Amerant Bancorp's Q4 credit update disappointing but benign, Stephens says

Wall Street brokerage Stephens says regional lender Amerant Bancorp's AMTB.N Q4 credit update is disappointing, but benign in comparison to prior updates

AMTB on Wednesday previewed Q4 asset quality trends, with $112.6 million of loans downgraded to non-accrual status partly offset by paydowns, charge-offs and loan sales

There was some expectation 3Q marked the peak in negative credit migration" - Stephens analyst Russell Gunther

Persistent credit quality woes at AMTB have been a key concern for investors, with the stock trading at a discount to tangible book value

Reduced asset quality volatility is critical to re-rating of AMTB stock, Gunther says

Three of four brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and one "hold"; median PT $21.50 - data compiled by LSEG

As of last close, AMTB stock down 11.7% YTD