SMBK - SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmartFinancial, Inc. ("SmartFinancial" or the "Company"; NYSE: SMBK), today announced net income of $6.2 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to net income of $13.0 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2022, and compared to prior quarter net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share. Operating earnings ¹ , which excludes non-recurring expenses related to a Community Reinvestment Act donation of a former branch location and accruals in respect of pending litigation, net of tax adjustments, totaled $6.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $12.9 million, or $0.76 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2022, and compared to $7.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2023.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

• Operating earnings ¹ of $6.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share
• Net organic loan and lease growth of $66 million - 8% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
• Credit quality remains solid with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.20%
• Deposit growth of $21.3 million – 2.0% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
• SmartFinancial celebrates successful debut on the New York Stock Exchange
• Chief Banking Officer position added in fourth quarter 2023
• SmartBank President and CEO elected to Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Board of Directors
  

Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: “Our Company closed 2023 with positive momentum despite persistent operating environment challenges.  The fourth quarter was highlighted by continued growth in our balance sheet with loans growing at 8% and deposits growing at 2%, annualized, respectively quarter over quarter.  Our operating earnings were bolstered by stabilization of our net interest margin, as well as continued expense control.  Despite the headwinds our industry faced during the year, our team responded incredibly well, positioning SmartBank to continue its upward trajectory.”

SmartFinancial's Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: “We are extremely proud of the entire SmartBank family for its efforts this year. Once again, this year showed that our team’s steadfast commitment to clients, even in the face of adversity, continues to be a winning formula. And while our growth in 2023 was good, I am especially pleased with the various operational enhancements we implemented throughout the year. Our associates work tirelessly to make SmartBank better and it’s through these initiatives that we improved our organization and ready us for 2024 and beyond. Thank you!”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $31.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $31.0 million for the prior quarter. Average earning assets totaled $4.38 billion, a decrease of $17.3 million from the prior quarter. The decrease in average earnings assets was primarily driven by a decrease in average securities of $125.5 million, offset by an increase in average loans and leases of $47.8 million and average interest-earning cash of $60.4 million.   Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $19.7 million from the prior quarter, attributable to an increase in average deposits of $22.5 million, offset by a decrease in average borrowings of $2.8 million.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.86% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 2.81% for the prior quarter. The tax equivalent net interest margin was positively impacted by the increased yield on interest-earning assets coupled with a slower rise in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, quarter over quarter. The yield on loans and leases, excluding loan fees, was 5.61% for the fourth quarter, compared to 5.52% for the prior quarter.

The cost of total deposits for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.35% compared to 2.20% in the prior quarter. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 3.07% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 2.89% for the prior quarter. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 3.00% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 2.84% for the prior quarter, an increase of 16 basis points.

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

Provision for Credit Losses on Loans and Leases and Credit Quality

At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $35.1 million. The allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases was 1.02% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1.00% as of September 30, 2023.

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

⁽¹⁾ The current quarter-ended and prior quarter-ended, excludes unfunded commitments provision of $69 thousand and a release of $489 thousand, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the unfunded commitment liability totaled $2.4 million.

Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of total loans and leases was 0.24% as of December 31, 2023, an increase of 12 basis points from the 0.12% reported in the third quarter of 2023. 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 0.20% as of December 31, 2023, and 0.12% on September 30, 2023.

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

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased $6.9 million to $7.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $691 thousand for the prior quarter. The current quarter increase was associated with the $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $159.6 million of available for sale securities, moving into higher yielding assets during the prior quarter. Excluding the loss on securities, noninterest income increased $87 thousand quarter over quarter.

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

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $1.2 million to $29.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $28.5 million for the prior quarter. The current quarter increase was primarily related to an increase in other noninterest expenses associated with a Community Reinvestment Act donation of a former branch location and accruals in respect of pending litigation.

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

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $1.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.3 million, compared to $319 thousand for the prior quarter.

The effective tax rate was 20.95% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 13.37% for the prior quarter. The primary reason for the 7.58% increase in the effective tax rate was due to lower earnings in the prior quarter, largely from the $6.8 million pre-tax loss on sale of available-for-sale securities.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $4.83 billion compared to $4.64 billion at December 31, 2022. The $191.9 million increase is primarily attributable to increases in loans and leases of $190.8 million, cash and cash equivalents of $85.8 million and other assets of $7.5 million. Asset increases were offset by a decrease in securities of $80.2 million and an increase in the allowance for credit losses of $11.7 million, primarily for the one-time adjustment of $8.7 million related to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) on January 1, 2023.

Total liabilities increased to $4.37 billion at December 31, 2023 from $4.21 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase of $164.5 million was primarily from organic deposit growth of $190.8 million, offset by a decrease in borrowings of $28.8 million.

Shareholders' equity at December 31, 2023, totaled $459.9 million, an increase of $27.4 million, from December 31, 2022. The increase in shareholders' equity was primarily driven by net income of $28.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, and the positive change of $9.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive income, offset by the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, of $6.6 million (net of taxes), and dividends paid of $5.4 million. Tangible book value per share ¹ was $20.76 at December 31, 2023, compared to $19.09 at December 31, 2022. Tangible common equity ¹ as a percentage of tangible assets ¹ was 7.47% at December 31, 2023, compared with 7.13% at December 31, 2022.

¹ Non-GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and see the Non-GAAP reconciliation

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

Board of Directors Declares Dividend

On January 18, 2024, the board of directors of SmartFinancial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share of SmartFinancial common stock payable on February 20, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 2, 2024.

Conference Call Information

SmartFinancial issued this earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2023 on Monday, January 22, 2024, and will host a conference call on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access this interactive teleconference, dial (833) 470-1428 or (404) 975-4839 and entering the access code, 197280 . A replay of the conference call will be available through March 14, 2024, by dialing (866) 813-9403 or (929) 458-6194 and entering the access code, 371589. 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.

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-provision net revenue 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-provision net revenue earnings, (x) operating noninterest expense, (xi) tangible common equity, (xii) average tangible common equity, (xiii) tangible book value per common share, (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 and merger related and restructuring expenses. Operating return on average assets is the annualized operating earnings (Non-GAAP) divided by average assets. Operating pre-provision net revenue return on average assets is the annualized operating pre-provision net revenue 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. Operating pre-provision net revenue 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 (Non-GAAP) and average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) excludes goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholders' equity and average shareholders' equity, respectively. Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP) is tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) divided by common shares outstanding. Tangible assets (Non-GAAP) 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 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) changes in management’s plans for the future; (7) prevailing, or changes in, economic or political conditions, 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; (8) increased technology and cybersecurity risks, including generative artificial intelligence risks; (9) credit risk associated with our lending activities; (10) changes in loan demand, real estate values, or competition; (11) developments in our mortgage banking business, including loan modifications, general demand, and the effects of judicial or regulatory requirements or guidance; (12) changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; (13) changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations; (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) potential impacts of adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures, including impacts on customer confidence, deposit outflows, liquidity and the regulatory response thereto; (16) 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; (17) 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 (18) 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.

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YIELD ANALYSIS

¹ Includes average balance of $2.3 million, $2.7 million, and $3.3 million in PPP loans for the quarters ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
² Yields computed on tax-exempt instruments on a tax equivalent basis include $94 thousand, $95 thousand, and $161 thousand of taxable equivalent income for the quarters ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.

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