Amerant Bancorp falls after Raymond James downgrades to 'market perform'

Shares of regional lender Amerant Bancorp AMTB.N fall 1.6% to $19.17 premarket

Raymond James downgrades AMTB shares to "market perform" from "outperform" following Q1 results

Brokerage says it is stepping to the sideline for now, given persistent credit issues at the bank

Says questions remain on the bank's "intermediate-term growth outlook, the ultimate pace of credit improvement, and fee income drivers given the uncertain backdrop"

Raymond James believes "a wait and see approach is now warranted" given the uncertainty in light of tariffs and the bank's softer loan growth outlook

3 of 5 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and 2 "hold"; median PT $25 - data compiled by LSEG

As of last close, AMTB down 13% YTD