AMERANT BANK PROVIDES FINANCING TO FRESCO RETAIL GROUP, LLC FOR THE ACQUISITION OF FRESCO Y MÁS OPERATIONS AND LOCATIONS

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amerant Bank, the largest community bank headquartered in Florida, led the financing of a $120 million loan to Fresco Retail Group, LLC, an investment group strategically focused on food and grocery, for the acquisition of Fresco y Más from Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG).

The transaction encompasses the entire Fresco y Más portfolio. As a Florida-based grocery chain founded in 2016 in Hialeah, Fla., Fresco y Mas offers food and grocery goods at compelling values. With 34 locations across South, Central, and Southwest Florida – including 28 stores and 6 liquor stores the business has established itself as a prominent player in the industry.

"We have been collaborating closely with the Fresco Retail Group, and today, we are excited to announce the successful closing of this deal," said Matthew Bruno, EVP, Miami-Dade Market President, Amerant Bank. "Fresco y Más boasts an excellent market footprint in South Florida, and we look forward to supporting their growth as part of a strong long-term relationship together."

TA PLLC Co-Managing Partner Javier A. Alvarez led the firm’s legal representation of Amerant Bank in the transaction and was assisted by Erika L. Porrino and Steven Ross. Ezra Katz, Founder and CEO of Aztec Group, played a key advisory role in facilitating the deal on behalf of Fresco Retail Group. In August 2023, Southeastern Grocers entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Fresco y Más operations to Fresco Retail Group, LLC.

Fresco Retail Group, LLC remains committed to maintaining the current operations of all supermarkets and liquor stores under the Fresco y Más banner.

For more information about Amerant Bank, visit amerantbank.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn @AmerantBank.

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For more information, please contact: info@frescoretail.com.

About Amerant Bank
Amerant Bank, N.A., is the largest community bank headquartered in Florida and the main subsidiary of Amerant Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: AMTB), with a presence across South Florida and in Tampa, FL, and Houston, TX. The bank has been serving clients for over 40 years and comprises subsidiaries Amerant Investments and Amerant Mortgage. Rooted in the communities it serves, Amerant supports numerous non-profit and community organizations. In 2023, the company was certified as a Most Loved Workplace® by Best Practice Institute. For news and updates, visit the Amerant Newsroom.

Alexis Dominguez
Amerant Bank
mediarelations@amerantbank.com