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SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2020

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SmartFinancial, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMBK) reported a fourth-quarter net income of $9.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, up from $6.4 million, or $0.42, in the previous quarter. Operating earnings also rose to $9.2 million, reflecting a strong performance despite the pandemic. Deposits surged by $153.2 million, marking a 23.1% annualized increase. The company reduced its borrowings by $237.8 million from the PPPLF, showing improved financial health. Tangible book value per share increased 15.1% to $17.92.

Positive
  • Net income increased by $2.6 million (40.6%) from the previous quarter.
  • Operating earnings rose to $9.2 million, up from $6.6 million in Q3 2020.
  • Deposits increased by $153.2 million (23.1% annualized) since September 30, 2020.
  • Tangible book value per share grew by 15.1% to $17.92.
Negative
  • Average earning assets decreased by $106.9 million, impacting overall asset growth.
  • Loan modifications related to COVID remain at 0.7% of total loans, indicating potential ongoing challenges.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmartFinancial, Inc. ("SmartFinancial" or the "Company"; NASDAQ: SMBK), today announced net income of $9.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to net income of $6.4 million, or $0.42 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2020. Operating earnings (Non-GAAP), which excludes securities gains, merger related and restructuring expenses and non-operating items, totaled $9.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $6.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2020.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2020

  • Net income of $9.0 million and operating earnings of $9.2 million (Non-GAAP)
  • Operating noninterest income (Non-GAAP) increased $381 thousand or 36.9% annualized quarter-over-quarter
  • Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) of $17.92, a 15.1% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
  • Deposits increased by $153.2 million or 23.1% annualized from September 30, 2020
  • Paid off $237.8 million in borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”)
  • COVID loan modifications declined to 0.7% of total loans

Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: "We are extremely pleased with our results for the quarter and for the year.  The year was unprecedented on several fronts, but our energetic, entrepreneurial team rose to the occasion and posted very sound results.  Our continued focus on diversification of revenue and work on efficiency gains are being seen in our metrics, and that, coupled with our solid credit quality, keeps us very excited about our future.”

SmartFinancial's Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: “The fourth quarter of 2020 and the entire year of 2020 exceeded our expectations. Our Board could not be happier or prouder of the entire team for the incredible effort and execution of our Strategic Plan. This COVID pandemic has affected a tremendous number of people and the SmartBank team continues to help our clients and the communities we serve.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income increased $463 thousand to $26.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 or approximately 1.8% when compared to $26.0 million for the third quarter of 2020, mainly attributable to a reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Average earning assets totaled $3.0 billion, a decrease of $106.9 million, primarily driven by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents used to pay off $237.8 million in borrowings related to PPPLF funding. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $139.4 million, primarily as a result of the PPPLF pay off, and was offset by an increase of $80.1 million in average interest-bearing deposits.

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.57% for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 3.39% for the third quarter of 2020. The tax equivalent net interest margin was positively impacted by a 13 basis point increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets and a 5 basis point decline in the rate on interest-bearing liabilities over the prior quarter. Lower market interest rates continue to negatively impact earning asset yields, but these declines have been largely mitigated by a lower cost of funds. The primary drivers of the yield increase on interest-earning assets during the fourth quarter of 2020 was an increase in total loan fees of $748 thousand which was offset by a $192 thousand decline in discount accretion. The increase in loan fees during the quarter is attributable to $2.2 million of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fee accretion and $1.3 million of other loan fees compared to $1.8 million of PPP fee accretion, and $905 thousand of other loan fees recognized in the third quarter of 2020. Accretion income on acquired loans for the quarter totaled $768 thousand compared to $960 thousand recognized in the third quarter of 2020. The Company continues to carry excess liquidity on the balance sheet that resulted from significant deposit growth during the second and third quarters and continued muted loan growth. The lower cost of deposits realized during the current quarter was attributable to the maturing and repricing of time deposits and the payoff of the PPPLF borrowing, which further contributed to the increase in the tax equivalent net interest margin.

The yield on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.60% for the fourth quarter of 2020 when compared to 0.65% for the third quarter of 2020. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 0.50% for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 0.59% for the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of 9 basis points. The lower cost of average deposits was attributable to the maturing and repricing of time deposits, with average costs decreasing 18 basis points. The cost of total deposits for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 0.38%.

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

          
  Three Months Ended
   
  Dec Sep Increase 
Selected Interest Rates and Yields 2020 2020 (Decrease) 
Yield on loans 4.72% 4.71 { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "name": "SmartFinancial Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter 2020 FAQs", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What were SmartFinancial's Q4 2020 earnings per share?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SmartFinancial reported earnings of $0.59 per diluted share for Q4 2020." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much did SmartFinancial's deposits increase in Q4 2020?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Deposits increased by $153.2 million, or 23.1% annualized, from the previous quarter." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What was the net interest margin for SmartFinancial in Q4 2020?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.57% for Q4 2020." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What was the reduction in borrowings from the PPPLF for SmartFinancial?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SmartFinancial paid off $237.8 million in borrowings from the PPPLF." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How did SmartFinancial's tangible book value change in Q4 2020?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Tangible book value per share increased by 15.1% to $17.92 in Q4 2020." } } ] }

FAQ

What were SmartFinancial's Q4 2020 earnings per share?

SmartFinancial reported earnings of $0.59 per diluted share for Q4 2020.

How much did SmartFinancial's deposits increase in Q4 2020?

Deposits increased by $153.2 million, or 23.1% annualized, from the previous quarter.

What was the net interest margin for SmartFinancial in Q4 2020?

The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.57% for Q4 2020.

What was the reduction in borrowings from the PPPLF for SmartFinancial?

SmartFinancial paid off $237.8 million in borrowings from the PPPLF.

How did SmartFinancial's tangible book value change in Q4 2020?

Tangible book value per share increased by 15.1% to $17.92 in Q4 2020.

SmartFinancial, Inc.

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