Core Viewpoint - Pomerantz LLP is investigating potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices involving Amerant Bancorp Inc. and its officers or directors, following disappointing financial results for Q1 2025 that led to a significant drop in stock price [1][3]. Financial Performance - Amerant Bancorp reported GAAP earnings per share of $0.28 for Q1 2025, which was $0.12 below consensus estimates [3]. - The company's loans remained relatively flat quarter over quarter due to increased payoffs and paydowns offsetting new production [3]. - Following the earnings announcement, Amerant's stock price decreased by $2.55, or 13.09%, closing at $16.93 per share on April 24, 2025 [3].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets increased to $10.2 billion from $9.9 billion in the previous quarter [9] - Total deposits rose by $300 million to $8.2 billion compared to $7.9 billion in the fourth quarter [11] - Diluted income per share decreased to $0.28 from $0.40 in the fourth quarter [12] - Net interest income was $85.9 million, down from $87.6 million in the previous quarter [14] - Provision for credit losses increased to $18.4 million from $9.9 million in the fourth quarter [15] - Efficiency ratio improved to 67.87% from 74.91% in the previous quarter [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total gross loans decreased by $52 million to $7.2 billion, primarily due to increased prepayments [11] - Non-interest income was $19.5 million, including a net gain of $2.8 million from a loan sale [16] - Assets under management increased by $42 million to $2.93 billion [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ratio of non-interest-bearing deposits to total deposits increased to 20.4% from 19.2% [23] - ROA and ROE decreased to 0.48% and 5.02% respectively, compared to 0.67% and 7.38% in the previous quarter [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from a national mortgage business to a Florida-focused model to reduce capital requirements [21] - Strategic additions to the leadership team emphasize a robust risk management framework [39][40] - The company plans to open new regional offices in key Florida markets to support growth initiatives [53][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges but highlighted strong deposit growth and net interest income performance [7][8] - The company expects loan production growth in the 10% to 15% range by year-end, despite macroeconomic uncertainties [35] - Management remains focused on delivering improved growth and value to shareholders amid macroeconomic challenges [57] Other Important Information - The company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share [18] - A strategic decision was made to reduce operating costs in the mortgage business, expecting savings of approximately $2.5 million per quarter starting in Q3 [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook and impacts of macro volatility - Management indicated a prudent approach to loan growth due to uncertainty, but remains optimistic about demand [61][62] Question: Asset quality and charge-off expectations - Charge-off levels are expected to rise slightly in Q2 but normalize thereafter, with a target of 1% ROA in the second half of the year [70][71] Question: Mortgage expense outlook and impact on bottom line - Expected expense savings from the mortgage business will drop to the bottom line [77] Question: Credit quality and special mention loans - Management noted that special mention loans increased due to updated financial information and proactive risk management [85][88] Question: Buyback strategy and appetite - The company has been active in buybacks under a 10b5-1 plan, with a focus on avoiding dilution [95][98] Question: Margin outlook and loan production yields - New loan production yields are expected to be in the range of 6.25% to 6.50%, with ongoing management of deposit costs [105][108]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets increased to $10.2 billion from $9.9 billion in the previous quarter [6] - Total investments rose to $1.76 billion from $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter [7] - Total gross loans decreased by $52 million to $7.2 billion, primarily due to increased prepayments [7] - Total deposits increased by $300 million to $8.2 billion, driven by growth in core deposits [8] - Diluted income per share for the first quarter was $0.28, down from $0.40 in the fourth quarter, mainly due to higher provision expenses [9] - Net interest margin remained flat at 3.75%, better than projected [9][10] - Provision for credit losses increased to $18.4 million from $9.9 million in the previous quarter [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mortgage business is transitioning to focus on Florida, reducing operating costs and variable expenses [14][15] - Non-interest income was $19.5 million, including a net gain of $2.8 million from a previously charged-off asset [12] - The efficiency ratio improved to 67.87% from 74.91% in the previous quarter [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ratio of non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits increased to 20.4% from 19.2% [17] - Assets under management increased by $42 million to $2.93 billion, despite market volatility [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building out its infrastructure to support regional banking and intends to continue this direction [6] - Strategic changes in the mortgage business aim to reduce costs and improve efficiency [14][15] - The company plans to open new banking centers in key markets, including Miami Beach and Downtown Tampa [36][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges but highlighted outperformance in net interest income and deposit growth [5] - The company expects loan production growth in the range of 10% to 15% by year-end, despite macroeconomic uncertainties [26] - Management remains committed to a prudent approach in capital management, balancing growth with buybacks and dividends [27] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $60 million in senior notes due this year [13] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share was paid and approved for the next quarter [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook and impact of macro volatility - Management noted a pullback from commercial customers but remains optimistic about loan demand in the second half of the year [43][44] Question: Asset quality and charge-off expectations - Charge-off levels are expected to rise slightly in the second quarter but normalize thereafter [50][51] Question: Mortgage expense outlook and impact on bottom line - Expected expense savings from the mortgage business will drop to the bottom line [58] Question: Credit quality and special mention loans - Management indicated that special mention loans were primarily due to updated financial information and are being closely monitored [63][64] Question: Buyback strategy and appetite - The company has been active in buybacks under a 10b5-1 plan, aiming to avoid dilution [72][74] Question: Margin outlook and loan production yields - New loan production yields are expected to be in the range of 6.25% to 6.50% due to competitive pressures [79][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets increased to $10.2 billion from $9.9 billion in the previous quarter [7] - Total investments rose to $1.76 billion from $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter [8] - Total gross loans decreased by $52 million to $7.2 billion, primarily due to increased prepayments [8] - Total deposits increased by $300 million to $8.2 billion, driven by growth in core deposits [9] - Diluted income per share for the first quarter was $0.28, down from $0.40 in the fourth quarter, mainly due to higher provision expenses [10] - Net interest margin remained flat at 3.75%, better than projected [10][11] - Provision for credit losses increased to $18.4 million from $9.9 million in the previous quarter [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mortgage business is transitioning to focus on Florida, reducing operating costs and variable expenses [15][16] - Non-interest income was $19.5 million, including a net gain of $2.8 million from a previously charged-off asset [13] - The efficiency ratio improved to 67.87% from 74.91% in the previous quarter [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ratio of non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits increased to 20.4% from 19.2% [18] - The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 1.37% from 1.18% [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building out its infrastructure to support regional banking and intends to continue this direction [7] - A strategic change in the mortgage business aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency, with expectations of lower non-interest income [15][16] - The company plans to expand its presence in key markets, including new banking centers in West Palm Beach and Miami Beach [37][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges but highlighted outperformance in net interest income and deposit growth [6] - The company expects continued growth in core deposits and a cautious approach to loan production due to macroeconomic uncertainties [24][26] - Management remains committed to a prudent capital management approach, balancing growth with buybacks and dividends [28] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $60 million in senior notes due this year [14] - Recent leadership additions are aimed at strengthening risk management and business development [29][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook and impact of macro volatility - Management noted a pullback from commercial customers but remains optimistic about loan demand in the second half of the year [44][45] Question: Asset quality and charge-off expectations - Charge-off levels are expected to rise slightly in the second quarter but normalize thereafter [52] Question: Mortgage expense outlook and reinvestment - Expected expense savings from the mortgage business will drop to the bottom line [59] Question: Impact of macro uncertainty on initiatives - Management confirmed commitment to complete planned branch openings despite macro uncertainties [60][61] Question: Increase in special mentions and credit quality - Management indicated that special mentions are proactive measures and do not necessarily indicate problem assets [66][67] Question: Buyback strategy and appetite - The company has been active in buybacks under a 10b5-1 plan, aiming to avoid dilution [72][74] Question: Margin outlook and loan production yields - New loan production yields are expected to be between 6.25% and 6.50% due to competitive pressures [80][82]

Core Insights - Amerant Bancorp Inc. reported revenue of $105.43 million for Q1 2025, a 14% year-over-year increase, but EPS decreased to $0.24 from $0.32 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $102.39 million by 2.97%, while the EPS fell short of the consensus estimate of $0.40 by 40% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Efficiency Ratio was reported at 67.9%, better than the estimated 69.2% [4] - Net interest margin stood at 3.8%, slightly above the average estimate of 3.7% [4] - Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans held for investment were 0.2%, lower than the estimated 0.4% [4] - Average balances of total interest-earning assets were $9.29 billion, compared to the estimated $9.26 billion [4] - Noninterest income was reported at $19.53 million, exceeding the average estimate of $18 million [4] - Net interest income reached $85.90 million, surpassing the average estimate of $84.39 million [4] Stock Performance - Amerant Bancorp's shares have returned -10.3% over the past month, compared to a -6.6% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market [3]

Financial Performance - Net income for Q1 2025 was $12.0 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, down from $16.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share in Q4 2024[1] - Core net income for the same period was $10,153 thousand, down from $21,160 thousand in the previous quarter, indicating a decline of 52%[20] - In Q1 2025, the net income attributable to Amerant Bancorp Inc. was $11.958 million, compared to $16.881 million in Q4 2024 and a loss of $48.164 million in Q3 2024[25] - Basic earnings per common share decreased to $0.28 in Q1 2025 from $0.40 in Q4 2024, a decline of 30%[18] Assets and Deposits - Total assets increased by $268.0 million, or 2.7%, to $10.2 billion compared to Q4 2024[2] - Total deposits rose by $300.4 million, or 3.8%, to $8.2 billion, with core deposits increasing by $372.9 million, or 6.6%, to $6.0 billion[2] - Total assets increased to $10,169,688 thousand as of March 31, 2025, compared to $9,901,734 thousand on December 31, 2024, reflecting a growth of 2.7%[18] - Total deposits increased to $8,154,978 thousand as of March 31, 2025, compared to $7,854,595 thousand on December 31, 2024, reflecting a growth of 3.8%[18] Non-Performing Assets and Credit Losses - Non-performing assets increased by $18.6 million, or 15.2%, to $140.8 million, with non-performing loans rising to $123.2 million[3] - The allowance for credit losses increased by $13.3 million, or 15.7%, to $98.3 million due to macroeconomic factors[3] - The provision for credit losses increased to $18,446 thousand in Q1 2025, compared to $9,910 thousand in Q4 2024, representing an increase of 86%[18] - Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets rose to 1.38% as of March 31, 2025, up from 1.23% in the previous quarter[19] Revenue and Income Sources - Pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) was $33.9 million, up $5.9 million, or 21.3%, from Q4 2024[3] - Total noninterest income for Q1 2025 was $19.525 million, down from $23.684 million in Q4 2024[25] - The loan portfolio generated interest income of $121,021,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, with a yield of 6.84%[35] Efficiency and Ratios - The efficiency ratio improved to 67.9%, down from 74.9% in Q4 2024[3] - The efficiency ratio improved to 67.87% in Q1 2025, down from 74.91% in Q4 2024, indicating better cost management[19] - The Tier 1 capital ratio was reported at 11.84% as of March 31, 2025, slightly down from 11.95% in the previous quarter[19] - The tangible common equity ratio was 8.69% as of March 31, 2025, slightly down from 8.77% in the previous quarter[27] Stockholder Equity and Dividends - Stockholders' equity increased to $906,263,000 as of March 31, 2025, up from $890,467,000 at December 31, 2024, representing a growth of 1.0%[27] - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per common share for the last four quarters, maintaining consistency[18] - The Company declared cash dividends of $0.09 per share, resulting in an aggregate payment of $3.8 million per quarter[5] Operational Changes - The Company plans to scale back its residential mortgage operations to focus on a Florida-centric business model[4] - As of March 31, 2025, the Company had 77 full-time equivalents (FTEs) for Amerant Mortgage, a decrease from 80 FTEs as of December 31, 2024[11] - The company reported $3.2 million in expenses related to Amerant Mortgage for the three months ended March 31, 2025[54] Share Repurchase and Offerings - The Company repurchased 215,427 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $23.21 per share, totaling approximately $5.0 million[4] - A public offering of 8,684,210 shares of Class A voting common stock was completed at a price of $19.00 per share on September 27, 2024[6]

Core Insights - Amerant Bank has opened a new banking center and regional headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, enhancing its market presence in Palm Beach County [1][4] - The new facility is located in CityPlace, an area with significant retail and residential development, indicating a strategic choice for expansion [2][3] - The bank aims to provide tailored financial services to individuals, businesses, and commercial clients, emphasizing relationship-based solutions [4][5] Company Overview - Amerant Bank is a subsidiary of Amerant Bancorp Inc. and has been serving clients in South Florida for over 40 years [6] - The bank has a commitment to community involvement and supports various non-profit organizations [6] - Amerant Bank has been recognized as a Most Loved Workplace® in 2022, 2023, and 2024 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Amerant Bank has appointed Jeffrey K. Tischler as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer to enhance its credit and risk management capabilities, supporting the bank's strategic growth agenda in a prudent manner [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Jeffrey K. Tischler will oversee Credit Services, Portfolio Management, and Credit Risk functions at Amerant Bank [1]. - Tischler has over 20 years of experience in banking and credit risk management, previously serving as Chief Credit Officer at City National Bank [2]. - His expertise includes credit adjudication, portfolio oversight, and commercial banking strategy [2]. Group 2: Leadership Perspective - Jerry Plush, Chairman and CEO of Amerant Bank, expressed excitement about Tischler's addition, highlighting the importance of his expertise for the bank's growth [2]. - Tischler emphasized his commitment to maintaining high standards of credit quality and risk management while contributing to the bank's tradition of prudent credit management [3]. Group 3: Company Background - Amerant Bank is a prominent financial institution in Florida, serving clients for over 40 years and operating subsidiaries such as Amerant Investments and Amerant Mortgage [4]. - The bank has been recognized as a Most Loved Workplace® in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Best Practice Institute [4].

Core Insights - Amerant Bank has appointed Bam Adebayo, a three-time NBA All-Star, as its new brand ambassador, enhancing its commitment to the South Florida community and sports culture [1][3] Marketing Initiatives - Adebayo will participate in various marketing campaigns, including social media promotions and exclusive events such as meet-and-greets at the Miami Heat's arena [2] - He will also feature in commercials and promotional content aimed at engaging basketball fans in South Florida [2] Community Engagement - The partnership reflects Amerant Bank's dedication to building meaningful relationships within the community, aligning with Adebayo's values of work ethic and excellence [3] - Adebayo expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Amerant to positively impact the community that has supported him throughout his career [4] Sports Partnerships - Adebayo joins a roster of other athletes associated with Amerant, including NFL running back Raheem Mostert and NHL player Matthew Tkachuk [3] - Amerant Bank has established partnerships with various local sports teams, including naming rights to the Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers [3]

Financial Position and Assets - As of December 31, 2024, the company had net deferred tax assets (DTAs) with a book value of $53.5 million, based on a U.S. corporate income tax rate of 21%[289]. - The company anticipates that its total assets may exceed $10 billion in 2025, which would subject it to additional regulatory requirements[307]. - As of December 31, 2024, total earning assets amount to $9,255,505,000, with $5,653,575,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. - The company holds $7,124,310,000 in performing loans, with $4,700,832,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. - Interest-bearing liabilities total $7,248,485,000, with $6,038,970,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. - The company has $1,437,170,000 in debt available for sale, with $344,207,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. - Cash and cash equivalents stand at $590,359,000, with $520,863,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. - The company has $58,278,000 in Federal Reserve and FHLB stock, with $42,285,000 maturing in less than one year[743]. Regulatory and Compliance Risks - The company is subject to extensive regulation that could limit its activities and adversely affect its earnings, with compliance costs potentially impacting profitability[306]. - The company may incur additional costs and resource allocation to comply with potential changes in regulations under the new presidential administration[309]. - The company may face regulatory scrutiny regarding compliance with anti-money laundering laws, which could result in significant penalties[323]. - The company is required to meet capital adequacy and liquidity standards; failure to do so could adversely affect its financial condition and operations[317]. - The bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% and meet other regulatory capital ratios to avoid constraints on dividends and financial obligations[345]. Market and Economic Risks - The company is exposed to potential adverse effects from economic conditions, including downturns in the U.S. economy and market conditions, particularly in its primary markets of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough counties[302]. - The company faces risks related to market disruptions that could negatively impact loan performance and increase default rates, affecting its financial condition[303]. - The company anticipates that FDIC insurance premiums may increase significantly, which could reduce profitability and limit business opportunities[319]. - Changes in corporate tax rates could affect the value of the company's DTAs and may require a write-off of a portion of those assets[289]. Investment and Debt Management - The company has no limitations on incurring additional debt, which could increase financial obligations and risks associated with debt management[348]. - The company's ability to meet debt obligations depends on future operating performance and prevailing economic conditions, including inflation and interest rates[343]. - The company expects to redeem the senior notes by April 1, 2025, but the subordinated notes and debentures will remain outstanding[342]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had $60.0 million in senior notes with a 5.75% coupon rate maturing on June 30, 2025, $30.0 million in subordinated notes at 4.25% due March 15, 2032, and $64.2 million in junior subordinated debentures[342]. Shareholder and Ownership Structure - The company’s executive officers and directors own approximately 36% of the outstanding shares, potentially exerting significant control over corporate matters[330]. - The company is authorized to issue up to 250 million shares of Class A common stock, which could lead to dilution of existing shareholders' equity interests[336]. Performance Metrics - The company reported a net interest income increase to approximately $361.0 million in December 31, 2024, up from $336.0 million in December 31, 2023, primarily due to higher interest income and a 1.9% increase in total assets[731]. - The sensitivity analysis indicated that a 200 basis point increase in interest rates would result in a $24,427 thousand (6.8%) increase in earnings for December 31, 2024[729]. - The economic value of equity (EVE) analysis showed a decrease of 13.61% with a 200 basis point increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2024[734]. - The average duration of the investment portfolio increased to 5.2 years as of December 31, 2024, compared to 5.0 years in 2023, mainly due to lower mortgage-backed securities prepayments[738]. - The company measures potential changes in the market price of its investment portfolio, with a 200 basis point increase in interest rates resulting in a market value decrease of $150,674 thousand as of December 31, 2024[737]. - The interest rate sensitivity gap is negative $385,395,000 for less than one year, indicating potential exposure to interest rate fluctuations[743]. - Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap reaches $2,007,020,000, reflecting the company's long-term interest rate risk management[743]. - Earnings assets to interest-bearing liabilities ratio is 93.6% for less than one year, indicating a strong asset-liability management[743]. International Exposure - As of December 31, 2024, 24.1% of total deposits, amounting to $1.9 billion, were from residents of Venezuela, indicating significant exposure to international markets[325]. - The company’s total loan exposure to international markets was $40.7 million, or less than 1.5% of total loans, as of December 31, 2024[325]. Legal and Litigation Risks - The company faces risks of litigation and regulatory investigations that could lead to significant financial losses and harm to reputation[315]. - The company is subject to potential tax audits which may result in penalties or additional taxes, adversely impacting financial performance[313].