Coral Gables community bank enters Tampa Bay market

Amerant Bank, a community bank based in Coral Gables, has expanded to the Tampa Bay market. The bank established a banking office in One Metro Center, part of the MetWest International mixed-use development in Tampa’s Westshore business district.

According to a news release, Jason Russek will serve as Amerant Bank’s Tampa Bay market president. The senior leadership team also includes Senior Vice President Jason Costello, Vice President Patrick Amoaku, Vice President Christopher Comella, Vice President Christopher Comella, Vice President Ryan Cuticelli, Vice President Jorge Martinez and Lending Assistant Catalina Agudelo.

The new office, the release states, will focus on commercial real estate lending, one of the organization’s key areas of expertise, along with other commercial and industrial loans, specialty finance and treasury management services.

“Tampa’s exponential development makes it an ideal location for our ongoing strategic expansion in Florida,” Amerant Bank President and CEO Jerry Plush states in the release. “The area’s appeal is broad, offering excellent schools, world-class entertainment, ease of travel and a strong talent pool of prospective team members. We are very pleased to become a part of this growing business community.”

Amerant Bank has 17 branches throughout Florida and seven in the Houston metro area. Its gross annual revenue grew from $174.47 million in 2020 to $344.75 million in 2021, an increase of 96.6%.