SMARTFINANCIAL INC. (SMBK)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6021 National Commercial Banks
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1038773. Latest filing source: 0001104659-26-028542.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read SMBK's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read SMBK's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 248,666,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-16 |
| Net income | 50,347,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-16 |
| Assets | 5,860,810,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-16 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-16. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001038773.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2012 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 39,763,582 | 48,805,647 | 86,469,000 | 101,002,000 | 112,312,000 | 118,582,000 | 136,381,000 | 186,479,000 | 213,562,000 | 248,666,000 | |
| Net income | 26,548,000 | 24,332,000 | 34,790,000 | 43,022,000 | 28,593,000 | 36,141,000 | 50,347,000 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | 0.78 | 0.55 | 1.45 | 1.89 | 1.62 | 2.22 | 2.55 | 1.69 | 2.14 | 2.98 | |
| Operating cash flow | 4,906,072 | 1,240,126 | 20,824,000 | 29,866,000 | 29,069,000 | 46,182,000 | 56,793,000 | 39,716,000 | 52,700,000 | 61,724,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 6,994,729 | 2,798,898 | 3,847,000 | 6,269,000 | 5,439,000 | 2,377,000 | 12,487,000 | 6,270,000 | 6,405,000 | 2,389,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 0.00 | 700,000 | 2,986,000 | 3,728,000 | 4,724,000 | 5,427,000 | 5,422,000 | 5,452,000 | |||
| Share buybacks | 4,308,000 | 1,208,000 | 2,967,000 | ||||||||
| Assets | 1,062,456,285 | 1,720,770,682 | 2,274,409,000 | 2,449,123,000 | 3,304,949,000 | 4,611,579,000 | 4,637,498,000 | 4,829,387,000 | 5,275,904,000 | 5,860,810,000 | |
| Liabilities | 957,216,145 | 1,514,918,842 | 1,991,398,000 | 2,136,376,000 | 2,947,781,000 | 4,182,149,000 | 4,205,046,000 | 4,369,501,000 | 4,784,443,000 | 5,308,318,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 105,240,140 | 205,853,000 | 283,011,000 | 312,747,000 | 357,168,000 | 429,430,000 | 432,452,000 | 459,886,000 | 491,348,000 | 552,379,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 68,748,308 | 113,026,884 | 115,822,000 | 183,971,000 | 481,719,000 | 1,045,077,000 | 266,424,000 | 352,271,000 | 387,570,000 | 464,417,000 | |
| Free cash flow | -1,558,772 | 16,977,000 | 23,597,000 | 23,630,000 | 43,805,000 | 44,306,000 | 33,446,000 | 46,295,000 | 59,335,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2012 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 26.28% | 21.66% | 29.34% | 31.55% | 15.33% | 16.92% | 20.25% | ||||
| Return on equity | 8.49% | 6.81% | 8.10% | 9.95% | 6.22% | 7.36% | 9.11% | ||||
| Return on assets | 1.08% | 0.74% | 0.75% | 0.93% | 0.59% | 0.69% | 0.86% | ||||
| Liabilities / equity | 9.10 | 7.36 | 7.04 | 6.83 | 8.25 | 9.74 | 9.72 | 9.50 | 9.74 | 9.61 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-028542; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001104659-26-028542; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-028542; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2024 ended 2024-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-028542; filed 2026-03-16. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-11. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001038773.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-Q4 | 2021-12-31 | 6,656,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2022-Q1 | 2022-03-31 | 8,259,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.61 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.68 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q4 | 2022-12-31 | 13,004,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 11,500,000 | 0.68 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 45,446,000 | 0.52 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 47,539,000 | 0.12 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 48,767,000 | 6,190,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 50,020,000 | 9,358,000 | 0.55 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 50,853,000 | 0.48 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 54,738,000 | 0.54 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 57,951,000 | 9,641,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 57,762,000 | 11,254,000 | 0.67 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 61,049,000 | 11,705,000 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 64,282,000 | 13,686,000 | 0.81 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 65,572,000 | 13,703,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 65,638,000 | 13,680,000 | 0.81 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-058728; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-058728; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-058728; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001104659-26-058728.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SmartFinancial, Inc. (the “Company,” “SmartFinancial,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a bank holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of its wholly owned subsidiary, SmartBank (the “Bank”). The Company provides a variety of financial services to individuals and corporate customers through its offices in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. The Bank’s primary deposit products are noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, savings and money market deposits, and time deposits. Its primary lending products are commercial, residential, and consumer loans.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and time deposits. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
Forward-Looking Statement
The Company may from time to time make written or oral statements, including statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”) and information incorporated by reference herein (including, without limitation, certain statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 2), that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are based on assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. Any statements that do not relate to historical or current facts or matters are forward-looking statements. You can identify some of the forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words (and their derivatives), such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast,” and the like, the negatives of such expressions, or the use of the future tense. Statements concerning current conditions may also be forward-looking if they imply a continuation of a current condition. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, financial condition, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | general economic and business conditions in our local markets (particularly Tennessee), including conditions affecting employment levels, interest rates, inflation, supply chains, the threat of recession, volatile equity capital markets, property and casualty insurance costs, collateral values, customer income, creditworthiness and confidence, spending and savings that may affect customer bankruptcies, defaults, charge-offs and deposit activity; and the impact of the foregoing on customer and client behavior (including the velocity and levels of deposit withdrawals and loan repayment); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the risks of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits (as well as the cost of, and competition for, deposits), loan demand, liquidity and the values of loan collateral, securities and market fluctuations, and interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the possibility that our asset quality would decline or that we experience greater loan and lease losses than anticipated; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the impact of liquidity needs on our results of operations and financial condition; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures such as those in 2023, and the impact of such developments on customer confidence, liquidity and regulatory responses to such developments (including increases in the cost of our deposit insurance assessments and increased regulatory scrutiny), our ability to effectively manage our liquidity risk and any growth plans and the availability of capital and funding; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the impact of negative developments in the financial industry and U.S. and global capital and credit markets; |
41
Table of Contents
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the impact of recently enacted and future legislation and regulation on our business; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the impact of recent or proposed changes in fiscal, monetary and economic policy, laws, and regulations, or the interpretation or application thereof, and the uncertainty of future implementation and enforcement of these policies and regulations, including persistent inflationary pressures, potential interest rate fluctuations, and potential changes to government policies related to immigration, trade, and government spending; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | weakness in the real estate market, including the secondary residential mortgage market, which can affect, among other things, the value of collateral securing mortgage loans, mortgage loan originations and delinquencies, profits on sales of mortgage loans, and the value of mortgage servicing rights; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | risks associated with our growth strategy, including a failure to implement our growth plans or an inability to manage our growth effectively; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | 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; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the risks of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including our ability to continue to identify acquisition targets, successfully acquire and integrate desirable financial institutions and realize expected revenues and revenue synergies; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | our ability to identify and addres cybersecurity risks, such as cyber-attacks, computer viruses or other malware that may breach the security of our websites or other systems we operate or rely upon for services to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage our systems and negatively impact our operations and our reputation in the market,; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | results of examinations by our primary regulators, the TDFI, the Federal Reserve, and other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses, write-down assets, require us to reimburse customers, change the way we do business, or limit or eliminate certain other banking activities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | government intervention in the U.S. financial system and the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, other legislative, tax and regulatory changes that impact the money supply and inflation, the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory responses, and the possibility that the U.S. could default on its debt obligations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | our inability to pay dividends at current levels, or at all, because of inadequate future earnings, regulatory restrictions or limitations, and changes in the composition of qualifying regulatory capital and minimum capital requirements; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the relatively greater credit risk of commercial real estate loans and construction and land development loans in our loan portfolio; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | our ability to maintain expenses in line with current projections; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | unanticipated credit deterioration in our loan portfolio or higher than expected loan and lease losses within one or more segments of our loan portfolio; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | unexpected significant declines in the loan portfolio due to the lack of economic expansion, increased competition, large prepayments, changes in regulatory lending guidance or other factors; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | unanticipated loan delinquencies, loss of collateral, decreased service revenues, and other potential negative effects on our business caused by severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | changes in expected income tax expense or tax rates, including changes resulting from revisions in tax laws, regulations and case law; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | our ability to retain the services of key personnel; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | a deterioriation in the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt, actions that the U.S. government may take to avoid exceeding the debt ceiling, and uncertainties surrounding the debt ceiling and the federal budget; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | political instability, acts of God, or of war or terrorism, natural disasters, including in the Company’s footprint, health emergencies, epidemics or pandemics, or other catastrophic events that may affect general economic conditions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | risks related to our corporate responsibility strategies and initiatives, the scope and pace of which could alter our reputation and shareholder, associate, customer and third-party affiliations; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | the impact of Tennessee’s anti-takeover statutes and certain of our charter provisions on potential acquisitions of us. |
42
Table of Contents
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. The Company 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.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting princip
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is certain selected financial data related to the Company’s operations for 2025, 2024 and 2023: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | 2025 | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | |
| Balance Sheet: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 5,860,810 | | | $ | 5,275,904 | | | $ | 4,829,387 | |
| Loans and leases | | | 4,363,582 | | | | 3,906,340 | | | | 3,444,462 | |
| Allowance for credit losses | | | (40,906) | | | | (37,423) | | | | (35,066) | |
| Total securities | | | 662,003 | | | | 608,987 | | | | 689,646 | |
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | | | 95,328 | | | | 104,723 | | | | 107,148 | |
| Total deposits | | | 5,152,789 | | | | 4,686,483 | | | | 4,267,854 | |
| Borrowings | | | 3,009 | | | | 8,135 | | | | 13,078 | |
| Subordinated debt | | | 98,662 | | | | 39,684 | | | | 42,099 | |
| Shareholders' equity | | | 552,492 | | | | 491,461 | | | | 459,886 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income Statement: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | $ | 285,972 | | | $ | 251,119 | | | $ | 218,043 | |
| Interest expense | | | 119,868 | | | | 113,769 | | | | 87,963 | |
| Net interest income | | | 166,104 | | | | 137,350 | | | | 130,080 | |
| Provision for loan and lease losses | | | 7,750 | | | | 5,153 | | | | 3,029 | |
| Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses | | | 158,354 | | | | 132,197 | | | | 127,051 | |
| Noninterest income | | | 34,352 | | | | 34,152 | | | | 22,325 | |
| Noninterest expense | | | 131,205 | | | | 120,890 | | | | 113,150 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | 61,501 | | | | 45,459 | | | | 36,226 | |
| Income tax expense | | | 11,154 | | | | 9,318 | | | | 7,633 | |
| Net income | | $ | 50,347 | | | $ | 36,141 | | | $ | 28,593 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Per Share Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per common share - basic | | $ | 3.00 | | | $ | 2.16 | | | $ | 1.70 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 16,779,019 | | | | 16,768,956 | | | | 16,805,068 | |
| Earnings per common share - diluted | | $ | 2.98 | | | $ | 2.14 | | | $ | 1.69 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | | | 16,896,519 | | | | 16,875,456 | | | | 16,911,185 | |
| Common dividends per share | | $ | 0.32 | | | $ | 0.32 | | | $ | 0.32 | |
| Book value per share | | $ | 32.44 | | | $ | 29.04 | | | $ | 27.07 | |
| Common shares outstanding at end of period | | | 17,029,317 | | | | 16,925,672 | | | | 16,988,879 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets | | | 0.91 | % | | | 0.73 | % | | | 0.60 | % |
| Return on average shareholders' equity | | | 9.67 | % | | | 7.63 | % | | | 6.45 | % |
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.29 | % | | | 3.04 | % | | | 2.97 | % |
| Interest rate spread | | | 2.65 | % | | | 2.32 | % | | | 2.32 | % |
| Noninterest income to average assets | | | 0.62 | % | | | 0.69 | % | | | 0.47 | % |
| Noninterest expense to average assets | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.38 | % |
| Efficiency ratio | | | 65.45 | % | | | 70.49 | % | | | 74.24 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Quality Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net (charge-offs) to average loans and leases | | | (0.08) | % | | | (0.08) | % | | | (0.02) | % |
| Allowance for loan and leases to total loans and leases | | | 0.94 | % | | | 0.96 | % | | | 1.02 | % |
| Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross | | | 0.22 | % | | | 0.20 | % | | | 0.24 | % |
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | | | 0.22 | % | | | 0.19 | % | | | 0.20 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Capital Ratios1: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tier 1 leverage | | | 8.30 | % | | | 8.29 | % | | | 8.27 | % |
| Common equity Tier 1 | | | 9.83 | % | | | 9.76 | % | | | 10.16 | % |
| Tier 1 capital | | | 9.83 | % | | | 9.76 | % | | | 10.16 | % |
| Total capital | | | 12.71 | % | | | 11.10 | % | | | 11.80 | % |
1Capital Ratios are for SmartFinancial, Inc.
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Business Overview
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this Annual Report on Form 10K, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
We are a bank holding company that was incorporated on September 19, 1983 under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and operate primarily through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, SmartBank. As of December 31, 2025 the Bank provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services to clients through 42 full-service bank branches and one loan production office in select markets in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans and leases to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and leases and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
In addition to our banking services, we offer loans and leases for heavy equipment through Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC, which is a subsidiary of the Bank. The Bank also contracts with RJFS, a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, to offer and sell various securities and other financial products to the public through associates who are employed by both the Bank and RJFS. RJFS is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Executive Summary
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial highlights and significant events during 2025:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net income totaled $50.3 million, or $2.98 per diluted common share, during the year ended of 2025 compared to $36.1 million, or $2.14 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net loans and leases growth of $453.8 million from December 31, 2024, with a record high net loans and leases of $4.3 billion at December 31, 2025. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total deposits growth of $466.3 million from December 31, 2024, with a record high total deposits of $5.2 billion at December 31, 2025. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Return on average assets was 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 0.73% for the year ended December 31, 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the third quarter of 2025, SmartBank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold 100% of the equity interests of SBK Insurance (“SBKI”) and ceased to provide insurance-related activities for the Company. The sale provided a pre-tax gain of $4.0 million. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the third quarter of 2025, the Company issued $100 million in subordinated debt and subsequently in the fourth quarter of 2025, retired $40 million of existing subordinated debt. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the third quarter of 2025 the Company, repositioned $85 million of available-for-sale securities, resulting in a $3.9 million pre-tax loss. |
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Analysis of Results of Operations
2025 compared to 2024
Net income was $50.3 million, or $2.98 per diluted common share in 2025, compared to $36.1 million, or $2.14 per diluted common share in 2024. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2025 was 3.29% compared to 3.04% for 2024. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.62% for 2025, decreasing from 0.69% for 2024. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.38% in 2025, compared to 2.45% in 2024. Income tax expense was $11.2 million in 2025 with an effective tax rate of 18.1%, compared to $9.3 million in 2024 with an effective tax rate of 20.5%.
2024 compared to 2023
Net income was $36.1 million, or $2.14 per diluted common share in 2024, compared to $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share in 2023. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2024 was 3.04% compared to 2.97% for 2023. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.69% for 2024, increasing from 0.47% for 2023. Noninterest expense to average assets increased to 2.45% in 2024, up from 2.38% in 2023. Income tax expense was $9.3 million in 2024 with an effective tax rate of 20.5%, compared to $7.6 million in 2023 with an effective tax rate of 21.1%.
Net Interest Income and Yield Analysis
The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.
2025 compared to 2024
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $167.5 million in 2025 from $138.5 million in 2024. Average earning assets increased from $4.6 billion in 2024 to $5.1 billion in 2025, primarily from organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $508.2 million and interest-earning cash increased by $49.0 million, offset by a decrease in average securities of $10.1 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $475.1 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $28.1 million and average subordinated debt increased by $24.9 million, offset by a decrease in average borrowings of $15.9 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.29% for 2025, compared to 3.04% for 2024. The yield on earning assets increased from 5.54% for 2024, to 5.64% for 2025, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2025. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased from 3.15% for 2024, to 2.91% for 2025, primarily due to the impact of lower Federal Reserve rates.
2024 compared to 2023
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $138.5 million in 2024 from $130.5 million in 2023. Average earning assets increased from $4.4 billion in 2023 to $4.6 billion in 2024, primarily from organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $273.0 million and interest-earning cash increased by $27.2 million, offset by a decrease in average securities of $134.8 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $220.6 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $74.2 million and average borrowings increased by $3.9 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.04% for 2024, compared to 2.97% for 2023. The yield on earning assets increased from 4.98% for 2023, to 5.54% for 2024, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2024 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal Reserve System. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 2.59% for 2023, to 3.15% for 2024, primarily due to
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the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates, and such increases significantly contributing to the increase in interest expense in 2024.
Summary of Average Balances, Interest and Rates
The following table presents (dollars in thousands), for the periods indicated, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| | | Average | | | | Yield/ | | Average | | | | Yield/ | | Average | | | | Yield/ | |||||||
| | | Balance | Interest | Cost | Balance | Interest | Cost | Balance | Interest | Cost | | ||||||||||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||
| Loans and leases, including fees1 | | $ | 4,115,793 | | $ | 249,636 | | 6.07 | % | $ | 3,607,558 | | $ | 214,310 | | 5.94 | % | $ | 3,334,523 | | $ | 186,479 | 5.59 | % | |
| Taxable Securities | | | 563,978 | | 20,161 | 3.57 | % | | 580,001 | | 20,151 | 3.47 | % | 713,637 | | 16,665 | 2.34 | % | |||||||
| Tax-exempt securities2 | | 69,620 | | 2,185 | 3.14 | % | 63,679 | | 1,780 | 2.80 | % | 64,816 | | 1,795 | 2.77 | % | |||||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | 349,105 | | 15,419 | 4.42 | % | 300,081 | | 16,000 | 5.33 | % | 272,864 | | 13,481 | 4.94 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 5,098,496 | | 287,401 | 5.64 | % | 4,551,319 | | 252,241 | 5.54 | % | 4,385,840 | | 218,420 | 4.98 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | | 405,205 | | | | | 388,267 | | | | | 370,436 | | | | | |||||||||
| Total assets | | $ | 5,503,701 | | | | | | | $ | 4,939,586 | | | | | | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | | | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | $ | 863,772 | | 15,394 | 1.78 | % | $ | 932,598 | | 21,074 | 2.26 | % | $ | 959,639 | | 20,214 | 2.11 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 2,152,812 | | 63,535 | 2.95 | % | 1,913,673 | | 64,116 | 3.35 | % | 1,768,869 | | 50,468 | 2.85 | % | |||||||||
| Time deposits | | 928,404 | | 35,818 | 3.86 | % | 623,652 | | 24,070 | 3.86 | % | 520,799 | | 13,578 | 2.61 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 3,944,988 | | 114,747 | 2.91 | % | 3,469,923 | | 109,260 | 3.15 | % | 3,249,307 | | 84,260 | 2.59 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowings | | 5,826 | | 155 | 2.66 | % | 21,719 | | 1,075 | 4.95 | % | 17,824 | | 936 | 5.25 | % | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 66,110 | | 4,966 | 7.51 | % | 41,184 | | 3,434 | 8.34 | % | 42,055 | | 2,767 | 6.58 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 4,016,924 | | 119,868 | 2.98 | % | 3,532,826 | | 113,769 | 3.22 | % | 3,309,186 | | 87,963 | 2.66 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | 911,988 | | | | | 883,923 | | | | | 958,078 | | | | | |||||||||
| Other liabilities | | 54,300 | | | | | 48,949 | | | | | 46,052 | | | | | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | | 4,983,212 | | | | | 4,465,698 | | | | | 4,313,316 | | | | | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | | 520,489 | | | | | 473,888 | | | | | 442,960 | | | | | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 5,503,701 | | | | | $ | 4,939,586 | | | | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | | | ||||||
| Net interest income, taxable equivalent | | | | $ | 167,533 | | | | | $ | 138,472 | | | | | $ | 130,457 | | | ||||||
| Interest rate spread | | | | | 2.65 | % | | | | 2.32 | % | | | | 2.32 | % | |||||||||
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | | | 3.29 | % | | | | 3.04 | % | | | | 2.97 | % | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | | | | | 126.93 | % | | | | 128.83 | % | | | | 132.54 | % | |||||||||
| Percentage of average equity to average assets | | | | | 9.46 | % | | | | 9.59 | % | | | | 9.31 | % |
1Yields related to tax-exempt loans exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $970 thousand, $748 thousand and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
2Yields related to investment securities exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2025, 2024 and 2023. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $459 thousand, $374 thousand and $377 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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Rate and Volume Analysis
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased by $29.1 million between the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 and increased by $8.0 million between the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023. The following is an analysis of the changes in net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 Compared to 2024 | | 2024 Compared to 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| | | Increase (decrease) due to | | Increase (decrease) due to | ||||||||||||||
| | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | ||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans and leases | | $ | 5,133 | | $ | 30,193 | | $ | 35,326 | | $ | 12,563 | | $ | 15,268 | | $ | 27,831 |
| Taxable Securities | | (283) | | 293 | | 10 | | 5,707 | | (2,221) | | 3,486 | ||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | | 188 | | 217 | | 405 | | 15 | | (30) | | (15) | ||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | (3,163) | | 2,582 | | (581) | | 1,184 | | 1,335 | | 2,519 | ||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 1,875 | | 33,285 | | 35,160 | | 19,469 | | 14,352 | | 33,821 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | (4,125) | | (1,555) | | (5,680) | | 1,430 | | (570) | | 860 | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | (8,592) | | 8,011 | | (581) | | 9,516 | | 4,132 | | 13,648 | ||||||
| Time deposits | | (15) | | 11,763 | | 11,748 | | 7,812 | | 2,680 | | 10,492 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | (12,732) | | 18,219 | | 5,487 | | 18,758 | | 6,242 | | 25,000 | ||||||
| Borrowings | | (12) | | (908) | | (920) | | (172) | | 311 | | 139 | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | | (546) | | 2,078 | | 1,532 | | 724 | | (57) | | 667 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | (13,290) | | 19,389 | | 6,099 | | 19,310 | | 6,496 | | 25,806 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | $ | 15,165 | | $ | 13,896 | | $ | 29,061 | | $ | 159 | | $ | 7,856 | | $ | 8,015 |
Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated with service charges on deposit accounts, capital markets income and interchange and debit card transaction fees.
The following table provides a summary of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | | | | ||||||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | Change | | 2023 | | | Change | |||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | | $ | 7,161 | | $ | 6,862 | | $ | 299 | | $ | 6,511 | | $ | 351 |
| Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net | | (3,719) | | 64 | | | (3,783) | | (6,801) | | | 6,865 | |||
| Mortgage banking | | 2,673 | | 1,579 | | | 1,094 | | 1,040 | | | 539 | |||
| Investment services | | | 6,582 | | | 5,945 | | | 637 | | | 5,105 | | | 840 |
| Insurance commissions | | | 4,016 | | | 5,696 | | | (1,680) | | | 4,684 | | | 1,012 |
| Interchange and debit card transaction fees, net | | 5,275 | | 5,277 | | | (2) | | 5,457 | | | (180) | |||
| Gain on sale of SBKI | | 3,955 | | — | | | 3,955 | | — | | | — | |||
| Other | | 8,409 | | 8,729 | | | (320) | | 6,329 | | | 2,400 | |||
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 34,352 | | $ | 34,152 | | $ | 200 | | $ | 22,325 | | $ | 11,827 |
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2025 compared to 2024
Noninterest income increased $200 thousand to $34.4 million in 2025, compared to $34.2 million in 2024. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During 2025, loss on sale of securities, net, primarily associated with a $3.7 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $85.4 million in available-for-sale securities, reinvesting into higher yielding assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in mortgage banking income, attributable largely to an increase in gains on sale of mortgage loans; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in insurance commissions, because of the sale of SBKI in the third quarter of 2025; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gain on sale of SBKI. |
2024 compared to 2023
Noninterest income increased $11.8 million to $34.2 million in 2024, compared to $22.3 million in 2023. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During 2023, loss on sale of securities, associated with a $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $159.6 million in available-for-sale securities, reinvesting into higher yielding assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, driven by organic growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to $1.3 million pre-tax gain on the sale of a former branch building, income on bank owned life insurance, and fees from capital market activity. |
Noninterest Expense
The following table provides a summary of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | | | | ||||||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | Change | | 2023 | | Change | ||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 78,297 | | $ | 72,100 | | $ | 6,197 | | $ | 65,749 | | $ | 6,351 |
| Occupancy and equipment | | 13,686 | | 13,617 | | 69 | | 13,451 | | 166 | |||||
| FDIC insurance | | 4,002 | | 3,390 | | 612 | | 3,156 | | 234 | |||||
| Other real estate and loan-related expense | | 3,242 | | 2,823 | | 419 | | 2,397 | | 426 | |||||
| Advertising and marketing | | 1,619 | | 1,321 | | 298 | | 1,342 | | (21) | |||||
| Data processing and technology | | 10,316 | | 9,930 | | 386 | | 9,235 | | 695 | |||||
| Professional services | | 4,775 | | 4,207 | | 568 | | 3,443 | | 764 | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles | | 2,150 | | 2,425 | | (275) | | 2,624 | | (199) | |||||
| Restructuring expenses | | 1,326 | | — | | 1,326 | | 110 | | (110) | |||||
| Other | | 11,792 | | 11,077 | | 715 | | 11,643 | | (566) | |||||
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 131,205 | | $ | 120,890 | | $ | 10,315 | | $ | 113,150 | | $ | 7,740 |
2025 compared to 2024
Noninterest expense increased $10.3 million to $131.2 million in 2025, compared to $120.9 million in 2024. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, primarily related to incentive accruals for production performance, overall employee benefits and new hires; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in restructuring expenses, related to the sale of SBKI. |
2024 compared to 2023
Noninterest expense increased $7.7 million to $120.9 million in 2024, compared to $113.2 million in 2023. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, primarily related to incentive accruals for production performance and overall employee benefits; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in professional services, primarily related to increases in legal fees, audit/accounting fees, and other professional services fees. |
Income Taxes
2025 compared to 2024
In 2025, income tax expense totaled $11.2 million compared to $9.3 million in 2024. The effective tax rate was approximately 18.1% for 2025 compared to 20.5% in 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily related to the full-year impact of the Company’s Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) structure, which as implemented in the fourth quarter of 2024. The REIT lowered the Bank’s state income tax expense during this period.
2024 compared to 2023
In 2024, income tax expense totaled $9.3 million compared to $7.6 million in 2023. The effective tax rate was approximately 20.5% for 2024 compared to 21.1% in 2023.
Loan and Lease Portfolio
Our loans and leases represent the largest portion of our earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan and lease portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing our financial condition. The Company had total net loans and leases outstanding of approximately $4.32 billion at December 31, 2025, and $3.87 billion at December 31, 2024. The year-over-year increase of $453.8 million, or 11.7%, was related to organic loan growth throughout all markets. Loans secured by real estate, consisting of commercial or residential property, are the principal component of our loan and lease portfolio.
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The following tables summarize the composition of our loan and lease portfolio for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | % of | | | | | | % of | |
| | | December 31, | | Gross | | | December 31, | | Gross | | ||
| | | 2025 | | Total | | | 2024 | | Total | |||
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 1,196,758 | | 27.5 | % | | $ | 1,080,404 | | 27.5 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 1,022,871 | | 23.4 | % | | | 867,678 | | 22.2 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 834,626 | | 19.1 | % | | 741,836 | | 19.0 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | | 419,176 | | 9.6 | % | | 361,735 | | 9.3 | % | ||
| Commercial and industrial | | 817,595 | | 18.7 | % | | 775,620 | | 19.9 | % | ||
| Leases | | | 55,422 | | 1.3 | % | | | 64,878 | | 1.7 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 17,134 | | 0.4 | % | | 14,189 | | 0.4 | % | ||
| Total loans and leases | | 4,363,582 | | 100.0 | % | | 3,906,340 | | 100.0 | % | ||
| Less: Allowance for credit losses | | (40,906) | | | | | (37,423) | | | | ||
| Loans and leases, net | | $ | 4,322,676 | | | | | $ | 3,868,917 | | | |
Loan and Lease Portfolio Maturities
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loans and leases, including the interest rate sensitivity for loans and leases maturing after one year (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rate Structure for Loans and Leases | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maturing Over One Year | ||||
| | | One Year | | One through | | | Five through | | Over Fifteen | | | | | Fixed | | Floating | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | | Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | | Rate | | Rate | ||||||
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 187,484 | | $ | 767,188 | | $ | 218,856 | | $ | 23,230 | | $ | 1,196,758 | | $ | 458,295 | | $ | 550,979 |
| Owner occupied | | | 79,643 | | | 621,469 | | | 302,735 | | | 19,024 | | | 1,022,871 | | | 470,207 | | | 473,021 |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 64,109 | | 249,172 | | | 98,661 | | 422,684 | | 834,626 | | 254,772 | | 515,745 | ||||||
| Construction and land development | | 116,553 | | 217,120 | | | 27,477 | | 58,026 | | 419,176 | | 53,274 | | 249,349 | ||||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 324,346 | | 394,865 | | | 76,582 | | 21,802 | | 817,595 | | 333,797 | | 159,452 | ||||||
| Leases | | | 2,512 | | | 52,910 | | | — | | | — | | | 55,422 | | | 52,910 | | | — |
| Consumer and other | | 11,915 | | 5,112 | | | 68 | | 39 | | 17,134 | | 5,036 | | 183 | ||||||
| Total loans and leases | | $ | 786,562 | | $ | 2,307,836 | | $ | 724,379 | | $ | 544,805 | | $ | 4,363,582 | | $ | 1,628,291 | | $ | 1,948,729 |
Past Due, Nonaccrual, and Loan Modifications for Loans and Leases
Loans and leases are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. Loans and leases are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past due for a period of 90 days or more, unless such loans and leases are well secured and in the process of collection. If a loan or lease, or a portion of a loan or lease is classified as doubtful or as partially charged off, the loan or lease is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans and leases that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual if repayment in full of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans and leases may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.
While a loan or lease is classified as nonaccrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan or lease balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding, except in the case of loans and leases with scheduled amortizations where the payment is generally applied to the oldest payment due. When the future collectability of the recorded loan and lease balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a nonaccrual loan and lease had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan and lease balance at the contractual interest rate. Receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for credit losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
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Assets acquired as a result of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value in other real estate owned. Any excess of cost over estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Valuations are periodically performed on these properties, and any subsequent write-downs are charged to earnings. Routine maintenance and other holding costs are included in noninterest expense.
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of gross loans and leases, net of deferred fees, was 0.22% as of December 31, 2025, and 0.20% as of December 31, 2024, respectively. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets as of December 31, 2025, totaled 0.22% compared to 0.19% as of December 31, 2024.
The following table is a summary of our loans and leases that were past due at least 30 days but not more than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2025, and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Accruing Loans | | | Accruing Loans | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | | 90 Days or More | | | Total Accruing | | |||||||||
| | | | | Past Due | | | Past Due | | | Past Due Loans | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | |
| December 31, 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,196,758 | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | - | | - | | | $ | - | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | 1,022,871 | | | 803 | | 0.08 | | | | - | | - | | | | 803 | | 0.08 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 834,626 | | | 2,673 | | 0.32 | | | | - | | - | | | | 2,673 | | 0.32 | |
| Construction and land development | | 419,176 | | | 68 | | 0.02 | | | | - | | - | | | | 68 | | 0.02 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 817,595 | | | 1,287 | | 0.16 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,287 | | 0.16 | |
| Leases | | 55,422 | | | 1,404 | | 2.53 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,404 | | 2.53 | |
| Consumer and other | | 17,134 | | | 120 | | 0.70 | | | | - | | - | | | | 120 | | 0.70 | |
| Total | $ | 4,363,582 | | $ | 6,355 | | 0.15 | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 6,355 | | 0.15 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,080,404 | | $ | 378 | | 0.03 | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 378 | | 0.03 | % |
| Owner occupied | | 867,678 | | | 411 | | 0.05 | | | | - | | - | | | | 411 | | 0.05 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 741,836 | | | 2,748 | | 0.37 | | | | - | | - | | | | 2,748 | | 0.37 | |
| Construction and land development | | 361,735 | | | 523 | | 0.14 | | | | - | | - | | | | 523 | | 0.14 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 775,620 | | | 1,745 | | 0.22 | | | | 144 | | 0.02 | | | | 1,889 | | 0.24 | |
| Leases | | 64,878 | | | 1,453 | | 2.24 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,453 | | 2.24 | |
| Consumer and other | | 14,189 | | | 118 | | 0.83 | | | | 18 | | 0.13 | | | | 136 | | 0.96 | |
| Total | $ | 3,906,340 | | $ | 7,376 | | 0.19 | % | | $ | 162 | | - | % | | $ | 7,538 | | 0.19 | % |
The following table is a summary of our nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 2025, and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2025 | | | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | Total | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,196,758 | | $ | 672 | | 0.06 | % | | $ | 1,080,404 | | $ | 514 | | 0.05 | % |
| Owner occupied | | 1,022,871 | | | 1,934 | | 0.19 | | | | 867,678 | | | 906 | | 0.10 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 834,626 | | | 2,300 | | 0.28 | | | | 741,836 | | | 1,995 | | 0.27 | |
| Construction and land development | | 419,176 | | | - | | - | | | | 361,735 | | | 39 | | 0.01 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 817,595 | | | 1,828 | | 0.22 | | | | 775,620 | | | 1,820 | | 0.23 | |
| Leases | | 55,422 | | | 2,858 | | 5.16 | | | | 64,878 | | | 2,433 | | 3.75 | |
| Consumer and other | | 17,134 | | | 9 | | 0.05 | | | | 14,189 | | | 2 | | 0.01 | |
| Total | $ | 4,363,582 | | $ | 9,601 | | 0.22 | % | | $ | 3,906,340 | | $ | 7,709 | | 0.20 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | | | | | 426.06% | | | | | | | | | 485.45% | | | |
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Potential Problem Loans and Leases
At December 31, 2025, substandard or problem loans and leases, which are defined in “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 5 – Loans and Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses”, amounted to approximately $10.6 million or 0.24% of total loans and leases outstanding. Potential problem loans and leases, which are not included in nonperforming loans and leases, represent those loans and leases with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Bank’s primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans and leases.
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2023, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, which introduced the current expected credit losses ("CECL") methodology and required us to estimate all expected credit losses over the remaining life of our loan portfolio. For additional information relating to CECL, see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the allowance for credit losses represents an amount that, in management's evaluation, is adequate to provide coverage for all expected future credit losses on outstanding loans. As of December 31, 2025, and 2024, our allowance for credit losses on loans and leases was $40.9 million and $37.4 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.94% and 0.96% at December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively.
The current methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance includes: (1) a collective quantified reserve determined by non-discounted cash flow analysis for the loan portfolio, (2) a collective quantified reserve determined by the open-pool methodology for the bank’s lease portfolio, (3) collective qualitative factors to adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation and (4) individual allowances on collateral-dependent loans where the bank may be inadequately protected by current paying capacity of the borrower. At December 31, 2025, 42% of the allowance is attributable to the collective qualitative factors, a slight decline from 45% at December 31, 2024.
Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. The Company uses an average of Fannie Mae and Federal Open Market Committee projections of the national unemployment rate as a regression tool to determine the best estimate of probability of default expectations. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long term mean of historical factors using a straight-line approach. The Company uses an eight-quarter forecast and a four-quarter reversion period. Since adoption, the procedure for estimating probability of default expectations remains unchanged.
Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The Company considers the qualitative factors that are relevant as of the reporting date, which may include, but are not limited to: independent loan review results, portfolio concentrations, lending strategies, quality of assets, regulatory review results and associate retention. The qualitative allowance will increase, or decrease, based on the assessment of these various factors.
We assess the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management's evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay the loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
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Based upon our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to be adequate to absorb our estimate of expected future credit losses on loans outstanding at December 31, 2025. While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for credit losses as well as the resultant provision for credit losses charged to operations are considered adequate by management, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise. There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, local real estate market or a particular industry or borrower which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses and, thus, the resulting provision for credit losses.
The following table sets forth, based on management’s best estimate, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to categories of loans and leases and loan and lease balances by category and the percentage of loans and leases in each category to total loans and leases and allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans and leases within each loan and lease category as of December 31 for each of the past two years (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Percentage of Loans | | | | | Ratio of Allowance | | ||||
| | | Amount of | | in Each Category | | | Total | | Allocated to Loans in | | ||||
| | | Allowance Allocated | | to Total Loans | | | Loans | | Each Category | | ||||
| December 31, 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 8,044 | | | 27.5 | % | | $ | 1,196,758 | | | 0.67 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 8,876 | | | 23.4 | | | | 1,022,871 | | | 0.87 | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 8,767 | | | 19.1 | | | | 834,626 | | | 1.05 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 4,298 | | | 9.6 | | | | 419,176 | | | 1.03 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 8,611 | | | 18.7 | | | | 817,595 | | | 1.05 | |
| Leases | | | 2,173 | | | 1.3 | | | | 55,422 | | | 3.92 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 137 | | | 0.4 | | | | 17,134 | | | 0.80 | |
| Total | | $ | 40,906 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 4,363,582 | | | 0.94 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 6,972 | | | 27.5 | % | | $ | 1,080,404 | | | 0.65 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 8,341 | | | 22.2 | | | | 867,678 | | | 0.96 | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 8,355 | | | 19.0 | | | | 741,836 | | | 1.13 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 4,168 | | | 9.3 | | | | 361,735 | | | 1.15 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 8,552 | | | 19.9 | | | | 775,620 | | | 1.10 | |
| Leases | | | 919 | | | 1.7 | | | | 64,878 | | | 1.42 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 116 | | | 0.4 | | | | 14,189 | | | 0.82 | |
| Total | | $ | 37,423 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,906,340 | | | 0.96 | % |
The allowance associated with the individually evaluated loans and leases were approximately $4.9 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $3.9 million at December 31, 2024.
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The following table presents information related to credit losses on loans and lease by loan segment for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | Ratio of Net (charge-offs) | | ||||
| | | Provision for | | Net (charge-offs) | | Average | | Recoveries to | | ||||
| | | Credit Losses | | Recoveries | | Loans | | Average Loans | | ||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 1,072 | | $ | - | | $ | 1,124,759 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 529 | | | 6 | | | 955,955 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 366 | | | 46 | | | 796,842 | | | 0.01 | |
| Construction and land development | | | (70) | | | 200 | | | 384,028 | | | 0.05 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 1,984 | | | (1,925) | | | 778,583 | | | (0.25) | |
| Leases | | | 2,501 | | | (1,247) | | | 59,739 | | | (2.09) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 284 | | | (263) | | | 15,887 | | | (1.66) | |
| Total | | $ | 6,666 | | $ | (3,183) | | $ | 4,115,793 | | | (0.08) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 126 | | $ | - | | $ | 992,390 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | (113) | | | 36 | | | 828,270 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 1,102 | | | 4 | | | 680,895 | | | - | |
| Construction and land development | | | (265) | | | (441) | | | 317,890 | | | (0.14) | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 2,397 | | | (769) | | | 707,125 | | | (0.11) | |
| Leases | | | 1,583 | | | (1,304) | | | 67,389 | | | (1.94) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 236 | | | (235) | | | 13,599 | | | (1.73) | |
| Total | | $ | 5,066 | | $ | (2,709) | | $ | 3,607,558 | | | (0.08) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 577 | | $ | - | | $ | 886,701 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 329 | | | 6 | | | 771,173 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 1,059 | | | 44 | | | 624,972 | | | 0.01 | |
| Construction and land development | | | (380) | | | 25 | | | 367,421 | | | 0.01 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 1,637 | | | (188) | | | 602,413 | | | (0.03) | |
| Leases | | | 347 | | | (345) | | | 67,318 | | | (0.51) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 186 | | | (220) | | | 14,525 | | | (1.51) | |
| Total | | $ | 3,755 | | $ | (678) | | $ | 3,334,523 | | | (0.02) | % |
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is the second largest component of our interest earning assets. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) to optimize the Bank’s income consistent with the investment portfolio’s liquidity and risk objectives; (ii) to balance market and credit risks of other assets and the Bank’s liability structure; (iii) to profitably deploy funds which are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions or other liquidity purposes; and (iv) provide collateral which the Bank is required to pledge against public funds.
Our available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment portfolio is carried at fair market value, and our held-to-maturity investment portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and consists primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal securities and other debt securities. Our investment portfolio increased from $609.0 million at December 31, 2024, to $662.0 million at December 31, 2025. The $53.0 million increase is primarily related to the strategic decision to restructure a portion of the portfolio in the third quarter of 2025, and the impact of lower market interest rates, which improved the fair value of the AFS portfolio. The Company purchased $215.3 million of securities during the year ended December 31, 2025, which was offset by $174.7 million of sales, maturities, and prepayments received during the same period. New purchases were focused on prepayment protected mortgage-backed securities to provide cash flow, liquidity and to support interest rate risk objectives. Our investment to asset ratio decreased from 11.5% at December 31, 2024, to 11.3% at December 31, 2025, primarily due to deploying principal cash flow away from the investment portfolio.
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Net unrealized losses in our AFS securities portfolio were $11.6 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $30.4 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease was attributable to changes in market interest rates related to our securities, relative to when the securities were purchased. Principal paydowns/maturities on lower yielding securities, as well as the decision to sell a portion of the bank’s AFS securities, also played a role in a decrease in the net unrealized loss change over the period.
The following table presents the contractual maturity of the Company’s securities by contractual maturity date and average yields based on amortized cost (for all obligations on a fully taxable basis) at December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands). The composition and maturity/repricing distribution of the securities portfolio is subject to change depending on rate sensitivity, capital and liquidity needs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | One Year | | One through | | Five through | | Over Ten | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | Ten Years | | Years | | Total | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| Available-for-sale: | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 31,688 | | 1.27 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 31,688 | | 1.27 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 19,012 | | 4.99 | | | | — | | - | | | | 19,012 | | 4.99 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | 1,595 | | 3.77 | | | 3,322 | | 3.04 | | | 5,526 | | 3.60 | | | 24,933 | | 4.04 | | | 35,376 | | 4.62 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | 6,928 | | 7.12 | | | 14,745 | | 5.44 | | | — | | - | | | 21,673 | | 5.98 | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | 30,396 | | 4.25 | | | 71,149 | | 4.29 | | | 342,214 | | 4.17 | | | 443,759 | | 4.21 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 1,595 | | 3.77 | | | $ | 72,334 | | 3.16 | | | $ | 110,432 | | 4.53 | | | $ | 367,147 | | 4.25 | | | $ | 551,508 | | 4.17 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | 19,123 | | 1.94 | | | | 27,741 | | 1.80 | | | | — | | - | | | | 46,864 | | 1.86 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | — | | - | | | 740 | | 1.33 | | | 14,164 | | 1.82 | | | 35,612 | | 2.28 | | | 50,516 | | 2.13 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | 2,672 | | 2.10 | | | 1,991 | | 2.19 | | | 20,078 | | 2.13 | | | 24,741 | | 2.13 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | 22,535 | | 1.94 | | | $ | 43,896 | | 1.82 | | | $ | 55,690 | | 2.22 | | | $ | 122,121 | | 2.03 | | |
1Based on amortized cost, taxable equivalent basis.
Deposits
Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company’s lending and investing activities. The Company provides a range of deposit services to businesses and individuals, including noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) and certificates of deposit (“CDs”). These accounts generally earn interest at rates the Company establishes based on market factors and the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs. The establishment or continuity of a core deposit relationship can be a factor in loan pricing decisions. While the Company’s primary focus is on establishing customer relationships to attract core deposits, at times, the Company uses brokered deposits and other wholesale deposits to supplement its funding sources. As of December 31, 2025, brokered deposits represented approximately 1.01% of total deposits.
The following table summarizes the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits for 2025, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Average | | % of | | Average | | Average | | % of | | Average | | Average | | % of | | Average | ||||
| | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | ||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 911,988 | 18.8 | % | — | | $ | 883,923 | 20.3 | % | — | | $ | 958,078 | 22.8 | % | — | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand | | 863,772 | 17.8 | % | 1.78 | % | 932,598 | 21.4 | % | 2.26 | % | 959,639 | 22.8 | % | 2.11 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings | | 2,152,812 | 44.3 | % | 2.95 | % | 1,913,673 | 44.0 | % | 3.35 | % | 1,768,869 | 42.0 | % | 2.85 | % | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 928,404 | 19.1 | % | 3.86 | % | 623,652 | 14.3 | % | 3.86 | % | 520,799 | 12.4 | % | 2.61 | % | ||||||
| Total average deposits | | $ | 4,856,976 | 100.0 | % | 2.36 | % | $ | 4,353,846 | 100.0 | % | 2.51 | % | $ | 4,207,385 | 100.0 | % | 2.00 | % |
During 2025, average deposits increased in noninterest-bearing demand, money market and savings and time deposits, with decreases in interest-bearing demand deposits. The Company believes its deposit product offerings are properly structured to attract and retain core low-cost deposit relationships. The average cost of deposits was 2.36% in 2025 compared to 2.51% in 2024.
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Total deposits as of December 31, 2025, were $5.2 billion, which was an increase of $466.3 million from December 31, 2024. This increase is related to organic deposit growth. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had outstanding time deposits under $250,000 of $417.8 million, time deposits over $250,000 of $452.7 million, and a time deposit fair value adjustment of $7 thousand. The following table summarizes the maturities of time deposits of $250,000 or more as of December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | | 2025 | |
| Three months or less | | $ | 193,839 |
| Three to six months | | 79,701 | |
| Six to twelve months | | 150,456 | |
| More than twelve months | | 28,729 | |
| Total | | $ | 452,725 |
Borrowings and Subordinated Debt
Other than deposits, the Company uses short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide both funding and, to a lesser extent, regulatory capital using debt at the Company level which can be down streamed as Tier 1 capital to the Bank. Total borrowings at December 31, 2025 and 2024, were $3.0 million and $8.1 million, respectively. The $5.1 million reduction in borrowings was primarily the repayment of $4.0 million on a line of credit, that had a $0 balance at December 31, 2025. Short-term borrowings, included in borrowings, totaled $3.0 million at December 31, 2025 and $4.1 million at December 31, 2024 and consisted entirely of securities sold under repurchase agreements. Long-term debt totaled $98.7 million at December 31, 2025 and $39.7 million at December 31, 2024 and consisted entirely of subordinated debt. The $59.0 million increase in long-term debt is related to the Company issuing $100 million in subordinated debt during the third quarter of 2025, and subsequently retiring $40 million of existing subordinated debt in the fourth quarter of 2025. For more information regarding our borrowings and subordinated debt, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit” and “Note 10 – Subordinated Debt.”
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs, all at a reasonable cost. We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders.
Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, federal funds sold, and fair value of unpledged investment securities. Other available sources of liquidity include wholesale deposits, and additional borrowings from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, and the Federal Reserve discount window.
Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily met through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, and increases in customer deposits. Other alternative sources of funds will supplement these primary sources to the extent necessary to meet additional liquidity requirements on either a short-term or long-term basis.
As part of our liquidity management strategy, we open federal funds lines with our correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2025, we had $96.0 million of unsecured federal funds lines with no funds advanced. In addition, we have access to the Federal Reserve’s discount window in the amount of $402.2 million with no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The Federal Reserve discount window line is collateralized by a pool of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans totaling $491.3 million as of December 31, 2025.
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At December 31, 2025, we had no FHLB advances outstanding. For more information regarding the FHLB advances, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit.” Based on the values of loans pledged as collateral, we had $610.0 million of additional borrowing availability with the FHLB as of December 31, 2025. We also maintain relationships in the capital markets with brokers to issue certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The Company has a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount of $35.0 million, with a maturity date of May 1, 2027. At December 31, 2025, $0 was outstanding under the line of credit, and all $35.0 million of the line of credit remained available to the Company.
Capital Requirements
The Company and Bank are required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the federal banking agencies may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The Company uses leverage analysis to examine the potential of the institution to increase assets and liabilities using the current capital base. The key measurements included in this analysis are the Company and Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios. At December 31, 2025, and 2024, our capital ratios, including our Company and Bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs the Bank. For more information regarding our capital, leverage and total capital ratios, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 15 – Regulatory Matters.”
The table below (dollars in thousands) summarizes the capital requirements applicable to the Company and Bank in order to be considered “well-capitalized” from a regulatory perspective, as well as the Company and Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company and Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the FDIC categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2025, that management believes would change this classification.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Minimum to be | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | well | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | capitalized under | | |||
| | | | | | | | Minimum for | | prompt | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | capital | | corrective action | | ||||||
| | | | Actual | | adequacy purposes | | provisions1 | | ||||||||
| | | Amount | | Ratio | | Amount | | Ratio | | Amount | | Ratio | | |||
| December 31, 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 606,158 | 12.71 | % | $ | 381,470 | 8.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 468,641 | 9.83 | % | 286,103 | 6.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 468,641 | 9.83 | % | 214,577 | 4.50 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 468,641 | 8.30 | % | 225,852 | 4.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 586,675 | 12.32 | % | $ | 380,891 | 8.00 | % | $ | 476,114 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 547,820 | 11.51 | % | 285,668 | 6.00 | % | 380,891 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 547,820 | 11.51 | % | 214,251 | 4.50 | % | 309,474 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 547,820 | 9.71 | % | 225,566 | 4.00 | % | 281,957 | 5.00 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 470,635 | 11.10 | % | $ | 339,044 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 413,616 | 9.76 | % | 254,283 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 413,616 | 9.76 | % | 190,712 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 413,616 | 8.29 | % | 199,585 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 478,368 | 11.30 | % | $ | 338,774 | 8.00 | % | $ | 423,467 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 445,159 | 10.51 | % | 254,080 | 6.00 | % | 338,774 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 445,159 | 10.51 | % | 190,560 | 4.50 | % | 275,253 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 445,159 | 8.94 | % | 199,214 | 4.00 | % | 249,017 | 5.00 | % |
1The prompt corrective action provisions are applicable at the Bank level only.
2Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present, as of December 31, 2025, our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | As of December 31, 2025, payments due in | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | More | | | | |
| | | Less than | | 1 to 3 | | 3 to 5 | | than 5 | | | | ||||
| | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years | | Total | |||||
| Operating leases | | $ | 1,802 | | $ | 3,044 | | $ | 2,806 | | $ | 6,682 | | $ | 14,334 |
| Time deposits | | 807,820 | | 48,077 | | 14,646 | | — | | 870,543 | |||||
| Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 3,009 | | — | | — | | — | | 3,009 | |||||
| FHLB advances and other borrowings | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |||||
| Subordinated debt | | — | | — | | — | | 100,000 | | 100,000 | |||||
| Total | | $ | 812,631 | | $ | 51,121 | | $ | 17,452 | | $ | 106,682 | | $ | 987,886 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2025, we had $1.09 billion pre-approved but unused lines of credit and $15.6 million of standby letters of credit. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. Additional information about our off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified accounting policies that are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has reviewed the following critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies, along with a brief discussion of the material implications of the uncertainties of each policy, are below. For a full description of these critical accounting policies, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for credit losses – Loans – As described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023, which requires the estimation of an allowance for credit losses in accordance with the CECL methodology. Our management assesses the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The level of the allowance for credit losses maintained by management is believed adequate to absorb all expected future losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased through provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
Fair values for acquired assets and assumed liabilities – Assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities is allocated to identifiable intangible assets with the remaining excess allocated to goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. As of December 31, 2025, there was approximately $90.4 million in goodwill. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, of each year, and for 2025 the results of the qualitive assessment provided no indication of potential impairment. Management will continue to evaluate the economic conditions at future reporting periods for applicable changes.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-25-003135.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is certain selected financial data related to the Company’s operations for 2024, 2023 and 2022: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | | | 2022 | |
| Balance Sheet: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 5,275,904 | | | $ | 4,829,387 | | | $ | 4,637,498 | |
| Loans and leases | | | 3,906,340 | | | | 3,444,462 | | | | 3,253,627 | |
| Allowance for credit losses | | | (37,423) | | | | (35,066) | | | | (23,334) | |
| Total securities | | | 608,987 | | | | 689,646 | | | | 769,842 | |
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | | | 104,723 | | | | 107,148 | | | | 109,772 | |
| Total deposits | | | 4,686,483 | | | | 4,267,854 | | | | 4,077,100 | |
| Borrowings | | | 8,135 | | | | 13,078 | | | | 41,860 | |
| Subordinated debt | | | 39,684 | | | | 42,099 | | | | 42,015 | |
| Shareholders' equity | | | 491,461 | | | | 459,886 | | | | 432,452 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income Statement: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | $ | 251,119 | | | $ | 218,043 | | | $ | 158,834 | |
| Interest expense | | | 113,769 | | | | 87,963 | | | | 21,333 | |
| Net interest income | | | 137,350 | | | | 130,080 | | | | 137,501 | |
| Provision for loan and lease losses | | | 5,153 | | | | 3,029 | | | | 4,018 | |
| Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses | | | 132,197 | | | | 127,051 | | | | 133,483 | |
| Noninterest income | | | 34,152 | | | | 22,325 | | | | 27,715 | |
| Noninterest expense | | | 120,890 | | | | 113,150 | | | | 106,290 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | 45,459 | | | | 36,226 | | | | 54,908 | |
| Income tax expense | | | 9,318 | | | | 7,633 | | | | 11,886 | |
| Net income | | $ | 36,141 | | | $ | 28,593 | | | $ | 43,022 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Per Share Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per common share - basic | | $ | 2.16 | | | $ | 1.70 | | | $ | 2.57 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 16,768,956 | | | | 16,805,068 | | | | 16,740,450 | |
| Earnings per common share - diluted | | $ | 2.14 | | | $ | 1.69 | | | $ | 2.55 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | | | 16,875,456 | | | | 16,911,185 | | | | 16,871,369 | |
| Common dividends per share | | $ | 0.32 | | | $ | 0.32 | | | $ | 0.28 | |
| Book value per share | | $ | 29.04 | | | $ | 27.07 | | | $ | 25.59 | |
| Common shares outstanding at end of period | | | 16,925,672 | | | | 16,988,879 | | | | 16,900,805 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets | | | 0.73 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.92 | % |
| Return on average shareholders' equity | | | 7.63 | % | | | 6.45 | % | | | 10.16 | % |
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.04 | % | | | 2.97 | % | | | 3.20 | % |
| Interest rate spread | | | 2.32 | % | | | 2.32 | % | | | 3.01 | % |
| Noninterest income to average assets | | | 0.69 | % | | | 0.47 | % | | | 0.59 | % |
| Noninterest expense to average assets | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.27 | % |
| Efficiency ratio | | | 70.49 | % | | | 74.24 | % | | | 64.33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Quality Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net (charge-offs) to average loans and leases | | | (0.08) | % | | | (0.02) | % | | | - | % |
| Allowance for loan and leases to total loans and leases | | | 0.96 | % | | | 1.02 | % | | | 0.72 | % |
| Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross | | | 0.20 | % | | | 0.24 | % | | | 0.09 | % |
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | | | 0.19 | % | | | 0.20 | % | | | 0.10 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Capital Ratios1: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tier 1 leverage | | | 8.29 | % | | | 8.27 | % | | | 7.95 | % |
| Common equity Tier 1 | | | 9.76 | % | | | 10.16 | % | | | 9.65 | % |
| Tier 1 capital | | | 9.76 | % | | | 10.16 | % | | | 9.65 | % |
| Total capital | | | 11.10 | % | | | 11.80 | % | | | 11.40 | % |
1Capital Ratios are for SmartFinancial, Inc.
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Business Overview
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this Annual Report on Form 10K, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
We are a bank holding company that was incorporated on September 19, 1983 under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and operate primarily through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, SmartBank. As of December 31, 2024 the Bank provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services to clients through 42 full-service bank branches in select markets in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans and leases to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and leases and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
In addition to our banking services, we offer insurance products through SBK Insurance, Inc., formally known as Rains Insurance Agency, Inc. and loans and leases for heavy equipment through Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC, both are subsidiaries of the Bank. The Bank also contracts with RJFS, a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, to offer and sell various securities and other financial products to the public through associates who are employed by both the Bank and RJFS. RJFS is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Executive Summary
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial highlights and significant events during 2024:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net income totaled $36.1 million, or $2.14 per diluted common share, during the year ended of 2024 compared to $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net loans and leases growth of $459.5 million from December 31, 2023, with a record high net loans and leases of $3.9 billion at December 31, 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total deposits growth of $418.6 million from December 31, 2023, with a record high total deposits of $4.7 billion at December 31, 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Return on average assets was 0.73% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 0.60% for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company established a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) subsidiary as a tax savings strategy. |
Analysis of Results of Operations
2024 compared to 2023
Net income was $36.1 million, or $2.14 per diluted common share in 2024, compared to $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share in 2023. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2024 was 3.04% compared to 2.97% for 2023. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.69% for 2024, increasing from 0.47% for 2023. Noninterest expense to average
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assets increased to 2.45% in 2024, up from 2.38% in 2023. Income tax expense was $9.3 million in 2024 with an effective tax rate of 20.5%, compared to $7.6 million in 2023 with an effective tax rate of 21.1%.
2023 compared to 2022
Net income was $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share in 2023, compared to $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share in 2022. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2023 was 2.97% compared to 3.20% for 2022. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.47% for 2023, decreasing from 0.59% for 2022. Noninterest expense to average assets increased to 2.38% in 2023, up from 2.27% in 2022. Income tax expense was $7.6 million in 2023 with an effective tax rate of 21.1%, compared to $11.9 million in 2022 with an effective tax rate of 21.7%.
Net Interest Income and Yield Analysis
The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.
2024 compared to 2023
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $138.5 million in 2024 from $130.5 million in 2023. Average earning assets increased from $4.4 billion in 2023 to $4.6 billion in 2024, primarily from organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $273.0 million and interest-earning cash increased by $27.2 million, offset by a decrease in average securities of $134.8 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $220.6 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $74.2 million and average borrowings increased by $3.9 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.04% for 2024, compared to 2.97% for 2023. The yield on earning assets increased from 4.98% for 2023, to 5.54% for 2024, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2024 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal Reserve System. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 2.59% for 2023, to 3.15% for 2024, primarily due to the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates, and such increases significantly contributing to the increase in interest expense in 2024.
2023 compared to 2022
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, decreased to $130.5 million in 2023 from $138.2 million in 2022. Average earning assets increased from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $4.4 billion in 2023, primarily from organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $386.0 million, offset by a decrease in interest-earning cash and federal funds sold of $304.7 million and average securities decreased by $10.5 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $214.3 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $162.5 million and average borrowings decreased $15.2 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 2.97% for 2023, compared to 3.20% for 2022. The yield on earning assets increased from 3.70% for 2022, to 4.98% for 2023, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2023 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal Reserve System. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.60% for 2022, to 2.59% for 2023, primarily due to the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates, and such increases significantly contributing to the increase in interest expense in 2023.
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Summary of Average Balances, Interest and Rates
The following table presents (dollars in thousands), for the periods indicated, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| | Average | | | | Yield/ | | Average | | | | Yield/ | | Average | | | | Yield/ | ||||||||
| | | Balance | Interest | Cost | Balance | Interest | Cost | Balance | Interest | Cost | | ||||||||||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||
| Loans and leases, including fees1,2 | | $ | 3,607,558 | | $ | 214,310 | | 5.94 | % | $ | 3,334,523 | | $ | 186,479 | | 5.59 | % | $ | 2,948,511 | | $ | 136,381 | 4.63 | % | |
| Taxable Securities | | | 580,001 | | 20,151 | 3.47 | % | | 713,637 | | 16,665 | 2.34 | % | 688,428 | | 11,799 | 1.71 | % | |||||||
| Tax-exempt securities3 | | 63,679 | | 1,780 | 2.80 | % | 64,816 | | 1,795 | 2.77 | % | 100,566 | | 2,831 | 2.82 | % | |||||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | 300,081 | | 16,000 | 5.33 | % | 272,864 | | 13,481 | 4.94 | % | 577,593 | | 8,488 | 1.47 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 4,551,319 | | 252,241 | 5.54 | % | 4,385,840 | | 218,420 | 4.98 | % | 4,315,098 | | 159,499 | 3.70 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | | 388,267 | | | 370,436 | | | 373,026 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | | $ | 4,939,586 | | | | | | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | | | | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | $ | 932,598 | | 21,074 | 2.26 | % | $ | 959,639 | | 20,214 | 2.11 | % | $ | 945,414 | | 6,278 | 0.66 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 1,913,673 | | 64,116 | 3.35 | % | 1,768,869 | | 50,468 | 2.85 | % | 1,576,170 | | 9,137 | 0.58 | % | |||||||||
| Time deposits | | 623,652 | | 24,070 | 3.86 | % | 520,799 | | 13,578 | 2.61 | % | 513,416 | | 2,813 | 0.55 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 3,469,923 | | 109,260 | 3.15 | % | 3,249,307 | | 84,260 | 2.59 | % | 3,035,000 | | 18,228 | 0.60 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowings | | 21,719 | | 1,075 | 4.95 | % | 17,824 | | 936 | 5.25 | % | 32,986 | | 602 | 1.83 | % | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 41,184 | | 3,434 | 8.34 | % | 42,055 | | 2,767 | 6.58 | % | 41,970 | | 2,503 | 5.96 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 3,532,826 | | 113,769 | 3.22 | % | 3,309,186 | | 87,963 | 2.66 | % | 3,109,956 | | 21,333 | 0.69 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | 883,923 | | | 958,078 | | | 1,120,555 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | | 48,949 | | | 46,052 | | | 34,361 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | | 4,465,698 | | | 4,313,316 | | | 4,264,872 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | | 473,888 | | | 442,960 | | | 423,252 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 4,939,586 | | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income, taxable equivalent | | | $ | 138,472 | | | $ | 130,457 | | | $ | 138,166 | | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate spread | | | 2.32 | % | | 2.32 | % | | 3.01 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.04 | % | | 2.97 | % | | 3.20 | % | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | | | | 128.83 | % | | 132.54 | % | | 138.75 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Percentage of average equity to average assets | | | 9.59 | % | | 9.31 | % | | 9.03 | % |
1Yields related to tax-exempt loans exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $748, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
2Loans include Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans with an average balance of $1.6 million, $2.8 million and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Loan fees included in loan income were $3.0 million, $5.3 million, and $4.1 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Loan fee income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, includes $43 thousand, $38 thousand and $1.9 million accretion of loan fees on PPP loans.
2Yields related to investment securities exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2024, 2023 and 2022. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $374 thousand, $377 thousand and $665 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Rate and Volume Analysis
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased by $8.0 million between the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and decreased by $7.7 million between the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The following is an analysis of the changes in net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 Compared to 2023 | | 2023 Compared to 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| | | Increase (decrease) due to | | Increase (decrease) due to | ||||||||||||||
| | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | ||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| Loans and leases | | $ | 12,563 | | $ | 15,268 | | $ | 27,831 | | $ | 32,246 | | $ | 17,852 | | $ | 50,098 |
| Taxable Securities | | 5,707 | | (2,221) | | 3,486 | | 4,471 | | 395 | | 4,866 | ||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | | 15 | | (30) | | (15) | | 58 | | (1,094) | | (1,036) | ||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | 1,184 | | 1,335 | | 2,519 | | 9,232 | | (4,239) | | 4,993 | ||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 19,469 | | 14,352 | | 33,821 | | 46,007 | | 12,914 | | 58,921 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | 1,430 | | (570) | | 860 | | 13,842 | | 94 | | 13,936 | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 9,516 | | 4,132 | | 13,648 | | 40,214 | | 1,117 | | 41,331 | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 7,812 | | 2,680 | | 10,492 | | 10,724 | | 41 | | 10,765 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 18,758 | | 6,242 | | 25,000 | | 64,780 | | 1,252 | | 66,032 | ||||||
| Borrowings | | (172) | | 311 | | 139 | | 656 | | (322) | | 334 | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 724 | | (57) | | 667 | | 259 | | 5 | | 264 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 19,310 | | 6,496 | | 25,806 | | 65,695 | | 935 | | 66,630 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | $ | 159 | | $ | 7,856 | | $ | 8,015 | | $ | (19,688) | | $ | 11,979 | | $ | (7,709) |
Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated with service charges on deposit accounts, capital markets income and interchange and debit card transaction fees.
The following table provides a summary of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | | | | ||||||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||
| | 2024 | 2023 | | Change | 2022 | | | Change | |||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | | $ | 6,862 | | $ | 6,511 | | $ | 351 | | $ | 5,853 | | $ | 658 |
| Gain (loss) on sale of securities | | 64 | | (6,801) | | | 6,865 | | 144 | | | (6,945) | |||
| Mortgage banking | | 1,579 | | 1,040 | | | 539 | | 1,552 | | | (512) | |||
| Investment services | | | 5,945 | | | 5,105 | | | 840 | | | 4,144 | | | 961 |
| Insurance commissions | | | 5,696 | | | 4,684 | | | 1,012 | | | 3,595 | | | 1,089 |
| Interchange and debit card transaction fees, net | | 5,277 | | 5,457 | | | (180) | | 5,435 | | | 22 | |||
| Other | | 8,729 | | 6,329 | | | 2,400 | | 6,992 | | | (663) | |||
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 34,152 | | $ | 22,325 | | $ | 11,827 | | $ | 27,715 | | $ | (5,390) |
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Table of Contents
2024 compared to 2023
Noninterest income increased $11.8 million to $34.2 million in 2024, compared to $22.3 million in 2023. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During 2023, loss on sale of securities, associated with a $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $159.6 million in available-for-sale securities, reinvesting into higher yielding assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, driven by organic growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to $1.3 million pre-tax gain on the sale of a former branch building, income on bank owned life insurance, and fees from capital market activity. |
2023 compared to 2022
Noninterest income decreased $5.4 million to $22.3 million in 2023, compared to $27.7 million in 2022. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in loss on sale of securities, associated with a $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $159.6 million in available-for-sale securities, reinvesting into higher yielding assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, driven by the acquisition of Sunbelt Group, LLC (“Sunbelt”) and organic growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in other, primarily related to decreased fees from capital market activity. |
Noninterest Expense
The following table provides a summary of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | | | | ||||||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||
| | 2024 | 2023 | | Change | | 2022 | Change | ||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 72,100 | | $ | 65,749 | | $ | 6,351 | | $ | 63,420 | | $ | 2,329 |
| Occupancy and equipment | | 13,617 | | 13,451 | | 166 | | 12,034 | | 1,417 | |||||
| FDIC insurance | | 3,390 | | 3,156 | | 234 | | 2,672 | | 484 | |||||
| Other real estate and loan-related expense | | 2,823 | | 2,397 | | 426 | | 2,446 | | (49) | |||||
| Advertising and marketing | | 1,321 | | 1,342 | | (21) | | 1,293 | | 49 | |||||
| Data processing and technology | | 9,930 | | 9,235 | | 695 | | 7,283 | | 1,952 | |||||
| Professional services | | 4,207 | | 3,443 | | 764 | | 3,790 | | (347) | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles | | 2,425 | | 2,624 | | (199) | | 2,607 | | 17 | |||||
| Merger-related and restructuring expenses | | — | | 110 | | (110) | | 562 | | (452) | |||||
| Other | | 11,077 | | 11,643 | | (566) | | 10,183 | | 1,460 | |||||
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 120,890 | | $ | 113,150 | | $ | 7,740 | | $ | 106,290 | | $ | 6,860 |
2024 compared to 2023
Noninterest expense increased $7.7 million to $120.9 million in 2024, compared to $113.2 million in 2023. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, primarily related to incentive accruals for production performance and overall employee benefits; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in professional services, primarily related to increases in legal fees, audit/accounting fees, and other professional services fees. |
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Table of Contents
2023 compared to 2022
Noninterest expense increased $6.9 million to $113.2 million in 2023, compared to $106.3 million in 2022. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the Sunbelt acquisition completed September 1, 2022 and overall franchise growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in other, primarily related to a Community Reinvestment Act donation of a former branch location and accruals in respect of pending litigation. |
Income Taxes
2024 compared to 2023
In 2024, income tax expense totaled $9.3 million compared to $7.6 million in 2023. The effective tax rate was approximately 20.5% for 2024 compared to 21.1% in 2023.
2023 compared to 2022
In 2023, income tax expense totaled $7.6 million compared to $11.9 million in 2022. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.1% for 2023 compared to 21.7% in 2022. The primary reason for the 0.06% decline in the effective tax rate was due to lower earnings, largely from the $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of available-for-sale securities during the year.
Loan and Lease Portfolio
Our loans and leases represent the largest portion of our earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan and lease portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing our financial condition. The Company had total net loans and leases outstanding of approximately $3.87 billion at December 31, 2024, and $3.41 billion at December 31, 2023. The year-over-year increase of $459.5 million, or 13.5%, was related to organic loan growth throughout all markets. Loans secured by real estate, consisting of commercial or residential property, are the principal component of our loan and lease portfolio.
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The following tables summarize the composition of our loan and lease portfolio for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | % of | | | | | | % of | |
| | | December 31, | | Gross | | | December 31, | | Gross | | ||
| | | 2024 | | Total | | | 2023 | | Total | |||
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 1,080,404 | | 27.5 | % | $ | | 940,789 | | 27.2 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 867,678 | | 22.2 | % | | | 798,416 | | 23.2 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 741,836 | | 19.0 | % | | 649,867 | | 18.9 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | | 361,735 | | 9.3 | % | | 327,185 | | 9.5 | % | ||
| Commercial and industrial | | 775,620 | | 19.9 | % | | 645,918 | | 18.8 | % | ||
| Leases | | | 64,878 | | 1.7 | % | | | 68,752 | | 2.0 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 14,189 | | 0.4 | % | | 13,535 | | 0.4 | % | ||
| Total loans and leases | | 3,906,340 | | 100.0 | % | | 3,444,462 | | 100.0 | % | ||
| Less: Allowance for credit losses | | (37,423) | | | | | (35,066) | | | | ||
| Loans and leases, net | | $ | 3,868,917 | | | | | $ | 3,409,396 | | | |
Loan and Lease Portfolio Maturities
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loans and leases, including the interest rate sensitivity for loans and leases maturing after one year (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rate Structure for Loans and Leases | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maturing Over One Year | ||||
| | | One Year | | One through | | | Five through | | Over Fifteen | | | | | Fixed | | Floating | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | | Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | | Rate | | Rate | ||||||
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 72,684 | | $ | 745,248 | | $ | 231,178 | | $ | 31,294 | | $ | 1,080,404 | | $ | 555,845 | | $ | 451,875 |
| Owner occupied | | | 24,565 | | | 445,600 | | | 373,646 | | | 23,867 | | | 867,678 | | | 453,957 | | | 389,156 |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 44,261 | | 238,674 | | | 94,051 | | 364,850 | | 741,836 | | 273,809 | | 423,766 | ||||||
| Construction and land development | | 77,534 | | 189,195 | | | 47,811 | | 47,195 | | 361,735 | | 105,139 | | 179,062 | ||||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 292,381 | | 386,606 | | | 73,857 | | 22,776 | | 775,620 | | 345,696 | | 137,543 | ||||||
| Leases | | | 2,132 | | | 62,597 | | | 149 | | | — | | | 64,878 | | | 62,746 | | | — |
| Consumer and other | | 8,703 | | 4,932 | | | 513 | | 41 | | 14,189 | | 5,069 | | 417 | ||||||
| Total loans and leases | | $ | 522,260 | | $ | 2,072,852 | | $ | 821,205 | | $ | 490,023 | | $ | 3,906,340 | | $ | 1,802,261 | | $ | 1,581,819 |
Past Due, Nonaccrual, and Loan Modifications for Loans and Leases
Loans and leases are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. Loans and leases are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past due for a period of 90 days or more, unless such loans and leases are well secured and in the process of collection. If a loan or lease, or a portion of a loan or lease is classified as doubtful or as partially charged off, the loan or lease is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans and leases that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual if repayment in full of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans and leases may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.
While a loan or lease is classified as nonaccrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan or lease balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding, except in the case of loans and leases with scheduled amortizations where the payment is generally applied to the oldest payment due. When the future collectability of the recorded loan and lease balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a nonaccrual loan and lease had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan and lease balance at the contractual interest rate. Receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan and lease losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
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Assets acquired as a result of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value in other real estate owned. Any excess of cost over estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Valuations are periodically performed on these properties, and any subsequent write-downs are charged to earnings. Routine maintenance and other holding costs are included in noninterest expense.
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of gross loans and leases, net of deferred fees, was 0.20% as of December 31, 2024, and 0.24% as of December 31, 2023, respectively. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets as of December 31, 2024, totaled 0.19% compared to 0.20% as of December 31, 2023.
The following table is a summary of our loans and leases that were past due at least 30 days but not more than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2024, and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Accruing Loans | | | Accruing Loans | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | | 90 Days or More | | | Total Accruing | | |||||||||
| | | | | Past Due | | | Past Due | | | Past Due Loans | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,080,404 | | $ | 378 | | 0.03 | | | $ | - | | - | | | $ | 378 | | 0.03 | |
| Owner occupied | | 867,678 | | | 411 | | 0.05 | | | | - | | - | | | | 411 | | 0.05 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 741,836 | | | 2,748 | | 0.37 | | | | - | | - | | | | 2,748 | | 0.37 | |
| Construction and land development | | 361,735 | | | 523 | | 0.14 | | | | - | | - | | | | 523 | | 0.14 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 775,620 | | | 1,745 | | 0.22 | | | | 144 | | 0.02 | | | | 1,889 | | 0.24 | |
| Leases | | 64,878 | | | 1,453 | | 2.24 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,453 | | 2.24 | |
| Consumer and other | | 14,189 | | | 118 | | 0.83 | | | | 18 | | 0.13 | | | | 136 | | 0.96 | |
| Total | $ | 3,906,340 | | $ | 7,376 | | 0.19 | | | $ | 162 | | - | | | $ | 7,538 | | 0.19 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 940,789 | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | | | - | % | | $ | - | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | 798,416 | | | 322 | | 0.04 | | | | | | - | | | | 322 | | 0.04 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 649,867 | | | 2,229 | | 0.34 | | | | - | | - | | | | 2,229 | | 0.34 | |
| Construction and land development | | 327,185 | | | 631 | | 0.19 | | | | - | | - | | | | 631 | | 0.19 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 645,918 | | | 1,286 | | 0.20 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,286 | | 0.20 | |
| Leases | | 68,752 | | | 1,340 | | 1.95 | | | | 72 | | 0.10 | | | | 1,412 | | 2.05 | |
| Consumer and other | | 13,535 | | | 89 | | 0.66 | | | | 98 | | 0.72 | | | | 187 | | 1.38 | |
| Total | $ | 3,444,462 | | $ | 5,897 | | 0.17 | | | $ | 170 | | - | | | $ | 6,067 | | 0.18 | |
The following table is a summary of our nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 2024, and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2024 | | | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | Total | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | $ | 1,080,404 | | $ | 514 | | 0.05 | % | | $ | 940,789 | | $ | 571 | | 0.06 | % |
| Owner occupied | | 867,678 | | | 906 | | 0.10 | | | | 798,416 | | | 1,473 | | 0.18 | |
| Consumer real estate | | 741,836 | | | 1,995 | | 0.27 | | | | 649,867 | | | 2,647 | | 0.41 | |
| Construction and land development | | 361,735 | | | 39 | | 0.01 | | | | 327,185 | | | 620 | | 0.19 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 775,620 | | | 1,820 | | 0.23 | | | | 645,918 | | | 2,480 | | 0.38 | |
| Leases | | 64,878 | | | 2,433 | | 3.75 | | | | 68,752 | | | 140 | | 0.20 | |
| Consumer and other | | 14,189 | | | 2 | | 0.01 | | | | 13,535 | | | - | | - | |
| Total | $ | 3,906,340 | | $ | 7,709 | | 0.20 | | | $ | 3,444,462 | | $ | 7,931 | | 0.23 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | | | | | 485.45% | | | | | | | | | 424.75% | | | |
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Potential Problem Loans and Leases
At December 31, 2024, substandard or problem loans and leases amounted to approximately $11.7 million or 0.30% of total loans and leases outstanding. Potential problem loans and leases, which are not included in nonperforming loans and leases, represent those loans and leases with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Bank’s primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans and leases.
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2023, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, which introduced the current expected credit losses ("CECL") methodology and required us to estimate all expected credit losses over the remaining life of our loan portfolio. For additional information relating to CECL, see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the allowance for credit losses represents an amount that, in management's evaluation, is adequate to provide coverage for all expected future credit losses on outstanding loans. As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, our allowance for credit losses was $37.4 million and $35.1 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.96% and 1.02% at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The current methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance includes: (1) a collective quantified reserve determined by non-discounted cash flow analysis for the loan portfolio, (2) a collective quantified reserve determined by the open-pool methodology for the bank’s lease portfolio, (3) collective qualitative factors to adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation, (4) individual allowances on collateral-dependent loans where the bank may be inadequately protected by current paying capacity of the borrower. At December 31, 2024, 45% of the allowance is attributable to the collective qualitative factors, a slight decline from 46% at December 31, 2023.
Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. The Company uses an average of Fannie Mae and Federal Open Market Committee projections of the national unemployment rate as a regression tool to determine the best estimate of probability of default expectations. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long term mean of historical factors using a straight-line approach. The Company uses an eight-quarter forecast and a four-quarter reversion period. Since adoption, the procedure for estimating probability of default expectations remains unchanged.
Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The Company considers the qualitative factors that are relevant as of the reporting date, which may include, but are not limited to: independent loan review results, portfolio concentrations, lending strategies, quality of assets, regulatory review results and associate retention. The qualitative allowance will increase, or decrease, based on the assessment of these various factors.
We assess the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management's evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay the loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
Based upon our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to be adequate to absorb our estimate of expected future credit losses on loans outstanding at December 31, 2024. While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for credit losses as well as the resultant provision for credit losses
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charged to operations are considered adequate by management, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise. There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, local real estate market or a particular industry or borrower which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses and, thus, the resulting provision for credit losses.
The following table sets forth, based on management’s best estimate, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to categories of loans and leases and loan and lease balances by category and the percentage of loans and leases in each category to total loans and leases and allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans and leases within each loan and lease category as of December 31 for each of the past two years (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Percentage of Loans | | | | | Ratio of Allowance | | ||||
| | | Amount of | | in Each Category | | | Total | | Allocated to Loans in | | ||||
| | | Allowance Allocated | | to Total Loans | | | Loans | | Each Category | | ||||
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 6,972 | | | 27.5 | % | | $ | 1,080,404 | | | 0.65 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 8,341 | | | 22.2 | | | | 867,678 | | | 0.96 | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 8,355 | | | 19.0 | | | | 741,836 | | | 1.13 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 4,168 | | | 9.3 | | | | 361,735 | | | 1.15 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 8,552 | | | 19.9 | | | | 775,620 | | | 1.10 | |
| Leases | | | 919 | | | 1.7 | | | | 64,878 | | | 1.42 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 116 | | | 0.4 | | | | 14,189 | | | 0.82 | |
| Total | | $ | 37,423 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,906,340 | | | 0.96 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 6,887 | | | 27.2 | % | | $ | 940,789 | | | 0.73 | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 8,377 | | | 23.2 | | | | 798,416 | | | 1.05 | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 7,249 | | | 18.9 | | | | 649,867 | | | 1.12 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 4,874 | | | 9.5 | | | | 327,185 | | | 1.49 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 6,924 | | | 18.8 | | | | 645,918 | | | 1.07 | |
| Leases | | | 640 | | | 2.0 | | | | 68,752 | | | 0.93 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 115 | | | 0.4 | | | | 13,535 | | | 0.85 | |
| Total | | $ | 35,066 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,444,462 | | | 1.02 | |
The allowance associated with the individually evaluated loans and leases were approximately $3.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $3.5 million at December 31, 2023.
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The following table presents information related to credit losses on loans and lease by loan segment for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | Ratio of Net (charge-offs) | | ||||
| | | Provision for | | Net (charge-offs) | | Average | | Recoveries to | | ||||
| | | Credit Losses | | Recoveries | | Loans | | Average Loans | | ||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 126 | | $ | - | | $ | 992,390 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | (113) | | | 36 | | | 828,270 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 1,102 | | | 4 | | | 680,895 | | | - | |
| Construction and land development | | | (265) | | | (441) | | | 317,890 | | | (0.14) | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 2,397 | | | (769) | | | 707,125 | | | (0.11) | |
| Leases | | | 1,583 | | | (1,304) | | | 67,389 | | | (1.94) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 236 | | | (235) | | | 13,599 | | | (1.73) | |
| Total | | $ | 5,066 | | $ | (2,709) | | $ | 3,607,558 | | | (0.08) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 577 | | $ | - | | $ | 886,701 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 329 | | | 6 | | | 771,173 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 1,059 | | | 44 | | | 624,972 | | | 0.01 | |
| Construction and land development | | | (380) | | | 25 | | | 367,421 | | | 0.01 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 1,637 | | | (188) | | | 602,413 | | | (0.03) | |
| Leases | | | 347 | | | (345) | | | 67,318 | | | (0.51) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 186 | | | (220) | | | 14,525 | | | (1.51) | |
| Total | | $ | 3,755 | | $ | (678) | | $ | 3,334,523 | | | (0.02) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-owner occupied | | $ | 83 | | $ | - | | $ | 824,555 | | | - | % |
| Owner occupied | | | 951 | | | 6 | | | 673,680 | | | - | |
| Consumer real estate | | | 43 | | | 531 | | | 520,447 | | | 0.10 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 1,177 | | | - | | | 360,660 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 339 | | | (123) | | | 493,236 | | | (0.02) | |
| Leases | | | 879 | | | 84 | | | 61,960 | | | 0.14 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 546 | | | (534) | | | 13,973 | | | (3.82) | |
| Total | | $ | 4,018 | | $ | (36) | | $ | 2,948,511 | | | - | |
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is the second largest component of our interest earning assets. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) to optimize the Bank’s income consistent with the investment portfolio’s liquidity and risk objectives; (ii) to balance market and credit risks of other assets and the Bank’s liability structure; (iii) to profitably deploy funds which are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions or other liquidity purposes; and (iv) provide collateral which the Bank is required to pledge against public funds.
Our available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment portfolio is carried at fair market value and our held-to-maturity investment portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and consists primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal securities and other debt securities. Our investment portfolio decreased from $689.6 million at December 31, 2023, to $609.0 million at December 31, 2024. The $80.7 million decrease is primarily related to the strategic decision not to reinvest the full proceeds of scheduled maturities back into the investment portfolio. The Company purchased $131.4 million of securities during the year ended December 31, 2024, which was offset by $210.5 million of sales, maturities, and prepayments received during the same period. New purchases were focused on higher yielding mortgage-backed securities to provide cash flow, liquidity and to support interest rate risk objectives. Our investment to asset ratio has decreased from 14.3% at December 31, 2023, to 11.5% at December 31, 2024 primarily due to deploying principal cash flow away from the investment portfolio.
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Net unrealized losses in our AFS securities portfolio were $30.4 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $33.0 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was attributable to changes in market interest rates related to our securities, relative to when the securities were purchased. Principal paydowns/maturities on lower yielding securities as well as the decision to sell a portion of the bank’s AFS securities also played a role in a decrease in the net unrealized loss change over the period.
The following table presents the contractual maturity of the Company’s securities by contractual maturity date and average yields based on amortized cost (for all obligations on a fully taxable basis) at December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands). The composition and maturity/repricing distribution of the securities portfolio is subject to change depending on rate sensitivity, capital and liquidity needs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | One Year | | One through | | Five through | Over Ten | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | Ten Years | | Years | | Total | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| Available-for-sale: | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 83,330 | | 1.27 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 83,330 | | 1.27 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | 119 | | 6.20 | | | | 38,798 | | 6.29 | | | | — | | - | | | | 38,917 | | 6.29 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | 480 | | 2.00 | | | 3,707 | | 2.95 | | | 5,379 | | 3.30 | | | 8,711 | | 3.96 | | | 18,277 | | 3.50 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | 999 | | 4.18 | | | 6,921 | | 6.78 | | | 32,901 | | 5.05 | | | 500 | | 4.50 | | | 41,321 | | 5.31 | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | 15,718 | | 3.51 | | | 114,646 | | 3..60 | | | 200,475 | | 3.49 | | | 330,839 | | 3.53 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 1,479 | | 3.65 | | | $ | 109,795 | | 2.00 | | | $ | 191,724 | | 4.39 | | | $ | 209,686 | | 3.51 | | | $ | 512,684 | | 3.52 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 41,871 | | 1.84 | | | | 6,241 | | 2.01 | | | | 48,112 | | 1.86 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | — | | - | | | 731 | | 1.32 | | | 8,724 | | 1.97 | | | 42,197 | | 2.18 | | | 51,652 | | 2.14 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | 4,764 | | 2.14 | | | 22,131 | | 2.12 | | | 26,895 | | 2.12 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | 731 | | 1.32 | | | $ | 55,359 | | 1.89 | | | $ | 70,569 | | 2.15 | | | $ | 126,659 | | 2.03 | | |
1Based on amortized cost, taxable equivalent basis.
Deposits
Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company’s lending and investing activities. The Company provides a range of deposit services to businesses and individuals, including noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) and certificates of deposit (“CDs”). These accounts generally earn interest at rates the Company establishes based on market factors and the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs. The establishment or continuity of a core deposit relationship can be a factor in loan pricing decisions. While the Company’s primary focus is on establishing customer relationships to attract core deposits, at times, the Company uses brokered deposits and other wholesale deposits to supplement its funding sources. As of December 31, 2024, brokered deposits represented approximately 4.52% of total deposits.
The following table summarizes the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits for 2024, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | |||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | ||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 883,923 | 20.3 | % | — | | $ | 958,078 | 22.8 | % | — | | $ | 1,120,555 | 27.0 | % | — | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand | | 932,598 | 21.4 | % | 2.26 | % | 959,639 | 22.8 | % | 2.11 | % | 945,414 | 22.8 | % | 0.66 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings | | 1,913,673 | 44.0 | % | 3.35 | % | 1,768,869 | 42.0 | % | 2.85 | % | 1,576,170 | 37.9 | % | 0.58 | % | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 623,652 | 14.3 | % | 3.86 | % | 520,799 | 12.4 | % | 2.61 | % | 513,416 | 12.4 | % | 0.55 | % | ||||||
| Total average deposits | | $ | 4,353,846 | 100.0 | % | 2.51 | % | $ | 4,207,385 | 100.0 | % | 2.00 | % | $ | 4,155,555 | 100.0 | % | 0.44 | % |
During 2024, average deposits increased in money market and savings and time deposits, with decreases in noninterest-bearing demand and interest-bearing demand deposits. The Company believes its deposit product offerings are properly structured to attract and retain core low-cost deposit relationships. The average cost of deposits was 2.51% in 2024 compared to 2.00% in 2023.
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Total deposits as of December 31, 2024, were $4.7 billion, which was an increase of $418.6 million from December 31, 2023. This increase is related to organic deposit growth. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding time deposits under $250,000 of $541.8 million, time deposits over $250,000 of $302.8 million, and a time deposit fair value adjustment of $39 thousand. The following table summarizes the maturities of time deposits of $250,000 or more as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, | ||
| | | 2024 | |
| Three months or less | | $ | 78,805 |
| Three to six months | | 67,145 | |
| Six to twelve months | | 118,809 | |
| More than twelve months | | 38,076 | |
| Total | | $ | 302,835 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, $2.08 billion and $1.76 billion, respectively, of our deposit portfolio was uninsured. The uninsured amounts are estimated based on the methodologies and assumptions used for the SmartBank’s regulatory reporting requirements.
Borrowings and Subordinated Debt
Other than deposits, the Company uses short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide both funding and, to a lesser extent, regulatory capital using debt at the Company level which can be down streamed as Tier 1 capital to the Bank. Total borrowings at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were $8.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively. The $5.0 million reduction in borrowings was primarily the repayment of $4.0 million on a line of credit. Short-term borrowings, included in borrowings, totaled $4.1 million at December 31, 2024 and $5.1 million at December 31, 2023 and consisted entirely of securities sold under repurchase agreements. Long-term debt totaled $39.7 million at December 31, 2024 and $42.1 million at December 31, 2023 and consisted entirely of subordinated debt. The $2.4 million reduction in long-term debt is related to the redemption of $2.5 million of sub-debt during 2024. For more information regarding our borrowings and subordinated debt, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit” and “Note 10 – Subordinated Debt.”
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs, all at a reasonable cost. We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders.
Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, federal funds sold, and fair value of unpledged investment securities. Other available sources of liquidity include wholesale deposits, and additional borrowings from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, and the Federal Reserve discount window.
Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily met through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, and increases in customer deposits. Other alternative sources of funds will supplement these primary sources to the extent necessary to meet additional liquidity requirements on either a short-term or long-term basis.
As part of our liquidity management strategy, we open federal funds lines with our correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2024, we had $96.0 million of unsecured federal funds lines with no funds advanced. In addition, we have access to the Federal Reserve’s discount window in the amount of $427.8 million with no borrowings outstanding as of
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December 31, 2024. The Federal Reserve discount window line is collateralized by a pool of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans totaling $537.4 million as of December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2024, we had no FHLB advances outstanding. For more information regarding the FHLB advances, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit.” Based on the values of loans pledged as collateral, we had $306.6 million of additional borrowing availability with the FHLB as of December 31, 2024. We also maintain relationships in the capital markets with brokers to issue certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The Company has a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount of $35.0 million, with a maturity date of February 1, 2025. On January 21,2025, the maturity date was extended to May 1, 2025. At December 31, 2024, $4.0 million was outstanding under the line of credit, and $31.0 million of the line of credit remained available to the Company.
Capital Requirements
The Company and Bank are required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the federal banking agencies may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The Company uses leverage analysis to examine the potential of the institution to increase assets and liabilities using the current capital base. The key measurements included in this analysis are the Company and Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios. At December 31, 2024, and 2023, our capital ratios, including our Company and Bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs the Bank. For more information regarding our capital, leverage and total capital ratios, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 15 – Regulatory Matters.”
The table below (dollars in thousands) summarizes the capital requirements applicable to the Company and Bank in order to be considered “well-capitalized” from a regulatory perspective, as well as the Company and Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company and Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the FDIC categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2024, that management believes would change this classification.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Minimum to be | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | well | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | capitalized under | | |||
| | | | | | | | Minimum for | | prompt | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | capital | | corrective action | | ||||||
| | | | Actual | | adequacy purposes | | provisions1 | | ||||||||
| | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | | |||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 470,635 | 11.10 | % | $ | 339,044 | 8.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 413,616 | 9.76 | % | 254,283 | 6.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 413,616 | 9.76 | % | 190,712 | 4.50 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 413,616 | 8.29 | % | 199,585 | 4.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 478,368 | 11.30 | % | $ | 338,774 | 8.00 | % | $ | 423,467 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 445,159 | 10.51 | % | 254,080 | 6.00 | % | 338,774 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 445,159 | 10.51 | % | 190,560 | 4.50 | % | 275,253 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 445,159 | 8.94 | % | 199,214 | 4.00 | % | 249,017 | 5.00 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 448,050 | 11.80 | % | $ | 303,658 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 385,795 | 10.16 | % | 227,744 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 385,795 | 10.16 | % | 170,808 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 385,795 | 8.27 | % | 186,672 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 456,134 | 12.02 | % | $ | 303,680 | 8.00 | % | $ | 379,600 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 427,559 | 11.26 | % | 227,760 | 6.00 | % | 303,680 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 427,559 | 11.26 | % | 170,820 | 4.50 | % | 246,740 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 427,559 | 9.18 | % | 186,363 | 4.00 | % | 232,954 | 5.00 | % |
1The prompt corrective action provisions are applicable at the Bank level only.
2Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present, as of December 31, 2024, our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | As of December 31, 2024, payments due in | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | More | | | | |
| | Less than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | than 5 | | | |||||||||
| | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years | | Total | |||||
| Operating leases | | $ | 1,725 | | $ | 3,144 | | $ | 2,862 | | $ | 7,650 | | $ | 15,381 |
| Time deposits | | 772,344 | | 61,190 | | 11,106 | | — | | 844,640 | |||||
| Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 4,135 | | — | | — | | — | | 4,135 | |||||
| FHLB advances and other borrowings | | 4,000 | | — | | — | | — | | 4,000 | |||||
| Subordinated debt | | — | | — | | 40,000 | | — | | 40,000 | |||||
| Total | | $ | 782,204 | | $ | 64,334 | | $ | 53,968 | | $ | 7,650 | | $ | 908,156 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2024, we had $828.8 million of pre-approved but unused lines of credit and $23.2 million of standby letters of credit. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. Additional information about our off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified accounting policies that are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has reviewed the following critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies, along with a brief discussion of the material implications of the uncertainties of each policy, are below. For a full description of these critical accounting policies, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for credit losses – Loans – As described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023, which requires the estimation of an allowance for credit losses in accordance with the CECL methodology. Our management assesses the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The level of the allowance for credit losses maintained by management is believed adequate to absorb all expected future losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased through provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
Fair values for acquired assets and assumed liabilities – Assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities is allocated to identifiable intangible assets with the remaining excess allocated to goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $96.1 million in goodwill. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, of each year, and for 2024 the results of the qualitive assessment provided no indication of potential impairment. Management will continue to evaluate the economic conditions at future reporting periods for applicable changes.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-24-003429.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is certain selected financial data related to the Company’s operations for 2023, 2022 and 2021: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | 2023 | | | | 2022 | | | | 2021 | |
| Balance Sheet: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 4,829,387 | | | $ | 4,637,498 | | | $ | 4,611,579 | |
| Loans and leases | | | 3,444,462 | | | | 3,253,627 | | | | 2,693,397 | |
| Allowance for credit losses | | | (35,066) | | | | (23,334) | | | | (19,352) | |
| Total securities | | | 689,646 | | | | 769,842 | | | | 559,422 | |
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | | | 107,148 | | | | 109,772 | | | | 105,852 | |
| Total deposits | | | 4,267,854 | | | | 4,077,100 | | | | 4,021,938 | |
| Borrowings | | | 13,078 | | | | 41,860 | | | | 87,585 | |
| Subordinated debt | | | 42,099 | | | | 42,015 | | | | 41,930 | |
| Shareholders' equity | | | 459,886 | | | | 432,452 | | | | 429,430 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income Statement: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | $ | 218,043 | | | $ | 158,834 | | | $ | 125,232 | |
| Interest expense | | | 87,963 | | | | 21,333 | | | | 11,838 | |
| Net interest income | | | 130,080 | | | | 137,501 | | | | 113,394 | |
| Provision for loan and lease losses | | | 3,029 | | | | 4,018 | | | | 1,633 | |
| Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses | | | 127,051 | | | | 133,483 | | | | 111,761 | |
| Noninterest income | | | 22,325 | | | | 27,715 | | | | 23,949 | |
| Noninterest expense | | | 113,150 | | | | 106,290 | | | | 91,391 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | 36,226 | | | | 54,908 | | | | 44,319 | |
| Income tax expense | | | 7,633 | | | | 11,886 | | | | 9,529 | |
| Net income | | $ | 28,593 | | | $ | 43,022 | | | $ | 34,790 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Per Share Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per common share - basic | | $ | 1.70 | | | $ | 2.57 | | | $ | 2.23 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 16,805,068 | | | | 16,740,450 | | | | 15,572,537 | |
| Earnings per common share - diluted | | $ | 1.69 | | | $ | 2.55 | | | $ | 2.22 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | | | 16,911,185 | | | | 16,871,369 | | | | 15,699,215 | |
| Common dividends per share | | $ | 0.32 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.24 | |
| Book value per share | | $ | 27.07 | | | $ | 25.59 | | | $ | 25.56 | |
| Common shares outstanding at end of period | | | 16,988,879 | | | | 16,900,805 | | | | 16,802,990 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.92 | % | | | 0.91 | % |
| Return on average shareholders' equity | | | 6.45 | % | | | 10.16 | % | | | 8.97 | % |
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 2.97 | % | | | 3.20 | % | | | 3.24 | % |
| Interest rate spread | | | 2.32 | % | | | 3.01 | % | | | 3.12 | % |
| Noninterest income to average assets | | | 0.47 | % | | | 0.59 | % | | | 0.62 | % |
| Noninterest expense to average assets | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.27 | % | | | 2.38 | % |
| Efficiency ratio | | | 74.24 | % | | | 64.33 | % | | | 66.54 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Quality Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net (charge-offs) to average loans and leases | | | (0.02) | % | | | - | % | | | (0.02) | % |
| Allowance for loan and leases to total loans and leases | | | 1.02 | % | | | 0.72 | % | | | 0.72 | % |
| Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross | | | 0.24 | % | | | 0.09 | % | | | 0.12 | % |
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | | | 0.20 | % | | | 0.10 | % | | | 0.11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Capital Ratios1: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tier 1 leverage | | | 8.27 | % | | | 7.95 | % | | | 7.45 | % |
| Common equity Tier 1 | | | 10.16 | % | | | 9.65 | % | | | 10.56 | % |
| Tier 1 capital | | | 10.16 | % | | | 9.65 | % | | | 10.56 | % |
| Total capital | | | 11.80 | % | | | 11.40 | % | | | 12.55 | % |
1Capital Ratios are for SmartFinancial, Inc.
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Business Overview
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this Annual Report on Form 10K, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
We are a bank holding company that was incorporated on September 19, 1983 under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and operate primarily through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, SmartBank. As of December 31, 2023 the Bank provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services to clients through 42 full-service bank branches in select markets in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans and leases to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and leases and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
In addition to our banking services, we offer insurance products through SBK Insurance, Inc., formally known as Rains Insurance Agency, Inc. and loans and leases for heavy equipment through Fountain, both are subsidiaries of the Bank. The Bank also contracts with RJFS, a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, to offer and sell various securities and other financial products to the public through associates who are employed by both the Bank and RJFS. RJFS is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Executive Summary
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial highlights and significant events during 2023:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net income totaled $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share, during the year ended of 2023 compared to $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net loans and leases growth of $179.1 million from December 31, 2022, with a record high net loans and leases of $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total deposits growth of $190.8 million from December 31, 2022, with a record high total deposits of $4.3 billion at December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Return on average assets was 0.60% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 0.92% for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, which resulted in a $8.7 million, or 37.1%, increase in the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) at the adoption date, with initial adoption entry being recorded through retained earnings, net of tax. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the third quarter of 2023, the Company sold $159.6 million in available-for-sale securities, as part of a balance sheet optimization transaction that resulted in a $5.0 million loss, net of tax. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company voluntarily withdrew the listing of its common stock from Nasdaq and transferred the listing to the New York Stock Exchange. |
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Analysis of Results of Operations
2023 compared to 2022
Net income was $28.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted common share in 2023, compared to $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share in 2022. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2023 was 2.97% compared to 3.20% for 2022. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.47% for 2023, decreasing from 0.59% for 2022. Noninterest expense to average assets increased to 2.38% in 2023, up from 2.27% in 2022. Income tax expense was $7.6 million in 2023 with an effective tax rate of 21.1%, compared to $11.9 million in 2022 with an effective tax rate of 21.7%.
2022 compared to 2021
Net income was $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share in 2022, compared to $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share in 2021. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2022 was 3.20% compared to 3.24% for 2021. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.59% for 2022, decreasing from 0.62% for 2021. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.27% in 2022, down from 2.38% in 2021. Income tax expense was $11.9 million in 2022 with an effective tax rate of 21.7%, compared to $9.5 million in 2021 with an effective tax rate of 21.5%.
Net Interest Income and Yield Analysis
The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.
2023 compared to 2022
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, decreased to $130.5 million in 2023 from $138.2 million in 2022. Average earning assets increased from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $4.4 billion in 2023, primarily from organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $386.0 million, offset by a decrease in interest-earning cash and federal funds sold of $304.7 million and average securities decreased by $10.5 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $214.3 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $162.5 million and average borrowings decreased $15.2 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 2.97% for 2023, compared to 3.20% for 2022. The yield on earning assets increased from 3.70% for 2022, to 4.98% for 2023, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2023 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal Reserve System. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.60% for 2022, to 2.59% for 2023, primarily due to the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates, and such increases significantly contributing to the increase in interest expense in 2023.
2022 compared to 2021
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $138.2 million in 2022 from $114.0 million in 2021. Average earning assets increased from $3.5 billion in 2021 to $4.3 billion in 2022, primarily from organic loan and lease growth, the acquisition of Fountain completed May 3, 2021 and the acquisition of SCB completed September 1, 2021. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $407.9 million and average securities increased by $488.8 million, offset by a decrease in interest-earning cash and federal funds sold of $103.3 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $571.8 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $278.8 million and average borrowings decreased $50.1 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.20% for 2022, compared to 3.24% for 2021. The yield on earning assets increased from 3.57% for 2021, to 3.70% for 2022, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2022 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal
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Reserve System, offset by lower Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fee accretion in loan yields. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.36% for 2021, to 0.60% for 2022, primarily due to the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates and to a lesser extent increased pricing competition.
Summary of Average Balances, Interest and Rates
The following table presents (dollars in thousands), for the periods indicated, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | |||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loans and leases, including fees1 | | $ | 3,334,523 | | $ | 186,479 | 5.59 | % | $ | 2,948,511 | | $ | 136,381 | 4.63 | % | $ | 2,540,577 | | $ | 118,582 | 4.67 | % | |||
| Taxable securities | | 713,637 | | 16,665 | 2.34 | % | 688,428 | | 11,799 | 1.71 | % | 207,459 | | 3,813 | 1.84 | % | |||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities2 | | 64,816 | | 1,795 | 2.77 | % | 100,566 | | 2,831 | 2.82 | % | 92,708 | | 1,817 | 1.96 | % | |||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other earning assets | | 272,864 | | 13,481 | 4.94 | % | 577,593 | | 8,488 | 1.47 | % | 680,909 | | 1,622 | 0.24 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 4,385,840 | | 218,420 | 4.98 | % | 4,315,098 | | 159,499 | 3.70 | % | 3,521,653 | | 125,834 | 3.57 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | | 370,436 | | | 373,026 | | | 317,457 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | $ | 959,639 | | 20,214 | 2.11 | % | $ | 945,414 | | 6,278 | 0.66 | % | $ | 737,251 | | 1,378 | 0.19 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 1,768,869 | | 50,468 | 2.85 | % | 1,576,170 | | 9,137 | 0.58 | % | 1,191,916 | | 3,501 | 0.29 | % | |||||||||
| Time deposits | | 520,799 | | 13,578 | 2.61 | % | 513,416 | | 2,813 | 0.55 | % | 533,994 | | 3,970 | 0.74 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 3,249,307 | | 84,260 | 2.59 | % | 3,035,000 | | 18,228 | 0.60 | % | 2,463,161 | | 8,849 | 0.36 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowings | | 17,824 | | 936 | 5.25 | % | 32,986 | | 602 | 1.83 | % | 83,105 | | 540 | 0.65 | % | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 42,055 | | 2,767 | 6.58 | % | 41,970 | | 2,503 | 5.96 | % | 40,221 | | 2,449 | 6.09 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 3,309,186 | | 87,963 | 2.66 | % | 3,109,956 | | 21,333 | 0.69 | % | 2,586,487 | | 11,838 | 0.46 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | 958,078 | | | 1,120,555 | | | 841,746 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | | 46,052 | | | 34,361 | | | 23,189 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | | 4,313,316 | | | 4,264,872 | | | 3,451,422 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | | 442,960 | | | 423,252 | | | 387,688 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 4,756,276 | | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income, taxable equivalent | | | $ | 130,457 | | | $ | 138,166 | | | $ | 113,996 | | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate spread | | | 2.32 | % | | 3.01 | % | | 3.12 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 2.97 | % | | 3.20 | % | | 3.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | | | | 132.54 | % | | 138.75 | % | | 136.16 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Percentage of average equity to average assets | | | 9.31 | % | | 9.03 | % | | 10.10 | % |
1Loans include PPP loans with an average balance of $2.8 million, $14.1 million and $196.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Loan fees included in loan income were $5.3 million, $4.1 million, and $11.1 million for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Loan fee income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, includes $38 thousand, $1.9 million and $9.1 million accretion of loan fees on PPP loans.
2Yields related to investment securities exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2023, 2022 and 2021. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $377 thousand, $665 thousand and $602 thousand for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Rate and Volume Analysis
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. Net interest income, taxable equivalent, decreased by $7.7 million between the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and increased by $24.2 million between the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The following is an analysis of the changes in net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 Compared to 2022 | | 2022 Compared to 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| | | Increase (decrease) due to | | Increase (decrease) due to | ||||||||||||||
| | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | ||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| Loans and leases | | $ | 32,246 | | $ | 17,852 | | $ | 50,098 | | $ | (1,241) | | $ | 19,040 | | $ | 17,799 |
| Taxable Securities | | 4,471 | | 395 | | 4,866 | | (99,688) | | 107,674 | | 7,986 | ||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | | 58 | | (1,094) | | (1,036) | | (6,776) | | 7,790 | | 1,014 | ||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | 9,232 | | (4,239) | | 4,993 | | 6,971 | | (105) | | 6,866 | ||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 46,007 | | 12,914 | | 58,921 | | (100,734) | | 134,399 | | 33,665 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | 13,842 | | 94 | | 13,936 | | 4,511 | | 389 | | 4,900 | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 40,214 | | 1,117 | | 41,331 | | 4,508 | | 1,128 | | 5,636 | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 10,724 | | 41 | | 10,765 | | (1,004) | | (153) | | (1,157) | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 64,780 | | 1,252 | | 66,032 | | 8,015 | | 1,364 | | 9,379 | ||||||
| Borrowings | | 656 | | (322) | | 334 | | 405 | | (343) | | 62 | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 259 | | 5 | | 264 | | (52) | | 106 | | 54 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 65,695 | | 935 | | 66,630 | | 8,368 | | 1,127 | | 9,495 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | $ | (19,688) | | $ | 11,979 | | $ | (7,709) | | $ | (109,102) | | $ | 133,272 | | $ | 24,170 |
Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated with service charges on deposit accounts, capital markets income and interchange and debit card transaction fees.
The following table provides a summary of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2023 - 2022 | | December 31, | | | 2022 - 2021 | |||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | | Change | 2021 | | | Change | |||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | | $ | 6,511 | | $ | 5,853 | | $ | 658 | | $ | 4,650 | | $ | 1,203 |
| Gain (loss) on sale of securities | | (6,801) | | 144 | | | (6,945) | | 45 | | | 99 | |||
| Mortgage banking | | 1,040 | | 1,552 | | | (512) | | 4,040 | | | (2,488) | |||
| Investment services | | | 5,105 | | | 4,144 | | | 961 | | | 2,167 | | | 1,977 |
| Insurance commissions | | | 4,684 | | | 3,595 | | | 1,089 | | | 3,285 | | | 310 |
| Interchange and debit card transaction fees, net | | 5,457 | | 5,435 | | | 22 | | 4,284 | | | 1,151 | |||
| Other | | 6,329 | | 6,992 | | | (663) | | 5,478 | | | 1,514 | |||
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 22,325 | | $ | 27,715 | | $ | (5,390) | | $ | 23,949 | | $ | 3,766 |
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2023 compared to 2022
Noninterest income decreased $5.4 million to $22.3 million in 2023, compared to $27.7 million in 2022. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in loss on sale of securities, associated with a $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of $159.6 million in available-for-sale securities, reinvesting into higher yielding assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, driven by the addition of Sunbelt and organic growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in other, primarily related to decreased fees from capital market activity. |
2022 compared to 2021
Noninterest income increased $3.8 million to $27.7 million in 2022, compared to $23.9 million in 2021. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the SCB acquisition, deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in mortgage banking income, related to increased secondary market interest rates driving lower volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in interchange and debit card transaction fees, related to increased volume, deposit growth and the SCB acquisition; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to increased fee income from capital markets activity. |
Noninterest Expense
The following table provides a summary of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2023 - 2022 | | December 31, | | | 2022 - 2021 | |||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | | Change | | 2020 | Change | ||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 65,749 | | $ | 63,420 | | $ | 2,329 | | $ | 51,656 | | $ | 11,764 |
| Occupancy and equipment | | 13,451 | | 12,034 | | 1,417 | | 10,196 | | 1,838 | |||||
| FDIC insurance | | 3,156 | | 2,672 | | 484 | | 1,833 | | 839 | |||||
| Other real estate and loan related expense | | 2,397 | | 2,446 | | (49) | | 2,098 | | 348 | |||||
| Advertising and marketing | | 1,342 | | 1,293 | | 49 | | 830 | | 463 | |||||
| Data processing and technology | | 9,235 | | 7,283 | | 1,952 | | 6,364 | | 919 | |||||
| Professional services | | 3,443 | | 3,790 | | (347) | | 3,147 | | 643 | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles | | 2,624 | | 2,607 | | 17 | | 2,256 | | 351 | |||||
| Merger related and restructuring expenses | | 110 | | 562 | | (452) | | 3,701 | | (3,139) | |||||
| Other | | 11,643 | | 10,183 | | 1,460 | | 9,310 | | 873 | |||||
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 113,150 | | $ | 106,290 | | $ | 6,860 | | $ | 91,391 | | $ | 14,899 |
2023 compared to 2022
Noninterest expense increased $6.9 million to $113.2 million in 2023, compared to $106.3 million in 2022. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the Sunbelt acquisition completed September 1, 2022 and overall franchise growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in other, primarily related to a Community Reinvestment Act donation of a former branch location and accruals in respect of pending litigation. |
2022 compared to 2021
Noninterest expense increased $14.9 million to $106.3 million in 2022, compared to $91.4 million in 2021. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the Fountain acquisition completed May 3, 2021 and overall franchise growth from talent hired in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida in late 2021, and to a lesser extent, the Sunbelt acquisition completed September 1, 2022; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in professional services, related to more services performed during the year; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in other, primarily related to continued franchise growth. |
Income Taxes
2023 compared to 2022
In 2023, income tax expense totaled $7.6 million compared to $11.9 million in 2022. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.1% for 2023 compared to 21.7% in 2022. The primary reason for the 0.06% decline in the effective tax rate was due to lower earnings, largely from the $6.8 million pre-tax loss on the sale of available-for-sale securities during the year.
2022 compared to 2021
In 2022, income tax expense totaled $11.9 million compared to $9.5 million in 2021. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.7% for 2022 compared to 21.5% in 2021.
Loan and Lease Portfolio
Our loans and leases represent the largest portion of our earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan and lease portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing our financial condition. The Company had total net loans and leases outstanding of approximately $3.41 billion at December 31, 2023, and $3.23 billion at December 31, 2022. The year over year increase of $179.1 million, or 5.5%, was related to organic loan growth throughout all markets. Loans secured by real estate, consisting of commercial or residential property, are the principal component of our loan and lease portfolio.
Loan Participation Agreements
The Bank occasionally enters into loan participation agreements with other banks in the ordinary course of business to diversify credit risk. For certain sold participation loans, the Bank has retained effective control of the loans, typically by restricting the participating institutions from pledging or selling their share of the loan without permission from the Bank. Generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires the participated portion of these loans to be recorded as secured borrowings. The participated portions of these loans are included in the Commercial Real Estate totals below with a corresponding liability reflected in other borrowings. At December 31, 2023, and 2022, the total participated portions of loans of this nature totaled $0 and $24.6 million, respectively.
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The following tables summarize the composition of our loan and lease portfolio for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | % of | | | | | | % of | |
| | | December 31, | | Gross | | | December 31, | | Gross | | ||
| | | 2023 | | Total | | | 2022 | | Total | |||
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 1,739,205 | | 50.4 | % | | $ | 1,627,761 | | 50.0 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 649,867 | | 18.9 | % | | 587,977 | | 18.1 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | | 327,185 | | 9.5 | % | | 402,501 | | 12.4 | % | ||
| Commercial and industrial | | 645,918 | | 18.8 | % | | 551,867 | | 17.0 | % | ||
| Leases | | | 68,752 | | 2.0 | % | | | 67,427 | | 2.1 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 13,535 | | 0.4 | % | | 16,094 | | 0.4 | % | ||
| Total loans and leases | | 3,444,462 | | 100.0 | % | | 3,253,627 | | 100.0 | % | ||
| Less: Allowance for credit losses | | (35,066) | | | | | (23,334) | | | | ||
| Loans and leases, net | | $ | 3,409,396 | | | | | $ | 3,230,293 | | | |
Loan and Lease Portfolio Maturities
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loans and leases, including the interest rate sensitivity for loans and leases maturing after one year (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rate Structure for Loans and Leases | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maturing Over One Year | ||||
| | | One Year | | One through | | | Five through | | Over Fifteen | | | | | Fixed | | Floating | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | | Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | | Rate | | Rate | ||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | $ | 79,384 | $ | 1,006,897 | | $ | 645,817 | $ | 7,107 | $ | 1,739,205 | $ | 1,037,145 | $ | 622,676 | ||||||
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 35,182 | | 209,964 | | | 194,688 | | 210,033 | | 649,867 | | 275,745 | | 338,940 | ||||||
| Construction and land development | | 108,323 | | 118,096 | | | 70,426 | | 30,340 | | 327,185 | | 110,813 | | 108,049 | ||||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 165,621 | | 369,484 | | | 105,017 | | 5,796 | | 645,918 | | 364,619 | | 115,678 | ||||||
| Leases | | | 2,345 | | | 66,255 | | | 152 | | | — | | | 68,752 | | | 66,407 | | | — |
| Consumer and other | | 6,561 | | 6,451 | | | 474 | | 49 | | 13,535 | | 6,655 | | 319 | ||||||
| Total loans and leases | | $ | 397,416 | | $ | 1,777,147 | | $ | 1,016,574 | | $ | 253,325 | | $ | 3,444,462 | | $ | 1,861,384 | | $ | 1,185,662 |
Past Due, Nonaccrual, and Loan Modifications for Loans and Leases
Loans and leases are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. Loans and leases are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past due for a period of 90 days or more, unless such loans and leases are well secured and in the process of collection. If a loan or lease, or a portion of a loan or lease is classified as doubtful or as partially charged off, the loan or lease is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans and leases that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual if repayment in full of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans and leases may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.
While a loan or lease is classified as nonaccrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan or lease balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding, except in the case of loans and leases with scheduled amortizations where the payment is generally applied to the oldest payment due. When the future collectability of the recorded loan and lease balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a nonaccrual loan and lease had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan and lease balance at the contractual interest rate. Receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan and lease losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
Prior to January 1, 2023, the Company designated loan modifications as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") when for economic and legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, it granted a concession to the borrower that it
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would not otherwise consider. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” (“ASU 2022-02”) effective January 1, 2023. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 eliminated the recognition and measure of TDRs and enhanced disclosures for loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, see Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5 – Loans and Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses to our audited consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Assets acquired as a result of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value in other real estate owned. Any excess of cost over estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Valuations are periodically performed on these properties, and any subsequent write-downs are charged to earnings. Routine maintenance and other holding costs are included in noninterest expense.
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of gross loans and leases, net of deferred fees, was 0.24% as of December 31, 2023, and 0.09% as of December 31, 2022, respectively. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets as of December 31, 2023, totaled 0.20% compared to 0.10% as of December 31, 2022.
The following table is a summary of our loans and leases that were past due at least 30 days but not more than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Accruing Loans | | | Accruing Loans | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | | 90 Days or More | | | Total Accruing | | |||||||||
| | | | | Past Due | | | Past Due | | | Past Due Loans | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,739,205 | | $ | 322 | | 0.02 | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 322 | | 0.02 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 649,867 | | | 2,229 | | 0.34 | | | | - | | - | | | | 2,229 | | 0.34 | |
| Construction and land development | | 327,185 | | | 631 | | 0.19 | | | | - | | - | | | | 631 | | 0.19 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 645,918 | | | 1,286 | | 0.20 | | | | - | | - | | | | 1,286 | | 0.20 | |
| Leases | | 68,752 | | | 1,340 | | 1.95 | | | | 72 | | 0.10 | | | | 1,412 | | 2.05 | |
| Consumer and other | | 13,535 | | | 89 | | 0.66 | | | | 98 | | 0.72 | | | | 187 | | 1.38 | |
| Total | $ | 3,444,462 | | $ | 5,897 | | 0.17 | | | $ | 170 | | - | | | $ | 6,067 | | 0.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,627,761 | | $ | 54 | | - | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 54 | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 587,977 | | | 594 | | 0.10 | | | | - | | - | | | | 594 | | 0.10 | |
| Construction and land development | | 402,501 | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 551,867 | | | 203 | | 0.04 | | | | - | | - | | | | 203 | | 0.04 | |
| Leases | | 67,427 | | | 1,108 | | 1.64 | | | | 143 | | 0.21 | | | | 1,251 | | 1.86 | |
| Consumer and other | | 16,094 | | | 107 | | 0.66 | | | | - | | - | | | | 107 | | 0.66 | |
| Total | $ | 3,253,627 | | $ | 2,066 | | 0.06 | | | $ | 143 | | - | | | $ | 2,209 | | 0.07 | |
The following table is a summary of our nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | Total | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,739,205 | | $ | 2,044 | | 0.12 | % | | $ | 1,627,761 | | $ | - | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 649,867 | | | 2,647 | | 0.41 | | | | 587,977 | | | 1,665 | | 0.28 | |
| Construction and land development | | 327,185 | | | 620 | | 0.19 | | | | 402,501 | | | 920 | | 0.23 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 645,918 | | | 2,480 | | 0.38 | | | | 551,867 | | | 180 | | 0.03 | |
| Leases | | 68,752 | | | 140 | | 0.20 | | | | 67,427 | | | 28 | | 0.04 | |
| Consumer and other | | 13,535 | | | - | | - | | | | 16,094 | | | 15 | | 0.09 | |
| Total | $ | 3,444,462 | | $ | 7,931 | | 0.23 | | | $ | 3,253,627 | | $ | 2,808 | | 0.09 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | | | | | 424.75% | | | | | | | | | 830.98% | | | |
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Potential Problem Loans and Leases
At December 31, 2023, substandard or problem loans and leases amounted to approximately $12.7 million or 0.37% of total loans and leases outstanding. Potential problem loans and leases, which are not included in nonperforming loans and leases, represent those loans and leases with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Bank’s primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans and leases.
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2023, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, which introduced the current expected credit losses ("CECL") methodology and required us to estimate all expected credit losses over the remaining life of our loan portfolio. For additional information relating to CECL, see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the allowance for credit losses represents an amount that, in management's evaluation, is adequate to provide coverage for all expected future credit losses on outstanding loans. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, our allowance for credit losses was $35.1 million and $23.3 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.02% and 0.72% at December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The increase in the allowance for credit losses is largely the result of the implementation of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, which resulted in an adjustment to the opening balance of the allowance for credit losses of $8.7 million.
Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. The Company uses an average of Fannie Mae and Federal Open Market Committee projections of the national unemployment rate to determine the best estimate of expected credit losses. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long term mean of historical factors using a straight-line approach. The Company uses an eight-quarter forecast and a four-quarter reversion period.
Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The Company considers the qualitative factors that are relevant as of the reporting date, which may include, but are not limited to: independent loan review results, portfolio concentrations, lending strategies, quality of assets, regulatory review results and associate retention. The qualitative allowance will increase, or decrease based on the assessment of these various factors.
We assess the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management's evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay the loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
Based upon our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe the allowance for credit losses on loans to be adequate to absorb our estimate of expected future credit losses on loans outstanding at December 31, 2023. While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for credit losses as well as the resultant provision for credit losses charged to operations are considered adequate by management, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise. There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, local real estate market or a particular industry or borrower which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses and, thus, the resulting provision for credit losses.
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The following table sets forth, based on management’s best estimate, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to categories of loans and leases and loan and lease balances by category and the percentage of loans and leases in each category to total loans and leases and allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans and leases within each loan and lease category as of December 31 for each of the past two years (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Percentage of Loans | | | | | Ratio of Allowance | | ||||
| | | Amount of | | in Each Category | | | Total | | Allocated to Loans in | | ||||
| | | Allowance Allocated | | to Total Loans | | | Loans | | Each Category | | ||||
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 15,264 | | | 50.4 | % | | $ | 1,739,205 | | | 0.88 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 7,249 | | | 18.9 | | | | 649,867 | | | 1.12 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 4,874 | | | 9.5 | | | | 327,185 | | | 1.49 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 6,924 | | | 18.8 | | | | 645,918 | | | 1.07 | |
| Leases | | | 640 | | | 2.0 | | | | 68,752 | | | 0.93 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 115 | | | 0.4 | | | | 13,535 | | | 0.85 | |
| Total | | $ | 35,066 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,444,462 | | | 1.02 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 10,821 | | | 50.0 | % | | $ | 1,627,761 | | | 0.66 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 4,028 | | | 18.1 | | | | 587,977 | | | 0.69 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 3,059 | | | 12.4 | | | | 402,501 | | | 0.76 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,997 | | | 17.0 | | | | 551,867 | | | 0.72 | |
| Leases | | | 1,293 | | | 2.1 | | | | 67,427 | | | 1.92 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 136 | | | 0.4 | | | | 16,094 | | | 0.85 | |
| Total | | $ | 23,334 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,253,627 | | | 0.72 | |
The allowance associated with the individually evaluated loans and leases were approximately $3.5 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $385 thousand at December 31, 2022. The increase in the individually evaluated loans and lease, is primarily from $2.9 million that was recognized on purchase credit-deteriorated (“PCD”) loans previously classified as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) with a corresponding adjustment to the gross carrying amount of the loans from the implementation of FASB ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, for more information see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
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The following table presents information related to credit losses on loans and lease by loan segment for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | Ratio of Net (charge-offs) | | ||||
| | | Provision for | | Net (charge-offs) | | Average | | Recoveries to | | ||||
| | | Credit Losses | | Recoveries | | Loans | | Average Loans | | ||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 906 | | $ | 6 | | $ | 1,657,874 | | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 1,059 | | | 44 | | | 624,972 | | | 0.01 | |
| Construction and land development | | | (380) | | | 25 | | | 367,421 | | | 0.01 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 1,637 | | | (188) | | | 602,413 | | | (0.03) | |
| Leases | | | 347 | | | (345) | | | 67,318 | | | (0.51) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 186 | | | (220) | | | 14,525 | | | (1.51) | |
| Total | | $ | 3,755 | | $ | (678) | | $ | 3,334,523 | | | (0.02) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 1,034 | | | 6 | | $ | 1,498,235 | | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 43 | | | 531 | | | 520,447 | | | 0.10 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 1,177 | | | - | | | 360,660 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 339 | | | (123) | | | 493,236 | | | (0.02) | |
| Leases | | | 879 | | | 84 | | | 61,960 | | | 0.14 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 546 | | | (534) | | | 13,973 | | | (3.82) | |
| Total | | $ | 4,018 | | $ | (36) | | $ | 2,948,511 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 2,119 | | | 83 | | $ | 1,213,311 | | | 0.01 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 11 | | | (28) | | | 456,529 | | | (0.01) | |
| Construction and land development | | | (194) | | | - | | | 293,190 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | (1,053) | | | (273) | | | 526,586 | | | (0.05) | |
| Leases | | | 455 | | | (125) | | | 39,408 | | | (0.32) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 295 | | | (284) | | | 11,553 | | | (2.46) | |
| Total | | $ | 1,633 | | $ | (627) | | $ | 2,540,577 | | | (0.02) | |
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is the second largest component of our interest earning assets. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) to optimize the Bank’s income consistent with the investment portfolio’s liquidity and risk objectives; (ii) to balance market and credit risks of other assets and the Bank’s liability structure; (iii) to profitably deploy funds which are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions or other liquidity purposes; and (iv) provide collateral which the Bank is required to pledge against public funds.
Our available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment portfolio is carried at fair market value and our held-to-maturity investment portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and consists primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal securities and other debt securities. Our investment portfolio decreased from $769.8 million at December 31, 2022, to $689.6 million at December 31, 2023. The $80.2 million decrease is primarily related to the strategic decision to sell $159.6 million in AFS securities during the third quarter of 2023, as part of a balance sheet optimization transaction, reinvesting into higher yielding assets. The Company purchased $130.6 million of securities during the year ended December 31, 2023, which was offset by $211.5 million of sales, maturities and prepayments received during the same period. New purchases were focused on higher yielding mortgage-backed securities to provide cash flow and liquidity. Our investment to asset ratio has decreased from 16.7% at December 31, 2022, to 14.3% at December 31, 2023 primarily due to the strategic decision to sell a portion of AFS securities prior to their scheduled maturity.
Net unrealized losses in our AFS securities portfolio were $33.0 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $45.3 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was attributable to changes in market interest rates related to our securities, relative to when the securities were purchased. Principal paydowns/maturities on lower yielding securities as well as the
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decision to sell a portion of the bank’s AFS securities also played a role in a decrease in the net unrealized loss change over the period.
The following table presents the contractual maturity of the Company’s securities by contractual maturity date and average yields based on amortized cost (for all obligations on a fully taxable basis) at December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands). The composition and maturity/repricing distribution of the securities portfolio is subject to change depending on rate sensitivity, capital and liquidity needs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | One Year | | One through | | Five through | Over Ten | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | Ten Years | | Years | | Total | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| Available-for-sale: | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 57,040 | | 1.25 | % | | $ | 27,267 | | 1.32 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 84,307 | | 1.27 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | 1,280 | | 4.45 | | | | 211 | | 6.75 | | | | 45,492 | | 6.98 | | | | — | | - | | | | 46,983 | | 6.91 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | 130 | | 5.56 | | | 3,185 | | 2.74 | | | 5,576 | | 3.06 | | | 9,725 | | 3.80 | | | 18,616 | | 3.41 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | 995 | | 4.90 | | | 35,368 | | 4.99 | | | 500 | | 4.50 | | | 36,863 | | 4.98 | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | 25 | | 1.79 | | | 7,654 | | 2.11 | | | 105,560 | | 3.28 | | | 141,049 | | 2.81 | | | 254,288 | | 2.98 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 1,435 | | 4.50 | | | $ | 69,085 | | 1.48 | | | $ | 219,263 | | 4.07 | | | $ | 151,274 | | 2.88 | | | $ | 441,057 | | 3.26 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | 150,066 | | 1.47 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 150,066 | | 1.47 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 42,989 | | 1.84 | | | | 6,347 | | 2.01 | | | | 49,336 | | 1.86 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | — | | - | | | 750 | | 1.32 | | | 4,504 | | 2.17 | | | 47,426 | | 2.17 | | | 52,680 | | 2.13 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | 4,834 | | 2.14 | | | 24,320 | | 2.12 | | | 29,154 | | 2.12 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 150,066 | | 1.47 | | | $ | 750 | | 1.32 | | | $ | 52,327 | | 1.90 | | | $ | 78,093 | | 2.13 | | | $ | 281,236 | | 1.73 | | |
1Based on amortized cost, taxable equivalent basis.
Deposits
Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company’s lending and investing activities. The Company provides a range of deposit services to businesses and individuals, including noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) and certificates of deposit (“CDs”). These accounts generally earn interest at rates the Company establishes based on market factors and the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs. The establishment or continuity of a core deposit relationship can be a factor in loan pricing decisions. While the Company’s primary focus is on establishing customer relationships to attract core deposits, at times, the Company uses brokered deposits and other wholesale deposits to supplement its funding sources. As of December 31, 2023, brokered deposits represented approximately 0.52% of total deposits.
The following table summarizes the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits for 2023, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | |||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | ||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 958,078 | 22.8 | % | — | | $ | 1,120,555 | 27.0 | % | — | | $ | 841,746 | 25.5 | % | — | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand | | 959,639 | 22.8 | % | 2.11 | % | 945,414 | 22.8 | % | 0.66 | % | 737,251 | 22.3 | % | 0.19 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings | | 1,768,869 | 42.0 | % | 2.85 | % | 1,576,170 | 37.9 | % | 0.58 | % | 1,191,916 | 36.1 | % | 0.29 | % | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 520,799 | 12.4 | % | 2.61 | % | 513,416 | 12.4 | % | 0.55 | % | 533,994 | 16.2 | % | 0.74 | % | ||||||
| Total average deposits | | $ | 4,207,385 | 100.0 | % | 2.00 | % | $ | 4,155,555 | 100.0 | % | 0.44 | % | $ | 3,304,907 | 100.0 | % | 0.27 | % |
During 2023, average deposits increased in all categories, except for noninterest-bearing demand deposits. The Company believes its deposit product offerings are properly structured to attract and retain core low-cost deposit relationships. The average cost of deposits was 2.00% in 2023 compared to 0.44% in 2022.
Total deposits as of December 31, 2023, were $4.3 billion, which was an increase of $190.8 million from December 31, 2022. This increase is related to organic deposit growth. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding time deposits under $250,000 of $324.8 million, time deposits over $250,000 of $225.7 million, and a time deposit fair value
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adjustment of $106 thousand. The following table summarizes the maturities of time deposits of $250,000 or more as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, | ||
| | | 2023 | |
| Three months or less | | $ | 106,715 |
| Three to six months | | 39,985 | |
| Six to twelve months | | 47,087 | |
| More than twelve months | | 31,892 | |
| Total | | $ | 225,679 |
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $1.76 billion and $1.65 billion, respectively, of our deposit portfolio was uninsured. The uninsured amounts are estimated based on the methodologies and assumptions used for the SmartBank’s regulatory reporting requirements.
Borrowings and Subordinated Debt
Other than deposits, the Company uses short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide both funding and, to a lesser extent, regulatory capital using debt at the Company level which can be downstreamed as Tier 1 capital to the Bank. Total borrowings at December 31, 2023 and 2022, was $13.1 million and $41.9 million, respectively. The $28.8 million reduction in borrowings, was primarily the reduction of $24.6 million in secured borrowing and the repayment of $4.5 million on a line of credit. Short-term borrowings, included in borrowings, totaled $5.1 million at December 31, 2023 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2022 and consisted entirely of securities sold under repurchase agreements. Long-term debt totaled $42.1 million at December 31, 2023 and $42.0 million at December 31, 2022 and consisted entirely of subordinated debt. For more information regarding our borrowings and subordinated debt, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit” and “Note 10 – Subordinated Debt.”
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs, all at a reasonable cost. We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders.
Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, federal funds sold, and fair value of unpledged investment securities. Other available sources of liquidity include wholesale deposits, and additional borrowings from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, and the Federal Reserve discount window.
Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily met through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, and increases in customer deposits. Other alternative sources of funds will supplement these primary sources to the extent necessary to meet additional liquidity requirements on either a short-term or long-term basis.
As part of our liquidity management strategy, we open federal funds lines with our correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2023, we had $98.0 million of unsecured federal funds lines with no funds advanced. In addition, we have access to the Federal Reserve’s discount window in the amount $283.0. million with no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The Federal Reserve discount window line is collateralized by a pool of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans totaling $379.8 million as of December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2023, we had no FHLB advances outstanding. For more information regarding the FHLB advances, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit.” Based on the
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values of loans pledged as collateral, we had $469.9 million of additional borrowing availability with the FHLB as of December 31, 2023. We also maintain relationships in the capital markets with brokers to issue certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The Company has a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount of $35.0 million, with a maturity date of February 1, 2025. At December 31, 2023, $8.0 million was outstanding under the line of credit, and $27.0 million of the line of credit remained available to the Company.
Capital Requirements
The Company and Bank are required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the federal banking agencies may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The Company uses leverage analysis to examine the potential of the institution to increase assets and liabilities using the current capital base. The key measurements included in this analysis are the Company and Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios. At December 31, 2023, and 2022, our capital ratios, including our Company and Bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs the Bank. For more information regarding our capital, leverage and total capital ratios, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 15 – Regulatory Matters.”
The table below (dollars in thousands) summarizes the capital requirements applicable to the Company and Bank in order to be considered “well-capitalized” from a regulatory perspective, as well as the Company and Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company and Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the FDIC categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2023, that management believes would change this classification.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Minimum to be | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | well | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | capitalized under | | |||
| | | | | | | | Minimum for | | prompt | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | capital | | corrective action | | ||||||
| | | | Actual | | adequacy purposes | | provisions1 | | ||||||||
| | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | | |||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 448,050 | 11.80 | % | $ | 303,658 | 8.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 385,795 | 10.16 | % | 227,744 | 6.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 385,795 | 10.16 | % | 170,808 | 4.50 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 385,795 | 8.27 | % | 186,672 | 4.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 456,134 | 12.02 | % | $ | 303,680 | 8.00 | % | $ | 379,600 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 427,559 | 11.26 | % | 227,760 | 6.00 | % | 303,680 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 427,559 | 11.26 | % | 170,820 | 4.50 | % | 246,740 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 427,559 | 9.18 | % | 186,363 | 4.00 | % | 232,954 | 5.00 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 425,957 | 11.40 | % | $ | 298,966 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 360,608 | 9.65 | % | 224,224 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 360,608 | 9.65 | % | 168,168 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 360,608 | 7.95 | % | 181,387 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 426,947 | 11.44 | % | $ | 298,476 | 8.00 | % | $ | 373,094 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 403,613 | 10.82 | % | 223,857 | 6.00 | % | 298,476 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 403,613 | 10.82 | % | 167,892 | 4.50 | % | 242,511 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 403,613 | 8.90 | % | 181,383 | 4.00 | % | 226,729 | 5.00 | % |
1The prompt corrective action provisions are applicable at the Bank level only.
2Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present, as of December 31, 2023, our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | As of December 31, 2023, payments due in | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | More | | | | |
| | Less than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | than 5 | | | |||||||||
| | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years | | Total | |||||
| Operating leases | | $ | 1,488 | | $ | 2,718 | | $ | 2,275 | | $ | 5,369 | | $ | 11,850 |
| Time deposits | | 474,114 | | 59,492 | | 16,862 | | — | | 550,468 | |||||
| Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 5,078 | | — | | — | | — | | 5,078 | |||||
| FHLB advances and other borrowings | | 8,000 | | — | | — | | — | | 8,000 | |||||
| Subordinated debt | | — | | — | | 40,000 | | 2,500 | | 42,500 | |||||
| Total | | $ | 488,680 | | $ | 62,210 | | $ | 59,137 | | $ | 7,869 | | $ | 617,896 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2023, we had $717.0 million of pre-approved but unused lines of credit and $7.6 million of standby letters of credit. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. Additional information about our off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified accounting policies that are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has reviewed the following critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies, along with a brief discussion of the material implications of the uncertainties of each policy, are below. For a full description of these critical accounting policies, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for credit losses – Loans – As described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023, which requires the estimation of an allowance for credit losses in accordance with the CECL methodology. Our management assesses the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The level of the allowance for credit losses maintained by management is believed adequate to absorb all expected future losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased through provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.
Fair values for acquired assets and assumed liabilities – Assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities is allocated to identifiable intangible assets with the remaining excess allocated to goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $96.1 million in goodwill. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31 of each year, but considering the recent economic conditions in 2023, the Company performed a Step 1 goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of 2023 (which compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill), and the results indicated that there was no impairment. Management continues to evaluate the economic conditions for applicable changes and at December 31, 2023, there was no impairment of goodwill.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-23-004042.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is certain selected financial data related to the Company’s operations for 2022, 2021 and 2020: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | 2022 | | | | 2021 | | | | 2020 | |
| Balance Sheet: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 4,637,498 | | | $ | 4,611,579 | | | $ | 3,304,949 | |
| Loans and leases | | | 3,253,627 | | | | 2,693,397 | | | | 2,382,243 | |
| Allowance for loan and lease losses | | | 23,334 | | | | 19,352 | | | | 18,346 | |
| Total securities | | | 769,842 | | | | 559,422 | | | | 215,634 | |
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | | | 109,772 | | | | 105,852 | | | | 86,471 | |
| Total deposits | | | 4,077,100 | | | | 4,021,938 | | | | 2,805,215 | |
| Borrowings | | | 41,860 | | | | 87,585 | | | | 81,199 | |
| Subordinated debt | | | 42,015 | | | | 41,930 | | | | 39,346 | |
| Shareholders' equity | | | 432,452 | | | | 429,430 | | | | 357,168 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income Statement: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | $ | 158,834 | | | $ | 125,232 | | | $ | 117,613 | |
| Interest expense | | | 21,333 | | | | 11,838 | | | | 16,747 | |
| Net interest income | | | 137,501 | | | | 113,394 | | | | 100,866 | |
| Provision for loan and lease losses | | | 4,018 | | | | 1,633 | | | | 8,683 | |
| Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses | | | 133,483 | | | | 111,761 | | | | 92,183 | |
| Noninterest income | | | 27,715 | | | | 23,949 | | | | 15,426 | |
| Noninterest expense | | | 106,290 | | | | 91,391 | | | | 76,719 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | 54,908 | | | | 44,319 | | | | 30,890 | |
| Income tax expense | | | 11,886 | | | | 9,529 | | | | 6,558 | |
| Net income | | $ | 43,022 | | | $ | 34,790 | | | $ | 24,332 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Per Share Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per common share - basic | | $ | 2.57 | | | $ | 2.23 | | | $ | 1.63 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 16,740,450 | | | | 15,572,537 | | | | 14,955,423 | |
| Earnings per common share - diluted | | $ | 2.55 | | | $ | 2.22 | | | $ | 1.62 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | | | 16,871,369 | | | | 15,699,215 | | | | 15,019,175 | |
| Common dividends per share | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.20 | |
| Book value per share | | $ | 25.59 | | | $ | 25.56 | | | $ | 23.64 | |
| Common shares outstanding at end of period | | | 16,900,805 | | | | 16,802,990 | | | | 15,107,214 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets | | | 0.92 | % | | | 0.91 | % | | | 0.79 | % |
| Return on average shareholders' equity | | | 10.16 | % | | | 8.97 | % | | | 7.13 | % |
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.20 | % | | | 3.24 | % | | | 3.61 | % |
| Interest rate spread | | | 3.01 | % | | | 3.12 | % | | | 3.41 | % |
| Noninterest income to average assets | | | 0.59 | % | | | 0.62 | % | | | 0.50 | % |
| Noninterest expense to average assets | | | 2.27 | % | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.50 | % |
| Efficiency ratio | | | 64.33 | % | | | 66.54 | % | | | 65.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Quality Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net charge-offs to average loans and leases | | | - | % | | | (0.02) | % | | | (0.03) | % |
| Allowance for loan and leases to total loans and leases | | | 0.72 | % | | | 0.72 | % | | | 0.77 | % |
| Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases, gross | | | 0.09 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 0.24 | % |
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | | | 0.10 | % | | | 0.11 | % | | | 0.31 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Capital Ratios1: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tier 1 leverage | | | 7.95 | % | | | 7.45 | % | | | 8.70 | % |
| Common equity Tier 1 | | | 9.65 | % | | | 10.56 | % | | | 11.61 | % |
| Tier 1 capital | | | 9.65 | % | | | 10.56 | % | | | 11.61 | % |
| Total capital | | | 11.40 | % | | | 12.55 | % | | | 14.07 | % |
1Capital Ratios are for SmartFinancial, Inc.
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Business Overview
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this Annual Report on Form 10K, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
We are a bank holding company that was incorporated on September 19, 1983 under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and operate primarily through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, SmartBank. As of December 31, 2022 the Bank provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services to clients through 41 full-service bank branches and one loan production office in the Florida Panhandle.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans and leases to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and leases and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
In addition to our banking services, we offer insurance products through Rains Insurance Agency, Inc. and loans and leases for heavy equipment through Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC., both are subsidiaries of the Bank. The Bank also contracts with RJFS, a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, to offer and sell various securities and other financial products to the public through associates who are employed by both the Bank and RJFS. RJFS is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Executive Summary
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial highlights and significant events during 2022:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Completed the asset purchase of Sunbelt. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net income totaled $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share, during the year ended of 2022 compared to $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net loans and leases growth of $556.2 million from December 31, 2021, with a record high net loans and leases of $3.2 billion at December 31, 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Return on average assets was 0.92% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
Analysis of Results of Operations
2022 compared to 2021
Net income was $43.0 million, or $2.55 per diluted common share in 2022, compared to $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share in 2021. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2022 was 3.20% compared to 3.24% for 2021. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.59% for 2022, decreasing from 0.62% for 2021. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.27% in 2022, down from 2.38% in 2021. Income tax expense was $11.9 million in 2022 with an effective tax rate of 21.7%, compared to $9.5 million in 2021 with an effective tax rate of 21.5%.
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2021 compared to 2020
Net income was $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share in 2021, compared to $24.3 million, or $1.62 per diluted common share in 2020. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2021 was 3.24% compared to 3.61% for 2020. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.62% for 2021, increasing from 0.50% for 2020. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.38% in 2021, from 2.50% in 2020. The results above include operating effects of the Fountain and SCB acquisitions, which were completed on May 3, 2021, and September 1, 2021, respectively. Income tax expense was $9.5 million in 2021 with an effective tax rate of 21.5%, compared to $6.6 million in 2020 with an effective tax rate of 21.2%.
Net Interest Income and Yield Analysis
The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.
2022 compared to 2021
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $138.2 million in 2022 from $114.0 million in 2021. Average earning assets increased from $3.5 billion in 2021 to $4.3 billion in 2022, primarily from organic loan and lease growth, the acquisition of Fountain completed May 3, 2021 and the acquisition of SCB completed September 1, 2021. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $407.9 million and average securities increased by $488.8 million, offset by a decrease in interest-earning cash and federal funds sold of $103.3 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $571.8 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $278.8 million and average borrowings decreased $50.1 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.20% for 2022, compared to 3.24% for 2021. The yield on earning assets increased from 3.57% for 2021, to 3.70% for 2022, primarily due to the Company’s deployment of excess cash and cash equivalents into loans and leases and securities during 2022 and higher yields on cash deposits in the Federal Reserve System, offset by lower Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fee accretion in loan yields. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.36% for 2021, to 0.60% for 2022, primarily due to the impact of rising Federal Reserve rates and to a lesser extent increased pricing competition.
2021 compared to 2020
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $114.0 million in 2021 from $101.4 million in 2020. Average earning assets increased from $2.8 billion in 2020 to $3.5 billion in 2021, primarily as a result of the acquisition of PFG completed March 1, 2020, the acquisition of Fountain completed May 3, 2021, the acquisition of SCB completed September 1, 2021, participation in the PPP and continued organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $245.4 million, average interest-earning cash and federal funds sold increased by $372.1 million and average securities increased by $93.5 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $552.5 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $270.5 million and average borrowings decreased $94.1 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.24% for 2021, compared to 3.61% for 2020. The yield on earning assets decreased from 4.20% for 2020, to 3.57% for 2021, primarily due to the on-going effects of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve during the first quarter of 2020, to a lesser extent loan yields declining from market competition and lower yielding excess liquidity, offset by PPP fee accretion and loan fees. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased from 0.71% for 2020, to 0.36% for 2021, primarily due to a lower interest rate environment during the period.
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Summary of Average Balances, Interest and Rates
The following table presents (dollars in thousands), for the periods indicated, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | |||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loans and leases, including fees1 | | $ | 2,948,511 | | $ | 136,381 | 4.63 | % | $ | 2,540,577 | | $ | 118,582 | 4.67 | % | $ | 2,296,972 | | $ | 112,312 | 4.89 | % | |||
| Taxable securities | | 688,428 | | 11,799 | 1.71 | % | 207,459 | | 3,813 | 1.84 | % | 122,900 | | 2,423 | 1.97 | % | |||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities2 | | 100,566 | | 2,831 | 2.82 | % | 92,708 | | 1,817 | 1.96 | % | 83,765 | | 1,941 | 2.32 | % | |||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other earning assets | | 577,593 | | 8,488 | 1.47 | % | 680,909 | | 1,622 | 0.24 | % | 308,843 | | 1,509 | 0.49 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 4,315,098 | | 159,499 | 3.70 | % | 3,521,653 | | 125,834 | 3.57 | % | 2,812,480 | | 118,185 | 4.20 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | | 373,026 | | | 317,457 | | | 250,955 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | $ | 3,063,435 | | | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | $ | 945,414 | | 6,278 | 0.66 | % | $ | 737,251 | | 1,378 | 0.19 | % | $ | 481,050 | | 1,013 | 0.21 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 1,576,170 | | 9,137 | 0.58 | % | 1,191,916 | | 3,501 | 0.29 | % | 788,006 | | 3,482 | 0.44 | % | |||||||||
| Time deposits | | 513,416 | | 2,813 | 0.55 | % | 533,994 | | 3,970 | 0.74 | % | 641,647 | | 9,102 | 1.42 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 3,035,000 | | 18,228 | 0.60 | % | 2,463,161 | | 8,849 | 0.36 | % | 1,910,703 | | 13,597 | 0.71 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowings3 | | 32,986 | | 602 | 1.83 | % | 83,105 | | 540 | 0.65 | % | 177,204 | | 816 | 0.46 | % | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 41,970 | | 2,503 | 5.96 | % | 40,221 | | 2,449 | 6.09 | % | 39,301 | | 2,334 | 5.94 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 3,109,956 | | 21,333 | 0.69 | % | 2,586,487 | | 11,838 | 0.46 | % | 2,127,208 | | 16,747 | 0.79 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | 1,120,555 | | | 841,746 | | | 571,282 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | | 34,361 | | | 23,189 | | | 23,775 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | | 4,264,872 | | | 3,451,422 | | | 2,722,265 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | | 423,252 | | | 387,688 | | | 341,170 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 4,688,124 | | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | $ | 3,063,435 | | | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income, taxable equivalent | | | $ | 138,166 | | | $ | 113,996 | | | $ | 101,438 | | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate spread | | | 3.01 | % | | 3.12 | % | | 3.41 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.20 | % | | 3.24 | % | | 3.61 | % | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | | | | 138.75 | % | | 136.16 | % | | 132.21 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Percentage of average equity to average assets | | | 9.03 | % | | 10.10 | % | | 11.14 | % |
1Loans include PPP loans with an average balance of $14.1 million, $196.1 million and $201.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Loan fees included in loan income were $4.1 million, $11.1 million, and $9.8 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Loan fee income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, includes $1.9 million, $9.1 million and $5.9 million accretion of loan fees on PPP loans.
2Yields related to investment securities exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2022, 2021 and 2020. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $665 thousand, $602 thousand and $572 thousand for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
3Includes average balance of $91,190 in Paycheck Protection Liquidity Facility (“PPLF”) funding in the twelve month period ended December 31, 2020. No PPLF funding was used the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2022, and 2021.
Rate and Volume Analysis
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased by $24.2 million between the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and by $12.6 million
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between the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The following is an analysis of the changes in net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2022 Compared to 2021 | | 2021 Compared to 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| | | Increase (decrease) due to | | Increase (decrease) due to | ||||||||||||||
| | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | ||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| Loans and leases | | $ | (1,241) | | $ | 19,040 | | $ | 17,799 | | $ | (5,656) | | $ | 11,926 | | $ | 6,270 |
| Taxable Securities | | (99,688) | | 107,674 | | 7,986 | | (324) | | 1,714 | | 1,390 | ||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | | (6,776) | | 7,790 | | 1,014 | | (397) | | 273 | | (124) | ||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | 6,971 | | (105) | | 6,866 | | (1,013) | | 1,126 | | 113 | ||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | (100,734) | | 134,399 | | 33,665 | | (7,390) | | 15,039 | | 7,649 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | 4,511 | | 389 | | 4,900 | | (173) | | 538 | | 365 | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 4,508 | | 1,128 | | 5,636 | | (1,765) | | 1,784 | | 19 | ||||||
| Time deposits | | (1,004) | | (153) | | (1,157) | | (3,605) | | (1,527) | | (5,132) | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 8,015 | | 1,364 | | 9,379 | | (5,543) | | 795 | | (4,748) | ||||||
| Borrowings | | 405 | | (343) | | 62 | | 163 | | (439) | | (276) | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | | (52) | | 106 | | 54 | | 59 | | 56 | | 115 | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 8,368 | | 1,127 | | 9,495 | | (5,321) | | 412 | | (4,909) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | $ | (109,102) | | $ | 133,272 | | $ | 24,170 | | $ | (2,069) | | $ | 14,627 | | $ | 12,558 |
Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated service charges on deposit accounts and mortgage banking fees.
The following table provides a summary of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2022 – 2021 | | December 31, | | | 2021 – 2020 | |||||
| | 2022 | 2021 | | Change | 2020 | | | Change | |||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | | $ | 5,853 | | $ | 4,650 | | $ | 1,203 | | $ | 3,403 | | $ | 1,247 |
| Gain on sale of securities | | 144 | | 45 | | | 99 | | 6 | | | 39 | |||
| Mortgage banking | | 1,552 | | 4,040 | | | (2,488) | | 3,875 | | | 165 | |||
| Investment services | | | 4,144 | | | 2,167 | | | 1,977 | | | 1,566 | | | 601 |
| Insurance commissions | | | 3,595 | | | 3,285 | | | 310 | | | 1,850 | | | 1,435 |
| Interchange and debit card transaction fees, net | | 5,435 | | 4,284 | | | 1,151 | | 2,413 | | | 1,871 | |||
| Other | | 6,992 | | 5,478 | | | 1,514 | | 2,313 | | | 3,165 | |||
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 27,715 | | $ | 23,949 | | $ | 3,766 | | $ | 15,426 | | $ | 8,523 |
2022 compared to 2021
Noninterest income increased $3.8 million to $27.7 million in 2022, compared to $23.9 million in 2021. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the SCB acquisition, deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in mortgage banking income, related to increased secondary market interest rates driving lower volume; |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in interchange and debit card transaction fees, related to increased volume, deposit growth and the SCB acquisition; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to increased fee income from capital markets activity. |
2021 compared to 2020
Noninterest income increased $8.5 million to $23.9 million in 2021, compared to $15.4 million in 2020. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the PFG and SCB acquisitions, deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, primarily from a full year of insurance commissions in 2021 and placement of life insurance policies during the first quarter of 2021; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in interchange and debit card transaction fees, related to increased volume, deposit growth and the PFG and SCB acquisitions; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to; (1.) addition of new lease fee income from the acquisition of Fountain, (2.) income from the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance from the additional BOLI purchased during the first quarter of 2021 and (3.) SWAP fee income from the newly created capital markets program in the second quarter of 2021. |
Noninterest Expense
The following table provides a summary of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2022 – 2021 | | December 31, | | | 2021 – 2020 | |||||
| | 2022 | 2021 | | Change | | 2020 | Change | ||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 63,420 | | $ | 51,656 | | $ | 11,764 | | $ | 42,911 | | $ | 8,745 |
| Occupancy and equipment | | 12,034 | | 10,196 | | 1,838 | | 8,348 | | 1,848 | |||||
| FDIC insurance | | 2,672 | | 1,833 | | 839 | | 1,190 | | 643 | |||||
| Other real estate and loan related expense | | 2,446 | | 2,098 | | 348 | | 2,050 | | 48 | |||||
| Advertising and marketing | | 1,293 | | 830 | | 463 | | 834 | | (4) | |||||
| Data processing and technology | | 7,283 | | 6,364 | | 919 | | 4,476 | | 1,888 | |||||
| Professional services | | 3,790 | | 3,147 | | 643 | | 2,958 | | 189 | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles | | 2,607 | | 2,256 | | 351 | | 1,740 | | 516 | |||||
| Merger related and restructuring expenses | | 562 | | 3,701 | | (3,139) | | 4,565 | | (864) | |||||
| Other | | 10,183 | | 9,310 | | 873 | | 7,647 | | 1,663 | |||||
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 106,290 | | $ | 91,391 | | $ | 14,899 | | $ | 76,719 | | $ | 14,672 |
2022 compared to 2021
Noninterest expense increased $14.9 million to $106.3 million in 2022, compared to $91.4 million in 2021. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the Fountain acquisition completed May 3, 2021 and overall franchise growth from talent hired in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida in late 2021, and to a lesser extent, the Sunbelt acquisition completed September 1, 2022; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in professional services, related to more services performed during the year; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases in other, primarily related to continued franchise growth. |
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2021 compared to 2020
Noninterest expense increased $14.7 million to $91.4 million in 2021, compared to $76.7 million in 2020. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the PFG acquisition completed March 1, 2020, Fountain acquisition completed May 3, 2021, SCB acquisition completed September 1, 2021, and overall franchise growth from talent hired in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily from an investment in a start-up fintech company and other expenses related to continued franchise growth. |
Income Taxes
2022 compared to 2021
In 2022, income tax expense totaled $11.9 million compared to $9.5 million in 2021. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.7% for 2022 compared to 21.5% in 2021.
2021 compared to 2020
In 2021, income tax expense totaled $9.5 million compared to $6.6 million in 2020. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.5% for 2021 compared to 21.2% in 2020.
Loan and Lease Portfolio Composition
Our loans and leases represent the largest portion of our earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan and lease portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing our financial condition. The Company had total net loans and leases outstanding, including organic and purchased loans and leases, of approximately $3.23 billion at December 31, 2022 and $2.67 billion at December 31, 2021. Loans secured by real estate, consisting of commercial or residential property, are the principal component of our loan and lease portfolio.
Organic Loans and Leases
Our organic net loans and leases, which excludes loans and leases purchased through acquisitions, increased by $710.0 million, or 31.9% from December 31, 2021, to $2.93 billion at December 31, 2022. This increase is related to loan production from the addition of the lift-out teams added in Alabama, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee towards the end of 2021.
Purchased Loans and Leases
Net purchased non-credit impaired loans and leases of $267.4 million at December 31, 2022, decreased by $141.2 million from December 31, 2021. Since December 31, 2021, our net purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans and leases decreased by $12.6 million to $28.6 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease in net purchased non-credit impaired loans and leases and PCI loans and leases is related to maturities, paydowns and payoffs.
Loan Participation Agreements
The Bank occasionally enters into loan participation agreements with other banks in the ordinary course of business to diversify credit risk. For certain sold participation loans, the Bank has retained effective control of the loans, typically by restricting the participating institutions from pledging or selling their share of the loan without permission from the Bank.
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GAAP requires the participated portion of these loans to be recorded as secured borrowings. The participated portions of these loans are included in the Commercial Real Estate totals below with a corresponding liability reflected in other borrowings. At December 31, 2022, the total participated portions of loans of this nature totaled $24.6 million and none at December 31, 2021. Subsequent to year-end, these loan participation agreements were amended in order to permit sales treatment accounting.
The following tables summarize the composition of our loan and lease portfolio for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | Purchased | | Purchased | | | | | % of | |||
| | | | | Non-Credit | | Credit | | Total | | Gross | |||||
| | Organic | Impaired | Impaired | Amount | Total | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | | $ | 1,465,049 | | $ | 146,766 | | $ | 15,946 | | $ | 1,627,761 | | 50.0 | % |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 495,755 | | 83,870 | | 8,352 | | 587,977 | 18.1 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | | 390,977 | | 9,995 | | 1,529 | | 402,501 | 12.4 | % | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 536,730 | | 13,244 | | 1,893 | | 551,867 | 17.0 | % | |||||
| Leases | | | 51,506 | | | 14,953 | | | 968 | | | 67,427 | | 2.1 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 15,756 | | 335 | | 3 | | 16,094 | 0.5 | % | |||||
| Total gross loans and leases receivable, net of deferred fees | | 2,955,773 | | 269,163 | | 28,691 | | 3,253,627 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Allowance for loan and leases losses | | (21,476) | | $ | (1,737) | | (121) | | (23,334) | | |||||
| Total loans and leases, net | | $ | 2,934,297 | | $ | 267,426 | | $ | 28,570 | | $ | 3,230,293 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | Purchased | | Purchased | | | | | % of | |||
| | | | | Non-Credit | | Credit | | Total | | Gross | |||||
| | Organic | Impaired | Impaired | Amount | Total | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | | $ | 1,157,702 | | $ | 205,579 | | $ | 20,875 | | $ | 1,384,156 | | 51.4 | % |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 346,322 | | 119,117 | | 11,833 | | 477,272 | 17.7 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | | 258,196 | | 17,308 | | 2,882 | | 278,386 | 10.3 | % | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 449,909 | | 35,599 | | 2,516 | | 488,024 | 18.1 | % | |||||
| Leases | | | 18,067 | | | 32,471 | | | 3,170 | | | 53,708 | | 2.0 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 10,536 | | 1,244 | | 71 | | 11,851 | 0.4 | % | |||||
| Total gross loans and leases receivable, net of deferred fees | | 2,240,732 | | 411,318 | | 41,347 | | 2,693,397 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Allowance for loan and lease losses | | (16,441) | | (2,732) | | (179) | | (19,352) | | ||||||
| Total loans and leases, net | | $ | 2,224,291 | | $ | 408,586 | | $ | 41,168 | | $ | 2,674,045 | |
Loan and Lease Portfolio Maturities
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loans and leases, including the interest rate sensitivity for loans and leases maturing after one year (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rate Structure for Loans and Leases | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maturing Over One Year | ||||
| | | One Year | | One through | | | Five through | | Over Fifteen | | | | | Fixed | | Floating | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | | Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | | Rate | | Rate | ||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | $ | 102,053 | $ | 756,287 | | $ | 753,476 | $ | 15,945 | $ | 1,627,761 | $ | 966,936 | $ | 558,772 | ||||||
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 42,938 | | 204,627 | | | 205,737 | | 134,675 | | 587,977 | | 268,140 | | 276,899 | ||||||
| Construction and land development | | 144,444 | | 173,793 | | | 55,635 | | 28,629 | | 402,501 | | 156,546 | | 101,511 | ||||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 114,276 | | 330,447 | | | 100,766 | | 6,378 | | 551,867 | | 354,859 | | 82,732 | ||||||
| Leases | | | 2,321 | | | 65,106 | | | — | | | — | | | 67,427 | | | 65,106 | | | — |
| Consumer and other | | 7,915 | | 7,660 | | | 466 | | 53 | | 16,094 | | 7,329 | | 850 | ||||||
| Total loans and leases | | $ | 413,947 | | $ | 1,537,920 | | $ | 1,116,080 | | $ | 185,680 | | $ | 3,253,627 | | $ | 1,818,916 | | $ | 1,020,764 |
Past Due, Nonaccrual, and Restructured Loans and Leases
Loans and leases are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. Loans and leases are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past due for a period of 90 days or more, unless such loans and leases are well secured and in the process of collection. If a
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loan or lease, or a portion of a loan or lease is classified as doubtful or as partially charged off, the loan or lease is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans and leases that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual if repayment in full of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans and leases may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.
PCI loans and leases with common risk characteristics are grouped in pools at acquisition and performance is based on our ability to reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows rather than a borrower’s ability to repay contractual loan or lease amounts. Since we are able to reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows on the Company’s PCI loan and lease pools, none of these loans and leases have been identified as nonaccrual.
While a loan or lease is classified as nonaccrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan or lease balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding, except in the case of loans and leases with scheduled amortizations where the payment is generally applied to the oldest payment due. When the future collectability of the recorded loan and lease balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a nonaccrual loan and lease had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan and lease balance at the contractual interest rate. Receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan and lease losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
Assets acquired as a result of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value in other real estate owned. Any excess of cost over estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Valuations are periodically performed on these properties, and any subsequent write-downs are charged to earnings. Routine maintenance and other holding costs are included in noninterest expense.
Loans, excluding pooled PCI loans, are classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) by the Company when certain modifications are made to the loan terms and concessions are granted to the borrowers due to financial difficulty experienced by those borrowers. The Company grants concessions by (1) reduction of the stated interest rate for the remaining original life of the debt or (2) extension of the maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk. The Company does not generally grant concessions through forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. The Company’s policy with respect to accrual of interest on loans restructured in a TDR follows relevant supervisory guidance. That is, if a borrower has demonstrated performance under the previous loan terms and shows capacity to perform under the restructured loan terms, continued accrual of interest at the restructured interest rate is likely. If a borrower was materially delinquent on payments prior to the restructuring but shows the capacity to meet the restructured loan terms, the loan will likely continue as nonaccrual until there is demonstrated performance under new terms. Lastly, if the borrower does not perform under the restructured terms, the loan is placed on non-accrual status. The Company closely monitors these loans and ceases accruing interest on them if we believe that the borrowers may not continue performing based on the restructured note terms.
PCI loans that were classified as TDRs prior to acquisition are not classified as TDRs by the Company after the acquisition date. Subsequent modification of a PCI loan accounted for in a pool that would otherwise meet the definition of a TDR is not reported, or accounted for, as a TDR since pooled PCI loans are excluded from the scope of TDR accounting. A PCI loan not accounted for in a pool would be reported, and accounted for, as a TDR if modified in a manner that meets the definition of a TDR after the acquisition date.
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of gross loans and leases, net of deferred fees, was 0.09% as of December 31, 2022, and 0.12% as of December 31, 2021, respectively. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets as of December 31, 2022, totaled 0.10% compared to 0.11% as of December 31, 2021. PCI loans and leases that are included in loan pools are reclassified at acquisition to accrual status and thus are not included as nonperforming assets.
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The following table is a summary of our loans and leases that were past due at least 30 days but not more than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2022, and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Accruing Loans | | | Accruing Loans | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | | 90 Days or More | | | Total Accruing | | |||||||||
| | | | | Past Due | | | Past Due | | | Past Due Loans | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,627,761 | | $ | 54 | | - | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 54 | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 587,977 | | | 594 | | 0.10 | | | | - | | - | | | | 594 | | 0.10 | |
| Construction and land development | | 402,501 | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 551,867 | | | 203 | | 0.04 | | | | - | | - | | | | 203 | | 0.04 | |
| Leases | | 67,427 | | | 1,108 | | 1.64 | | | | 143 | | 0.21 | | | | 1,251 | | 1.86 | |
| Consumer and other | | 16,094 | | | 107 | | 0.66 | | | | - | | - | | | | 107 | | 0.66 | |
| Total | $ | 3,253,627 | | $ | 2,066 | | 0.06 | | | $ | 143 | | - | | | $ | 2,209 | | 0.07 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,384,156 | | $ | 172 | | 0.01 | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 172 | | 0.01 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 477,272 | | | 894 | | 0.19 | | | | - | | - | | | | 894 | | 0.19 | |
| Construction and land development | | 278,386 | | | 91 | | 0.03 | | | | - | | - | | | | 91 | | 0.03 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 488,024 | | | 1,310 | | 0.27 | | | | 45 | | 0.01 | | | | 1,355 | | 0.28 | |
| Leases | | 53,708 | | | 361 | | 0.67 | | | | - | | - | | | | 361 | | 0.67 | |
| Consumer and other | | 11,851 | | | 103 | | 0.87 | | | | 19 | | 0.16 | | | | 122 | | 1.03 | |
| Total | $ | 2,693,397 | | $ | 2,931 | | 0.11 | | | $ | 64 | | - | | | $ | 2,995 | | 0.11 | |
The following table is a summary of our nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 2022, and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | Total | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,627,761 | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 1,384,156 | | $ | 858 | | 0.06 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 587,977 | | | 1,665 | | 0.28 | | | | 477,272 | | | 2,139 | | 0.45 | |
| Construction and land development | | 402,501 | | | 920 | | 0.23 | | | | 278,386 | | | - | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 551,867 | | | 180 | | 0.03 | | | | 488,024 | | | 116 | | 0.02 | |
| Leases | | 67,427 | | | 28 | | 0.04 | | | | 53,708 | | | - | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | 16,094 | | | 15 | | 0.09 | | | | 11,851 | | | 11 | | 0.09 | |
| Total | $ | 3,253,627 | | $ | 2,808 | | 0.09 | | | $ | 2,693,397 | | $ | 3,124 | | 0.12 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loans and leases to nonaccrual loans | | | | | 830.98% | | | | | | | | | 619.46% | | | |
Potential Problem Loans and Leases
At December 31, 2022, substandard or problem loans and leases amounted to approximately $2.8 million or 0.09% of total loans and leases outstanding. Potential problem loans and leases, which are not included in nonperforming loans and leases, represent those loans and leases with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Bank’s primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans and leases.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The allowance for loan and lease losses is an estimate of probable incurred losses in the loan and lease portfolio. Loans and leases are charged-off against the allowance when management believes a loan or lease balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Management’s methodology for estimating the allowance balance consists of several key elements, which include specific allowances on individual impaired loans and leases and the formula driven allowances on pools of loans and leases with similar risk characteristics.
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Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans or leases, but the entire allowance is available for any loan or lease that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.
The Company is not required to implement the provisions of the CECL accounting standard issued by the FASB in the ASU No. 2016-13 until January 1, 2023, and continued to account for the allowance for loan losses under the incurred loss model as of December 31, 2022.
We assess the adequacy of the allowance at the end of each calendar quarter. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon our evaluation of the loan and lease portfolios, past loan and lease loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the views of the Bank’s regulators, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan and lease portfolio, economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan and lease quality indications and other pertinent factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans and leases that may be susceptible to significant change.
We maintain the allowance at a level that we deem appropriate to adequately cover the probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our allowance for loan and lease losses was $23.3 million and $19.4 million, respectively, which we deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for loan and lease loss as a percentage of total loans and leases was 0.72% at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Our purchased loans and leases were recorded at fair value upon acquisition. The fair value adjustments on the performing purchased loans and leases will be accreted into income over the life of the loans or leases. At December 31, 2022, the remaining accretable yield was approximately $16.9 million. These loans and leases are subject to the same allowance methodology as our legacy portfolio. The calculated allowance is compared to the remaining fair value discount to determine if additional provisioning should be recognized. Also, at the end of 2022, the outstanding principal balance on PCI loan and leases was $41.5 million and the carrying value was $28.7 million, for a net difference of $12.8 million in discounts. At December 31, 2022, there was an allowance on PCI loans and leases of $121 thousand. The judgments and estimates associated with our allowance determination are described in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
The following table sets forth, based on management’s best estimate, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to categories of loans and leases and loan and lease balances by category and the percentage of loans and leases in each category to total loans and leases and allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans and leases within each loan and lease category as of December 31 for each of the past two years (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Percentage of Loans | | | | | Ratio of Allowance | | ||||
| | | Amount of | | in Each Category | | | Total | | Allocated to Loans in | | ||||
| | | Allowance Allocated | | to Total Loans | | | Loans | | Each Category | | ||||
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 10,821 | | | 50.0 | % | | $ | 1,627,761 | | | 0.66 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 4,028 | | | 18.1 | | | | 587,977 | | | 0.69 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 3,059 | | | 12.4 | | | | 402,501 | | | 0.76 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,997 | | | 17.0 | | | | 551,867 | | | 0.72 | |
| Leases | | | 1,293 | | | 2.1 | | | | 67,427 | | | 1.92 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 136 | | | 0.5 | | | | 16,094 | | | 0.85 | |
| Total | | $ | 23,334 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,253,627 | | | 0.72 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 9,781 | | | 51.4 | % | | $ | 1,384,156 | | | 0.71 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 3,454 | | | 17.7 | | | | 477,272 | | | 0.72 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 1,882 | | | 10.3 | | | | 278,386 | | | 0.68 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,781 | | | 18.1 | | | | 488,024 | | | 0.77 | |
| Leases | | | 330 | | | 2.0 | | | | 53,708 | | | 0.61 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 124 | | | 0.4 | | | | 11,851 | | | 1.05 | |
| Total | | $ | 19,352 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,693,397 | | | 0.72 | |
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The allocation by category is determined based on the assigned risk rating, if applicable, and environmental factors applicable to each category of loans and leases. For impaired loans and leases, those loans and leases are reviewed for a specific allowance allocation. Specific valuation allowances related to impaired loans and leases were approximately $385 thousand at December 31, 2022, compared to $561 thousand at December 31, 2021. Additional information on the allocation of the allowance between performing and impaired loans and leases is provided in Note 5 – Loans and Lease and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The following table presents information related to credit losses on loans and lease by loan segment for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | Ratio of Net (charge-offs) | | ||||
| | | Provision for | | Net (charge-offs) | | Average | | Recoveries to | | ||||
| | | Credit Losses | | Recoveries | | Loans | | Average Loans | | ||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 1,034 | | $ | 6 | | $ | 1,498,235 | | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 43 | | | 531 | | | 520,447 | | | 0.10 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 1,177 | | | - | | | 360,660 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 339 | | | (123) | | | 493,236 | | | (0.02) | |
| Leases | | | 879 | | | 84 | | | 61,960 | | | 0.14 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 546 | | | (534) | | | 13,973 | | | (3.82) | |
| Total | | $ | 4,018 | | $ | (36) | | $ | 2,948,511 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 2,119 | | | 83 | | $ | 1,213,311 | | | 0.01 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 11 | | | (28) | | | 456,529 | | | (0.01) | |
| Construction and land development | | | (194) | | | - | | | 293,190 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | (1,053) | | | (273) | | | 526,586 | | | (0.05) | |
| Leases | | | 455 | | | (125) | | | 39,408 | | | (0.32) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 295 | | | (284) | | | 11,553 | | | (2.46) | |
| Total | | $ | 1,633 | | $ | (627) | | $ | 2,540,577 | | | (0.02) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 3,052 | | | 19 | | $ | 997,659 | | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 879 | | | 16 | | | 456,678 | | | - | |
| Construction and land development | | | 947 | | | 2 | | | 266,204 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,456 | | | (306) | | | 562,254 | | | (0.05) | |
| Leases | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | | 349 | | | (311) | | | 14,177 | | | (2.19) | |
| Total | | $ | 8,683 | | $ | (580) | | $ | 2,296,972 | | | (0.03) | |
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is the second largest component of our interest earning assets. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) to optimize the Bank’s income consistent with the investment portfolio’s liquidity and risk objectives; (ii) to balance market and credit risks of other assets and the Bank’s liability structure; (iii) to profitably deploy funds which are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions or other liquidity purposes; and (iv) provide collateral which the Bank is required to pledge against public funds.
Our available-for-sale investment portfolio is carried at fair market value and our held-to-maturity investment portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and consists primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal securities and other debt securities. Our investment portfolio increased from $559.4 million at December 31, 2021, to $769.8 million at December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of strategically deploying a portion of the Bank’s cash position. New purchases were focused on mortgage-backed securities and Treasuries to provide cash flow and liquidity. Our
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investment to asset ratio has increased from 12.1% at December 31, 2021, to 16.7% at December 31, 2022. Over the past year, the ratio of investments to our total assets has increased, primarily due to growth in the Bank’s cash position driven by the PPP and the desire to deploy in high quality and higher yielding assets compared to cash.
The Company purchased $347.9 million of securities during the year ended December 31, 2022, which was offset by $78.9 million of sales, maturities and payments received during the same period. Net unrealized losses in our available-for-sale securities portfolio were $45.3 million as of December 31, 2022, as compared to a net unrealized gain of $33 thousand as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was attributable to changes in market interest rates related to all our securities, relative to when the securities were purchased. During the first quarter of 2022, we transferred $162.4 million of available-for-sale securities to the held-to-maturity category, reflecting our intent to hold those securities to maturity, which reduced the impact of these interest rate changes.
The following table presents the contractual maturity of the company’s securities by contractual maturity date and average yields based on amortized cost (for all obligations on a fully taxable basis) at December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands). The composition and maturity/repricing distribution of the securities portfolio is subject to change depending on rate sensitivity, capital and liquidity needs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | One Year | | One through | | Five through | Over Ten | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | Ten Years | | Years | | Total | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| Available-for-sale: | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 208,236 | | 1.31 | % | | $ | 33,270 | | 1.29 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 241,506 | | 1.31 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | 1,593 | | 3.69 | | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 1,593 | | 3.69 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | 270 | | 3.80 | | | 1,826 | | 3.09 | | | 7,270 | | 2.68 | | | 9,844 | | 3.80 | | | 19,210 | | 3.31 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | 991 | | 4.06 | | | 31,468 | | 4.74 | | | 500 | | 4.50 | | | 32,959 | | 4.72 | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | 92 | | 1.28 | | | 10,716 | | 2.07 | | | 76,706 | | 1.77 | | | 146,434 | | 2.39 | | | 233,948 | | 2.17 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 362 | | 3.16 | | | $ | 223,362 | | 1.39 | | | $ | 148,714 | | 2.33 | | | $ | 156,778 | | 2.49 | | | $ | 529,216 | | 1.98 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 150,295 | | 1.47 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 150,295 | | 1.47 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 33,785 | | 1.83 | | | | 16,754 | | 1.92 | | | | 50,539 | | 1.86 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | 4,285 | | 2.20 | | | 49,409 | | 2.13 | | | 53,694 | | 2.14 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | 4,890 | | 2.14 | | | 26,531 | | 2.13 | | | 31,421 | | 2.13 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | 150,295 | | 1.47 | | | $ | 42,960 | | 1.90 | | | $ | 92,694 | | 2.09 | | | $ | 285,949 | | 1.74 | | |
1Based on amortized cost, taxable equivalent basis.
Deposits
Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company’s lending and investing activities. The Company provides a range of deposit services to businesses and individuals, including noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) and certificates of deposit (“CDs”). These accounts generally earn interest at rates the Company establishes based on market factors and the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs. The establishment or continuity of a core deposit relationship can be a factor in loan pricing decisions. While the Company’s primary focus is on establishing customer relationships to attract core deposits, at times, the Company uses brokered deposits and other wholesale deposits to supplement its funding sources. As of December 31, 2022, brokered deposits represented approximately 0.90% of total deposits.
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The following table summarizes the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits for 2022, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | |||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | ||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 1,120,555 | 27.0 | % | — | | $ | 841,746 | 25.5 | % | — | | $ | 571,282 | 23.0 | % | — | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand | | 945,414 | 22.8 | % | 0.66 | % | 737,251 | 22.3 | % | 0.19 | % | 481,050 | 19.4 | % | 0.21 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings | | 1,576,170 | 37.9 | % | 0.58 | % | 1,191,916 | 36.1 | % | 0.29 | % | 788,006 | 31.7 | % | 0.44 | % | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 513,416 | 12.4 | % | 0.55 | % | 533,994 | 16.2 | % | 0.74 | % | 641,647 | 25.9 | % | 1.42 | % | ||||||
| Total average deposits | | $ | 4,155,555 | 100.0 | % | 0.44 | % | $ | 3,304,907 | 100.0 | % | 0.27 | % | $ | 2,481,985 | 100.0 | % | 0.55 | % |
During 2022, average deposits increased in all categories, except for time deposits. The Company believes its deposit product offerings are properly structured to attract and retain core low-cost deposit relationships. The average cost of deposits was 0.44% in 2022 compared to 0.27% in 2021.
Total deposits as of December 31, 2022, were $4.1 billion, which was an increase of $55.2 million from December 31, 2021. This increase is related to organic deposit growth from franchise expansion into new markets. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding time deposits under $250,000 of $308.1 million, time deposits over $250,000 of $147.2 million, and a time deposit fair value adjustment of $239 thousand. The following table summarizes the maturities of time deposits of $250,000 or more as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, | ||
| | | 2022 | |
| Three months or less | | $ | 32,044 |
| Three to six months | | 36,027 | |
| Six to twelve months | | 42,870 | |
| More than twelve months | | 36,221 | |
| Total | | $ | 147,162 |
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, $1.65 billion and $1.58 billion, respectively, of our deposit portfolio was uninsured. The uninsured amounts are estimated based on the methodologies and assumptions used for the SmartBank’s regulatory reporting requirements.
Borrowings and Subordinated Debt
Other than deposits, the Company uses short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide both funding and, to a lesser extent, regulatory capital using debt at the Company level which can be downstreamed as Tier 1 capital to the Bank. Total borrowings at December 31, 2022 and 2021, was $41.9 million and $87.6 million, respectively. The $45.7 million reduction in borrowings, was primarily the result of the FHLB calling $75.0 million in FHLB Advances during 2022, offset by $24.6 million in secured borrowings and $5.0 million in additional borrowings on a line credit. Short-term borrowings, included in borrowings, totaled $4.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $5.1 million at December 31, 2021 and consisted entirely of securities sold under repurchase agreements. Long-term debt totaled $42.0 million at December 31, 2022 and $41.9 million at December 31, 2021 and consisted entirely of subordinated debt. For more information regarding our borrowings and subordinated debt, see "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit” and “Note 10 – Subordinated Debt."
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs, all at a reasonable cost. We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders.
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Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, federal funds sold, and fair value of unpledged investment securities. Other available sources of liquidity include wholesale deposits, and additional borrowings from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, and the Federal Reserve discount window.
Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily met through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, and increases in customer deposits. Other alternative sources of funds will supplement these primary sources to the extent necessary to meet additional liquidity requirements on either a short-term or long-term basis.
As part of our liquidity management strategy, we open federal funds lines with our correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2022, we had $76.5 million of unsecured federal funds lines with no funds advanced. In addition, we have access to the Federal Reserve’s discount window in the amount $74.1 million with no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The Federal Reserve discount window line is collateralized by a pool of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans totaling $99.7 million as of December 31, 2022.
At December 31, 2022, we had no FHLB advances outstanding. For more information regarding the FHLB advances, see "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit." Based on the values of loans pledged as collateral, we had $589.8 million of additional borrowing availability with the FHLB as of December 31, 2022. We also maintain relationships in the capital markets with brokers to issue certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The Company had a Loan and Security Agreement and revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount of $25.0 million. The maturity of the line of credit was March 24, 2023. At December 31, 2022, $12.5 million was outstanding under the line of credit, and $12.5 million of the line of credit remained available to the Company. On February 1, 2023, the Loan and Security Agreement was amended, increasing the revolving line of credit to an aggregate amount of $35.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 1, 2025.
Capital Requirements
The Company and Bank are required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the federal banking agencies may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The Company uses leverage analysis to examine the potential of the institution to increase assets and liabilities using the current capital base. The key measurements included in this analysis are the Company and Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios. At December 31, 2022, and 2021, our capital ratios, including our Company and Bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs the Bank. For more information regarding our capital, leverage and total capital ratios, see “Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15 - Regulatory Matters.”
The table below (dollars in thousands) summarizes the capital requirements applicable to the Company and Bank in order to be considered “well-capitalized” from a regulatory perspective, as well as the Company and Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company and Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the FDIC categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2022, that management believes would change this classification.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Minimum to be | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | well | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | capitalized under | | |||
| | | | | | | | Minimum for | | prompt | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | capital | | corrective action | | ||||||
| | | | Actual | | adequacy purposes | | provisions1 | | ||||||||
| | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | | |||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 425,957 | 11.40 | % | $ | 298,966 | 8.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 360,608 | 9.65 | % | 224,224 | 6.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 360,608 | 9.65 | % | 168,168 | 4.50 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 360,608 | 7.95 | % | 181,387 | 4.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 426,947 | 11.44 | % | $ | 298,476 | 8.00 | % | $ | 373,094 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 403,613 | 10.82 | % | 223,857 | 6.00 | % | 298,476 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 403,613 | 10.82 | % | 167,892 | 4.50 | % | 242,511 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 403,613 | 8.90 | % | 181,383 | 4.00 | % | 226,729 | 5.00 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 386,627 | 12.55 | % | $ | 246,483 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 325,345 | 10.56 | % | 184,862 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 325,345 | 10.56 | % | 138,647 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 325,345 | 7.45 | % | 174,578 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 378,055 | 12.29 | % | $ | 246,053 | 8.00 | % | $ | 307,566 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 358,703 | 11.66 | % | 184,539 | 6.00 | % | 246,053 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 358,703 | 11.66 | % | 138,405 | 4.50 | % | 199,918 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 358,703 | 8.23 | % | 174,384 | 4.00 | % | 217,980 | 5.00 | % |
1The prompt corrective action provisions are applicable at the Bank level only.
2Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present, as of December 31, 2022, our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | As of December 31, 2022, payments due in | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | More | | | | |
| | Less than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | than 5 | | | |||||||||
| | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years | | Total | |||||
| Operating leases | | $ | 1,400 | | $ | 2,453 | | $ | 1,984 | | $ | 4,773 | | $ | 10,610 |
| Time deposits | | 317,743 | | 122,350 | | 15,155 | | 11 | | 455,259 | |||||
| Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 4,775 | | — | | — | | — | | 4,775 | |||||
| FHLB advances and other borrowings | | 37,085 | | — | | — | | — | | 37,085 | |||||
| Subordinated debt | | — | | — | | — | | 42,500 | | 42,500 | |||||
| Total | | $ | 361,003 | | $ | 124,803 | | $ | 17,139 | | $ | 47,284 | | $ | 550,229 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2022, we had $912.0 million of pre-approved but unused lines of credit and $6.9 million of standby letters of credit. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. Additional information about our off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified accounting policies that are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has reviewed the following critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies, along with a brief discussion of the material implications of the uncertainties of each policy, are below. For a full description of these critical accounting policies, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for loan losses – In establishing the allowance we take into account reserves required for impaired loans, historical charge-offs for loan types, and a variety of qualitative factors including economic outlook, portfolio concentrations, and changes in portfolio credit quality. Many of the qualitative factors are measurable but there is also a level of subjective assumptions. If those assumptions change it could have a material impact on the level of the allowance required and as a result the earnings of the Company.
Fair values for acquired assets and assumed liabilities – Assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities is allocated to identifiable intangible assets with the remaining excess allocated to goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. As of December 31, 2022, there was approximately $96.1 million in goodwill. The Company performed a qualitative assessment on goodwill and the results indicated that there was no impairment as of December 31, 2022.
Cash flow estimates on purchased credit-impaired loans – Purchase credit impaired loans do not have traditional loan yields and interest income; instead they have accretable yield and accretion. Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized in interest income as accretion over the remaining life of the loan when there is reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows. The amount expected to be accreted divided by the accretable discount is the accretable yield. Cash flow estimates are re-evaluated quarterly. If the estimated cash flows increase then the accretable yield over the life of the loan increases. If, however, the estimated cash flows decrease then impairment is generally recognized immediately.
Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned – Other real estate owned properties are initially recorded at fair value less selling costs. If the fair value decreases the assets are written down and are periodically reviewed for further impairment, if needed.
Valuation of deferred tax assets- Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by deferred tax liabilities and a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2022, there were approximately $24.6 million in net deferred tax assets.
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Evaluation of investment securities for other than temporary impairment- We evaluate investment securities for other than temporary impairment taking into account if we do not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other than temporarily impaired unless a credit loss has occurred in the security. Temporary impairments are recognized on the balance sheet in other comprehensive income/loss. If a security becomes permanently impaired the impairment expense would be recognized and reduce earnings. As of December 31, 2022, there was approximately $70.7 million in gross unrealized losses on investment securities that were classified as temporarily impaired.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-22-003570.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and our results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this Annual Report, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Business Overview
We are a bank holding company that was incorporated on September 19, 1983 under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and operate primarily through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, SmartBank. At December 31, 2021 the Bank provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services to clients through 40 full-service bank branches and three loan production offices in select markets in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of secured and unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans and leases to individuals for a variety of purposes. Our principal sources of funds for loans and leases and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (“NOW”), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. We actively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing on our knowledge of our local market areas.
Executive Summary
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial highlights and significant events during 2021:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Completed the acquisitions and integration of Fountain Leasing, LLC (“Fountain”) and Sevier County Bancshares, Inc. ("SCB"). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Continued the origination of approximately 1,801 Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans totaling $138.4 million, during 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net income totaled $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share, during the year ended of 2021 compared to $24.3 million, or $1.62 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Ended 2021 with record high total assets of $4.6 billion, net loans of $2.7 billion, and deposits of $4.0 billion. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Return on average assets was 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 0.79% for the year ended December 31, 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Successfully completed the lift-out of an experienced banking team in the Gulf Coast Region and opened a new branch in Mobile, AL. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hired seasoned commercial banking team members in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham, AL., with application approval for new branches in Auburn, Dothan and Montgomery, AL and a loan production office in Birmingham, AL. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Successfully completed the lift-out of a Gulf Coast Wealth Management team responsible for managing ~$350 million in Assets Under Management. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In the Nashville, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area, hired several senior relationship managers. |
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Analysis of Results of Operations
2021 compared to 2020
Net income was $34.8 million, or $2.22 per diluted common share in 2021, compared to $24.3 million, or $1.62 per diluted common share in 2020. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2021 was 3.24% compared to 3.61% for 2020. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.62% for 2021, increasing from 0.50% for 2020. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.38% in 2021, from 2.50% in 2020. The results above include operating effects of the Fountain and SCB acquisitions, which were completed on May 3, 2021, and September 1, 2021, respectively. Income tax expense was $9.5 million in 2021 with an effective tax rate of 21.5%, compared to $6.6 million in 2020 with an effective tax rate of 21.2%.
2020 compared to 2019
Net income was $24.3 million, or $1.62 per diluted common share in 2020, compared to $26.5 million, or $1.89 per diluted common share in 2019. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2020 was 3.61% compared to 3.95% for 2019. Noninterest income to average assets was 0.50% for 2020, decreasing from 0.65% for 2019. Noninterest expense to average assets decreased to 2.50% in 2020, from 2.70% in 2019. The results above include operating effects of the PFG acquisition, which was completed on March 1, 2020. Income tax expense was $6.6 million in 2020 with an effective tax rate of 21.2%, compared to $6.9 million in 2019 with an effective tax rate of 20.6%.
Net Interest Income and Yield Analysis
The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.
2021 compared to 2020
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $114.0 million in 2021 from $101.4 million in 2020. Average earning assets increased from $2.8 billion in 2020 to $3.5 billion in 2021, primarily as a result of the acquisition of PFG completed March 1, 2020, the acquisition of Fountain completed May 3, 2021, the acquisition of SCB completed September 1, 2021, participation in the PPP and continued organic loan and lease growth. Over this period, average loan and lease balances increased by $245.4 million, average interest-earning cash and federal funds sold increased by $372.1 million and average securities increased by $93.5 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $552.5 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $270.5 million and average borrowings decreased $94.1 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.24% for 2021, compared to 3.61% for 2020. The yield on earning assets decreased from 4.20% for 2020, to 3.57% for 2021, primarily due to the on-going effects of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve during the first quarter of 2020, to a lesser extent loan yields declining from market competition and lower yielding excess liquidity, offset by PPP fee accretion and loan fees. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased from 0.71% for 2020, to 0.36% for 2021, primarily due to a lower interest rate environment during the period.
2020 compared to 2019
Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased to $101.4 million in 2020 from $84.3 million in 2019. Net interest income was positively impacted, compared to the prior year, primarily due to increases in loan balances and a reduction in interest expense on deposits. Average earning assets increased from $2.1 billion in 2019 to $2.8 billion in 2020, primarily as a result of the acquisition of PFG completed March 1, 2020, organic loan growth and the Company’s participation in the PPP. Over this period, average loan balances increased by $452.6 million, average interest-bearing
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deposits increased by $290.3 million, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $227.7 million and average borrowings increased $155.7 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.61% for 2020, compared to 3.95% for 2019. The yield on earning assets decreased from 5.10% for 2019, to 4.20% for 2020, primarily due to rate cuts by the Federal Reserve over the past year and, to a lesser extent loan yields declining from market competition. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased from 1.35% for 2019, to 0.71% for 2020, primarily due to a lower interest rate environment during the period.
Summary of Average Balances, Interest and Rates
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | Average | | Yield/ | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | | Balance | | Interest | | Cost | |||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loans and leases, including fees1 | | $ | 2,535,006 | | $ | 118,332 | 4.67 | % | $ | 2,289,612 | | $ | 111,992 | 4.89 | % | $ | 1,836,963 | | $ | 100,831 | 5.49 | % | |||
| Loans held for sale | | | 5,571 | | | 250 | | 4.48 | % | | 7,360 | | | 320 | | 4.34 | % | | 3,858 | | | 171 | | 4.43 | % |
| Taxable securities | | 207,459 | | 3,813 | 1.84 | % | 122,900 | | 2,423 | 1.97 | % | 129,705 | | 3,289 | 2.54 | % | |||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities2 | | 92,708 | | 1,817 | 1.96 | % | 83,765 | | 1,941 | 2.32 | % | 56,458 | | 1,972 | 3.49 | % | |||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other earning assets | | 680,909 | | 1,622 | 0.24 | % | 308,843 | | 1,509 | 0.49 | % | 110,380 | | 2,646 | 2.40 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | 3,521,653 | | 125,834 | 3.57 | % | 2,812,480 | | 118,185 | 4.20 | % | 2,137,364 | | 108,909 | 5.10 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | | 317,457 | | | 250,955 | | | 201,976 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | $ | 3,063,435 | | | $ | 2,339,340 | | | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | $ | 737,251 | | 1,378 | 0.19 | % | $ | 481,050 | | 1,013 | 0.21 | % | $ | 333,100 | | 1,883 | 0.57 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | 1,191,916 | | 3,501 | 0.29 | % | 788,006 | | 3,482 | 0.44 | % | 651,855 | | 7,827 | 1.20 | % | |||||||||
| Time deposits | | 533,994 | | 3,970 | 0.74 | % | 641,647 | | 9,102 | 1.42 | % | 635,451 | | 12,205 | 1.92 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 2,463,161 | | 8,849 | 0.36 | % | 1,910,703 | | 13,597 | 0.71 | % | 1,620,406 | | 21,915 | 1.35 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowings3 | | 83,105 | | 540 | 0.65 | % | 177,204 | | 816 | 0.46 | % | 21,526 | | 319 | 1.48 | % | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 40,221 | | 2,449 | 6.09 | % | 39,301 | | 2,334 | 5.94 | % | 39,216 | | 2,341 | 5.97 | % | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | 2,586,487 | | 11,838 | 0.46 | % | 2,127,208 | | 16,747 | 0.79 | % | 1,681,148 | | 24,575 | 1.46 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | 841,746 | | | 571,282 | | | 343,611 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | | 23,189 | | | 23,775 | | | 15,852 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | | 3,451,422 | | | 2,722,265 | | | 2,040,611 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | | 387,688 | | | 341,170 | | | 298,729 | | | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 3,839,110 | | | $ | 3,063,435 | | | $ | 2,339,340 | | | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income, taxable equivalent | | | $ | 113,996 | | | $ | 101,438 | | | $ | 84,334 | | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate spread | | | 3.12 | % | | 3.41 | % | | 3.64 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent net interest margin | | | 3.24 | % | | 3.61 | % | | 3.95 | % | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | | | | 136.16 | % | | 132.21 | % | | 127.14 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Percentage of average equity to average assets | | | 10.10 | % | | 11.14 | % | | 12.77 | % |
1Loans include PPP loans with an average balance of $196.1 million and $201.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. No PPP loans are included in year ending December 31, 2019. Loan fees included in loan income were $11.1 million, $9.8 million, and $3.2 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Loan fee income for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, includes $9.1 million and $5.9 million accretion of loan fees on PPP loans. No loan fees on PPP loans are included in year ended December 31, 2019.
2Yields related to investment securities exempt from income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2021, 2020 and 2019. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $602 thousand, $572 thousand and $454 thousand for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
3Includes average balance of $91,190 in Paycheck Protection Liquidity Facility (“PPLF”) funding in the twelve month period ended December 31, 2020. No PPLF funding was used the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021, and 2019.
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Rate and Volume Analysis
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. Net interest income, taxable equivalent, increased by $12.6 million between the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and by $17.1 million between the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The following is an analysis of the changes in net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 Compared to 2020 | | 2020 Compared to 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| | | Increase (decrease) due to | | Increase (decrease) due to | ||||||||||||||
| | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | | Rate | | Volume | | Net | ||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| Loans and leases | | $ | (5,664) | | $ | 12,004 | | $ | 6,340 | | $ | (13,644) | | $ | 24,805 | | $ | 11,161 |
| Loans held for sale | | | 8 | | | (78) | | | (70) | | | (9) | | | 158 | | | 149 |
| Taxable Securities | | (324) | | 1,714 | | 1,390 | | (693) | | (173) | | (866) | ||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | | (397) | | 273 | | (124) | | (985) | | 954 | | (31) | ||||||
| Federal funds and other earning assets | | (1,013) | | 1,126 | | 113 | | (5,214) | | 4,077 | | (1,137) | ||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | | (7,390) | | 15,039 | | 7,649 | | (20,545) | | 29,821 | | 9,276 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | | (173) | | 538 | | 365 | | (1,706) | | 836 | | (870) | ||||||
| Money market and savings deposits | | (1,765) | | 1,784 | | 19 | | (5,980) | | 1,635 | | (4,345) | ||||||
| Time deposits | | (3,605) | | (1,527) | | (5,132) | | (3,222) | | 119 | | (3,103) | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | (5,543) | | 795 | | (4,748) | | (10,908) | | 2,590 | | (8,318) | ||||||
| Borrowings | | 163 | | (439) | | (276) | | (2,632) | | 3,129 | | 497 | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | | 59 | | 56 | | 115 | | (12) | | 5 | | (7) | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | (5,321) | | 412 | | (4,909) | | (13,552) | | 5,724 | | (7,828) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | $ | (2,069) | | $ | 14,627 | | $ | 12,558 | | $ | (6,993) | | $ | 24,097 | | $ | 17,104 |
Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated service charges on deposit accounts and mortgage banking fees.
The following table provides a summary of noninterest income for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2021 - 2020 | | December 31, | | | 2020 - 2019 | |||||
| | 2021 | 2020 | | Change | 2019 | | | Change | |||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | | $ | 4,650 | | $ | 3,403 | | $ | 1,247 | | $ | 2,902 | | $ | 501 |
| Gain on sale of securities | | 45 | | 6 | | | 39 | | 34 | | | (28) | |||
| Mortgage banking | | 4,040 | | 3,875 | | | 165 | | 1,566 | | | 2,309 | |||
| Investment services | | | 2,167 | | | 1,566 | | | 601 | | | 946 | | | 620 |
| Insurance commissions | | | 3,285 | | | 1,850 | | | 1,435 | | | — | | | 1,850 |
| Interchange and debit card transaction fees, net | | 4,284 | | 2,413 | | | 1,871 | | 628 | | | 1,785 | |||
| Merger termination fee | | — | | — | | | — | | 6,400 | | | (6,400) | |||
| Other | | 5,478 | | 2,313 | | | 3,165 | | 2,839 | | | (526) | |||
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 23,949 | | $ | 15,426 | | $ | 8,523 | | $ | 15,315 | | $ | 111 |
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2021 compared to 2020
Noninterest income increased $8.5 million to $23.9 million in 2021, compared to $15.4 million in 2020. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the PFG and SCB acquisitions, deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in insurance commissions, primarily from a full year of insurance commissions in 2021 and placement of life insurance policies during the first quarter of 2021; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in interchange and debit card transaction fees, related to increased volume, deposit growth and the PFG and SCB acquisitions; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other, primarily related to; 1.) addition of new lease fee income from the acquisition of Fountain, 2.) income from the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance from the additional BOLI purchased during the first quarter of 2021 and 3.) SWAP fee income from the newly created capital markets program in the second quarter of 2021. |
2020 compared to 2019
Noninterest income increased $111 thousand to $15.4 million in 2020, compared to $15.3 million in 2019. The primary components of the changes in noninterest income were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in service charges on deposit accounts, related to the PFG acquisition, deposit growth and transaction volume; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in mortgage banking, from increased volume due to low rate environment; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in investment services, stemming from increased production from personnel hires in 2019; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Addition of insurance commissions from an insurance agency acquired in the PFG acquisition; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in net interchange and debit card transactions fees, related to the increased volume from the PFG acquisition and deposit growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Decrease in merger termination fee, recognized in the second quarter of 2019. |
Noninterest Expense
The following table provides a summary of noninterest expense for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | | | | | Year Ended | | | | |||||
| | | December 31, | | | 2021 - 2020 | | December 31, | | | 2020 - 2019 | |||||
| | 2021 | 2020 | | Change | | 2019 | Change | ||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 51,656 | | $ | 42,911 | | $ | 8,745 | | $ | 36,635 | | $ | 6,276 |
| Occupancy and equipment | | 10,196 | | 8,348 | | 1,848 | | 6,716 | | 1,632 | |||||
| FDIC insurance | | 1,833 | | 1,190 | | 643 | | 140 | | 1,050 | |||||
| Other real estate and loan related expense | | 2,098 | | 2,050 | | 48 | | 1,320 | | 730 | |||||
| Advertising and marketing | | 830 | | 834 | | (4) | | 983 | | (149) | |||||
| Data processing and technology | | 6,364 | | 4,476 | | 1,888 | | 4,190 | | 286 | |||||
| Professional services | | 3,147 | | 2,958 | | 189 | | 2,375 | | 583 | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles | | 2,256 | | 1,740 | | 516 | | 1,368 | | 372 | |||||
| Merger related and restructuring expenses | | 3,701 | | 4,565 | | (864) | | 3,219 | | 1,346 | |||||
| Other | | 9,310 | | 7,647 | | 1,663 | | 6,205 | | 1,442 | |||||
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 91,391 | | $ | 76,719 | | $ | 14,672 | | $ | 63,151 | | $ | 13,568 |
2021 compared to 2020
Noninterest expense increased $14.7 million to $91.4 million in 2021, compared to $76.7 million in 2020. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, related to the PFG acquisition completed March 1, 2020, Fountain acquisition completed May 3, 2021, SCB acquisition completed September 1, 2021, and overall franchise growth from talent hired in Auburn, Dothan, Montgomery and Birmingham Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in occupancy and equipment, due to ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate growth in operations; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to continued asset growth; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in data processing and technology, primarily from continued infrastructure build and overall growth; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Other increased, primarily from an investment in a start-up fintech company and other expenses related to continued franchise growth. |
2020 compared to 2019
Noninterest expense increased $13.6 million to $76.7 million in 2020, compared to $63.2 million in 2019. The primary components of the changes in noninterest expense were as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in salary and employee benefits, due to overall franchise growth, including the acquisition of PFG; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase of occupancy and equipment, associated with ongoing infrastructure and facilities added to accommodate our growth in operations and the additional branches from the PFG acquisition; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in FDIC insurance, related to increase in assets due to overall assets growth stemming from our acquisition of PFG, deposit growth and production of PPP loans. The Company recognized a credit during 2019 from the FDIC, as result of the FDIC Insurance exceeding 1.38% of insured deposits as of June 30, 2019; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other real and loan related expense, primarily attributable to increased activity in loan related production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in professional services, due to increased volume of services performed; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in merger related and restructuring expenses, from the acquisition of PFG and the consolidation and termination of two leased properties; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increase in other noninterest expense, due to overall franchise growth. |
Income Taxes
2021 compared to 2020
In 2021, income tax expense totaled $9.5 million compared to $6.6 million in 2020. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.5% for 2021 compared to 21.2% in 2020.
2020 compared to 2019
In 2020, income tax expense totaled $6.6 million compared to $6.9 million in 2019. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.2% for 2020 compared to 20.6% in 2019.
Loan and Lease Portfolio Composition
Our loans and leases represent the largest portion of our earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan and lease portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing our financial condition. The Company had total net loans and leases outstanding, including organic and purchased loans and leases, of approximately $2.67 billion at December 31, 2021 and $2.36 billion at December 31, 2020. Loans secured by real estate, consisting of commercial or residential property, are the principal component of our loan and lease portfolio.
Organic Loans and Leases
Our organic net loans and leases, which excludes loans and leases purchased through acquisitions, increased by $242.9 million, or 12.3% from December 31, 2020, to $2.22 billion at December 31, 2021. Included in the growth was $50.9 million of PPP loans that were originated and funded during 2021.
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Purchased Loans and Leases
Net purchased non-credit impaired loans and leases of $408.6 million at December 31, 2021 increased by $57.9 million from December 31, 2020. Since December 31, 2020, our net purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans and leases increased by $9.4 million to $41.2 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in net purchased non-credit impaired loans and leases and PCI loans and leases is related to the acquisitions of Fountain and SCB and offset by maturities, paydowns and payoffs.
The following tables summarize the composition of our loan and lease portfolio as of December 31 for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | Purchased | | Purchased | | | | | % of | |||
| | | | | Non-Credit | | Credit | | Total | | Gross | |||||
| | Organic | Impaired | Impaired | Amount | Total | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | | $ | 1,157,702 | | $ | 205,579 | | $ | 20,875 | | $ | 1,384,156 | | 51.4 | % |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 346,322 | | 119,117 | | 11,833 | | 477,272 | 17.7 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | | 258,196 | | 17,308 | | 2,882 | | 278,386 | 10.3 | % | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 449,909 | | 35,599 | | 2,516 | | 488,024 | 18.1 | % | |||||
| Leases | | | 18,067 | | | 32,471 | | | 3,170 | | | 53,708 | | 2.0 | % |
| Consumer and other | | 10,536 | | 1,244 | | 71 | | 11,851 | 0.4 | % | |||||
| Total gross loans and leases receivable, net of deferred fees | | 2,240,732 | | 411,318 | | 41,347 | | 2,693,397 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Allowance for loan and leases losses | | (16,441) | | $ | (2,732) | | (179) | | (19,352) | | |||||
| Total loans and leases, net | | $ | 2,224,291 | | $ | 408,586 | | $ | 41,168 | | $ | 2,674,045 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | Purchased | | Purchased | | | | | % of | |||
| | | | | Non-Credit | | Credit | | Total | | Gross | |||||
| | Organic | Impaired | Impaired | Amount | Total | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | | $ | 807,913 | | $ | 188,940 | | $ | 16,123 | | $ | 1,012,976 | | 42.5 | % |
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 313,582 | | 120,090 | | 10,258 | | 443,930 | 18.6 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | | 259,622 | | 13,105 | | 5,348 | | 278,075 | 11.7 | % | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 607,212 | | 26,926 | | 308 | | 634,446 | 26.6 | % | |||||
| Leases | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | — | % |
| Consumer and other | | 9,250 | | 3,539 | | 27 | | 12,816 | 0.5 | % | |||||
| Total gross loans and leases receivable, net of deferred fees | | 1,997,579 | | 352,600 | | 32,064 | | 2,382,243 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Allowance for loan and lease losses | | (16,154) | | (1,883) | | (309) | | (18,346) | | ||||||
| Total loans and leases, net | | $ | 1,981,425 | | $ | 350,717 | | $ | 31,755 | | $ | 2,363,897 | |
Loan and Lease Portfolio Maturities
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loans and leases, including the interest rate sensitivity for loans and leases maturing after one year (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rate Structure for Loans and Leases | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maturing Over One Year | ||||
| | | One Year | | One through | | | Five through | | Over Fifteen | | | | | Fixed | | Floating | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | | Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | | Rate | | Rate | ||||||
| Commercial real estate-mortgage | $ | 125,736 | $ | 586,818 | | $ | 656,868 | $ | 14,734 | $ | 1,384,156 | $ | 836,124 | $ | 422,296 | ||||||
| Consumer real estate-mortgage | | 33,421 | | 171,730 | | | 181,159 | | 90,962 | | 477,272 | | 219,344 | | 224,507 | ||||||
| Construction and land development | | 77,540 | | 116,704 | | | 62,188 | | 21,954 | | 278,386 | | 96,468 | | 104,378 | ||||||
| Commercial and industrial | | 133,794 | | 239,676 | | | 107,040 | | 7,514 | | 488,024 | | 284,513 | | 69,717 | ||||||
| Leases | | | 2,157 | | | 51,551 | | | — | | | — | | | 53,708 | | | 51,551 | | | — |
| Consumer and other | | 5,270 | | 5,978 | | | 546 | | 57 | | 11,851 | | 6,327 | | 254 | ||||||
| Total loans and leases | | $ | 377,918 | | $ | 1,172,457 | | $ | 1,007,801 | | $ | 135,221 | | $ | 2,693,397 | | $ | 1,494,327 | | $ | 821,152 |
Past Due, Nonaccrual, and Restructured Loans and Leases
Loans and leases are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. Loans and leases are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past
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due for a period of 90 days or more, unless such loans and leases are well secured and in the process of collection. If a loan or lease, or a portion of a loan or lease is classified as doubtful or as partially charged off, the loan or lease is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans and leases that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual if repayment in full of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans and leases may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.
PCI loans and leases with common risk characteristics are grouped in pools at acquisition and performance is based on our ability to reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows rather than a borrower’s ability to repay contractual loan or lease amounts. Since we are able to reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows on the Company’s PCI loan and lease pools, none of these loans and leases have been identified as nonaccrual.
While a loan or lease is classified as nonaccrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan or lease balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding, except in the case of loans and leases with scheduled amortizations where the payment is generally applied to the oldest payment due. When the future collectability of the recorded loan and lease balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a nonaccrual loan and lease had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan and lease balance at the contractual interest rate. Receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan and lease losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
Assets acquired as a result of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value in other real estate owned. Any excess of cost over estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Valuations are periodically performed on these properties, and any subsequent write-downs are charged to earnings. Routine maintenance and other holding costs are included in noninterest expense.
Loans, excluding pooled PCI loans, are classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) by the Company when certain modifications are made to the loan terms and concessions are granted to the borrowers due to financial difficulty experienced by those borrowers. The Company grants concessions by (1) reduction of the stated interest rate for the remaining original life of the debt or (2) extension of the maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk. The Company does not generally grant concessions through forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. The Company’s policy with respect to accrual of interest on loans restructured in a TDR follows relevant supervisory guidance. That is, if a borrower has demonstrated performance under the previous loan terms and shows capacity to perform under the restructured loan terms, continued accrual of interest at the restructured interest rate is likely. If a borrower was materially delinquent on payments prior to the restructuring but shows the capacity to meet the restructured loan terms, the loan will likely continue as nonaccrual until there is demonstrated performance under new terms. Lastly, if the borrower does not perform under the restructured terms, the loan is placed on non-accrual status. The Company closely monitors these loans and ceases accruing interest on them if we believe that the borrowers may not continue performing based on the restructured note terms.
PCI loans that were classified as TDRs prior to acquisition are not classified as TDRs by the Company after the acquisition date. Subsequent modification of a PCI loan accounted for in a pool that would otherwise meet the definition of a TDR is not reported, or accounted for, as a TDR since pooled PCI loans are excluded from the scope of TDR accounting. A PCI loan not accounted for in a pool would be reported, and accounted for, as a TDR if modified in a manner that meets the definition of a TDR after the acquisition date.
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percentage of gross loans and leases, net of deferred fees, was 0.12% as of December 31, 2021, and 0.24% as of December 31, 2020, respectively. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets as of December 31, 2021, totaled 0.11% compared to 0.31% as of December 31, 2020. PCI loans and leases that are included in loan pools are reclassified at acquisition to accrual status and thus are not included as nonperforming assets. In 2021, there was $79 thousand in interest income recognized on nonaccrual and restructured loans compared to the $202 thousand in gross interest income that would have been recognized if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms.
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The following table is a summary of our loans and leases that were past due at least 30 days but less than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Accruing Loans | | | Accruing Loans | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | | 90 Days or More | | | Total Accruing | | |||||||||
| | | | | Past Due | | | Past Due | | | Past Due Loans | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Amount | | Category | |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,384,156 | | $ | 172 | | 0.01 | % | | $ | - | | - | % | | $ | 172 | | 0.01 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 477,272 | | | 894 | | 0.19 | | | | - | | - | | | | 894 | | 0.19 | |
| Construction and land development | | 278,386 | | | 91 | | 0.03 | | | | - | | - | | | | 91 | | 0.03 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 488,024 | | | 1,310 | | 0.27 | | | | 45 | | 0.01 | | | | 1,355 | | 0.28 | |
| Leases | | 53,708 | | | 361 | | 0.67 | | | | - | | - | | | | 361 | | 0.67 | |
| Consumer and other | | 11,851 | | | 103 | | 0.87 | | | | 19 | | 0.16 | | | | 122 | | 1.03 | |
| Total | $ | 2,693,397 | | $ | 2,931 | | 0.11 | | | $ | 64 | | - | | | $ | 2,995 | | 0.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,012,976 | | $ | 134 | | 0.01 | % | | $ | 67 | | 0.01 | % | | $ | 201 | | 0.02 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 443,930 | | | 1,967 | | 0.44 | | | | 82 | | 0.02 | | | | 2,049 | | 0.46 | |
| Construction and land development | | 278,075 | | | 245 | | 0.09 | | | | - | | - | | | | 245 | | 0.09 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 634,446 | | | 88 | | 0.01 | | | | - | | - | | | | 88 | | 0.01 | |
| Leases | | - | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | | | | - | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | 12,816 | | | 19 | | 0.15 | | | | - | | - | | | | 19 | | 0.15 | |
| Total | $ | 2,382,243 | | $ | 2,453 | | 0.10 | | | $ | 149 | | 0.01 | | | $ | 2,602 | | 0.11 | |
The following table is a summary of our nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2021 | | | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | | | | | Nonaccrual Loans | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | Percentage of | | | | | | | | | Percentage of | |
| | | Total | | | | | Loans in | | | | Total | | | | | Loans in | |
| | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | | | | Loans | | | Amount | | Category | |
| Commercial real estate | $ | 1,384,156 | | $ | 858 | | 0.06 | % | | $ | 1,012,976 | | $ | 3,740 | | 0.37 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | 477,272 | | | 2,139 | | 0.45 | | | | 443,930 | | | 1,823 | | 0.41 | |
| Construction and land development | | 278,386 | | | - | | - | | | | 278,075 | | | 12 | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | 488,024 | | | 116 | | 0.02 | | | | 634,446 | | | 36 | | 0.01 | |
| Leases | | 53,708 | | | - | | - | | | | - | | | - | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | 11,851 | | | 11 | | 0.09 | | | | 12,816 | | | 22 | | 0.17 | |
| Total | $ | 2,693,397 | | $ | 3,124 | | 0.12 | | | $ | 2,382,243 | | $ | 5,633 | | 0.24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loans and leases to nonaccrual loans | | | | | 619.46% | | | | | | | | | 325.69% | | | |
Potential Problem Loans and Leases
At December 31, 2021, problem loans and leases amounted to approximately $3.8 million or 0.14% of total loans and leases outstanding. Potential problem loans and leases, which are not included in nonperforming loans and leases, represent those loans and leases with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Bank’s primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans and leases.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The allowance for loan and lease losses is an estimate of probable incurred losses in the loan and lease portfolio. Loans and leases are charged-off against the allowance when management believes a loan or lease balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Management’s methodology for estimating the allowance balance consists of several key elements, which include specific allowances on individual impaired loans and leases and the formula driven allowances on pools of loans and leases with similar risk characteristics.
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Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans or leases, but the entire allowance is available for any loan or lease that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.
In October 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board approved a delay for the implementation of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The Board decided that CECL will be effective for larger Public Business Entities ("PBEs") that are SEC filers, excluding Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs") as currently defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For calendar-year-end companies, this will be January 1, 2020. The determination of whether an entity is an SRC will be based on an entity’s most recent assessment in accordance with SEC regulations and the Company meets the regulations as an SRC. For all other entities, the Board decided that CECL will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all entities, early adoption will continue to be permitted; that is, early adoption is allowed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (that is, effective January 1, 2019, for calendar-year-end companies). The Company does not plan to adopt this standard early. Adoption for the Company is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, because the Company is an SRC.
We assess the adequacy of the allowance at the end of each calendar quarter. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon our evaluation of the loan and lease portfolios, past loan and lease loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the views of the Bank’s regulators, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan and lease portfolio, economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan and lease quality indications and other pertinent factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans and leases that may be susceptible to significant change.
We maintain the allowance at a level that we deem appropriate to adequately cover the probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, our allowance for loan and lease losses was $19.4 million and $18.3 million, respectively, which we deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for loan and lease loss as a percentage of total loans and leases was 0.72% at December 31, 2021, and 0.77% at December 31, 2020.
Our purchased loans and leases were recorded at fair value upon acquisition. The fair value adjustments on the performing purchased loans and leases will be accreted into income over the life of the loans or leases. At December 31, 2021, the remaining accretable yield was approximately $14.6 million. These loans and leases are subject to the same allowance methodology as our legacy portfolio. The calculated allowance is compared to the remaining fair value discount to determine if additional provisioning should be recognized. Also, at the end of 2021, the outstanding principal balance on PCI loan and leases was $56.6 million and the carrying value was $41.3 million, for a net difference of $15.3 million in discounts. At December 31, 2021, there was an allowance on PCI loans and leases of $179 thousand. The judgments and estimates associated with our allowance determination are described in Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
The following table sets forth, based on management's best estimate, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to categories of loans and leases and loan and lease balances by category and the percentage of loans and leases in each category to total loans and leases and allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans and leases within each loan and lease category as of December 31 for each of the past two years (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Amount of | | Percentage of Loans in Each | | | Total | | Ratio of Allowance Allocated to | | ||||
| | | Allowance Allocated | | Category to Total Loans | | | Loans | | Loans in Each Category | | ||||
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 9,781 | | | 51.4 | % | | $ | 1,384,156 | | | 0.71 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 3,454 | | | 17.7 | | | | 477,272 | | | 0.72 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 1,882 | | | 10.3 | | | | 278,386 | | | 0.68 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,781 | | | 18.1 | | | | 488,024 | | | 0.77 | |
| Leases | | | 330 | | | 2.0 | | | | 53,708 | | | 0.61 | |
| Consumer and other | | | 124 | | | 0.4 | | | | 11,851 | | | 1.05 | |
| Total | | $ | 19,352 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,693,397 | | | 0.72 | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 7,579 | | | 42.5 | % | | $ | 1,012,976 | | | 0.75 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 3,471 | | | 18.6 | | | | 443,930 | | | 0.78 | |
| Construction and land development | | | 2,076 | | | 11.7 | | | | 278,075 | | | 0.75 | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 5,107 | | | 26.6 | | | | 634,446 | | | 0.80 | |
| Leases | | | - | | | - | | | | - | | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | | 113 | | | 0.5 | | | | 12,816 | | | 0.88 | |
| Total | | $ | 18,346 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,382,243 | | | 0.77 | |
The allocation by category is determined based on the assigned risk rating, if applicable, and environmental factors applicable to each category of loans and leases. For impaired loans and leases, those loans and leases are reviewed for a specific allowance allocation. Specific valuation allowances related to impaired loans and leases were approximately $561 thousand at December 31, 2021, compared to $237 thousand at December 31, 2020. Additional information on the allocation of the allowance between performing and impaired loans and leases is provided in Note 5 – Loans and Lease and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The following table presents information related to credit losses on loans and lease by loan segment for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Provision for | | Net (charge-offs) | | Average | | Ratio of Net (charge-offs) | | ||||
| | | Credit Losses | | Recoveries | | Loans | | Recoveries to Average Loans | | ||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 2,119 | | $ | 83 | | $ | 1,213,311 | | | 0.01 | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 11 | | | (28) | | | 450,958 | | | (0.01) | |
| Construction and land development | | | (194) | | | - | | | 293,190 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | (1,053) | | | (273) | | | 526,586 | | | (0.05) | |
| Leases | | | 455 | | | (125) | | | 39,408 | | | (0.32) | |
| Consumer and other | | | 295 | | | (284) | | | 11,553 | | | (2.46) | |
| Total | | $ | 1,633 | | $ | (627) | | $ | 2,535,006 | | | (0.02) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial real estate | | $ | 3,052 | | | 19 | | $ | 997,660 | | | - | % |
| Consumer real estate | | | 879 | | | 16 | | | 449,318 | | | - | |
| Construction and land development | | | 947 | | | 2 | | | 266,204 | | | - | |
| Commercial and industrial | | | 3,456 | | | (306) | | | 562,254 | | | (0.05) | |
| Leases | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| Consumer and other | | | 349 | | | (311) | | | 14,177 | | | (2.19) | |
| Total | | $ | 8,683 | | $ | (580) | | $ | 2,289,612 | | | (0.03) | |
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is the second largest component of our interest earning assets. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) to optimize the Bank’s income consistent with the investment portfolio’s liquidity and risk objectives; (ii) to balance market and credit risks of other assets and the Bank’s liability structure; (iii) to profitably deploy funds which are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions or other liquidity purposes; and (iv) provide collateral which the Bank is required to pledge against public funds.
Our available-for-sale investment portfolio is carried at fair market value and our held-to-maturity investment portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and consists primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal securities and other debt securities. Our investment portfolio increased from $215.6 million at December 31, 2020, to $559.4 million December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of strategically deploying a portion of the Bank’s cash position. Additionally, the Bank’s security portfolio increased due to the acquisition of SCB. New purchases were focused on mortgage-backed securities and Treasuries to provide cash flow and liquidity. Our investment to asset ratio has increased from 6.5% at December 31, 2020, to 12.1% at December 31, 2021. Over the past year the ratio of investments to our total assets has increased, primarily due growth in the Bank’s cash position driven by the PPP and the desire to deploy in high quality and higher yielding assets compared to cash.
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The Company purchased $436.2 million of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, which was offset by $149.5 million of sales, maturities and payments received during the same period. Net unrealized gains in our available-for-sale securities portfolio were $33 thousand as of December 31, 2021, as compared to a net unrealized gain of $4.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates related to our mortgage-backed securities (GSEs) and our municipal securities portfolio, relative to when the securities were purchased. Our decision to transfer $74.6 million of available-for-sale securities to the held-to-maturity category during the fourth quarter of 2021, reflecting our intent to hold those securities to maturity, reduced the impact of these interest rate changes.
The following table presents the contractual maturity of the Company’s securities by contractual maturity date and average yields based on amortized cost (for all obligations on a fully taxable basis) at December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands). The composition and maturity/repricing distribution of the securities portfolio is subject to change depending on rate sensitivity, capital and liquidity needs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 or Less | | 1 to 5 | | 5 to 10 | Over 10 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| Available-for-sale: | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | | | Amount | | Yield (1) | | |
| U.S. Treasury | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 62,463 | | 1.11 | % | | $ | 75,749 | | 1.31 | % | | $ | — | | - | % | | $ | 138,212 | | 1.22 | % | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | | — | | - | | | | — | | - | | | | 21,898 | | 1.55 | | | | — | | - | | | | 21,898 | | 1.55 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | 907 | | 1.80 | | | 3,356 | | 1.59 | | | 8,652 | | 2.31 | | | 54,395 | | 3.78 | | | 67,310 | | 3.45 | | | |||||
| Other debt securities | | — | | - | | | 987 | | 1.83 | | | 25,502 | | 4.59 | | | 500 | | 4.50 | | | 26,989 | | 4.49 | | | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | | 65 | | 2.02 | | | 2,188 | | 1.62 | | | 48,864 | | 1.31 | | | 176,894 | | 1.48 | | | 228,011 | | 1.45 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | 972 | | 1.81 | | | $ | 68,994 | | 1.16 | | | $ | 180,665 | | 1.85 | | | $ | 231,789 | | 2.03 | | | $ | 482,420 | | 1.84 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Government agencies | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | 3,402 | | 1.55 | | | $ | 27,621 | | 1.82 | | | $ | 31,023 | | 1.79 | | |
| State and political subdivisions | | — | | - | | | — | | - | | | 659 | | 1.72 | | | 45,287 | | 1.98 | | | 45,946 | | 1.98 | | | |||||
| Total securities | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | — | | - | | | $ | 4,061 | | 1.58 | | | $ | 72,908 | | 1.92 | | | $ | 76,969 | | 1.90 | | |
1Based on amortized cost, taxable equivalent basis
Deposits
Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company’s lending and investing activities. The Company provides a range of deposit services to businesses and individuals, including noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") and certificates of deposit ("CDs"). These accounts generally earn interest at rates the Company establishes based on market factors and the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs. The establishment or continuity of a core deposit relationship can be a factor in loan pricing decisions. While the Company’s primary focus is on establishing customer relationships to attract core deposits, at times, the Company uses brokered deposits and other wholesale deposits to supplement its funding sources. As of December 31, 2021, brokered deposits represented approximately 1.3% of total deposits.
The following table summarizes the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits for 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | Average | % of | Average | |||||||||||||
| | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | | Balance | | Total | | Rate | ||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 841,746 | 25.5 | % | — | | $ | 571,282 | 23.0 | % | — | | $ | 343,611 | 17.5 | % | — | | |||
| Interest-bearing demand | | 737,251 | 22.3 | % | 0.19 | % | 481,050 | 19.4 | % | 0.21 | % | 333,100 | 17.0 | % | 0.57 | % | ||||||
| Money market and savings | | 1,191,916 | 36.1 | % | 0.29 | % | 788,006 | 31.7 | % | 0.44 | % | 651,855 | 33.2 | % | 1.20 | % | ||||||
| Time deposits | | 533,994 | 16.2 | % | 0.74 | % | 641,647 | 25.9 | % | 1.42 | % | 635,451 | 32.4 | % | 1.92 | % | ||||||
| Total average deposits | | $ | 3,304,907 | 100.0 | % | 0.27 | % | $ | 2,481,985 | 100.0 | % | 0.55 | % | $ | 1,964,017 | 100.0 | % | 1.12 | % |
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During 2021 average deposits increased in all categories, except for time deposits. The Company believes its deposit product offerings are properly structured to attract and retain core low-cost deposit relationships. The average cost of deposits was 0.27% in 2021 compared to 0.55% in 2020.
Total deposits as of December 31, 2021, were $4.0 billion, which was an increase of $1.2 billion from December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily from organic deposit growth and the completed acquisition of SCB. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding time deposits under $250,000 of $414.7 million, time deposits over $250,000 of $160.0 million, and a time deposit fair value adjustment of $707 thousand. The following table summarizes the maturities of time deposits $250,000 or more as of December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, | ||
| | | 2021 | |
| Three months or less | | $ | 35,909 |
| Three to six months | | 23,996 | |
| Six to twelve months | | 60,635 | |
| More than twelve months | | 39,412 | |
| Total | | $ | 159,952 |
Borrowings and Subordinated Debt
Other than deposits, the Company uses short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide both funding and, to a lesser extent, regulatory capital using debt at the Company level which can be downstreamed as Tier 1 capital to the Bank. Total borrowings at December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $87.6 million and $81.2 million, respectively. Short-term borrowings, included in borrowings, totaled $5.1 million at December 31, 2021 and $5.8 million at December 31, 2020 and consisted entirely of securities sold under repurchase agreements. Long-term debt totaled $41.9 million at December 31, 2021 and $39.3 million at December 31, 2020 and consisted entirely of subordinated debt. For more information regarding our borrowings and subordinated debt, see "Part I - Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit and Note 10 – Subordinated Debt."
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs, all at a reasonable cost. We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders.
Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, federal funds sold, and fair value of unpledged investment securities. Other available sources of liquidity include wholesale deposits, and additional borrowings from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, and the Federal Reserve discount window.
Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily met through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, and increases in customer deposits. Other alternative sources of funds will supplement these primary sources to the extent necessary to meet additional liquidity requirements on either a short-term or long-term basis.
As part of our liquidity management strategy, we open federal funds lines with our correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2021, we had $64.0 million of unsecured federal funds lines with no funds advanced. In addition, we have access to the Federal Reserve’s discount window in the amount $116.9 million with no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2021. The Federal Reserve discount window line is collateralized by a pool of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans totaling $194.5 million as of December 31, 2021.
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At December 31, 2021, we had two FHLB advances outstanding totaling $75 million. For more information regarding the FHLB advances, see "Part I - Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 9 – Borrowings and Line of Credit." Based on the values of loans pledged as collateral, we had $164.5 million of additional borrowing availability with the FHLB as of December 31, 2021. We also maintain relationships in the capital markets with brokers to issue certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The Company has a Loan and Security Agreement and revolving note with ServisFirst Bank, pursuant to which ServisFirst Bank has made a $25.0 million revolving line of credit available to the Company. The maturity of the line of credit is March 24, 2023. At December 31, 2021, $7.5 million was outstanding under the line of credit, and $17.5 million of the line of credit remained available to the Company.
Capital Requirements
The Company and Bank is required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the federal banking agencies may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The Company uses leverage analysis to examine the potential of the institution to increase assets and liabilities using the current capital base. The key measurements included in this analysis are the Company and Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios. At December 31, 2021, and 2020, our capital ratios, including our Company and Bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs of our bank subsidiary. While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand the economic impact of COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted in future periods. For more information regarding our capital, leverage and total capital ratios, see “Part I - Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 15 - Regulatory Matters.”
The table below summarizes the capital requirements applicable to the Company and Bank in order to be considered “well-capitalized” from a regulatory perspective, as well as the Company and Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company and Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. As of December 31, 2021, the FDIC categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2021, that management believes would change this classification. While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand the economic impact of COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted in future periods.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Minimum to be | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | well | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | capitalized under | | |||
| | | | | | | | Minimum for | | prompt | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | capital | | corrective action | | ||||||
| | | | Actual | | adequacy purposes | | provisions1 | | ||||||||
| | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | | |||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 386,627 | 12.55 | % | $ | 246,483 | 8.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 325,345 | 10.56 | % | 184,862 | 6.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 325,345 | 10.56 | % | 138,647 | 4.50 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 325,345 | 7.45 | % | 174,578 | 4.00 | % | | N/A | N/A | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 378,055 | 12.29 | % | $ | 246,053 | 8.00 | % | $ | 307,566 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 358,703 | 11.66 | % | 184,539 | 6.00 | % | 246,053 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 358,703 | 11.66 | % | 138,405 | 4.50 | % | 199,918 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)2 | | 358,703 | 8.23 | % | 174,384 | 4.00 | % | 217,980 | 5.00 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartFinancial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 329,431 | 14.07 | % | $ | 187,303 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 271,739 | 11.61 | % | 140,477 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 271,739 | 11.61 | % | 105,358 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 271,739 | 8.70 | % | 125,002 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SmartBank: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | $ | 317,660 | 13.57 | % | $ | 187,294 | 8.00 | % | $ | 234,117 | 10.00 | % | |||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 299,314 | 12.78 | % | 140,470 | 6.00 | % | 187,294 | 8.00 | % | ||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | | 299,314 | 12.78 | % | 105,353 | 4.50 | % | 152,176 | 6.50 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | | 299,314 | 9.58 | % | 124,969 | 4.00 | % | 156,212 | 5.00 | % |
1The prompt corrective action provisions are applicable at the Bank level only.
2Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present, as of December 31, 2021, our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | As of December 31, 2021, payments due in | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | More | | | | |
| | Less than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | than 5 | | | |||||||||
| | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years | | Total | |||||
| Operating leases | | $ | 1,522 | | $ | 2,333 | | $ | 1,990 | | $ | 5,250 | | $ | 11,095 |
| Time deposits | | 409,656 | | 137,654 | | 26,632 | | — | | 573,942 | |||||
| Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 5,085 | | — | | — | | — | | 5,085 | |||||
| FHLB advances and other borrowings | | 7,500 | | — | | — | | 75,000 | | 82,500 | |||||
| Subordinated debt | | — | | — | | — | | 42,500 | | 42,500 | |||||
| Total | | $ | 423,763 | | $ | 139,987 | | $ | 28,622 | | $ | 122,750 | | $ | 715,122 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2021, we had $669.8 million of pre-approved but unused lines of credit and $17.9 million of standby letters of credit. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. Additional information about our off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 14-Commitments and Contingencies to our audited consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified accounting policies that are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has reviewed the following critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies along with a brief discussion of the material implications of the uncertainties of each policy are below. For a full description of these critical accounting policies, see Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Allowance for loan losses – In establishing the allowance we take into account reserves required for impaired loans, historical charge-offs for loan types, and a variety of qualitative factors including economic outlook, portfolio concentrations, and changes in portfolio credit quality. Many of the qualitative factors are measurable but there is also a level of subjective assumptions. If those assumptions change it could have a material impact on the level of the allowance required and as a result the earnings of the Company.
Fair values for acquired assets and assumed liabilities – Assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities is allocated to identifiable intangible assets with the remaining excess allocated to goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. As of December 31, 2021, there was approximately $91.6 million in goodwill. The Company performed a qualitative assessment on goodwill and the results indicated that there was no impairment as of December 31, 2021.
Cash flow estimates on purchased credit-impaired loans – Purchase credit impaired loans do not have traditional loan yields and interest income; instead they have accretable yield and accretion. Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized in interest income as accretion over the remaining life of the loan when there is reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows. The amount expected to be accreted divided by the accretable discount is the accretable yield. Cash flow estimates are re-evaluated quarterly. If the estimated cash flows increase then the accretable yield over the life of the loan increases. If, however, the estimated cash flows decrease then impairment is generally recognized immediately.
Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned – Other real estate owned properties are initially recorded at fair value less selling costs. If the fair value decreases the assets are written down and are periodically reviewed for further impairment, if needed.
Valuation of deferred tax assets- Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by deferred tax liabilities and a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2021, there were approximately $11.2 million in net deferred tax assets.
Evaluation of investment securities for other than temporary impairment- We evaluate investment securities for other than temporary impairment taking into account if we do not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and it is
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more likely than not that we will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other than temporarily impaired unless a credit loss has occurred in the security. Temporary impairments are recognized on the balance sheet in other comprehensive income / loss. If a security becomes permanently impaired the impairment expense would be recognized and reduce earnings. As of December 31, 2021, there was approximately $2.0 million in gross unrealized losses on investment securities that were classified as temporarily impaired.