CFO Calderon Sharymar Buys 2,490 Shares Amid Surge in Social‑Media Buzz, Sending a Bullish Signal to Amerant Bancorp Investors

Insider Activity Spotlight: Calderon Sharymar’s Recent Move and the Broader Picture

On February 18, 2026, Amerant Bancorp’s Chief Financial Officer, Calderon Sharymar, executed a buy of 2,490 shares of Class A Common Stock at the current market price of $22.59, increasing his stake to 17,837.85 shares. The transaction was part of a larger pattern of RSU vesting and sales that have kept his holdings relatively stable over the past year. Sharymar’s latest purchase is noteworthy not only for its size but also because it occurs amid a week of heightened social‑media buzz—782 % above average—despite a neutral sentiment score. For investors, a large insider purchase in a period of elevated chatter can signal confidence in the company’s short‑term trajectory.

What Does This Mean for Investors? The CFO’s action follows a series of RSU grants and sales that have kept his holdings near the 15–18 k share range. This consistency suggests a long‑term alignment with shareholder interests. However, the 2026‑02‑18 stock price sits only 0.67 % below its 52‑week high, and the company’s P/E of 17.83 sits near the lower end of the banking sector. The recent addition of Tony Eelman as EVP, Chief Product Officer, may inject fresh product innovation, potentially supporting a rebound. Insider purchases at this level, coupled with the board’s recent leadership changes, could be interpreted as a bullish signal—especially if the bank’s loan portfolio and digital offerings continue to expand.

Calderon Sharymar: A Profile Through the Numbers Sharymar’s insider history shows a pattern of disciplined trading: he frequently sells RSUs immediately upon vesting (e.g., 2,223 RSUs in 2024 and 8,249 RSUs in 2026) while buying sizable blocks of common stock (3,057 shares in 2026‑02‑17 and 2,490 shares in 2026‑02‑18). His trading cadence aligns with a classic “RSU‑to‑cash” strategy that rewards long‑term performance while maintaining liquidity. Notably, his average buy price over the past year has hovered just below the current market level, indicating a willingness to invest in the company even when shares trade near the 52‑week low of $15.62. This behavior, combined with his role in financial strategy, signals confidence in Amerant’s growth prospects.

Company‑Wide Insider Momentum Beyond Sharymar, Amerant’s senior management has been active: SEVP Chief Risk Officer Capriles Alberto bought 3,656 shares on 2026‑02‑18, and EVP Product Officer Eelman Anthony J. sold 99 shares at $22.38. These transactions illustrate a mix of buying and selling among top executives, suggesting a dynamic internal view of valuation. When senior leaders purchase shares, it can offset market skepticism; conversely, timely sales can reflect risk‑adjusted liquidity needs. The aggregate insider activity—over 20 transactions in the last week—demonstrates a tightly knit executive group keeping a close eye on market sentiment and balance‑sheet health.

Outlook for Amerant Bancorp With a market cap of $907 million and a P/B of 0.97, Amerant is trading near book value, offering a modest upside potential if earnings growth accelerates. The CFO’s recent purchase, occurring during a period of heightened media buzz, may bolster investor confidence. Nonetheless, the company remains exposed to traditional banking risks: loan defaults, interest‑rate volatility, and regulatory changes. If Amerant can leverage its expanded product suite and strengthen its digital platform, insider buying could presage a broader market rally. Investors should watch for earnings guidance, loan‑portfolio performance, and any further insider activity that might confirm or contradict the current bullish sentiment.