 CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jan. 29, 2021 GLOBE NEWSWIRE -- Amerant Bancorp Inc. NASDAQ: AMTB and AMTBB the Company or Amerant today reported net income of 8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to net income of 1.7 million reported in the third quarter of 2020 and net income of 13.5 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2019. Net loss for the full-year 2020 was 1.7 million, compared to net income of 51.3 million for the full-year 2019. Net loss for the full-year 2020 was primarily driven by 88.6 million in provision for loan losses during the period. Operating income was 7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 11.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 and 14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Operating income was 57.3 million in the full-year 2020, compared to 58.3 million in the full-year 2019. 