Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into as of September 26, 2014 (the “ Amendment Date ”), between AMERIS BANCORP , a Georgia corporation (“ Borrower ”), and NEXBANK SSB (“ Lender ”).

R E C I T A L S

A. Borrower and Lender are parties to that certain Loan Agreement dated as of August 28, 2013 (as it may be further amended, modified, supplemented, restated or amended and restated from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”). Unless otherwise indicated herein, all terms used with their initial letter capitalized are used herein with their meaning as defined in the Loan Agreement and all Section references are to Sections in the Loan Agreement.

B. Borrower has requested that Lender amend the Loan Agreement and Note to, among other things, (i) increase the Commitment, (ii) extend the Maturity Date, and (iii) decrease the Note Rate.

C. Borrower and Lender desire to amend the Loan Documents, subject to the terms, conditions, and representations set forth herein, as requested by Borrower.

D. Borrower and Lender agree to the other terms and provisions provided below, subject to the terms, conditions, and representations set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree, as follows:

(a) Section A of the Recitals is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

A. Borrower has applied to Lender for a revolving loan in the amount of up to $40,000,000, and Lender is willing to make the Loan on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

(b) The following definitions in Section 2.1 of the Loan Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Commitment : The obligation of Lender to make Revolving Credit Advances pursuant to Section 4.1 in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding up to but not exceeding $40,000,000, subject, however, to termination pursuant to Article XVI .

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio : With respect to the Borrower, the ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of (a) EBIDA to (b) Fixed Charges, all for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such date.

Interest Expense : For any period, total interest expense of Borrower (including that portion attributable to Capital Lease Obligations), premium payments, debt discount, fees and related expenses with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Borrower, related to direct obligations of Borrower.

Maturity Date : September 26, 2017.

Net Income : For any period, the net income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Note Rate : A rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) LIBOR for the then-current LIBOR Reset Period plus (b) 350 basis points (3.5%).

(c) Section 2.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to insert the following definitions in appropriate alphabetical order to read in their entirety as follows:

EBIDA: For any period, Net Income for such period, plus , without duplication and to the extent deducted in calculating Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) Interest Expense for such period, (b) the amount of depreciation and amortization expense deducted in determining Net Income, (c) any extraordinary or non-recurring items reducing Net Income for such period, (d) losses on the sale of securities, and (e) any non-cash items reducing Net Income for such period, minus (i) gains on the sale of any securities, (ii) any extraordinary or non-recurring items increasing Net Income for such period and (iii) any non-cash items increasing Net Income for such period.

Fixed Charges : For any period, the sum, without duplication, of the amounts determined for Borrower equal to (a) Interest Expense and (b) scheduled payments of principal on Total Debt.

Total Debt : As of any date of determination, the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness related to direct obligations of Borrower determined in accordance with GAAP.

(d) Section 2.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to delete the definitions of “ Adjusted EBITDA ”, “ Capital Expenditures ”, “ Consolidated Capital Expenditures ”, “ Consolidated Fixed Charges ”, “ Consolidated Total Debt ”, “ Depository Account ”, “ EBITDA ” and “ Permitted Tax Distributions ”.

(e) Section 4.1(d) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

(d) [Intentionally Omitted.]

(f) Section 10.8 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

10.8 [Intentionally Omitted.]

(g) Exhibit A of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as set forth on Exhibit A attached to this Amendment.

(a) Lender shall have received counterparts of this Amendment executed by Borrower, Lender, and each other party set forth on the signature pages hereto;

(b) Lender shall have received the Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note dated as of the Effective Date in the original principal amount of $40,000,000 executed by Borrower and payable to the order of Lender (the “ Amended and Restated Note ”);

(c) Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(d) Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence that Borrower has paid the fees and expenses of counsel described in Section 5 hereof and Article VII of the Loan Agreement;

(e) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result after giving effect to this Amendment or the Amended and Restated Note;

(f) Lender shall have received an officer’s certificate, together with all attachments and exhibits thereto, duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower;

(g) Lender shall have received a favorable written opinion of Rogers & Hardin LLP, counsel to Borrower, covering such matters as the Lender may reasonably request (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to the Lender); and

(h) Lender shall have received such other instruments and documents incidental and appropriate to the transactions provided for herein as Lender or its counsel may reasonably request, and all such documents shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender (it being agreed that execution of this Amendment by Lender shall evidence that the foregoing conditions have been fulfilled).

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow. ]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment in multiple counterparts to be effective as of date first set forth above.

EXHIBIT A

Certificate of

Compliance

NexBank SSB

2515 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1100

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: [ — ]

Re: Loan Agreement dated as of August 28, 2013 (as amended, modified, supplemented, restated, or renewed, from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), between AMERIS BANCORP (“ Borrower ”) and NEXBANK SSB (“ Lender ”).

Reference is made to the Agreement. Capitalized terms used in this Certificate (including schedules and other attachments hereto, this “ Certificate ”) without definition have the meanings specified in the Agreement.

Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Agreement, the undersigned, being the Authorized Representative designated in the Agreement, hereby certifies to the Lender that the information furnished in the attached schedules, including, without limitation, each of the calculations listed below are true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the last day of the fiscal periods subject to the financial statements and associated covenants being delivered to the Lender pursuant to the Agreement together with this Certificate (such statements the “ Financial Statements ” and the periods covered thereby the “ reporting period ”) and for such reporting periods.

The undersigned hereby further certifies to the Lender that:

1. Borrower’s Compliance with Financial Covenants . As shown below, the Borrower is in full compliance with the Financial Covenants contained in the Agreement. All covenants are expressed as a percentage.

[Note to preparer. The following Financial Covenants are provided as illustration. The actual Financial Covenants must be obtained from the Agreement]

Calculation:

Leverage Ratio = Tier 1 Capital / Average Total Assets

Leverage Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

A-1

Calculation:

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio = EBIDA / Fixed Charges

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

2. Bank’s Compliance with Financial Covenants . As shown below, the Bank is in full compliance with the Financial Covenants contained in the Agreement. All covenants are expressed as a percentage.

[Note to preparer. The following Financial Covenants are provided as illustration. The actual Financial Covenants must be obtained from the Agreement]

Calculation:

Classified Assets to Tier 1 Capital Ratio = Classified Assets / (Tier 1 Capital + Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses)

Classified Assets to Tier 1 Capital Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

Calculation:

Non-Performing Assets to Net Capital Ratio = (Total Non-Accrual Loans + Other Real Estate Owned of such Person) / ((Total Capital + unrealized losses (gains) on securities + Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses) - (Intangible Assets))

Non-Performing Assets to Net Capital Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

A-2

Calculation:

Leverage Ratio = Tier 1 Capital / Average Total Assets

Leverage Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

Calculation:

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio = (Tier 1 Capital + Tier 2 Capital) / Total Risk-Weighted Assets

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of _________ for period ending ______________.

[Borrower to include specific calculation based upon formula outlined in Agreement]

Compliance? (Yes or No)                                                                                  _______________________

3. Review of Condition. The undersigned has reviewed the terms of the Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Loan Documents and the covenants of the Borrower set forth in the Loan Documents, and has made, or caused to be made under his or her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of the Borrower through the reporting periods.

4. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents, including those contained in the Agreement, are true and accurate in all material respects as of the date hereof and were true and accurate in all material respects at all times during the reporting period except as expressly noted on Schedule A hereto.

5. Covenants. During the reporting period, the Borrower observed and performed all of the respective covenants and other agreements under the Loan Documents, and satisfied each of the conditions contained therein to be observed, performed or satisfied by the Borrower, except as expressly noted on Schedule A hereto.

6. No Event of Default. No Event of Default exists as of the date hereof or existed at any time during the reporting period, except as expressly noted on Schedule A hereto.

A-3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate is executed by the undersigned this ___ day of ___________.

A-4

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING PROMISSORY NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, AMERIS BANCORP, a Georgia corporation, having an address at 310 First Street, Moultrie, Georgia 31768 (“ Maker ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of NEXBANK SSB (“ Payee ”), at its address at 2515 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75201 or such other address as it may designate, the principal sum of Forty Million and NO/100 Dollars ($40,000,000), or so much thereof as may be advanced by Payee from time to time hereunder to or for the benefit or account of Maker, and interest from the date hereof on the balance of principal from time to time outstanding, in United States currency, at the rates and at the times hereinafter described.

This Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note (this “ Note ”) is issued by Maker pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2013 (as amended by that certain First Amendment, dated as of the date hereof, and as may be further amended restated or modified, the “ Loan Agreement ”) entered into between Payee and Maker. This Note evidences the Loan (as defined in the Loan Agreement). Payment of this Note is governed by the Loan Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by express reference as if fully set forth herein. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

1. Principal and Interest .

(a) The maximum aggregate principal amount of this Note shall not exceed Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000). All principal, interest and other sums due under this Note shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

(b) Subject to Section 1(c) below, the unpaid principal amount of this Note shall bear interest at the Note Rate (the “ Applicable Rate ”), unless the Default Rate is applicable. Interest at the Applicable Rate (or Default Rate) shall be calculated for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year, including the first date of the applicable period to, but not including, the date of repayment. The Loan shall bear interest at the Default Rate at any time at which an Event of Default shall exist.

(c) All accrued but unpaid interest on the principal balance of the Loan outstanding from time to time shall be payable on each Payment Date. The then outstanding principal balance of the Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date. Maker may from time to time during the term of the Loan Agreement borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement; provided, however , that the total outstanding borrowings under this Note shall not at any time exceed the Commitment. The unpaid principal balance of the Loan at any time shall be the total amount advanced hereunder by Payee less the amount of principal payments made hereon by or for Maker, which balance may be endorsed hereon from time to time by Payee or otherwise noted in Payee’s records, which notations shall be, absent manifest error, conclusive evidence of the amounts owing hereunder from time to time. All payments (whether of principal or of interest) shall be deemed credited to Maker’s account only if received by 2:00 p.m. Dallas time on a Business Day; otherwise, such payment shall be deemed received on the next Business Day.

2. Maximum Lawful Rate . It is the intent of Maker and Payee to conform to and contract in strict compliance with applicable usury law from time to time in effect. In no way, nor in any event or contingency (including but not limited to prepayment, default, demand for payment, or acceleration of the maturity of any obligation), shall the rate of interest taken, reserved, contacted for, charged or received under this Note and the other Loan Documents exceed the highest lawful interest rate permitted under applicable law. If Payee shall ever receive anything of value which is characterized as interest under applicable law and which would apart from this provision be in excess of the highest lawful interest rate permitted under applicable law, an amount equal to the amount which would have been excessive interest shall, without penalty, be applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing on the Loan in the inverse order of its maturity and not to the payment of interest, or refunded to the Maker or the other payor thereof if and to the extent such amount which would have been excessive exceeds such unpaid principal. All interest paid or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full stated term (including any renewal or extension) of the Loan so that the amount of interest on account of such obligation does not exceed the maximum permitted by applicable law. As used in this Section, the term “ applicable law ” shall mean the laws of the State of Texas or the federal laws of the United States, whichever laws allow the greater interest, as such laws now exist or may be changed or amended or come into effect in the future.

3. Monthly Payments . All payments on account of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall be made to Payee not later than 2:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on the day when due in lawful money of the United States and shall be first applied to late charges, costs of collection or enforcement and other similar amounts due, if any, under this Note and any of the other Loan Documents, then to interest due and payable hereunder and the remainder to principal due and payable hereunder.

4. Maturity Date . The indebtedness evidenced hereby shall mature on the Maturity Date, or as accelerated under the terms of the Loan Agreement. On the Maturity Date, the entire outstanding principal balance hereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and all other sums evidenced by this Note, shall, if not sooner paid, become due and payable.

5. General Provisions .

(a) In the event (i) the principal balance hereof is not paid when due whether by acceleration or upon the Maturity Date or (ii) an Event of Default exists, then the principal balance hereof shall bear interest from and after the Default Rate. In addition, for any installment (exclusive of the payment due upon the Maturity Date) which is not paid by the tenth (10th) day following the due date thereof a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such installment shall be due and payable to the holder of this Note on demand to cover the extra expense involved in handling delinquent payments.

(b) Maker agrees that the obligation evidenced by this Note is an exempt transaction under the Truth-in-Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq.

(c) This Note and all provisions hereof shall be binding upon Maker and all persons claiming under or through Maker, and shall inure to the benefit of Payee, together with its successors and assigns, including each owner and holder from time to time of this Note.

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(d) Time is of the essence as to all dates set forth herein.

(e) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Maker agrees that its liability shall not be in any manner affected by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver, or modification granted or consented to by Payee; and Maker consents to any indulgences and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and to any substitution, exchange or release of the collateral, or any part thereof, with or without substitution, and agrees to the addition or release of any makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties, all whether primarily or secondarily liable, without notice to Maker and without affecting its liability hereunder.

(f) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, Maker hereby waives and renounces for itself, its successors and assigns, all rights to the benefits of any statute of limitations and any moratorium, reinstatement, marshaling, forbearance, valuation, stay, extension, redemption, appraisement, or exemption and homestead laws now provided, or which may hereafter be provided, by the laws of the United States and of any state thereof against the enforcement and collection of the obligations evidenced by this Note.

(g) If this Note is placed in the hands of attorneys for collection or is collected through any legal proceedings, Maker promises and agrees to pay, in addition to the principal, interest and other sums due and payable hereon, all costs of collecting or attempting to collect this Note, including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements.

(h) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all parties now or hereafter liable with respect to this Note, whether Maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorsee or otherwise hereby severally waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment or dishonor, protest and notice of protest. No failure to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby, acceptance of a past due installment following the expiration of any cure period provided by this Note, any Loan Document or applicable law, or indulgences granted from time to time shall be construed (i) as a novation of this Note or as a reinstatement of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or as a waiver of such right of acceleration or of the right of Payee thereafter to insist upon strict compliance with the terms of this Note, or (ii) to prevent the exercise of such right of acceleration or any other right granted hereunder or by the laws of the State. Maker hereby expressly waives the benefit of any statute or rule of law or equity now provided, or which may hereafter be provided, which would produce a result contrary to or in conflict with the foregoing.

(i) THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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(j) THIS NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

This Note is an amendment, restatement, modification and continuation of the obligations outstanding under that certain Revolving Promissory Note, dated August 28, 2013, made by Maker payable to the order of Payee in the original principal amount of $25,000,000 (the “ Prior Note ”). This Note is given in renewal, rearrangement and substitution for, but not in the extinguishment or repayment of, the obligations outstanding under the Prior Note. This Note does not constitute a novation.

[Signature page follows.]

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Maker has delivered this Note as of the day and year first set forth above.