UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
For the transition period __________ to __________
Commission File Number: 001-38534
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | ||||||||
| (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A) | ||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol (s) | Name of exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ | ☒ | ||||||||||||||||
Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Outstanding as of April 28, 2022 | |||||||
| Class A Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share | ||||||||
1
AMERANT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2022
INDEX
| Page | ||||||||
Item 3 | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | |||||||
2
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| (in thousands, except share data) | (Unaudited) March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest earning deposits with banks | |||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Securities | |||||||||||
| Debt securities available for sale | |||||||||||
| Debt securities held to maturity | |||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | |||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock | |||||||||||
| Securities | |||||||||||
| Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value | |||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Loans held for investment, gross | |||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for loan losses | |||||||||||
| Loans held for investment, net | |||||||||||
| Bank owned life insurance | |||||||||||
| Premises and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest receivable and other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||||||||||
| Deposits | |||||||||||
| Demand | |||||||||||
| Noninterest bearing | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest bearing | |||||||||||
| Savings and money market | |||||||||||
| Time | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | |||||||||||
| Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank | |||||||||||
| Senior notes | |||||||||||
| Subordinated notes | |||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures held by trust subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Contingencies (Note 17) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
Class A common stock, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | ( | ||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity before noncontrolling interest | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
3
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Loans | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Investment securities | |||||||||||
| Interest earning deposits with banks | |||||||||||
| Total interest income | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||
| Interest bearing demand deposits | |||||||||||
| Savings and money market deposits | |||||||||||
| Time deposits | |||||||||||
| Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank | |||||||||||
| Senior notes | |||||||||||
| Subordinated notes | |||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures | |||||||||||
| Total interest expense | |||||||||||
| Net interest income | |||||||||||
| (Reversal of) provision for loan losses | ( | ||||||||||
| Net interest income after (reversal of) provision for loan losses | |||||||||||
| Noninterest income | |||||||||||
| Deposits and service fees | |||||||||||
| Brokerage, advisory and fiduciary activities | |||||||||||
| Loan-level derivative income | |||||||||||
| Change in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance | |||||||||||
| Securities gains, net | |||||||||||
| Cards and trade finance servicing fees | |||||||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Derivative losses, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Other noninterest income | |||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | |||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | |||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | |||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment | |||||||||||
| Telecommunication and data processing | |||||||||||
| Professional and other services fees | |||||||||||
| Advertising expenses | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| FDIC assessments and insurance | |||||||||||
| Loans held for sale valuation expense | |||||||||||
| Contract termination costs | |||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | |||||||||||
| Total noninterest expenses | |||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net income before attribution of noncontrolling interest | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | ( | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Amerant Bancorp Inc. | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
4
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | |||||||||||
| Net unrealized holding losses on debt securities available for sale arising during the period | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Net unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period | |||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for items included in net income | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
| Earnings Per Share (Note 19): | |||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
| Common Stock | Additional Paid in Capital | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) | Total Stockholders' Equity Before Noncontrolling Interest | Noncontrolling interest | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | Shares Outstanding | Issued Shares - Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of Class A common stock | ( | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock retired | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock issued | ( | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock surrendered | ( | ( | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock forfeited | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units vested | ( | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Amerant Bancorp Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling-interest shareholders | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional Paid in Capital | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | Shares Outstanding | Issued Shares - Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of Class B common stock | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock retired | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock issued | — | — | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock surrendered | ( | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
6
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||
| Net income before attribution of noncontrolling interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| (Reversal of) provision for loan losses | ( | ||||||||||
| Net premium amortization on securities | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | |||||||||||
| Change in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Securities gains, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Derivative losses, net | |||||||||||
| Deferred taxes and others | ( | ||||||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of advances from the FHLB, net | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and repayments of loans held for sale (at fair value) | |||||||||||
| Originations of loans held for sale (at fair value) | ( | ||||||||||
| Net changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest receivable and other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
| Purchases of investment securities: | |||||||||||
| Available for sale | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Held to maturity securities | ( | ||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | ( | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | ( | ||||||||||
| ( | ( | ||||||||||
| Maturities, sales, calls and paydowns of investment securities: | |||||||||||
| Available for sale | |||||||||||
| Held to maturity | |||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | |||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | |||||||||||
| Net (increase) decrease in loans | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from loan sales | |||||||||||
| Net purchases of premises and equipment and others | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
| Net increase in demand, savings and money market accounts | |||||||||||
| Net decrease in time deposits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank | |||||||||||
| Repayments of Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of subordinated notes, net of issuance costs | |||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock - Class A | ( | ||||||||||
| Dividend paid | ( | ||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock - Class B | ( | ||||||||||
| Common stock surrendered | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Beginning of period | |||||||||||
| End of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (continued)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information | |||||||||||
| Cash paid: | |||||||||||
| Interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes | |||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations | |||||||||||
| Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Noncash investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale (at fair value) transferred to loans held for investment | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
8
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
a) Business
Amerant Bancorp Inc. (the “Company”) is a Florida corporation incorporated in 1985, which has operated since January 1987. The Company is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHC Act”), as a result of its 100 % indirect ownership of Amerant Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”). The Company’s principal office is in the City of Coral Gables, Florida. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (“Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). The Bank has three operating subsidiaries, Amerant Investments, Inc., a securities broker-dealer (“Amerant Investments”), Amerant Mortgage, LLC (“Amerant Mortgage”), a 57.4 %-owned mortgage lending company domiciled in Florida, and Elant Bank & Trust, Grand-Cayman based trust company subsidiary acquired in November 2019 (the “Cayman Bank”).
The Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.10 per common share, is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AMTB”.
Restructuring Activities
The Company continues to work on better aligning its operating structure and resources with its business activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded estimated contract termination costs and related costs of approximately $4.0 million in connection with the implementation of the multi-year outsourcing agreement with a recognized third party financial technology services provider entered into in 2021. The Company expects to incur additional contract termination costs once existing vendor relationships are terminated in connection with the implementation of this agreement that cannot be reasonably determined at this time.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded severance costs of approximately $0.8 million (none in the three months ended March 31, 2021) primarily in connection of the reorganization of its business-generating units in the period. These costs are included in “salaries and employees benefits expense” in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Other restructuring expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 included legal and consulting fees of $1.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, mainly related to consulting services received in the period and other expenses.
Stock Repurchase Programs
In January 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 652,118 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $33.96 per share, under a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $50 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock authorized by the Board of Directors in September 2021 (the “2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program”). The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $22.1 million, including transaction costs. On January 31, 2022, the Company announced the completion of the 2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program.
9
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
On January 31, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program pursuant to which the Company may purchase, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $50 million of its shares of Class A common stock (the “New Common Stock Repurchase Program”). Repurchases under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program may be made in the open market, by block purchase, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Repurchases of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock (and the timing thereof) will depend upon market conditions, regulatory requirements, other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities and other factors as may be considered in the Company’s sole discretion. Repurchases may also be made pursuant to a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, which would permit shares to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or other regulatory restrictions. The New Common Stock Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of Class A common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. The Company repurchased an aggregate of 991,362 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $32.96 per share, under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program, through March 31, 2022. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $32.7 million, including transaction costs. As of April 26, 2022, the Company has repurchased an additional 168,190 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $30.11 under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $5.1 million, including transaction costs.
For more information about these repurchase programs, see Note 17 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Amerant Mortgage
On March 31, 2022, the Company contributed $1.5 million in cash to Amerant Mortgage, increasing its ownership interest to 57.4 % as of March 31, 2022 from 51 % as of December 31, 2021. This additional contribution had no material impact to the Company’s share of the results of operations of Amerant Mortgage for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
COVID-19 Pandemic
CARES Act
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized an outbreak of a novel strain of the coronavirus, COVID-19, as a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the economy, including lower interest rates, and resulted in the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).
10
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Loan Loss Reserve and Modification Programs
On March 26, 2020, the Company began offering loan payment relief options to customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including interest only and/or forbearance options. These programs continued throughout 2020 and in the first half of 2021. As of March 31, 2022, there were no loans under the deferral and/or forbearance options. At the December 31, 2021, there were $37.1 million of loans under the deferral and/or forbearance options. In accordance with accounting and regulatory guidance, loans to borrowers benefiting from these measures are not considered troubled debt restructuring (“TDRs”). See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), on March 4, 2022 (the “Form 10-K”) for more details on Loan Modification Programs..
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely restricted the level of economic activity in the U.S. and around the world since March 2020. At the outset of the pandemic, several states and cities across the United States, including the states of Florida, and Texas and cities where we have banking centers, loan production offices (“LPOs”) and where our principal place of business is located, implemented quarantines, restrictions on travel, “shelter at home” orders, and restrictions on types of business that may continue to operate. While most of these measures and restrictions have been lifted, and many businesses reopened, the Company cannot predict when circumstances may change and whether restrictions that have been lifted will need to be imposed or tightened in the future if viewed as necessary due to public health concerns. Given the uncertainty regarding the spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on the U.S. and global economies, the impact to the Company’s financial statements cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
b) Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
11
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
In the first quarter of 2022, noninterest expenses include $4.0 million of estimated contract termination costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider. Contract termination costs represent estimated expenses to terminate contracts before the end of their terms, and are recognized when the Company terminates a contract in accordance with its terms, generally considered the time when the Company gives written notice to the counterparty within the notification period contractually established. Contract termination costs also include expenses associated with the abandonment of existing capitalized projects which are no longer expected to be completed as a result of a contract termination. Changes to initial estimated expenses to terminate contracts resulting from revisions to timing or the amount of estimated cash flows are recognized in the period of the changes.
c) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Company adopted no new accounting pronouncements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022. There were no newly-issued accounting pronouncements that may be significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Issued and Not Yet Adopted
For a complete summary of accounting guidance, including new guidance on accounting for current expected credit losses on financial instruments (“CECL”), which is pending adoption by the Company, see Note 1 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s annual report on the Form 10-K.
In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘FASB”) issued amended guidance to expand and clarify existing guidance on fair value hedge accounting of interest rate risk for portfolios of financial assets. The amendments clarify, among others, the “last-of-layer” method for making the fair value hedge accounting for these portfolios more accessible. The amendment also improves the last-of-layer concepts and expands them to nonprepayable financial assets, allowing more flexibility in the structure of derivatives used to hedge interest rate risk. The amended guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The amended guidance is available for early adoption. The Company is in the process of reviewing this new guidance to determine whether it would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when adopted.
12
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
d) Subsequent Events
13
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
2. Interest Earning Deposits with Banks and Restricted Cash
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, interest earning deposits with banks are mainly comprised of deposits with the Federal Reserve and other U.S. banks of approximately $235 million and $241 million, respectively. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the average interest rate on these deposits was approximately 0.21 % and 0.12 %, respectively. These deposits mature within one year .
At March 31, 2022, the Company had restricted cash balances of $6.2 million. These balances include cash pledged as collateral, by other banks to us, to secure derivatives’ margin calls. In addition, we have cash balances pledged as collateral to secure the issuance of letters of credit by other banks on behalf of our customers. We had no restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2021.
3.Securities
a) Debt Securities
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized cost and approximate fair values of debt securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Gains | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt securities available for sale (1) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)As of March 31, 2022, includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of $669.1 million and $116.8 million, respectively, and fair value of $643.1 million and $111.6 million, respectively.
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Gains | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt securities available for sale (1) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)As of December 31, 2021, includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of $654.7 million and $123.5 million, respectively, and fair value of $661.3 million and $123.8 million, respectively.
14
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Company had investments in foreign corporate debt securities available for sale of $10.8 million and $12.5 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no
In the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, proceeds from sales, redemptions and calls, gross realized gains, gross realized losses of debt securities available for sale were as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales, redemptions and calls of debt securities available for sale | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Gross realized gains | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Gross realized losses | |||||||||||
| Realized gains, net on sales of debt investment securities | $ | $ | |||||||||
The Company’s investment in debt securities available for sale with unrealized losses that are deemed temporary, aggregated by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are summarized below:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except securities count) | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except securities count) | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company held certain debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. The Company believes these issuers present little credit risk. The Company considers these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and investment securities markets, generally, and not credit quality. The Company does not intend to sell these debt securities and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery.
Investments in corporate debt available for sale as of March 31, 2022 include securities considered “investment-grade-quality” primarily issued by financial institutions, with a fair value of $170.0 million ($43.4 million at December 31, 2021), which had total unrealized losses of $6.9 million at that date ($0.3 million at December 31, 2021); and securities considered “non-investment-grade-quality” from issuers in the mortgage, communications and technology industries, with a fair value of $36.7 million ($19.6 million at December 31, 2021), which had total unrealized losses of $1.6 million at that date ($0.6 million at December 31, 2021). Unrealized losses on corporate debt securities and municipal bonds are attributable to changes in interest rates and investment securities markets, generally, and as a result, temporary in nature. The Company considers these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired because the issuers of these debt securities are considered to be high quality, and generally present little credit risk. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell these investments before their anticipated recovery.
Debt securities held to maturity
Amortized cost and approximate fair values of debt securities held to maturity are summarized as follows:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Gains | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt securities held to maturity (1) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)As of March 31, 2022, includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of $83.4 million and $28.7 million, respectively, and fair value of $77.9 million and $27.6 million, respectively.
16
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Gains | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt securities held to maturity (1) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)As of December 31, 2021, includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of $89.4 million and $28.8 million, respectively, and fair value of $88.7 million and $30.4 million, respectively.
The Company’s investment in debt securities held to maturity with unrealized losses that are deemed temporary, aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are summarized below:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Contractual maturities
Contractual maturities of debt securities at March 31, 2022 are as follows:
| Available for Sale | Held to Maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Within 1 year | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| After 1 year through 5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| After 5 years through 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| After 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
b) Equity securities with readily available fair value not held for trading
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had equity securities with readily available fair value not held for trading with an original cost of $12.7 million and $0.3 million, and fair value of $13.4 million $0.3 million, respectively. These equity securities have no stated maturities. The Company recognized net unrealized gain of $0.7 million and net unrealized loss of $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to the change in market value these equity securities.
c) Securities Pledged
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $485.3 million and $142.8 million, respectively, in securities pledged as collateral. These securities were pledged to secure advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, public funds and for other purposes as permitted by law.
18
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
4.Loans
a) Loans held for investment
Loans held for investment consist of the following loan classes:
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||
| Loans to financial institutions and acceptances | |||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||
| Total loans held for investment | $ | $ | |||||||||
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, loans with an outstanding principal balance of $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure advances from the FHLB.
The amounts above include loans under syndication facilities of approximately $342 million and $373 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which include Shared National Credit facilities and agreements to enter into credit agreements with other lenders (club deals) and other agreements. In addition, consumer loans and overdrafts in the table above include indirect consumer loans purchased totaling $395.7 million and $297.0 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
International loans included above were $112.9 million and $99.6 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
19
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The age analysis of the loan portfolio held for investment by class, including nonaccrual loans, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are summarized in the following tables:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans, Net of Unearned Income | Past Due | Total Loans in Nonaccrual Status | Total Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Current | 30-59 Days | 60-89 Days | Greater than 90 Days | Total Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans to financial institutions and acceptances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans, Net of Unearned Income | Past Due | Total Loans in Nonaccrual Status | Total Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Current | 30-59 Days | 60-89 Days | Greater than 90 Days | Total Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans to financial institutions and acceptances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In January 2022, the Company collected a partial payment of approximately $9.8 million on one commercial nonaccrual loan with a carrying value of $12.4 million. Also, in January 2022, the Company charged-off the remaining balance of this loan of $2.5 million against its specific reserve at December 31, 2021.
20
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
b) Loans held for sale
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||
| Total real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | |||||||||||
| Total loans held for sale at the lower of fair value or cost | |||||||||||
| Loans held for sale at fair value | |||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||
| Total loans held for sale at fair value (1) | |||||||||||
| Total loans held for sale (2) | $ | $ | |||||||||
_______________
(1) Loans held for sale in connection with Amerant Mortgage ongoing business.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company completed the sale of approximately $57.3 million in loans held for sale carried at the lower of fair value or cost related to the New York portfolio, at their par value.
c) Subsequent Events
In April 2022, the Company completed the sale of one commercial non-accrual loan of approximately $5.8 million, at its par value.
21
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5.Allowance for Loan Losses
The analyses by loan segment of the changes in the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and its allocation by impairment methodology and the related investment in loans, net as of March 31, 2022 and 2021 are summarized in the following tables:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Real Estate | Commercial | Financial Institutions | Consumer and Others | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of the period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of loan losses | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans charged-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of the period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses by impairment methodology: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collectively evaluated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in loans, net of unearned income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collectively evaluated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
22
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Real Estate | Commercial | Financial Institutions | Consumer and Others | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of the period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans charged-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of the period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses by impairment methodology: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collectively evaluated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in loans, net of unearned income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collectively evaluated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following is a summary of net proceeds from sales of loans held for investment by portfolio segment:
| Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) | Real Estate | Commercial | Financial Institutions | Consumer and others | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
23
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of impaired loans as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded Investment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | With a Valuation Allowance | Without a Valuation Allowance | Total | Year Average (1) | Total Unpaid Principal Balance | Valuation Allowance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Average using trailing four quarter balances.
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded Investment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | With a Valuation Allowance | Without a Valuation Allowance | Total | Year Average (1) | Total Unpaid Principal Balance | Valuation Allowance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Average using trailing four quarter balances.
24
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Troubled Debt Restructurings
The following table shows information about loans modified in TDRs as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| As of March 31, 2022 | As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Number of Contracts | Recorded Investment | Number of Contracts | Recorded Investment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total (1)(2) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
______________
(1)As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, includes a multiple loan relationship with a South Florida customer consisting of CRE, owner occupied and commercial loans totaling $8.6 million and $9.1 million, respectively. This TDR consisted of extending repayment terms and adjusting future periodic payments which resulted in no additional reserves. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, this relationship included two residential loans totaling $1.4 million and one commercial loan of $0.8 million, which were not modified. During 2020, the company charged off $1.9 million against the ALL associated with this commercial loan relationship. The Company believes the specific reserves associated with these loans, which total $0.6 million and $0.8 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, are adequate to cover probable losses given current facts and circumstances.
(2)There were no new TDRs in the three months ended March 31, 2022. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were no TDR loans that subsequently defaulted within the 12 months of restructuring.
25
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Loans by Credit Quality Indicators
Loans by credit quality indicators as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are summarized in the following tables:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Risk Rating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonclassified | Classified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Pass | Special Mention | Substandard | Doubtful | Loss | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans to financial institutions and acceptances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Risk Rating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonclassified | Classified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Pass | Special Mention | Substandard | Doubtful | Loss | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans to financial institutions and acceptances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
27
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6.Time Deposits
7.Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding advances from the FHLB as follows:
| Outstanding Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year of Maturity | Interest Rate | Interest Rate Type | At March 31, 2022 | At December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 and after (1) | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company incurred a loss of $0.7 million on the early repayment of $180 million of advances from the FHLB. In April 2022, the Company repaid FHLB advances totaling $150.0 million which had no impact to consolidated results of operations.
8.Senior Notes
28
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
9.Subordinated Notes
On March 9, 2022, the Company entered into a Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Amerant Florida (the “Guarantor”), and qualified institutional buyers pursuant to which the Company sold and issued $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25 % Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due March 15, 2032 (the “Subordinated Notes”). Net proceeds were $29.1 million, after estimated direct issuance costs of approximately $0.9 million. Unamortized direct issuance costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the Subordinated Notes of 10 years.
The Subordinated Notes will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.25 % per annum, from and including March 9, 2022, to but excluding March 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including March 15, 2027, to but excluding the stated maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual floating rate equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which will initially be the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 251 basis points, with interest during such period payable quarterly in arrears. If the three-month SOFR cannot be determined during the applicable floating rate period, a different index will be determined and used in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Notes.
These Subordinated Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s current and future senior indebtedness. Prior to March 15, 2027, the Company may redeem the Subordinated Notes, in whole but not in part, only under certain limited circumstances. On or after March 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date, subject to the receipt of any required regulatory approvals. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor (the “Guarantee”). The Subordinated Notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital of the Company for regulatory capital purposes, and rank equally in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
The Notes were offered and sold by the Company in a private placement offering in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act. In connection with the sale and issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to take certain actions to provide for the exchange of the Notes for subordinated notes that are registered under the Securities Act and will have substantially the same terms.
29
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
10. Junior Subordinated Debentures Held by Trust Subsidiaries
The following table provides information on the outstanding Trust Preferred Securities issued by, and the junior subordinated debentures issued to, each of the statutory trust subsidiaries as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Amount of Trust Preferred Securities Issued by Trust | Principal Amount of Debenture Issued to Trust | Amount of Trust Preferred Securities Issued by Trust | Principal Amount of Debenture Issued to Trust | Year of Issuance | Annual Rate of Trust Preferred Securities and Debentures | Year of Maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercebank Capital Trust VI | 2002 | 3-M LIBOR + | 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercebank Capital Trust VII | 2003 | 3-M LIBOR + | 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercebank Capital Trust VIII | 2004 | 3-M LIBOR + | 2034 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercebank Capital Trust IX | 2006 | 3-M LIBOR + | 2038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercebank Capital Trust X | 2006 | 3-M LIBOR + | 2036 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
11.Derivative Instruments
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments were as follows:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Other Assets | Other Liabilities | Other Assets | Other Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third party broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate caps not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third party broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate lock commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forward contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts which the Company designates and qualifies as cash flow hedges. These interest rate swaps are designed as cash flow hedges to manage the exposure that arises from differences in the amount of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and the known or expected cash payments on designated debt instruments. These interest rate swap contracts involve the Company’s payment of fixed-rate amounts in exchange for the Company receiving variable-rate payments over the life of the contracts without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had five 64.2 64.2 0.2 0.9 million.
31
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
In 2019, the Company terminated 16 interest rate swaps that had been designated as cash flow hedges of variable rate interest payments on the outstanding and expected rollover of variable-rate advances from the FHLB. The Company is recognizing the contracts’ cumulative net unrealized gains of $8.9 million in earnings over the remaining original life of the terminated interest rate swaps ranging between one month and seven years . The Company recognized approximately $0.3
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest Rate Swaps
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had 115 and 109 interest rate swap contracts with customers, respectively, with total notional amounts of $682.4 million and $595.4 million, respectively. These instruments involve the Company’s payment of variable-rate amounts to customers in exchange for the Company receiving fixed-rate payments from customers over the life of the contracts without exchange of the underlying notional amount. In addition, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had interest rate swap mirror contracts with third party brokers with similar terms.
The Company enters into swap participation agreements with other financial institutions to manage the credit risk exposure on certain interest rate swaps with customers. Under these agreements, the Company, as the beneficiary or guarantor, will receive or make payments from/to the counterparty if the borrower defaults on the related interest rate swap contract. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had two 32.0
Interest Rate Caps
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had 20 and 19 interest rate cap contracts with customers with total notional amounts of $435.6 million and $432.0 million, respectively. These instruments involve the Company making payments if an interest rate exceeds the agreed strike price. In addition, at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had 10 and 9 interest rate cap mirror contracts, respectively, with a third party broker with total notional amounts of $187.0 million and $190.7 million, respectively.
In April 2022, the Company entered into 4 interest rate cap contracts with various third-party brokers with total notional amount of $140.0 million. These interest rate caps will serve to partially offset changes in the estimated fair value of interest rate cap contracts with customers at March 31, 2022.
Mortgage Derivatives
Since the second quarter of 2021, the Company has entered into interest rate lock commitments and forward sale contracts to manage the risk exposure in the mortgage banking area. At March 31, 2022 and December 31,2021, the Company had interest rate lock commitments with notional amounts of $88.9 million and $17.9 million, respectively, and forward contracts with notional amounts of $37.3 million and $16.5 million, respectively. Interest rate lock commitments guarantee the funding of residential mortgage loans originated for sale, at specified interest rates and times in the future. Forward sale contracts consist of commitments to deliver mortgage loans, originated and/or purchased, in the secondary market at a future date. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the change in the fair value of these instruments was $0.3
32
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the aggregate fair value of interest rate swaps in a liability position was $21.1 million and $21.4 million, respectively.
Some agreements may require pledging of securities when the valuation of a interest rate swap falls below a certain amount. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, in debt securities held for sale pledged as collateral to secure interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, with a fair value of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2021, there were $23.4 million in debt securities available for sale pledged as collateral to secure interest rate swaps with third-party brokers not designated as hedging instruments, with a fair value of $18.9 million. As of March 31, 2022, there were no collateral requirements related to interest rate swaps with third-party brokers not designated as hedging instruments.
12.Leases
The Company leases certain premises and equipment under operating leases. The leases have remaining lease terms ranging from less than one year to 44 years, some of which have renewal options reasonably certain to be exercised and, therefore, have been reflected in the total lease term and used for the calculation of minimum payments required. The Company had $0.4 million and $0.3 million in variable lease payments during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which include mostly common area maintenance and taxes, included in occupancy and equipment on the consolidated statements of income.
Lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Lease cost | |||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term lease cost | |||||||||||
| Variable lease cost | |||||||||||
| Sublease income | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total lease cost, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
Beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2022, rental income associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building is presented as a reduction to rent expense under lease agreements under occupancy and equipment cost (included as part of other noninterest income in 2021 in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building). In the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 rental income from this source was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had a right-of-use asset of $139.5 million and $141.1 million and an operating lease liability of $141.7 million and $143.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had a short-term lease liability of $6.0 million and $6.4 million, respectively, which were included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
33
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following table provides supplemental information to leases as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except weighted average data) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liability | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate for operating leases | % | % | ||||||||||||
The following table presents a maturity analysis and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2022 for the twelve months ended shown below and thereafter:
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| Twelve Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | $ | |||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| Total minimum payments required | ||||||||
| Less: implied interest | ( | |||||||
| Total lease obligations | $ | |||||||
34
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
13.Stock-based Incentive Compensation Plan
The Company sponsors the 2018 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2018 Equity Plan”). See Note 13 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements on the Form 10-K for more information on the 2018 Equity Plan, the Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Plan and stock-based compensation awards for the year ended December 31, 2021, including restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”).
On February 16, 2022, the Company granted an aggregate of 104,762 RSAs, 26,414 RSUs and a target of 26,415 PSUs to various executive officers and other employees under the LTI Plan. In addition, the Company granted 3,000 RSUs to one executive officer as a one-time recognition award, under the 2018 Equity Plan.
Restricted Stock Awards
The following table shows the activity of restricted stock awards during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
| Number of restricted shares | Weighted-average grant date fair value | |||||||
| Non-vested shares, beginning of year | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Vested | ( | |||||||
| Forfeited | ( | |||||||
| Non-vested shares at March 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
The Company recorded compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards of $0.7 million and $0.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total unamortized deferred compensation expense of $5.3 million for all unvested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2022 will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
35
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) and Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”)
The following table shows the activity of RSUs and PSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
| Stock-settled RSUs | Cash-settled RSUs | Total RSUs | Stock-settled PSUs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of RSUs | Weighted-average grant date fair value | Number of RSUs | Weighted-average grant date fair value | Number of RSUs | Weighted-average grant date fair value | Number of PSUs | Weighted-average grant date fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-vested, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company recorded compensation expense related to RSUs and PSUs of $0.5 million and $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total unamortized deferred compensation expense of $3.4 2.0 years.
14.Income Taxes
36
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive (loss) Income (“AOCL/AOCI”):
The components of AOCL/AOCI are summarized as follows using applicable blended average federal and state tax rates for each period:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Before Tax Amount | Tax Effect | Net of Tax Amount | Before Tax Amount | Tax Effect | Net of Tax Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on debt securities available for sale | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized holding gains on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges | ( | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (AOCL) AOCI | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The components of other comprehensive loss for the periods presented are summarized as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Before Tax Amount | Tax Effect | Net of Tax Amount | Before Tax Amount | Tax Effect | Net of Tax Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized holding losses on debt securities available for sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value arising during the period | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value arising during the period | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for net interest income included in net income | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive loss | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
37
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
16. Stockholders’ Equity
a) Common Stock
Shares of the Company’s Class A common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were 34,350,822 and 35,883,320
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the cancellation of all shares of Class A common stock stock repurchased in the first quarter of 2022. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no
Stock-Based Compensation Awards
The Company grants, from time to time, stock-based compensation awards which are reflected as changes in the Company’s Stockholders’ equity. See Note 13-Stock-based Incentive Compensation Plan for additional information about common stock transactions under the Company’s 2018 Equity Plan.
b) Dividends
On January 19, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock. The dividend was paid on February 28, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 11, 2022. The aggregate amount in connection with this dividend was $3.2 million.
On April 13, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock. The dividend is payable on May 31, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2022.
17. Contingencies
The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these proceedings will not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Financial instruments whose contract amount represents off-balance sheet credit risk at March 31, 2022 are generally short-term and are as follows:
| (in thousands) | Approximate Contract Amount | ||||
| Commitments to extend credit | $ | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | |||||
| Commercial letters of credit | |||||
| $ | |||||
38
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
18. Fair Value Measurements
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Third-Party Models with Observable Market Inputs (Level 2) | Internal Models with Unobservable Market Inputs (Level 3) | Total Carrying Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities available for sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government agency debt securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S treasury securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale (at fair value) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank owned life insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative instruments | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
39
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Third-Party Models with Observable Market Inputs (Level 2) | Internal Models with Unobservable Market Inputs (Level 3) | Total Carrying Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities available for sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government agency debt securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S treasury securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale (at fair value) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank owned life insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
40
Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The following tables present the major categories of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Carrying Amount | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Impairments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for investment measured for impairments using the fair value of the collateral | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate Owned | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale at the lower cost or fair value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Carrying Amount | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Impairments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for investment measured for impairments using the fair value of the collateral | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate Owned | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
| Financial Instrument | Unobservable Inputs | Valuation Methods | Discount Range | Typical Discount | ||||||||||
| Collateral dependent loans | Discount to fair value | Appraisal value, as adjusted | ||||||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivables | ||||||||||||||
| Equipment | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate Owned | Discount to fair value | Appraisal value, as adjusted | N/A | |||||||||||
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Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Collateral Dependent Loans Measured For Impairment
The Company measures the impairment of collateral dependent loans based on the fair value of the collateral in accordance with the provisions of ASC-310-35 “Impairment of Loans and Receivables.” The Company primarily uses third party appraisals to assist in measuring impairment on collateral dependent impaired loans. The Company also uses third party appraisal reviewers for loans with an outstanding balance of $1 million and above. These appraisals generally use the market or income approach valuation technique and use market observable data to formulate an opinion of the fair value of the loan’s collateral. However, the appraiser uses professional judgment in determining the fair value of the collateral or properties and may also adjust these values for changes in market conditions subsequent to the appraisal date. When current appraisals are not available for certain loans, the Company uses judgment on market conditions to adjust the most current appraisal. The sales prices may reflect prices of sales contracts not closed and the amount of time required to sell out the real estate project may be derived from current appraisals of similar projects. As a consequence, the fair value of the collateral is considered a Level 3 valuation.
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value
For loans held for sale that are carried at the lower of fair value or cost, the fair value is generally based on quoted market prices of similar loans and is considered to be Level 2.
Other Real Estate Owned
The Company values OREO at the lower of cost or fair value of the property, less cost to sell. The fair value of the property is generally based upon recent appraisal values of the property, less cost to sell. The Company primarily uses third party appraisals to assist in measuring the valuation of OREO. Period revaluations are classified as level 3 as the assumptions used may not be observable.
There were no
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair value of financial instruments where fair value differs from carrying value are as follows:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advances from the FHLB | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Amerant Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
19.Earnings Per Share
The following table shows the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||
| Net income before attribution of noncontrolling interest | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | ( | |||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Amerant Bancorp Inc. | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, potential dilutive instruments consisted of unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units totaling 526,755 (March 31, 2021 - 562,648 unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units). In the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 potential dilutive instruments were included in the diluted earnings per share computation because, when the unamortized deferred compensation cost related to these shares was divided by the average market price per share in those periods, fewer shares would have been purchased than restricted shares assumed issued. Therefore, in those periods, such awards resulted in higher diluted weighted average shares outstanding than basic weighted average shares outstanding, and had a dilutive effect in per share earnings.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of various factors related to Amerant Bancorp Inc.’s (the “Company,” “Amerant,” “our” or “we”) results of operations and financial condition and its wholly and partially owned subsidiaries, including its principal subsidiary, Amerant Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”). The Bank has three operating subsidiaries, Amerant Investments, Inc., a securities broker-dealer (“Amerant Investments”), Amerant Mortgage, LLC (“Amerant Mortgage”), a 57.4% owned mortgage lending company domiciled in Florida, and Elant Bank & Trust, a Grand-Cayman based trust company subsidiary (the “Cayman Bank”).
This discussion is intended to supplement and highlight information contained in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”), as well as the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on the Form 10-K.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Various of the statements made in this Form 10-Q, including information incorporated herein by reference to other documents, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to, the protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and condition, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, achievements, or financial condition of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance, achievements, or financial condition expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You should not expect us to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should be read together with the “Risk Factors” included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 in this Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “seek,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “consider”, “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “could,” “intend,” “target” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:
•Our profitability is subject to interest rate risk;
•We may be adversely affected by the transition of LIBOR as a reference rate;
•Our concentration of CRE loans could result in increased loan losses, and adversely affect our business, earnings and financial condition;
•Many of our loans are to commercial borrowers, which have unique risks compared to other types of loans;
•Our allowance for loan losses may prove inadequate or we may be negatively affected by credit risk exposures;
•The collateral securing our loans may not be sufficient to protect us from a partial or complete loss if we are required to foreclose;
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•Liquidity risks could affect our operations and jeopardize our financial condition and certain funding sources could increase our interest rate expense;
•Our valuation of securities and investments and the determination of the impairment amounts taken on our investments are subjective and, if changed, could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition;
•Our strategic plan and growth strategy may not be achieved as quickly or as fully as we seek;
•Nonperforming and similar assets take significant time to resolve and may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;
•We may be contractually obligated to repurchase mortgage loans we sold to third parties on terms unfavorable to us;
•Mortgage Servicing Rights, or MSRs, requirements may change and require us to incur additional costs and risks;
•We could be required to write down our goodwill and other intangible assets;
•We may incur losses due to minority investments in fintech and specialty finance companies;
•We are subject to risks associated with sub-leasing portions of our corporate headquarters building;
•Our success depends on our ability to compete effectively in highly competitive markets;
•Defaults by or deteriorating asset quality of other financial institutions could adversely affect us;
•Conditions in Venezuela could adversely affect our operations;
•The COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities to mitigate its spread have significantly impacted economic conditions, and a future outbreak of COVID-19 or another highly contagious disease, could adversely affect our business activities, results of operations and financial condition;
•Potential gaps in our risk management policies and internal audit procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risk, which could negatively affect our business;
•We may determine that our internal controls and disclosure controls could have deficiencies or weaknesses;
•Technological changes affect our business including potentially impacting the revenue stream of traditional products and services, and we may have fewer resources than many competitors to invest in technological improvements;
•Our information systems may experience interruptions and security breaches, and are exposed to cybersecurity threats;
•Many of our major systems depend on and are operated by third-party vendors, and any systems failures or interruptions could adversely affect our operations and the services we provide to our customers;
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•Any failure to protect the confidentiality of customer information could adversely affect our reputation and subject us to financial sanctions and other costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations;
•Future acquisitions and expansion activities may disrupt our business, dilute shareholder value and adversely affect our operating results;
•We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt, including the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes;
•We and Amerant Florida Bancorp Inc., the subsidiary guarantor, are each a holding company with limited operations and depend on our subsidiaries for the funds required to make payments of principal and interest on the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes;
•We may incur a substantial level of debt that could materially adversely affect our ability to generate sufficient cash to fulfill our obligations under the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes;
•Our business may be adversely affected by economic conditions in general and by conditions in the financial markets;
•We are subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities and adversely affect our earnings;
•Litigation and regulatory investigations are increasingly common in our businesses and may result in significant financial losses and/or harm to our reputation;
•We are subject to capital adequacy and liquidity standards, and if we fail to meet these standards, whether due to losses, growth opportunities or an inability to raise additional capital or otherwise, our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected;
•We will be subject to heightened regulatory requirements if our total assets grow in excess of $10 billion;
•The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support the Bank;
•We may face higher risks of noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations than other financial institutions;
•Failures to comply with the fair lending laws, CFPB regulations or the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, could adversely affect us;
•Our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries could affect our liquidity and our ability to pay dividends;
•Certain of our existing shareholders could exert significant control over the Company;
•If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common stock and trading volume could decline;
•The stock price of financial institutions, like Amerant, may fluctuate significantly;
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•We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding Class A common stock;
•Certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, Florida law, and U.S. banking laws could have anti-takeover effects;
•We are an “emerging growth company,” and, as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors;
•We may be unable to attract and retain key people to support our business;
•Severe weather, natural disasters, global pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, theft, civil unrest, government expropriation or other external events could have significant effects on our business; and
•The other factors and information in the Form 10-K and other filings that we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act and Securities Act. See “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Form 10-K. Because of these risks and other uncertainties, our actual future financial condition, results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations. You should not rely on any forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update, revise or correct any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by us or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, together with those risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K, in this Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.
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OVERVIEW
Our Company
We are a bank holding company headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. We provide individuals and businesses a comprehensive array of deposit, credit, investment, wealth management, retail banking, mortgage services, and fiduciary services. We serve customers in our United States markets and select international customers. These services are offered through the Bank, which is also headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, and its subsidiaries. Fiduciary, investment, wealth management and mortgage lending services are provided by the Bank’s securities broker-dealer, Amerant Investments, the Bank’s Grand-Cayman based trust company subsidiary, the Cayman Bank, and the mortgage company, Amerant Mortgage LLC. The Bank’s primary markets are South Florida, where we are headquartered and operate seventeen banking centers in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and Houston, Texas, where we have seven banking centers that serve the nearby areas of Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend and Waller counties. In addition, we have an LPO in Tampa, Florida.
Business Developments
For more information on the progress of these initiatives in 2021, see Item 1. Business section in the Form 10-K.
Amerant Mortgage
On March 31, 2022, the Company contributed $1.5 million in cash to Amerant Mortgage, increasing its ownership interest to 57.4% as of March 31, 2022 from 51% as of December 31, 2021. This additional contribution had no material impact to the Company’s share of the results of operations of Amerant Mortgage for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
USDF Consortium
In February 2022, the Company was admitted to the USDF Consortium, a membership-based association of FDIC-insured banks whose mission is to further the adoption and interoperability of a bank-minted tokenized deposit (USDF™), aimed at facilitating the compliant transfer of value on the blockchain, removing friction in the financial system and unlocking the financial opportunities that blockchain and digital transactions can provide to a greater network of users. Amerant is taking one step forward toward unlocking the financial opportunities that blockchain and digital transactions can provide to a greater network of users.
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Progress on Near and Long-Term Initiatives
The Company is dedicated to finding new ways to increase efficiencies and profitable growth across the Company while simultaneously providing an enhanced banking experience for customers. Below is the detail of actions taken by the Company in the first three months of 2022 to achieve these goals:
Growing our core deposits. Seizing opportunities in the markets we serve to increase our share of consumer, small business, and commercial core deposits while reducing our reliance on brokered funds. We have identified a few ways to better target and attract these core deposits, including implementing/enhancing a completely digital onboarding platform, building out our treasury management sales force and adding additional treasury management capabilities, focusing our marketing to drive additional digital and in-branch traffic, as well as targeting other sources of deposits such as municipal accounts and wealth management.
We have continued working on implementing/enhancing a completely digital onboarding platform. In the first quarter of 2022, we made additions to the treasury management and private banking teams which contributed to increasing deposit levels. We have seen improvement in three key measures since the end of last year: the average cost of total deposits decreased to 0.38% in March 31, 2022 from 0.41% in December 31, 2021; non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits ratio was 23.2% at March 31, 2022 compared to 21.5% at December 31, 2021; and the ratio of brokered deposits to total deposits decreased slightly to 6.1% at March 31, 2022 compared to 6.9% at December 31, 2021.
Accelerating our digital transformation. Over the past several quarters we ramped up our digital efforts with the rollout of nCino and Salesforce and the introduction of Amerant Investments Mobile and are now focused on evaluating digital solutions in several key areas, including deposit account acquisition, small business lending and wealth management. FIS, Numerated, Marstone, Alloy and ClickSWITCH® implementations are all in progress. See details on all progress in Item 1. Business section of the Form 10-K.
Improving Amerant's brand awareness. Since the beginning of 2021, we have been ramping up our efforts to build brand awareness in the communities we serve, including improved signage and promotions as well as developing affinity relationships and increasing our community involvement. In this area, many improvements have taken place or are underway, including the enhancement of our branch and ATM signage, rolling out new and improved branded items and significantly increasing public and media relations.
In the first quarter of 2022, we announced a new, multi-year partnership with the University of Miami’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, making Amerant the official “Hometown Bank” of the Miami Hurricanes. We continue to leverage local partnerships and impactful campaigns, which included the partnership with the Florida Panthers of the NHL, out-of-home advertising and various campaigns via social media and public relations, to serve our community while meeting our strategic initiative to drive brand awareness.
Rationalizing our lines of business and geographies. We continued to evaluate our go-to-market strategy and implemented a new business organizational model, focused on consumer and commercial banking to drive performance in the geographies we serve. In the first quarter of 2022, we received approval from the OCC for a new location in Houston while permitting is underway on the new branch in downtown Miami . We also hired a new Head of Retail Banking and recruited a new market president for the Tampa LPO. Lastly, we have also entered a multi-year agreement to implement our equipment financing business, which will provide an efficient white label solution to drive sales and provide underwriting capabilities.
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Evaluating new ways to achieve cost efficiencies across the business to improve our profitability. Among other items, we will be looking at the pricing of our products and offerings, balance sheet composition, as well as the categories and amounts of our spending. The Company continued to work on better aligning its operating structure and resources with its business activities.
The Company continued to work on better aligning its operating structure and resources with its business activities. Effective January 1, 2022, there were 80 employees who moved from the Company to FIS® as a result of the Company’s transition to our new technology provider. In addition, other HR efficiencies were also implemented during the first quarter of 2022.
With respect to our balance sheet composition, during the first quarter of 2022, the Company repaid $180.0 million in short-term FHLB advances and borrowed $350.0 million in long-term advances. These events effectively increased the duration of financial liabilities under a scenario of an imminent increase in interest rates.
Optimizing capital structure. On March 9, 2022, the Company completed a $30.0 million offering of subordinated notes with at 4.25% fixed-to-floating rate and due in March 15, 2032 (the “Subordinated Notes”). The Subordinated Notes will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.25% per annum, from and including March 9, 2022, to but excluding March 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including March 15, 2027, to but excluding the stated maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual floating rate equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which will initially be the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 251 basis points, with interest during such period payable quarterly in arrears. If the three-month SOFR cannot be determined during the applicable floating rate period, a different index will be determined and used in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Notes. Subordinated Notes are presented net of direct issuance costs which are deferred and amortized over 10 years. The Subordinated Notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital of the Company for regulatory capital purposes, and rank equally in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 652,118 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $33.96 per share, under the 2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $22.1 million, including transaction costs. On January 31, 2022, the Company announced the completion of the 2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program. In addition, in the first quarter of 2022, the Company announced a new repurchase program pursuant to which the Company may purchase, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $50 million of its shares of Class A common stock (the “New Common Stock Repurchase Program”). In the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 991,362 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $32.96 per share, under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $32.7 million, including transaction costs.
We will continue to evaluate our capital structure and ways to optimize it in the future.
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”). In 2021 and throughout the first quarter of 2022, we focused on developing and furthering our sustainability strategy and approach to contribute meaningfully and support a more sustainable future for our stakeholders, including our investors, employees, customers, and community These efforts lead to the Company’s publication of its first annual ESG report in April 2022, demonstrating our commitment towards being a sustainable institution.
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COVID-19 Pandemic
CARES Act
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized an outbreak of a novel strain of the coronavirus, COVID-19, as a pandemic. For a more detailed discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic, see the Form 10-K.
Loan Loss Reserve and Modification Programs
On March 26, 2020, the Company began offering loan payment relief options to customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including interest only and/or forbearance options. These programs continued throughout 2020 and in the first half of 2021. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company ceased to offer these loan payment relief options, including interest-only and/or forbearance options. Loans which have been modified under these programs totaled $848.5 million as of March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, there were no loans under the deferral and/or forbearance options. At December 31, 2021, there were $37.1 million of loans under the deferral and/or forbearance options consisting of two CRE retail loans in New York. During the first quarter of 2022, the renewals of those two CRE retail loans in New York were completed. All loans that have moved out of forbearance status have resumed regular payments, except for one CRE loan of $12.1 million that was transferred to OREO during the third quarter of 2021. In accordance with accounting and regulatory guidance, loans to borrowers benefiting from these measures are not considered TDRs. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” included in the Form 10-K for more details on the $12.1 million loan transferred to OREO in 2021.
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Primary Factors Used to Evaluate Our Business
Results of Operations. In addition to net income or loss, the primary factors we use to evaluate and manage our results of operations include net interest income, noninterest income and expenses, and indicators of financial performance including return on assets (“ROA”) and return on equity (“ ROE”).
Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents interest income less interest expense. We generate interest income from interest, dividends and fees received on interest-earning assets, including loans and investment securities we own. We incur interest expense from interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, including interest-bearing deposits, and borrowings such as FHLB advances and other borrowings such as repurchase agreements, notes, debentures and other funding sources we may have from time to time. Net interest income typically is the most significant contributor to our revenues and net income. To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor: (i) yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets; (ii) the costs of our deposits and other funding sources; (iii) our net interest spread; (iv) our net interest margin, or NIM; and (v) our provisions for loan losses. Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. NIM is calculated by dividing net interest income for the period by average interest-earning assets during that same period. Because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and stockholders’ equity, also fund interest-earning assets, NIM includes the benefit of these noninterest-bearing sources of funds. Non-refundable loan origination fees, net of direct costs of originating loans, as well as premiums or discounts paid on loan purchases, are deferred and recognized over the life of the related loan as an adjustment to interest income in accordance with GAAP.
Changes in market interest rates and the interest we earn on interest-earning assets, or which we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volumes and the types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity, usually have the largest impact on periodic changes in our net interest spread, NIM and net interest income. We measure net interest income before and after the provision for loan losses.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income consists of, among other revenue streams: (i) service fees on deposit accounts; (ii) income from brokerage, advisory and fiduciary activities; (iii) benefits from and changes in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance, or BOLI, policies; (iv) card and trade finance servicing fees; (v) securities gains or losses; (vi) net gains and losses on early extinguishment of FHLB advances; (vii) income from derivative transaction with customers, (viii) derivatives gains or losses, (ix) gains or losses on the sale of properties, and (x) other noninterest income.
Our income from service fees on deposit accounts is affected primarily by the volume, growth and mix of deposits we hold and volume of transactions initiated by customers (i.e. wire transfers). These are affected by prevailing market pricing of deposit services, interest rates, our marketing efforts and other factors.
Our income from brokerage, advisory and fiduciary activities consists of brokerage commissions related to our customers’ trading volume, fiduciary and investment advisory fees generally based on a percentage of the average value of assets under management and custody (“AUM”), and account administrative services and ancillary fees during the contractual period.
Income from changes in the cash surrender value of our BOLI policies represents the amounts that may be realized under the contracts with the insurance carriers, which are nontaxable.
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Interchange fees, other fees and revenue sharing are recognized when earned. Trade finance servicing fees, which primarily include commissions on letters of credit, are generally recognized over the service period on a straight line basis. Card servicing fees include credit and debit card interchange fees and other fees. We have also entered into referral arrangements with recognized U.S.-based card issuers, which permit us to serve our customers and earn referral fees and share interchange revenue without exposure to credit risk.
Our gains and losses on sales of securities are derived from sales from our securities portfolio and are primarily dependent on changes in U.S. Treasury interest rates and asset liability management activities. Generally, as U.S. Treasury rates increase, our securities portfolio decreases in market value, and as U.S. Treasury rates decrease, our securities portfolio increases in value. We also recognize unrealized gains or losses on changes in the valuation of marketable equity securities not held for trading.
Our gains or losses on sales of property and equipment are recorded at the date of the sale and presented as other noninterest income or expense in the period they occur.
Our fee income generated on customer interest rate swaps and other loan level derivatives are primarily dependent on volume of transactions complete with customers and are included in noninterest income.
In the first quarter of 2022, our derivatives losses were derived from change in market value of uncovered interest rate caps with clients.
Mortgage banking income related to Amerant Mortgage, which commenced operations in May 2021, is included as part of other noninterest income.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense consists of: (i) salaries and employee benefits; (ii) occupancy and equipment expenses; (iii) professional and other services fees; (iv) FDIC deposit and business insurance assessments and premiums; (v) telecommunication and data processing expenses; (vi) depreciation and amortization; (vii) advertising and marketing expenses, and (viii) other operating expenses. In addition, in the first quarter of 2022, noninterest expenses include $4.0 million of estimated contract termination costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider, and $0.5 million in a valuation allowance expense derived from our NY loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Noninterest expenses generally increase as our business grows and whenever necessary to implement or enhance policies and procedures for regulatory compliance, and other purposes.
Salaries and employee benefits include compensation (including severance expenses), employee benefits and employer tax expenses for our personnel. Salaries and employee benefits are partially offset by costs directly related to the origination of loans, which are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as adjustments to interest income in accordance with GAAP.
Occupancy expense includes lease expense on our leased properties and other occupancy-related expenses. Equipment expense includes furniture, fixtures and equipment related expenses. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, rental income associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building is included as a reduction to rent expense under lease agreements under occupancy and equipment cost. Prior to 2022, rental income in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building is included as part of other noninterest income.
Professional and other services fees include legal, accounting and consulting fees, card processing fees, director’s fees, regulatory agency fees, such as OCC examination fees, and other fees related to our business operations. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, professional fees include expenses associated with the outsourcing of our internal audit function which began in the second quarter of 2021.
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Contract termination costs represent estimated expenses to terminate contracts before the end of their terms, and are recognized when the Company terminates a contract in accordance with its terms, generally considered the time when the Company gives written notice to the counterparty within the notification period contractually established. Contract termination costs also include expenses associated with the abandonment of existing capitalized projects which are no longer expected to be completed as a result of a contract termination. Changes to initial estimated expenses to terminate contracts resulting from revisions to timing or the amount of estimated cash flows are recognized in the period of the changes.
Advertising expenses include the costs of promoting the Amerant brand, as well as the costs associated with promoting the Company’s products and services. to create positive awareness, or consideration to buy the Company’s products and services. These costs include expenses to produce, deliver and communicate advertisements using available media and technologies, primarily streaming and other digital advertising platforms. Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred, except for media production costs which are expensed upon the first airing of the advertisement.
FDIC deposit and business insurance assessments and premiums include deposit insurance, net of any credits applied against these premiums, corporate liability and other business insurance premiums.
Telecommunication and data processing expenses include expenses paid to our third-party data processing system providers and other telecommunication and data service providers.
Depreciation and amortization expense includes the value associated with the depletion of the value on our owned properties and equipment, including leasehold improvements made to our leased properties.
Other operating expenses include community engagement and other operational expenses. Other operating expenses are partially offset by other operating expenses directly related to the origination of loans, which are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as adjustments to interest income in accordance with GAAP.
Noninterest expenses in the first quarter of 2022 include additional salaries and employee benefits, mortgage lending costs and professional and other service fees in connection with Amerant Mortgage’s ongoing business.
Noninterest expenses generally increase as our business grows and whenever necessary to implement or enhance policies and procedures for regulatory compliance, and other purposes. We had restructuring expenses of approximately $6.1 million and $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, restructuring expenses included: (i) $4.0 million of estimated contract termination costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider; (ii) $1.2 million of legal and consulting fees; (iii) $0.8 million of staff reduction costs and other non-recurring expenses. In the three months ended March 31, 2021 restructuring expenses mainly consisted of staff reduction costs of $0.2 million. Restructuring expenses are those incurred for actions designed to implement the Company’s strategic initiatives. These actions include, but are not limited to reductions in workforce, streamlining operational processes, promoting the Amerant brand, implementation of new technology system applications, enhanced sales tools and training, expanded product offerings and improved customer analytics to identify opportunities.
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Primary Factors Used to Evaluate Our Financial Condition
The primary factors we use to evaluate and manage our financial condition include asset quality, capital and liquidity.
Asset Quality. We manage the diversification and quality of our assets based upon factors that include the level, distribution and risks in each category of assets. Problem assets may be categorized as classified, delinquent, nonaccrual, nonperforming and restructured assets. We also manage the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses (“ALL”), the diversification and quality of loan and investment portfolios, the extent of counterparty risks, credit risk concentrations and other factors.
We review and update our ALL for loan loss model annually or more frequently if needed, to better reflect our loan volumes, and credit and economic conditions in our markets. The model may differ among our loan segments to reflect their different asset types, and includes qualitative factors, which are updated semi-annually, based on the type of loan.
Capital. Financial institution regulators have established minimum capital ratios for banks and bank holding companies. We manage capital based upon factors that include: (i) the level and quality of capital and our overall financial condition; (ii) the trend and volume of problem assets; (iii) the adequacy of reserves; (iv) the level and quality of earnings; (v) the risk exposures in our balance sheet under various scenarios, including stressed conditions; (vi) the Tier 1 capital ratio, the total capital ratio, the Tier 1 leverage ratio, and the CET1 capital ratio; and (vii) other factors, including market conditions.
Liquidity. Our deposit base consists primarily of personal and commercial accounts maintained by individuals and businesses in our primary markets and select international core depositors. The Company is focused on relationship-driven core deposits. In 2021, we changed our definition of core deposits to better align its presentation with the Company’s internal monitoring and overall liquidity strategy. Under this new definition, core deposits consist of total deposits excluding all time deposits. In prior periods, the Company used the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (the “FFIEC”) Uniform Bank Performance Report (the “UBPR”) definition of “core deposits,” which exclude brokered time deposits and retail time deposits of more than $250,000. See “Core Deposits” discussion for more details.
We manage liquidity based upon factors that include the amount of core deposit relationships as a percentage of total deposits, the level of diversification of our funding sources, the allocation and amount of our deposits among deposit types, the short-term funding sources used to fund assets, the amount of non-deposit funding used to fund assets, the availability of unused funding sources, off-balance sheet obligations, the amount of cash and liquid securities we hold, the availability of assets readily convertible into cash without undue loss, the characteristics and maturities of our assets when compared to the characteristics of our liabilities and other factors.
Seasonality. Our loan production, generally, is subject to seasonality, with the lowest volume typically in the first quarter of each year.
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Summary Results
The summary results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 include the following:
•Net income attributable to the Company was $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, up 10.3% from $14.5 million in the first quarter of 2021.
•Net Interest Income (“NII”) was $55.6 million, up 17.0% from $47.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.18% in the first quarter of 2022, up 52 basis points from 2.66% in the first quarter of 2021.
•The Company released $10.0 million from the allowance for loan losses during the first quarter of 2022. No provision for loan losses was recorded in the first quarter of 2021. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment was 1% as of March 31, 2022, compared to 1.93% as of March 31, 2021. The ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans held for investment in the first quarter of 2022 was 0.29% compared to zero net charge offs in the first quarter of 2021.
•Non-interest income was $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, slightly down 1.0% from $14.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.
•Non-interest expense was $60.8 million, up 39.4% from $43.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, as the first quarter of 2022 included $6.6 million in non-recurring charges, inclusive of $4.0 million on estimated contract termination costs.
•The efficiency ratio was 87.3% in the first quarter of 2022 and 70.7% in the first quarter of 2021.
•Total gross loans, including loans held for sale, were $5.72 billion at the close of the first quarter of 2022, up $153.6 million, or 2.8%, compared to the close of the fourth quarter of 2021. Total deposits were $5.69 billion at the close of the first quarter of 2022, up by $60.8 million, or 1.08%, compared to the close of the fourth quarter of 2021.
•Stockholders’ book value per common share attributable to the Company was $21.82 at March 31, 2022, compared to $23.18 at December 31, 2021. Tangible book value per common share was $21.15 as of March 31, 2022, compared to $22.55 at December 31, 2021. See “Tangible Common Equity and Tangible Book Value Per Common Share” for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.
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Results of Operations - Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Net income
The table below sets forth certain results of operations data for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages) | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 55,645 | $ | 47,569 | $ | 8,076 | 17.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| (Reversal of) provision for loan losses | (10,000) | — | (10,000) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after (reversal of) provision for loan losses | 65,645 | 47,569 | 18,076 | 38.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 14,025 | 14,163 | (138) | (1.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 60,818 | 43,625 | 17,193 | 39.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 18,852 | 18,107 | 745 | 4.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (3,978) | (3,648) | (330) | 9.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income before attribution of noncontrolling interest | 14,874 | 14,459 | 415 | 2.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | (1,076) | — | (1,076) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Amerant Bancorp Inc. | $ | 15,950 | $ | 14,459 | $ | 1,491 | 10.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.08 | 21.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share (1) | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.07 | 18.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, potential dilutive instruments consisted of unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units (consisted of unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the three months ended March 31, 2021). See Note 19 to our unaudited interim financial statements in this Form 10-Q for details on the dilutive effects of the issuance of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units on earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
NM - means not meaningful
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, net income was $16.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2021. The increase of $1.5 million or 10.3%, was mainly due to: (i) the $10.0 million reversal of loan losses in the three months ended March 31, 2022 (no provision or reversal of loan losses was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2021), and (ii) higher net interest income. These results were partially offset by higher noninterest expenses and lower noninterest income. Net income excludes a $1.1 million loss attributable to a 49% non-controlling interest of Amerant Mortgage, which commenced operations in May 2021. The Company attributed a net loss of $1.1 million to the non-controlling interest on the basis of a $2.2 million net loss for Amerant Mortgage for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily derived from salary and employee benefits which are included in our consolidated results of operations. Beginning March 31, 2022, the minority interest share in Amerant Mortgage changed from 49% to 42.6%. This change had no material impact to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations as of and for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
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Net interest income was $55.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $8.1 million, or 17.0%, from $47.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. This was primarily the result of (i) higher yields on total interest earning assets, mainly loans and debt securities available for sale; (ii) lower average balance of time deposits and FHLB advances, and (iii) lower average cost of total deposits. The increase in net interest income was partially offset by lower average balance of total interest earning assets and higher average cost of FHLB advances. In addition, the three months ended March 31, 2022 include the additional interest expense associated with subordinated notes issued in March 2022. See “-Net interest Income” for more details.
Noninterest income was $14.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.0%, compared to $14.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. This was mainly due to a: (i) a decrease of $1.8 million, or 70.2%, in net gains on securities; (ii) derivative unrealized losses of $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 in connection with uncovered interest rate caps with clients, and (iii) a loss of $0.7 million on the early extinguishment of $180.0 million of FHLB advances in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in noninterest income was partially offset by record-high loan-level derivative income, deposit and service fees and other noninterest income. See “-Noninterest Income” for more details.
Noninterest expense was $60.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $17.2 million, or 39.4%, from $43.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. This was primarily driven by higher salary and employee benefits, professional and other service fees, advertising expenses and occupancy and equipment expenses. In addition, in three months ended March 31, 2022, noninterest expenses include: (i) $4.0 million of estimated contract terminations and related costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider, and (ii) a valuation allowance of $0.5 million resulting from the fair value adjustment of loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or fair value. These increases were partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization expenses and FDIC assessments and insurance expenses. See “-Noninterest Expense” for more details.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, noninterest expense included non-routine items of $6.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Non-routine items in noninterest expense include $6.1 million and $0.2 million of restructuring costs in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2022, non-routine items in noninterest expense include a valuation allowance of $0.5 million resulting from the fair value adjustment of loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or fair value.
Noninterest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2022 included additional salaries and employee benefits expense, mortgage lending costs and professional and other services fees related to Amerant Mortgage, which commenced operations in May 2021 and had 79 full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at March 31, 2022.
Net interest income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, net interest income was $55.6 million, an increase of $8.1 million, or 17.0%, from $47.6 million in the same period of 2021. This was mainly driven by: (i) an increase of of 34 basis points in the yield on total interest earning assets, mainly loans and debt securities available for sale; (ii) a decline of $464.7 million, or 7.8%, in the average balance of total interest bearing liabilities, mainly time deposits and FHLB advances, and (iii) lower average cost of total deposits. The increase in net interest income was partially offset by: (i) a decline of $157.7 million, or 2.2%, in the average balance of total interest earning assets, and (ii) higher average cost of FHLB advances. In addition, the three months ended March 31, 2022 include the additional interest expense associated with subordinated notes issued in March 2022. Net interest margin was 3.18% in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of 52 basis points from 2.66% in the three months ended March 31, 2021. See discussions further below for more details.
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During three months ended March 31, 2022, in light of the rising rate environment, the Company, actively managed the duration of its liabilities. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repaid $180.0 million in short-term FHLB advances and borrowed $350.0 million in longer-term advances to extend the duration of this portfolio and fix them at lower cost than previously borrowed funds. In terms of our deposits, we have adjusted only certain large commercial relationships given their rate sensitivity, however, most of the rates on transactional deposits remained fairly unchanged. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2022, we completed a private placement of $30 million of 4.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032. On the assets side, the Company continued looking for additional opportunities through indirect lending programs. Despite the Company’s asset sensitive balance sheet, the recent increase in market rates did not significantly impact our NIM as market rates changed closer to quarter end and overall funding costs were managed to stay low. As market rates are expected to continue to increase, the Company is positioned to benefit from this rate environment. Additionally, the Company continues to proactively seek to increase non interest bearing deposits and loan spreads to support NIM growth. See discussions further below for more details on the subordinated notes.
Interest Income. Total interest income was $65.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $4.8 million, or 7.9%, compared to $60.3 million for the same period of 2021. This was primarily driven by a 34 basis points increase in the average yield on total interest earning assets, mainly driven by higher yields on loans and debt securities available for sale. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $157.7 million, or 2.2%, in the average balance of total interest earning assets, mainly loans.
Interest income on loans in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $56.3 million, an increase of $3.6 million, or 6.8%, compared to $52.8 million for the comparable period of 2021. This result was primarily due to a 39 basis points increase in average yields, mainly attributable to higher-yielding consumer loans purchased throughout 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. In addition, there was an increase in prepayment penalties of $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year. The increase in interest income on loans was partially offset by a decline of $186.0 million, or 3.3%, in the average balance in the first quarter of 2022 over the same period in 2021, mainly attributable to loan prepayments, the sale and forgiveness of PPP loans and the sale of New York real estate loans. See “—Average Balance Sheet, Interest and Yield/Rate Analysis” for detailed information.
Interest income on debt securities available for sale was $7.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $0.9 million, or 13.6%, compared to $6.5 million in the same period of 2021. This was mainly due to an increase of 38 basis points in average yields, primarily on lower prepayments. This was partially offset by a decrease of $37.3 million, or 3.1%, in the average balance of these securities. The decline in the average balance was due to prepayments and decrease in carrying value due to market rates increasing throughout the quarter. As of March 31, 2022, corporate debt securities comprised 31.4% of the available-for-sale portfolio, up from 29.0% at March 31, 2021. We continue with our strategy to insulate the investment portfolio from prepayment risk. As of March 31, 2022, floating rate investments represent 17.5% of our total investment portfolio compared to 13.9% at March 31, 2021. In addition, the overall duration increased to 4.0 years at March 31, 2022 from 3.4 years at March 31, 2021, which was mainly due to lower expected prepayment speeds recorded in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio in light of rising interest rates.
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Interest Expense. Interest expense was $9.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 25.9%, compared to $12.8 million in the same period of 2021. This was primarily due to: (i) a decrease of $464.7 million, or 7.8%, in the average balance of total interest bearing liabilities, mainly time deposits and FHLB advances, and (ii) lower average cost of total deposits. This was partially offset by: (i) higher average cost of FHLB advances, and (ii) the additional interest expense associated with the subordinated notes issued in March 2022.
Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 37.1%, compared to $8.5 million for the same period of 2021, primarily due to: (i) a decline of $661.3 million, or 33.8%, in the average balance of time deposits, and (ii) a 23 basis points decline in the average rates paid on interest-bearing total deposits. These declines were partially offset by a higher average balance of total interest bearing checking and savings accounts. See below for a detailed explanation of changes by major deposit category:
•Time deposits. Interest expense on total time deposits decreased $3.1 million, or 41.8%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. This was mainly due to a decline of $661.3 million, or 33.8%, in the average balance, including a decrease of $153.4 million in the average balance of international time deposits. In addition, there was a decline of 19 basis points in the average cost on time deposits. The decline in the average balance of total time deposits include decreases of $360.5 million, $212.7 million and $88.1 million, in customer certificate of deposits (“CDs”), brokered deposits and online deposits, respectively. The decline in customer CDs reflects the Company’s continued efforts to aggressively lower CD rates and focus on increasing core deposits and emphasizing multiproduct relationships versus single product higher-cost CDs.
•Interest bearing checking and savings accounts. Interest expense on checking and savings accounts decreased $0.1 million, or 5.3%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period one year ago, mainly due to a decrease of 8 basis points in the average costs on money market deposits. This was partially offset by an increase of 4 basis points in the average costs on interest bearing demand deposit accounts. In addition, there was an increase of $321.8 million, or 11.4% in the average balance of total interest bearing checking and savings accounts in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, mainly driven by: (i) higher average domestic personal accounts, and (ii) an increase of $120.9 million, or 6.0%, in the average balance of international accounts, including increases of $76.8 million, or 4.5%, and $44.1 million, or 13.2%, in personal and commercial accounts, respectively. This increases in average balances were partially offset by a decline of $48.7 million in the average balance of third-party interest-bearing domestic brokered deposits in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared the same period in 2021, as the Company continued to focus on reducing reliance on this source of funding.
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Interest expense on FHLB advances decreased $0.3 million, or 10.0%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. This was mainly due to a decline of $133.0 million, or 12.7%, in the average balance on this funding source which includes the effect of the repayment of $235.0 million of FHLB advances in the second quarter of 2021. This was partially offset by an increase of 3 basis points in the average rate paid on these borrowings. In May 2021, the Company completed the restructuring of $285 million of its fixed-rate FHLB advances and incurred an early termination and modification penalty of $6.6 million which was deferred and is being amortized over the term of the new advances, as an adjustment to the yields. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recognized $0.5 million, included as part of interest expense resulting from this amortization. Additionally, in the three months ended March 31, 2022, we repaid $180 million in short-term FHLB advances and borrowed $350.0 million in longer-term FHLB advances. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” included in the Form 10-K for more details on the $285 million FHLB advances restructuring completed in May 2021.
On March 9, 2022, the Company sold and issued $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due in March 15, 2032. The Subordinated Notes will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.25% per annum, from and including March 9, 2022, to but excluding March 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, interest expense on these subordinated notes was $0.1 million. See “Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” in this Form 10-Q for more information on the Subordinated Notes.
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Average Balance Sheet, Interest and Yield/Rate Analysis
The following tables present average balance sheet information, interest income, interest expense and the corresponding average yields earned and rates paid for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The average balances for loans include both performing and non-performing balances. Interest income on loans includes the effects of discount accretion and the amortization of non-refundable loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, accounted for as yield adjustments. Average balances represent the daily average balances for the periods presented.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Average Balances | Income/ Expense | Yield/ Rates | Average Balances | Income/ Expense | Yield/ Rates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan portfolio, net (1)(2) | $ | 5,492,547 | $ | 56,338 | 4.16 | % | $ | 5,678,547 | $ | 52,771 | 3.77 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities available for sale (3) | 1,170,491 | 7,378 | 2.56 | % | 1,207,764 | 6,495 | 2.18 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities held to maturity (4) | 114,655 | 703 | 2.49 | % | 67,729 | 302 | 1.81 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities held for trading | 35 | 1 | 11.59 | % | 104 | 1 | 3.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | 1,301 | — | — | % | 24,225 | 84 | 1.41 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock | 51,505 | 546 | 4.30 | % | 63,781 | 625 | 3.97 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with banks | 259,225 | 132 | 0.21 | % | 205,355 | 51 | 0.10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 7,089,759 | 65,098 | 3.72 | % | 7,247,505 | 60,329 | 3.38 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest-earning assets less allowance for loan losses | 616,872 | 498,754 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 7,706,631 | $ | 7,746,259 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Average Balances | Income/ Expense | Yield/ Rates | Average Balances | Income/ Expense | Yield/ Rates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Checking and saving accounts - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing DDA | $ | 1,556,480 | $ | 290 | 0.08 | % | $ | 1,258,301 | $ | 113 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market | 1,253,293 | 734 | 0.24 | % | 1,236,026 | 966 | 0.32 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings | 325,121 | 11 | 0.01 | % | 318,800 | 14 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total checking and saving accounts | 3,134,894 | 1,035 | 0.13 | % | 2,813,127 | 1,093 | 0.16 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | 1,295,278 | 4,281 | 1.34 | % | 1,956,559 | 7,360 | 1.53 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 4,430,172 | 5,316 | 0.49 | % | 4,769,686 | 8,453 | 0.72 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advances from the FHLB and other borrowings (5) | 917,039 | 2,481 | 1.10 | % | 1,050,000 | 2,758 | 1.07 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | 58,934 | 942 | 6.48 | % | 58,618 | 942 | 6.52 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated notes | 7,451 | 88 | 4.79 | % | — | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures | 64,178 | 626 | 3.96 | % | 64,178 | 607 | 3.84 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 5,477,774 | 9,453 | 0.70 | % | 5,942,482 | 12,760 | 0.87 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing demand deposits | 1,199,264 | 925,266 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities | 231,088 | 93,450 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest-bearing liabilities | 1,430,352 | 1,018,716 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 6,908,126 | 6,961,198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 798,505 | 785,061 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 7,706,631 | $ | 7,746,259 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess of average interest-earning assets over average interest-bearing liabilities | $ | 1,611,985 | $ | 1,305,023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 55,645 | $ | 47,569 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread | 3.02 | % | 2.51 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (6) | 3.18 | % | 2.66 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of total deposits (7) | 0.38 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 129.43 | % | 121.96 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average non-performing loans/ Average total loans | 0.71 | % | 1.54 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_________
(1) Includes loans held for investment net of the allowance for loan losses and loans held for sale. The average balance of the allowance for loan losses was $67.5 million and $111.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The average balance of total loans held for sale was $137.7 million and $128 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(2) Includes average non-performing loans of $39.2 million and $89.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest income that would have been recognized on these non-performing loans totaled $0.5 million and $0.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(3) Includes nontaxable securities with average balances of $16.2 million and $54.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The tax equivalent yield for these nontaxable securities was 2.81% and 3.80% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022 and 2021, the tax equivalent yields were calculated by assuming a 21% tax rate and dividing the actual yield by 0.79.
(4) Includes nontaxable securities with average balances of $37.8 million and $56.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The tax equivalent yield for these nontaxable securities was 3.67% and 2.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022 and 2021, the tax equivalent yields were calculated by assuming a 21% tax rate and dividing the actual yield by 0.79.
(5) The terms of the FHLB advance agreements require the Bank to maintain certain investment securities or loans as collateral for these advances.
(6) Net interest margin is defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, which are loans, securities, deposits with banks and other financial assets which yield interest or similar income.
(7) Calculated based upon the average balance of total noninterest bearing and interest bearing deposits.
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Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses
Set forth in the table below are the changes in the allowance for loan losses for each of the periods presented.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 69,899 | $ | 110,902 | |||||||
| Charge-offs | |||||||||||
| Domestic Loans: | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate (CRE) | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential | (10) | — | |||||||||
| Commercial | (3,275) | (235) | |||||||||
| Consumer and others | (1,033) | (431) | |||||||||
| (4,318) | (666) | ||||||||||
| International Loans (1): | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential | (4) | — | |||||||||
| (4) | — | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-offs | $ | (4,322) | $ | (666) | |||||||
| Recoveries | |||||||||||
| Domestic Loans: | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate (CRE) | |||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | $ | 4 | $ | — | |||||||
| Single-family residential | 34 | 26 | |||||||||
| Commercial | 201 | 447 | |||||||||
| Consumer and others | 130 | 44 | |||||||||
| 369 | 517 | ||||||||||
| International Loans (2): | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 99 | 158 | |||||||||
| Consumer and others | 6 | 29 | |||||||||
| 105 | 187 | ||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | $ | 474 | $ | 704 | |||||||
| Net charge-offs | (3,848) | 38 | |||||||||
| (Reversal of) provision for loan losses | (10,000) | — | |||||||||
| Balance at the end of the period | $ | 56,051 | $ | 110,940 | |||||||
__________________
(1) Primarily from Venezuela customers.
(2) Includes transactions in which the debtor or the customer is domiciled outside the U.S., even when the collateral is located in the U.S.
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
The Company released $10.0 million from the ALL in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The ALL release in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily attributed to improved macro-economic conditions and loan upgrades, as well as payoffs and pay-downs of non-performing loans and special mention loans, partially offset by additional reserves requirements for charge-offs, loan growth and two loans downgraded to non-performing during the period. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses during the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to the decrease in reserves associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of improved economic conditions, and lower loan portfolio volumes, offset by downgrades primarily in certain commercial, owner-occupied and residential loans during the period.
The ALL associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at March 31, 2022 was $4.9 million compared $10.5 million as of March 31, 2021. This reduction in the ALL associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is the result of improved macro-economic conditions, while still taking into account the impact of supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and labor shortages prevalent in the current economic environment.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, charge-offs increased $3.7 million, or 548.9%, compared to the same period of the prior year. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, charge-offs included: (i) $3.3 million related to two commercial loans, including $2.5 million related to a nonaccrual loan paid off during the period, and (ii) an aggregate of $1.0 million in consumer loans. The ratio of net charge-offs over the average total loan portfolio held for investment was 0.29% in the first quarter of 2022. The Company had no net charge-offs in the three months ended March 31, 2021,
As of March 31, 2022, the loan relationship with a Miami-based U.S. coffee trader (“the Coffee Trader”) had an outstanding balance of approximately $9.1 million, unchanged from December 31, 2021. We continue to closely monitor the liquidation process. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” included in the 2021 Form 10-K for more details on the Coffee Trader.
During the first quarter of 2022, consistent with the Company’s applicable policy, the Company obtained independent third-party collateral valuations on all real estate secured non-performing loans with existing valuations older than 12-months, to support current ALL levels. No additional loan loss reserves were deemed necessary as a result of these valuations.
We continue to proactively and carefully monitor the Company’s credit quality practices, including examining and responding to patterns or trends that may arise across certain industries or regions. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company ceased to offer customized temporary loan payment relief options, including interest-only payments and forbearance options, which are not considered TDRs.
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Noninterest Income
The table below sets forth a comparison for each of the categories of noninterest income for the periods presented.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits and service fees | $ | 4,620 | 32.9 | % | $ | 4,106 | 29.0 | % | $ | 514 | 12.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokerage, advisory and fiduciary activities | 4,596 | 32.8 | % | 4,603 | 32.5 | % | (7) | (0.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan-level derivative income (1) | 3,152 | 22.5 | % | 232 | 1.6 | % | 2,920 | 1,258.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)(2) | 1,342 | 9.6 | % | 1,356 | 9.6 | % | (14) | (1.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cards and trade finance servicing fees | 590 | 4.2 | % | 339 | 2.4 | % | 251 | 74.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of FHLB advances, net | (714) | (5.1) | % | — | — | % | (714) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities gains, net (3) | 769 | 5.5 | % | 2,582 | 18.2 | % | (1,813) | (70.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative losses, net (4) | (1,345) | (9.6) | % | — | — | % | $ | (1,345) | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest income (5) (6) | 1,015 | 7.2 | % | 945 | 6.7 | % | 70 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 14,025 | 100.0 | % | $ | 14,163 | 100.0 | % | $ | (138) | (1.0) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
___________
(1) Income from interest rate swaps and other derivative transactions with customers. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred expenses related to derivative transactions with customers of $1.0 million which are included as part of noninterest expenses under professional and other services fees. We had no expenses associated with derivative transactions with customers in the three months ended March 31, 2021.
(2) Changes in cash surrender value of BOLI are not taxable.
(3) Includes: (i) net gain on sale of debt securities of $49 thousand and $2.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and (ii) unrealized gains of $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and unrealized losses of $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021, related to the change in fair value of marketable equity securities not held for trading.
(4) Unrealized losses related to uncovered interest rate swaps with clients.
(5) Includes mortgage banking revenue related to Amerant Mortgage of $0.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Other sources of income in the periods shown include income from foreign currency exchange transactions with customers and valuation income on the investment balances held in the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
(6) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, rental income associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building is presented as a reduction to rent expense under lease agreements under occupancy and equipment cost. In the three months ended March 31, 2021 rental income in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building is shown as part of other income.
N/M Means not meaningful
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Total noninterest income decreased $0.1 million, or 1.0%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021, mainly due to: (i) a decrease of $1.8 million, or 70.2% decrease in net gains on securities; (ii) derivative net unrealized losses of $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 in connection with uncovered interest rate caps with clients, and (iii) a loss of $0.7 million on the early extinguishment of around $180.0 million of FHLB advances in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in noninterest income was partially offset primarily by record-high loan-level derivative income and deposit and service fees.
Loan-level derivative income increased $2.9 million, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, mainly driven by a higher volume of interest rate swaps transactions with clients.
Deposits and service fees increased $0.5 million, or 12.5%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in commission income mainly due to annual card fees in the first quarter of 2022. In addition, we received higher wire transfer fees from increased activity in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Other noninterest income increased $0.1 million, or 7.4%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, mainly due to mortgage banking income of $0.8 million related to Amerant Mortgage in the three months ended March 31, 2022 (there was no mortgage banking income in the same period of 2021). Beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2022, rental income associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building is presented as a reduction to rent expense under lease agreements under occupancy and equipment cost (included as part of other noninterest income in 2021 in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building). In the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 rental income from subleases was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Amerant Mortgage continues to execute on its growth strategy. In the first quarter of 2022, Amerant Mortgage solidified its wholesale team and launched its construction loan program to help drive future revenues. Total mortgage loans held for sale were $17.1 million as of March 31, 2022, compared to $14.9 million as of December 31, 2021. On March 31, 2022, the Company increased its ownership interest in this operation from 51% to 57.4%, which had no impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Brokerage, advisory and fiduciary activities remained relatively flat in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year, as a decline of $0.1 million in brokerage fees was offset by an increase of $0.1 million in advisory fees.The increase in advisory fees is mainly the result of higher AUM in our client’s advisory accounts as we continue to expand the sale of these products. The decrease in brokerage fees was mainly driven by lower equity trading volumes.
Our AUM totaled $2.1 billion at March 31, 2022, a decrease of $91.7 million, or 4.1%, from $2.2 billion at December 31, 2021, primarily driven by lower market valuations, although the Company’s advisory portfolios performed relatively well compared to the overall market drop as the decrease in market value was partially offset by an increase of $12.1 million in net new assets in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Noninterest Expense
The table below presents a comparison for each of the categories of noninterest expense for the periods presented.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits (1) | $ | 30,403 | 50.0 | % | $ | 26,427 | 60.6 | % | $ | 3,976 | 15.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment (2) (3) | 6,725 | 11.1 | % | 4,488 | 10.3 | % | 2,237 | 49.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional and other services fees (4) (5) | 7,182 | 11.8 | % | 3,784 | 8.7 | % | 3,398 | 89.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Telecommunications and data processing | 4,038 | 6.6 | % | 3,727 | 8.5 | % | 311 | 8.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising expenses | 2,972 | 4.9 | % | 316 | 0.7 | % | 2,656 | 840.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (6) | 1,152 | 1.9 | % | 1,786 | 4.1 | % | (634) | (35.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FDIC assessments and insurance | 1,396 | 2.3 | % | 1,755 | 4.0 | % | (359) | (20.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale valuation expense (7) | 459 | 0.8 | % | — | — | % | 459 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract termination costs (8) | 4,012 | 6.6 | % | — | — | % | 4,012 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses (9) | 2,479 | 4.0 | % | 1,342 | 3.1 | % | 1,137 | 84.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expenses (10) | $ | 60,818 | 100.0 | % | $ | 43,625 | 100.0 | % | $ | 17,193 | 39.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
_______
(1) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, includes $0.8 million of severance expenses, mainly in connection with the restructuring of business lines and the elimination of certain support functions. There were no significant severance expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2021.
(2) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, includes $47 thousand related to the lease termination of a branch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2021.
(3) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, rent expense under lease agreements is presented net of rental income associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building. Sublease income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.7 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2021 rental income of $0.6 million in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building is shown as part of other income.
(4) In the three months ended March 31, 2022, includes additional expenses of $1.2 million, including (i) $0.8 million resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider; (ii) $0.2 million in connection with certain search and recruitment expenses, and (iii) $0.1 million of costs associated with the subleasing of the NY office space.
(5) Other services fees include expenses of $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 in connection with our loan-level derivative income generation activities. We had no expenses in connection with our loan-level derivative income generation activities in the three months ended March 31, 2021. See “Noninterest income” for more details.
(6) In the three months ended March 31, 2021, includes $0.5 million of depreciation expense associated with the headquarters building. No depreciation expense related to the headquarters building was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2022 as this property was sold and leased-back in the fourth quarter of 2021.
(7) Valuation allowance as a result of fair value adjustment related to loans held for sale carried at the lower of fair value or cost.
(8) Contract terminations and related costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider.
(9) Includes charitable contributions, community engagement, postage and courier expenses, provisions for possible losses on contingent loans, and debits which mirror the valuation income on the investment balances held in the non-qualified deferred compensation plan in order to adjust our liability to participants of the deferred compensation plan.
(10) Includes $3.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to Amerant Mortgage, primarily consisting of salaries and employee benefits, mortgage lending costs and professional and other services fees.
N/M Means not meaningful
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Noninterest expense increased $17.2 million, or 39.4%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. This was primarily driven by higher salary and employee benefits, professional and other service fees, advertising and marketing expenses, occupancy and equipment expenses and other expenses. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 noninterest expenses include : (i) $4.0 million of estimated contract terminations and related costs associated with third party vendors resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider, and (ii) a valuation allowance of $0.5 million resulting from the fair value adjustment of loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or fair value. These increases were partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization expenses and FDIC assessments and insurance expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $4.0 million, or 15.1%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period one year ago, mainly due to: (i) commissions paid primarily related to the sale of residential mortgage loan originations; (ii) higher equity variable compensation in connection with the long term incentive program launched in 2021 and continued in 2022; (iii) higher severance expenses primarily in connection with the restructuring of business lines and other one-time initiatives, and (iv) higher salaries and employee benefits in connection with new hires, primarily in Amerant Mortgage. These results were partially offset by decreases in salaries and employee benefits associated with the Company’s ongoing transformation and efficiency improvement efforts. At March 31, 2022, our FTEs were 677, a net decrease of 54 FTEs, or 7.4% compared to 731 FTEs at March 31, 2021. The 677 FTEs at March 31, 2022 include the new staff associated with Amerant Mortgage, which had 79 FTEs at March 31, 2022. In addition, as a result of the Company’s agreement with FIS, there were 80 FTEs who moved to FIS effective in January 2022.
Professional and other services fees increased $3.4 million, or 89.8%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year. This increase was mainly driven by: (i) higher expenses in connection with our loan-level derivative income generation activities (derivative transactions with clients); $0.8 million of consulting fees resulting from the Company’s transition to our new technology provider; (iii) higher expenses related to the onboarding of a new firm as a result of the outsourcing of the Company’s internal audit function, and (iv) higher search and recruitment expenses.
Advertising expenses increased $2.7 million, or 840.5%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year, mainly as a result of the Company’s efforts to build brand awareness as well as account opening campaigns and different market efforts to drive or increase digital and branch traffic. We continue leveraging local partnerships and impactful campaigns, including with the Florida Panthers of the NHL, through out-of-home advertising, and campaigns via social media and public relations. Most recently, Amerant Bank, together with University of Miami Athletics, announced a broad-based strategic partnership making Amerant Bank the Official “Hometown Bank” partner of the Miami Hurricanes. The partnership includes all University of Miami athletic programs.
Occupancy and equipment costs increased $2.2 million, or 49.8%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year. This increase was mainly driven by additional rent expense of $2.5 million associated with the headquarters building, as this property was sold and leased-back in the fourth quarter of 2021. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, rental income of $0.7 million associated with the subleasing of portions of the Company’s headquarters building is presented as a reduction to rent expense under lease agreements under occupancy and equipment cost. In the three months ended March 31, 2021 rental income of $0.6 million in connection with the previously-owned headquarters building is shown as part of other noninterest income.
Other operating expenses increased $1.1 million, or 84.7%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year. This includes increases in public relations/sponsorships expenses, new mortgage lending cost related to Amerant Mortgage and other smaller expenses.
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Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 35.5%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period last year. This was mainly due to the absence of depreciation expense related to the Company’s headquarter’s building, as this property was sold and leased-back in the fourth quarter of 2021. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded $0.5 million of depreciation expense associated with the headquarters building.
FDIC assessments and insurance expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 20.5%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period one year ago, mainly due to lower average balances and FDIC assessment rates.
Income Taxes
The table below sets forth information related to our income taxes for the periods presented.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except effective tax rates and percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | $ | 18,852 | $ | 18,107 | $745 | 4.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | $ | (3,978) | $ | (3,648) | $330 | (9.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 21.10 | % | 20.15 | % | 0.95 | % | 4.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, income tax expense increased to $4.0 million from $3.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. This was mainly driven by higher income before income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company’s net deferred tax assets were $22.1 million, an increase of $10.8 million, or 95.7%, compared to $11.3 million as of December 31, 2021. This was mainly driven by an increase of $13.4 million in connection with $53.0 million in net unrealized holding losses on debt securities available for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Financial Condition - Comparison of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
Assets. Total assets were $7.8 billion as of March 31, 2022, an increase of $167.4 million, or 2.2%, compared to $7.6 billion at December 31, 2021. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, total loans, including loans held for sale and net of the allowance for loan losses, increased $167.5 million, or 3.0%. See “—Average Balance Sheet, Interest and Yield/Rate Analysis” for detailed information, including changes in the composition of our interest-earning assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $276.2 million at March 31, 2022 from $274.2 million at December 31, 2021. At March 31, 2022, the Company’ cash and cash equivalents included restricted cash of $6.2 million, which was held primarily to cover margin calls on derivative transactions with certain brokers. There were no restricted cash balances at December 31, 2021.
Cash flows used in operating activities were $12.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily driven by a reduction in operating liabilities mainly as the Company paid amounts due from variable compensation plans and other liabilities during the period.
Net cash used in investing activities was $186.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, mainly driven by: (i) a net increase in loans of $204.5 million, and (ii) purchases of investment securities totaling $120.9 million. These disbursements were partially offset by: (i) proceeds from loan sales of $58.6 million, and (ii) maturities, sales, calls and paydowns of investment securities totaling $82.6 million.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $200.3 million. These activities included: (i) net proceeds of FHLB advances of $169.3 million; (ii) a net increase of $150.4 million in total demand, savings and money market deposit balances, and (iii) proceeds from the issuance of subordinated notes of $29.1 million. These proceeds were partially offset by: (i) a decrease of $89.6 million in time deposits; (ii) an aggregate $54.8 million in connection with the repurchase of shares of Class A common stock under repurchase programs launched in 2021 and in 2022; and (iii) $3.2 million of dividends declared and paid by the Company in the first quarter of 2022. See “—Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” for more details on changes in FHLB advances, issuance of subordinated notes and the stock repurchase programs launched in 2021 and 2022.
Loans
Loans are our largest component of interest-earning assets. The table below depicts the trend of loans as a percentage of total assets and the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans for the periods presented.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||
| Total loans, gross (1) | $ | 5,721,177 | $ | 5,567,540 | |||||||
| Total loans, gross / total assets | 73.3 | % | 72.9 | % | |||||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 56,051 | $ | 69,899 | |||||||
| Allowance for loan losses / total loans held for investment, gross (1) (2) | 0.99 | % | 1.29 | % | |||||||
| Total loans, net (3) | $ | 5,665,126 | $ | 5,497,641 | |||||||
| Total loans, net / total assets | 72.6 | % | 72.0 | % | |||||||
_______________
(1) Total loans, gross are outstanding loan principal balance net of unamortized deferred nonrefundable loan origination fees and loan origination costs, as well as unamortized premiums paid on purchased loans, excluding the allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $68.6 million and $143.2 million in loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, respectively, and $17.1 million and $14.9 million, in loans held for sale carried at fair value in connection with Amerant Mortgage ongoing business, respectively.
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(2) See Note 5 of our audited consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for more details on our impairment models.
(3) Total loans, net are outstanding loan principal balance net of unamortized deferred nonrefundable loan origination fees and loan origination costs, as well as unamortized premiums paid on purchased loans, net of the allowance for loan losses.
The table below summarizes the composition of our loans held for investment by type of loan as of the end of each period presented. International loans include transactions in which the debtor or customer is domiciled outside the U.S., even when the collateral is U.S. property. All international loans are denominated and payable in U.S. Dollars.
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Domestic Loans: | |||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate (CRE) | |||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,570,006 | $ | 1,540,590 | |||||||
| Multi-family residential | 540,726 | 514,679 | |||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | 296,609 | 327,246 | |||||||||
| 2,407,341 | 2,382,515 | ||||||||||
| Single-family residential | 638,788 | 586,783 | |||||||||
| Owner occupied | 927,921 | 962,538 | |||||||||
| 3,974,050 | 3,931,836 | ||||||||||
| Commercial loans | 1,051,484 | 942,781 | |||||||||
| Loans to depository institutions and acceptances (1) | 13,730 | 13,710 | |||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts (2) (3) | 483,283 | 421,471 | |||||||||
| Total Domestic Loans | 5,522,547 | 5,309,798 | |||||||||
| International Loans: | |||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential (4) | 68,806 | 74,556 | |||||||||
| Commercial loans | 41,721 | 22,892 | |||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts (5) | 2,404 | 2,194 | |||||||||
| Total International Loans | 112,931 | 99,642 | |||||||||
| Total Loans held for investment | $ | 5,635,478 | $ | 5,409,440 | |||||||
__________________
(1) Mostly comprised of loans secured by cash or U.S. Government securities.
(2) Includes customers’ overdraft balances totaling $0.7 million and $0.6 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(3) Includes indirect lending loans purchased with an outstanding balance of $395.7 million and $297.0 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of indirect lending loans includes unamortized premiums paid of $11.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
(4) Secured by real estate properties located in the U.S.
(5) International customers’ overdraft balances were de minimis at each of the dates presented.
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The composition of our CRE loan portfolio held for investment by industry segment at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is depicted in the following table:
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Retail (1) | $ | 768,278 | $ | 751,202 | |||||||
| Multifamily | 540,726 | 514,679 | |||||||||
| Office space | 366,347 | 361,921 | |||||||||
| Land and construction | 296,609 | 327,246 | |||||||||
| Hospitality | 246,816 | 241,336 | |||||||||
| Industrial and warehouse | 99,294 | 100,001 | |||||||||
| Specialty (2) | 89,271 | 86,130 | |||||||||
| Total CRE (3) | $ | 2,407,341 | $ | 2,382,515 | |||||||
_________
(1) Includes loans generally granted to finance the acquisition or operation of non-owner occupied properties such as retail shopping centers, free-standing single-tenant properties, and mixed-use properties with a primary retail component, where the primary source of repayment is derived from the rental income generated from the use of the property by its tenants. As of December 31, 2021, these balances were revised to exclude the Specialty industry segment which is now disclosed separately.
(2) Includes marinas, nursing and residential care facilities, and other specialty type CRE properties.
(3) Includes loans held for investment in NY portfolio, which were $303.7 million at March 31, 2022 and $346.3 million at December 31, 2021.
The table below summarizes the composition of our loans held for sale by type of loan as of the end of each period presented:
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | |||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 46,947 | $ | 110,271 | |||||||
| Multi-family residential | 20,796 | 31,606 | |||||||||
| 67,743 | 141,877 | ||||||||||
| Single-family residential | — | — | |||||||||
| Owner occupied | 1,306 | 1,318 | |||||||||
| Total real estate loans | 69,049 | 143,195 | |||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | 458 | — | |||||||||
| Total loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value | 68,591 | 143,195 | |||||||||
| Loans held for sale at fair value (1) | |||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | 836 | — | |||||||||
| Single-family residential | 16,272 | 14,905 | |||||||||
| Total loans held for sale at fair value | 17,108 | 14,905 | |||||||||
| Total loans held for sale (2) | $ | 85,699 | $ | 158,100 | |||||||
_______________
(1)Loans held for sale in connection with Amerant Mortgage ongoing business.
(2)Remained current and in accrual status as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021..
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In 2021, in connection with the closing of our former NYC LPO, the Company elected to market and sell a portion of the loan portfolio held for investment to shorten duration and significantly reduce the number of loans being serviced. Therefore, in 2021, the Company classified certain New York real estate loans as held for sale carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. These loans had been previously carried at their original cost. At March 31, 2022 these loans were $68.6 million, net of a $0.5 million valuation allowance resulting from their fair value measurement during the period, compared to $143.2 million at December 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company sold $57.3 million of these loans at their par value, and collected approximately $17 million in full or partial satisfaction of these loans.
As of March31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, CRE loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value include $28.0 million and $85.4 million in the retail segment, respectively, $20.8 million and $31.6 million in the multifamily segment, respectively, and $18.9 million and $25.0 million, in the office segment, respectively.
During May 2021, Amerant Mortgage started taking loan applications. It also acquired an Idaho-based mortgage operation which allows it to operate its mortgage business nationally with direct access to important federal housing agencies. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were $17.1 million and $14.9 million, respectively, of primarily single-family residential loans held for sale carried at their estimated fair value.
As of March 31, 2022, total loans, including loans held for sale, were $5.7 billion, up $153.6 million, or 2.8%, compared to December 31, 2021. Domestic loans increased $140.3 million, or 2.6%, as of March 31, 2022, compared to December 31, 2021. The increase in total domestic loans includes net increases of $108.7 million, or 11.5%, $61.8 million or 14.7%, and $53.4 million, or 9.1%, in domestic commercial loans, consumer loans and single-family residential loans. These increases were partially offset by a net decrease of $48.5 million, or 1.9% in domestic CRE loans. Excluding a decrease of $74.1 million in domestic CRE loans held for sale related to our New York loan portfolio, domestic CRE loans increased $25.7 million. These increases in domestic loans were primarily driven by loan origination efforts in CRE and commercial loans during the first quarter of 2022. In addition, the domestic loan growth was complemented with purchases of approximately $124 million under indirect consumer lending programs.
As of March 31, 2022, loans under syndication facilities, including loans held for investment and held for sale, were $358.4 million, a decline of $30.6 million, or 7.9%, compared to $389.0 million at December 31, 2021, driven mainly driven by the payoff of a $33.3 million CRE hotel construction loan in New York. As of March 31, 2022, syndicated loans that financed highly leveraged transactions were $18.0 million, or 0.3%, of total loans, compared to $17.1 million, or 0.3%, of total loans as of December 31, 2021.
Loans to international customers, primarily from Venezuela and other customers in Latin America, increased $13.3 million, or 13.3%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022, mainly driven by $18.8 million, or 82.3% increase in short term commercial loans. This was partially offset by a decrease of $5.7 million, or 7.7%, mainly due to residential loan payoffs from Venezuelan borrowers.
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Foreign Outstanding
The table below summarizes the composition of our international loan portfolio by country of risk for the periods presented. All of our foreign loans are denominated in U.S. Dollars, and bear fixed or variable rates of interest based upon different market benchmarks plus a spread.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Exposure (1) | % Total Assets | Net Exposure (1) | % Total Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela (2) | $ | 59,296 | 0.8 | % | $ | 64,636 | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other (3) | 53,635 | 0.7 | % | 35,006 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 112,931 | 1.5 | % | $ | 99,642 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
_________________
(1) Consists of outstanding principal amounts, net of collateral of cash, cash equivalents or other financial instruments totaling $38.0 million and $21.1 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(2) Includes mortgage loans for single-family residential properties located in the U.S. totaling $59.3 million and $64.6 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(3) Includes loans to borrowers in other countries which do not individually exceed one percent of total assets in any of the reported periods.
The maturities of our outstanding international loans were:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 1 year | 1-3 Years | More than 3 years | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 Years | More than 3 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela (1) | $ | 1,638 | $ | 4,186 | $ | 53,472 | $ | 59,296 | $ | 961 | $ | 4,987 | $ | 58,688 | $ | 64,636 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | 19,942 | 19,103 | 14,590 | 53,635 | 416 | 14,690 | 19,900 | 35,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (3) | $ | 21,580 | $ | 23,289 | $ | 68,062 | $ | 112,931 | $ | 1,377 | $ | 19,677 | $ | 78,588 | $ | 99,642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_________________
(1) Includes mortgage loans for single-family residential properties located in the U.S. totaling $59.3 million and $64.6 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(2) Includes loans to borrowers in other countries which do not individually exceed one percent of total assets in any of the reported periods.
(3) Consists of outstanding principal amounts, net of cash collateral, cash equivalents or other financial instruments totaling $38.0 million and $21.1 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
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Loan Quality
Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
In the following table, we present the allocation of the ALL by loan segment at the end of the periods presented. The amounts shown in this table should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in future periods will occur in these amounts or percentages. These amounts represent our best estimates of losses incurred, but not yet identified, at the reported dates, derived from the most current information available to us at those dates and, therefore, do not include the impact of future events that may or may not confirm the accuracy of those estimates at the dates reported. Our ALL is established using estimates and judgments, which consider the views of our regulators in their periodic examinations. We also show the percentage of each loan class, which includes loans in nonaccrual status.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance | % of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Held for Investment | Allowance | % of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Held for Investment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | $ | 12,362 | 42.2 | % | $ | 17,952 | 43.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 33,014 | 38.6 | % | 38,616 | 38.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial institutions | 41 | 0.2 | % | 41 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Consumer and others (1) | 9,448 | 17.0 | % | 11,762 | 15.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| 54,865 | 98.0 | % | 68,371 | 98.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| International Loans (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 405 | 0.7 | % | 363 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial institutions | — | — | % | 1 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Consumer and others (1) | 781 | 1.3 | % | 1,164 | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| 1,186 | 2.0 | % | 1,528 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Loan Losses | $ | 56,051 | 100.0 | % | $ | 69,899 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| % of Total Loans held for investment | 0.99 | % | 1.29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) Includes (i) unsecured indirect consumer loans (domestic) to qualified individuals purchased in 2022, 2021 and 2020; and (ii) mortgage loans for and secured by single-family residential properties located in the U.S.
(2) Includes transactions in which the debtor or customer is domiciled outside the U.S. and all collateral is located in the U.S.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the changes in the allocation of the ALL were primarily attributed to improved macro-economic conditions and loan upgrades, as well as payoffs and pay-downs of non-performing loans and special mention loans, partially offset by additional reserves requirements for charge-offs, commercial, CRE and consumer loan growth and two loans downgraded to non-performing during the period. During the first quarter of 2022, the ALL associated with the COVID-19 pandemic was reduced to $4.9 million as of March 31, 2022 from $14.1 million as of December 31, 2021. The reduction reflects improved macro-economic conditions, while still taking into account impact for supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and labor shortages prevalent in the current economic environment.
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Non-Performing Assets
In the following table, we present a summary of our non-performing assets by loan class, which includes non-performing loans by portfolio segment, both domestic and international, and other real estate owned, or OREO, at the dates presented. Non-performing loans consist of: (i) nonaccrual loans where the accrual of interest has been discontinued; (ii) accruing loans 90 days or more contractually past due as to interest or principal; and (iii) restructured loans that are considered TDRs.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Non-Accrual Loans (1) | |||||||||||
| Domestic Loans: | |||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate (CRE) | |||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 12,825 | $ | 7,285 | |||||||
| Multi-family residential | — | — | |||||||||
| 12,825 | 7,285 | ||||||||||
| Single-family residential | 2,766 | 3,349 | |||||||||
| Owner occupied | 10,770 | 8,665 | |||||||||
| 26,361 | 19,299 | ||||||||||
| Commercial loans (2) | 19,178 | 28,440 | |||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | 464 | 251 | |||||||||
| Total Domestic | 46,003 | 47,990 | |||||||||
| International Loans: (3) | |||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | |||||||||||
| Single-family residential | 951 | 1,777 | |||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | 4 | 6 | |||||||||
| Total International | 955 | 1,783 | |||||||||
| Total Non-Accrual Loans | $ | 46,958 | $ | 49,773 | |||||||
| Past Due Accruing Loans (4) | |||||||||||
| Domestic Loans: | |||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | 10 | 8 | |||||||||
| Total Domestic | 10 | 8 | |||||||||
| Total Past Due Accruing Loans | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | |||||||
| Total Non-Performing Loans | $ | 46,968 | $ | 49,781 | |||||||
| Other Real Estate Owned | 9,720 | 9,720 | |||||||||
| Total Non-Performing Assets | $ | 56,688 | $ | 59,501 | |||||||
__________________
(1) Includes loan modifications that met the definition of TDRs that may be performing in accordance with their modified loan terms. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, non-performing TDRs include $8.6 million and $9.1 million, respectively, in a multiple loan relationship to a South Florida borrower.
(2) As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, includes $9.1 million in a commercial relationship placed in nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2020. During the third quarters of 2021 and 2020, the Company charged off $5.7 million and $19.3 million, respectively, against the allowance for loan losses as result of the deterioration of this commercial relationship. In addition, in connection with this loan relationship, the Company collected a partial principal payment of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
(3) Includes transactions in which the debtor or customer is domiciled outside the U.S., but where all collateral is located in the U.S.
(4) Loans past due 90 days or more but still accruing.
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At March 31, 2022, non-performing assets decreased $2.8 million, or 4.7%, compared to December 31, 2021. This was primarily driven by: (i) loan payoffs totaling $12.9 million, mainly in commercial loans; and (ii) charge-offs against the ALL of $3.5 million, including $2.5 million related to a commercial nonaccrual loan paid off during the period, $0.7 million related to one commercial loan and an aggregate $0.3 million related to other smaller loans. These decreases were partially offset by the placement in non accrual status of: (i) one commercial loan relationship with a South Florida borrower in the construction industry totaling $7.4 million, which includes a commercial loan of $5.0 million and two non-owner occupied loans of $2.4 million; (ii) two non-owner occupied loans totaling $5.7 million, and (iii) an aggregate of $0.5 million in consumer loans.
We recognized no interest income on non accrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
In January 2022, the Company collected a partial payment of approximately $9.8 million on one commercial nonaccrual loan with a carrying value of $12.4 million and charged-off the remaining balance of this loan of $2.5 million against its allocated specific reserve at December 31, 2021.
In April 2022, the Company completed the sale of one commercial nonaccrual loan of around $5.8 million, at its par value.
The Company’s loans by credit quality indicators are summarized in the following table. We have no purchased-credit-impaired loans.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Special Mention | Substandard | Doubtful | Total (1) | Special Mention | Substandard | Doubtful | Total (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate (CRE) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 3,221 | $ | 11,522 | $ | 1,303 | $ | 16,046 | $ | 34,205 | $ | 5,890 | $ | 1,395 | $ | 41,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single-family residential | — | 3,812 | — | 3,812 | — | 5,221 | — | 5,221 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner occupied | 7,383 | 10,862 | — | 18,245 | 7,429 | 8,759 | — | 16,188 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,604 | 26,196 | 1,303 | 38,103 | 41,634 | 19,870 | 1,395 | 62,899 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial loans (2) | 25,545 | 18,519 | 1,989 | 46,053 | 32,452 | 20,324 | 9,497 | 62,273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts | — | 468 | — | 468 | — | 270 | — | 270 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 36,149 | $ | 45,183 | $ | 3,292 | $ | 84,624 | $ | 74,086 | $ | 40,464 | $ | 10,892 | $ | 125,442 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________
(1) There are no loans categorized as a “Loss” as of the dates presented.
(2) As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, includes $9.1 million in a commercial relationship placed in non accrual status and downgraded during the second quarter of 2020. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Substandard loans include $7.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and doubtful loans include $1.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively. During the third quarters of 2021 and 2020, the Company charged off $5.7 million and $19.3 million, respectively, against the allowance for loan losses as result of the deterioration of this commercial relationship. In addition, in connection with this loan relationship, the Company collected a partial principal payment of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Classified loans, which includes substandard and doubtful loans, totaled $48.5 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $51.4 million at December 31, 2021. This decrease of $2.9 million, or 5.6%, compared to December 31, 2021, was primarily driven by:(i) loan payoffs totaling $12.9 million, mainly in commercial loans; and (ii) charge-offs against the ALL of $3.5 million, including $2.5 million related to a commercial nonaccrual loan paid off during the period, $0.7 million related to one commercial loan and an aggregate $0.3 million related to other smaller loans. These decreases were partially offset by the placement in non accrual status of: (i) one commercial loan relationship with a South Florida borrower in the construction industry totaling $7.4 million, which includes a commercial loan of $5.0 million and two non-owner occupied loans of $2.4 million; (ii) two non-owner occupied loans totaling $5.7 million; and (iii) an aggregate of $0.5 million in consumer loans.
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Special mention loans as of March 31, 2022 totaled $36.1 million, a decrease of $37.9 million, or 51.2%, from $74.1 million as of December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to: (i) a decrease of $24.9 million related to one non-owner occupied loan upgraded within the period; (ii) a decrease of $5.8 million related to two non-owner occupied loans further downgraded to substandard; and (iii) paydowns/payoffs of $7.3 million, including $6.8 million related to one commercial loan paydown. All special mention loans remained current at March 31, 2022.
On March 26, 2020, the Company began offering loan payment relief options to customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including interest only and/or forbearance options. These programs continued throughout 2020 and in the first half of 2021. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company ceased to offer these loan payment relief options, including interest-only and/or forbearance options. As of March 31, 2022, there were no loans under the deferral and/or forbearance periods. At the December 31, 2021, there were $37.1 million of loans under the deferral and/or forbearance periods consisting of two CRE retail loans in New York. During the first quarter of 2022, the renewal of those two CRE retail loans in New York was completed. All loans that have moved out of forbearance status have resumed regular payments, except for one CRE loan of $12.1 million that was transferred to OREO during the third quarter of 2021. In accordance with accounting and regulatory guidance, loans to borrowers benefiting from these measures are not considered TDRs. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” included in the Form 10-K for more details on the $12.1 million loan transferred to OREO in 2021.
While it is difficult to estimate the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s credit quality, we continue to proactively and carefully monitor the Company’s credit quality practices, including examining and responding to patterns or trends that may arise across certain industries or regions.
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Potential problem loans, which are accruing loans classified as substandard and are less than 90 days past due, at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, are as follows:
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Real estate loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate (CRE) | |||||||||||
| Land development and construction loans | $ | 92 | $ | 94 | |||||||
| Single-family residential | 95 | 95 | |||||||||
| 187 | 189 | ||||||||||
| Commercial loans | 1,330 | 1,380 | |||||||||
| Consumer loans and overdrafts (1) | — | 13 | |||||||||
| $ | 1,517 | $ | 1,582 | ||||||||
__________
(1) Corresponds to international consumer loans.
At March 31, 2022, total potential problem loans decreased $0.1 million, or 4.1%, compared to December 31, 2021. This was mainly due to paydowns of multiple commercial loans. No new addition of potential problems loans were recorded during the period.
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Securities
The following table sets forth the book value and percentage of each category of securities at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The book value for debt securities classified as available for sale, equity securities and trading securities, represents fair value, and the book value for debt securities classified as held to maturity represents amortized cost.
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities available for sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt | $ | 394,401 | 29.8 | % | $ | 450,773 | 33.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt (1) (2) | 359,285 | 27.1 | % | 357,790 | 26.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency debt | 383,537 | 28.9 | % | 361,906 | 27.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 5,000 | 0.4 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury debt | 1,500 | 0.1 | % | 2,502 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | 2,062 | 0.2 | % | 2,348 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,145,785 | 86.5 | % | $ | 1,175,319 | 87.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities held to maturity (3) | $ | 112,008 | 8.5 | % | $ | 118,175 | 8.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | 13,370 | 1.0 | % | 252 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (4): | $ | 53,806 | 4.0 | % | $ | 47,495 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,324,969 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,341,241 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 corporate debt includes $10.8 million and $12.5 million, respectively, in “investment-grade” quality debt securities issued by foreign corporate entities. The securities’ issuers were from Canada in two different sectors at March 31, 2022 and from Canada and Japan in three different sectors at December 31, 2021. The Company limits exposure to foreign investments based on cross border exposure by country, risk appetite and policy. All foreign investments are denominated in U.S. Dollars.
(2) As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, debt securities in the financial services sector issued by domestic corporate entities represent 3.2% and 3.1% of our total assets, respectively.
(3) Includes securities issued by U.S. government and U.S. government sponsored agencies.
(4) Includes investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock. Amounts correspond to original cost at the date presented. Original cost approximates fair value because of the nature of these investments.
As of March 31, 2022, total securities decreased by $16.3 million, or 1.2%, to $1.3 billion compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was mainly driven by: i) maturities, sales and calls totaling $82.6 million, mainly debt securities available for sale, and (ii) a net unrealized holding loss on debt securities available for sale of $53.0 million. These results were partially offset by purchases of $120.9 million, mainly debt securities available for sale.
Debt securities available for sale had net unrealized holding losses of $37.3 million and net unrealized holding gains $15.8 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The net unrealized loss of $53.0 million during the three months ended March, 31, 2022 recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income was related to increases in market interest rates during the period, and the resulting decline in the estimated fair value of debt securities markets. See Note 3 to the interim consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for more details on the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio.
81
The following tables set forth the book value, scheduled maturities and weighted average yields for our securities portfolio at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Similar to the table above, the book value for securities available for sale and equity securities is equal to fair market value and the book value for debt securities held to maturity is equal to amortized cost.
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Total | Less than a year | One to five years | Five to ten years | Over ten years | No maturity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities available for sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government sponsored enterprise debt | $ | 394,401 | 2.60 | % | $ | 833 | 1.46 | % | $ | 34,273 | 2.47 | % | $ | 42,219 | 3.44 | % | $ | 317,076 | 2.50 | % | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt-domestic | 348,473 | 3.31 | % | 23,057 | 2.70 | % | 61,010 | 2.49 | % | 244,117 | 3.50 | % | 20,289 | 4.12 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government agency debt | 383,537 | 2.22 | % | 42 | 3.94 | % | 4,171 | 2.35 | % | 9,281 | 1.95 | % | 370,043 | 2.22 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | 2,062 | 2.61 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 426 | 2.20 | % | 1,636 | 2.72 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt-foreign | 10,812 | 3.64 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 10,812 | 3.64 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 5,000 | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 5,000 | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury securities | 1,500 | 0.19 | % | 1,500 | 0.19 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,145,785 | 2.68 | % | $ | 25,432 | 2.51 | % | $ | 99,454 | 2.48 | % | $ | 306,855 | 3.45 | % | $ | 714,044 | 2.38 | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities held to maturity | $ | 112,008 | 2.53 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | 8,101 | 2.50 | % | $ | 11,130 | 2.92 | % | $ | 92,777 | 2.48 | % | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | 13,370 | — | % | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13,370 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | $ | 53,806 | 4.23 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | 53,806 | 4.23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,324,969 | 2.70 | % | $ | 25,432 | 2.51 | % | $ | 107,555 | 2.48 | % | $ | 317,985 | 3.43 | % | $ | 806,821 | 2.39 | % | $ | 67,176 | 3.39 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Total | Less than a year | One to five years | Five to ten years | Over ten years | No maturity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities available for sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government sponsored enterprise debt | $ | 450,773 | 2.51 | % | $ | 3,613 | 1.76 | % | $ | 36,223 | 2.47 | % | $ | 45,879 | 3.39 | % | $ | 365,058 | 2.41 | % | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt-domestic | 345,262 | 3.40 | % | 25,539 | 2.65 | % | 76,052 | 2.59 | % | 222,739 | 3.69 | % | 20,932 | 4.11 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government agency debt | 361,906 | 2.41 | % | 52 | 4.54 | % | 4,700 | 2.41 | % | 9,617 | 2.00 | % | 347,537 | 2.42 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | 2,348 | 2.55 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 486 | 2.08 | % | 1,862 | 2.67 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt-foreign | 12,528 | 3.43 | % | 1,000 | 1.06 | % | — | — | % | 11,528 | 3.64 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury securities | 2,502 | 0.34 | % | 2,502 | 0.34 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,175,319 | 2.75 | % | $ | 32,706 | 2.33 | % | $ | 116,975 | 2.55 | % | $ | 290,249 | 3.58 | % | $ | 735,389 | 2.46 | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities held to maturity | $ | 118,175 | 2.52 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | 9,343 | 2.48 | % | $ | 11,189 | 2.92 | % | $ | 97,643 | 2.48 | % | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | 252 | — | % | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 252 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | $ | 47,495 | 4.17 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | 47,495 | 4.17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,341,241 | 2.78 | % | $ | 32,706 | 2.33 | % | $ | 126,318 | 2.54 | % | $ | 301,438 | 3.56 | % | $ | 833,032 | 2.47 | % | $ | 47,747 | 4.15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The investment portfolio’s weighted average effective duration was 4.0 years at March 31, 2022 and 3.6 years at December 31, 2021. The increase in duration was mainly due to lower expected prepayment speeds in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio in light of rising interest rates.
Liabilities
Total liabilities were $7.1 billion at March 31, 2022, an increase of $249.9 million, or 3.7%, compared to December 31, 2021. This was primarily driven by net increases of: (i) $170.5 million, or 21.1%, in FHLB advances, including the addition of $350.0 million partially offset by the repayment of $180.0 million of these borrowings in the first quarter of 2022; (ii)$60.8 million, or 1.1%, in total deposits, mainly due to an increase in noninterest bearing demand deposits, and (iii) the issuance of $30 million of 4.25% fixed-to-floating subordinated notes due in 2032 in the first quarter of 2022. See “Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” and “Deposits” for more details on the changes of FHLB advances, total deposits and subordinated notes.
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Deposits
Total deposits were $5.7 billion at March 31, 2022, an increase of $60.8 million, or 1.1%, compared to December 31, 2021. The increase in deposits in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was mainly due to a net increase of $150.4 million or 3.5%, in core deposits, including increases of $135.0 million, or 11.4%, in noninterest bearing transaction accounts, and $36.3 million, or 2.4%, in interest bearing transaction accounts. The increase in transaction accounts was partially offset by a decrease of $20.9 million, or 1.3%, in savings and money market deposit accounts. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2022, there was a decrease of $89.6 million, or 6.7%, in time deposits, primarily attributable to a $97.2 million, or 9.3%, reduction in customer CDs compared to December 31, 2021, as the Company continued to aggressively lower CD rates and focus on increasing core deposits and emphasizing multi-product relationships versus single product higher-cost CDs. Brokered time deposits remain somewhat flat in the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021. The increased transaction account balances includes $198.1 million or 4.7%, in higher customer account balances, partially offset by a total decrease of $47.7 million in brokered interest bearing and money market deposits. As of March 31, 2022 total brokered deposits were $347.3 million, a decrease $40.0 million, or 10.3%, compared to $387.3 million at December 31, 2021, as the Company continued to focus on reduced reliance on this source of funding.
We continue to move closer toward achieving our stated deposit growth targets. Our efforts in the area of additions to Treasury Management and Private Banking teams contributed to increasing deposit levels in the three months ended March 31, 2022, see “Our Company- Business Developments” for additional information on new digital platforms.
Deposits by Country of Domicile
The following table shows deposits by country of domicile of the depositor as of the dates presented and the changes during the period.
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic (1) (2) | $ | 3,180,112 | $ | 3,137,258 | $ | 42,854 | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela (3) | 2,004,305 | 2,019,480 | (15,175) | (0.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Others (4) | 507,284 | 474,133 | 33,151 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total foreign | 2,511,589 | 2,493,613 | 17,976 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 5,691,701 | $ | 5,630,871 | $ | 60,830 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
_________________
(1) Includes brokered deposits of $347.3 million and $387.3 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(2) Domestic deposits, excluding brokered, increased $82.9 million or 3.0%, compared to December 31, 2021.
(3) Based upon the diligence we customarily perform to "know our customers" for anti-money laundering, OFAC and sanctions purposes, and a review of the Executive Order issued by the President of the United States on August 5, 2019 and the related Treasury Department Guidance, we do not believe that the U.S. economic embargo on certain Venezuelan persons will adversely affect our Venezuelan customer relationships, generally.
(4) Our other foreign deposits do not include deposits from Venezuelan resident customers.
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Our domestic deposits increased $42.9 million, or 1.4%, in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, deposits from customers domiciled in Venezuela decreased by $15.2 million, or 0.8%, to $2.0 billion, compared to December 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, foreign deposits, which include deposits from other countries in addition to Venezuela, increased by $18.0 million or 0.7%. The increase in foreign deposits was mainly driven by an increase of $33.2 million, or 7.0%, in deposits from countries other than Venezuela, primarily driven by our efforts to grow deposits from customers in those other markets.
Core Deposits
Our core deposits were $4.4 billion and $4.3 billion as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Core deposits represented 78.1% and 76.2% of our total deposits at those dates, respectively. The increase of $150.4 million, or 3.5%, in core deposits in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was mainly driven by the previously mentioned increase in noninterest bearing deposits. Core deposits consist of total deposits excluding all time deposits.
Brokered Deposits
We utilize brokered deposits and, as of March 31, 2022, we had $347.3 million in brokered deposits, which represented 6.1% of our total deposits at that date. As of March 31, 2022, brokered deposits were down $40.0 million, or 10.3%, compared to $387.3 million as of December 31, 2021, mainly due to a decline in brokered money market and interest bearing demand deposits. As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, brokered deposits included time deposits of $297.5 million and $289.8 million, respectively, and third party interest bearing demand and money market deposits of $49.8 million and $97.5 million, respectively. The Company has not historically sold brokered CDs in denominations over $100,000.
Large Fund Providers
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company changed its definition of large fund providers to include only third party relationships with balances over $20 million. As of December 31, 2021 and in prior periods, large fund providers were defined as third party deposit relationships with balances over $10 million. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, third-party customer relationships with balances of over $20 million, included four and eleven deposit relationships, respectively, with total balances of $157.5 million and $376.3 million, respectively.
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Large Time Deposits by Maturity
The following table sets forth the maturities of our time deposits with individual balances equal to or greater than $100,000 as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 3 months | $ | 203,700 | 26.9 | % | $ | 261,779 | 31.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| 3 to 6 months | 114,581 | 15.1 | % | 134,709 | 16.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 to 12 months | 174,596 | 23.1 | % | 153,695 | 18.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 to 3 years | 256,591 | 33.9 | % | 281,366 | 33.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Over 3 years | 7,925 | 1.0 | % | 8,902 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 757,393 | 100.0 | % | $ | 840,451 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Short-Term Borrowings
In addition to deposits, we use short-term borrowings from time to time, such as FHLB advances and borrowings from other banks, as a source of funds to meet the daily liquidity needs of our customers and fund growth in earning assets. Short-term borrowings have maturities of 12 months or less as of the reported period-end. There were no outstanding short-term borrowings at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
The following table sets forth information about the outstanding amounts of our short-term borrowings at the close of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. We had no short-term borrowings at the close and for three months ended March 31, 2022. There were no repurchase agreements outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||
| Average amount | 28,273 | |||||||
| Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end | 130,000 | |||||||
| Weighted average interest rate: | ||||||||
| During period | 0.36 | % | ||||||
| End of period | — | % | ||||||
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Return on Equity and Assets
The following table shows annualized return on average assets, return on average equity, and average equity to average assets ratio for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages and per share data) | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | $ | 15,950 | $ | 14,459 | |||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | 0.46 | 0.38 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share (1) | 0.45 | 0.38 | |||||||||
| Average total assets | $ | 7,706,631 | $ | 7,746,259 | |||||||
| Average stockholders' equity | 798,505 | 785,061 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company / Average total assets (ROA) | 0.84 | % | 0.76 | % | |||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company / Average stockholders' equity (ROE) | 8.10 | % | 7.47 | % | |||||||
| Average stockholders' equity / Average total assets ratio | 10.36 | % | 10.13 | % | |||||||
__________________
(1)In the three months ended March 31, 2022, potential dilutive instruments consisted of unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units (unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the three months ended March 31, 2021). See Note 19 to our unaudited interim financial statements in this Form 10-Q for details on the dilutive effects of the issuance of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units on earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, basic and diluted earnings per share increased compared to same period one year ago, mainly due to: (i) higher net income earned, and (ii) lower weighted average number of basic and diluted shares mainly as result of our capital structure optimization efforts.
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Capital Resources and Liquidity Management
Capital Resources
Stockholders’ equity is influenced primarily by earnings, dividends, if any, and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (AOCI/AOCL) caused primarily by fluctuations in unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, on debt securities available for sale and derivative instruments. AOCI or AOCL are not included in stockholders’ equity for purposes of determining our capital for bank regulatory purposes.
Total stockholders’ equity was $749.4 million as of March 31, 2022, a decrease of $82.5 million, or 9.9%, compared to $831.9 million as of December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by: (i) an aggregate of $54.8 million of Class A common stock repurchased in the first quarter of 2022, under the Class A repurchase programs launched in 2021 and 2022; (ii) an after-tax unrealized loss of $39.7 million in the market value of debt securities available for sale as a result of the increase of more than 100 basis points recorded in long term interest rates; and (iii) $3.2 million of dividends declared and paid by the Company in the first quarter of 2022. These decreases were partially offset by net income of $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Non-controlling Interest
Non-controlling interests on the consolidated financial statements included a 49% non-controlling interest of Amerant Mortgage since May 2021, when this subsidiary commenced its operations, through March 30, 2022. Beginning March 31, 2022, the minority interest share changed from 49% to 42.6%. This change had no material impact to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The Company records net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in its condensed consolidated statement of operations equal to the percentage of the economic or ownership interest retained in the interest of Amerant Mortgage, and presents non-controlling interests as a component of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2022, non-controlling interest included as a reduction to total stockholders’ equity was $3.7 million, and a net loss of $1.1 million attributed to the non-controlling interest is presented in the statement of operations in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Common Stock Transactions
Class A Common Stock Repurchases and Cancellation of Treasury Shares. In January 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 652,118 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $33.96 per share, under the Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $22.1 million, including transaction costs. On January 31, 2022, the Company announced the completion of the Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program. Also, on January 31, 2022, the Company announced the New Common Stock Repurchase Program pursuant to which the Company may purchase, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $50 million of its shares of Class A common stock. The Company repurchased an aggregate of 991,362 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average price of $32.96 per share, under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program, through March 31, 2022. The aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $32.7 million, including transaction costs. For more information about these repurchase programs, see Note 17 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the cancellation of all shares of Class A common stock repurchased in the first quarter of 2022. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no shares of Class A common stock held as treasury stock.
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Dividends. On January 19, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock. The dividend was paid on or before February 28, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 11, 2022. The aggregate amount in connection with this dividend was $3.2 million.
On April 14, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock. The dividend is payable on or before May 31, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2022.
Liquidity Management
The Company’s liquidity position includes cash and cash equivalents of $276.2 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $274.2 million at December 31, 2021.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $980.0 million and $809.6 million, respectively, of outstanding advances from the FHLB. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had an additional $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, available borrowing capacity under FHLB facilities. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repaid $180.0 million in short-term FHLB advances and borrowed $350.0 million in longer-term advances to extend the duration of this portfolio and fix them at lower cost than previously borrowed funds. There were no other borrowings as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. In April 2022, the Company repaid FHLB advances totaling $150.0 million which had no impact to consolidated results of operations.
We also have available uncommitted federal funds lines with several banks, and had $105.0 million of availability under these lines at December 31, 2021. We had no outstanding federal funds lines at March 31, 2022.
On March 9, 2022, the Company entered into a Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Amerant Florida Bancorp Inc. (the “Guarantor”), and qualified institution buyers pursuant to which the Company sold and issued $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due March 15, 2032. Net proceeds were $29.1 million, after estimated direct issuance costs of approximately $0.9 million. Unamortized direct issuance cost are deferred and amortized over the term of the Subordinated Notes of 10 years. These Subordinated Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s current and future senior indebtedness. The Subordinated Notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital of the Company for regulatory capital purposes, and rank equally in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. See Note 9 “Subordinated Notes” in the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q for more details.
We and our subsidiary, Amerant Florida, are corporations separate and apart from the Bank and, therefore, must provide for our own liquidity. Historically, our main source of funding has been dividends declared and paid to us and Amerant Florida by the Bank, while the Company issued the Senior Notes in 2020. The Company, which is the issuer of the Senior Notes, held cash and cash equivalents of $62.9 million as of March 31, 2022 and $23.8 million as of December 31, 2021, in funds available to service its Senior Notes and Subordinated Notes and for general corporate purposes, as a separate stand-alone entity. Our subsidiary, Amerant Florida, which is an intermediate bank holding company, the obligor on our junior subordinated debt and the guarantor of the Senior Notes and Subordinated Notes, held cash and cash equivalents of $6.7 million as of March 31, 2022 and $6.3 million as of December 31, 2021, in funds available to service its junior subordinated debt and for general corporate purposes, as a separate stand-alone entity.
We have not provided summarized financial information for the Company and Amerant Florida as we do not believe it would be material information since the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company and Amerant Florida are not materially different from the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
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Subsidiary Dividends
There are statutory and regulatory limitations that affect the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company. These limitations exclude the effects of AOCI. Management believes that these limitations will not affect the Company’s ability, and Amerant Florida’s ability, to meet their ongoing short-term cash obligations. See “Supervision and Regulation” in the Form 10-K.
In January and April 2022, the Boards of Directors of the Bank and Amerant Florida approved the payment of cash dividends of $40 million and $34 million, respectively on each date, by the Bank to Amerant Florida and in the same amounts by Amerant Florida to Amerant Bancorp.
Based on our current outlook, we believe that net income, advances from the FHLB, available other borrowings and any dividends paid to us and Amerant Florida by the Bank will be sufficient to fund liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Company’s consolidated regulatory capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
| Actual | Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes | Regulatory Minimums To be Well Capitalized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total capital ratio | $ | 907,096 | 13.80 | % | $ | 525,687 | 8.00 | % | $ | 657,108 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 capital ratio | 820,237 | 12.48 | % | 394,265 | 6.00 | % | 525,687 | 8.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 leverage ratio | 820,237 | 10.67 | % | 307,584 | 4.00 | % | 384,480 | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) | 759,194 | 11.55 | % | 295,699 | 4.50 | % | 427,120 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total capital ratio | $ | 934,512 | 14.56 | % | $ | 513,394 | 8.00 | % | $ | 641,742 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 capital ratio | 862,962 | 13.45 | % | 385,045 | 6.00 | % | 513,394 | 8.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 leverage ratio | 862,962 | 11.52 | % | 299,746 | 4.00 | % | 374,683 | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) | 801,907 | 12.50 | % | 288,784 | 4.50 | % | 417,133 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bank’s consolidated regulatory capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
| Actual | Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes | Regulatory Minimums to be Well Capitalized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total capital ratio | $ | 881,213 | 13.46 | % | $ | 523,871 | 8.00 | % | $ | 654,839 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 capital ratio | 823,510 | 12.58 | % | 392,904 | 6.00 | % | 523,871 | 8.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 leverage ratio | 823,510 | 10.75 | % | 306,440 | 4.00 | % | 383,051 | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) | 823,510 | 12.58 | % | 294,678 | 4.50 | % | 425,646 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total capital ratio | $ | 957,852 | 14.94 | % | $ | 512,780 | 8.00 | % | $ | 640,976 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 capital ratio | 886,301 | 13.83 | % | 384,585 | 6.00 | % | 512,780 | 8.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 leverage ratio | 886,301 | 11.84 | % | 299,466 | 4.00 | % | 374,332 | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) | 886,301 | 13.83 | % | 288,439 | 4.50 | % | 416,634 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tangible Common Equity Ratio and Tangible Book Value Per Common Share
Tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share are non-GAAP financial measures, used to explain our results to shareholders and the investment community, and in the internal evaluation and management of our businesses. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures permit investors to view our performance using the same tools that our management uses to evaluate our past performance and prospects for future performance. Tangible common equity is calculated as the ratio of common equity less goodwill and other intangibles divided by total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. Other intangible assets consist of, among other things, mortgage servicing rights and are included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s tangible common equity and tangible assets, non GAAP financial measures, to total equity and total assets, respectively, as of the dates presented:
(in thousands, except percentages, share data and per share amounts) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | $ | 749,396 | $ | 831,873 | |||||||
Less: goodwill and other intangibles (1) | (22,795) | (22,528) | |||||||||
| Tangible common stockholders' equity | $ | 726,601 | $ | 809,345 | |||||||
| Total assets | 7,805,836 | 7,638,399 | |||||||||
Less: goodwill and other intangibles (1) | (22,795) | (22,528) | |||||||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 7,783,041 | $ | 7,615,871 | |||||||
| Common shares outstanding | 34,350,822 | 35,883,320 | |||||||||
| Tangible common equity ratio | 9.34 | % | 10.63 | % | |||||||
| Stockholders' book value per common share | $ | 21.82 | $ | 23.18 | |||||||
| Tangible stockholders' book value per common share | $ | 21.15 | $ | 22.55 | |||||||
_________________
(1) Other intangible assets include mortgage servicing rights of $0.9 million and $0.6 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table shows the outstanding balance of our off-balance sheet arrangements as of the end of the periods presented. Except as disclosed below, we are not involved in any other off-balance sheet contractual relationships that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, a change in our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. For more details on the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K.
| (in thousands) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit | $ | 885,910 | $ | 899,016 | |||||||
| Letters of credit | 18,022 | 32,107 | |||||||||
| $ | 903,932 | $ | 931,123 | ||||||||
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, we and our subsidiaries enter into various contractual obligations that may require future cash payments. Significant commitments for future cash obligations include capital expenditures related to operating leases, and other borrowing arrangements. Set forth below are significant changes to our existing contractual obligations previously disclosed in the Form 10-K. Other than the changes discussed herein, there have been no material changes to the contractual obligations previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repaid $180.0 million in short-term FHLB advances and borrowed $350.0 million in longer-term advances to extend the duration of this portfolio and fix them at lower cost than previously borrowed funds. See “Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” for more details.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, total time deposits decreased by $89.6 million, or 6.7%, mainly as a result of a decrease in customer time deposits. See “Deposits” for additional information
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, we completed a private placement of $30.0 million of 4.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032. See “Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” for more details.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For our critical accounting policies and estimates disclosure, see the Form 10-K where such matters are disclosed for the Company’s latest fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that have recently been adopted by us. For a description of accounting standards issued that are pending adoption, see Note 1 “Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We believe interest rate and price risks are the most significant market risks impacting us. We monitor and evaluate these risks using sensitivity analyses to measure the effects on earnings, equity and the available for sale portfolio mark-to-market exposure, of changes in market interest rates. Exposures are managed to a set of limits previously approved by our Board of Directors and monitored by management.Material changes in our market risk exposure as compared to those discussed in the Form 10-K, see Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” are described below.
Our market risk is jointly monitored by the Treasury unit, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer, and the Market Risk and Analytics unit, which reports to our Chief Risk Officer. Their primary responsibilities are identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling interest rate and liquidity risks and balance sheet asset/liability management, or ALM. It also assesses and monitors the price risk of the Bank’s investment activities, which represents the risk to earnings and capital arising from changes in the fair market value of our investment portfolio.
Among its duties, the Treasury and Market Risk and Analytics units performs the following functions:
•maintains a comprehensive market risk and ALM framework;
•measures and monitors market risk and ALM across the organization to ensure that they are within approved risk limits and reports to the Asset-liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) and to the board of directors; and
•recommends changes to risk limits to the board of directors.
We manage and implement our ALM strategies through monthly ALCO meetings. Business lines heads participate in the ALCO meetings. In the ALCO, we discuss, analyze, and decide on the best course of action to implement strategies designed as part of the ALM process.
Market risks taken by the Company are managed using an appropriate mix of marketable securities, wholesale funding and derivative contracts.
Market Risk Measurement
ALM
We use sensitivity analyses as the primary tool to monitor and evaluate market risk, which is comprised of interest rate risk and price risk. Exposures are managed to a set of limits previously approved by our board of directors and monitored by ALCO.
Sensitivity analyses are based on changes in interest rates (both parallel yield curve changes as well as non-parallel), and are performed for several different metrics. They include three types of analyses consistent with industry practices:
•earnings sensitivity;
•economic value of equity, or EVE; and
•investment portfolio mark-to-market exposure (debt and equity securities available for sale and held to maturity securities).
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The Company continues to be asset sensitive, therefore income is expected to increase when interest rates move higher, and to decrease when interest rates move lower.
The high duration of our balance sheet has led to more sensitivity in the market values of financial instruments (assets and liabilities, including off balance sheet exposures). This sensitivity is captured in the EVE and investment portfolio mark-to-market exposure analyses. In the earnings sensitivity analysis, the opposite occurs. The higher duration will produce higher income today and less income variability during the next 12 months.
We monitor these exposures, and contrast them against limits established by our Board of Directors. Those limits correspond to the capital levels and the capital leverage ratio that we would report taking into consideration the interest rate increase scenarios modeled. Although we model the market price risk of the available for sale securities portfolio, and its projected effects on AOCI or AOCL (a component of stockholders’ equity), the Bank and the Company made an irrevocable election in 2015 to exclude the effects of AOCI or AOCL in the calculation of its regulatory capital ratios, in connection with the adoption of Basel III Capital Rules in the U.S.
Earnings Sensitivity
In this method, the financial instruments (assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet positions) generate interest rate risk exposure from mismatches in maturity and/or repricing given the financial instruments’ characteristics or cash flow behaviors such as pre-payment speeds. This method measures the potential change in our net interest income over the next 12 months, which corresponds to our short term interest rate risk. This analysis subjects a static balance sheet to instantaneous and parallel interest rate shocks to the yield curves for the various interest rates and indices that affect our net interest income. We compare on a monthly basis the effect of the analysis on our net interest income over a one-year period against limits established by our board of directors.
The following table shows the sensitivity of our net interest income as a function of modeled interest rate changes:
Change in earnings (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Interest Rates (Basis points) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase of 200 | $ | 29,214 | 13.0 | % | $ | 14,442 | 6.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Increase of 100 | 17,480 | 7.8 | % | 9,441 | 4.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Decrease of 25 | (4,743) | (2.1) | % | (2,971) | (1.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Decrease of 50 | (8,457) | (3.8) | % | (6,025) | (2.8) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Decrease of 100 | (13,796) | (6.2) | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) Represents the change in net interest income, and the percentage that change represents of the base scenario net interest income. The base scenario assumes (i) flat interest rates over the next 12 months, (ii) that total financial instrument balances are kept constant over time and (iii) that interest rate shocks are instant and parallel to the yield curve, for the various interest rates and indices that affect our net interest income.
Net interest income in the base scenario, increased to approximately $224 million in March 31, 2022 compared to $217.0 million in December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly due to: (i) higher floating loan rates on existing loans due to higher short term market rates repricing higher through the quarter; (ii) high cost maturing time deposits repricing to lower rates, and (iii) the growth in the indirect lending portfolio that has average net fixed yields close to 7%.
The Company periodically reviews the scenarios used for earnings sensitivity to reflect market conditions.
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Economic Value of Equity Analysis
We use economic value of equity, or EVE, to measure the potential change in the fair value of the Company’s asset and liability positions, and the subsequent potential effects on our economic capital. In the EVE analysis, we calculate the fair value of all assets and liabilities, including off-balance sheet instruments, based on different rate environments (i.e. fair value at current rates against the fair value based on parallel shifts of the yield curves for the various interest rates and indices that affect our net interest income). This analysis measures the long term interest rate risk of the balance sheet.
The following table shows the sensitivity of our EVE as a function of interest rate changes as of the periods presented:
Change in equity (1) | |||||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Change in Interest Rates (Basis points) | |||||||||||
| Increase of 200 | (5.30) | % | (9.60) | % | |||||||
| Increase of 100 | (1.30) | % | (3.23) | % | |||||||
| Decrease of 25 | 0.20 | % | 0.16 | % | |||||||
Decrease of 50 (2) | 0.50 | % | — | % | |||||||
Decrease of 100 (2) | (0.90) | % | — | % | |||||||
__________________
(1) Represents the percentage of equity change in a static balance sheet analysis assuming interest rate shocks are instant and parallel to the yield curves for the various interest rates and indices that affect our net interest income.
(2) We resumed modeling this scenario in 2022 due to its higher probability in light of rising interest rates in 2022..
The larger negative effects to EVE as of December 31, 2021 for the 200 and 100 basis point increase are principally attributed to the balance sheet becoming less asset sensitive compared to December 31, 2020. During the periods reported, the modeled effects on the EVE remained within established Company risk limits.
Available for Sale Portfolio mark-to-market exposure
The Company measures the potential change in the market price of its investment portfolio, and the resulting potential change on its equity for different interest rate scenarios. This table shows the result of this test as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Change in market value (1) | |||||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Change in Interest Rates | |||||||||||
| (Basis points) | |||||||||||
| Increase of 200 | $ | (106,260) | $ | (108,280) | |||||||
| Increase of 100 | (52,646) | (50,320) | |||||||||
| Decrease of 25 | 12,289 | 10,811 | |||||||||
| Decrease of 50 | 24,471 | 21,439 | |||||||||
Decrease of 100 (2) | 47,149 | — | |||||||||
__________________
(1) Represents the amounts by which the investment portfolio mark-to-market would change assuming rate shocks that are instant and parallel to the yield curves for the various interest rates and indices that affect our net interest income.
(2) We resumed modeling this scenario in 2022 due to its higher probability in light of rising interest rates in 2022.
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The average duration of our investment portfolio increased to 4.0 years at March 31, 2022 compared to 3.6 years at December 31, 2021.The increase in duration was mainly due to lower expected prepayment speeds recorded in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio in light of rising interest rates. Additionally, the floating rate portfolio decreased to 17.5% at March 31, 2022 from 10.6% at December 31, 2021.
We monitor our interest rate exposures monthly through the ALCO, and seek to manage these exposures within limits established by our board of directors. Those limits correspond to the capital ratios that we would report taking into consideration the interest increase scenarios modeled. Notwithstanding that our model includes the available for sale securities portfolio, and its projected effect on AOCI or AOCL (a component of shareholders’ equity), we made an irrevocable election in 2015 to exclude the effects of AOCI or AOCL in the calculation of our regulatory capital ratios, in connection with the adoption of Basel III capital rules in the U.S.
Limits Approval Process
The ALCO is responsible for the management of market risk exposures and meets monthly. The ALCO monitors all the Company’s exposures, compares them against specific limits, and takes actions to modify any exposure that the ALCO considers inappropriate based on market expectations or new business strategies, among other factors. The ALCO reviews and recommends market risk limits to our board of directors. These limits are reviewed annually or more frequently as believed appropriate, based on various factors, including capital levels and earnings.
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The following table sets forth information regarding our interest rate sensitivity due to the maturities of our interest bearing assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2022. This information may not be indicative of our interest rate sensitivity position at other points in time. In addition, ALM considers the distribution of amounts indicated in the table, including the maturity date of fixed-rate instruments, the repricing frequency of variable-rate financial assets and liabilities, and anticipated prepayments on amortizing financial instruments.
| March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands except percentages) | Total | Less than one year | One to three years | Four to Five Years | More than five years | Non-rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earning Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 276,194 | $ | 241,936 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 34,258 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt available for sale | 1,145,785 | 279,550 | 162,892 | 259,583 | 443,760 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt held to maturity | 112,008 | — | — | — | 112,008 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair value not held for trading | 13,370 | — | — | — | — | 13,370 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Reserve and FHLB stock | 53,806 | 43,441 | — | — | — | 10,365 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan portfolio-performing (1) | 5,674,209 | 3,868,703 | 926,676 | 573,551 | 305,279 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earning Assets | $ | 7,275,372 | $ | 4,433,630 | $ | 1,089,568 | $ | 833,134 | $ | 861,047 | $ | 57,993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing demand deposits | $ | 1,543,708 | $ | 1,543,708 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saving and money market | 1,581,412 | 1,581,412 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | 1,248,286 | 860,154 | 317,167 | 61,740 | 9,225 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 980,047 | 350,000 | 303,472 | 326,575 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Notes | 58,973 | — | — | 58,973 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated Notes | 29,156 | — | — | — | 29,156 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures | 64,178 | 64,178 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing liabilities | $ | 5,505,760 | $ | 4,399,452 | $ | 620,639 | $ | 447,288 | $ | 38,381 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate sensitivity gap | 34,178 | 468,929 | 385,846 | 822,666 | 57,993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap | 34,178 | 503,107 | 888,953 | 1,711,619 | 1,769,612 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings assets to interest bearing liabilities (%) | 100.8 | % | 175.6 | % | 186.3 | % | 2,243.4 | % | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) “Loan portfolio-performing” excludes $47.0 million of non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and loans 90 days or more past-due and still accruing).
N/M Not meaningful
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
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Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are, from time to time, in the ordinary course, engaged in litigation, and we have a small number of unresolved claims pending. In addition, as part of the ordinary course of business, we are parties to litigation involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, credit relationships, challenges to security interests in collateral and foreclosure interests, that are incidental to our regular business activities. While the ultimate liability with respect to these other litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, we believe that potential liabilities relating to pending matters are not likely to be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Where appropriate, reserves for these various matters of litigation are established, under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon management’s judgment and the advice of legal counsel.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
For detailed information about certain risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Form 10-K. Set forth below are material changes to our existing risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K. Other than the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt, including the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest or to satisfy our obligations in respect of our debt or to refinance our debt will depend on our future operating performance. Prevailing economic conditions (including inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, and uncertainty surrounding global markets), regulatory constraints, including, among other things, limitations on distributions to us from our subsidiaries and required capital levels with respect to our subsidiary bank and non-banking subsidiaries, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, will also affect our ability to meet these needs. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or obtain future borrowings in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt when needed on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
We and Amerant Florida, the subsidiary guarantor, are each a holding company with limited operations and depend on our subsidiaries for the funds required to make payments of principal and interest on the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes.
We and the subsidiary guarantor are each a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank and our other subsidiaries. Our and our subsidiary guarantor’s primary source of funds to make payments of principal and interest on the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes and to satisfy any obligations under the guarantees, respectively, and to satisfy any other financial obligations are dividends from the Bank. Our and the subsidiary guarantor’s ability to receive dividends from the Bank is contingent on a number of factors, including the Bank’s ability to meet applicable regulatory capital requirements, the Bank’s profitability and earnings, and the general strength of its balance sheet. Various federal and state regulatory provisions limit the amount of dividends bank subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval. In general, the Bank may only pay dividends either out of its net income after any required transfers to surplus or reserves have been made or out of its retained earnings. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements stating that insured banks and bank holding companies generally should pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.
Banks and their holding companies are required to maintain a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% in addition to satisfying other applicable regulatory capital ratios. Banking institutions that do not maintain capital in excess of the capital conservation buffer may face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and executive compensation based
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on the amount of the shortfall. Accordingly, if the Bank fails to maintain the applicable minimum capital ratios and the capital conservation buffer, dividends to us or the subsidiary guarantor from the Bank may be prohibited or limited, and there may be insufficient funds to make principal and interest payments on the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes or to satisfy any obligation under the guarantees.
In addition, state or federal banking regulators have broad authority to restrict the payment of dividends, including in circumstances where a bank under such regulator’s jurisdiction engages in (or is about to engage in) unsafe or unsound practices. Such regulators have the authority to require that a bank cease and desist from unsafe and unsound practices and to prevent a bank from paying a dividend if its financial condition is such that the regulator views the payment of a dividend to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.
Accordingly, we can provide no assurance that we or the subsidiary guarantor will receive dividends from the Bank in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes or to satisfy any obligations under the guarantees. In addition, our right and the rights of our creditors, including holders of the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes, to participate in the assets of any non-guarantor subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization would be subject to the prior claims of such non-guarantor subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we or the subsidiary guarantor may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against such non-guarantor subsidiary.
We may incur a substantial level of debt that could materially adversely affect our ability to generate sufficient cash to fulfill our obligations under the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes.
Neither we, nor any of our subsidiaries, are subject to any limitations under the terms of the indenture governing the terms of the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes from issuing, accepting or incurring any amount of additional debt, deposits or other liabilities, including senior indebtedness or other obligations ranking equally with the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes. We expect that we and our subsidiaries will incur additional debt and other liabilities from time to time, and our level of debt and the risks related thereto could increase.
A substantial level of debt could have important consequences to us, holders of the Senior Notes, holders of the Subordinated Notes and our shareholders, including the following: making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt, including the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes; requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing funds available for other purposes; increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, which could place us at a disadvantage relative to our competitors that have less debt; limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate; and limiting our ability to borrow additional funds, or to dispose of assets to raise funds, if needed, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other corporate purposes.
In addition, a breach of any of the restrictions or covenants in our existing debt agreements could cause a cross-default under other debt agreements. A significant portion of our debt then may become immediately due and payable. We are not certain whether, if this were to occur, we would have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. If any of our debt is accelerated, our assets may not be sufficient to repay such debt in full.
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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table provides information regarding repurchases of the Company’s common stock by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) (2) | Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Current Program (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 1 - January 31 | 652,118 | $ | 33.96 | 652,118 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
| February 1 - February 28 | 673,030 | 33.64 | 673,030 | 27,360,277 | |||||||||||||||||||
| March 1 - March 31 | 318,332 | 31.51 | 318,332 | 17,328,109 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,643,480 | $ | 33.35 | 1,643,480 | $ | 17,328,109 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) On September 13, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program which provided for the potential to repurchase up to $50 million of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (the “2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program”). See the Form 10-K for more information on the 2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program. On January 31, 2022, the Company announced the completion of the 2021 Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program.
(2) On January 31, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the New Common Stock Repurchase Program pursuant to which the Company may purchase, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $50 million of its shares of Class A common stock . Repurchases under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program may be made in the open market, by block purchase, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Repurchases of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock (and the timing thereof) will depend upon market conditions, regulatory requirements, other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities and other factors as may be considered in the Company’s sole discretion. Repurchases may also be made pursuant to a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, which would permit shares to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or other regulatory restrictions. The New Common Stock Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of Class A common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice.
(2) The amount reflected in column (d) corresponds to the maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the New Common Stock Repurchase Program described in footnote (2) above.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
102
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 4.3 | |||||
| 10.1 | |||||
| 10.2 | |||||
| 10.3 | |||||
| 10.4 | |||||
| 22 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | ||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data (embedded within XBRL documents) | ||||
(*) Management contract or compensatory plan, contract, or agreement
(**) Furnished herewith
103
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMERANT BANCORP INC. (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | April 29, 2022 | By: | /s/ Gerald P. Plush | |||||||||||
| Gerald P. Plush | ||||||||||||||
| Vice-Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | April 29, 2022 | By: | /s/ Carlos Iafigliola | |||||||||||
| Carlos Iafigliola | ||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||||||||
104