Ameris Bank's Strategic Rise: Cracking the Top 15 on Forbes' List

ATLANTA, GA – February 26, 2026

Atlanta-based Ameris Bank has secured a prominent position among the nation's financial elite, climbing to #15 on Forbes' prestigious 2026 list of America’s Best Banks. This marks a significant leap from its #26 ranking in the previous year and distinguishes it as the largest bank by asset size within the list's highly competitive top 15. The recognition highlights a period of remarkable growth and strong financial health for the regional powerhouse.

Decoding the Forbes Ranking

To appreciate the weight of this achievement, it's essential to understand the rigorous process behind Forbes' 17th annual list. The ranking isn't a measure of sheer size or brand recognition. Instead, it’s a data-driven analysis of the top 200 largest publicly-traded U.S. banks, with the top 100 being ranked based on performance. Forbes, in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence, scrutinizes institutions across 11 equally-weighted metrics.

These metrics delve deep into a bank's fundamental health, evaluating growth, profitability, and credit quality. Key indicators include net interest margin, return on average assets, efficiency ratio, and capital adequacy ratios like the CET1 ratio. The methodology also factors in nonperforming assets and net charge-offs, providing a clear picture of risk management. Crucially, the list also considers stock performance, reflecting investor confidence over the past year. This granular approach often favors nimble, efficiently managed banks over colossal institutions. For instance, banking giants like JPMorgan Chase, while the nation's largest, ranked 40th this year, underscoring that Forbes' criteria reward operational excellence and sound financial stewardship above all else.

A Story of Financial Strength and Growth

Ameris Bank’s ascent to the 15th spot is a testament to its robust performance across these demanding criteria. With $27.5 billion in assets as of the end of 2025, its position as the largest bank in the top 15 is particularly noteworthy. It suggests the bank has successfully balanced significant scale with the efficiency and profitability that Forbes' methodology rewards. The 11-spot jump from 2025 indicates that during the evaluation period, Ameris outperformed many of its peers in critical areas of financial management and strategic growth.

In a statement, Ameris Bank CEO Palmer Proctor attributed the honor to his team's dedication. “We are honored to be named a top bank, and this recognition reflects our team’s commitment to providing high quality financial services while delivering an exceptional customer experience,” he said. Proctor’s comments point to a dual focus on maintaining strong financial metrics while not losing sight of the core mission of banking.

He further elaborated on the bank’s strategic positioning, stating, “Our size and scale give us the range to care for individuals and families opening their first accounts to complex corporations with multiple financial needs – all with expertise and personal attention.” This philosophy appears to be paying dividends, allowing the institution to capture a diverse market segment and fuel its impressive growth trajectory.

The Customer Experience Dividend

While the Forbes ranking is rooted in hard financial data, the story of Ameris Bank's success extends beyond the numbers on a balance sheet. Proctor's emphasis on an "exceptional customer experience" is increasingly recognized as a critical driver of the very metrics Forbes measures. In today's competitive financial landscape, customer loyalty, trust, and satisfaction are not just soft metrics; they are direct contributors to profitability and stability.

Happy customers are more likely to deepen their banking relationships, utilize more services, and provide positive referrals, all of which boost revenue and lower acquisition costs. Furthermore, a strong service culture often correlates with a lower efficiency ratio—a key Forbes metric—as empowered employees and streamlined processes reduce operational friction. Forbes itself acknowledges this connection, with related surveys like the "World's Best Banks" relying heavily on customer feedback regarding trustworthiness, service, and digital access. While the "America's Best Banks" list focuses on financial results, those results are increasingly seen as the outcome of a successful, customer-centric strategy. Ameris Bank's ability to serve both individual consumers and complex corporate clients with what its CEO calls "personal attention" suggests a deeply embedded service ethos that underpins its financial achievements.

A Blueprint for Regional Banking Success

Ameris Bank's achievement serves as a compelling case study for the modern regional banking sector. Headquartered in Atlanta and operating primarily across five southeastern states, it demonstrates that mid-sized banks can not only survive but thrive and outperform in a market often dominated by national goliaths. By leveraging its regional expertise and community ties, Ameris has carved out a powerful niche.

The bank’s success provides a blueprint for how to compete effectively. It involves combining the financial sophistication and product breadth of a larger institution with the agility and personalized service of a community bank. This hybrid model allows it to meet the complex needs of business customers while retaining the trust of individual depositors. In a field where competitors like Customers Bank (#45) and German American Bank (in the top 10) are also making their mark, Ameris stands out due to its significant asset size within the top echelon of the list. This indicates a scalable strategy that doesn't sacrifice quality for growth. As the financial industry continues to evolve, the Ameris model—built on disciplined financial management, strategic growth initiatives, and an unwavering commitment to the customer—offers a powerful example of sustainable success.