Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) governance chief awarded stock, withholds shares for taxes

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ameris Bancorp Chief Governance Officer Michael T. Pierson reported a mix of stock grant and tax‑related share withholding. On February 20, 2026, he acquired 10,510 shares of Ameris Bancorp common stock as a stock grant under the 2021 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, with vesting in three annual installments through February 20, 2029. On February 21, 2026, 1,098 shares were withheld at $83.73 per share to cover tax obligations triggered by vesting of earlier awards. After these transactions, he directly held 83,944.576 common shares and indirectly held 5,211.4325 shares through a 401(k).

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Pierson Michael T

(Last) (First) (Middle)

3490 PIEDMONT RD NE

STE 1550

(Street)

ATLANTA GA 30305

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Ameris Bancorp [ ABCB ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	Chief Governance Officer

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/20/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	02/20/2026		A(1)		10,510	A	$0	85,042.576	D
Common Stock	02/21/2026		F(2)		1,098	D	$83.73	83,944.576	D
Common Stock								5,211.4325	I	401(k)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. Stock grant pursuant to the Ameris Bancorp 2021 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, vesting: (i) 3,504 shares on February 20, 2027; (ii) 3.503 shares on February 20, 2028; and (iii) 3,503 shares on February 20, 2029.

2. This transaction represents the withholding of 1,098 shares of common stock to satisfy the tax withholding obligations incurred by the reporting person upon the vesting of 1,437 and 1,028 shares of common stock originally awarded on February 21, 2024 and February 20, 2025, respectively.

Remarks:

	Michael T. Pierson by Elna Klein-Kolarich as Attorney-In-Fact	02/24/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
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FAQ

What insider transactions did Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) report for Michael T. Pierson?

Ameris Bancorp reported that Chief Governance Officer Michael T. Pierson received a grant of 10,510 common shares and had 1,098 shares withheld to cover tax obligations related to vesting of prior stock awards, all involving Ameris Bancorp common stock.

How many Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) shares were granted to Michael T. Pierson?

Michael T. Pierson received a grant of 10,510 Ameris Bancorp common shares on February 20, 2026. The grant was made under the Ameris Bancorp 2021 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan and is scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments through February 20, 2029.

Why were 1,098 Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) shares withheld from Michael T. Pierson?

The 1,098 Ameris Bancorp shares were withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations when earlier stock awards vested. Those awards, originally granted on February 21, 2024 and February 20, 2025, totaled 1,437 and 1,028 shares of common stock, respectively, according to the footnote disclosure.

What is Michael T. Pierson’s Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) share ownership after these transactions?

After the reported transactions, Michael T. Pierson directly held 83,944.576 Ameris Bancorp common shares. In addition, he indirectly held 5,211.4325 common shares through a 401(k) plan, reflecting his retirement-related ownership separate from directly registered holdings.

How will Michael T. Pierson’s new Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) stock grant vest over time?

The stock grant vests in three annual tranches: 3,504 shares on February 20, 2027, 3,503 shares on February 20, 2028, and 3,503 shares on February 20, 2029. All vesting terms are under the Ameris Bancorp 2021 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan.

What type of Form 4 transactions were reported for Ameris Bancorp (ABCB)?

The Form 4 shows a grant or award acquisition of 10,510 common shares and a tax‑withholding disposition of 1,098 shares. It also lists indirect holdings in a 401(k), classifying that portion as indirect ownership rather than a new buy or sell.