Amerant: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors

On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 23, 2026, Amerant (NYSE:AMTB) reported net income of $25.7 million as profit margins expanded. Leadership is cutting structural operating costs and clearing legacy nonperforming loans, or loans where borrowers stopped making timely payments. The bank is retooling its balance sheet to expand relationship-based lending across Florida and international markets.

Three things management said stand out.

1. Low-Cost Deposit Shifts Lower Funding Expenses Without Customer Defection

Amerant shifted $270 million of low-cost interest-bearing deposits into demand deposit accounts, which are standard zero-interest checking accounts, without losing accounts. Moving balances into zero-interest checking accounts lowers the bank's total funding costs, protecting net interest margin -- the gap between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits.

2. Active Credit Workouts Drop Nonperforming Loan Balances Across Portfolios

Resolving troubled debt frees up capital and restores underlying credit quality across commercial and real estate portfolios. Amerant shifted $270 million of low-cost interest-bearing deposits into demand deposit accounts, which are standard zero-interest checking accounts, without losing accounts.

Non performing loans continue to decline and classified balances also moved lower. We continue actively resolving criticized exposures while advancing workflow enhancements and automation of the credit approval process.
-- Carlos Iafigliola, President and Chief Executive Officer

3. International Relationships Provide Unique Source of Low-Cost Deposit Growth

Overseas clients give Amerant a distinct funding advantage over regional competitors, providing cheap deposits to fund domestic loans. While Venezuelan balances fluctuated due to local investments, non-Venezuelan international deposits increased by $87.3 million, or 12%.

Our international business remains a distinctive source of low-cost funding and an important platform for relationship growth.
-- Carlos Iafigliola, President and Chief Executive Officer

Looking Ahead

Earnings momentum is building as higher loan yields and disciplined deposit costs boost operating returns. Management is tracking the bank's efficiency ratio, which measures overhead expenses as a percentage of revenue, and aims to bring it down toward 60% over time.

From an expense perspective, we expect fourth-quarter non-interest expense to be approximately $68 million as we continue making progress toward a target efficiency ratio of approximately 60%.
-- Sharymar Calderon Yepez, Chief Financial Officer

A newly authorized $50 million share repurchase program gives executive leadership flexibility to buy back stock while maintaining solid capital reserves for future loan expansion.

We have a stronger foundation clear priorities and a disciplined execution plan. We are encouraged by the progress reflected in this quarter results and remain focused on converting that momentum into sustainable value for our shareholders.
-- Carlos Iafigliola, President and Chief Executive Officer

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