SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2024

Business Wire
22 Jan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., January 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartFinancial, Inc. ("SmartFinancial" or the "Company"; NYSE: SMBK), today announced net income of $9.6 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $6.2 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, and compared to prior quarter net income of $9.1 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share. Operating earnings1, which excludes non-recurring income, net of tax adjustments, totaled $9.6 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $6.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2023, and compared to $9.1 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2024.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2024

  • Operating earnings1 of $9.6 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share
  • Net organic loan and lease growth of $189 million with 20% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
  • Quarter-over-quarter net tax equivalent interest margin expansion of 13 basis points to 3.24%
  • Credit quality remains solid with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.19%

Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: "As we closed 2023, I noted the strong positioning of our Company and expressed my optimism for the year ahead. Now, reflecting on 2024, it’s clear that this optimism was justified. Highlighted by 13% year-over-year loan and lease growth, a fourth quarter net interest margin of 3.24%, 38 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2023, continued profitability improvement and numerous operational achievements, 2024 was a notable year. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed and confident in our ability to further enhance profitability and drive value for our shareholders."

SmartFinancial's Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: "2024 was a great year of growth and profitability expansion following an extremely challenging 2023. The Board is pleased with the Company’s 10% annual tangible book value growth and steady return metric enhancement. Equally important is SmartBank’s ongoing commitment to its culture and associates. Our associates continue to make SmartBank a great place to work, which is foundational to our present and future success through 2025 and beyond. Thank you!"

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $37.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $35.0 million for the prior quarter. Average earning assets totaled $4.7 billion, an increase of $151.0 million from the prior quarter. The balances of average earnings assets changed quarter-over-quarter, primarily from an increase in average loans and leases of $195.5 million, offset by a decrease in average interest-earning cash of $33.5 million and securities of $11.1 million. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $162.3 million from the prior quarter, primarily attributable to an increase in average deposits of $207.9 million, offset by a decrease in borrowings of $44.4 million.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.24% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.11% for the prior quarter. The tax equivalent net interest margin was positively impacted primarily by the decreased cost of interest-bearing deposits, quarter-over-quarter. The yield on loans and leases, excluding loan fees, on a fully tax equivalent basis ("FTE") held constant at 5.95% quarter-over-quarter.

The cost of total deposits for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 2.43%, compared to 2.54% in the prior quarter. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 3.08% for the fourth quarter, compared to 3.29% in the prior quarter. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 3.02% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.20% for the prior quarter, a decrease of 18 basis points.

__________

1 Non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information and see the Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

The following table presents selected interest rates and yields for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Increase

Selected Interest Rates and Yields

2024

2024

(Decrease)

Yield on loans and leases, excluding loan fees, FTE

5.95

%

5.95

%

-

%

Yield on loans and leases, FTE

6.04

%

6.02

%

0.02

%

Yield on earning assets, FTE

5.64

%

5.65

%

(0.01

)%

Cost of interest-bearing deposits

3.02

%

3.20

%

(0.18

)%

Cost of total deposits

2.43

%

2.54

%

(0.11

)%

Cost of interest-bearing liabilities

3.08

%

3.29

%

(0.21

)%

Net interest margin, FTE

3.24

%

3.11

%

0.13

%

Provision for Credit Losses on Loans and Leases and Credit Quality

At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses was $37.4 million. The allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases was 0.96% as of December 31, 2024, and September 30, 2024.

The following table presents detailed information related to the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Increase

Provision for Credit Losses on Loans and Leases Rollforward

2024

2024

(Decrease)

Beginning balance

$

35,609

$

34,690

$

919

Charge-offs

(214

)

(1,426

)

1,212

Recoveries

53

72

(19

)

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

(161

)

(1,354

)

1,193

Provision for credit losses (1)

1,975

2,273

(298

)

Ending balance

$

37,423

$

35,609

$

1,814

Allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases, gross

0.96

%

0.96

%

-

%

(1)

The current quarter-ended and prior quarter-ended excludes unfunded commitments provision of $160 thousand and $302 thousand, respectively. At December 31, 2024, the unfunded commitment liability totaled $2.5 million.

Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of total loans and leases was 0.20% as of December 31, 2024, a decrease of 6 basis points from the 0.26% reported in the third quarter of 2024. Total nonperforming assets (which include nonaccrual loans and leases, loans and leases past due 90 days or more and still accruing, other real estate owned and other repossessed assets) as a percentage of total assets was 0.19% as of December 31, 2024, and 0.26% as of September 30, 2024.

The following table presents detailed information related to credit quality for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Increase

Credit Quality

2024

2024

(Decrease)

Nonaccrual loans and leases

$

7,710

$

9,319

$

(1,609

)

Loans and leases past due 90 days or more and still accruing

162

172

(10

)

Total nonperforming loans and leases

7,872

9,491

(1,619

)

Other real estate owned

179

179

-

Other repossessed assets

2,037

2,949

(912

)

Total nonperforming assets

$

10,088

$

12,619

$

(2,531

)

Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross

0.20

%

0.26

%

(0.06

)%

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.19

%

0.26

%

(0.07

)%

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased $109 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $9.1 million for the prior quarter. The current quarter decrease was primarily associated with a $499 thousand decrease in investment services from a lower volume of investment activity and offset by a $355 thousand increase in insurance commissions from new policies.

The following table presents detailed information related to noninterest income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Increase

Noninterest Income

2024

2024

(Decrease)

Service charges on deposit accounts

$

1,778

$

1,780

$

(2

)

Mortgage banking income

541

410

131

Investment services

1,382

1,881

(499

)

Insurance commissions

1,832

1,477

355

Interchange and debit card transaction fees

1,332

1,349

(17

)

Other

2,101

2,242

(141

)

Total noninterest income

$

9,030

$

9,139

$

(109

)

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $1.4 million to $32.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $30.8 million for the prior quarter. The current quarter increase was primarily related to an increase in salaries and employee benefits related to incentive accruals for production performance and an increase in other real estate and loan related expenses due to write downs on repossessed assets at the Company’s equipment leasing subsidiary, offset by a decrease in other related to lower operational cost and lower franchise taxes related to the newly established Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT").

The following table presents detailed information related to noninterest expense for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Increase

Noninterest Expense

2024

2024

(Decrease)

Salaries and employee benefits

$

19,752

$

18,448

$

1,304

Occupancy and equipment

3,473

3,423

50

FDIC insurance

825

825

-

Other real estate and loan related expenses

1,241

460

781

Advertising and marketing

397

327

70

Data processing and technology

2,495

2,519

(24

)

Professional services

1,017

1,201

(184

)

Amortization of intangibles

601

604

(3

)

Other

2,490

3,039

(549

)

Total noninterest expense

$

32,291

$

30,846

$

1,445

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $1.1 million, compared to $1.6 million for the prior quarter. The increase was due to an increase in pre-tax income compared to the prior quarter and final state income tax adjustments during the quarter related to the Bank’s REIT. The REIT will create a more tax-effective structure that will result in a lower effective tax rate during future periods by lowering the Bank’s state income tax expense.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at December 31, 2024 were $5.28 billion compared to $4.83 billion at December 31, 2023. The $446.5 million increase is primarily attributable to increases in loans and leases of $461.9 million, cash and cash equivalents of $35.3 million and bank owned life insurance of $32.5 million, offset by a decrease in securities of $80.7 million.

Total liabilities were $4.78 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $4.37 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $414.9 million. Total deposits increased $418.6 million, which was driven primarily by increases in money market deposits of $227.1 million, the issuance of brokered deposits of $189.8 million, other time deposits of $104.4 million and noninterest demand deposits of $67.5 million, offset by a decline in interest-bearing demand deposits of $170.2 million. Other liabilities increased $3.7 million, which was offset by a decrease in borrowings of $4.9 million and subordinated debt of $2.4 million.

Shareholders' equity at December 31, 2024, totaled $491.5 million, an increase of $31.6 million, from December 31, 2023. The increase in shareholders' equity was primarily driven by net income of $36.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, and a positive change of $2.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income, offset by dividends paid of $5.4 million. Tangible book value per share2 was $22.85 at December 31, 2024, compared to $20.76 at December 31, 2023. Tangible common equity1 as a percentage of tangible assets1 was 7.48% at December 31, 2024, compared with 7.47% at December 31, 2023.

The following table presents selected balance sheet information for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Dec

Dec

Increase

Selected Balance Sheet Information

2024

2023

(Decrease)

Total assets

$

5,275,904

$

4,829,387

$

446,517

Total liabilities

4,784,443

4,369,501

414,942

Total equity

491,461

459,886

31,575

Securities

608,987

689,646

(80,659

)

Loans and leases

3,906,340

3,444,462

461,878

Deposits

4,686,483

4,267,854

418,629

Borrowings

8,135

13,078

(4,943

)

Board of Directors Declares Dividend

On January 16, 2025, the board of directors of SmartFinancial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share of SmartFinancial common stock payable on February 18, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2025.

Conference Call Information

SmartFinancial issued this earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2024 on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and will host a conference call on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access this interactive teleconference, dial (833) 470-1428 or (404) 975-4839 and entering the access code, 994691. A replay of the conference call will be available through March 23, 2025, by dialing (866) 813-9403 or (929) 458-6194 and entering the access code, 147026. Conference call materials will be published on the Company’s webpage located at http://www.smartfinancialinc.com/CorporateProfile, at 9:00 a.m. ET prior to the conference call.

About SmartFinancial, Inc.

SmartFinancial, Inc., based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is the bank holding company for SmartBank. SmartBank is a full-service commercial bank founded in 2007, with branches across Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Recruiting the best people, delivering exceptional client service, strategic branching, and a disciplined approach to lending have contributed to SmartBank’s success. More information about SmartFinancial can be found on its website: www.smartfinancialinc.com.

__________

1 Non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information and see the Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Statements included in this earnings release include measures not recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and therefore are considered Non-GAAP financial measures ("Non-GAAP") and should be read along with the accompanying tables, which provide a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. SmartFinancial management uses several Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios derived therefrom in its analysis of the Company's performance, including:

(i) Operating earnings

(ii)

Operating noninterest income

(iii)

Operating noninterest expense

(iv)

Operating pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR") earnings

(v)

Tangible common equity

(vi)

Average tangible common equity

(vii)

Tangible book value per common share

(viii)

Tangible assets

(ix)

Operating efficiency ratio

Operating earnings, operating noninterest income, operating noninterest expense and operating PPNR earnings exclude non-operating related income and expense items from net income, noninterest income and noninterest expense, respectively. Tangible common equity and average tangible common equity exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholders' equity and average shareholders' equity, respectively. Tangible book value per common share is tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding. Tangible assets excludes goodwill and other intangibles from total assets. Operating efficiency ratio is the quotient of operating noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income adjusted for taxable equivalent yields plus operating noninterest income. A detailed reconciliation of these items and the ratios derived therefrom is available in the Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Management believes that Non-GAAP financial measures provide additional useful information that allows investors to evaluate the ongoing performance of the company and provide meaningful comparisons to its peers. Management also believes these Non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors' ability to compare period-to-period financial results and allow investors and company management to view our operating results excluding the impact of items that are not reflective of the underlying operating performance.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider SmartFinancial's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements that are based on management’s current estimates or expectations of future events or future results, and that may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical in nature and can generally be identified by such words as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "may," "estimate," and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results of SmartFinancial to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others,

(1)

risks associated with our growth strategy, including a failure to implement our growth plans or an inability to manage our growth effectively;

(2)

claims and litigation arising from our business activities and from the companies we acquire, which may relate to contractual issues, environmental laws, fiduciary responsibility, and other matters;

(3)

general risks related to our merger and acquisition activity, including risks associated with our pursuit of future acquisitions;

(4)

changes in management’s plans for the future;

(5)

prevailing, or changes in, economic or political conditions (including those resulting from the new administration and Congress), particularly in our market areas, including the effects of declines in the real estate market, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures, elevated interest rates and slowdowns in economic growth, as well as the financial stress on borrowers as a result of the foregoing;

(6)

our ability to anticipate interest rate changes and manage interest rate risk (including the impact of higher interest rates on macroeconomic conditions, competition, and the cost of doing business and the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our financial projections, models and guidance);

(7)

increased technology and cybersecurity risks, including generative artificial intelligence risks;

(8)

credit risk associated with our lending activities;

(9)

changes in loan demand, real estate values, or competition;

(10)

developments in our mortgage banking business, including loan modifications, general demand, and the effects of judicial or regulatory requirements or guidance;

(11)

changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines;

(12)

changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations;

(13)

adverse results from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions;

(14)

potential impacts of any adverse developments in the banking industry, including the impacts on customer confidence, deposit outflows, liquidity and the regulatory response thereto;

(15)

significant turbulence or a disruption in the capital or financial markets and the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our investment securities;

(16)

the effects of war or other conflicts including the impacts related to or resulting from Russia’s military action in Ukraine or the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas; and

(17)

other general competitive, economic, political, and market factors, including those affecting our business, operations, pricing, products, or services.

These and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SmartFinancial’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, in each case filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. SmartFinancial disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

...

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Ending Balances

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

387,570

$

192,914

$

342,835

$

477,941

$

352,271

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

482,328

501,336

500,821

474,347

408,410

Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

126,659

127,779

128,996

180,169

281,236

Other investments

14,740

20,352

13,780

13,718

13,662

Loans held for sale

5,996

5,804

3,103

4,861

4,418

Loans and leases

3,906,340

3,717,478

3,574,158

3,477,555

3,444,462

Less: Allowance for credit losses

(37,423

)

(35,609

)

(34,690

)

(34,203

)

(35,066

)

Loans and leases, net

3,868,917

3,681,869

3,539,468

3,443,352

3,409,396

Premises and equipment, net

91,093

91,055

91,315

92,694

92,963

Other real estate owned

179

179

688

696

517

Goodwill and other intangibles, net

104,723

105,324

105,929

106,537

107,148

Bank owned life insurance

115,917

105,025

84,483

83,957

83,434

Other assets

77,782

77,297

79,591

76,418

75,932

Total assets

$

5,275,904

$

4,908,934

$

4,891,009

$

4,954,690

$

4,829,387

Liabilities:

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

965,552

$

863,949

$

903,300

$

907,254

$

898,044

Interest-bearing demand

836,731

834,207

988,057

996,298

1,006,915

Money market and savings

2,039,560

1,854,777

1,901,281

1,952,410

1,812,427

Time deposits

844,640

769,558

524,018

538,159

550,468

Total deposits

4,686,483

4,322,491

4,316,656

4,394,121

4,267,854

Borrowings

8,135

8,997

12,732

9,849

13,078

Subordinated debt

39,684

39,663

42,142

42,120

42,099

Other liabilities

50,141

48,760

47,014

41,804

46,470

Total liabilities

4,784,443

4,419,911

4,418,544

4,487,894

4,369,501

Shareholders' Equity:

Common stock

16,926

16,926

16,926

17,057

16,989

Additional paid-in capital

294,269

293,909

293,586

296,061

295,699

Retained earnings

203,824

195,537

187,751

181,103

173,105

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(23,671

)

(17,349

)

(25,798

)

(27,425

)

(25,907

)

Total shareholders' equity attributable to SmartFinancial Inc. and Subsidiary

491,348

489,023

472,465

466,796

459,886

Non-controlling interest - preferred stock of subsidiary

113

Total shareholders' equity

491,461

489,023

472,465

466,796

459,886

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$

5,275,904

$

4,908,934

$

4,891,009

$

4,954,690

$

4,829,387

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

Dec

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Interest income:

Loans and leases, including fees

$

57,951

$

54,738

$

50,853

$

50,020

$

48,767

$

213,562

$

186,479

Investment securities:

Taxable

5,050

5,233

5,320

4,548

4,344

20,151

16,665

Tax-exempt

351

350

353

352

352

1,406

1,418

Federal funds sold and other earning assets

2,744

3,635

4,759

4,863

4,032

16,000

13,481

Total interest income

66,096

63,956

61,285

59,783

57,495

251,119

218,043

Interest expense:

Deposits

27,437

27,350

27,439

27,035

24,926

109,260

84,260

Borrowings

89

709

148

128

162

1,075

936

Subordinated debt

787

865

884

899

890

3,434

2,767

Total interest expense

28,313

28,924

28,471

28,062

25,978

113,769

87,963

Net interest income

37,783

35,032

32,814

31,721

31,517

137,350

130,080

Provision for credit losses

2,135

2,575

883

(440

)

1,571

5,153

3,029

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

35,648

32,457

31,931

32,161

29,946

132,197

127,051

Noninterest income:

Service charges on deposit accounts

1,778

1,780

1,692

1,612

1,673

6,862

6,511

Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net

64

64

(6,801

)

Mortgage banking

541

410

348

280

227

1,579

1,040

Investment services

1,382

1,881

1,302

1,380

1,339

5,945

5,105

Insurance commissions

1,832

1,477

1,284

1,103

1,133

5,696

4,684

Interchange and debit card transaction fees

1,332

1,349

1,343

1,253

1,370

5,277

5,457

Other

2,101

2,242

1,635

2,752

1,837

8,729

6,329

Total noninterest income

9,030

9,139

7,604

8,380

7,579

34,152

22,325

Noninterest expense:

Salaries and employee benefits

19,752

18,448

17,261

16,639

16,275

72,100

65,749

Occupancy and equipment

3,473

3,423

3,324

3,396

3,378

13,617

13,451

FDIC insurance

825

825

825

915

915

3,390

3,156

Other real estate and loan related expense

1,241

460

538

584

781

2,823

2,397

Advertising and marketing

397

327

295

302

336

1,321

1,342

Data processing and technology

2,495

2,519

2,452

2,465

2,458

9,930

9,235

Professional services

1,017

1,201

1,064

924

1,136

4,207

3,443

Amortization of intangibles

601

604

608

612

643

2,425

2,624

Merger related and restructuring expenses

110

Other

2,490

3,039

2,834

2,716

3,773

11,077

11,643

Total noninterest expense

32,291

30,846

29,201

28,553

29,695

120,890

113,150

Income before income taxes

12,387

10,750

10,334

11,988

7,830

45,459

36,226

Income tax expense

2,747

1,610

2,331

2,630

1,640

9,318

7,633

Net income

$

9,640

$

9,140

$

8,003

$

9,358

$

6,190

$

36,141

$

28,593

Earnings per common share:

Basic

$

0.58

$

0.55

$

0.48

$

0.56

$

0.37

$

2.16

$

1.70

Diluted

$

0.57

$

0.54

$

0.48

$

0.55

$

0.37

$

2.14

$

1.69

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

16,729,509

16,726,658

16,770,819

16,849,735

16,814,647

16,768,956

16,805,068

Diluted

16,863,780

16,839,998

16,850,250

16,925,408

16,918,234

16,875,456

16,911,185

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

YIELD ANALYSIS

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2024

September 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Balance

Interest

Cost

Balance

Interest

Cost

Balance

Interest

Cost

Assets:

Loans and leases, including fees1

$

3,830,301

$

58,188

6.04

%

$

3,634,808

$

54,993

6.02

%

$

3,408,430

$

48,767

5.68

%

Taxable securities

554,152

5,050

3.63

%

564,978

5,233

3.68

%

618,511

4,344

2.79

%

Tax-exempt securities2

63,309

444

2.79

%

63,561

443

2.77

%

63,767

445

2.77

%

Federal funds sold and other earning assets

233,793

2,745

4.67

%

267,252

3,634

5.41

%

289,896

4,032

5.52

%

Total interest-earning assets

4,681,555

66,427

5.64

%

4,530,599

64,303

5.65

%

4,380,604

57,588

5.22

%

Noninterest-earning assets

407,695

381,306

386,202

Total assets

$

5,089,250

$

4,911,905

$

4,766,806

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

826,750

3,775

1.82

%

$

925,307

5,289

2.27

%

$

974,637

5,631

2.29

%

Money market and savings deposits

1,923,265

14,830

3.07

%

1,917,301

16,608

3.45

%

1,764,826

14,556

3.27

%

Time deposits

861,211

8,832

4.08

%

560,699

5,453

3.87

%

556,996

4,739

3.38

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,611,226

27,437

3.02

%

3,403,307

27,350

3.20

%

3,296,459

24,926

3.00

%

Borrowings

9,145

89

3.87

%

53,592

709

5.26

%

13,420

162

4.79

%

Subordinated debt

39,672

787

7.89

%

40,846

865

8.42

%

42,087

890

8.39

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

3,660,043

28,313

3.08

%

3,497,745

28,924

3.29

%

3,351,966

25,978

3.07

%

Noninterest-bearing deposits

889,151

884,938

915,259

Other liabilities

50,884

50,580

50,055

Total liabilities

4,600,078

4,433,263

4,317,280

Shareholders' equity

489,172

478,642

449,526

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

5,089,250

$

4,911,905

$

4,766,806

Net interest income, taxable equivalent

$

38,114

$

35,379

$

31,610

Interest rate spread

2.57

%

2.36

%

2.14

%

Tax equivalent net interest margin

3.24

%

3.11

%

2.86

%

Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

127.91

%

129.53

%

130.69

%

Percentage of average equity to average assets

9.61

%

9.74

%

9.43

%

 

1 Yields computed on tax-exempt loans on a tax equivalent basis include $237 thousand, $255 thousand, and $0 thousand of taxable equivalent income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

2 Yields computed on tax-exempt instruments on a tax equivalent basis include $93 thousand, $93 thousand, and $94 thousand of taxable equivalent income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

YIELD ANALYSIS

Year Ended

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Balance

Interest

Cost

Balance

Interest

Cost

Assets:

Loans and leases, including fees1

$

3,607,558

$

214,310

5.94

%

$

3,334,523

$

186,479

5.59

%

Taxable securities

580,001

20,151

3.47

%

713,637

16,665

2.34

%

Tax-exempt securities2

63,679

1,780

2.80

%

64,816

1,795

2.77

%

Federal funds sold and other earning assets

300,081

16,000

5.33

%

272,864

13,481

4.94

%

Total interest-earning assets

4,551,319

252,241

5.54

%

4,385,840

218,420

4.98

%

Noninterest-earning assets

388,267

370,436

Total assets

$

4,939,586

$

4,756,276

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

932,598

21,074

2.26

%

$

959,639

20,214

2.11

%

Money market and savings deposits

1,913,673

64,116

3.35

%

1,768,869

50,468

2.85

%

Time deposits

623,652

24,070

3.86

%

520,799

13,578

2.61

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,469,923

109,260

3.15

%

3,249,307

84,260

2.59

%

Borrowings

21,719

1,075

4.95

%

17,824

936

5.25

%

Subordinated debt

41,184

3,434

8.34

%

42,055

2,767

6.58

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

3,532,826

113,769

3.22

%

3,309,186

87,963

2.66

%

Noninterest-bearing deposits

883,923

958,078

Other liabilities

48,949

46,052

Total liabilities

4,465,698

4,313,316

Shareholders' equity

473,888

442,960

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

4,939,586

$

4,756,276

Net interest income, taxable equivalent

$

138,472

$

130,457

Interest rate spread

2.32

%

2.32

%

Tax equivalent net interest margin

3.04

%

2.97

%

Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

128.83

%

132.54

%

Percentage of average equity to average assets

9.59

%

9.31

%

 

1 Yields computed on tax-exempt loans on a tax equivalent basis included $749 thousand and $0 thousand of taxable equivalent income for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.

2 Yields computed on tax-exempt instruments on a tax equivalent basis included $374 thousand and $377 thousand of taxable equivalent income for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

As of and for The Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

Composition of Loans and Leases:

Commercial real estate:

Owner occupied

$

867,678

$

868,077

$

829,085

$

804,557

$

798,416

Non-owner occupied

1,080,404

1,031,708

986,278

938,648

940,789

Commercial real estate, total

1,948,082

1,899,785

1,815,363

1,743,205

1,739,205

Commercial & industrial

775,620

731,600

701,460

667,903

645,918

Construction & land development

361,735

315,006

294,575

321,860

327,185

Consumer real estate

741,836

690,504

678,331

659,209

649,867

Leases

64,878

67,052

70,299

71,909

68,752

Consumer and other

14,189

13,531

14,130

13,469

13,535

Total loans and leases

$

3,906,340

$

3,717,478

$

3,574,158

$

3,477,555

$

3,444,462

Asset Quality and Additional Loan Data:

Nonperforming loans and leases

$

7,872

$

9,491

$

6,642

$

6,266

$

8,101

Other real estate owned

179

179

688

696

517

Other repossessed assets

2,037

2,949

2,645

2,033

1,117

Total nonperforming assets

$

10,088

$

12,619

$

9,975

$

8,995

$

9,735

Modified loans and leases1 not included in nonperforming loans and leases

$

3,989

$

4,053

$

4,241

$

4,413

$

4,245

Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)

0.02

%

0.15

%

0.05

%

0.09

%

0.04

%

Allowance for credit losses to loans and leases

0.96

%

0.96

%

0.97

%

0.98

%

1.02

%

Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross

0.20

%

0.26

%

0.19

%

0.18

%

0.24

%

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.19

%

0.26

%

0.20

%

0.18

%

0.20

%

Capital Ratios:

Equity to Assets

9.32

%

9.96

%

9.66

%

9.42

%

9.52

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)2

7.48

%

7.99

%

7.66

%

7.43

%

7.47

%

SmartFinancial, Inc.3

Tier 1 leverage

8.33

%

8.44

%

8.32

%

8.23

%

8.27

%

Common equity Tier 1

9.83

%

10.06

%

10.06

%

10.20

%

10.14

%

Tier 1 capital

9.83

%

10.06

%

10.06

%

10.20

%

10.14

%

Total capital

11.17

%

11.62

%

11.68

%

11.85

%

11.78

%

SmartBank

Estimated4

Tier 1 leverage

8.98

%

9.17

%

9.11

%

9.07

%

9.18

%

Common equity Tier 1

10.58

%

10.92

%

11.02

%

11.23

%

11.26

%

Tier 1 capital

10.58

%

10.92

%

11.02

%

11.23

%

11.26

%

Total capital

11.36

%

11.69

%

11.79

%

12.00

%

12.02

%

 

1 Borrowers that have experienced financial difficulty.

2 Total common equity less intangibles divided by total assets less intangibles. See reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures.
3 All periods presented are estimated.
4 Current period capital ratios are estimated as of the date of this earnings release.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

As of and for The

As of and for The

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

Dec

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Selected Performance Ratios (Annualized):

Return on average assets

0.75

%

0.74

%

0.66

%

0.77

%

0.52

%

0.73

%

0.60

%

Return on average shareholders' equity

7.84

%

7.60

%

6.90

%

8.16

%

5.46

%

7.63

%

6.45

%

Return on average tangible common equity¹

9.99

%

9.75

%

8.94

%

10.63

%

7.18

%

9.82

%

8.55

%

Noninterest income / average assets

0.71

%

0.74

%

0.63

%

0.69

%

0.63

%

0.69

%

0.47

%

Noninterest expense / average assets

2.52

%

2.50

%

2.41

%

2.35

%

2.47

%

2.45

%

2.38

%

Efficiency ratio

68.98

%

69.83

%

72.25

%

71.20

%

75.95

%

70.49

%

74.24

%

Operating Selected Performance Ratios (Annualized):

Operating return on average assets1

0.75

%

0.74

%

0.64

%

0.69

%

0.57

%

0.71

%

0.72

%

Operating PPNR return on average assets1

1.13

%

1.08

%

0.90

%

0.84

%

0.86

%

0.99

%

0.99

%

Operating return on average shareholders' equity1

7.80

%

7.60

%

6.72

%

7.29

%

6.07

%

7.36

%

7.77

%

Operating return on average tangible common equity1

9.94

%

9.75

%

8.70

%

9.49

%

7.98

%

9.48

%

10.29

%

Operating efficiency ratio1

68.58

%

69.28

%

72.13

%

73.50

%

73.41

%

70.72

%

70.26

%

Operating noninterest income / average assets1

0.70

%

0.74

%

0.60

%

0.58

%

0.63

%

0.66

%

0.61

%

Operating noninterest expense / average assets1

2.52

%

2.50

%

2.41

%

2.35

%

2.39

%

2.45

%

2.36

%

Selected Interest Rates and Yields:

Yield on loans and leases, excluding loan fees, FTE

5.95

%

5.95

%

5.80

%

5.71

%

5.61

%

5.86

%

5.43

%

Yield on loans and leases, FTE

6.04

%

6.02

%

5.87

%

5.82

%

5.68

%

5.94

%

5.59

%

Yield on earning assets, FTE

5.64

%

5.65

%

5.52

%

5.36

%

5.22

%

5.54

%

4.98

%

Cost of interest-bearing deposits

3.02

%

3.20

%

3.23

%

3.16

%

3.00

%

3.15

%

2.59

%

Cost of total deposits

2.43

%

2.54

%

2.56

%

2.52

%

2.35

%

2.51

%

2.00

%

Cost of interest-bearing liabilities

3.08

%

3.29

%

3.29

%

3.23

%

3.07

%

3.22

%

2.66

%

Net interest margin, FTE

3.24

%

3.11

%

2.97

%

2.85

%

2.86

%

3.04

%

2.97

%

Per Common Share:

Net income, basic

$

0.58

$

0.55

$

0.48

$

0.56

$

0.37

$

2.16

$

1.70

Net income, diluted

0.57

0.54

0.48

0.55

0.37

2.14

1.69

Operating earnings, basic¹

0.57

0.55

0.47

0.50

0.41

2.08

2.05

Operating earnings, diluted¹

0.57

0.54

0.46

0.49

0.41

2.07

2.03

Book value

29.04

28.89

27.91

27.37

27.07

29.04

27.07

Tangible book value¹

22.85

22.67

21.66

21.12

20.76

22.85

20.76

Common shares outstanding

16,925,672

16,926,374

16,925,902

17,056,704

16,988,879

16,925,672

16,988,879

 

1Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

Dec

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating Earnings:

Net income (GAAP)

$

9,641

$

9,140

$

8,003

$

9,358

$

6,190

$

36,141

$

28,593

Noninterest income:

Securities (gains) losses, net

(64

)

(64

)

6,801

Gain on sale of former branch building

(283

)

(1,346

)

(1,629

)

Noninterest expenses:

Donation of a former branch location

250

250

Accruals for pending litigation

675

675

Merger related and restructuring expenses

110

Income taxes:

Income tax effect of adjustments

17

73

348

(239

)

437

(2,024

)

Operating earnings (Non-GAAP)

$

9,594

$

9,140

$

7,793

$

8,360

$

6,876

$

34,885

$

34,405

Operating earnings per common share (Non-GAAP):

Basic

$

0.57

$

0.55

$

0.47

$

0.50

$

0.41

$

2.08

$

2.05

Diluted

0.57

0.54

0.46

0.49

0.41

2.07

2.03

Operating Noninterest Income:

Noninterest income (GAAP)

$

9,030

$

9,139

$

7,604

$

8,380

$

7,579

$

34,152

$

22,325

Securities (gains) losses, net

(64

)

(64

)

6,801

Gain on sale of former branch building

(283

)

(1,346

)

(1,629

)

Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP)

$

8,966

$

9,139

$

7,321

$

7,034

$

7,579

$

32,459

$

29,126

Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP)/average assets1

0.70

%

0.74

%

0.60

%

0.58

%

0.63

%

0.66

%

0.61

%

Operating Noninterest Expense:

Noninterest expense (GAAP)

$

32,291

$

30,846

$

29,201

$

28,553

$

29,695

$

120,890

$

113,150

Donation of a former branch location

(250

)

(250

)

Accruals for pending litigation

(675

)

(675

)

Merger related and restructuring expenses

(110

)

Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)

$

32,291

$

30,846

$

29,201

$

28,553

$

28,770

$

120,890

$

112,115

Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)/average assets2

2.52

%

2.50

%

2.41

%

2.35

%

2.39

%

2.45

%

2.36

%

Operating Pre-provision Net revenue ("PPNR") Earnings:

Net interest income (GAAP)

$

37,783

$

35,032

$

32,814

$

31,721

$

31,517

$

137,350

$

130,080

Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP)

8,966

9,139

7,321

7,034

7,579

32,459

29,126

Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)

(32,291

)

(30,846

)

(29,201

)

(28,553

)

(28,770

)

(120,890

)

(112,115

)

Operating PPNR earnings (Non-GAAP)

$

14,458

$

13,325

$

10,934

$

10,202

$

10,326

$

48,919

$

47,091

Non-GAAP Return Ratios:

Operating return on average assets (Non-GAAP)3

0.75

%

0.74

%

0.64

%

0.69

%

0.57

%

0.71

%

0.72

%

Operating PPNR return on average assets (Non-GAAP)4

1.13

%

1.08

%

0.90

%

0.84

%

0.86

%

0.99

%

0.99

%

Return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)5

9.99

%

9.75

%

8.93

%

10.63

%

7.18

%

9.82

%

8.55

%

Operating return on average shareholders' equity (Non-GAAP)6

7.80

%

7.60

%

6.72

%

7.29

%

6.07

%

7.36

%

7.77

%

Operating return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)7

9.94

%

9.75

%

8.70

%

9.49

%

7.98

%

9.48

%

10.29

%

Operating Efficiency Ratio:

Efficiency ratio (GAAP)

68.98

%

69.83

%

72.25

%

71.20

%

75.95

%

70.49

%

74.24

%

Adjustment for taxable equivalent yields

(0.49

)%

(0.55

)%

(0.63

)%

(0.17

)%

(0.18

)%

(0.46

)%

(0.18

)%

Adjustment for securities gains (losses)

0.09

%

%

%

%

%

0.03

%

(3.17

)%

Adjustment for sale of branch location

%

%

0.51

%

2.46

%

%

0.66

%

%

Adjustment for donation of a former branch location

%

%

%

%

(0.64

)%

%

(0.16

)%

Adjustment for accruals for pending litigation

%

%

%

%

(1.72

)%

%

(0.44

)%

Adjustment for merger related income and costs

%

%

%

%

%

%

(0.03

)%

Operating efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP)

68.58

%

69.28

%

72.13

%

73.50

%

73.41

%

70.72

%

70.26

%

 

1Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP) is annualized and divided by average assets.

2Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP) is annualized and divided by average assets.

3Operating return on average assets (Non-GAAP) is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average assets.

4Operating PPNR return on average assets (Non-GAAP) is the annualized operating PPNR earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average assets.

5Return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) is the annualized net income divided by average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP).

6Operating return on average shareholders’ equity (Non-GAAP) is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average equity.

7Operating return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP).

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

Three Months Ended

Dec

Sep

Jun

Mar

Dec

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

Tangible Common Equity:

Shareholders' equity (GAAP)

$

491,461

$

489,023

$

472,465

$

466,796

$

459,886

Less goodwill and other intangible assets

104,723

105,324

105,929

106,537

107,148

Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)

$

386,738

$

383,699

$

366,536

$

360,259

$

352,738

Average Tangible Common Equity:

Average shareholders' equity (GAAP)

$

489,172

$

478,642

$

466,371

$

461,148

$

449,526

Less average goodwill and other intangible assets

105,093

105,701

106,301

106,920

107,551

Average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)

$

384,079

$

372,941

$

360,070

$

354,228

$

341,975

Tangible Book Value per Common Share:

Book value per common share (GAAP)

$

29.04

$

28.89

$

27.91

$

27.37

$

27.07

Adjustment due to goodwill and other intangible assets

(6.19

)

(6.22

)

(6.25

)

(6.25

)

(6.31

)

Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP)1

$

22.85

$

22.67

$

21.66

$

21.12

$

20.76

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets:

Total Assets (GAAP)

$

5,275,904

$

4,908,934

$

4,891,009

$

4,954,690

$

4,829,387

Less goodwill and other intangibles

104,723

105,324

105,929

106,537

107,148

Tangible Assets (Non-GAAP)

$

5,171,181

$

4,803,610

$

4,785,080

$

4,848,153

$

4,722,239

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)

7.48

%

7.99

%

7.66

%

7.43

%

7.47

%

 

1 Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) is computed by dividing total shareholders’ equity, less goodwill and other intangible assets, by common shares outstanding.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121337466/en/

Contacts

Investor Contacts

Billy Carroll
President & Chief Executive Officer
Email: billy.carroll@smartbank.com
Phone: (865) 868-0613


Nathan Strall
Vice President and Director of Strategy & Corporate Development
Email: nathan.strall@smartbank.com
Phone: (865) 868-2604


Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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