Ameris Bank vs ConnectOne Bank

As of Q1 2026, Ameris Bank carries a larger commercial real estate loan book than ConnectOne Bank, roughly 1.2× the size — $10.8B versus $8.7B. CRE book size is one gauge of how much lending capacity a bank is actively deploying, though a bigger book is not automatically better for a borrower; what matters is whether the bank is still growing that book and how concentrated it has become.

Both banks are growing their CRE books quarter over quarter — Ameris Bank at 1.4% and ConnectOne Bank at 2.8%. A bank actively expanding its commercial real estate balance is generally still open to new originations, which is favorable for a borrower in the market today.

ConnectOne Bank is further up the concentration curve at 435% — past the 300% supervisory guideline — while Ameris Bank sits lower at 270% with more balance-sheet capacity to keep lending. A borrower may find the less-concentrated bank more receptive to new credit, though concentration is only one of several appetite signals.

Both books look healthy on asset quality — nonaccrual CRE loans sit below 0.5% of the CRE book at each bank (0% for Ameris Bank, 0% for ConnectOne Bank). Low nonaccrual levels suggest the existing portfolio is performing and the bank is not preoccupied with problem-loan management.

County recorded documents show both lenders actively closing commercial loans — 3 recent for Ameris Bank and 1 for ConnectOne Bank. Ameris Bank shows the heavier recent activity in the records we track. Filed deeds of trust are the ground truth of a closed, secured loan, so a presence here confirms the bank is writing business, not just quoting it.

The short version: Ameris Bank runs the larger CRE book. The right lender for any specific deal still depends on property type, sponsorship, and the current terms each is quoting — the table above and each bank's full profile carry the detail.