SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2021

  • January 24, 2022
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  • SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2021

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2021

  • Operating earnings1of $0.52 and $2.39 per diluted common share for the 2021 fourth quarter and year end, respectively
  • 31% increase in year-over-year operating earnings1per diluted common share
  • Net organic loan growth of over $75 million, a 12% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
  • Tangible book value per share1of $19.26, a 4.8% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
  • Strategic Nashville, TN MSA2enhancement with several senior relationship manager hires
  • Gulf Coast Wealth Management team lift-out previously responsible for managing ~$350 million in AUM2
  • Completion of Sevier County Bancshares, Inc. (“SCB”) integration; five branch closures with near full realization of operational efficiencies
  • Opening of Mobile, AL branch office and application approval of Auburn, Dothan and Montgomery branch offices
  • Opening of Birmingham, AL loan production office

1 Non-GAAP
2 Metropolitan Statistical Area (“MSA”); Assets Under Management (“AUM”)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SmartFinancial, Inc. (“SmartFinancial” or the “Company”; NASDAQ: SMBK), today announced net income of $6.7 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, and compared to prior quarter net income of $9.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share. Operating earnings (Non-GAAP), which excludes securities gains, merger related and restructuring expenses and non-operating items, totaled $8.7 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $9.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2020, and compared to $9.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2021.

Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: “SmartFinancial reported another solid quarter as we wrapped up an outstanding year for our company.  Loans and deposits continued to organically grow at a strong pace.  We also expanded our sales team again this quarter with experienced and seasoned industry professionals. The investments we made in 2021 are positioning us very well as we look into 2022 and beyond.”

SmartFinancial’s Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: “We couldn’t be more excited about where we are as a company. Our 2021 was a fantastic year on many fronts and it’s nice to finish with strong numbers and incredible momentum. Our team is poised and ready for 2022.” 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $29.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $30.4 million for the prior quarter. Average earning assets totaled $4.08 billion, an increase of $469.4 million. The growth in average earnings assets was primarily driven by an increase in average securities of $167.7 million, average interest-earning cash of $163.2 million and average loans and leases of $137.3 million. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $354.3 million, related to continued core deposit growth.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.92% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 3.35% for the prior quarter. The tax equivalent net interest margin was impacted by a 47 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets and offset by a 5 basis point decline in the rate on interest-bearing liabilities over the prior quarter.  The decrease in yield on interest-earning assets was due to the combined impact of a quarter-over-quarter loan discount accretion and Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) fee accretion decrease of $2.5 million and increased interest-earning cash position.  

The yield on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.39% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 0.44% for the prior quarter. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 0.29% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 0.34% for the prior quarter, a decrease of 5 basis points. The lower cost of average deposits was attributable to the maturing and repricing of time deposits, which decreased 13 basis points during the period. The cost of total deposits for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 0.22% compared to 0.25% in the prior quarter.

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

               
    Three Months Ended      
    Dec   Sep   Increase  
Selected Interest Rates and Yields   2021   2021   (Decrease)  
Yield on loans and leases   4.53 % 4.95 % (0.42 ) %
Yield on earning assets, FTE   3.20 % 3.67 % (0.47 ) %
Cost of interest-bearing deposits   0.29 % 0.34 % (0.05 ) %
Cost of total deposits   0.22 % 0.25 % (0.03 ) %
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities   0.39 % 0.44 % (0.05 ) %
Net interest margin, FTE   2.92 % 3.35 % (0.43 ) %

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses and Credit Quality

At December 31, 2021, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $19.4 million. The allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases was 0.72% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 0.73% as of September 30, 2021.   For the Company’s originated loans and leases, the allowance for loan and lease losses to originated loans and leases, less PPP loans, was 0.74% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 0.76% as of September 30, 2021. The remaining discounts on the acquired loan and lease portfolio totaled $15.5 million, or 3.42% of acquired loans and leases as of December 31, 2021.  

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

                     
      Three Months Ended      
       Dec    Sep      
  Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Rollforward    2021    2021    Change
  Beginning balance   $ 19,295     $ 18,310     $ 985  
  Charge-offs     (499 )     (239 )     (260 )
  Recoveries     134       75       59  
  Net charge-offs     (365 )     (164 )     (201 )
  Provision     422       1,149       727  
  Ending balance   $ 19,352     $ 19,295     $ 57  
                     
  Allowance for loan losses to total loans and leases, gross     0.72 %     0.73     (0.01 )%

The Company is not required to implement the provisions of the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) accounting standard until January 1, 2023 and is continuing to account for the allowance for loan and lease losses under the incurred loss model.

Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of total loans and leases was 0.12% as of December 31, 2021, a decrease of 1 basis point from the 0.13% reported in the third quarter of 2021. 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 0.11% as of December 31, 2021, as compared to 0.14% as of September 30, 2021. 

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   2021    2021    (Decrease)
  Nonaccrual loans and leases   $ 3,124   $ 3,567   $ (443 )
  Loans and leases past due 90 days or more and still accruing     64         64  
  Total nonperforming loans and leases     3,188     3,567     (379 )
  Other real estate owned     1,780     2,415     (635 )
  Other repossessed assets     90     77     13  
  Total nonperforming assets   $ 5,058   $ 6,059   $ (1,001 )
                     
  Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross     0.12 %   0.13 %   (0.01 )%
  Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.11 %   0.14 %   (0.03 )%

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased $497 thousand to $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $6.3 million for the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:

  • Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the SCB acquisition, account growth and transaction volume;
  • Increase in investment income, related to increased volume;
  • Decrease in insurance commissions, due to lower transaction volume, primarily driven by seasonality;
  • Increased interchange and debit card transaction fees, related to higher volume, account growth and the SCB acquisition; and
  • Increase in other, primarily from the gain on sale of credit card portfolio.

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     2021     2021     (Decrease)
Service charges on deposit accounts   $ 1,372   $ 1,220   $ 152  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net         45     (45 )
Mortgage banking income     803     994     (191 )
Investment services     621     448     173  
Insurance commissions     517     745     (228 )
Interchange and debit card transaction fees     1,445     1,078     367  
Other     2,048     1,779     269  
Total noninterest income   $ 6,806   $ 6,309   $ 497  

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $4.5 million to $27.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $23.3 million for the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:

  • Increase in salaries and employee benefits, primarily due to:
    • Additional personnel related to the SCB acquisition;
    • Banking team hires in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham, AL, Tallahassee, FL and Nashville, TN;
    • The Gulf Coast Wealth Management team lift-out;
  • Increase in occupancy and equipment expense from the SCB acquisition and expansion in Alabama; and
  • Increase in other expense, primarily related to overall franchise growth.

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     2021     2021     (Decrease)
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 14,990   $ 13,594   $ 1,396  
Occupancy and equipment     3,026     2,536     490  
FDIC insurance     567     525     42  
Other real estate and loan related expenses     583     407     176  
Advertising and marketing     176     235     (59 )
Data processing and technology     1,722     1,753     (31 )
Professional services     847     810     37  
Amortization of intangibles     660     711     (51 )
Merger related and restructuring expenses     2,762     464     2,298  
Other     2,490     2,274     216  
Total noninterest expense   $ 27,823   $ 23,309   $ 4,514  

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $1.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $872 thousand, compared to $2.6 million for the prior quarter.

The effective tax rate was 20.9% for the fourth quarter of 2021 and 21.5% for the prior quarter.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at December 31, 2021 were $4.61 billion compared with $3.30 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $1.31 billion is primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $563.4 million, securities of $343.8 million, loans and leases of $311.2 million, bank owned life insurance of $48.4 million and goodwill and intangibles of $19.4 million related to the SCB acquisition and the acquisition of Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC.

Total liabilities increased to $4.18 billion at December 31, 2021 from $2.95 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $1.23 billion was primarily from organic deposit growth of $809.8 million and deposits of $407.0 million from the SCB acquisition.

Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2021 totaled $429.4 million, an increase of $72.3 million, from December 31, 2020. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily from the issuance of $42.3 million of common stock for the acquisition of SCB and net income of $34.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, which was offset by repurchase of the Company’s common stock of $1.2 million and $3.7 million of dividends paid.   Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) was $19.26 at December 31, 2021, compared to $17.92 at December 31, 2020. Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) as a percentage of tangible assets (Non-GAAP) was 7.18% at December 31, 2021, compared with 8.41% at December 31, 2020.

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

                     
    Dec   Dec   Increase  
Selected Balance Sheet Information   2021   2020   (Decrease)  
Total assets   $ 4,611,579   $ 3,304,949   $ 1,306,630  
Total liabilities     4,182,149     2,947,781     1,234,368  
Total equity     429,430     357,168     72,262  
Securities     559,422     215,634     343,788  
Loans and leases     2,693,397     2,382,243     311,154  
Deposits     4,021,938     2,805,215     1,216,723  
Borrowings     87,585     81,199     6,386  

Conference Call Information

SmartFinancial issued this earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2021 on Monday, January 24, 2022, and will host a conference call on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access this interactive teleconference, dial (844) 200-6205 for United States or +1 (929) 526-1599 for other locations and enter the access code, 574606. A replay of the conference call will be available through March 26, 2022, by dialing (866) 813-9403 for United States or +44 (204) 525-0658 and entering the access code, 247688. Conference call materials will be published on the Company’s webpage located at http://www.smartfinancialinc.com/CorporateProfile, at 9:00 am 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 the Florida Panhandle. 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

   
Source  
SmartFinancial, Inc.  
   
Investor Contacts  
Billy Carroll  
President & CEO  
(865) 868-0613   [email protected]   
   
Ron Gorczynski  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer  
(865) 437-5724   [email protected]   
   
Media Contact  
Kelley Fowler  
Senior Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing  
(865) 868-0611   [email protected]   
   

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 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, including: (i) operating earnings, (ii) operating return on average assets, (iii) operating pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets, (iv) operating return on average shareholders’ equity, (v) return on average tangible common equity, (vi) operating return on average tangible common equity, (vii) operating efficiency ratio, (viii) operating noninterest income, (ix) operating pre-tax pre-provision earnings (x) operating noninterest expense, (xi) tangible common equity, (xii) average tangible common equity, (xiii) tangible book value; (xiv) tangible assets; and ratios derived therefrom, in its analysis of the company’s performance. Operating earnings excludes the following from net income: securities gains and losses, proceeds related to the termination of an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (“ADECA”) loan program, merger related and restructuring expenses. Operating return on average assets is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average assets. Operating pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets is the annualized operating pre-tax pre-provision income earnings (Non-GAAP) by average assets. Operating return on average shareholders’ equity is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average equity. Return on average tangible common equity is the annualized net income divided by average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP). Operating return on average tangible common equity is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP). The operating efficiency ratio includes an adjustment for taxable equivalent yields and excludes securities gains and losses and merger related and restructuring expenses from the efficiency ratio. Operating noninterest income excludes the following from noninterest income: securities gains and losses, proceeds related to the termination of the ADECA loan program. Operating pre-tax pre-provision earnings is net interest income plus operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP) less operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP). Operating noninterest expense excludes the following from noninterest expense: prior year adjustments to salaries, merger related and restructuring expenses and certain franchise tax true-up expenses. Tangible common equity and average tangible common equity excludes goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholders’ equity and average shareholders’ equity, respectively. Tangible book value is tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) divided by common shares outstanding. Tangible assets excludes goodwill and other intangibles from total assets. 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 believes these non-GAAP financial measures also 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, including statements regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants on the Company’s business and financial results and conditions, 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) the risk that cost savings and revenue synergies from recently completed acquisitions may not be realized or may take longer than anticipated to realize; (4) disruption from recently completed acquisitions with customer, supplier, employee, or other business relationships; (5) our ability to successfully integrate the businesses acquired as part of previous acquisitions with the business of SmartBank; (6) risks related to the acquisition of Sevier County Bancshares, Inc. (“SCB”); (7) the risk that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of SCB may not be realized in the time frame anticipated; (8) changes in management’s plans for the future; (9) prevailing, or changes in, economic or political conditions, particularly in our market areas; (10) credit risk associated with our lending activities; (11) changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values, or competition; (12) changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; (13) changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations, including changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies or practices as a result of, or in response to COVID-19 and related variants; (14) adverse results from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of the Company’s participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants; (15) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants on the Company’s assets, business, cash flows, financial condition, liquidity, prospects and results of operations; (16) potential increases in the provision for loan losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants; 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
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Assets:                                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,045,077     $ 1,091,160     $ 673,515     $ 556,701     $ 481,719  
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value     482,453       339,343       250,817       250,937       215,634  
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost     76,969                          
Other investments     16,494       14,972       14,584       14,728       14,794  
Loans held for sale     5,103       3,418       4,334       7,870       11,721  
Loans and leases     2,693,397       2,652,663       2,468,318       2,487,129       2,382,243  
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses     (19,352 )     (19,295 )     (18,310 )     (18,370 )     (18,346 )
Loans and leases, net     2,674,045       2,633,368       2,450,008       2,468,759       2,363,897  
Premises and equipment, net     85,958       85,346       72,314       72,697       72,682  
Other real estate owned     1,780       2,415       2,499       3,946       4,619  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net     105,852       104,930       90,966       86,350       86,471  
Bank owned life insurance     79,619       79,145       72,013       71,586       31,215  
Other assets     38,229       29,934       23,306       23,629       22,197  
Total assets   $ 4,611,579     $ 4,384,031     $ 3,654,356     $ 3,557,203     $ 3,304,949  
Liabilities:                                   
Deposits:                                   
Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 1,055,125     $ 977,180     $ 807,560     $ 777,968     $ 685,957  
Interest-bearing demand     899,158       847,007       702,470       683,887       649,129  
Money market and savings     1,493,007       1,389,393       1,140,029       1,073,941       919,631  
Time deposits     574,648       585,692       489,413       512,417       550,498  
Total deposits     4,021,938       3,799,272       3,139,472       3,048,213       2,805,215  
Borrowings     87,585       88,748       78,834       82,642       81,199  
Subordinated debt     41,930       41,909       39,388       39,367       39,346  
Other liabilities     30,696       29,382       23,269       22,923       22,021  
Total liabilities     4,182,149       3,959,311       3,280,963       3,193,145       2,947,781  
Shareholders’ Equity:                                   
Common stock     16,803       16,801       15,110       15,105       15,107  
Additional paid-in capital     292,937       292,760       252,039       251,836       252,693  
Retained earnings     118,247       112,600       103,906       96,034       87,185  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     1,443       2,559       2,338       1,083       2,183  
Total shareholders’ equity     429,430       424,720       373,393       364,058       357,168  
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity   $ 4,611,579     $ 4,384,031     $ 3,654,356     $ 3,557,203     $ 3,304,949  

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
  2021   2021   2021     2021   2020   2021   2020
Interest income:                                             
Loans and leases, including fees $ 30,567   $ 31,674   $ 28,323     $ 28,018   $ 28,594   $ 118,582   $ 112,312
Investment securities:                                               
Taxable   1,341     832     916       724     609     3,813     2,423
Tax-exempt   322     331     304       259     306     1,215     1,369
Federal funds sold and other earning assets   547     474     309       291     303     1,622     1,509
Total interest income   32,777     33,311     29,852       29,292     29,812     125,232     117,613
Interest expense:                                               
Deposits   2,116     2,153     2,248       2,331     2,580     8,849     13,597
Borrowings   180     121     123       117     142     540     816
Subordinated debt   626     655     584       584     584     2,449     2,334
Total interest expense   2,922     2,929     2,955       3,032     3,306     11,838     16,747
Net interest income   29,855     30,382     26,897       26,260     26,506     113,394     100,866
Provision for loan and lease losses   422     1,149     (5 )     67         1,633     8,683
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses   29,433     29,233     26,902       26,193     26,506     111,761     92,183
Noninterest income:                                               
Service charges on deposit accounts   1,372     1,220     1,048       1,009     1,032     4,650     3,403
Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net       45                   45     6
Mortgage banking   803     994     1,105       1,139     1,331     4,040     3,875
Investment services   621     448     567       531     407     2,167     1,566
Insurance commissions   517     745     557       1,466     548     3,285     1,850
Interchange and debit card transaction fees   1,445     1,078     922       839     760     4,284     2,413
Other   2,048     1,779     944       707     898     5,478     2,313
Total noninterest income   6,806     6,309     5,143       5,691     4,976     23,949     15,426
Noninterest expense:                                               
Salaries and employee benefits   14,990     13,594     12,203       10,869     11,516     51,656     42,911
Occupancy and equipment   3,026     2,536     2,294       2,341     2,256     10,196     8,348
FDIC insurance   567     525     371       371     297     1,833     1,190
Other real estate and loan related expense   583     407     506       602     516     2,098     2,050
Advertising and marketing   176     235     230       190     181     830     834
Data processing and technology   1,722     1,753     1,509       1,379     1,182     6,364     4,476
Professional services   847     810     849       641     786     3,147     2,958
Amortization of intangibles   660     711     441       444     571     2,256     1,740
Merger related and restructuring expenses   2,762     464     372       103     702     3,701     4,565
Other   2,490     2,274     2,022       2,524     1,946     9,310     7,647
Total noninterest expense   27,823     23,309     20,797       19,464     19,953     91,391     76,719
Income before income taxes   8,416     12,233     11,248       12,420     11,529     44,319     30,890
Income tax expense   1,761     2,633     2,470       2,664     2,499     9,529     6,558
Net income $ 6,655   $ 9,600   $ 8,778     $ 9,756   $ 9,030   $ 34,790   $ 24,332
Earnings per common share:                                               
Basic $ 0.40   $ 0.62   $ 0.59     $ 0.65   $ 0.60   $ 2.23   $ 1.63
Diluted $ 0.40   $ 0.61   $ 0.58     $ 0.65   $ 0.59   $ 2.22   $ 1.62
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                               
Basic   16,699,010     15,557,528     15,003,657       15,011,573     15,109,298     15,572,537     14,955,423
Diluted   16,846,315     15,691,126     15,126,184       15,111,947     15,182,796     15,699,215     15,019,175

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information – (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
YIELD ANALYSIS

                                                   
    Three Months Ended  
    December 31, 2021   September 30, 2021   December 31, 2020  
       Average               Yield/      Average               Yield/      Average                Yield/  
    Balance   Interest1   Cost1   Balance   Interest1   Cost1   Balance   Interest1   Cost1  
Assets:                                                           
Loans and leases, including fees2   $ 2,669,943   $ 30,510   4.53 %   $ 2,532,604   $ 31,623   4.95 %   $ 2,401,406   $ 28,506   4.72 %
Loans held for sale     5,116     57   4.45 %     3,987     51   5.09 %     10,191     88   3.45 %  
Taxable securities     339,371     1,341   1.57 %     187,032     832   1.77 %     119,936     609   2.02 %
Tax-exempt securities     102,989     479   1.85 %     87,621     477   2.16 %     90,200     456   2.01 %
Federal funds sold and other earning assets     965,899     547   0.22 %     802,712     474   0.23 %     349,167     303   0.35 %
Total interest-earning assets     4,083,318     32,934   3.20 %     3,613,956     33,457   3.67 %     2,970,900     29,962   4.01 %
Noninterest-earning assets     383,783               323,067                 255,477              
Total assets   $ 4,467,101             $ 3,937,023               $ 3,226,377              
                                                   
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                                                           
Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 853,763     403   0.19 %   $ 763,613     414   0.21 %   $ 570,326     230   0.16 %
Money market and savings deposits     1,428,472     920   0.26 %     1,233,533     854   0.27 %     903,235     774   0.34 %
Time deposits     583,165     793   0.54 %     524,327     885   0.67 %     565,237     1,576   1.11 %
Total interest-bearing deposits     2,865,400     2,116   0.29 %     2,521,473     2,153   0.34 %     2,038,798     2,580   0.50 %
Borrowings3     88,828     180   0.80 %     80,188     121   0.60 %     99,777     142   0.57 %
Subordinated debt     41,917     626   5.92 %     40,211     654   6.46 %     39,332     584   5.90 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,996,145     2,922   0.39 %     2,641,872     2,928   0.44 %     2,177,907     3,306   0.60 %
Noninterest-bearing deposits     1,016,438               877,831                 670,820              
Other liabilities     27,710               24,522                 23,624              
Total liabilities     4,040,293               3,544,225                 2,872,351              
Shareholders’ equity     426,808               392,798                 354,026              
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,467,101             $ 3,937,023               $ 3,226,377              
                                                   
Net interest income, taxable equivalent         $ 30,012              $ 30,529               $ 26,656       
Interest rate spread               2.81 %                 3.23 %                 3.41 %  
Tax equivalent net interest margin               2.92 %                 3.35 %                 3.57 %  
                                                   
Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities               136.29 %                 136.80 %                 136.41 %  
Percentage of average equity to average assets               9.55 %                 9.98 %                 10.97 %  

1 Taxable equivalent
2 Includes average balance of $80,501, $128,408 and $296,337 in PPP loans for the quarters ended December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.  
3 Includes average balance of $18,092 in Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) funding for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. No PPPLF funding was used for the quarters ended December 31, 2021, and September 30, 2021.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information – (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
YIELD ANALYSIS

                                     
    Year Ended
    December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020  
       Average               Yield/      Average               Yield/     
    Balance   Interest1   Cost1   Balance   Interest1   Cost1  
Assets:                                          
Loans and leases, including fees2   $ 2,535,006   $ 118,332     4.67 %   $ 2,289,612   $ 111,992   4.89 %  
Loans held for sale     5,571     250     4.48 %     7,360     320   4.34 %  
Taxable securities     207,459     3,813     1.84 %     122,900     2,423   1.97 %  
Tax-exempt securities     92,708     1,817     1.96 %     83,765     1,941   2.32 %  
Federal funds sold and other earning assets     680,909     1,622     0.24 %     308,843     1,509   0.49 %  
Total interest-earning assets     3,521,653     125,834     3.57 %     2,812,480     118,185   4.20 %  
Noninterest-earning assets     317,457                 250,955              
Total assets   $ 3,839,110               $ 3,063,435              
                                     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                                          
Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 737,251     1,378     0.19 %   $ 481,050     1,013   0.21 %  
Money market and savings deposits     1,191,916     3,501     0.29 %     788,006     3,482   0.44 %  
Time deposits     533,994     3,970     0.74 %     641,647     9,102   1.42 %  
Total interest-bearing deposits     2,463,161     8,849     0.36 %     1,910,703     13,597   0.71 %  
Borrowings3     83,105     540     0.65 %     177,204     816   0.46 %  
Subordinated debt     40,221     2,449     6.09 %     39,301     2,334   5.94 %  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,586,487     11,838     0.46 %     2,127,208     16,747   0.79 %  
Noninterest-bearing deposits     841,746                 571,282             
Other liabilities     23,189                 23,775             
Total liabilities     3,451,422                 2,722,265             
Shareholders’ equity     387,688                 341,170             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 3,839,110               $ 3,063,435             
                                     
Net interest income, taxable equivalent         $ 113,996                $ 101,438      
Interest rate spread                 3.12 %                 3.41 %  
Tax equivalent net interest margin                 3.24 %                 3.61 %  
                                     
Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities                 136.16 %                 132.21 %  
Percentage of average equity to average assets                 10.10 %                 11.14 %  

1 Taxable equivalent
2 Includes average balance of $196,078 and $201,470 in PPP loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
3 Includes average balance of $91,190 in PPPLF funding for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. No PPPLF funding was used for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021.

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  
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020  
Composition of Loans and Leases:                                   
Commercial real estate:                                   
owner occupied   $ 590,064   $ 560,671   $ 492,750   $ 477,293   $ 463,771  
non-owner occupied     794,092     752,576     669,741     593,348     549,205  
Commercial real estate, total     1,384,156     1,313,247     1,162,491     1,070,641     1,012,976  
Commercial & industrial     488,024     469,739     496,114     686,010     634,446  
Construction & land development     278,386     326,374     300,704     285,973     278,075  
Consumer real estate     477,272     478,161     444,640     432,486     443,930  
Leases     53,708     53,396     53,038          
Consumer and other     11,851     11,746     11,331     12,019     12,816  
Total loans and leases   $ 2,693,397   $ 2,652,663   $ 2,468,318   $ 2,487,129   $ 2,382,243  
                                 
Asset Quality and Additional Loan Data:                                   
Nonperforming loans and leases   $ 3,188   $ 3,567   $ 3,758   $ 6,234   $ 5,782  
Other real estate owned     1,780     2,415     2,499     3,946     4,619  
Other repossessed assets     90     77     199          
Total nonperforming assets   $ 5,058   $ 6,059   $ 6,456   $ 10,180   $ 10,401  
Restructured loans and leases not included in nonperforming loans and leases   $ 224   $ 212   $ 219   $ 250   $ 257  
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)     0.05 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     0.01 %     0.08 %
Allowance for loan and leases losses to loans and leases     0.72 %     0.73 %     0.74 %     0.74 %     0.77 %
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross     0.12 %     0.13 %     0.15 %     0.25 %     0.24 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.11 %     0.14 %     0.18 %     0.29 %     0.31 %
Acquired loan and lease fair value discount balance   $ 15,483   $ 13,001   $ 12,982   $ 12,951   $ 14,467  
Accretion income on acquired loans and leases     457     1,760     761     1,636     768  
PPP net fees deferred balance     2,038     3,783     6,651     7,351     4,190  
PPP net fees recognized     1,725     2,873     2,132     2,398     2,157  
                                 
Capital Ratios:                                   
Equity to Assets     9.31 %     9.69 %     10.22 %     10.23 %     10.81 %
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)1     7.18 %     7.47 %     7.93 %     8.00 %     8.41 %
                                 
SmartFinancial, Inc.2                                   
Tier 1 leverage     7.45 %     8.36 %     8.10 %     8.55 %     8.69 %
Common equity Tier 1     10.23 %     10.85 %     10.63 %     11.29 %     11.61 %
Tier 1 capital     10.23 %     10.85 %     10.63 %     11.29 %     11.61 %
Total capital     12.16 %     12.92 %     12.80 %     13.62 %     14.07 %
                                 
SmartBank     Estimated3                            
Tier 1 leverage     8.23 %     9.20 %     8.75 %     9.33 %     9.58 %
Common equity Tier 1     11.58 %     11.94 %     11.50 %     12.31 %     12.79 %
Tier 1 capital     11.58 %     11.94 %     11.50 %     12.31 %     12.79 %
Total capital     12.21 %     12.59 %     12.19 %     13.05 %     13.57 %

1Total common equity less intangibles divided by total assets less intangibles. See reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures.
2All periods presented are estimated.
3 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  
  2021   2021   2021   2021   2020     2021   2020  
Selected Performance Ratios (Annualized):                                                   
Return on average assets   0.59 %   0.97 %   0.98 %   1.18 %   1.11 %     0.91 %   0.79 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity   6.19 %   9.70 %   9.53 %   10.96 %   10.15 %     8.97 %   7.13 %
Return on average tangible common equity¹   8.18 %   12.84 %   12.54 %   14.41 %   13.43 %     11.84 %   9.50 %
Noninterest income / average assets   0.60 %   0.64 %   0.58 %   0.69 %   0.61 %     0.62 %   0.50 %
Noninterest expense / average assets   2.47 %   2.35 %   2.33 %   2.35 %   2.46 %     2.38 %   2.50 %
Efficiency ratio   75.89 %   63.53 %   64.91 %   60.92 %   63.38 %     66.54 %   65.97 %
                                             
Operating Selected Performance Ratios (Annualized):                                                   
Operating return on average assets1   0.77 %   1.00 %   1.01 %   1.19 %   1.14 %     0.98 %   0.89 %
Operating PTPP return on average assets1   1.03 %   1.39 %   1.30 %   1.52 %   1.45 %     1.29 %   1.43 %
Operating return on average shareholders’ equity1   8.09 %   10.01 %   9.83 %   11.05 %   10.34 %     9.67 %   8.02 %
Operating return on average tangible common equity1   10.70 %   13.26 %   12.93 %   14.53 %   13.69 %     12.77 %   10.67 %
Operating efficiency ratio1   68.07 %   62.09 %   63.46 %   60.32 %   60.86 %     63.59 %   61.75 %
Operating noninterest income / average assets1   0.60 %   0.63 %   0.58 %   0.69 %   0.56 %     0.62 %   0.49 %
Operating noninterest expense / average assets1   2.23 %   2.30 %   2.29 %   2.34 %   2.37 %     2.28 %   2.36 %
                                             
Selected Interest Rates and Yields:                                                   
Yield on loans and leases   4.53 %   4.95 %   4.52 %   4.67 %   4.72 %     4.67 %   4.89 %
Yield on earning assets, FTE   3.20 %   3.67 %   3.65 %   3.88 %   4.01 %     3.57 %   4.20 %
Cost of interest-bearing deposits   0.29 %   0.34 %   0.39 %   0.44 %   0.50 %     0.36 %   0.71 %
Cost of total deposits   0.22 %   0.25 %   0.29 %   0.33 %   0.38 %     0.27 %   0.55 %
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities   0.39 %   0.44 %   0.49 %   0.54 %   0.60 %     0.46 %   0.79 %
Net interest margin, FTE   2.92 %   3.35 %   3.29 %   3.48 %   3.57 %     3.24 %   3.61 %
                                             
Per Common Share:                                                   
Net income, basic $ 0.40   $ 0.62   $ 0.59   $ 0.65   $ 0.60     $ 2.23   $ 1.63  
Net income, diluted   0.40     0.61     0.58     0.65     0.59       2.22     1.62  
Operating earnings, basic¹   0.52     0.64     0.60     0.65     0.61       2.41     1.83  
Operating earnings, diluted¹   0.52     0.63     0.60     0.65     0.61       2.39     1.82  
Book value   25.56     25.28     24.71     24.10     23.64       25.56     23.64  
Tangible book value¹   19.26     19.03     18.69     18.39     17.92       19.26     17.92  
Common shares outstanding   16,802,990     16,801,447     15,109,736     15,104,536     15,107,214       16,802,990     15,107,214  

¹See 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
    2021   2021   2021   2020   2020     2021   2020
Operating Earnings:                                                 
Net income (GAAP)   $ 6,655     $ 9,600     $ 8,778     $ 9,756     $ 9,030       $ 34,790     $ 24,332  
Noninterest income:                                                   
Securities gains (losses), net           (45 )                         (45 )     (6 )
ADECA termination proceeds                             (465 )             (465 )
Noninterest expenses:                                            
Merger related and restructuring expenses     2,762       464       372       103       702         3,701       4,565  
Income taxes:                                            
Income tax effect of adjustments     (713 )     (108 )     (96 )     (27 )     (62 )       (944 )     (1,071 )
Operating earnings (Non-GAAP)   $ 8,704     $ 9,911     $ 9,054     $ 9,832     $ 9,205       $ 37,502     $ 27,355  
Operating earnings per common share (Non-GAAP):                                                   
Basic   $ 0.52     $ 0.64     $ 0.60     $ 0.65     $ 0.61       $ 2.41     $ 1.83  
Diluted     0.52       0.63       0.60       0.65       0.61         2.39       1.82  
                                             
Operating Noninterest Income:                                                   
Noninterest income (GAAP)   $ 6,806     $ 6,309     $ 5,143     $ 5,691     $ 4,976       $ 23,949     $ 15,426  
Securities gains (losses), net           (45 )                         (45 )     (6 )
ADECA termination proceeds                             (465 )             (465 )
Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP)   $ 6,806     $ 6,264     $ 5,143     $ 5,691     $ 4,511       $ 23,904     $ 14,955  
Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP)/average assets1     0.60     0.63      0.58     0.69      0.56       0.62     0.49
                                             
Operating Noninterest Expense:                                                   
Noninterest expense (GAAP)   $ 27,823     $ 23,309     $ 20,797     $ 19,464     $ 19,953       $ 91,391     $ 76,719  
Merger related and restructuring expenses     (2,762 )     (464 )     (372 )     (103 )     (702 )       (3,701 )     (4,565 )
Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)   $ 25,061     $ 22,845     $ 20,425     $ 19,361     $ 19,251       $ 87,690     $ 72,154  
Operating noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)/average assets2     2.23     2.30   2.29      2.34      2.37       2.28     2.36
                                             
Operating Pre-tax Pre-provision (“PTPP”) Earnings:                                            
Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 29,855     $ 30,382     $ 26,897     $ 26,260     $ 26,506       $ 113,394     $ 100,866  
Operating noninterest income     6,806       6,264       5,143       5,691       4,511         23,904       14,955  
Operating noninterest expense     (25,061 )     (22,845 )     (20,425 )     (19,361 )     (19,251 )       (87,690 )     (72,154 )
Operating PTPP earnings (Non-GAAP)   $ 11,600     $ 13,801     $ 11,615     $ 12,590     $ 11,766       $ 49,608     $ 43,667  
                                             
Non-GAAP Return Ratios:                                                   
Operating return on average assets (Non-GAAP)3     0.77     1.00     1.01     1.19     1.14       0.98     0.89
Operating PTPP return on average assets (Non-GAAP)4     1.03     1.39     1.30     1.52     1.45       1.29     1.43
Return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)5     8.18     12.84     12.54     14.41     13.43       11.84     9.50
Operating return on average shareholders’ equity (Non-GAAP)6     8.09     10.01     9.83     11.05     10.34       9.67     8.02
Operating return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)7     10.70     13.26     12.93     14.53     13.69       12.77     10.67
                                             
Operating Efficiency Ratio:                                                   
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)     75.89     63.53     64.91 %     60.92     63.38       66.54     65.97
Adjustment for taxable equivalent yields     (0.32 )%     (0.25 )%     (0.30 )%     (0.28 )%     (0.30 )%       (0.29 )%     (0.33 )%
Adjustment for securities gains (losses)         (0.08 )%                   (0.02 )%     (0.01 )%
Adjustment for merger related income and costs     (7.50 )%     (1.11 )%     (1.15 )%     (0.32 )%     (2.22 )%       (2.64 )%     (3.88 )%
Operating efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP)     68.07     62.09     63.46     60.32     60.86       63.59     61.75

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 PTPP return on average assets (Non-GAAP) is the annualized operating PTPP 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   Year Ended
       Dec      Sep      Jun      Mar      Dec      Dec      Dec
    2021   2021   2021   2020   2020   2021   2020
Tangible Common Equity:                                               
Shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 429,430     $ 424,720     $ 373,393     $ 364,058     $ 357,168     $ 429,430     $ 357,168  
Less goodwill and other intangible assets     105,852       104,930       90,966       86,350       86,471       105,852       86,471  
Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)   $ 323,578     $ 319,790     $ 282,427     $ 277,708     $ 270,697     $ 323,578     $ 270,697  
                                           
Average Tangible Common Equity:                                                 
Average shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 426,808     $ 392,798     $ 369,325     $ 360,919     $ 354,026     $ 387,688     $ 341,170  
Less average goodwill and other intangible assets     104,193       96,250       88,551       86,424       86,561       93,910       84,913  
Average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)   $ 322,615     $ 296,548     $ 280,774     $ 274,495     $ 267,465     $ 293,778     $ 256,257  
                                           
Tangible Book Value per Common Share:                                          
Book value per common share (GAAP)   $ 25.56     $ 25.28     $ 24.71     $ 24.10     $ 23.64     $ 25.56     $ 23.64  
Adjustment due to goodwill and other intangible assets     (6.30 )     (6.25 )     (6.02 )     (5.71 )     (5.72 )     (6.30 )     (5.72 )
Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP)1   $ 19.26     $ 19.03     $ 18.69     $ 18.39     $ 17.92     $ 19.26     $ 17.92  
                                           
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets:                                          
Total Assets   $ 4,611,579     $ 4,384,031     $ 3,654,356     $ 3,557,203     $ 3,304,949     $ 4,611,579     $ 3,304,949  
Less goodwill and other intangibles     105,852       104,930       90,966       86,350       86,471       105,852       86,471  
Tangible Assets (Non-GAAP):   $ 4,505,727     $ 4,279,101     $ 3,563,390     $ 3,470,853     $ 3,218,478     $ 4,505,727     $ 3,218,478  
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)     7.18 %     7.47 %     7.93 %     8.00 %     8.41 %     7.18 %     8.41 %

1Tangible book value per share is computed by dividing total stockholder’s equity, less goodwill and other intangible assets by common shares outstanding.

 


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