Ameris Bank: SBA business acquisition lending record
Ameris Bank (home state GA) approved 95 SBA 7(a) loans to buy existing businesses since FY2018, totaling $117M. The median loan was $860,000. It ranks number 104 of 280 lenders by count and made 0.2% of all SBA acquisition loans nationally.
Terms signed in the LOI shape the purchase agreement that follows.
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What this tells a borrower
- Deal size it funds. Half of its acquisition loans fell between $470,750 and $1,773,000. If your deal sits well outside that band, this lender may be less practiced at it.
- Geographic reach. Georgia is the largest state (33% of loans). Loans appear in at least 15 states, which points to a national lender.
- Industry concentration. Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores is 9% of its acquisition loans. The mix is spread across several industries.
- Overall 7(a) volume. 294 SBA 7(a) loans of any purpose since FY2020, totaling $319M. 86% of its acquisition loans were processed under the Preferred Lenders Program.
- Franchise share. 28% of its acquisition loans involved a franchise brand, against 18% for all lenders.
- Seasoned performance. Of its loans from FY2018 to FY2021: 2.7% charged off, 23% lower than the 3.5% national average.
Ameris Bank acquisition loans by year
| Fiscal year | Loans | Total approved | Median loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 19 | $19.5M | $822,000 | |
| FY2019 | 23 | $18.8M | $601,500 | |
| FY2020 | 19 | $20.5M | $740,000 | |
| FY2021 | 13 | $16.4M | $571,200 | |
| FY2022 | 5 | $11.1M | $1,200,000 | |
| FY2023 | 5 | $6.8M | $925,700 | |
| FY2024 | 3 | $3.2M | $860,000 | |
| FY2025 | 3 | $6.8M | $2,539,400 | |
| FY2026 | 5 | $14.3M | $2,518,000 |
How often do these acquisition loans fail?
Of the 74 Ameris Bank acquisition loans approved from FY2018 to FY2021 (the seasoned cohort, every loan at least about five years old), 2 have been charged off by the SBA, a rate of 2.7% by loan count and 0.6% by dollars. 49 have already been paid in full.
For comparison, the charge-off rate across all SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in the same cohort is 3.5%, so Ameris Bank is 23% lower than the acquisition-loan average. Non-acquisition 7(a) loans (every other stated purpose) approved FY2018 to FY2021 charged off at 6.2%.
"Charged off" is the SBA's final loss action on a defaulted loan after collection efforts. It lags default by a year or more, which is why only older cohorts are measured. It is not the same as a delinquency rate, and loans still outstanding can still fail. See charge-off in the glossary.
The purchase agreement decides what you bought, not the loan approval.
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States served
| # | State | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 31 | 32.6% | $45M | |
| 2 | Florida | 16 | 16.8% | $21.5M | |
| 3 | North Carolina | 5 | 5.3% | $6.3M | |
| 4 | Michigan | 5 | 5.3% | $3.6M | |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 5 | 5.3% | $2.9M | |
| 6 | South Carolina | 4 | 4.2% | $6.1M | |
| 7 | Illinois | 4 | 4.2% | $5.4M | |
| 8 | Texas | 3 | 3.2% | $4.3M | |
| 9 | New Jersey | 3 | 3.2% | $3.4M | |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 3 | 3.2% | $3.2M | |
| 11 | Washington | 3 | 3.2% | $2.9M | |
| 12 | Virginia | 2 | 2.1% | $3.8M | |
| 13 | California | 2 | 2.1% | $2.1M | |
| 14 | Tennessee | 2 | 2.1% | $1.6M | |
| 15 | Missouri | 2 | 2.1% | $1.2M |
Industries financed
| # | Industry | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores | 9 | 9.5% | $16.6M | |
| 2 | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds | 8 | 8.4% | $6M | |
| 3 | Limited-Service Restaurants | 7 | 7.4% | $4.8M | |
| 4 | Full-Service Restaurants | 4 | 4.2% | $4M | |
| 5 | Beauty Salons | 4 | 4.2% | $2.8M | |
| 6 | Offices of Dentists | 4 | 4.2% | $2.4M | |
| 7 | Car Washes | 3 | 3.2% | $6.3M | |
| 8 | Private Mail Centers | 3 | 3.2% | $749K | |
| 9 | Sporting Goods Retailers | 2 | 2.1% | $3.2M | |
| 10 | Child Care Services | 2 | 2.1% | $2.5M |
Terms signed in the LOI shape the purchase agreement that follows.
Request Engagement AssessmentFree consultation. All 50 states.
Franchise brands financed
| # | Franchise | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The UPS Store | 3 | 3.2% | $749K | |
| 2 | Supercuts | 2 | 2.1% | $1.9M | |
| 3 | Sleep Inn | 1 | 1.1% | $2.1M | |
| 4 | U.S. Oil (Mobil) | 1 | 1.1% | $1.9M | |
| 5 | Subway | 1 | 1.1% | $1.3M | |
| 6 | Play It Again Sports | 1 | 1.1% | $693K | |
| 7 | Nothing Bundt Cakes | 1 | 1.1% | $491K | |
| 8 | Honey Dew Donuts | 1 | 1.1% | $456K | |
| 9 | Smartstyle | 1 | 1.1% | $423K | |
| 10 | Jersey Mike's Subs | 1 | 1.1% | $421K |
Questions buyers ask
Does Ameris Bank make SBA acquisition loans?
Yes. Ameris Bank approved 95 SBA 7(a) loans to buy existing businesses from FY2018 to FY2026, ranking number 104 of 280 lenders with 25 or more such loans. The SBA file shows past approvals only; it cannot tell you whether the lender will approve a particular buyer or deal.
How large are Ameris Bank's acquisition loans?
The median was $860,000, with the middle half between $470,750 and $1,773,000. The national median is $645,250, so this lender's typical loan is 33% higher than the national figure.
Which states does Ameris Bank lend in?
Georgia (31), Florida (16), North Carolina (5), Michigan (5), Massachusetts (5), South Carolina (4). Its loans span at least 15 states.
Which industries does Ameris Bank finance?
Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (9), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (8), Limited-Service Restaurants (7), Full-Service Restaurants (4), Beauty Salons (4). The top industry is 9% of its acquisition loans.
How have Ameris Bank's acquisition loans performed?
Of 74 loans approved FY2018 to FY2021: 2.7% charged off, 23% lower than the 3.5% national acquisition average. Charge-offs reflect the borrowers and industries a lender serves as well as its underwriting.
Terms signed in the LOI shape the purchase agreement that follows.
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Related
- Georgia acquisitions
- Florida acquisitions
- North Carolina acquisitions
- Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores
- RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds
- Limited-Service Restaurants
- All lenders
Figures are aggregates of public SBA data. This page is not provided or endorsed by Ameris Bank.