Ameris, an acquisitive company that had bought four banks since 2010, must first absorb costs tied to the consent order. Ameris plans to take a one-time charge equal to about 10 cents a share after taxes in the fourth quarter to pay expenses tied to compliance. The company traced its BSA problems to the improper installation of software about more than three years ago. Though the bugs have been ironed out, the company is hiring a number of consultants to "back-test" its systems to ensure no suspicious or illegal transactions took place while the glitches existed, Hortman said. "It's a process, but the good news is we're in control of the process," Hortman said. The order limits Ameris' ability to open branches or buy banks and other businesses. So Ameris negotiated a deal with US Premium and its president, Bill Villari, approved by regulators, where the bank will buy a 4.99% stake in the finance firm and issue about 129,000 shares of stock to Villari.