Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information set forth in Item 5.02 is incorporated herein by this reference.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

On May 5, 2009, Ameris Bancorp (the "Company") entered into that certain Amendment No. 2 to the Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and C. Johnson Hipp, III dated as of September 5, 2006, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Executive Employment Agreement dated as of December 30, 2008, pursuant to which the current term of Mr. Hipp's employment was extended to December 31, 2009. Separately, Mr. Hipp has requested, and the Company has granted, certain amounts of leave from his employment for medical reasons. During such periods, Mr. Hipp's responsibilities as Banking Group President will be assumed by Andrew B. Cheney, who currently serves as the Company's Executive Vice President for Florida and Coastal Georgia.

The foregoing amendment is filed as an exhibit hereto, and the description contained herein of such amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of such document.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

10.1 Second Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated May 5, 2009 by and between the Company and C. Johnson Hipp, III

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