loans	2,406,877	1,889,881
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	13,821	33,383
Current Loans	123,708	237,896
Total Loans	137,529	271,279
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	714
Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,421	8,534
Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,206	2,810
Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	10,194	22,039
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	449,623	319,654
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,802	2,465
Current Loans	2,744	19,002
Total Loans	5,546	21,467
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	451
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	136
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,802	1,878
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	244,693	161,507
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,729	7,167
Current Loans	5,883	16,280
Total Loans	7,612	23,447
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	96	238
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	226
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,633	6,703
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	1,104,991	907,524
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,439	13,568
Current Loans	67,787	134,059
Total Loans	71,226	147,627
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	714
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	170	4,371
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	205	1,486
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	3,064	7,711
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	570,430	456,106
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	5,814	10,082
Current Loans	47,224	68,438
Total Loans	53,038	78,520
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,155	3,464
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	1,001	962
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	2,658	5,656
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans	31,125	30,782
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	37	101
Current Loans	70	117
Total Loans	107	218
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing	0	0
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	10
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	0	0
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Past Due	$ 37	$ 91

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 86

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 7) - Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 16,860	$ 21,728	$ 29,203
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	14,418	12,759	17,214
Total impaired loans	31,278	34,487	46,417
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	909	1,991	1,938
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$ 1,204	$ 1,491	$ 1,784

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 87

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 8) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	$ 3,908,923	$ 2,835,399	$ 2,457,444
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	37,429	45,415
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	8,711	8,935
Recorded Investment With Allowance	22,567	25,552
Total impaired loans	31,278	34,487	46,417
Related Allowance	4,209	4,008
Average Recorded Investment	33,073	41,197
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	449,623	319,654	244,373
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	3,062	3,387
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	158	6
Recorded Investment With Allowance	1,385	1,956
Total impaired loans	1,543	1,962
Related Allowance	135	395
Average Recorded Investment	2,275	3,021
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	244,693	161,507	146,371
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	3,581	8,325
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	230	448
Recorded Investment With Allowance	2,374	4,005
Total impaired loans	2,604	4,453
Related Allowance	774	771
Average Recorded Investment	3,228	5,368
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	1,104,991	907,524	808,323
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	14,385	17,514
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	6,702	4,967
Recorded Investment With Allowance	6,083	9,651
Total impaired loans	12,785	14,618
Related Allowance	1,067	1,859
Average Recorded Investment	15,105	15,972
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	570,430	456,106	$ 366,882
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	15,809	15,571
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	1,621	3,514
Recorded Investment With Allowance	12,230	9,407
Total impaired loans	13,851	12,921
Related Allowance	2,224	974
Average Recorded Investment	11,977	16,317
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	592	618
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	0	0
Recorded Investment With Allowance	495	533
Total impaired loans	495	533
Related Allowance	9	9
Average Recorded Investment	$ 488	$ 519

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 88

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 9) - Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 13,330	$ 18,249	$ 6,659
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	9,373	1,212	5,938
Total impaired loans	22,703	19,461	12,597
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	785	109	0
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$ 1,365	$ 1,759	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 89

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 10) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	$ 3,908,923	$ 2,835,399	$ 2,457,444
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	42,129	26,885	448,753
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	22,703	19,461
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	22,703	19,461	12,597
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	20,759	16,444
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	449,623	319,654	244,373
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	3,103	499
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	1,066	175
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	1,066	175
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	392	165
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	244,693	161,507	146,371
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	8,987	2,210
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	1,469	1,436
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	1,469	1,436
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	1,429	1,643
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	1,104,991	907,524	808,323
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	14,999	13,520
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	11,134	10,588
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	11,134	10,588
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	10,806	7,484
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	570,430	456,106	$ 366,882
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	14,946	10,487
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	8,957	7,191
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	8,957	7,191
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	8,067	7,084
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	94	169
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	77	71
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	77	71
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	$ 65	$ 68

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 90

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 11) - Impaired Covered Loans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 13,238	$ 35,412	$ 69,152
Troubled debt restructurings not included above	13,283	22,619	22,243
Total impaired loans	26,521	58,031	91,395
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	886	1,134	968
Foregone interest income on impaired loans	$ 1,596	$ 3,123	$ 4,674

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 91

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 12) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	$ 3,908,923	$ 2,835,399	$ 2,457,444
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	56,705	65,555	390,237
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	26,521	58,031
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	26,521	58,031
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	48,914	73,757
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	449,623	319,654	244,373
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	5,188	10,845
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	2,802	8,582
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	2,802	8,582
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	7,408	9,777
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	244,693	161,507	146,371
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	15,119	11,621
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	2,480	10,638
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	2,480	10,638
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	6,906	14,132
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	1,104,991	907,524	808,323
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	20,508	23,349
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	7,001	20,663
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	7,001	20,663
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	18,504	28,594
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	570,430	456,106	$ 366,882
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	15,830	19,629
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	14,192	18,054
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	14,192	18,054
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	16,010	21,091
Consumer Installment [Member] | Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance	60	111
Recorded Investment With No Allowance	46	94
Recorded Investment With Allowance	0	0
Total Recorded Investment	46	94
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	$ 86	$ 163

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 92

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 13) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 2,406,877	$ 1,889,881
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,406,877	1,889,881
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	449,623	319,654
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	449,623	319,654
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	244,693	161,507
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	244,693	161,507
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,104,991	907,524
Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,104,991	907,524
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	570,430	456,106
Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	570,430	456,106
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	31,125	30,782
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	31,125	30,782
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,015	14,308
Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,015	14,308
10 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	250,609	128,577
10 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	241,721	121,355
10 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	294	268
10 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	116	155
10 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,606	226
10 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,872	6,573
10 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
15 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	227,730	217,804
15 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	28,420	25,318
15 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,074	4,010
15 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	117,880	128,170
15 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	78,165	59,301
15 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,191	1,005
15 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
20 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,224,320	947,948
20 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	97,142	100,599
20 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	46,221	47,541
20 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	685,538	511,198
20 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	369,624	256,758
20 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	19,780	17,544
20 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,015	14,308
23 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	27,607	29,205
23 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	559	56
23 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	7,827	8,933
23 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	13,073	10,507
23 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,112	9,672
23 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	36	37
23 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
25 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	609,413	488,187
25 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	77,829	62,519
25 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	183,512	93,514
25 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	254,012	224,464
25 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	91,465	102,998
25 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,595	4,692
25 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
30 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	24,423	25,983
30 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,492	3,758
30 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,620	1,474
30 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	13,821	13,035
30 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	7,347	7,459
30 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	143	257
30 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
40 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	42,773	52,176
40 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,460	6,049
40 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	3,145	5,767
40 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	20,551	19,995
40 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	16,111	19,692
40 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	506	673
40 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
50 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	1
50 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
50 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
50 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
50 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
50 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	1
50 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
60 [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2	0
60 [Member] | Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
60 [Member] | Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
60 [Member] | Real Estate - Commercial & Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
60 [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
60 [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2	0
60 [Member] | Other [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 93

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 14) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 2,406,877	$ 1,889,881
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	449,623	319,654
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	244,693	161,507
Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,104,991	907,524
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	570,430	456,106
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	31,125	30,782
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	771,554	674,239
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	9,602	7,394
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	51,168	29,727
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	336,990	208,686
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	12,029	6,578
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	294,829	361,155
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	30,693	25,747
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	36,211	34,889
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	30	63
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	45,462	38,041
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,592	6,624
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,186	1,376
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	10,057	13,657
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	73
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	17,565	13,753
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,657	1,618
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,373	910
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	30	30
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	72,080	58,362
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,143	522
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	13,678	12,991
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	438	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	47,517	36,230
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	4,185	4,365
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,119	4,254
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	390,755	306,706
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	10,490	13,277
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	183,219	116,308
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,177	3,207
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	162,253	144,293
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	14,297	12,279
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	15,319	17,342
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	258,153	266,342
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	290
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	37,808	14,051
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	128,005	64,083
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	6,414	3,298
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	66,166	164,959
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,503	7,444
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	14,257	12,184
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	33
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,104	4,788
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,010	480
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	541	501
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,031	1,647
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,328	1,920
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	51	41
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	143	199
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 94

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 15) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 2,406,877	$ 1,889,881
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	449,623	319,654
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	244,693	161,507
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	1,104,991	907,524
Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	570,430	456,106
Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	31,125	30,782
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	137,529	$ 271,279
Covered Loans [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0
Covered Loans [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	$ 1,287
Covered Loans [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	23,631	41,434
Covered Loans [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,732	18,747
Covered Loans [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	69,598	128,082
Covered Loans [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,242	20,913
Covered Loans [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	28,326	60,816
Covered Loans [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,546	21,467
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	93	917
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	52	164
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,594	5,181
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5	4,808
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,802	10,397
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	7,612	23,447
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	1
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	800	3,184
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	537
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	3,907	9,406
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	828	2,753
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,077	7,566
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	71,226	147,627
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	761
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	11,698	23,167
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,957	11,404
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	38,741	80,334
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	2,857	5,302
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	14,973	26,659
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	53,038	78,520
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	525
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	10,040	14,089
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	5,723	6,642
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	24,345	33,124
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	4,552	8,050
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	8,378	16,090
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Real estate - residential [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	107	218
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	77
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	11	37
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	96	104
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 10 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 20 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 23 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 25 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 30 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 40 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 50 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	0	0
Covered Loans [Member] | Other [Member] | 60 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans portfolio by risk grade	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 95

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 16) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	60	52
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 14,418	$ 12,759	$ 17,214
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	31	31
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 2,187	$ 4,327
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	7	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 80	$ 100
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	1	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 1	$ 0
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 15	$ 264
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 334	$ 0
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 2,121	$ 1,082
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	7
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 1,099	$ 2,489
Real estate - residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	33	20
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 4,992	$ 1,309
Real estate - residential [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	23	23
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 745	$ 1,838
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16	16
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 61	$ 67
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	1	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans | $	$ 8	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 96

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 17) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	60	52
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 14,418	$ 12,759	$ 17,214
Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	37	14
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,232	$ 1,214
Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 15,500	$ 24,600
Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	18	19
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,335	$ 1,602
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	20	10
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 9,373	$ 1,212	$ 5,938
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 883	$ 411
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	7	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 80	$ 100
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 37	$ 236
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 21	$ 0
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 15	$ 264
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 33	$ 33
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 14
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 30	$ 317
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 30	$ 317
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,121	$ 1,082
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 624	$ 570
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 145	$ 79
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	5	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,051	$ 346
Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 57	$ 0
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	33	20
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 4,992	$ 1,309
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	20	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,493	$ 314
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16	17
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,190	$ 1,509
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	8	7
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,541	$ 571
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	6	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 795	$ 91
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16	16
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 61	$ 67
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Excluding Purchased Non-Covered and Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	9	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 45	$ 61
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 8	$ 2
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1	$ 2

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 97

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 18) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	20	10
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 9,373	$ 1,212	$ 5,938
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 9,373
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	14	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 658	$ 25
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 883	$ 411
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	31	9
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 1,212
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	60	52
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 14,418	$ 12,759	$ 17,214
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	94
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 14,418
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	59
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,986
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	37	14
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,232	$ 1,214
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		92
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 12,759
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		32
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 2,523
Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 15,500	$ 24,600
Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	107	117
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 13,283	$ 22,619
Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	31	17
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,184	$ 1,942
Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	18	19
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,335	$ 1,602
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 21	$ 0
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	1	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2	$ 0
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 21
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	7	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 80	$ 100
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 240
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	10
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 110
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 37	$ 236
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		6
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 290
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		2
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 13
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 40
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1	$ 0
Commercial, Financial & Agricultural [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 30	$ 317
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	1	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 363	$ 317
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 42	$ 0
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 30	$ 317
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 15	$ 264
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	11
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 792
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 63
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 33	$ 33
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		9
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 679
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		5
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 228
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	4	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 779	$ 3,037
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 29
Real Estate - Construction & Development [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 14
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	5	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,051	$ 346
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	14	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 6,214	$ 346
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 0
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 57	$ 0
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 412
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,121	$ 1,082
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 5,766
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 596
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 624	$ 570
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		19
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 6,477
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		3
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 724
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	4	14
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,967	$ 8,079
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	5
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,067	$ 1,082
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 145	$ 79
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	8	7
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,541	$ 571
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	13	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 2,789	$ 547
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	4	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 180	$ 25
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	6	2
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 795	$ 91
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	33	20
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 4,992	$ 1,309
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	51
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 7,574
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	20
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,123
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	20	6
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,493	$ 314
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		47
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 5,258
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		11
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 1,485
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	97	96
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 10,529	$ 11,460
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	26	8
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,116	$ 831
Real Estate - Residential [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16	17
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1,190	$ 1,509
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	3	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 8	$ 2
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 5	$ 2
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 3
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 1	$ 2
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 0
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	16	16
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 61	$ 67
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	12
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 46
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	23
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 94
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	9	4
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 45	$ 61
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		11
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 55
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract		11
Troubled debt restructuring loans		$ 73
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	2	1
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 8	$ 3
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Non-Accruing Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0
Consumer Installment Loans [Member] | Covered Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract	0	0
Troubled debt restructuring loans	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 98

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 19) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance, beginning of year	$ 4,403	$ 5,565
Advances	162	78
Repayments	(674)	(1,240)
Transactions due to changes in related parties	(73)	0
Balance, end of year	$ 3,818	$ 4,403

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 99

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 20) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$ 21,157				$ 22,377	$ 21,157	$ 22,377	$ 23,593
Provision for loan losses	$ 553	$ 986	$ 2,656	1,069	$ 888	$ 1,669	$ 1,365	1,726	5,264	5,648	11,486
Loans charged off									(9,133)	(9,560)	(14,823)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									3,774	2,692	2,121
Balance	21,062				21,157				21,062	21,157	22,377
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												$ 4,131	$ 3,890	$ 3,585
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												16,931	17,267	18,792
Balance	21,062			21,157	21,157			22,377	21,157	21,157	22,377	21,062	21,157	22,377
Individually evaluated for impairment												23,712	27,649	39,203
Collectively evaluated for impairment												3,697,437	2,563,652	2,134,029
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												187,774	244,098	284,212
Ending balance												3,908,923	2,835,399	2,457,444
Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				2,004				1,823	2,004	1,823	2,439
Provision for loan losses									(73)	1,427	711
Loans charged off									(1,438)	(1,567)	(1,759)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									651	321	432
Balance	1,144				2,004				1,144	2,004	1,823
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												126	375	356
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												1,018	1,629	1,467
Balance	1,144			2,004	2,004			1,823	2,004	2,004	1,823	1,144	2,004	1,823
Individually evaluated for impairment												323	490	3,457
Collectively evaluated for impairment												449,300	319,164	240,916
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												0	0	0
Ending balance												449,623	319,654	244,373
Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				5,030				5,538	5,030	5,538	5,343
Provision for loan losses									278	(265)	1,742
Loans charged off									(622)	(592)	(2,020)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									323	349	473
Balance	5,009				5,030				5,009	5,030	5,538
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												759	743	407
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												4,250	4,287	5,131
Balance	5,009			5,030	5,030			5,538	5,030	5,030	5,538	5,009	5,030	5,538
Individually evaluated for impairment												1,958	3,709	3,581
Collectively evaluated for impairment												242,735	157,798	142,790
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												0	0	0
Ending balance												244,693	161,507	146,371
Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				8,823				8,393	8,823	8,393	9,157
Provision for loan losses									1,221	3,444	2,777
Loans charged off									(2,367)	(3,288)	(3,571)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									317	274	30
Balance	7,994				8,823				7,994	8,823	8,393
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												1,074	1,861	1,427
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												6,920	6,962	6,966
Balance	7,994			8,823	8,823			8,393	8,823	8,823	8,393	7,994	8,823	8,393
Individually evaluated for impairment												11,877	14,546	15,240
Collectively evaluated for impairment												1,093,114	892,978	793,083
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												0	0	0
Ending balance												1,104,991	907,524	808,323
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				4,129				6,034	4,129	6,034	5,898
Provision for loan losses									2,067	(452)	4,463
Loans charged off									(1,587)	(1,707)	(5,215)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									151	254	888
Balance	4,760				4,129				4,760	4,129	6,034
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												2,172	911	1,395
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												2,588	3,218	4,639
Balance	4,760			4,129	4,129			6,034	4,129	4,129	6,034	4,760	4,129	6,034
Individually evaluated for impairment												9,554	8,904	16,925
Collectively evaluated for impairment												560,876	447,202	349,957
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												0	0	0
Ending balance												570,430	456,106	366,882
Other [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				1,171				589	1,171	589	756
Provision for loan losses									676	567	254
Loans charged off									(410)	(471)	(719)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									137	486	298
Balance	1,574				1,171				1,574	1,171	589
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												1,574	1,171	589
Balance	1,574			1,171	1,171			589	1,171	1,171	589	1,574	1,171	589
Individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment												37,140	45,090	52,505
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												0	0	0
Ending balance												37,140	45,090	52,505
Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				0				0	0	0	0
Provision for loan losses									751	843	1,539
Loans charged off									(1,759)	(1,851)	(1,539)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									1,008	1,008	0
Balance	0				0				0	0	0
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Balance	0			0	0			0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment												52,451	122,248	173,190
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												85,078	149,031	217,047
Ending balance												56,705	65,555	390,237
Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												5,188	10,845
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												15,119	11,621
Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												20,508	23,349
Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												15,830	19,629
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				0				0	0	0	0
Provision for loan losses									344	84	0
Loans charged off									(950)	(84)	0
Recoveries of loans previously charged off									1,187	0	0
Balance	581				0				581	0	0
Loans individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment												581	0	0
Balance	$ 581			$ 0	$ 0			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	581	0	0
Individually evaluated for impairment												0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment												1,261,821	579,172	381,588
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality												102,696	95,067	67,165
Ending balance												42,129	26,885	$ 448,753
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Financial And Agricultural [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												3,103	499
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Construction And Development [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												8,987	2,210
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Real Estate Commercial And Farmland [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												14,999	13,520
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member] | Residential Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Ending balance												$ 14,946	$ 10,487

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN100

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans And Leases Receivable Gross Carrying Amount Non Covered Loans	$ 771,600,000	$ 674,200,000
Covered Loans Acquired	137,500,000	271,300,000
Modified loans	96,500,000	29,100,000
Troubled debt restructurings, previous charge-offs	1,300,000	2,200,000
Allowance for loan losses allocated to troubled debt restructurings	2,700,000	231,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	1,300,000	1,600,000
Troubled debt restructurings, provision for loan loss expense	751,000	843,000	$ 1,500,000
Allowance for loan losses adjustments	1,400,000	232,000
Purchased Loan Pools	592,963,000	0
Purchase Premium Paid At Acquisition	12,300,000
Residential mortgages on properties principal balances	580,700,000
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Loans Acquired	581,000
Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	13,330,000	18,249,000	6,659,000
Modified loans	22,264,000	32,022,000
Troubled debt restructurings, previous charge-offs	377,000	29,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	883,000	411,000,000,000
Troubled debt restructuring loans	9,373,000	1,212,000	5,938,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	2,700,000	1,200,000
Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, provision for loan loss expense		84,000
Allowance for Loan and Lease Loss, Recovery of Bad Debts	237,000
Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	13,238,000	35,412,000
Modified loans	13,821,000	33,383,000
Troubled debt restructurings, previous charge-offs	1,200,000	1,800,000
Troubled debt restructuring loans	15,500,000	24,600,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	2,200,000	4,300,000
Transferred From Covered Loan To Purchased Non Covered Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	6,700,000
Loans Excluding Purchased Non Covered And Covered Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	16,860,000	21,728,000	29,203,000
Modified loans	26,268,000	33,107,000
Troubled debt restructurings principal balances	7,300,000	2,800,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	2,200,000	1,200,000
Troubled debt restructuring loans	14,418,000	$ 12,759,000	$ 17,214,000
Minimum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 100,000
Loan To Value Ratio	110.00%
Past due loan accrued	30 days
Minimum [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 200,000

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Detail

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance, January 1	$ 33,160	$ 33,351
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	11,261	11,972
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs	(9,971)	(4,585)
Sales proceeds	(18,303)	(7,578)
Ending balance	$ 16,147	$ 33,160

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Det102

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance, January 1	$ 15,585	$ 4,276
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	4,473	4,160
Acquired in acquisitions	2,160	8,864
Transfer from covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration	3,148	1,226
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs	201	828
Sales proceeds	(11,234)	(3,769)
Ending balance	$ 14,333	$ 15,585

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Det103

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance, January 1	$ 19,907	$ 45,893
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	7,910	13,650
Transfer to purchased, non-covered other real estate owned due to loss share expiration	(3,148)	(1,226)
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs	(5,926)	(5,965)
Sales proceeds	(13,732)	(32,445)
Ending balance	$ 5,011	$ 19,907

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Details

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Land	$ 38,806	$ 31,709
Buildings	94,310	79,692
Furniture and equipment	48,140	41,472
Construction in progress	1,393	971
Property and equipment gross	182,649	153,844
Accumulated depreciation	(61,010)	(56,593)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	$ 121,639	$ 97,251

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Deta105

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Details 1)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
2,016	$ 2,999,694
2,017	3,059,886
2,018	2,685,184
2,019	2,295,477
2,020	2,074,955
Thereafter	1,508,542
Total	$ 14,623,738

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Deta106

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Estimated Cost To Complete Approved Projects And Current Construction In Progress	$ 1,500,000	$ 1,500,000
Depreciation	8,058,000	6,642,000	$ 4,938,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 2,962,867	$ 2,189,000	$ 1,777,000
Number Of Banking Offices	29
No Of Lease Renewal Option	2
Initial Lease Terms	10 years
Number Of Mortgage Facilities	7

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE107

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets - core deposit premiums, Gross Amount	$ 39,328	$ 26,749
Amortized intangible assets - core deposit premiums, Accumulated Amortization	$ 22,270	$ 18,528

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE108

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 1) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Estimated Amortization Expenses [Line Items]
2,016	$ 3,721
2,017	3,223
2,018	3,072
2,019	3,072
2,020	2,430
Thereafter	1,540
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 17,058

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE109

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 12, 2015
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 90,082,000	$ 63,547,000	$ 35,049,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,741,000	2,330,000	$ 1,414,000
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Core Deposits Intangibles Amortization Period	7 years
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Core Deposits Intangibles Amortization Period	3 years
Coastal Bank share Inc [Member]
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 656,000	27,437,000
Goodwill		28,093,000
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Acquired During Period		$ 4,542,000
Bank Of America [Member]
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	11,210,000
Goodwill				$ 0
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Acquired During Period	8,636,000
Merchants [Member]
Goodwill And Core Deposit Intangibles [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	14,700,000
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Acquired During Period	$ 3,943,000

DEPOSITS (Details)

DEPOSITS (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
2,016	$ 673,108
2,017	101,996
2,018	28,531
2,019	12,674
2,020	17,622
Thereafter	4,475
Time Deposits, Total	$ 838,406

DEPOSITS (Details Textual)

DEPOSITS (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Time Deposits, $100,000 or More, Total	$ 131,500,000	$ 135,100,000
Related Party Deposit Liabilities	7,098,000	$ 6,018,000
Time Deposits, Total	$ 838,406,000

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURC112

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 63,585	$ 73,310
Average Daily Balance [Member]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 50,988	$ 47,136	$ 26,908
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	0.34%	0.35%	0.54%
Maximum [Member]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 68,300	$ 73,310	$ 83,516
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	0.30%	0.31%	0.57%

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURC113

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$ 63,585	$ 73,310
Total	$ 63,585	$ 73,310

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Line Items]
Employee Benefit Plan Expenses	$ 1,430,000	$ 1,160,000	$ 839,000
Profit Sharing Plan [Member]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Line Items]
Minimum Term Employees Required To Work To Be Eligible In Plan	12 months
Minimum Number Of Working Hours Required Within One Year Of Service	1000 hours
Minimum Age Eligibility Of Employee	21 years

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (De

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	$ 64,300,000	$ 58,900,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Recorded Liability	991,000	655,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	849,000	743,000	$ 601,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Recorded Liability	$ 2,443,000	$ 1,594,000

OTHER BORROWINGS (Details)

OTHER BORROWINGS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Other Borrowings	$ 39,000	$ 78,881
Daily Rate Credit From Federal Home Loan Bank [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt instrument advance	0	35,000
Revolving Credit Facility One [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt instrument advance	24,000	24,000
Correspondent Bank Advances [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Advance from correspondent bank	0	4,881
Subordinated Debt One [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Subordinated debt issued	$ 15,000	$ 15,000

OTHER BORROWINGS _Parenthetical

OTHER BORROWINGS [Parenthetical] (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Daily Rate Credit From Federal Home Loan Bank [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	0.36%	0.36%
Revolving Credit Facility One [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (3.92% at December 31, 2015 and 3.73% at December 31, 2014) due in August 2016
Interest rate, margin to be added	3.50%	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.92%	3.73%
Debt instrument, maturity period	August 2,016
Correspondent Bank Advances [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.50%	4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity period	Nov 27, 2017
Subordinated Debt One [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings By Year Of Maturity And Applicable Interest Rate [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	90-day LIBOR plus 1.75% (2.28% at December 31, 2015 and 1.99% at December 31, 2014).
Interest rate, margin to be added	1.75%	1.75%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.28%	1.99%
Debt instrument, maturity period	september 2,016

OTHER BORROWINGS (Details Textu

OTHER BORROWINGS (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Amount of Available, Unused Funds	$ 325,900
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Loans Pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank, at Fair Value	708,400
Subordinated Debt	69,874	$ 65,325
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	16,000
Federal Funds Purchased Maximum Capacity	55,000
Borrowing Capacity Available Based On Pledged Collateral	$ 474,800
Prosperity Bank [Member]
Subordinated Debt		$ 15,000

PREFERRED STOCK (Details Textua

PREFERRED STOCK (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 22, 2012	Nov. 21, 2008	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		52,000			0	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		679,443
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, Preference Stock, and Warrants, Total		$ 52,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock		48,980
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants		$ 3,020
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage					5.00%
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share					$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding					0	0	28,000
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage After Five Years					9.00%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Payment Terms					first five years
Warrant [Member]
Payments for Repurchase of Warrants	$ 2,670
Preferred Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares			28,000	24,000

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Current - federal									$ 15,215	$ 10,499	$ 5,237
Current - state									1,026	467	505
Deferred - federal									(344)	6,516	3,543
Provision for income taxes	$ 3,296	$ 7,368	$ 486	$ 4,747	$ 4,167	$ 5,122	$ 4,270	$ 3,923	$ 15,897	$ 17,482	$ 9,285

INCOME TAXES (Details 1)

INCOME TAXES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Tax at federal income tax rate									$ 19,860	$ 19,672	$ 10,256
Change resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest									(2,490)	(1,647)	(841)
Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance									(484)	(568)	(446)
State income tax, net of federal benefit									667	304	328
Other									(1,656)	(279)	(12)
Provision for income taxes	$ 3,296	$ 7,368	$ 486	$ 4,747	$ 4,167	$ 5,122	$ 4,270	$ 3,923	$ 15,897	$ 17,482	$ 9,285

INCOME TAXES (Details 2)

INCOME TAXES (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$ 7,372	$ 7,405
Deferred compensation	1,202	787
Deferred gain on interest rate swap	381	477
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap	504	460
Nonaccrual interest	49	153
Purchase accounting adjustments	10,825	13,241
Goodwill and intangible assets	9,357	9,565
Other real estate owned	8,597	8,982
Net operating loss tax carryforward	11,179	12,146
Capitalized costs, accrued expenses and other	200	1,469
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Total	49,666	54,685
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,591	4,821
Mortgage servicing rights	715	539
Subordinated debentures	7,732	7,159
FDIC-assisted transaction adjustments	14,446	21,372
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale	1,723	3,010
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Total	30,207	36,901
Net deferred tax asset	$ 19,459	$ 17,784

INCOME TAXES (Details Textual)

INCOME TAXES (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Net deferred income tax asset	$ 19,459,000	$ 17,784,000
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 31,900,000	34,000,000
Income tax examination period	years before 2012.
Interest and penalties related to income taxes	$ 0	0	$ 0
Accrued interest and penalties related to income taxes	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards expiration period	Dec. 31, 2028	Dec. 31, 2028
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards expiration period	Dec. 31, 2033	Dec. 31, 2033

SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTE124

SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2005
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	3.13%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 5,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	5,155,000
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$ 0	$ 0
First National Banc Statutory Trust I [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized					$ 5,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate					2.80%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Common Stock Held in Trust	$ 155,000
Prosperity Banking Capital Trust I [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized			$ 5,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate			2.57%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	3.17%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 5,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	5,155,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	155,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,260,000
Prosperity Banking Capital Trust II [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized			$ 4,500,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate			3.15%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	3.75%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 4,500,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	4,640,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	140,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,275,000
Prosperity Bank Statutory Trust III [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized			$ 10,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate			1.60%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	2.11%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 10,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	10,310,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	310,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 5,230,000
Prosperity Bank Statutory Trust IV [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized			$ 10,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate			1.54%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	2.05%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 5,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	5,155,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	310,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,730,000
Coastal Bankshares Statutory Trust One [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized		$ 5,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate		3.15%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	3.47%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 5,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	5,155,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	155,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,781,000
Coastal Bankshares Statutory Trust Two [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized		$ 10,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate		1.60%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	2.11%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 10,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	10,310,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	310,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	5,747,000
Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust I [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized	$ 3,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate	1.90%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	2.43%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 3,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	3,093,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	93,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	1,878,000
Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust II [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Value Authorized	$ 3,000,000
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate	1.50%
Preferred Stock Maturity Period	30 years
Trust Preferred Securities Interest Rate	2.01%
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 3,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	3,093,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	93,000
Subordinated Debt Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	1,704,000
Ameris Statutory Trust I [Member]
Preferred Stock and Debt [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Spread Variable Dividend Rate				1.63%
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 37,114,000
Common Stock Held in Trust	$ 1,114,000
Preferred Stock And Debt Rate Percentage	2.14%
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued				$ 36,000,000
Preferred Securities Maturity Date	Dec. 15, 2036

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Non Performance Based Options [Member]
Under option, beginning of year, Shares	88,111	115,459	148,498
Granted, Shares	0	0	0
Exercised, Shares	(15,628)	(25,395)	(27,657)
Forfeited, Shares	0	(1,953)	(5,382)
Under option, end of year	72,483	88,111	115,459
Exercisable at end of year	72,483	88,111	115,459
Under option, beginning of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 18	$ 17.24	$ 16.37
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	0	0	0
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	15.47	14.81	13.29
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	0	14.88	13.43
Under option, end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	18.55	18	17.24
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 18.55	$ 18	$ 17.24
Under option, end of year, Weighted Average Contractual Term	2 years 1 month 17 days	2 years 8 months 16 days	3 years 14 days
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted Average Contractual Term	2 years 1 month 17 days	2 years 8 months 16 days	3 years 14 days
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 242	$ 148	$ 107
Under option, end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,331	884	641
Exercisable at end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 1,331	$ 884	$ 641
Performance Based [Member]
Under option, beginning of year, Shares	359,331	371,000	391,321
Granted, Shares	0	0	0
Exercised, Shares	(59,507)	(6,477)	(4,524)
Forfeited, Shares	(75,691)	(5,192)	(15,797)
Under option, end of year	224,132	359,331	371,000
Exercisable at end of year	189,587	341,030	351,856
Under option, beginning of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 16.74	$ 16.76	$ 16.43
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	0	0	0
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	15.39	11.05	7.47
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	17.37	25.51	13.22
Under option, end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	16.92	16.74	16.76
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 15.91	$ 17.23	$ 17.27
Under option, end of year, Weighted Average Contractual Term	1 year 9 months 18 days	2 years 1 month 10 days	3 years 1 month 13 days
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted Average Contractual Term	2 years 22 days	2 years	3 years 4 days
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 916	$ 72	$ 42
Under option, end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	3,697	2,955	1,401
Exercisable at end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3,252	$ 2,629	$ 1,145

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (De126

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 1) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Nonvested shares at beginning of year, Shares	323,151	377,725	295,075
Granted, Shares	71,000	82,047	108,400
Vested, Shares	(108,825)	(126,050)	(21,750)
Forfeited, Shares	0	(10,571)	(4,000)
Nonvested shares at end of year, Shares	285,326	323,151	377,725
Nonvested shares at beginning of year, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$ 13.46	$ 11.78	$ 10.47
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	23.46	20.99	14.77
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	9.96	13.12	9.31
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	0	15.61	9.88
Nonvested shares at end of year, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$ 17.29	$ 13.46	$ 11.78

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (De127

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Authorized for Issuance	2,985,000
Shares available to be issued under stock-based incentive plan	1,120,000
Options granted, vesting conditions	Most options granted since 2005 contain performance-based vesting conditions.
Outstanding restricted shares	285,326
Compensation expense	$ 1,485,000	$ 2,058,000	$ 1,041,000
Restricted stock weighted average period	2 years
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Income tax benefit related to options	$ 102,000	49,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Unearned compensation related to restricted stock	1,749,000	1,568,000	2,129,000
Income tax benefit related to options	$ 1,069,000	$ 861,000	$ 152,000
Maximum [Member]
Options granted	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Options granted	0 years
Minimum [Member]
Options granted	0 years
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Options granted	0 years

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND H128

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details) - Mortgage Banking Activity [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Forward Contracts Related to Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax, Total	$ (137)	$ (249)	$ 98
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax, Total	$ 2,687	$ 1,757	$ 1,082

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND H129

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 1) - Mortgages [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Member]
Notional Amount	$ 77,710	$ 38,868
Fair Value	2,687	1,757
Other Liabilities [Member]
Notional Amount	123,500	46,500
Fair Value	137	249
Forward Contracts Related to Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Notional Amount	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Forward Contracts Related to Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Notional Amount	123,500	46,500
Fair Value	137	249
Interest Rate Lock Commitments1 [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Notional Amount	77,710	38,868
Fair Value	2,687	1,757
Interest Rate Lock Commitments1 [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Notional Amount	0	0
Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND H130

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ 1,439,000	$ 1,315,000
Interest Rate Swap Maturity Date	September 2,020
Mortgages [Member]
Derivative Asset	$ 2,700,000	1,800,000
Derivative Liability	137,000	249,000
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Derivative Asset	$ 77,700,000	38,900,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount			$ 37,100,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	4.11%
Derivative Variable Interest Rate Description	90-day LIBOR rate plus 1.63%
Forward Contracts Related to Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Derivative Asset	$ 74,500,000	$ 46,500,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT L131

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments to extend credit	$ 548,898	$ 293,517
Unused lines of credit	52,798	49,567
Financial standby letters of credit	14,712	9,683
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments	$ 77,710	$ 38,868

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT L132

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Aug. 08, 2013USD ($)
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 2.9

REGULATORY MATTERS (Details)

REGULATORY MATTERS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Ameris Bank [Member]
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 516,677	$ 414,356
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	12.24%	14.90%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 337,687	$ 222,528
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	$ 422,109	$ 278,160
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 495,615	$ 393,199
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	11.74%	14.14%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 253,266	$ 111,264
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	6.00%	4.00%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	$ 337,687	$ 166,896
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	8.00%	6.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 495,615
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	11.74%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes	$ 189,949
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.50%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	$ 274,371
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	6.50%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets Actual Amount	$ 495,615	$ 393,199
Tier I Capital to Average Assets Actual Ratio	9.32%	10.01%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 212,608	$ 157,165
Tier I Capital to Average Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	$ 265,760	$ 196,456
Tier I Capital to Average Assets To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Consolidated Entities [Member]
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 484,023	$ 373,310
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	11.45%	13.42%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 338,057	$ 222,557
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 462,961	$ 352,153
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	10.96%	12.66%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 253,543	$ 111,279
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	6.00%	4.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Amount	$ 403,322
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio	9.54%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes	$ 190,157
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.50%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets Actual Amount	$ 462,961	$ 352,153
Tier I Capital to Average Assets Actual Ratio	8.70%	8.94%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	$ 212,771	$ 157,574
Tier I Capital to Average Assets For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%	4.00%

REGULATORY MATTERS (Details Tex

REGULATORY MATTERS (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Retained Earnings, Unappropriated	$ 22.4

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST135

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets And Liabilities Carrying Value And Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate Fair Value of Mortgage Loans held for sale	$ 111,182	$ 94,759
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance	107,652	90,418
Past due loans of 90 days or more	0	0
Nonaccrual loans	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST136

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	$ 897,054	$ 638,321
Recurring liabilities at fair value	1,576	1,564
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	8,248
Recurring liabilities at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	894,056	627,573
Recurring liabilities at fair value	1,576	1,564
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	2,998	2,500
Recurring liabilities at fair value	0	0
U.S. government sponsored agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	14,890	14,678
U.S. government sponsored agencies [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
U.S. government sponsored agencies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	14,890	14,678
U.S. government sponsored agencies [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
State, county and municipal securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	161,316	141,375
State, county and municipal securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
State, county and municipal securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	161,316	141,375
State, county and municipal securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Corporate debt securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	6,017	11,040
Corporate debt securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Corporate debt securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	3,019	8,540
Corporate debt securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	2,998	2,500
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	600,962	374,712
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	8,248
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	600,962	366,464
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Mortgage loans held for sale [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	111,182	94,759
Mortgage loans held for sale [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Mortgage loans held for sale [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	111,182	94,759
Mortgage loans held for sale [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Mortgage banking derivative instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	2,687	1,757
Recurring liabilities at fair value	137	249
Mortgage banking derivative instruments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Recurring liabilities at fair value	0	0
Mortgage banking derivative instruments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	2,687	1,757
Recurring liabilities at fair value	137	249
Mortgage banking derivative instruments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring assets at fair value	0	0
Recurring liabilities at fair value	0	0
Derivative financial instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	1,439	1,315
Derivative financial instruments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	0	0
Derivative financial instruments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	1,439	1,315
Derivative financial instruments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Recurring liabilities at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST137

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	$ 56,869	$ 65,971
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	56,869	65,971
Impaired loans carried at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	27,069	30,479
Impaired loans carried at fair value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Impaired loans carried at fair value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Impaired loans carried at fair value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	27,069	30,479
Other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	10,456
Other real estate owned [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0
Other real estate owned [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0
Other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	10,456
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	14,333	15,585
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	14,333	15,585
Covered other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	5,011	19,907
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	0	0
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Nonrecurring assets at fair value	$ 5,011	$ 19,907

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST138

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 56,869	$ 65,971
Investment securities available for sale, Recurring	897,054	638,321
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	56,869	65,971
Investment securities available for sale, Recurring	2,998	2,500
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities available for sale, Recurring	$ 2,998	$ 2,500
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Inputs	Credit quality of underlying issuer	Credit quality of underlying issuer
Valuation Technique	Discounted par values	Discounted par values
Fair value inputs discount rate range	0.00%	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Average Daily Balance [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	0.00%	0.00%
Impaired Loans Carried At Fair Value [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	100.00%	50.00%
Impaired Loans Carried At Fair Value [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	0.00%	0.00%
Impaired Loans Carried At Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 27,069	$ 30,479
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Inputs	Collateral discounts and discount rates	Collateral discounts and discount rates
Valuation Technique	Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows	Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows
Impaired Loans Carried At Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Average Daily Balance [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	29.00%	20.00%
Other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 10,456
Other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 10,456
Other real estate owned [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	90.00%
Other real estate owned [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	10.00%
Other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 10,456
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Inputs	Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell
Valuation Technique	Third party appraisals, sales contracts, Broker price opinions
Other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Average Daily Balance [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	13.00%
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 14,333	$ 15,585
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 14,333	$ 15,585
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	69.00%	96.00%
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	10.00%	10.00%
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 14,333	$ 15,585
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Inputs	Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell	Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell
Valuation Technique	Third party appraisals	Third party appraisals
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Average Daily Balance [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	19.00%	33.00%
Covered other real estate owned [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 5,011	$ 19,907
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 5,011	$ 19,907
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	74.00%	90.00%
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	0.00%	10.00%
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 5,011	$ 19,907
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Inputs	Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell	Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell
Valuation Technique	Third party appraisals	Third party appraisals
Covered other real estate owned [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Average Daily Balance [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs discount rate range	12.00%	15.00%

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST139

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$ 118,518	$ 78,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts	5,500	5,500
FDIC loss-share receivable	6,301	31,351	$ 65,441
Financial liabilities:
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	69,874	65,325
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	118,518	78,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts	272,045	92,323
Loans, net	3,971,974	2,783,763
FDIC loss-share receivable	6,301	31,351
Accrued interest receivable	21,274	17,023
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	4,879,290	3,431,149
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	63,585	73,310
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Accrued interest payable	1,054	1,382
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	69,874	65,325
Fair Value [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	118,518	78,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts	272,045	92,323
Loans, net	3,982,606	2,785,627
FDIC loss-share receivable	(944)	18,764
Accrued interest receivable	21,274	17,023
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	4,880,294	3,432,059
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	36,585	73,310
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Accrued interest payable	1,054	1,382
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	52,785	46,564
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	118,518	78,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts	272,045	92,323
Loans, net	0	0
FDIC loss-share receivable	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	21,274	17,023
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	0	0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	63,585	73,310
Other borrowings	0	0
Accrued interest payable	1,054	1,382
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	0	0
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts	0	0
Loans, net	0	0
FDIC loss-share receivable	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	4,880,294	3,432,059
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	52,785	46,564
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	0	0
Loans, net	3,982,606	2,785,627
FDIC loss-share receivable	(944)	18,764
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	0	0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Other borrowings	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INST140

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Gains Losses From Change In Fair Value Of Mortgages Loans Held For Sale	$ 3.5	$ 4.3	$ 1.7

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENS141

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,098	$ (294)
Reclassification for gains included in net income	(89)	(90)	$ (111)
Current year changes	(2,656)	6,482
Ending Balance	3,353	6,098	(294)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	508	1,397
Reclassification for gains included in net income	0	0
Current year changes	(356)	(889)
Ending Balance	152	508	1,397
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	5,590	(1,691)
Reclassification for gains included in net income	(89)	(90)
Current year changes	(2,300)	7,371
Ending Balance	$ 3,201	$ 5,590	$ (1,691)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	$ 52,601	$ 51,195	$ 44,229	$ 42,368	$ 44,900	$ 43,186	$ 38,607	$ 37,873	$ 190,393	$ 164,566	$ 126,322
Interest expense	3,983	3,796	3,541	3,536	3,894	4,054	3,343	3,389	14,856	14,680	10,137
Net interest income	48,618	47,399	40,688	38,832	41,006	39,132	35,264	34,484	175,537	149,886	116,185
Provision for loan losses	553	986	2,656	1,069	888	1,669	1,365	1,726	5,264	5,648	11,486
Noninterest income	22,407	24,978	20,626	17,575	16,362	17,901	15,819	12,754	85,586	62,836	46,549
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits									94,003	73,878	56,670
Equipment and occupancy expenses									21,195	17,521	12,286
Data processing and telecommunications expenses									19,849	15,551	11,539
Other expenses									64,068	43,919	41,450
Total noninterest expense	51,221	47,950	51,152	40,812	41,666	38,028	34,446	32,789	199,115	150,869	121,945
Income before income tax expense	17,444	22,995	1,794	14,511	14,747	16,785	12,400	12,273	56,744	56,205	29,303
Income tax expense	3,296	7,368	486	4,747	4,167	5,122	4,270	3,923	15,897	17,482	9,285
Net income	14,148	15,627	1,308	9,764	10,580	11,663	8,130	8,350	40,847	38,723	20,018
Less preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	286	0	286	1,738
Net income available to common shareholders	14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,064	40,847	38,437	18,280
Total assets	5,588,940				4,037,077				5,588,940	4,037,077	3,667,649
Other intangible assets, net	17,058				8,221				17,058	8,221	6,009
Goodwill	90,082				63,547				90,082	63,547	35,049
Banking Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income									174,162	154,898	120,522
Interest expense									14,385	14,438	9,940
Net interest income									159,777	140,460	110,582
Provision for loan losses									4,847	4,822	11,486
Noninterest income									44,251	32,337	25,282
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits									68,183	55,101	43,524
Equipment and occupancy expenses									19,320	16,097	11,599
Data processing and telecommunications expenses									18,681	14,436	10,957
Other expenses									59,636	39,175	36,850
Total noninterest expense									165,820	124,809	102,930
Income before income tax expense									33,361	43,166	21,448
Income tax expense									7,713	12,918	6,536
Net income									25,648	30,248	14,912
Less preferred stock dividends									0	286	1,738
Net income available to common shareholders									25,648	29,962	13,174
Total assets	5,166,045				3,751,503				5,166,045	3,751,503	3,506,954
Other intangible assets, net	17,058				8,221				17,058	8,221	6,009
Goodwill	90,082				63,547				90,082	63,547	35,049
Retail Mortgage Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income									8,821	5,344	3,162
Interest expense									0	0	0
Net interest income									8,821	5,344	3,162
Provision for loan losses									417	826	0
Noninterest income									34,498	24,959	18,967
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits									22,112	15,918	12,341
Equipment and occupancy expenses									1,674	1,342	625
Data processing and telecommunications expenses									1,065	1,043	534
Other expenses									3,787	3,603	4,258
Total noninterest expense									28,638	21,906	17,758
Income before income tax expense									14,264	7,571	4,371
Income tax expense									4,992	2,650	1,530
Net income									9,272	4,921	2,841
Less preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders									9,272	4,921	2,841
Total assets	246,730				164,588				246,730	164,588	108,198
Other intangible assets, net	0				0				0	0	0
Goodwill	0				0				0	0	0
Warehouse Lending Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income									4,137	2,016	721
Interest expense									0	0	0
Net interest income									4,137	2,016	721
Provision for loan losses									0	0	0
Noninterest income									1,364	655	163
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits									519	255	174
Equipment and occupancy expenses									7	1	6
Data processing and telecommunications expenses									95	54	39
Other expenses									123	392	128
Total noninterest expense									744	702	347
Income before income tax expense									4,757	1,969	537
Income tax expense									1,665	689	188
Net income									3,092	1,280	349
Less preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders									3,092	1,280	349
Total assets	101,893				58,502				101,893	58,502	14,229
Other intangible assets, net	0				0				0	0	0
Goodwill	0				0				0	0	0
SBA Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income									3,273	2,308	1,917
Interest expense									471	242	197
Net interest income									2,802	2,066	1,720
Provision for loan losses									0	0	0
Noninterest income									5,473	4,885	2,137
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits									3,189	2,604	631
Equipment and occupancy expenses									194	81	56
Data processing and telecommunications expenses									8	18	9
Other expenses									522	749	214
Total noninterest expense									3,913	3,452	910
Income before income tax expense									4,362	3,499	2,947
Income tax expense									1,527	1,225	1,031
Net income									2,835	2,274	1,916
Less preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders									2,835	2,274	1,916
Total assets	74,272				62,484				74,272	62,484	38,268
Other intangible assets, net	0				0				0	0	0
Goodwill	$ 0				$ 0				$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (un143

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Income Statement Data:
Interest income	$ 52,601	$ 51,195	$ 44,229	$ 42,368	$ 44,900	$ 43,186	$ 38,607	$ 37,873	$ 190,393	$ 164,566	$ 126,322
Interest expense	3,983	3,796	3,541	3,536	3,894	4,054	3,343	3,389	14,856	14,680	10,137
Net interest income	48,618	47,399	40,688	38,832	41,006	39,132	35,264	34,484	175,537	149,886	116,185
Provision for loan losses	553	986	2,656	1,069	888	1,669	1,365	1,726	5,264	5,648	11,486
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	48,065	46,413	38,032	37,763	40,118	37,463	33,899	32,758	170,273	144,238	104,699
Noninterest income	22,407	24,978	20,626	17,575	16,362	17,901	15,819	12,754	85,586	62,836	46,549
Noninterest expense	51,221	47,950	51,152	40,812	41,666	38,028	34,446	32,789	199,115	150,869	121,945
Acquisition related expenses	1,807	446	5,712	15	67	551	2,872	450
Income before income taxes	17,444	22,995	1,794	14,511	14,747	16,785	12,400	12,273	56,744	56,205	29,303
Income tax	3,296	7,368	486	4,747	4,167	5,122	4,270	3,923	15,897	17,482	9,285
Net income	14,148	15,627	1,308	9,764	10,580	11,663	8,130	8,350	40,847	38,723	20,018
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	286	0	286	1,738
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,064	$ 40,847	$ 38,437	$ 18,280
Per Share Data:
Net income - basic	$ 0.44	$ 0.49	$ 0.04	$ 0.32	$ 0.40	$ 0.44	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 1.29	$ 1.48	$ 0.76
Net income - diluted	0.43	0.48	0.04	0.32	0.39	0.43	0.32	0.32	1.27	1.46	0.75
Common Dividends (Cash)	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	0
Common Dividends (Stock)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.2	$ 0.15	$ 0

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (un144

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$ 3.7
Loans and Leases Receivable Nonperforming Accrual Write Down	$ 7.3

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMAT145

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 118,518	$ 78,036
Other assets	72,004	77,748
Total assets	5,588,940	4,037,077	$ 3,667,649
Liabilities
Other liabilities	22,432	22,384
Other borrowings	39,000	78,881
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	69,874	65,325
Total liabilities	5,074,181	3,671,049
Stockholders’ equity	514,759	366,028	316,699
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	5,588,940	4,037,077
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Cash and due from banks	5,847	868	$ 3,550	$ 1,639
Investment in subsidiaries	617,134	470,557
Other assets	6,717	6,552
Total assets	629,698	477,977
Liabilities
Other liabilities	6,065	7,624
Other borrowings	39,000	39,000
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures	69,874	65,325
Total liabilities	114,939	111,949
Stockholders’ equity	514,759	366,028
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 629,698	$ 477,977

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMAT146

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income
Total income	$ 52,601	$ 51,195	$ 44,229	$ 42,368	$ 44,900	$ 43,186	$ 38,607	$ 37,873	$ 190,393	$ 164,566	$ 126,322
Expense
Interest	3,983	3,796	3,541	3,536	3,894	4,054	3,343	3,389	14,856	14,680	10,137
Other expense									27,853	18,302	16,257
Total expense	51,221	47,950	51,152	40,812	41,666	38,028	34,446	32,789	199,115	150,869	121,945
Earnings (loss) before income tax benefit and dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries	17,444	22,995	1,794	14,511	14,747	16,785	12,400	12,273	56,744	56,205	29,303
Income tax benefit	3,296	7,368	486	4,747	4,167	5,122	4,270	3,923	15,897	17,482	9,285
Net income	14,148	15,627	1,308	9,764	10,580	11,663	8,130	8,350	40,847	38,723	20,018
Preferred stock dividend	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	286	0	286	1,738
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,064	40,847	38,437	18,280
Parent Company [Member]
Income
Dividends from subsidiaries									10,000	29,000	2,200
Other income									59	235	26
Total income									10,059	29,235	2,226
Expense
Interest									4,813	4,558	1,527
Other expense									1,521	2,253	1,133
Total expense									6,334	6,811	2,660
Earnings (loss) before income tax benefit and dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries									3,725	22,424	(434)
Income tax benefit									2,382	2,468	921
Earnings (loss) before dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									6,107	24,892	487
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									34,740	13,831	19,531
Net income									40,847	38,723	20,018
Preferred stock dividend									0	286	1,738
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 40,847	$ 38,437	$ 18,280

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMAT147

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,350	$ 40,847	$ 38,723	$ 20,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									1,485	2,057	1,041
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									(327)	(49)	199
Decrease in tax receivable									9,033	(7,221)	(1,420)
Provision for deferred taxes									(344)	6,516	3,543
Other operating activities									12,904	5,104	1,749
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									(25,223)	(5,596)	21,849
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by investing activities									(167,860)	31,170	63,253
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									114,889	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares									732	474	116
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	286	1,400
Dividends paid common stock									6,439	4,016	0
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	118,963	175,000
Repayment of other borrowings									39,881	257,060	177,741
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	28,000	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									413,287	(123,154)	(91,096)
Net change in cash and due from banks									220,204	(97,580)	(5,994)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				78,036					78,036
Cash and due from banks at end of year	118,518				78,036				118,518	78,036
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									15,183	14,667	9,938
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									5,828	19,281	16,925
Parent Company [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income									40,847	38,723	20,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									1,485	2,058	1,041
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(34,740)	(13,831)	(19,531)
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									20	(214)	(5,300)
Decrease in tax receivable									(2,656)	(256)	(813)
Provision for deferred taxes									188	(426)	39
Other operating activities									866	(1,558)	(2,686)
Total adjustments									(34,837)	(14,227)	(27,250)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									6,010	24,496	(7,232)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in subsidiary									(60,000)	0	0
Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions									(49,940)	144	249
Net cash provided by investing activities									(109,940)	144	249
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									114,889	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares									(732)	(474)	(116)
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	(286)	(1,400)
Dividends paid common stock									(6,439)	(4,016)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	14,000	10,000
Repayment of other borrowings									0	(9,005)	0
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	(28,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options									1,191	459	410
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									108,909	(27,322)	8,894
Net change in cash and due from banks									4,979	(2,682)	1,911
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				$ 868				$ 3,550	868	3,550	1,639
Cash and due from banks at end of year	$ 5,847				$ 868				5,847	868	3,550
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									4,793	4,772	1,523
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0