---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000351569-26-000026"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABCB"
cik: "0000351569"
company_name: "Ameris Bancorp"
filed_at: "2026-02-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T00:56:59.220954+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ameris Bancorp EVP & Chief Strategy Officer LaHaise to retire effective April 30, 2026

## Summary
- James A. LaHaise, Corporate EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, will retire on April 30, 2026; Retirement Agreement signed Feb 19, 2026.
- LaHaise will provide transition and support services for three months following retirement date.
- Entitled to $100,000 annual retirement benefit for 10 years under SERP, subject to customary release conditions.
- Outstanding time-based restricted share and performance unit awards handled per existing award agreements without modification.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000351569-26-000026
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABCB
- cik: 0000351569
- company_name: Ameris Bancorp
- filed_at: 2026-02-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351569/000035156926000026/0000351569-26-000026-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351569/000035156926000026/abcb-20260219.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000026
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000026.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000026.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.