Amerant Cuts Q4 Deposit Forecast by $600 Million to $8.5 Billion

Amerant Bancorp Inc. lowered its fourth-quarter 2026 deposit target by $600 million to $8.5 billion and raised its net interest margin outlook, while leaving its loan goal unchanged.

The Coral Gables, Florida-based bank now projects about $7.3 billion in loans, $8.5 billion in deposits and a 3.65% to 3.70% net interest margin for Q4. Its July outlook called for $9.1 billion in deposits by the quarter and put the margin near 3.50% for the rest of 2026. The updated loan projection remains about $7.3 billion.

CFO Sharymar Calderón attributed the deposit revision to large commercial fund providers leaving and a changed expectation for the pace of international deposit growth. The revised $8.5 billion target remains above the bank’s $8.2 billion deposit balance at Sept. 30.

At the end of the third quarter, gross loans totaled $7.1 billion, up $207.8 million, or 3%, from Q2. Deposits declined by $109.6 million, or 1.3%, over the same period.

Third-quarter net income was $25.7 million, or 65 cents per diluted share, compared with $21 million, or 53 cents per share, in Q2. Net interest margin rose to 3.77% from 3.52%. The measure compares net interest income with average interest-earning assets.

The Q3 margin included $1.6 million in additional interest recorded after borrowers repaid loans that had previously been in nonaccrual status. Amerant President and CEO Carlos Iafigliola said stronger net interest income and disciplined expense management drove the quarter’s improved profitability.

The Q4 outlook also includes about $68 million in noninterest expense. Amerant is working toward an efficiency ratio of approximately 60%.