Mercantil Commercebank reports slightly lower second-quarter earnings

Mercantil Commercebank reported net income of $6.1 million for the second quarter of 2015, compared to $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 and $6.7 million for the second quarter of 2014.

The Coral Gables-based bank also said its total assets reached $8.2 billion in the quarter that ended June 30, up 9 percent year-over-year. Real estate loans were up 32 percent over the previous 12 months.

“We are very happy with the growth this quarter in our loan portfolio, particularly in the real estate sector,” bank vice-chairman and CEO Millar Wilson said in a statement. “Our branch expansion strategy is also on target with the opening of our second Fort Lauderdale banking center.”

Mercantil is owned by the Venezuelan financial company Mercantil Servicios Financieros. It has 17 branches in South Florida, five in Houston and one in New York City.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Mercantil Commercebank reports slightly lower second-quarter earnings."