** Shares of community bank SmartFinancial jump as much as 8%; last up 3.3% at $33.25

** SMBK late Tuesday posted Q4 profit of 57 cents/shr, beating analysts' estimates of 51 cents/shr - LSEG data

** Q4 net interest income was $37.8 mln, topping estimates of $36.5 mln

** Net interest margin - a key measure of profitability - came in at 3.24%, 38 basis points higher than year-ago quarter, driven by lower deposit costs

** SMBK reported 13% growth in loan and leases during the quarter

** Piper Sandler says encouraged by the strong upward momentum of NIM and balance sheet growth, adding that robust loan growth positions the bank well to deliver improved profitability in 2025

** SMBK shares climbed 26.5% in 2024

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))