Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021
- Net income and operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $9.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share
- Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) of $18.39, a 10.5% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
- Organic loan growth of over $60 million, a 10.4% annualized quarter-over-quarter increase
- Originated 1,231 of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans totaling $119.5 million
- Successfully completed a lift-out of an experienced banking team in the Gulf Coast Region
- Announced on April 14, 2021 the proposed acquisition of Sevier County Bancshares, Inc.
Billy Carroll, President & CEO, stated: “We had an outstanding first quarter. Our team continues to build a great franchise and this quarter highlights their efforts. Organic loan growth coupled with PPP production has been strong to start the year. We are also very excited about what our Gulf Coast Region lift-out and the Sevier County Bank acquisition will do for our company’s growth and profitability.”
SmartFinancial’s Chairman, Miller Welborn, concluded: “We are incredibly excited about where we are as a company. Our team continues to execute with precision and our latest quarterly results is a perfect example of their commitment to continually raise the bar. The goals and targets of our Strategic Plan are very clear and the progress we made during the first quarter of 2021 is impressive.”
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income was $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $26.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Average earning assets totaled $3.1 billion, an increase of $110.0 million, primarily driven by an increase in average cash and cash equivalents of $68.0 million, an increase in average securities of $17.2 million and an increase in average loans of $27.1 million. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $94.5 million, directly related to continued deposit growth.
The tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.48% for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 3.57% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The tax equivalent net interest margin was negatively impacted by a 13 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets and offset by a 6 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 decrease on interest-earning assets during the first quarter of 2021 was an overall decline in loan yields and a decrease in loan fees. The decrease of $612 thousand in loan fees during the quarter is attributable to $2.4 million of the PPP fee accretion and $454 thousand of other loan fees compared to $2.2 million of PPP fee accretion, and $1.3 million of other loan fees recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease was offset by an increase of $867 thousand in acquired loan discount accretion. The Company continues to carry excess liquidity on the balance sheet that resulted from significant deposit growth during the first quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020.
The yield on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.54% for the first quarter of 2021 when compared to 0.60% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 0.44% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 0.50% for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 6 basis points. The lower cost of average deposits was attributable to the maturing and repricing of time deposits, with average costs decreasing 14 basis points. The cost of total deposits for the first quarter of 2021 was 0.33%.
The following table presents selected interest rates and yields for the periods indicated:
Provision for Loan Loss and Credit Quality
The provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2021 was $67 thousand, compared to no provision for the fourth quarter of 2020. At March 31, 2021, the allowance for loan losses was $18.4 million. The allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.74% as of March 31, 2021, compared to 0.77% as of December 31, 2020. For the Company’s originated loans, the allowance for loan losses to originated loans, less PPP loans, was 0.93% as of March 31, 2021, compared to 0.96% as of December 31, 2020. The remaining discounts on the acquired loan portfolio totaled $13.0 million, or 3.60% of acquired loans as of March 31, 2021.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had COVID related modified loans totaling $1.7 million, or 0.07%, of the loan portfolio, as compared to $17.2 million or 0.7%, of the loan portfolio on December 31, 2020.
The following table presents detailed information related to the provision for loan losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.25% as of March 31, 2021, an increase of one basis point from the 0.24% reported in the fourth quarter of 2020. Total nonperforming assets (which include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and other real estate owned) as a percentage of total assets was 0.29% as of March 31, 2021, as compared to 0.31% as of December 31, 2020.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 losses under the incurred loss model.
The following table presents detailed information related to credit quality for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased $715 thousand to $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
- Increase in investment services of $124 thousand, stemming from increased production;
- Increase in insurance commissions of $918 thousand, primarily due to commissions of $815 thousand from the placement of life insurance policies;
- Decrease in mortgage banking income of $192 thousand, related to continuing seasonality; and
- Decrease in other of $191 thousand, is primarily attributable to $465 thousand of non-recurring income recognized in the prior quarter, partially offset by an increase in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance income of $189 thousand.
The following table presents detailed information related to noninterest income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense was $19.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $20.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, the primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
- Salaries and employee benefits declined $647 thousand, primarily attributable to the deferral of salary cost related to the origination of PPP loans;
- Data processing and technology increased $197 thousand, primarily due to implementation of new contactless chip cards and tier pricing adjustments from our core system provider;
- Merger related and restructuring expense decreased $599 thousand: and
- Other increased $578 thousand, primarily from an investment in a start-up fintech company.
The following table presents detailed information related to noninterest expense for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense was $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $165 thousand, compared to $2.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
For the first quarter of 2021, the effective tax rate was 21.5% compared to 21.7% for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Balance Sheet Trends
Total assets at March 31, 2021 were $3.56 billion compared with $3.30 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $252.1 million is primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $75.0 million, securities available-for-sale of $35.3 million, loans of $104.9 million, which consisted of organic loan growth of $61.0 million and net increase in PPP loans of $49.3 million, and bank owned life insurance of $40.4 million.
Total liabilities increased to $3.19 billion at March 31, 2021 from $2.95 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase of $245.3 million was primarily from organic deposit growth of $243.0 million.
Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2021 totaled $364.1 million, an increase of $6.9 million, from December 31, 2020. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily from net income of $9.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, which was offset by a net change in accumulated other comprehensive income of $1.1 million, repurchase of the Company’s common stock of $1.2 million and $907 thousand of dividends paid. Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP) was $18.39 at March 31, 2021, an increase from $17.92 at December 31, 2020. Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) as a percentage of tangible assets (Non-GAAP) was 8.00% at March 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):
Conference Call Information
SmartFinancial issued this earnings release for the first quarter of 2021 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, and will host a conference call on Wednesday, April 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, 6293687. A replay of the conference call will be available through April 20, 2022, by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 and entering the confirmation number, 10154896. 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.
Source
SmartFinancial, Inc.
Investor Contacts
Billy Carroll
President & CEO
(865) 868-0613 | billy.carroll@smartbank.com
Ron Gorczynski
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(865) 437-5724 | ron.gorczynski@smartbank.com
Media Contact
Kelley Fowler
Senior Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing
(865) 868-0611 | kelley.fowler@smartbank.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; 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.
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YIELD ANALYSIS
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NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
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