EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
FOR JAMES B. MILLER, JR.
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into this 17th day of
December 2018, by and among Ameris Bancorp, a Georgia corporation, Ameris Bank,
a Georgia banking corporation, and James B. Miller, Jr. (“Executive”). Ameris
Bancorp and Ameris Bank are referred to collectively as “Ameris.” Certain
capitalized terms set forth herein have the meaning given to such terms in
Section 23.
WHEREAS, Executive is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity
Southern Corporation (“Fidelity Southern”) and Chairman of Fidelity Bank and is
employed pursuant to an employment agreement, effective as of January 1, 2018,
by and among Fidelity Southern, Fidelity Bank and Executive (the “Prior
Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Ameris Bancorp and Fidelity Southern are party to the agreement and
plan of merger, dated as of December 17, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, Ameris desires to employ Executive and to enter into this Agreement
setting forth the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, Executive agrees to accept such employment and to provide such services
to Ameris in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein made and of other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.Effective Time; Employment Period; Duties.
(a)    This Agreement shall become effective upon the Effective Time (as defined
in the Merger Agreement). In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated
prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.
The term of employment of Executive hereunder (the “Employment Period”) shall be
for the period commencing as of the Effective Time and ending upon the third
anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs (or an earlier
Termination of Employment).
(b)    During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Executive Chairman
of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank and as a member of the Boards of Directors of
Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank. In such positions, Executive shall have duties
and authority commensurate with the chairman of the board of directors of a
publicly-held bank holding company, including chairing board meetings, pursuing
business development opportunities and strategies, meeting with current and
potential customers and clients, and strengthening community relationships. Any
age restrictions related to membership on the Boards of Directors of Ameris
Bancorp and Ameris Bank shall be waived for Executive. Executive shall report to
the Board of Directors of Ameris Bancorp (the “Board”).

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(c)    Executive agrees that he shall at all times and to the best of his
ability and experience faithfully perform all of the duties that may be required
of him pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and shall comply with all
policies and procedures adopted by the Board or any committee thereof. Executive
shall devote his full business time to the performance of his obligations
hereunder.
(d)    During the Employment Period, Executive may serve on civic, charitable or
other not-for-profit boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions, manage personal investments
and, subject to the prior written approval of the Board (or a committee
thereof), serve on boards of for-profit entities, in each case, so long as such
activities do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities
in accordance with this Agreement and Executive complies with applicable
provisions of any codes of business conduct and ethics of Ameris and its
Affiliates, as in effect from time to time. Executive shall be prohibited from
serving as a director of other businesses and as a member of any committee of
the board(s) of directors thereof unless the Board formally has approved such
service before Executive becomes any such director or member of any committee of
such board(s) of directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
Executive engaged in any such activities or served in any such capacities
immediately prior to the Effective Time, he shall be permitted to continue to do
so without the need for further approval.
2.    Compensation.
(a)    Base Salary.
(i)    During the Employment Period, Ameris shall pay to Executive an aggregate
annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at the rate of $1,000,000 per year, payable
in arrears in equal semi-monthly payments, subject to applicable withholdings
and deductions. The Base Salary shall be subject to annual review for increase.
(ii)    In the event of the Total Disability of Executive, to the extent
payments are received by him under any employer sponsored disability program
and/or under any disability policy the premiums of which are paid by Ameris, the
payments hereunder shall be reduced by an amount equal to any such disability
payments that are intended to replace all or a portion of any compensation
Executive loses due to such Total Disability.
(b)    Incentive Compensation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible to participate in incentive plans and programs hereafter adopted for
senior executives of Ameris as determined by the Board or the Compensation
Committee of the Board; provided, however, that Executive’s annual target cash
bonus opportunity shall not be less than fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s Base
Salary. The method of the calculation of Executive’s total incentive
compensation for each fiscal year, or part thereof, during the Employment Period
after a Change of Control shall not be changed in any manner which shall result
in less total incentive compensation being paid or payable to Executive from the
maximum amount that would have been paid using the method of calculating
incentive compensation under the incentive compensation programs in effect prior
to the Change of Control.

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(c)    Employee Benefit Programs. During the Employment Period, Executive shall
be eligible to participate in all employee benefit programs, including medical,
dental and hospitalization programs, now or hereafter made available by Ameris
to its employees and/or executives, subject to terms and conditions of such
programs, including eligibility. It is understood that Ameris reserves the right
to modify and rescind any program or adopt new programs in its sole discretion.
Executive’s participation in such employee benefit programs shall be on terms
that are no less favorable to Executive than those applicable to other senior
executives of Ameris.
(d)    Life Insurance.
(i)    During the Employment Period, Ameris and its Affiliates may, in their
sole discretion, maintain bank-owned or key man life insurance on the life of
Executive and designate Ameris or its Affiliates as the beneficiary. Executive
agrees to execute any documents necessary to effect the issuance of such policy.
(ii)    Executive hereby acknowledges that he has consented to the purchase and
maintenance by Fidelity Bank of the Split Dollar Insurance Plan (the “Split
Dollar Plan”) in the face amount of $400,000 dated October 3, 1984 (including
all amendments and replacement and substitute policies, as hereafter mutually
agreed in writing). The policies purchased and maintained by Ameris and its
Affiliates (including Fidelity Bank) under the Split Dollar Plan shall be
maintained by Ameris and its Affiliates at all times hereafter, including after
the termination of this Agreement or Executive’s Termination of Employment. In
addition, Ameris and its Affiliates agree to maintain Single Premium Life
Insurance policies issued by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in the
face amount of $6 million, one (1) policy issued by Life Investors Insurance
Company of America in the face amount of $800,000 and one (1) policy issued by
Mass Mutual Financial Group in the face amount of $800,000 (including all
replacement and substitute policies, as hereafter mutually agreed in writing)
(collectively, the “Individual Life Insurance Policies”), each of which is
payable to beneficiaries designated by Executive or his estate or trust in lieu
thereof, at all times hereafter, regardless of the termination of this Agreement
or Executive’s Termination of Employment hereunder, including a Termination of
Employment pursuant to Section 3.
(e)    Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to
five (5) weeks’ vacation each year or, if more favorable, the number of weeks’
vacation provided to other senior executives of Ameris. Vacation shall be taken
at such times as not to materially interfere with the business of Ameris and its
Affiliates. The vacation time must be taken prior to the end of each calendar
year or as otherwise mutually agreed in writing, otherwise it expires to the
extent not taken.
(f)    Expenses. During the Employment Period, Ameris and its Affiliates shall
pay all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his
responsibilities and duties for Ameris and its Affiliates, including dues
payable for country club memberships and such reasonable civic organizations of
Executive’s choice as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board, on
terms that are no less favorable to Executive than those applicable to

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other senior executives of Ameris. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, during the Employment Period, Ameris shall continue to reimburse
Executive for (or pay directly on Executive’s behalf) the dues payable for the
country club memberships and civic organizations set forth on Attachment A,
which shall be deemed approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Executive shall submit to Ameris periodic statements of all expenses so incurred
in accordance with the policies of Ameris then in effect. Subject to such
reviews as Ameris may deem reasonably necessary, Ameris shall, promptly in the
ordinary course of business, reimburse Executive for the full amount of all such
expenses advanced by Executive.
(g)    Automobile. During the Employment Period, Ameris shall provide Executive
with an appropriate automobile for his use and shall maintain and insure it at
Ameris’s expense, in each case, on terms that are no less favorable to Executive
than those applicable to other senior executives of Ameris. At least annually,
Executive, in accordance with Ameris’s procedures, shall report business and
personal usage of the automobile. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, Executive will be provided use of the automobile provided to him
immediately prior to the Effective Time and will be reimbursed for related
expenses on the same terms as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(h)    Transition Payment. On the date on which the Effective Time occurs,
Executive shall be paid a lump sum cash transition payment equal to $4,000,000,
net of all required Federal and state withholding taxes and similar required
withholdings and authorized deductions.
(i)    Salary Continuation Agreement. On the date on which the Effective Time
occurs, Executive shall be paid a lump sum cash amount equal to $5,930,000, net
of all required Federal and state withholding taxes and similar required
withholdings and authorized deductions, in settlement of all obligations to
Executive under the salary continuation agreement, dated as of December 23,
2014, by and between Fidelity Bank and Executive.
3.    Early Termination.
(a)    Termination For Cause.
(i)    Ameris may terminate Executive’s employment as a Termination For Cause at
any time upon ten (10) business days’ prior written notice.
(ii)    Upon a Termination for Cause, Ameris shall have no further obligation to
pay any compensation to Executive or make available to Executive participation
under any employee benefit program in respect of periods after the effective
date of Executive’s Termination of Employment (the “Termination Date”), other
than Ameris’s obligations pursuant to Section 2(d) with respect to the
maintenance of the Split Dollar Plan and the Individual Life Insurance Policies.
Upon a Termination for Cause, the Base Salary accrued but unpaid as of the
Termination Date and accrued but unused vacation pay shall be paid to Executive
on the next normal payroll payment date after the Termination Date. Any annual
cash incentive compensation that is earned but unpaid from the year prior to the
year in which the Termination of Employment occurs shall be

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paid to Executive on the next normal payroll payment date after the Termination
Date (provided that, any incentive compensation that was deferred shall be paid
pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and deferral election). In
addition, to the extent unpaid, the amounts due under Sections 2(h) and 2(i)
shall be paid immediately. The compensation and benefits contemplated by this
Section 3(a)(ii) shall be referred to herein as the “Accrued Obligations”.
(iii)    Executive shall not be considered to have had a Termination For Cause
unless and until there is delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire
membership of the Board (excluding Executive, if he is then a member of the
Board) finding in good faith that Executive is guilty of the conduct set forth
above and specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail.
(b)    Other Termination by Ameris.
(i)    Executive may have a Termination of Employment by Ameris for any reason
other than a Termination for Cause, death, or Total Disability at any time upon
at least ninety (90) days’ prior written notice by Ameris to Executive. Upon
such a Termination of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued
Obligations, which shall be provided on the schedule contemplated by Section
3(a)(ii). Executive’s right to additional compensation in respect of periods
after the Termination Date shall cease, except that if Executive executes the
Release and the period for revocation of the Release expires before the
scheduled commencement date of payment, then beginning on the first regular
payroll date of Ameris which occurs at least ninety (90) days following
Executive’s Termination of Employment other than a Termination for Cause, Total
Disability or death (the “Severance Commencement Date”), Executive shall be
entitled to the compensation described in this Section 3(b). The compensation
provided in this Section 3(b) shall be payable to Executive’s Beneficiaries upon
Executive’s death after the amounts become payable.
(ii)    Executive shall be paid cash severance equal to the excess of (A) three
(3) times Executive’s Final Compensation over (B) the aggregate amount of the
Non-Compete Benefit payable under Section 8 (the “Severance Payment”). The
Severance Payment shall be made on the schedule set forth in Section 3(b)(iii),
net of all required Federal and state withholding taxes and similar required
withholdings and authorized deductions.
(iii)    If Executive is not a Specified Employee, the Severance Payment shall
be payable in seventy-two (72) equal semi-monthly installments commencing on the
fifteenth (15th) or last day of the month immediately following the Severance
Commencement Date, whichever date occurs first, and then continuing on the
fifteenth (15th) and last day of each calendar month thereafter until all such
installments are paid. If Executive is a Specified Employee, the Severance
Payment shall not be payable until the first fifteenth (15th) or last day of the
month which is at least six (6) months after the Termination of Employment. All
installments, which would have otherwise been

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required to be made over such six (6)-month period if Executive had not been a
Specified Employee, shall be paid to Executive in one (1) lump sum payment on
the first fifteenth (15th) or last day of the month which is at least six (6)
months after the Termination of Employment. After the lump sum payment, the
remaining semimonthly installments (each equal to 1/72 of the Severance Payment)
shall continue on the fifteenth (15th) and last day of each calendar month until
all such installments are paid.
(iv)    Additionally, after the Termination of Employment by Ameris (other than
a Termination for Cause, Total Disability, or death), the employee welfare
benefits as provided in Section 2(c) shall be continued for eighteen (18) months
from the Termination Date at a cost to Executive not to exceed the amounts paid
by active executives of Ameris for such employee welfare benefits (the “Welfare
Benefits”); provided, however, that if continued participation in any of such
employee welfare benefit plans is not possible under the terms of such plans or
any provision of law, or any provision of law would create any adverse tax
effect for Executive or Ameris due to such participation, Ameris shall provide
substantially identical benefits directly or through an insurance arrangement or
pay Executive’s costs for such Welfare Benefits if continued by Executive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is a Specified Employee and if
Ameris determines that any portion of such Welfare Benefits is subject to
Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent necessary to avoid taxation under
Section 409A of the Code, Executive shall be required to pay for such Welfare
Benefits during the six (6)-month period following his Termination of
Employment; provided, however, that on the first day after the end of such six
(6)-month period, Ameris shall reimburse Executive for such payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive is not entitled to the
Severance Payment as a result of his refusal to execute, or revocation of, the
Release, then effective on the first regular payroll date of Ameris which occurs
at least ninety (90) days following Executive’s Termination of Employment
Executive’s right to any further such Welfare Benefits contemplated by this
Section 3(b)(iv) shall cease, it being understood that nothing in this Agreement
shall impair Executive’s right to continuation coverage under Section 4980B of
the Code.
(v)    Any equity-based awards or other long-term incentive awards held by
Executive as of immediately prior to the Termination Date shall be subject to
full vesting upon the Termination Date (with any performance goals deemed
satisfied based on the greater of target and actual performance as of the
Termination Date). Any stock options shall remain exercisable for the full term
to the same extent as if Executive had remained employed by Ameris, and any
restricted stock units or cash awards shall be settled within thirty (30) days
after the Termination Date (or any later date required by Section 409A of the
Code). The benefits contemplated by this Section 3(b)(v), shall be referred to
herein as the “LTI Benefits.”
(vi)    Executive shall receive a prorated annual incentive award for the year
in which the Termination Date occurs, which shall be equal to the product of
(A) Executive’s target annual incentive opportunity for such year, multiplied by
(B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the year
as of the

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Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Prorated Bonus”). The
Prorated Bonus shall be paid within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date
(or any later date required by Section 409A of the Code).
(vii)    If Executive materially violates any of the undertakings set forth in
Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 after the Termination Date, as determined in accordance
with Section 8, any additional compensation and benefits under Sections 3(b)(i)
and 3(b)(ii) shall cease.
(viii)    If the Termination Date occurs at any time within one (1) year prior
to a Change of Control, then any additional compensation due hereunder prior to
the date of the Change of Control but remaining unpaid as of the date of the
Change of Control shall be paid in a lump sum upon the later of (A) the date
which occurs sixty (60) days after the Change of Control and (B) the date which
an initial payment is due to be made to Executive under Section 3(b)(iii).
(ix)    Reduction for Certain Payments.
(1)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event
it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by Ameris to or for the
benefit of Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (such benefits, payments
or distributions are hereinafter referred to as “Payments”) would, if paid, be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise
Tax”), then, prior to the making of any Payments to Executive, a calculation
shall be made comparing (A) the net after-tax benefit to Executive of the
Payments after payment by Executive of the Excise Tax, to (B) the net after-tax
benefit to Executive if the Payments had been limited to the extent necessary to
avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. If the amount calculated under clause (A)
of the immediately preceding sentence is less than the amount calculated under
clause (B) thereof, then the Payments shall be limited to the extent necessary
to avoid triggering the Excise Tax (the “Reduced Amount”).
(2)    The reduction of the Payments, if applicable, shall be made by first
reducing cash Payments and then, to the extent necessary, reducing those
Payments having the next highest ratio of Parachute Value to actual present
value of such Payments as of the date of the Change of Control, as determined by
the Determination Firm (as defined herein). For purposes of this Section
3(b)(ix), present value shall be determined in accordance with Section
280G(d)(4) of the Code. For purposes of this Section 3(b)(ix), the “Parachute
Value” of a Payment means the present value as of the date of the Change of
Control of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment”
under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Determination Firm
for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax shall
apply to such Payment.
(3)    All determinations required to be made under this Section 3(b)(ix),
including whether an Excise Tax would otherwise be imposed, whether the

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Payments shall be reduced, the amount of the Reduced Amount, and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by an
accounting firm or compensation consulting firm mutually acceptable to Ameris
and Executive (the “Determination Firm”), which shall provide detailed
supporting calculations both to Ameris and Executive within fifteen (15)
business days after the receipt of notice from Executive that a Payment is due
to be made, or such earlier time as is requested by Ameris. All fees and
expenses of the Determination Firm shall be borne solely by Ameris. Any
determination by the Determination Firm shall be binding upon Ameris and
Executive. For purposes of any such calculations in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Determination Firm shall
be Compensation & Benefits Advisory Services, LLC.
(4)    As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the
Code at the time of the initial determination by the Determination Firm
hereunder, it is possible that amounts shall have been paid or distributed by
Ameris to or for the benefit of Executive that should not have been so paid or
distributed (an “Overpayment”) or that additional amounts that shall have not
been paid or distributed by Ameris to or for the benefit of Executive could have
been so paid or distributed (an “Underpayment”). In the event that the
Determination Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal
Revenue Service against Ameris or Executive that the Determination Firm believes
has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made,
any such Overpayment paid or distributed by Ameris to or for the benefit of
Executive shall be repaid by Executive to Ameris (as applicable) together with
interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of
the Code; provided, however, that no such repayment shall be required if and to
the extent such deemed repayment would not either reduce the amount on which
Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or
generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the Determination Firm, based
upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determines that an
Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by
Ameris to or for the benefit of Executive, together with interest at the
applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code, but
no later than March 15 of the year after the year in which the Underpayment is
determined to exist, which is when the legally binding right to such
Underpayment arises.
(5)    To the extent requested by Executive, Ameris shall cooperate with the
Executive in good faith in valuing, and the Determination Firm shall take into
account the value of, services provided or to be provided by Executive
(including Executive’s agreeing to refrain from performing services pursuant to
a covenant not to compete or similar covenant) before, on or after the date of a
change in ownership or control of Ameris (within the meaning of Q&A-2(b) of the
final regulations under Section 280G of the Code), such that payments in respect
of such services may be considered reasonable compensation within the meaning of
Q&A-9 and Q&A-40 to Q&A-44 of the final regulations under Section 280G of the
Code and/or exempt from the definition of the term “parachute payment” within
the meaning of Q&A-2(a) of the final

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regulations under Section 280G of the Code in accordance with Q&A-5(a) of the
final regulations under Section 280G of the Code.
(c)    Termination by Executive. Executive may have a Termination of Employment
by Executive at any time upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to
Ameris. If the Termination of Employment by Executive is a Termination for Good
Reason, then Executive shall be entitled to the payments set forth in Section
3(b) as though such termination were a Termination of Employment by Ameris other
than a Termination for Cause, death, or Total Disability. Except as provided in
the foregoing sentence, upon a Termination of Employment by Executive,
Executive’s right to compensation payable in respect of periods occurring after
the Termination Date shall cease. Upon such a Termination of Employment,
Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, which shall be provided
on the schedule contemplated by Section 3(a)(ii).
(d)    Termination Upon Death or Total Disability.
(i)    Executive shall have a Termination of Employment upon his death, or (10)
business days after written notice by Ameris of termination during the
continuance of Total Disability of Executive. Upon Termination of Employment
upon death or by Ameris upon Total Disability, Executive’s right to compensation
in respect of periods after the Termination Date shall cease. Upon such a
Termination of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued
Obligations, which shall be provided on the schedule contemplated by Section
3(a)(ii). In addition, Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to the
Welfare Benefits, LTI Benefits and Prorated Bonus, which shall be provided on
the schedule contemplated by Sections 3(b)(iv), (v) and (vi), respectively.
(ii)    The term “Total Disability” means Executive is, by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than twelve (12) months, (A) unable to engage in any substantial gainful
activity, or (B) receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less
than three (3) months under an accident or health plan covering employees of
Ameris. Whether Executive has suffered a Total Disability shall be made in
accordance with Section 409A of the Code, provided, however, that Executive
shall have been deemed to have suffered a Total Disability if determined to be
totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railway Retirement
Board, or if Executive is determined to have suffered a Disability under
Ameris’s disability insurance program utilizing the definition provided therein.
In the event of any dispute as to the “Total Disability” of Executive, the
matter shall be resolved by the decision of a single physician, serving as an
arbitrator, mutually selected by Executive and Ameris or appointed in accordance
with the rules of the AAA. The decision of the arbitrator shall be binding on
all parties hereto. Executive agrees to submit medical records requested and to
submit to such examination and testing reasonably requested by such physician.
(e)    Termination Following the Expiration of the Employment Period. Upon
Executive’s Termination of Employment for any reason following the Expiration of
the

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Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, which
shall be provided on the schedule contemplated by Section 3(a)(ii). In addition,
Executive shall be entitled to the Welfare Benefits, LTI Benefits and Prorated
Bonus, which shall be provided on the schedule contemplated by Sections
3(b)(iv), (v) and (vi), respectively.
(f)    Life Insurance Policies. Termination or expiration of this Agreement,
breach of this Agreement by Executive, or termination of the benefits payable
hereunder for any reason, including pursuant to Section 3(a), (b), (c), (d) or
(e), shall not terminate the duty of Ameris to maintain or continue the Split
Dollar Plan or Individual Life Insurance Policies pursuant to Section 2(d),
including any replacement or substitute plans or policies hereafter mutually
agreed to in writing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if
Executive is a Specified Employee and if Ameris determines that the maintenance
of the Split Dollar Plan or the Individual Life Insurance Policies is subject to
Section 409A of the Code, then, to the extent necessary to avoid taxation under
Section 409A of the Code, Executive shall be required to pay for the maintenance
of the Split Dollar Plan and the Individual Life Insurance Policies during the
six (6)-month period following his Termination of Employment; provided, however,
that on the first day after the end of such six (6)-month period, Ameris shall
reimburse Executive for such payments.
4.    Covenant Not to Compete. Executive agrees that during his employment with
Ameris and for a period of eighteen (18) months after Executive’s Termination of
Employment for any reason, that Executive shall not, on his own behalf or on
another’s behalf, work in any management or executive capacity in the business
of providing banking or banking related services; provided, however, that
Executive shall not be bound by the foregoing covenant if Ameris has ceased
making the Severance Payment on the schedule required by this Agreement. This
restriction shall apply only within a fifty (50)-mile radius of 3490 Piedmont
Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Executive agrees that because of the nature of
Ameris’s business, the nature of Executive’s job responsibilities, and the
nature of the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets of Ameris which Ameris
shall give Executive access to, any breach of this provision by Executive would
result in the inevitable disclosure of Ameris’s Trade Secrets and Confidential
Information to its direct competitors.
5.    Non-Solicitations of Clients and Customers. Executive agrees that during
his employment with Ameris and for a period of eighteen (18) months after
Executive’s Termination of Employment for any reason, Executive shall not
directly or indirectly solicit, contact or call upon any client or customer of
Ameris for the purpose of providing banking or banking related services other
than through Ameris. This restriction shall apply only to any client or customer
of Ameris with whom Executive had material contact during the last twelve (12)
months of Executive’s employment with Ameris (which shall include for purposes
of this Section 5 any portion of such prior twelve (12) month period during
which Executive was employed by Fidelity prior to the Effective Time). “Material
contact” means interaction between Executive and the client or customer which
takes place to further the business relationship. “Clients” and “customers”
include, but are not limited to, depositors and commercial, Small Business
Administration or construction loan customers.

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6.    Non-Solicitations of Employees. Executive agrees that during his
employment with Ameris and for a period of eighteen (18) months after
Executive’s Termination of Employment for any reason, Executive shall not
recruit, hire or attempt to recruit or hire, directly or by assisting others,
any other employee of Ameris with whom Executive had material contact during
Executive’s employment with Ameris (which shall include for purposes of this
Section 6 the period during which Executive was employed by Fidelity prior to
the Effective Time). This restriction shall apply only to recruiting, hiring or
attempting to recruit or hire any employee for the purpose of working in the
business of providing banking or banking related services.
7.    Confidentiality, Proprietary Information and Inventions.
(a)    During the term of Executive’s employment with Ameris, and at all times
thereafter, Executive shall not use or disclose to others, without the prior
written consent of Ameris, any Trade Secrets (as hereinafter defined) of Ameris,
or any subsidiary thereof or any of their customers, except for use or
disclosure thereof in the course of the business of Ameris (or that of any
subsidiary), and such disclosure shall be limited to those who have a need to
know.
(b)    During the term of Executive’s employment with Ameris, and at all times
thereafter, Executive shall not use or disclose to others, without the prior
written consent of Ameris, any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined)
of Ameris, or any subsidiary thereof or any of their customers, except for use
or disclosure thereof in the course of the business of Ameris (or that of any
subsidiary), and such disclosure shall be limited to those who have a need to
know.
(c)    Upon Executive’s Termination of Employment for any reason, Executive
shall not take with him any documents or data of Ameris or any subsidiary or of
any customer thereof or any reproduction thereof and agrees to return any such
documents and data in his possession at that time.
(d)    Executive agrees to take reasonable precautions to safeguard and maintain
the confidentiality and secrecy and limit the use of all Trade Secrets and
Confidential Information of Ameris and all subsidiaries and customers thereof.
(e)    The term “Trade Secrets” shall include only such information constituting
a “Trade Secret” within the meaning of subsection 10-1-761(4) of the Georgia
Trade Secrets Act of 1990, including as hereafter amended. The term
“Confidential Information” shall include all information and data which is
protectable as a legal form of property or non-public information of Ameris or
its customers, excluding any information or data which constitutes a Trade
Secret.
(f)    The terms “Trade Secrets” and “Confidential Information” shall not
include any information which (i) becomes publicly known through no fault or act
of Executive; (ii) is lawfully received by Executive from a third party after
Termination of Employment without a similar restriction regarding
confidentiality and use and without a breach of this Agreement; or (iii) is
independently developed by Executive and entirely unrelated to the business of
providing banking or banking related services. Further, nothing contained in
this Agreement shall prohibit Executive’s disclosure of Trade Secrets or
Confidential Information as

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required by law or ordered by a court, arbitrator, regulator or other
governmental authority or in connection with litigation, an investigation or the
exercise of whistleblower rights.
(g)    Executive agrees that any and all information and data originated by
Executive while employed by Ameris or Fidelity and, where applicable, by other
employees or associates under Executive’s direction or supervision in connection
with or as a result of any work or service performed under the terms of
Executive’s employment, shall be promptly disclosed to Ameris, shall become
Ameris’s property, and shall be kept confidential by Executive. Any and all such
information and data, reduced to written, graphic or other tangible form and any
and all copies and reproduction thereof shall be furnished to Ameris upon
request and in any case shall be returned to Ameris upon Executive’s Termination
of Employment.
(h)    Executive agrees that Executive shall promptly disclose to Ameris all
inventions or discoveries made, conceived, or for the first time reduced to
practice in connection with or as a result of the work and/or services Executive
performs for Ameris.
(i)    Executive agrees that he shall assign the entire right, title and
interest in any such invention or inventions and any patents that may be granted
thereon in any country in the world concerning such inventions to Ameris.
Executive further agrees that Executive shall, without expense to Ameris other
than reimbursement of Executive’s business expenses, execute all documents and
do all acts which may be necessary, desirable or convenient to enable Ameris, at
its expense, to file and prosecute applications for patents on such inventions,
and to maintain patents granted thereon.
8.    Consideration for Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation and Non-Disclosure
Provisions. In consideration of Executive’s undertakings set forth in Sections
4, 5, 6 and 7, with respect to periods after Termination of Employment, Ameris
shall pay Executive a “Non-Compete Benefit” as described below. Except as
contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence, the Non-Compete Benefit
shall be payable in thirty-six (36) equal semi-monthly installments, each
installment in an amount equal to sixty percent (60%) of his Base Salary in
effect immediately prior to the Termination of Employment divided by twenty-four
(24), commencing on the fifteen (15th) or last day of the month immediately
following the date of the Termination of Employment, whichever date occurs
first, and then continuing on the fifteen (15th) and last day of each calendar
month thereafter until all such installments are paid. If Executive is a
Specified Employee, then, to the extent necessary to avoid taxation under
Section 409A of the Code, the Non-Compete Benefit shall not become payable until
the first fifteen (15th) or last day of the month which is at least six (6)
months after Executive’s Termination of Employment. All installments which would
have otherwise been required to be made over such six (6)-month period if
Executive had not been a Specified Employee, shall be paid to Executive in one
(1) lump sum payment on the first fifteen (15th) or last day of the month which
is at least six (6) months after Executive’s Termination of Employment. After
the lump sum payment, the remaining semi-monthly installments (each equal to
sixty percent (60%) of his Base Salary in effect immediately prior to
Termination of Employment divided by twenty-four (24)) shall continue on the
fifteen (15th) and last day of each calendar month until all such installments
are paid. If Executive materially violates any of the undertakings set forth in
Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7,

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Executive waives and forfeits any and all rights to any further payments under
this Agreement (other than any amounts due under the Split Dollar Plan or the
Individual Life Insurance Policies), including but not limited to, any
additional payments, compensation or severance he may otherwise be entitled to
receive under this Agreement, whether pursuant to this Section or otherwise.
9.    Specific Performance. Because of Executive’s knowledge and experience,
Executive agrees that Ameris shall be entitled to specific performance, an
injunction, temporary injunction or other similar relief without the posting of
a bond or other security in addition to all other rights and remedies it might
have for any violation of the undertakings set forth in Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7.
In any such court proceeding, Executive shall not object thereto and claim that
monetary damages are an adequate remedy.
10.    No Setoff. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise affect such
rights as Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with Ameris
or its Affiliates (for the avoidance of doubt, including Fidelity Southern and
Fidelity Bank), except as specifically set forth in such contract or agreement.
No payments or benefits payable to or with respect to Executive pursuant to this
Agreement shall be reduced by any amount Executive may earn or receive from
employment with another employer or from any other source. In no event shall
Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way
of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of
this Agreement and such amounts which are available under this Agreement shall
not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment. Amounts which
constitute vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive
under any employee benefit plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract
or agreement (collectively, “programs”) with Ameris at or subsequent to
Executive’s Termination of Employment shall be payable in accordance with such
programs, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit Executive’s right to such
benefits.
11.    Indemnification of Executive. Ameris shall indemnify Executive and shall
advance reimbursable expenses incurred by Executive in any proceeding against
Executive, including a proceeding brought in the right of Ameris, as a director
or officer of Ameris or any subsidiary thereof, except claims and proceedings
brought directly by Ameris against Executive, to the fullest extent permitted
under the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank
and the Georgia Business Corporation Code, as amended from time to time. Such
indemnities and advances shall be paid to Executive on the next normal payroll
payment date after Executive’s rights to such amounts are no longer in dispute.
12.    Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required
or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
given upon receipt when delivered by hand or upon delivery to the address of the
party determined pursuant to this Section when delivered by express mail,
overnight courier or other similar method to such address or by electronic mail
transmission (provided a copy is also sent by registered or certified mail or by
overnight courier), or three (3) business days after deposit of the notice in
the US mail, if mailed by certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid
addressed to the respective party as set forth below, which address may be
changed by written notice to the other party:

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If to Ameris:

Ameris Bancorp
1301 Riverplace Boulevard
Suite 2600
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Attn: Mr. Dennis J. Zember Jr.
Email: dennis.zember@amerisbank.com

If to Executive, the most recent electronic mail or physical address on file
with Ameris.
13.    Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon and enforceable by Executive and his estate,
personal representatives and heirs, and by Ameris and its successors and
assigns. This Agreement and the payments hereunder may not be assigned, pledged
or otherwise hypothecated by Executive. Ameris shall require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business or assets of Ameris to assume expressly
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that Ameris would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. As used in this Agreement, “Ameris” shall mean Ameris as herein defined
and any successor to its business or assets which assumes this Agreement by
operation of law or otherwise.
14.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Split Dollar Plan and the
Individual Life Insurance Policies, are intended by the parties hereto to
constitute the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
employment of Executive as an employee and officer of Ameris and election as
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank
following the Effective Time and supersedes the Prior Employment Agreement in
all respects.
15.    Binding Arbitration. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
including as provided in Section 9, all disputes arising under this Agreement
shall be submitted to and settled by arbitration. Arbitration shall be by one
(1) arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) selected in accordance with the rules of the
AAA by the AAA. The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in Atlanta,
Georgia and shall be conducted in accordance with the rules existing on the date
thereof of the AAA to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement.
16.    Litigation Expenses.
(a)    Ameris agrees to pay or reimburse Executive promptly as incurred, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof
unless a court of competent jurisdiction or the Arbitrator determines that
Executive acted in bad faith in initiating the contest) by Ameris, any
Affiliate, Executive or others regarding the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement (including as a result of any
contest by Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the

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Code; provided, however, that the reasonableness of the fees and expenses must
be determined by the Arbitrator, using standard legal principles, mutually
agreed upon by Ameris and Executive in accordance with rules set forth by the
AAA. Such payments and reimbursements shall be paid to Executive or on
Executive’s behalf on or by the next normal payroll payment date after
Executive’s rights to such amounts are no longer in dispute; provided, further,
that if Executive is a Specified Employee, then, to the extent necessary to
avoid taxation under Section 409A of the Code, such payments shall not be made
before the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s Termination
of Employment.
(b)    If there is any dispute between Ameris and Executive, in the event of any
Termination of Employment by Ameris or by Executive, then, unless and until
there is a final, nonappealable judgment by the Arbitrator declaring that
Executive is not entitled to benefits under this Agreement, Ameris shall pay or
cause to be paid all amounts, and provide all benefits, to Executive or
Executive’s Beneficiaries in the event of Executive’s death, that Ameris would
be required to pay or provide pursuant to this Agreement. Ameris shall not be
required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this Section 16(b) except upon
receipt of an undertaking (which may be unsecured) by or on behalf of Executive
to repay all such amounts to which Executive is ultimately adjudged by such
court not to be entitled.
17.    Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in
writing signed by both parties.
18.    Waivers. The failure of either party to insist upon the strict
performance of any provision hereof shall not constitute a waiver of such
provision. All waivers must be in writing.
19.    Future Employers. Ameris may notify anyone employing Executive or
evidencing an intention to employ Executive as to the existence and provisions
of this Agreement and may provide any such person or organization a copy of this
Agreement. Executive agrees that for a period of eighteen (18) months after
Executive’s Termination of Employment for any reason, Executive shall provide
Ameris the identity of any employer Executive goes to work for along with
Executive’s job title and anticipated job duties with any such employer.
20.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and in all
respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with
the laws of the State of Georgia, excluding its conflicts of laws.
21.    Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is held
illegal or invalid, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby.
22.    Compliance with Section 409A and Applicable Laws. This Agreement is
intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, Ameris’s obligations under this Agreement shall be
subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including without
limitation, regulations addressing Golden Parachute and Indemnification Payments
(12 CFR § 359) (the “Rules”). In consideration for the benefits Executive shall
receive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Executive hereby voluntarily

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waives any claim against the United States or Ameris for any changes to the
payments or benefits that are required to comply with the Rules. Executive
acknowledges that the Rules may require modification of the compensation, bonus,
incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements, policies and agreements
(including so-called “golden parachute” agreements) that are provided for under
this Agreement. This waiver includes all claims Executive may have under the
laws of the United States or any state related to the requirements imposed by
the Rules, including without limitation a claim for any compensation or other
payments Executive would otherwise receive, any challenge to the process by
which the Rules were adopted and any tort or constitutional claim about the
effect of the Rules on Executive’s employment relationship. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this waiver shall not limit Executive’s ability to challenge whether
Ameris has properly complied with the Rules or whether a modification is
required to comply with the Rules.
23.    Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a)    “AAA” means the American Arbitration Association, Atlanta, Georgia.
(b)    “Affiliate” means any entity with whom Ameris would be considered a
single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.
(c)    “Beneficiary” means the person or entity designated by Executive, by a
written instrument delivered to Ameris, to receive any benefits payable under
this Agreement in the event of Executive’s death. If Executive fails to
designate a Beneficiary, or if no Beneficiary survives Executive, such benefits
on the death of Executive shall be paid to Executive’s estate.
(d)    “Change of Control” means the occurrence hereafter of any event described
in (i), (ii) or (iii) below.
(i)    Any “person” or persons acting as a group for purposes of Section 409A of
the Code, acquires stock of Ameris Bancorp or Ameris Bank which together with
stock held by such person or group represents more than fifty percent (50%) of
the combined voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of
Ameris Bancorp or Ameris Bank, as the case may be;
(ii)    The date a majority of the members of the Board is replaced in any
twelve (12)-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not
endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board before the date of such
appointment or election; or
(iii)    The date that any person or persons acting as a group within the
contemplation of Section 409A of the Code acquires substantially all of the
gross fair market value (determined without regard to any liabilities associated
with the assets) of the assets of Ameris Bancorp or Ameris Bank, as approved by
the shareholders of Ameris Bancorp or Ameris Bank, as the case may be.

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The foregoing shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code for the avoidance of additional taxes.
If a Change of Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the Change
of Control is deemed to have occurred on the date of the last of such
transactions which results in the Change of Control.
(e)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f)    “Final Compensation” means the sum of (i) Executive’s Base Salary at the
rate in effect on the Termination Date plus (ii) the greater of (A) the amount
of Executive’s target cash bonus opportunity for the year in which the
Termination Date occurs and (B) the amount of Executive’s actual cash bonus for
the year immediately preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs.
(g)    “Release” means a general release of claims in the form attached hereto
as Attachment B.
(h)    “Specified Employee” has the meaning set forth for the term specified
employee in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
(i)    “Termination for Cause” means a Termination of Employment by Ameris for
any of the following acts or omissions by Executive: (i) any act or omission
requiring Ameris to terminate Executive in order to comply with Section 19 of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 USC Section 1829(a), (ii) the commission
of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude or the pleading of nolo
contendere to any such act, (iii) the commission of any act or acts of
dishonesty when such acts are intended to result or result, directly or
indirectly, in gain or personal enrichment of Executive or any related person or
affiliated company and are intended to cause harm or damage to Ameris or its
subsidiaries, (iv) the illegal use of controlled substances, (v) the
misappropriation or embezzlement of assets of Ameris or its subsidiaries, (vi)
the breach of any provision of Section 4, 5, 6 or 7 during the Employment
Period; or (vi) the breach of any other material term or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by Executive which has not been cured within thirty
(30) days of receipt of written notice of such breach from the Board.
(j)    “Termination for Good Reason” means a Termination of Employment by
Executive due to the occurrence of one (1) or more of the following events which
are not corrected within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from
Executive to Ameris:
(i)    there is a material change in Executive’s position or responsibilities
(including reporting responsibilities) which, in Executive’s reasonable
judgment, represents an adverse change from Executive’s status, title, position
or responsibilities;
(ii)    the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities which are
materially inconsistent with the position or responsibilities of Executive;

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(iii)    any removal of Executive from or failure to reappoint or reelect
Executive to any of the positions Executive held;
(iv)    there is a material reduction in Executive’s rate of Base Salary or a
change in the manner the incentive compensation of Executive is calculated and
such change will result in a reduction of the incentive compensation of
Executive;
(v)    the requiring of Executive to relocate his principal business office to
any place outside a fifteen (15) mile radius from Executive’s current place of
employment in Atlanta, Georgia (reasonable required travel on Ameris’s business
shall not constitute a relocation of Executive’s principal business office);
(vi)    the failure of Ameris to continue in effect any Welfare Plan, Individual
Life Insurance Policy or other compensation plan, program or policy in which
Executive is participating without substituting plans providing Executive with
substantially similar or greater benefits, or the taking of any action by Ameris
which would materially and adversely affect Executive’s participation in or
materially reduce Executive’s benefits under any of such plans or deprive
Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive; or
(vii)    the material breach of any provision of this Agreement which is not
timely corrected by Ameris upon thirty (30) days prior written notice from
Executive;
provided, however, that Executive must provide notice to Ameris within ninety
(90) days of obtaining knowledge of any of the events listed above and Executive
must terminate his employment no later than two (2) years from the date of the
occurrence of any of the foregoing events in order for such termination to be
deemed a “Termination for Good Reason.”
(k)    “Termination of Employment” means the termination of Executive’s
employment with Ameris and all Affiliates. It is intended that a separation from
service, as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the
regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, shall be required for a
Termination of Employment and, for such purpose, a separation from service shall
be deemed to occur if the parties expect that Executive will not perform any
future services in any capacity for Ameris or any Affiliate, whether as an
employee or otherwise, or if parties expect such services will materially
decrease to such an extent that the decrease would give rise to a presumption
pursuant to the regulations under Section 409A of the Code that a separation
from service had occurred.
24.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (which may
be exchanged by facsimile or e-mail), each of which is deemed an original, but
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
25.    Section Headings; Construction. The section headings used in this
Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used
in connection with, the interpretation hereof. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”

18

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[Signature Page Follows]

19

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and
year first above written.
AMERIS BANCORP
By:
/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.    
Name: Dennis J. Zember Jr.
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

AMERIS BANK
By:
/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.    
Name: Dennis J. Zember Jr.
Title: Chief Executive Officer

JAMES B. MILLER, JR.
/s/ James B. Miller, Jr.        

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ATTACHMENT A
COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIPS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Atlanta Opera Board of Directors
Georgia State Botanical Gardens Board of Directors
Capital City Club
Piedmont Driving Club
Buckhead Coalition
Decatur Rotary Club

    

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ATTACHMENT B
FORM OF RELEASE
This Release (this “Release”) is entered into by and among James B. Miller, Jr.
(“Employee”), an individual, and Ameris Bancorp, a Georgia corporation, and its
wholly owned subsidiary Ameris Bank, a Georgia banking corporation (referred to
herein collectively as “Employer”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties”).
Employee acknowledges that his employment with Employer was effectively
terminated as of [____________] (the “Separation Date”). Employee further
acknowledges that, in the absence of this Release he would have no entitlement
to the severance benefits conferred in Section 3(b) of the Employment Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 2018, by and among the Parties (the “Employment
Agreement”), that this severance benefit constitutes a substantial economic
benefit to him, and that this benefit constitutes good and valuable
consideration for this Release.
Employee hereby waives, releases and discharges Employer, its past and present
parents, subsidiaries, divisions and affiliated companies, its respective past
and present stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents and insurers
(collectively the “Company”), from any and all claims, demands, damages and
causes of action (“Claims”) of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown,
or suspected or unsuspected, which Employee has or may have, arising out of any
matter whatsoever that occurred at any time up to the date of his execution of
this Release. This Release specifically includes, but is not limited to, any and
all Claims:
a.    Arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment or the
separation of his employment with the Company;
b.    Arising under or based on the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1871, the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the
National Labor Relations Act, the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act
of 1988, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or any other
federal, state, county or local law, statute, ordinance, decision, order, policy
or regulation prohibiting employment discrimination, harassment or retaliation,
or otherwise creating rights or claims for employees;
c.    Arising under or based on the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and alleging a
violation thereof based on any action or failure to act by the Company at any
time prior to the effective date of this Release;
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Release shall
not affect: (i) the obligations of Employer set forth in the Employment
Agreement, including, without limitation, under Sections 3, 8, 11 and 16
thereof, or under any other benefit plan, agreement, arrangement or policy of
Employer or its affiliates that by its terms, contains obligations that are to
be performed after the date hereof by Employer or any rights of Employee to
vested compensation or benefits; (ii) any indemnification or similar rights
Employee has as a current or former officer, director, employee or agent of
Employer and its affiliates, including, without

    

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limitation, any and all rights thereto under applicable law, Employer’s articles
of incorporation, bylaws or other governance documents, or any rights with
respect to coverage under any directors’ and officers’ insurance policies and/or
indemnification agreements; (iii) any Claim as the holder or beneficial owner of
securities of Employer or other rights relating to securities or equity awards
in respect of the common stock of Employer; (iv) rights to accrued but unpaid
salary, paid time off, vacation or other compensation due through the date of
termination of employment; (v) any unreimbursed business expenses; (vi) benefits
or the right to seek benefits under applicable workers’ compensation and/or
unemployment compensation statutes; and (vii) any Claims that may arise in the
future from events or actions occurring after Employee’s Separation Date or that
Employee may not by law release through an agreement such as this.
Employee specifically represents that he has read and understands this Release,
and understands fully the final and binding effect of this Release. Employer
hereby advises Employee that before signing this Release, he may take twenty-one
(21) days to consider this Release. Employee further agrees that the only
promises made to him to sign this Release are those stated in this Release and
that he has signed this Release voluntarily with the full intent of releasing
the Company from any and all claims relating to or arising out of his employment
with Employer. Employer hereby advises Employee in writing to discuss this
Release with his attorney (at his own expense) prior to execution, and he has
done so to the extent he deemed it appropriate. Additionally, in accordance with
federal law, this Release may be revoked in writing by Employee at any time
within seven (7) days after the date the Release is signed by Employee and this
Release shall not be effective until the expiration of such seven day period.
Finally, Employee agrees and acknowledges that if he signs this Release before
the expiration of said twenty-one (21) day period referred to hereinabove, that
he has affirmatively waived such twenty-one (21) day minimum period, but shall
still have the seven (7) calendar days within which to revoke this Release.
Employee expressly understands that he is knowingly and voluntarily waiving any
claim for age discrimination that he may have under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act.
As part of the foregoing Release, Employee acknowledges that he is waiving his
right to any recovery, compensation, or other legal, equitable or injunctive
relief from the Company in any administrative, arbitral, judicial or other
action brought by or on behalf of Employee in connection with any Claim released
in this Release.
AMERIS BANCORP
By:
    
Name:     
Title:     

AMERIS BANK
By:
    
N

B-2

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ame:     
Title:     

EMPLOYEE

James B. Miller, Jr.

B-3