** Shares of regional lender Amerant Bancorp AMTB.N fall 1.6% to $19.17 premarket
** Raymond James downgrades AMTB shares to "market perform" from "outperform" following Q1 results
** Brokerage says it is stepping to the sideline for now, given persistent credit issues at the bank
** Says questions remain on the bank's "intermediate-term growth outlook, the ultimate pace of credit improvement, and fee income drivers given the uncertain backdrop"
** Raymond James believes "a wait and see approach is now warranted" given the uncertainty in light of tariffs and the bank's softer loan growth outlook
** 3 of 5 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and 2 "hold"; median PT $25 - data compiled by LSEG
** As of last close, AMTB down 13% YTD
(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)
((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))
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