Amerant Bancorp (AMTB) risk factors, FY2024 10-K

Risks related to Funding and Liquidity

1. 01Liquidity risks could affect our operations and jeopardize our financial condition and certain funding sources could increase our interest rate expense
2. 02We may not be able to develop and maintain a strong core deposit base or other low-cost funding sources
3. 03We may elect or be compelled to seek additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed or on acceptable terms
4. 04Our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries could affect our liquidity and our ability to pay dividends

Risks related to Credit and Interest Rate

1. 05Our profitability is subject to interest rate risk
2. 06Our allowance for credit losses may prove inadequate
3. 07Our concentration of CRE loans could result in increased loan losses
4. 08Many of our loans are to commercial borrowers, which have unique risks compared to other types of loans
5. 09Our valuation of securities and the determination of a credit loss allowance in our investment securities portfolio are subjective and, if changed, could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition
6. 10Nonperforming and similar assets take significant time to resolve and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows
7. 11We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities
8. 12Weakness in the demand for mortgage loans or in the secondary market for residential mortgage loans can adversely affect us

Risks Related to Our Business and Operations

1. 13Many 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
2. 14Our information systems are exposed to cybersecurity threats and may experience interruptions and security breaches that could adversely affect our business and reputation
3. 15Our strategic plan and growth strategy may not be achieved as quickly or as fully as we seek
4. 16Defaults by or deteriorating asset quality of other financial institutions could adversely affect us
5. 17New lines of business, new products and services, or strategic project initiatives may subject us to additional risks
6. 18We are susceptible to operational risks in general and fraudulent risk in particular
7. 19We may not have the ability or resources to keep pace with rapid technological changes in the financial services industry or implement new technology effectively
8. 20Conditions in Venezuela could adversely affect our operations
9. 21We are subject to environmental, social and governance, or ESG, risks, many of which are outside of our control, that could harm our reputation, our business, operations, financial condition, and/or the price of our common stock
10. 22We may be unable to attract and retain key people to support our business
11. 23Severe 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
12. 24Any failure to protect the confidentiality of customer information could adversely affect our reputation and subject us to financial sanctions and other costs that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows
13. 25We could be required to write down our goodwill and other intangible assets
14. 26We have a net deferred tax asset that may or may not be fully realized
15. 27We may incur losses due to minority investments in fintech and specialty finance companies
16. 28We are subject to risks associated with sub-leasing portions of our corporate headquarters building
17. 29Our success depends on our ability to compete effectively in highly competitive markets

Risks Related to Risk Management, Internal Audit, Internal and Disclosure Controls

1. 30Potential 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
2. 31Changes in accounting standards could materially impact our financial statements

Risks Related to External and Market Factors

1. 32Material and negative developments adversely impacting the financial services industry at large and causing volatility in financial markets and the economy may have materially adverse effects on our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations
2. 33Our business may be adversely affected by economic conditions in general and by conditions in the financial markets

Risks Related to Regulatory and Legal Matters

1. 34We are subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities and adversely affect our earnings
2. 35There is uncertainty surrounding the potential legal, regulatory and policy changes by the presidential administration in the United States that may directly affect financial institutions
3. 36Changes in federal, state or local tax laws, or audits from tax authorities, could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows
4. 37Litigation and regulatory investigations are increasingly common in our businesses and may result in significant financial losses and/or harm to our reputation
5. 38We 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 business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows would be adversely affected
6. 39Increases in FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments could adversely affect our financial condition
7. 40Federal banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations, and our failure to comply with any regulatory actions, if any, could adversely impact us
8. 41The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support the Bank
9. 42We may face higher risks of noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations than other financial institutions
10. 43Failures to comply with the fair lending laws, CFPB regulations or the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, could adversely affect us

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

1. 44Our principal shareholders and management own a significant percentage of our shares of voting common stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval
2. 45The rights of our common shareholders are subordinate to the holders of any debt securities that we have issued or may issue from time to time
3. 46The stock price of financial institutions, like Amerant, may fluctuate significantly
4. 47the market price and trading volume of our shares of common stock, including the factors described in this “Risk Factors” section, and other factors, most of which are outside of our control
5. 48We can issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding Class A common stock
6. 49Certain 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

Risks Related to our Indebtedness

1. 50We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt, including the Subordinated Notes and the Debentures
2. 51We are a holding company with limited operations and depend on our subsidiaries for the funds required to make payments of principal and interest on the Subordinated Notes and the Debentures
3. 52We may incur a substantial level of debt that could materially adversely affect our ability to generate sufficient cash to fulfill our obligations under the Subordinated Notes and the Debentures