Ameris Bancorp director Leo J. Hill executed a small sale of company stock on March 9, 2026, disposing of 0.3201 shares of common stock at $75.15 per share. The total value recorded for the transaction was $24. As of the latest reported price, Ameris Bancorp stock trades at $77.02, representing an increase of nearly 36% over the past year, and the company carries a market capitalization of $5.2 billion.
Following the March 9 trade, Hill's direct ownership in Ameris Bancorp totals 15,255.5318 shares. That figure includes 14.8191 shares acquired through a dividend reinvestment plan. In addition to his direct holdings, Hill indirectly holds 467 shares through a spouse and 18,058 shares through a family trust.
The share sale is reported against a backdrop of Ameris Bancorp's fourth-quarter 2025 financial results. The company posted earnings per share of $1.59, narrowly topping the consensus forecast of $1.58. Revenue for the quarter totaled $307.13 million, which fell short of the expected $310.41 million.
Analyst activity followed the quarterly release. Stephens increased its price target for Ameris Bancorp to $87.00 from $79.00. The firm pointed to a robust core pre-provision net revenue - PPNR - of $165.7 million, a figure that Stephens says was 6.8% above consensus expectations. That outperformance was attributed to stronger net interest income, which the analyst cited as a primary contributor to the EPS beat.
Separately, Ameris Bancorp disclosed several leadership changes. Chief Strategy Officer James A. LaHaise will retire effective April 30, 2026, and the company noted he will be available to provide transition and support services for up to three months after retirement, if needed. Chief Risk Officer Bill McKendry is also slated to retire during the year. Ameris plans to elevate David Boggs, currently the General Auditor, to the role of Chief Risk Officer following a transition period. The company described these moves as part of ongoing leadership restructuring.
The reported insider sale by Hill is numerically small relative to his total holdings and to the company's market capitalization. The accompanying financial and leadership updates outline recent operational performance and governance changes that the company has disclosed in public filings and analyst commentary.
Summary
Director Leo J. Hill sold 0.3201 shares of Ameris Bancorp on March 9, 2026, for $75.15 per share, a transaction valued at $24. Hill retains substantial direct and indirect holdings. Ameris reported Q4 2025 EPS of $1.59, slightly above expectations, but revenue missed estimates. Stephens raised its price target to $87.00, citing core PPNR of $165.7 million and stronger net interest income. The company also announced retirements for its Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Risk Officer, and the promotion of its General Auditor to Chief Risk Officer following a transition.
Key Points
- Insider transaction - Director Leo J. Hill sold 0.3201 shares on March 9, 2026, at $75.15, totaling $24; Hill still holds 15,255.5318 shares directly plus indirect holdings.
- Quarterly results - Q4 2025 EPS of $1.59 beat the $1.58 forecast while revenue of $307.13 million missed the $310.41 million estimate.
- Analyst and leadership developments - Stephens raised its price target to $87.00 from $79.00 citing PPNR strength; Ameris announced retirements and an internal promotion as part of leadership restructuring.
Risks and Uncertainties
- Revenue shortfall - Fourth-quarter revenue of $307.13 million missed the anticipated $310.41 million, leaving topline execution as an area of uncertainty for financial performance; this impacts banking sector revenue trends.
- Leadership transitions - The retirements of the Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Risk Officer, and the pending promotion to Chief Risk Officer, create near-term management transition risk that could affect oversight and risk management within the bank.
- Concentration of insider holdings - Although the reported sale was very small, the combination of direct and indirect holdings by a director could present governance considerations; this pertains to investor relations and corporate governance in the financial sector.