Ameris Bank vs PlainsCapital Bank

As of Q1 2026, Ameris Bank carries a larger commercial real estate loan book than PlainsCapital Bank, roughly 2.4× the size — $10.8B versus $4.6B. 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 PlainsCapital Bank at 2.4%. 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.

Neither bank has run past the 300% CRE concentration guideline — Ameris Bank is at 270% and PlainsCapital Bank at 258%. Banks well below the guideline typically have more room to keep adding commercial real estate loans, which tends to mean more competitive pricing and terms for borrowers.

PlainsCapital Bank carries a higher nonaccrual CRE ratio (1% of its CRE book, versus 0% at the other). Rising nonaccruals consume management attention and provisions and often precede tighter credit standards — a useful caution flag when comparing the two as a potential lender.

County recorded documents show both lenders actively closing commercial loans — 3 recent for Ameris Bank and 33 for PlainsCapital Bank. PlainsCapital 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.