Montgomery Bank & Trust, Ailey, Georgia, was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Ameris Bank, Moultrie, Georgia, to assume all of the deposits of Montgomery Bank & Trust.

The two branches of Montgomery Bank & Trust will reopen on Monday as branches of Ameris Bank. Depositors of Montgomery Bank & Trust will automatically become depositors of Ameris Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of Montgomery Bank & Trust should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Ameris Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other Ameris Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Montgomery Bank & Trust can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of March 31, 2012, Montgomery Bank & Trust had approximately $173.6 million in total assets and $164.4 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Ameris Bank agreed to purchase approximately $12.4 million in assets, comprised mainly of cash and cash equivalents. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.