Amerant Bancorp Inc.

Amerant reported 2Q26 diluted EPS of $0.53 versus $0.44 in 1Q26. Net interest income was $82.6 million, up from $80.3 million, and net interest margin was 3.52% versus 3.55% in the prior quarter. Provision for credit losses was $4.8 million versus $7.8 million, noninterest income was $18.2 million versus $17.4 million, and noninterest expense was $68.9 million versus $66.9 million. ROA was 0.84% and ROE was 9.23%, compared with 0.73% and 7.63% in 1Q26. Total assets were $10.3 billion, total gross loans were $6.9 billion, and total deposits were $8.4 billion; cash and cash equivalents were $301 million. Nonperforming loans were $171 million, or 1.7% of total assets. CET1 was 11.94%. Guidance for 2026 calls for loans of approximately $7.3 billion by 4Q26, deposits of approximately $9.1 billion by 4Q26, NIM of approximately 3.50% for the remainder of the year, 3Q expenses in line with 2Q, and 4Q expenses of $66 million to $67 million.

Carlos Iafigliola framed the quarter as evidence that Amerant’s four strategic initiatives are starting to show up in results: credit transformation, operational efficiency, relationship-first banking, and growing the bank. He emphasized that the company is reshaping itself toward a more disciplined, relationship-driven, and profitable franchise, with stronger credit controls, more AI and process simplification, and continued focus on lower-cost funding. His tone was constructive and confident, while still stressing that more work remains.

Sharymar Calderon highlighted that the balance sheet grew with higher deposits and liquidity, with assets at $10.3 billion, loans at $6.9 billion, and deposits at $8.4 billion. She pointed to EPS of $0.53, NII of $82.6 million, NIM of 3.52%, and an efficiency ratio of 68.37%, noting that lower deposit costs and growth in lower-cost international deposits supported the margin. She also cited CET1 of 11.94%, $16 million of share repurchases, $3.6 million of dividends, and a new quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share. On guidance, she said loans should reach about $7.3 billion, deposits about $9.1 billion, and expenses should be $66 million to $67 million in 4Q26, with gross charge-offs expected in the 25 to 30 basis point range.

Analysts focused on how much of the unusually strong deposit growth would be redeployed into loans versus used to remix funding or pay down wholesale borrowings, and whether the bank would remain above the $10 billion asset threshold by year-end; management said they do expect to stay above $10 billion. Questions also centered on margin durability given the surge in low-cost deposits, and management said NIM guidance of about 3.50% reflects competitive loan pricing offsetting cheaper funding. On credit, analysts asked where underwriting had tightened, and management said the new sweet spot is around $30 million transactions, with growth mainly expected from C&I and selective residential lending while CRE remains more selective.