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Performance Highlights

  • Record high total assets of $1.7 billion, net loans of $1.3 billion, and deposits of $1.4 billion. 
  • Net interest margin, taxable equivalent, increased to 4.64 percent in the quarter due to higher earning assets yields.
  • Efficiency ratio decreased by over 4 percentage points to 74.3 percent, while operating efficiency ratio dropped to 60.7 percent.
  • Net operating earnings available to common shareholders totaled $3.7 million in the quarter and net operating ROAA increased to 0.99 percent.
  • Asset quality was outstanding with nonperforming assets to total assets of just 0.29 percent.

KNOXVILLE, TN – January 31, 2018 – SmartFinancial, Inc. (“SmartFinancial”; NASDAQ: SMBK), announced today net income available to common shareholders of $38 thousand in its fourth quarter of 2017 or $0.00 per share, compared to $1.4 million or $0.23 per share a year ago.  On November 1, 2017, SmartFinancial completed the acquisition of Capstone Bancshares and Capstone Community Bank and this quarter includes two months of the results of the acquired companies.  This quarter also included $1.7 million in pre-tax merger related charges and a $2.5 million after-tax charge to reduce the value of the firm’s deferred tax assets as a result of the tax law signed in December.

Billy Carroll stated “We are extremely proud of our achievements in the fourth quarter and for the year.  2017 was a transformative year for SmartFinancial.  We completed a branch acquisition in Cleveland, TN in the second quarter, announced and closed our Tuscaloosa, AL-based Capstone Bancshares deal and in the fourth quarter announced the Tennessee Bancshares acquisition to expand our footprint in Middle Tennessee and Huntsville, AL.  Our pre-tax financial results were very solid, even while closing Capstone during the quarter.  Net Operating Earnings per common share were $0.35 compared to $0.23 a year ago.

The passage of the tax reform legislation will have a very positive impact on our earnings stream as we move into 2018, but it required us to revalue our deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter, resulting in a $2.5 million non-cash charge to tax expense. Despite the one-time charge, the tax reform will be very good for our company, our industry, and our shareholders.

The company’s organic growth continued to be strong, even while working on various acquisition initiatives.  Including a particularly robust $83 million for the fourth quarter.  This growth has been accomplished with maintaining outstanding credit quality with a 0.29 percent non-performing assets-to-assets ratio.  All of our markets continue to trend well and our credit metrics show no deterioration.  Also important to note, our core margin remains strong, even with a slight increase in funds costs.  Our efficiency ratio was down quarter to quarter, even with the merger-related expenses.  This remains a key emphasis for our management team and will continue to be a focus as we integrate our upcoming acquisitions.”

SmartFinancial’s Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded:  “I’ve been extremely pleased with our team’s effort during the quarter and the year and we’ve now positioned the company to capitalize on the foundation we’ve built over the last two years.  Our fourth quarter core operating metrics give a glimpse of what our company’s future holds. Our management has been working to make sure we have a successful integration of Capstone and of Southern Community Bank in 2018.”

Fourth Quarter 2017 compared to Third Quarter 2017

Net income available to common shareholders totaled $38 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2017, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017.  Net operating earnings available to common shareholders, which excludes securities gains, merger and conversion costs, foreclosed assets gains and losses, and the effect of the deferred tax asset revaluation, totaled $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $1.8 million in the previous quarter.

Net interest income to average assets of 4.09 percent for the quarter increased from 3.81 percent in the third quarter of 2017. Net interest income totaled $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2017. Net interest income was positively impacted during the quarter by increases in earning asset balances and higher earning asset yields.  Net interest margin, taxable equivalent, increased from 4.17 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to 4.64 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher average loan balances, higher loan yields (including purchased loan accounting adjustments), and higher security yields.

Provision for loan losses was $442 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $30 thousand in the third quarter of 2017. The increase in provision for loan losses was primarily due to increases in originated loan balances.  Annualized net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2017 remained at a very low level, just (0.01) percent of average loans compared to (0.02) percent the third quarter of 2017.

The allowance for loan losses, or the ALLL, was $5.9 million, or 0.44 percent of total loans as of December 31, 2017, compared to $5.4 million, or 0.62 percent of total loans, as of September 30, 2017.  In addition to the allowance for loan losses there were $17.9 million additional net purchase discounts on $523.6 million of acquired loans as of December 31, 2017, compared to $8.2 million net purchase discounts on $166.5 million of acquired loans, as of September 30, 2017.

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.13 percent as of December 31, 2017, which was down from 0.15 percent in the prior quarter. Total nonperforming assets (which include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and foreclosed assets) as a percentage of total assets was 0.29 percent as of December 31, 2017, compared to 0.37 percent as of September 30, 2017.

Non-interest income to average assets of 0.42 percent for the quarter was down slightly from 0.43 percent in the third quarter of 2017.  Non-interest income totaled $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2017.  The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to higher charges on deposit accounts and higher gains on the sale of loans and other assets.

Non-interest expense to average assets of 3.35 percent for the quarter was up slightly from 3.33 percent in the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher merger expenses. Non-interest expense totaled $12.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which included $1.7 million in merger related charges, compared to $9.5 million in third quarter of 2017, which had $303 thousand in merger charges.

Income tax expense was $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which included the $2.5 million reduction in the firm’s deferred tax assets. Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2017 was to $882 thousand.  Excluding the deferred tax charge the company’s effective tax rate was 35.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 34.4 percent in the third quarter of 2017.   The company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 26 percent in 2018.

Fourth Quarter 2017 compared to Fourth Quarter 2016

Net income available to common shareholders totaled $38 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2017, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Net operating earnings available to common shareholder, which excludes securities gains, merger and conversion costs, foreclosed assets gains and losses, and the effect of the deferred tax asset revaluation, totaled $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net interest income to average assets of 4.09 percent for the quarter increased from 3.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Net interest income totaled $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $9.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Net interest income was positively impacted during the quarter by increases in earning asset balances and higher earning asset yields.  Net interest margin, taxable equivalent, increased from 4.06 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016 to 4.64 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher average loan balances, higher loan yields (including purchased loan accounting adjustments), and higher securities balances.

Provision for loan losses was $442 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $171 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in provision was primarily due to increases in originated loan balances.  Annualized net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2017 remained at a very low level, just (0.01) percent of average loans compared to 0.02 percent the fourth quarter of 2016.

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.13 percent as of December 31, 2017, which was down significantly from 0.26 percent in the prior year. Total nonperforming assets (which include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and foreclosed assets) as a percentage of total assets was 0.29 percent as of December 31, 2017, compared to 0.43 percent as of December 31, 2016.

Non-interest income to average assets of 0.42 percent for the quarter increased from 0.37 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Non-interest income totaled $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $948 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2016.  The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to was primarily due to higher charges on deposit accounts, higher gains on the sale of loans and other assets, and higher income from bank owned life insurance.

Non-interest expense to average assets of 3.35 percent for the quarter was up from 3.09 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Non-interest expense totaled $12.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which included $1.7 million in merger related charges compared to $8.0 million in fourth quarter of 2016, which did not have any merger charges.

Income tax expense was $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which included the $2.5 million reduction of the firm’s deferred tax assets. Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $960 thousand.  Excluding the deferred tax charge the company’s effective tax rate was 35.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 34.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Conference Call Information

SmartFinancial will host a conference call on Thursday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET.  To access this interactive teleconference, dial (888) 317-6003 or (412) 317-6061 and enter the confirmation number: 6556809.  A replay of the conference call will be available through February xx, 2018, by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 and entering the confirmation number: 10113897.  Conference call materials (earnings release & conference call presentation) will be published on the company’s webpage located at http://www.smartfinancialinc.com/CorporateProfile at 9:00 am EST prior to the morning of 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 22 branches, one loan production office, and one mortgage production office located in East Tennessee, the Florida Panhandle, Central and Southern Alabama, and North Georgia. Recruiting the best people, delivering exceptional client service, strategic branching and a conservative and disciplined approach to lending have contributed to SmartBank’s success.  More information about SmartFinancial can be found on its website: www.smartfinancialinc.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements. SmartFinancial cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the proposed merger with Tennessee Bancshares, Inc. (the “Tennessee Bancshares merger”) and/or the recently completed merger with Capstone Bancshares, Inc. (the “Capstone merger”) may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; the disruption from either the Tennessee Bancshares merger or the Capstone merger with customers, suppliers or employees or other business partners’ relationships; the risk of successful integration of our business with that of Tennessee Bancshares or Capstone; the amount of costs, fees, expenses, and charges related to Tennessee Bancshares merger; the risk that the shareholders of Tennessee Bancshares may not approve the Tennessee Bancshares merger; risks of expansion into new geographic or product markets, like the proposed expansion into the Nashville, TN MSA associated with the proposed Tennessee Bancshares merger; changes in management’s plans for the future, prevailing economic and political conditions, particularly in our market area; credit risk associated with our lending activities; changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines; changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation or practice with respect to tax or legal issues; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services and other factors that may be described in our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, SmartFinancial assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Important Information for Investors and Shareholders

In connection with the Tennessee Bancshares merger, SmartFinancial intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to register the shares of SmartFinancial common stock that will be issued to Tennessee Bancshares’ shareholders in connection with the transaction. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus (that will be delivered to Tennessee Bancshares’ shareholders in connection with their required approval of the proposed merger) and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed Tennessee Bancshares merger.

INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SMARTFINANCIAL, SMARTBANK, TENNESSEE BANCSHARES, SOUTHERN COMMUNITY BANK, AND THE PROPOSED Tennessee Bancshares merger.

Investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of these documents once they are available through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus also may be obtained by contacting SmartFinancial’s Investor Relations Department at (423) 385-3009.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

SmartFinancial, Tennessee Bancshares, their directors and executive officers, and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of SmartFinancial is set forth in SmartFinancial’s proxy statement for its 2017 annual shareholders meeting. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC.

Statements included in this press release include 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 non-GAAP financial measures, including: (i) net operating earnings available to common shareholders; (ii) operating efficiency ratio; and (iii) tangible common equity, in its analysis of the company’s performance. Net operating earnings available to common shareholders excludes the following from net income available to common shareholders: securities gains and losses, OREO gain and losses, merger and conversion expenses, effect of the December, 2017 tax law change on deferred tax assets, and the income tax effect of adjustments. The operating efficiency ratio excludes securities gains and losses , adjustment for OREO gains and losses, and merger and conversion costs  from the efficiency ratio.  Tangible common equity excludes total preferred stock, preferred stock paid in capital, goodwill, and other intangible assets.

Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide additional useful information that allows readers to evaluate the ongoing performance of the company and provide meaningful comparisons to its peers. 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.

Source

SmartFinancial, Inc.

Investor Contacts

Billy Carroll                                                                                         Frank Hughes

President & CEO                                                                                 Executive Vice President, Investor Relations

(865) 868-0613                                                                                    (423) 385-3009

Media Contact

Kelley Fowler

First Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing

(865) 868-0611    kelley.fowler@smartbank.com