Braden Smith, Chief Business Development Officer, Amerant Bank

In an interview with Invest:, Braden Smith, chief business development officer at Amerant Bank, discussed the bank’s milestones, technology-driven innovations, community engagement efforts, and strategies for growth, client support, and talent retention in South Florida’s dynamic financial landscape.

What have been the key milestones for Amerant Bank over the past year?

We’ve continued to focus on establishing ourselves as South Florida’s bank of choice. One of the key steps we took was raising capital, which made strategic sense for us. Beyond that, we concentrated on brand development, opening new locations, and identifying markets for expansion. For instance, we made strides in Fort Lauderdale by opening our Plantation regional office and expanding operations there.

Overall, it was a pivotal year for Amerant Bank. We’re especially excited about 2025 and beyond, as we’ve laid a strong foundation through partnerships with the Panthers, the Marlins, the Heat, and even the Tampa Bay Rays. These collaborations have positioned us well for the future.

What immediate opportunities have you identified to drive growth across Amerant’s business lines?

Before joining Amerant, I spent 15 years at Wintrust Financial in Chicago. That organization, similar to Amerant, started with about $10 billion in assets and wasn’t initially well-known in the marketplace. It gained significant traction by sponsoring the Chicago Cubs and other sports teams, which helped its brand recognition skyrocket.

I’ve been following Amerant for some time and have had many conversations with Jerry, our Chairman and CEO. I’ve admired what he’s been doing with the bank. With our 2024 efforts, including the Panthers’ championship win and our name prominently displayed throughout the arena, we’ve achieved a significant boost in brand awareness.

From here, the focus remains on solidifying Amerant as South Florida’s bank of choice. We’re taking deliberate steps to ensure that the message resonates, and I’m excited about the growth opportunities ahead.

How do you assess the financial services landscape in South Florida?

The South Florida market is unique. Nearly every financial institution has some presence here, but many treat it as a satellite market: just a few locations catering to snowbirds who need basic services like cashing checks or handling transactions. These institutions often lack a growth mindset in the region.

In contrast, we see South Florida as a core market with immense potential. Many middle-market businesses with revenues in excess of $50 to $100 million are headquartered here. These companies are looking for a locally headquartered bank that can quickly and effectively understand their needs and execute.

Our approach is somewhat traditional, especially on the credit side. We meet multiple times a week to discuss relationships, evaluate our understanding of clients and their businesses, and assess long-term partnerships. Every business will face challenges at some point, and we focus on how they navigate those bumps in the road. This relationship-based decision-making process allows us to respond quickly and effectively, which is a key differentiator.

This localized, personalized approach was one of the main reasons I was drawn to Amerant. It’s an exciting time to be part of this team as we continue to grow.

How is technology shaping your strategies at Amerant Bank?

Technology plays a huge role in banking today, and we’ve made significant strides by recently switching to a new core platform and investing in AI. These efforts allow us to offer innovative products and services that help us stand out.

The industry is becoming increasingly tech-driven, and while branch visits are declining overall, we still see strong engagement in our branches. That’s likely due to our focus on relationships — clients value personal interactions with their branch managers and banking specialists.

Technology isn’t just about client-facing tools; it’s also crucial for security. Cybersecurity is an ongoing priority as the financial sector faces increasingly sophisticated fraud and criminal activities. Staying ahead of these threats is a constant challenge, but it’s essential for protecting both our clients and the bank.

How does Amerant Bank prioritize community engagement, and how does this commitment shape your strategies for business development and partnerships?

Community engagement is at the heart of everything we do. We live and work in the areas we serve, so giving back is non-negotiable. You can’t expect to succeed and grow in a community without supporting it.

We’ve created the Amerant Bank Foundation to provide financial support to local causes, but our involvement goes beyond that. We encourage team members to participate in nonprofit organizations and host dedicated volunteer days, such as partnering with Habitat for Humanity. We also sponsor events like our Amerant Bank 5K run, which took place on Jan. 26, 2025.

This focus on community involvement strengthens our relationships and aligns our business strategies with the needs of the people we serve.

High interest rates and inflation have marked the past year. How is Amerant navigating these challenges to support clients?

The economic environment has been volatile, especially when it comes to interest rates. If we go back to about 60 days before the election, the consensus was that the Federal Funds Rate would stabilize at 2.5% to 2.75%. Fast forward to today, and projections suggest it could go as high as 4.5% to 5%.

There was also an expectation that the Fed would implement four rate cuts in the first half of 2025, but now it seems unlikely we’ll see any cuts in the near term due to lingering inflation concerns.

This uncertainty makes it challenging to manage the bank and advise clients. We’re focused on providing stable, measured guidance — nothing too aggressive. Clearer economic data and the policies of the new administration will hopefully provide more direction in the coming months.

It’s a tough environment, but one where conservative, long-term strategies can make all the difference for clients navigating these headwinds.

What are Amerant Bank’s top priorities and growth objectives over the next two to three years?

Our growth plan is straightforward: expand market share in each of the areas we serve. We’re particularly excited about opening our second Palm Beach office, as well as a regional headquarters. In Broward County, we’re focusing on adding locations over the next 24 months and growing our commercial real estate and private banking teams.

This past year, we crossed the $10 billion mark in assets, transitioning from a community bank to a regional bank. Growing responsibly while leveraging this new position is a top priority. The market presents significant opportunities, especially as some competitors are still navigating their identities post-merger. We see a clear path to fill that void and grow strategically.

How does Amerant recruit and retain talent in today’s competitive job market?

Recruiting and retaining talent continues to be a challenge, not just for us but for the entire industry. That said, the talent pool in South Florida has grown significantly with the influx of people relocating from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other regions.

We’re proud of the culture we’ve built at Amerant. For the third consecutive year, we’ve been recognized as a “Most Loved Workplace.” That speaks to the environment we’ve created, and it’s a key factor in attracting and retaining great people. By focusing on building a supportive and inclusive workplace, we position ourselves as an employer of choice in this competitive landscape.