SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Second Quarter 2021

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SmartFinancial, Inc. (“SmartFinancial” or the “Company”; NASDAQ: SMBK), today announced net income of $8.8 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2021, compared to net income of $6.2 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2020, and compared to net income of $9.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2021. Operating earnings (Non-GAAP), which excludes securities gains, merger related and restructuring expenses and non-operating items, totaled $9.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted common share, in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $7.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share, in the second quarter of 2020, and compared to $9.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted common share, in the first quarter of 2021.

Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2021

• Net organic loan growth of over $87 million, a 16.3% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
• Operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $9.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share
• Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) of $18.69, a 6.5% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
• Announced the $38.1 million proposed acquisition of Sevier County Bancshares
• Announced and completed the acquisition of Fountain Equipment Finance (“Fountain”)
• Hired three seasoned commercial banking team members in Auburn, Alabama

Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: “Our team continues to execute at a very high level, as evidenced by another nice quarter. Growth has continued to be very strong, and our sales team are capitalizing on our outstanding markets. We are also extremely excited to open SmartBank Auburn and continue to organically build out our Alabama footprint.”

SmartFinancial’s Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: “Another incredibly solid quarter by our team. Our Board could not be more excited about the trajectory of our company. We continue to execute our growth strategy for loans, deposits and earnings and remain extremely bullish on our Company’s future.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $26.9 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. Average earning assets totaled $3.3 billion, an increase of $218.2 million. The growth was primarily driven by an increase in average cash and cash equivalents of $114.0 million, average securities of $26.9 million and average loans and leases of $79.9 million of which $35.7 million of the increase is related to the acquisition of Fountain during the second quarter. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $157.3 million, directly related to continued core deposit growth.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.29% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to 3.48% for the first quarter of 2021. The tax equivalent net interest margin was impacted by a 23 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 primarily driven by a decreased level of loan discount accretion and Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) fee accretion and additional excess liquidity from the significant deposit growth experienced during the first six months of 2021. We recognized $1.1 million less of loan discount accretion and PPP fee accretion during the second quarter of 2021 when compared to the first quarter of 2021. However, the interest-earning yield compression was partially offset by the acquisition of Fountain, resulting in a positive margin impact of 13 basis points.

The lower yields on interest-earning assets continue to be mitigated, in part, by a lower cost of funds. The yield on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.49% for the second quarter of 2021 when compared to 0.54% for the first quarter of 2021. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 0.39% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 0.44% for the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of 5 basis points. The lower cost of average deposits was attributable to the maturing and repricing of time deposits, which decreased 14 basis points during the period. The cost of total deposits for the second quarter of 2021 was 0.29% compared to 0.33% in the first quarter of 2021.

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

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses and Credit Quality

At June 30, 2021, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $18.3 million. The allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases was 0.74% as of June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. For the Company’s originated loans and leases, the allowance for loan and lease losses to originated loans and leases, less PPP loans, was 0.86% as of June 30, 2021, compared to 0.93% as of March 31, 2021. The remaining discounts on the acquired loan and lease portfolio totaled $13.0 million, or 3.61% of acquired loans and leases as of June 30, 2021.  

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

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 0.15% as of June 30, 2021, a decrease of 10 basis points from the 0.25% reported in the first 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 0.18% as of June 30, 2021, as compared to 0.29% as of March 31, 2021. 

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

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased $548 thousand to $5.1 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. During the second quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:

• Decrease in insurance commissions of $909 thousand, primarily due from larger commissions recognized in the prior quarter from the placement of life insurance policies;
• Increase in other of $237 thousand, is primarily attributable to $155 thousand of new fee income from the acquisition of Fountain and an increase in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income of $57 thousand.

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

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $1.3 million to $20.8 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $19.5 million for the first quarter of 2021. During the second quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:

• Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.3 million, primarily due to the additional headcount from both the Fountain acquisition and hiring of the Gulf Coast Team, and from a reduction in deferred salary cost that was recognized in the prior quarter relating to the PPP loan originations;
• Data processing and technology increased $130 thousand, primarily from continued infrastructure build;
• Professional services increased $208 thousand, primarily from additional services performed during the quarter;
• Merger related and restructuring expense increased $269 thousand: and
• Other decreased $502 thousand, primarily from an investment in a start-up fintech company recognized in the prior quarter.

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

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of $194 thousand, compared to $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2021.

For the second quarter of 2021, the effective tax rate was 22.0% compared to 21.5% for the first quarter of 2021.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets at June 30, 2021 were $3.65 billion compared with $3.30 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $349.4 million is primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $191.8 million, securities available-for-sale of $35.2 million, loans and leases of $86.1 million and bank owned life insurance of $40.8 million. The increase in loans and leases consisted of organic loan growth of $143.1 million and leases acquired from Fountain of $53.7 million, offset by $110.0 million in net PPP loan activity of $138.4 in originations and $248.4 million in forgiveness.

Total liabilities increased to $3.28 billion at June 30, 2021 from $2.95 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $333.1 million was primarily from organic deposit growth of $334.3 million.

Shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2021 totaled $373.4 million, an increase of $16.2 million, from December 31, 2020. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily from net income of $18.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and a net change in accumulated other comprehensive income of $155 thousand, which was offset by repurchase of the Company’s common stock of $1.2 million and $1.8 million of dividends paid. Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) was $18.69 at June 30, 2021, an increase from $18.39 at March 31, 2021. Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) as a percentage of tangible assets (Non-GAAP) was 7.93% at June 30, 2021, compared with 8.41% at December 31, 2020.

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

Conference Call Information

SmartFinancial issued this earnings release for the second quarter of 2021 on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, and will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access this interactive teleconference, dial (888) 317-6003 or (412) 317-6061 and enter the confirmation number, 5194560. A replay of the conference call will be available through July 21, 2022, by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 and entering the confirmation number, 10158581. 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 35 branches across East and Middle 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.

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 shareholder’ 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 divided by average assets. Operating pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets is the annualized operating pre-tax pre-provision income earnings by average assets. Operating return on average shareholders’ equity is the annualized operating earnings divided by average equity. Return on average tangible common equity is the annualized net income divided by average tangible common equity. Operating return on average tangible common equity is the annualized operating earnings 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 less operating noninterest expense. 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 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 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 proposed acquisition of Sevier County Bancshares, Inc. (“SCB”); (7) the risk that the anticipated benefits from the proposed 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; (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; (15) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 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 (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
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SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary
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YIELD ANALYSIS

¹ Taxable equivalent
² Includes average balance of $266,114, $312,582 and $208,814 in PPP loans for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020, respectively.  
³ Includes average balance of $108,082 in Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) funding for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. No PPPLF funding was used for the quarters ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021.

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

¹ Taxable equivalent
² Includes average balance of $289,220 and $106,213 in PPP loans for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  
³ Includes average balance of $54,041 in Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) funding for the six months ended June 30, 2020. No PPPLF funding was used for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

SmartFinancial, Inc. and Subsidiary
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information – (unaudited)
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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
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¹See reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures

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NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

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