Spotlight on: Jerry Plush, Chairman and CEO, Amerant Bank
March 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Jerry Plush, chairman and chief executive officer of Amerant Bank, discussed the bank’s transformation, expansion, and deepening community engagement. “One of my favorite things to hear is, ‘I see Amerant everywhere.’ That recognition reflects the impact of our nearly 700 team members.”
What have been the most significant milestones for Amerant Bank in South Florida over the last year?
In 2024, we completed our multi-year transformation. Looking at Amerant’s history, how we arrived in Miami and previously operated under a different brand, we were originally a wholly owned subsidiary before going public in 2018.
With the leadership change in 2021, we focused on transforming Amerant to fully capitalize on Miami’s opportunities, especially as the market emerged from COVID-19. Over the past year, we’ve expanded our presence and built brand awareness.
In 2023, we signed new partnerships, including sponsoring Fort Lauderdale United FC, Broward’s women’s soccer team. We also entered the Tampa market and became the official bank of the Tampa Bay Rays. A major highlight of 2024 was witnessing our Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup at Amerant Bank Arena, with our brand prominently displayed throughout.
Amerant has been expanding both physically and technologically. What progress have you made in those areas?
We’ve continued growing through community involvement and strategic expansion. We opened new offices in downtown Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale while strengthening our presence in Key Biscayne. Recently, we announced two Miami Beach locations, one on 41st Street and another on 96th Street, completing our physical build-out in Miami-Dade.
Beyond expansion, 2024 was also a milestone year in technology and operations. We transitioned to a full suite of state-of-the-art banking systems and sold our Houston franchise. This shift allows us to focus entirely on executing our vision in Florida, positioning Amerant as the bank of choice in the markets we serve.
How has Amerant’s culture and community involvement contributed to its success and future goals?
A major achievement has been deepening our community engagement. Amerant has become an integral part of the local community, building on initiatives such as the Amerant Bank 5K benefitting United Way Miami and also being significantly involved with Habitat for Humanity. Setting the tone from the top is important to me, so I personally participate in many of these efforts, and that commitment resonates throughout the organization.
One of my favorite things to hear is, “I see Amerant everywhere.” That recognition reflects the impact of our nearly 700 team members and their engagement. I’d also be remiss not to mention a major honor — we ranked No. 41 in Newsweek’s “Most Loved Workplaces” this year.
At the end of the day, culture is everything. When team members are happy and engaged, they provide outstanding service and strengthen community ties, and ultimately that will drive better shareholder returns.
This transformation has been building toward 2025 — our year of execution. We’re focused on strong growth, and profitability, and continuing to build on the progress of the past four years, with 2024 as the culmination of that journey.
How does Amerant’s community-driven approach impact its client relationships?
It’s measured by the increase in our Net Promoter Scores — how willing people are to recommend the bank. Our scores have skyrocketed. It all comes down to embracing a culture of involvement.
Fundamentally, banking is personal. Some say we’re returning to the “old way” of banking in a digital era where everything is at your fingertips. But we believe in combining technology with a personal service. That’s what sets us apart.
How is the bank adapting its strategies to mitigate risks while helping clients navigate economic challenges?
While many organizations have pulled back on lending, we’re moving full steam ahead on growth. These are the times when banks need to be there for people — providing financing, wealth advice, and personalized solutions.
Each client, whether a business or a household, has unique needs. Our approach is high-touch, personal service ensuring customers know we’re here for them. We’re not pulling back, and that commitment has been well-received in the markets we serve.
How is Amerant leveraging technology?
We recently completed a full systems conversion to state-of-the-art technology, positioning us to enhance digital services like online banking and our mobile app next. This not only makes banking easier for customers but also streamlines work for our team members.
We’ve started deploying artificial intelligence in key areas. In marketing, AI helps us deliver more targeted, effective messaging across digital channels, complementing our traditional presence on billboards and buildings.
Another major AI application is in compliance — specifically with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering efforts. The use of AI to put information at the fingertips of our compliance analysts will eventually allow us to process transactions faster, which is critical in Miami, an international gateway with many global clients. This technology enhances efficiency for our analysts and improves the speed of decision-making. These innovations are going to be key differentiators for us.
What is your long-term economic outlook for South Florida, and how does that shape Amerant’s strategy?
We’re extremely bullish on South Florida and the greater Tampa marketplace. We’re expanding with new locations this year, including a new regional office in West Palm Beach and two banking centers in Miami Beach. We’re also growing our Plantation regional office. These investments create jobs, signaling our strong confidence in the local economy and community.
We continue to see solid demand in construction, real estate, and businesses relocating here, along with growing opportunities in private banking and wealth management.
Last year, we surpassed $10 billion in assets, up from $7 billion just a few years ago. We’ve transitioned entirely to organic growth, focusing on lending and deposit gathering through direct customer relationships. Unlike banks that grow by acquiring portfolios, we’re building from the ground up — that’s our model at Amerant.
We have something exciting happening and believe we’re in the right place at the right time.
When I was approached about this role, I quickly saw the opportunities ahead. A pivotal moment for Miami was COVID — it made people rethink where they wanted to live and work. We were here, ready and welcoming. In my opinion, this is the best place to live and work.
Looking toward the next 10 years, what’s your vision for Miami, and what role will Amerant play in that future?
People here gravitate toward what I believe is a transparent, personal, and community-driven approach. Some call it old-fashioned, but it’s about being engaged.
Our biggest challenge is staying focused on what we do best, not on competition. I get asked about competitors all the time, but I don’t focus on them — I focus on us. The only thing that could hold us back is losing sight of that.
If we stay on this path, in 10 years, Amerant will be larger, even more engaged with the community, and an even bigger part of Miami and the surrounding areas.
How does Amerant contribute to the community beyond banking?
There are incredible opportunities to make a difference, which is why our senior executives are actively involved — not just on boards, but hands-on.
We support local organizations such as Zoo Miami, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Ronald McDonald House, and United Way across three counties, just to name a few – both at the board level and with financial support. We’re also involved with Camillus House, the Broward Workshop, and the Beacon Council, among others.
Personally, I’m part of the Orange Bowl Committee, the 2026 NCAA National Championship host committee, and was recently invited to join the FIFA World Cup Host Committee and Florida Council of 100. Miami’s role in the World Cup is a huge opportunity — we’re hosting a quarterfinal, with the longest hosting period of any city, spanning over 30 days. It’s going to be an incredible moment for Miami to be on the world stage.
At our recent town hall, we shared a video highlighting our 2024 community involvement. Seeing how deeply engaged we are was amazing. It’s not just about writing checks — it’s about truly being involved. That’s why people gravitate toward Amerant. They see we care.
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