UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 26, 2019

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Fidelity Southern Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia

001-34981

58-1416811

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

file number)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

3490 Piedmont Road, Suite 1550

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

(Address of principal executive offices)

(404) 639-6500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 8.01

Other Events.

As previously disclosed, on December 17, 2018, Fidelity Southern Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Fidelity”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Ameris Bancorp, a Georgia corporation (“Ameris”), pursuant to which, among other things, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Fidelity will merge with and into Ameris (the “Merger”), with Ameris surviving the Merger.

On March 8, 2019, an action captioned Paul Parshall v. Fidelity Southern Corporation et al., Case 1:19-cv-01098-MHC (the “Action”), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of a purported class of Fidelity shareholders against Fidelity, its current directors and Ameris. This complaint contends, among other things, that the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by Ameris on February 12, 2019 in connection with the Merger (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) is false and misleading because it omits certain allegedly material information in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 14a-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

The defendants believe that the Action is without merit, and deny that any further disclosure beyond that already contained in the Registration Statement is required under applicable law to supplement the Registration Statement and the joint proxy statement included therein which has been disseminated to Fidelity and Ameris stockholders. Nonetheless, to avoid the risk that the Action may delay or otherwise adversely affect the consummation of the Merger and to minimize the expense of defending such action, the defendants are making the following supplemental disclosures (the “litigation-related supplemental disclosures”) to the Registration Statement. Nothing in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall be deemed an admission of the legal necessity or materiality under applicable laws of any of the supplemental disclosures set forth herein.

The litigation-related supplemental disclosures contained below should be read in conjunction with the Registration Statement, which is available on the Internet site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at http://www.sec.gov, along with periodic reports and other information Fidelity and Ameris file with the SEC. To the extent that the information set forth herein differs from or updates information contained in the Registration Statement, the information set forth herein shall supersede or supplement the information in the Registration Statement. All page references are to pages in the definitive proxy statement that was filed by Fidelity on March 25, 2019 and forms a part of the Registration Statement, and terms used below, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement.

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Supplemental Disclosures

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the Note on page 66 of the Registration Statement:

Fidelity Peer Group

Financial Data as of September 30, 2018	Market Information as of December 14, 2018																Balance Sheet								MRQ Profitability										Asset Qual.
			Price to:
	Market Cap.		LTM EPS		YTDA EPS		2018E EPS		2019E EPS		TBV		52- Wk High		Div. Payout		Total Asset		Loans / Dep.		TCE / TA		Total RBC Ratio		ROAA		ROAE		NIM		Cost of Dep.		Eff. Ratio		NPAs / Assets		LLR / Loans
Company	($mm)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(%)		(%)		(%)		($mm)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(1) (%)		(%)
ServisFirst Bancshares Inc.		1,788		14.9		13.5		13.9		12.5		268		74.6		16.9		7,518		97.8		8.88		12.05		1.89		20.59		3.80		0.96		31.5		0.40		1.05
Seacoast Banking Corp. of FL		1,247		19.5		18.5		17.5		13.9		220		75.5		–		5,931		87.4		9.85		15.57		1.11		8.96		3.85		0.44		56.6		0.75		0.83
First Bancorp		1,003		12.5		11.5		11.8		11.8		204		78.2		14.1		5,712		92.5		9.02		13.68		1.54		11.93		4.10		0.35		55.2		0.72		0.49
FB Financial Corp.		1,066		12.6		12.9		13.4		12.0		214		76.4		7.3		5,058		85.7		10.17		12.83		1.73		13.39		4.75		0.81		63.9		0.53		0.71
City Holding Co.		1,104		16.2		14.1		14.6		14.5		255		86.1		32.7		4,421		91.4		9.99		17.08		1.90		16.05		3.57		0.64		48.7		1.07		0.52
Franklin Financial Network Inc		397		12.0		9.8		10.6		10.7		118		65.8		–		4,168		75.6		8.12		15.00		1.02		12.01		2.73		1.69		58.9		0.15		0.88
Carolina Financial Corp.		702		16.6		15.0		11.7		11.5		169		68.7		13.3		3,721		89.1		11.72		16.81		1.66		10.87		4.11		0.74		51.6		0.46		0.55
HomeTrust Bancshares Inc.		466		48.1		45.8		20.9		15.2		123		83.4		11.5		3,354		117.4		11.57		13.58		0.94		7.55		3.45		0.50		65.2		1.01		0.81
Atlantic Capital Bcshs Inc.		433		NM		16.6		17.7		13.4		146		76.7		–		2,883		85.7		10.38		14.70		0.93		8.14		3.50		0.78		63.3		0.44		1.00
Capital City Bank Group Inc.		423		23.8		17.9		21.0		15.9		198		92.0		30.8		2,819		74.5		7.80		16.94		0.85		8.05		3.75		0.18		76.4		1.36		0.80
Southern National Bncp of VA		331		13.5		9.6		10.4		11.0		144		75.4		31.4		2,703		106.8		8.87		14.25		1.30		10.43		3.66		1.00		51.2		0.29		0.53
First Bancshares Inc.		465		23.1		20.8		14.2		11.4		183		72.1		14.7		2,509		85.4		9.15		16.57		0.84		7.25		3.97		0.54		57.5		1.11		0.56
First Community Bankshares Inc		535		19.6		15.3		15.1		14.9		226		91.1		75.0		2,270		95.5		11.00		15.01		1.57		10.68		4.40		0.27		54.5		1.43		1.02
SmartFinancial Inc.		251		18.8		14.1		12.5		10.6		125		65.0		–		2,051		92.6		9.25		13.34		0.86		6.92		4.15		0.92		65.6		0.33		0.45
High		1,788		48.1		45.8		21.0		15.9		268		92.0		75.0		7,518		117.4		11.72		17.08		1.90		20.59		4.75		1.69		76.4		1.43		1.05
Low		251		12.0		9.6		10.4		10.6		118		65.0		7.3		2,051		74.5		7.80		12.05		0.84		6.92		2.73		0.18		31.5		0.15		0.45
Mean		729		19.3		16.8		14.7		12.8		185		77.2		24.8		3,937		91.2		9.70		14.82		1.29		10.92		3.84		0.70		57.1		0.72		0.73
Median		501		16.6		14.5		14.1		12.2		191		75.9		15.8		3,538		90.2		9.55		14.85		1.21		10.56		3.82		0.69		57.0		0.62		0.76
Fidelity		584		12.6		12.9		15.3		14.2		142		79.2		28.2		4,812		91.5		8.76		12.78		1.06		11.96		3.48		0.56		79.2		1.03		0.76

Note: Excludes AMTB due to recent IPO and LOB due to nontraditional banking model

(1) NPAs / Assets = (nonaccrual loans + TDR+ OREO) / total assets

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

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The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the Note on page 67 of the Registration Statement:

Ameris Peer Group

Financial Data as of September 30, 2018	Market Information as of December 14, 2018																Balance Sheet								MRQ Profitability										Asset Qual.
			Price to:
	Market Cap.		LTM EPS		YTDA EPS		2018E EPS		2019E EPS		TBV		52-Wk High		Div. Payout		Total Asset		Loans / Dep.		TCE / TA		Total RBC Ratio		ROAA		ROAE		NIM		Cost of Dep.		Eff. Ratio		NPAs / Assets		LLR / Loans
Company	($mm)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(%)		(%)		(%)		($mm)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(1) (%)		(%)
United Bankshares Inc.		3,262		15.7		13.0		13.6		13.1		189		79.1		67.7		19,188		94.2		9.81		14.64		1.35		7.90		3.56		0.76		49.8		0.78		0.57
BancorpSouth Bank		2,739		12.7		11.7		12.8		12.2		182		77.3		28.6		17,249		93.3		8.96		12.60		1.56		12.76		3.70		0.44		64.7		0.39		0.96
Simmons First National Corp.		2,310		12.9		10.9		11.2		10.5		185		74.6		30.9		16,281		98.1		8.11		13.08		1.38		10.14		4.02		0.82		54.1		0.54		0.48
Home BancShares Inc.		2,909		11.6		9.6		10.0		9.5		219		66.3		31.7		14,913		101.6		9.62		15.73		2.16		13.85		4.49		0.81		37.4		0.45		1.02
South State Corporation		2,258		17.2		13.2		11.9		11.9		175		66.3		38.3		14,522		93.9		9.65		13.80		1.29		7.96		4.07		0.45		58.0		0.28		0.49
Trustmark Corp.		1,948		15.3		13.0		13.8		13.5		163		79.9		48.4		13,440		81.0		9.26		13.61		1.08		9.08		3.61		0.54		65.4		0.79		1.00
Union Bkshs Corp		1,962		15.7		14.4		12.7		11.0		178		69.6		46.3		13,372		95.7		8.74		12.97		1.18		8.12		3.79		0.65		55.3		0.44		0.44
Renasant Corp.		1,824		13.2		11.5		11.0		10.0		176		62.4		34.0		12,747		89.7		8.80		13.85		1.13		7.46		4.10		0.60		58.6		0.31		0.51
WesBanco Inc.		2,102		15.6		13.7		12.8		12.3		210		75.3		47.0		12,599		86.4		8.56		15.20		1.11		7.56		3.53		0.41		54.1		0.35		0.63
United Community Banks Inc.		1,761		16.6		11.0		11.0		10.3		164		65.0		43.3		12,405		80.4		8.91		14.15		1.42		12.54		3.98		0.44		55.5		0.58		0.74
CenterState Bank Corp.		2,041		16.9		13.0		11.2		10.3		196		66.1		31.7		12,274		86.8		9.13		12.46		1.39		9.08		4.34		0.43		49.2		0.31		0.47
TowneBank		1,806		16.1		13.7		13.0		12.1		182		74.5		39.5		11,121		95.0		9.41		14.90		1.45		10.55		3.67		0.73		61.1		0.45		0.61
ServisFirst Bancshares Inc.		1,788		14.9		13.5		13.9		12.5		268		74.6		16.9		7,518		97.8		8.88		12.05		1.89		20.59		3.80		0.96		31.5		0.40		1.05
Seacoast Banking Corp. of FL		1,247		19.5		18.5		17.5		13.9		220		75.5		–		5,931		87.4		9.85		15.57		1.11		8.96		3.85		0.44		56.6		0.75		0.83
First Bancorp		1,003		12.5		11.5		11.8		11.8		204		78.2		14.1		5,712		92.5		9.02		13.68		1.54		11.93		4.10		0.35		55.2		0.72		0.49
FB Financial Corp.		1,066		12.6		12.9		13.4		12.0		214		76.4		7.3		5,058		85.7		10.17		12.83		1.73		13.39		4.75		0.81		63.9		0.53		0.71
High		3,262		19.5		18.5		17.5		13.9		268		79.9		67.7		19,188		101.6		10.17		15.73		2.16		20.59		4.75		0.96		65.4		0.79		1.05
Low		1,003		11.6		9.6		10.0		9.5		163		62.4		7.3		5,058		80.4		8.11		12.05		1.08		7.46		3.53		0.35		31.5		0.28		0.44
Mean		2,002		14.9		12.8		12.6		11.7		195		72.6		35.1		12,146		91.2		9.18		13.82		1.42		10.74		3.96		0.60		54.4		0.50		0.69
Median		1,955		15.4		13.0		12.7		12.0		187		74.6		34.0		12,673		92.9		9.07		13.74		1.38		9.61		3.91		0.57		55.4		0.45		0.62
Ameris		1,615		16.6		13.8		11.0		8.5		191		57.6		19.5		11,429		92.9		7.77		11.78		1.48		11.88		3.95		0.70		51.9		0.86		0.32

Note: Excludes AMTB due to recent IPO

(1) NPAs / Assets = (nonaccrual loans + TDR+ OREO) / total assets

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

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The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the second footnote on page 68 of the Registration Statement:

Regional Precedent Transactions

		Transaction Information																	Seller Information
					Price to:
		Announce	Deal Value		LTM Earnings			Forward Earnings		Book Value		TBV		Core Deposit Premium			1-Day Market Premium		Total Assets		TCE / TA		LTM ROAA		NPAs / Assets
Acquiror	Target	Date	($mm)		(x)			(x)		(%)		(%)		(%)			(%)		($mm)		(%)		(%)		(%)
CenterState Bank Corporation	National Commerce Corporation	11/26/2018		844.0		22.4			15.7		122		207		14.1			5.1		4,103		10.8		1.10		0.14
Union Bankshares Corporation	Access National Corporation	10/5/2018		611.0		22.3			17.5		140		245		16.8			8.8		2,921		9.1		0.95		0.25
Cadence Bancorporation	State Bank Financial Corporation	5/13/2018		1,372.2		26.2			15.7		212		249		20.3			5.9		4,892		11.5		1.15		0.47
Renasant Corporation	Brand Group Holdings, Inc.	3/28/2018		476.3		40.0			–		248		248		14.4			–		2,409		8.0		0.51		2.51
Banco de Credito e Inversiones SA	TotalBank	12/1/2017		528.1		22.6			–		106		156		9.2			–		3,042		11.8		0.78		0.79
Arvest Bank Group, Inc.	Bear State Financial, Inc.	8/22/2017		391.3		18.0			–		159		201		12.8			11.7		2,239		8.9		1.02		0.84
Valley National Bancorp	USAmeriBancorp, Inc.	7/26/2017		852.1		16.7			–		229		263		15.7			60.9		4,383		7.4		1.15		1.12
Union Bankshares Corporation	Xenith Bankshares, Inc.	5/22/2017		699.8		10.1			27.5		146		159		10.1			10.4		3,199		13.9		2.14		1.82
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.	WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc.	5/16/2017		499.8		26.4			24.5		244		271		20.6			29.1		2,059		9.0		0.99		0.37
South State Corporation	Park Sterling Corporation	4/27/2017		693.9		27.4			21.8		189		241		16.7			2.8		3,309		8.9		0.77		0.46
Home BancShares, Inc.	Stonegate Bank	3/27/2017		780.6		22.9			19.4		197		269		20.2			7.2		2,902		10.2		1.13		0.70
IBERIABANK Corporation	Sabadell United Bank, N.A.	2/28/2017		1,028.0		21.2			–		167		196		12.8			–		5,789		9.2		0.88		0.37
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.	BNC Bancorp	1/22/2017		1,732.4		23.8			18.3		192		270		22.1			2.1		7,402		9.0		1.00		0.66
High				1,732.4		40.0			27.5		248		271		22.1			60.9		7,402		13.9		2.14		2.51
Low				391.3		10.1			15.7		106		156		9.2			2.1		2,059		7.4		0.51		0.14
Mean				808.4		23.1			20.0		181		229		15.8			14.4		3,742		9.8		1.04		0.81
Median				699.8		22.6			18.8		189		245		15.7			8.0		3,199		9.1		1.00		0.66
Ameris	Fidelity⁽¹⁾			750.7		16.2			19.2		174		178		8.5	⁽³⁾		27.1		4,812		8.8		0.98		1.03
						18.1	⁽²⁾								8.9	⁽⁴⁾

(1) Based on Ameris’s closing stock price on December 14, 2018

(2) LTM earnings adjusted to exclude one-time $4.9 million tax benefit associated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

(3) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $250,000

(4) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $100,000

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

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Nationwide Precedent Transactions

		Transaction Information																		Seller Information
					Price to:
		Announce	Deal Value		LTM Earnings			Forward Earnings		Book Value		TBV		Core Deposit Premium			1-Day Market Premium			Total Assets		TCE / TA		LTM ROAA		NPAs / Assets
Acquiror	Target	Date	($mm)		(x)			(x)		(%)		(%)		(%)			(%)			($mm)		(%)		(%)		(%)
People's United Financial, Inc.	BSB Bancorp, Inc.	11/27/2018		327.8		14.9			–		160		166		7.2			20.7			2,972		6.7		0.74		0.19
CenterState Bank Corporation	National Commerce Corporation	11/26/2018		844.0		22.4			15.7		122		207		14.1			5.1			4,103		10.8		1.10		0.14
Union Bankshares Corporation	Access National Corporation	10/5/2018		611.0		22.3			17.5		140		245		16.8			8.8			2,921		9.1		0.95		0.25
Independent Bank Corp.	Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.	9/20/2018		726.5		35.0			25.1		174		186		17.0			12.0			2,741		14.3		0.70		0.52
PacWest Bancorp	El Dorado Savings Bank, F.S.B.	9/12/2018		466.7		27.3			–		204		205		12.4			–			2,206		10.3		0.78		0.47
WSFS Financial Corporation	Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.	8/8/2018		1,507.4		53.0			33.2		144		177		16.0			20.3			5,770		15.2		0.48		0.36
Veritex Holdings, Inc.	Green Bancorp, Inc.	7/24/2018		1,000.0		24.2			15.2		201		259		21.6			15.1			4,392		9.0		0.95		1.34
People's United Financial, Inc.	First Connecticut Bancorp, Inc.	6/19/2018		552.3		29.9			19.4		187		199		11.9			24.3			3,138		8.8		0.57		0.71
BOK Financial Corporation	CoBiz Financial Inc.	6/18/2018		978.4		25.6			18.4		288		290		20.4			4.0			3,816		8.9		0.98		1.69
Independent Bank Group, Inc.	Guaranty Bancorp	5/22/2018		1,036.6		23.7			18.5		252		319		24.1			15.2			3,722		8.9		1.20		0.65
Cadence Bancorporation	State Bank Financial Corporation	5/13/2018		1,372.2		26.2			15.7		212		249		20.3			5.9			4,892		11.5		1.15		0.47
Renasant Corporation	Brand Group Holdings, Inc.	3/28/2018		476.3		40.0			–		248		248		14.4			–			2,409		8.0		0.51		2.51
CVB Financial Corp.	Community Bank	2/26/2018		878.3		32.5			–		246		250		19.8			48.9			3,747		9.4		0.72		0.40
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.	Grandpoint Capital, Inc.	2/12/2018		641.2		25.1			–		176		221		15.9			(7.1	)		3,194		9.3		0.76		0.41
Banco de Credito e Inversiones SA	TotalBank	12/1/2017		528.1		22.6			–		106		156		9.2			–			3,042		11.8		0.78		0.79
Arvest Bank Group, Inc.	Bear State Financial, Inc.	8/22/2017		391.3		18.0			–		159		201		12.8			11.7			2,239		8.9		1.02		0.84
Old National Bancorp	Anchor Bancorp, Inc.	8/8/2017		303.3		17.1			–		174		191		8.5			–			2,056		7.3		0.88		0.45
Valley National Bancorp	USAmeriBancorp, Inc.	7/26/2017		852.1		16.7			–		229		263		15.7			60.9			4,383		7.4		1.15		1.12
First Financial Bancorp.	MainSource Financial Group, Inc.	7/25/2017		1,005.6		22.4			18.2		203		288		19.2			15.3			4,042		8.9		1.06		0.62
Associated Banc-Corp	Bank Mutual Corporation	7/20/2017		482.3		28.8			27.3		165		167		10.3			12.2			2,668		10.8		0.61		0.50
OceanFirst Financial Corp.	Sun Bancorp, Inc.	6/30/2017		488.9		7.8			63.2		149		172		11.9			1.3			2,256		12.8		2.82		0.28
Union Bankshares Corporation	Xenith Bankshares, Inc.	5/22/2017		699.8		10.1			27.5		146		159		10.1			10.4			3,199		13.9		2.14		1.82
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.	Commerce Bancshares Corp.	5/22/2017		209.2		14.6			–		129		138		3.0			–			2,219		6.9		0.75		1.14
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.	WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc.	5/16/2017		499.8		26.4			24.5		244		271		20.6			29.1			2,059		9.0		0.99		0.37
South State Corporation	Park Sterling Corporation	4/27/2017		693.9		27.4			21.8		189		241		16.7			2.8			3,309		8.9		0.77		0.46
PacWest Bancorp	CU Bancorp	4/6/2017		706.3		25.3			22.3		214		273		16.4			(0.1	)		3,143		8.4		0.97		0.02
Home BancShares, Inc.	Stonegate Bank	3/27/2017		780.6		22.9			19.4		197		269		20.2			7.2			2,902		10.2		1.13		0.70
IBERIABANK Corporation	Sabadell United Bank, N.A.	2/28/2017		1,028.0		21.2			–		167		196		12.8			–			5,789		9.2		0.88		0.37
Simmons First National Corporation	First Texas BHC, Inc.	1/23/2017		467.0		25.1			–		206		247		18.5			–			2,129		9.1		1.00		0.00
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.	BNC Bancorp	1/22/2017		1,732.4		23.8			18.3		192		270		22.1			2.1			7,402		9.0		1.00		0.66
Columbia Banking System, Inc.	Pacific Continental Corporation	1/9/2017		660.9		30.0			21.6		235		325		22.2			36.1			2,541		8.2		0.92		1.20
High				1,732.4		53.0			63.2		288		325		24.1			60.9			7,402		15.2		2.82		2.51
Low				209.2		7.8			15.2		106		138		3.0			(7.1	)		2,056		6.7		0.48		0.00
Mean				740.3		24.6			23.3		189		227		15.6			15.1			3,400		9.7		0.98		0.69
Median				693.9		24.2			19.4		189		241		16.0			11.9			3,138		9.0		0.95		0.50
Ameris	Fidelity⁽¹⁾			750.7		16.2			19.2		174		178		8.5	⁽³⁾		27.1			4,812		8.8		0.98		1.03
						18.1	⁽²⁾								8.9	⁽⁴⁾

(1) Based on Ameris’s closing stock price on December 14, 2018

(2) LTM earnings adjusted to exclude one-time $4.9 million tax benefit associated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

(3) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $250,000

(4) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $100,000

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

-6-

Pending Precedent Transactions

		Transaction Information at Announcement													Transaction Information at Present⁽¹⁾
					Price to:																Price to:
		Announce	Deal Value		LTM Earnings		Forward Earnings		TBV		Core Deposit Prem.		1-Day Market Premium		Deal Status	Deal Value		Change Since Announce			LTM Earnings			Forward Earnings		TBV		Core Deposit Prem.
Acquiror	Target	Date	($mm)		(x)		(x)		(%)		(2) (%)		(%)			($mm)		(%)			(x)			(x)		(%)		(2)(%)
People's United Financial, Inc.	BSB Bancorp, Inc.	11/27/2018		327.8		14.9		–		166		7.2		20.7	Pending		308.0		(6.1	)		14.0			–		156		6.1
CenterState Bank Corporation	National Commerce Corporation	11/26/2018		844.0		22.4		15.7		207		14.1		5.1	Pending		741.8		(12.1	)		19.6			13.8		182		10.5
Union Bankshares Corporation	Access National Corporation	10/05/2018		618.0		22.3		17.5		248		16.8		8.8	Pending		468.9		(24.1	)		16.9			13.3		188		11.1
Independent Bank Corp.	Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.	09/20/2018		725.4		35.0		25.1		186		17.0		12.0	Pending		615.5		(15.2	)		29.7			21.3		157		11.4
PacWest Bancorp	El Dorado Savings Bank, F.S.B.	09/12/2018		466.7		27.3		–		205		12.4		–	Pending		328.2		(29.7	)		19.2			–		144		5.2
WSFS Financial Corporation	Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.	08/08/2018		1,507.4		53.0		33.2		177		16.0		20.3	Pending		1,139.0		(24.4	)		40.0			25.1		134		6.9
Veritex Holdings, Inc.	Green Bancorp, Inc.	07/24/2018		1,000.0		24.2		15.2		259		21.6		15.1	Pending		688.1		(31.2	)		16.6			10.5		178		10.6
Independent Bank Group, Inc.	Guaranty Bancorp	05/22/2018		1,036.6		23.7		18.5		319		24.1		15.2	Pending		628.8		(39.3	)		14.4			11.2		194		10.3
Cadence Bancorporation	State Bank Financial Corporation	05/13/2018		1,372.2		26.2		15.7		249		20.3		5.9	Pending		855.0		(37.7	)		16.3			9.8		155		7.5
High				1,507.4		53.0		33.2		319		24.1		20.7			1,139.0		(6.1	)		40.0			25.1		194		11.4
Low				327.8		14.9		15.2		166		7.2		5.1			308.0		(39.3	)		14.0			9.8		134		5.2
Mean				877.6		27.7		20.1		224		16.6		12.9			641.5		(24.4	)		20.8			15.0		165		8.9
Median				844.0		24.2		17.5		207		16.8		13.5			628.8		(24.4	)		16.9			13.3		157		10.3
																	Fidelity/Ameris as of December 14, 2018⁽³⁾
Ameris	Fidelity																750.7		(24.0	)		16.2			19.2		178		8.5	⁽²⁾
																						18.1	⁽⁴⁾						8.9	⁽⁵⁾

(1) Represents pricing multiples based on buyer closing stock prices on December 14, 2018

(2) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $250,000

(3) Based on Ameris’s closing stock price on December 14, 2018 of $34.02; presented on an aggregate basis

(4) LTM earnings adjusted to exclude one-time $4.9 million tax benefit associated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

(5) Core deposits equates to total deposits less time deposits > $100,000

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the second sentence of the first full paragraph on page 70 of the Registration Statement:

Sandler O’Neill selected the price to earnings and tangible book value multiples for Fidelity based on Sandler O’Neill’s review of, among other matters, the respective trading multiples of selected companies that Sandler O’Neill deemed to be comparable to Fidelity.

-7-

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the third sentence of the first full paragraph on page 70 of the Registration Statement:

The range of discount rates of 9.5% to 13.5% used in the analysis was selected taking into account a capital asset pricing model implied cost of equity calculation. The following table describes the discount rate calculation for Fidelity common stock prepared by Sandler O’Neill. In its normal course of business, Sandler O’Neill employs the Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator and Bloomberg in determining an appropriate discount rate in which the discount rate equals the risk free rate plus the product of the 2-year adjusted beta for Fidelity common stock and the equity risk premium, plus the size premium.

Calculation of Discount Rate
Risk Free Rate	3.50	%
2 Year Beta of Stock	0.931	x
Equity Risk Premium	5.00	%
Size Premium	3.48	%
Discount Rate	11.64	%

Sandler O’Neill selected the price to earnings and tangible book value multiples for Ameris based on Sandler O’Neill’s review of, among other matters, the respective trading multiples of selected companies that Sandler O’Neill deemed to be comparable to Ameris.

The range of discount rates of 9.0% to 13.0% used in the analysis was selected taking into account a capital asset pricing model implied cost of equity calculation. The following table describes the discount rate calculation for Ameris common stock prepared by Sandler O’Neill. In its normal course of business, Sandler O’Neill employs the Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator and Bloomberg in determining an appropriate discount rate in which the discount rate equals the risk free rate plus the product of the 2-year adjusted beta for Ameris common stock and the equity risk premium, plus the size premium.

Calculation of Discount Rate
Risk Free Rate	3.50	%
2 Year Beta of Stock	1.122	x
Equity Risk Premium	5.00	%
Size Premium	1.64	%
Discount Rate	10.75	%

-8-

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the table on page 76 of the Registration Statement with the title “Fidelity Comparable Company Analysis – Summary”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the last Note on page 76 of the Registration Statement:

Fidelity Comparable Company Analysis – Additional Detail – Market Data

			Price to:												Ownership
Institution	Mkt Cap ($M)		P/ TBV (%)		P/ LTM EPS (x)		P/ NTM EPS (x)		P/ Assets (%)		Div. Yield (%)		Weekly Volume (%)		Insider (%)		Inst. (%)		LTM Return (%)
Pinnacle Financial Partners		3,712.2		181.8		12.7		10.2		15.1		1.3		3.4		6.3		81.0		-25.8
South State Corporation		2,257.7		174.8		17.2		12.3		15.6		2.3		2.1		2.5		78.2		-28.0
CenterState Bank Corp.		2,040.6		195.9		16.9		10.7		16.6		1.9		3.4		3.3		80.8		-17.5
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.		1,788.0		267.8		14.9		12.8		23.7		1.3		1.3		15.6		48.9		-15.3
United Community Banks Inc		1,760.8		163.6		16.6		10.5		14.2		2.9		2.8		2.2		89.6		-17.0
Eagle Bancorp, Inc.		1,722.2		180.0		13.6		11.3		21.3		0.0		3.0		8.7		77.8		-13.6
Ameris Bancorp, Inc.		1,615.3		191.3		16.6		8.9		14.1		1.2		3.0		2.6		86.8		-26.0
Cadence Bancorp		1,575.5		143.2		10.7		8.9		13.4		3.2		6.2		3.9		109.3		-22.9
Seacoast Banking Corp of FL		1,247.0		219.6		19.5		14.4		21.0		0.0		3.7		3.2		86.6		5.2
First Bancorp		1,003.4		203.7		12.5		12.0		17.6		1.2		1.7		2.6		67.2		-5.7
National Commerce Corp		753.0		184.4		20.3		12.9		18.4		0.0		1.5		16.4		49.2		-9.2
Carolina Financial Corp.		702.2		168.5		16.6		11.8		19.0		0.9		1.9		8.6		56.3		-13.4
Access National Corp.		469.9		182.1		15.7		13.1		15.5		3.0		1.4		27.9		44.7		-18.8
First Bancshares, Inc.		464.6		183.5		23.1		12.0		16.3		0.6		1.2		9.9		60.3		-5.8
Atlantic Capital Bksh., Inc.		432.6		145.7		NM		14.2		15.0		0.0		1.9		4.1		79.3		0.7
Capital City Bank Group, Inc.		423.1		198.4		23.8		16.6		15.0		1.5		0.6		36.5		38.6		6.6
Franklin Financial Network		396.6		117.7		12.0		11.2		9.5		0.0		3.7		10.0		68.2		-19.7
Home Bancorp, Inc.		333.3		145.4		11.9		10.5		15.6		2.3		1.0		11.7		30.9		-15.5

Fidelity Comparable Company Analysis – Additional Detail – Financial Highlights

Institution	Total Assets ($M)		Total Loans ($M)		TCE/ TA (%)		NPAs/ Assets (%)		LTM ROAA (%)
Pinnacle Financial Partners		24,557.5		17,552.8		9.0		0.41		1.27
South State Corporation		14,552.2		10,942.9		9.7		0.28		0.95
CenterState Bank Corp.		12,274.4		8,262.6		9.1		0.31		1.12
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.		7,517.8		6,368.8		8.9		0.40		1.72
United Community Banks Inc.		12,405.1		8,253.8		8.9		0.58		0.90
Eagle Bancorp, Inc.		8,057.9		6,863.4		12.0		0.40		1.65
Ameris Bancorp, Inc.		11,429.0		8,659.7		7.8		0.86		0.98
Cadence Bancorp		11,759.8		9,490.6		9.6		0.61		1.34
Seacoast Banking Corp of FL		5,930.9		4,075.5		9.8		0.75		1.10
First Bancorp		5,711.6		4,196.7		9.0		0.72		1.42
National Commerce Corp		4,103.3		3,245.9		10.6		0.14		1.10
Carolina Financial Corp.		3,721.5		2,482.8		11.7		0.46		1.17
Access National Corp.		3,021.3		2,130.9		9.1		0.22		1.03
First Bancshares, Inc.		2,508.9		1,752.8		9.1		1.11		0.77
Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc.		2,882.7		2,040.3		10.4		0.44		0.16
Capital City Bank Group, Inc.		2,819.2		1,782.1		7.8		1.36		0.62
Franklin Financial Network Inc.		4,167.8		2,564.7		8.1		0.15		0.83
Home Bancorp, Inc.		2,140.5		1,636.5		11.1		1.08		1.29

-9-

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the table on page 77 of the Registration Statement with the title “Ameris Comparable Company Analysis – Summary”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the last Note on page 77 of the Registration Statement:

Ameris Comparable Company Analysis – Additional Detail – Market Data

			Price to:												Ownership
Institution	Mkt Cap ($M)		P/ TBV (%)		P/ LTM EPS (x)		P/ NTM EPS (x)		P/ Assets (%)		Div. Yield (%)		Weekly Volume (%)		Insider (%)		Inst. (%)		LTM Return (%)
Pinnacle Financial Partners		3,712.2		181.8		12.7		10.2		15.1		1.3		3.4		6.3		81.0		-25.8
United Bankshares Inc.		3,261.6		189.2		15.7		13.3		17.1		4.3		2.7		2.8		72.5		-4.0
Home BancShares Inc.		2,908.7		218.9		11.6		9.7		19.6		2.9		2.4		9.2		67.2		-23.8
Bank OZK		2,823.1		95.6		6.3		7.0		12.8		3.8		4.9		6.3		92.3		-51.7
Simmons First National Corp.		2,309.6		185.2		12.9		10.8		14.1		2.4		2.2		2.2		67.7		-7.7
South State Corporation		2,257.7		174.8		17.2		12.3		15.6		2.3		2.1		2.5		78.2		-28.0
CenterState Bank Corp.		2,040.6		195.9		16.9		10.7		16.6		1.9		3.4		3.3		80.8		-17.5
Union Bankshares Corp.		1,962.5		178.3		15.7		11.4		14.7		3.1		3.0		8.6		84.2		-16.1
Renasant Corp.		1,824.3		176.1		13.2		10.2		14.3		2.7		1.5		4.3		60.7		-21.0
TowneBank		1,806.1		182.4		16.1		12.2		16.4		2.5		1.0		11.1		44.9		-19.0
First Merchants Corp.		1,800.6		200.9		12.7		11.6		18.3		2.4		1.6		1.4		72.8		-11.8
United Community Banks Inc		1,760.8		163.6		16.6		10.5		14.2		2.9		2.8		2.2		89.6		-17.0
Heartland Financial USA Inc		1,638.5		195.4		15.7		12.1		14.5		1.2		1.9		7.3		55.7		-5.8
Cadence Bancorp		1,575.5		143.2		10.7		8.9		13.4		3.2		6.2		3.9		109.3		-22.9
Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc		1,158.4		168.6		13.3		10.4		14.4		3.4		2.2		5.2		70.9		-12.7
Southside Bancshares Inc		1,116.3		209.7		16.4		14.1		18.3		3.8		2.1		6.9		52.0		-2.9
First Bancorp		1,003.4		203.7		12.5		12.0		17.6		1.2		1.7		2.6		67.2		-5.7

Ameris Comparable Company Analysis – Additional Detail – Financial Highlights

Institution	Total Assets ($M)		Total Loans ($M)		TCE/ TA (%)		NPAs/ Assets (%)		LTM ROAA (%)
Pinnacle Financial Partners		24,557.5		17,522.8		9.0		0.41		1.27
United Bankshares Inc.		19.187.6		13,510.9		9.8		0.78		1.12
Home BancShares Inc.		14,912.7		10,832.8		9.6		0.45		1.76
Bank OZK		22,086.5		16,725.8		13.8		0.23		2.09
Simmons First National Corp.		16,281.3		11,907.7		8.1		0.54		1.18
South State Corporation		14,522.2		10,942.9		9.7		0.28		0.95
CenterState Bank Corp.		12,274.4		8,262.6		9.1		0.31		1.12
Union Bankshares Corp.		13,371.7		9,412.0		8.7		0.44		0.97
Renasant Corp.		12,746.9		9,586.2		8.8		0.31		1.14
TowneBank		11,121.2		8,215.0		9.4		0.45		1.15
First Merchants Corp.		9,787.3		7,091.1		9.6		0.31		1.49
United Community Banks Inc		12,405.1		8,253.8		8.9		0.58		0.90
Heartland Financial USA Inc		11,335.1		7,443.2		7.7		0.64		0.95
Cadence Bancorp		11,759.8		9,490.6		9.6		0.61		1.34
Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc		8,034.6		6,420.5		8.9		0.42		1.15
Southside Bancshares Inc		6,105.4		3,275.5		9.0		0.65		1.09
First Bancorp		5,711.6		4,196.7		9.0		0.72		1.42

-10-

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the title, “Comparable Transactions Analysis – Summary” to the table on page 78 of the Registration Statement.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the table on page 78 of the Registration Statement:

Comparable Transactions Analysis – Additional Information – Transaction Terms

						Price to:
Date Announced	Buyer	Seller	Consid Type	Deal Value ($M)		TBV (%)		EPS (x)		Assets (%)		Core Dep. Premium (%)
12/11/2018	Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.	SI Financial Group, Inc.	Stock		182.2		117.5		27.3		11.3		2.6
12/06/2018	First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.	Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc.	Mix		145.0		130.0		9.4		11.5		4.0
11/27/2018	People’s United Financial Inc.	BSB Bancorp Inc.	Stock		327.8		159.8		14.9		11.0		7.9
11/26/2018	CenterState Bank Corp.	National Commerce Corp.	Stock		844.0		202.6		22.4		20.6		14.9
11/13/2018	Simmons First National Corp.	Reliance Bancshares Inc.	Mix		171.6		187.7		NM		11.5		8.8
10/10/2018	First Merchants Corp	MBT Financial Corp.	Stock		290.5		240.1		23.3		22.0		NA
10/05/2018	Union Bankshares Corp	Access National Corp	Mix		618.0		243.4		22.3		21.2		NA
9/20/2018	Independent Bank Corp.	Blue Hills Bancorp Inc	Mix		725.4		117.9		NM		26.5		19.2
9/12/2018	PacWest Bancorp	El Dorado SB FSB	Mix		466.7		204.6		27.3		21.2		13.3
8/22/2018	First Busey Corp	Banc Ed Corp	Mix		304.9		164.0		23.3		16.5		7.7
8/22/2018	MidWestOne Financial Grp	ATBancorp	Mix		171.7		155.8		6.3		12.8		6.8
8/08/2018	WSFS Financial Corp.	Beneficial Bancorp Inc	Mix		1,507.4		172.7		NM		26.1		16.6
7/24/2018	Veritex Holdings Inc.	Green Bancorp Inc.	Mix		1,000.0		249.9		24.2		22.8		NA

Comparable Transactions Analysis – Additional Information – Target Financials

Date Announced	Buyer	Seller	Total Assets ($M)		NPAs/ Assets (%)		TCE/ TA (%)		LTM ROAA (%)
12/11/2018	Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.	SI Financial Group, Inc.		1,607.1		1.17		9.65		0.41
12/06/2018	First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.	Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc.		1,259.9		1.31		11.00		0.19
11/27/2018	People’s United Financial Inc.	BSB Bancorp Inc.		2,971.8		0.19		6.66		0.74
11/26/2018	CenterState Bank Corp.	National Commerce Corp.		4,103.3		0.14		10.64		1.10
11/13/2018	Simmons First National Corp.	Reliance Bancshares Inc.		1,492.9		0.71		5.75		0.01
10/10/2018	First Merchants Corp	MBT Financial Corp.		1,321.9		0.91		9.10		0.96
10/05/2018	Union Bankshares Corp	Access National Corp		2,920.6		0.25		9.12		0.95
9/20/2018	Independent Bank Corp.	Blue Hills Bancorp Inc		2,741.2		0.52		14.31		0.70
9/12/2018	PacWest Bancorp	El Dorado SB FSB		2,206.3		0.47		10.34		0.78
8/22/2018	First Busey Corp	Banc Ed Corp		1,853.1		0.18		10.06		0.71
8/22/2018	MidWestOne Financial Grp	ATBancorp		1,369.1		1.15		10.40		1.69
8/08/2018	WSFS Financial Corp.	Beneficial Bancorp Inc		5,770.3		0.36		15.19		0.48
7/24/2018	Veritex Holdings Inc.	Green Bancorp Inc.		4,391.7		1.34		8.99		0.95

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The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the second sentence of the last paragraph on page 78 of the Registration Statement:

In arriving at the range of multiples used, FIG Partners analyzes precedent transactions of similar companies, such as the comparable transaction group previously defined in this document. FIG analyzed the P/E and P/TBV multiples of those comparable transactions, and combined with FIG’s general industry knowledge and experience arrived at the aforementioned ranges. This led to Capitalized Terminal Values of $1,224,626,000 on a tangible book value multiple basis and $1,329,801,000 on an earnings multiple basis.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the first table on page 79 of the Registration Statement with the title “Fidelity Net Present Value Analysis – Earnings Per Share Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the second table on page 79 of the Registration Statement with the title “Fidelity Net Present Value Analysis – Tangible Book Value Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the third table on page 79 of the Registration Statement with the title “Fidelity Net Present Value Variance Analysis – Earnings Per Share Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the fourth table on page 79 of the Registration Statement with the title “Fidelity Net Present Value Variance Analysis – Tangible Book Value Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the fourth table titled “Tangible Book Value Multiples” on page 79 of the Registration Statement:

In its net present value analysis, FIG Partners assumed a range of discount rates applied to terminal values of 11.5% to 13.5%. FIG Partners assumptions and calculations to justify the selected range of discount rates is detailed in the table below:

Discount Rate Build-Up

Discount Rate	Low			Median			High			Comments/Source
Yield to Maturity on 10-Year U.S. Treasuries		2.91	%		2.91	%		2.91	%	Per FRED Data
+ Equity Risk Premium – Large Cap		5.50	%		5.50	%		5.50	%	KPMG Equity Market Risk Premium Research Summary
* Industry Beta		0.98			0.98			0.98		FIG Partners
+ Small Stock Premium over Large Cap Stocks		1.75	%		1.75	%		1.75	%	Duff & Phelps – Valuation Handbook
+/- Specific Risks Associated with the Subject Company		1.50	%		2.50	%		3.50	%	FIG Partners
= Range of Discount Rates		11.5	%		12.5	%		13.5	%

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The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the heading “Ameris Net Present Value Analyses” above the last paragraph on page 79 of the Registration Statement.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following after the second sentence in the last paragraph on page 79 of the Registration Statement:

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the first table on page 80 of the Registration Statement with the title “Ameris Net Present Value Analysis – Earnings Per Share Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the second table on page 80 of the Registration Statement with the title “Ameris Net Present Value Analysis – Tangible Book Value Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the third table on page 80 of the Registration Statement with the title “Ameris Net Present Value Variance Analysis – Earnings Per Share Multiples”.

The disclosure under the subsection captioned “Opinion of FIG Partners, LLC” is hereby amended and supplemented by replacing the title of the fourth table on page 80 of the Registration Statement with the title “Ameris Net Present Value Variance Analysis – Tangible Book Value Multiples”.

Discount Rate Build-Up

Discount Rate	Low			Median			High			Comments/Source
Yield to Maturity on 10-Year U.S. Treasuries		2.91	%		2.91	%		2.91	%	Per FRED Data
+ Equity Risk Premium – Large Cap		5.50	%		5.50	%		5.50	%	KPMG Equity Market Risk Premium Research Summary
* Industry Beta		0.98			0.98			0.98		FIG Partners
+ Small Stock Premium over Large Cap Stocks		1.75	%		1.75	%		1.75	%	Duff & Phelps – Valuation Handbook
+/- Specific Risks Associated with the Subject Company		1.50	%		2.50	%		3.50	%	FIG Partners
= Range of Discount Rates		11.5	%		12.5	%		13.5	%

* * *

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Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Report contains forward-looking statements, as defined by federal securities laws, including, among other forward-looking statements, certain plans, expectations and goals, and including statements about the benefits of the Merger. Words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Report are based on current expectations and are provided to assist in the understanding of potential future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, the following: the parties’ ability to consummate the Merger or satisfy the conditions to the completion of the Merger, including, without limitation, the receipt of required shareholder and regulatory approvals, on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; the parties’ ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the Merger; the businesses of Fidelity and Ameris may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Merger may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes; disruption from the Merger may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or others; diversion of management time to Merger-related issues; dilution caused by Ameris’s issuance of additional shares of Ameris Common Stock in connection with the Merger; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including, without limitation, movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; and success and timing of other business strategies. For a discussion of some of the other risks and other factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, please refer to Fidelity’s and Ameris’s filings with the SEC, including Fidelity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and its subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Ameris’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and its subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and neither Fidelity nor Ameris undertakes any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

Additional Information

On February 12, 2019, Ameris filed a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended on March 22, 2019, with the SEC to register the shares of Ameris Common Stock that will be issued to Fidelity’s shareholders in connection with the Merger. The registration statement included a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on March 25, 2019, and Fidelity and Ameris commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of Fidelity and Ameris on or about March 28, 2019. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Fidelity on its website at www.FidelitySouthern.com and by Ameris on its website at http://www.AmerisBank.com.

-14-

This Report does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Fidelity and Ameris are urged to read carefully the entire registration statement and definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, including any amendments thereto, because they contain or will contain important information about the Merger. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

Participants in the Solicitation

Fidelity and Ameris, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Fidelity’s shareholders and Ameris’s shareholders in respect of the Merger. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Fidelity and Ameris and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of Fidelity’s shareholders and Ameris’s shareholders is included in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus for Fidelity’s meeting of shareholders and Ameris’s meeting of shareholders, which is filed with the SEC. Information about Fidelity’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Fidelity common stock can also be found in Fidelity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2019, and other documents subsequently filed by Fidelity with the SEC. Information about Ameris’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Ameris common stock can also be found in Ameris’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019, and other documents subsequently filed by Ameris with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants is included in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC and other relevant documents regarding the Merger to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION

	By:	/s/ Charles D. Christy
		Charles D. Christy
		Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 26, 2019

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FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORP 8-K