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SmartFinancial (SMBK)
NYSE:SMBK
US Market

SmartFinancial (SMBK) AI Stock Analysis

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SMBK

SmartFinancial

(NYSE:SMBK)

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Outperform 75 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$45.00
▲(7.45% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by solid financial performance (strong cash generation and low leverage) and a favorable earnings outlook (margin improvement, growth targets, and disciplined funding strategy). Technicals are supportive with an uptrend above major moving averages, while valuation is reasonable but the low dividend yield limits the valuation/income support.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
High free cash flow conversion (FCF/net income ~97.85%) and near-10% FCF growth provide durable internal funding for loan originations, branch and staff expansion, dividends or capital build. This reduces reliance on external financing and supports multi-quarter strategic flexibility.
Operating efficiency and PPNR expansion
A 44% YoY PPNR increase alongside an efficiency ratio improving to ~60% shows sustained revenue diversification and expense control. Structural operating leverage increases profitability resilience, allowing the bank to invest in growth while better absorbing credit stress over several quarters.
Conservative balance sheet and capital
Low leverage (D/E 0.26), solid risk-based capital (~12.7%) and a conservative loan-to-deposit ratio (~85%) create durable liquidity and loss-absorption capacity. This structural strength supports sustained organic lending and reduces refinancing and solvency risk across economic cycles.
Negative Factors
Low return on equity
A modest ROE (~2.6%) indicates the bank currently earns low returns on its capital base, limiting shareholder value creation. Persistently low ROE can hinder the firm's ability to justify retained earnings, attract capital, or fund strategic initiatives without improving margin or asset yields.
Margin sensitivity to funding environment
Management's margin targets depend materially on funding costs and deposit behavior. Structural sensitivity to deposit pricing and market rates means competitive deposit pressure or adverse rate moves could compress NIM and PPNR over the medium term, challenging sustainable profitability.
Credit pocket and allowance model change
An isolated $2.4M provision for a small equipment portfolio and a planned allowance-model transition that may raise ACLs point to localized asset-quality risk and reserve volatility. Higher provisions reduce earnings and slow tangible book value growth until credit normalization occurs.

SmartFinancial (SMBK) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SmartFinancial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSmartFinancial, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for SmartBank that provides various financial services to individuals and corporate customers. It operates through Commercial Real Estate, Consumer Real Estate, Construction and Land Development, Commercial and Industrial, and Consumer and Other segments. The company offers noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing checking, interest-bearing demand, savings, money market, time deposit, individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also provides commercial and residential real estate, consumer real estate, and construction and land development loans; commercial and financial loans; mortgage loans; and direct consumer installment loans, educational, and other revolving credit loans; and overdraft facilities. In addition, the company offers wealth management, insurance, mortgage origination, and Internet and mobile banking services. As of March 1, 2022, it had 41 full-service branches and 2 loan production offices in East and Middle Tennessee, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee.
How the Company Makes MoneySmartFinancial generates revenue primarily through its technology platform by charging insurance carriers for leads and referrals generated from its services. The company earns a commission for each policy sold as a result of these referrals, which constitutes a significant portion of its revenue model. Additionally, SmartFinancial may generate income through partnerships with insurance providers, offering promotional opportunities and marketing services. The company's strategic focus on enhancing customer engagement through data analytics and targeted marketing campaigns also plays a crucial role in increasing its revenue streams.

SmartFinancial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 20, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a broadly positive picture: strong organic growth across loans and deposits, record annual earnings, meaningful PPNR expansion (44% YoY), improved efficiency (60% vs. 64%) and low credit metrics (NPA 0.22%, net charge-offs 8 bps). Management is reducing expensive brokered funding, growing core deposits, and guiding toward higher margins through the year. Key negatives were limited and specific: a modest provision and allowance build related to a small fountain equipment loan segment (~$2.4M), a small decline in loan yields, seasonal/compensation-driven near-term expense pressure, and a pending allowance-model-driven slight ACL increase. Overall, the positive items substantially outweigh the isolated headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Annual Earnings and Strong Quarterly Operating Earnings
Full-year 2025 record earnings of over $51.0 million; Q4 operating earnings of $13.7 million, or $0.81 per diluted share.
Tangible Book Value Growth
Tangible book value of $26.85 per share, up over 13% annualized quarter-over-quarter and 17% for the year.
Robust Loan and Deposit Growth
Loan growth of 13% annualized quarter-over-quarter; full-year net loan balances up $457 million (12%); core deposit balances up $626 million (14% excluding brokered CDs).
Pre-Provision Net Revenue (PPNR) Expansion
PPNR rose from $14.5 million in Q4 2024 to a record $20.9 million in Q4 2025, a 44% year-over-year increase.
Net Interest Margin and Funding Cost Improvement
NIM increased 13 basis points to 3.38% in Q4; funding costs fell 17–19 basis points (interest-bearing deposit cost declined 19 bps to 2.79% and new deposit production cost was 2.60%, down 87 bps from prior quarter). Q1 2026 margin guidance 3.40%–3.45% with expectation to reach ~3.50%+ by year-end.
Deposit Mix and Brokered Funding Reduction
Non-broker deposits grew $214 million (nearly 18% annualized) and the company paid down $112 million of broker deposits (avg ~4.27%); additional $44 million paydown planned in Q1, leaving approximately $8 million in brokered deposits.
Operating Efficiency and Expense Discipline
Operating noninterest expenses held steady at $32.5 million; operating efficiency ratio improved to 60% from 64% last quarter; management targeting ~5% expense growth year-over-year and guiding consolidated noninterest expense in Q1 to $33.5M–$34M.
Strong Asset Quality and Credit Metrics
Nonperforming assets remain very low at 0.22% of total assets (22 bps); 2025 net charge-offs were only 8 bps to average loans; allowance for credit losses at quarter-end was 0.94% of total loans.
Capital and Liquidity Profile
Company remains well capitalized with consolidated risk-based capital of 12.67% and tangible common equity ratio improved 15 bps to 7.9%; quarter-end loan-to-deposit ratio of 85% and securities targeted to remain ~11%–12% of assets.
Revenue Diversity and Noninterest Income Strength
Q4 operating noninterest income of $8.2 million (above expectations), driven by elevated mortgage banking revenue and customer swap fees from Capital Markets.
Strategic Geographic Expansion and Talent Acquisition
Announced planned expansion into Columbus, Georgia with new local bankers; continuing recruitment across core markets (e.g., Nashville, Birmingham) to support organic growth strategy.
Negative Updates
Isolated Credit Pressure in Fountain Equipment Portfolio
Provision expense included approximately $2.4 million allocated to a small segment of fountain equipment loans and an overall provision of $4.1 million (including $408,000 for unfunded commitments); management added to allowance to cover this exposure.
Slight Decline in Loan and Interest-Earning Asset Yields
Interest-earning asset yields decreased by 3 basis points in the quarter and loan yields declined about 6 basis points (despite new loan production yield of 6.58%); could pressure NIM absent continued funding cost relief.
Near-Term Expense Pressures and Seasonal Impact
Q1 2026 noninterest expense guidance of $33.5M–$34M with salary & benefit costs expected at $20.5M–$21M due to merit increases, employee tax resets, variable compensation and new hires; management expects slightly flatter operating leverage in Q1 (shorter quarter impact).
Allowance Model Transition and ACL Increase Expectation
Company will transition to a new allowance model by end of Q1 with expectation that the allowance for credit losses ratio will increase slightly by a few basis points as a result.
Some Dependence on Rate/Market Environment for Margin Targets
Management's NIM and funding cost outlook is market dependent—further rate movement or different deposit behavior could moderate expected margin improvement; guidance assumes relatively stable rates.
Company Guidance
The company guided to a first-quarter 2026 net interest margin of 3.40%–3.45% (with funding costs expected to decline ~17–18 bps in Q1) and modest incremental NIM expansion to roughly 3.50%+ by year-end, while targeting high-single-digit loan growth (~8–9% annualized) and keeping the securities book near 11%–12% of assets; specific Q1 financial guidance included operating noninterest income of about $7.6 million, noninterest expense of $33.5–$34.0 million (salary & benefit expense $20.5–$21.0 million), and continued expense discipline with year-over-year expense growth targeted near 5% (annual band ~$34.5–$35.0 million previously cited). Management expects continued core deposit strength (noninterest-bearing deposits to stabilize near 19%), to pay down an additional $44 million of brokered deposits in Q1 (average rate ~4.05%) leaving roughly $8 million remaining, to maintain a strong liquidity position (quarter-end loan-to-deposit ~85%), to implement an updated allowance model by end of Q1 (allowance for credit losses was 0.94% of loans and expected to tick up a few basis points), and to pursue a $4.00 EPS run rate goal by year-end 2026.

SmartFinancial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Solid overall fundamentals driven by strong cash flow quality (FCF to net income ~97.85%) and improving operating efficiency (higher EBIT/EBITDA margins). Balance sheet leverage is conservative (debt-to-equity 0.26), though profitability is tempered by modest ROE (2.59%) and declining gross margin.
Income Statement
75
Positive
SmartFinancial shows a consistent revenue growth trend with a TTM growth rate of 2.03% and a strong net profit margin of 15.28%. The gross profit margin has decreased over time, indicating potential cost pressures. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins have improved significantly, suggesting better operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's balance sheet is stable with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26 in the TTM period, indicating prudent financial management. Return on equity is modest at 2.59%, reflecting moderate profitability. The equity ratio remains strong, showcasing a solid capital base.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
SmartFinancial demonstrates robust cash flow management with a free cash flow growth rate of 9.79% in the TTM period. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 97.85%, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings. This suggests strong liquidity and the ability to fund operations and growth.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue307.65M285.27M240.37M186.55M149.18M133.04M
Gross Profit184.25M166.35M149.38M161.20M135.71M107.61M
EBITDA67.82M56.87M49.72M67.55M53.32M38.65M
Net Income46.29M36.14M28.59M43.02M34.79M24.33M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.78B5.28B4.83B4.64B4.61B3.30B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments926.58M684.73M703.23M735.01M1.49B630.94M
Total Debt139.91M47.78M55.20M83.92M141.73M120.55M
Total Liabilities5.25B4.78B4.37B4.21B4.18B2.95B
Stockholders Equity538.37M491.35M459.89M432.45M429.43M357.17M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow58.51M46.30M33.45M44.31M43.80M23.63M
Operating Cash Flow61.88M52.70M39.72M56.79M46.18M29.07M
Investing Cash Flow-511.53M-420.22M-135.24M-840.82M-264.99M-259.34M
Financing Cash Flow813.86M402.82M181.37M5.37M782.17M528.02M

SmartFinancial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price41.88
Price Trends
50DMA
38.08
Positive
100DMA
36.84
Positive
200DMA
35.09
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.71
Negative
RSI
67.67
Neutral
STOCH
47.35
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SMBK, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 41.88 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 38.98, above the 50-day MA of 38.08, and above the 200-day MA of 35.09, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.71 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 67.67 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 47.35 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SMBK.

SmartFinancial Risk Analysis

SmartFinancial disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. SmartFinancial reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

SmartFinancial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$781.22M16.426.26%4.16%8.23%-0.07%
77
Outperform
$706.46M10.8211.54%1.59%9.34%25.21%
77
Outperform
$678.79M12.1112.54%1.57%5.87%37.99%
75
Outperform
$679.76M13.409.01%0.84%13.41%41.78%
74
Outperform
$1.16B63.002.35%1.54%-50.96%-89.23%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
63
Neutral
$955.78M16.4910.01%2.46%89.00%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SMBK
SmartFinancial
41.88
7.30
21.11%
HTBK
Heritage Commerce
13.08
3.92
42.83%
MOFG
Midwestone Financial Group
47.07
17.10
57.07%
SMBC
Southern Missouri Bancorp
64.30
7.45
13.10%
SUPV
Grupo Supervielle SA
11.60
-4.18
-26.48%
SPFI
South Plains Financial
42.80
8.09
23.30%

SmartFinancial Corporate Events

Stock BuybackDividends
SmartFinancial Announces Dividend and New Share Repurchase
Positive
Jan 30, 2026

On January 29, 2026, SmartFinancial’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share on its common stock, payable on March 2, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, underscoring an ongoing capital return to investors. The board also authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $10 million in common stock, effective March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, replacing the prior plan and allowing flexible repurchases in various transaction formats, a move that signals confidence in the company’s valuation and provides additional capital management tools that may support earnings per share and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMBK) stock is a Buy with a $44.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartFinancial stock, see the SMBK Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SmartFinancial Posts Strong Q4 2025 Earnings and Growth
Positive
Jan 20, 2026

On January 20, 2026, SmartFinancial reported strong results for the fourth quarter of 2025, posting net income and operating earnings of $13.7 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, up from $9.6 million, or $0.57 per share, a year earlier, and flat with the prior quarter on a net income basis. The quarter featured robust net organic loan and lease growth of $141 million, 8% annualized deposit growth, a 13% quarter-over-quarter increase in tangible book value per share, and a tax-equivalent net interest margin expansion to 3.38% driven by lower deposit and funding costs, alongside the company’s seventh consecutive quarter of positive operating leverage. For full-year 2025, management highlighted approximately 12% organic loan growth, 14% organic deposit growth excluding brokered deposits, and a 17% rise in tangible book value per share, underscoring improved profitability and operational efficiency, further supported by the completion of a multi-year core contract renegotiation and stable credit quality with nonperforming assets at 0.22% of total assets and an allowance for credit losses of 0.94% of loans and leases.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMBK) stock is a Buy with a $44.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartFinancial stock, see the SMBK Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
SmartFinancial Extends Exchange Offer for Subordinated Notes
Positive
Jan 5, 2026

On January 5, 2026, SmartFinancial, Inc. announced that it had extended its registered exchange offer for up to $100 million of its 7.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035, allowing holders of unregistered notes issued in a private placement on August 20, 2025 to exchange them for an equal principal amount of registered notes. The offer, originally set to expire on January 2, 2026, was extended to January 9, 2026, with all other terms unchanged; as of January 2, 2026, $82.5 million, or 82.5%, of the outstanding notes had already been tendered, indicating strong investor participation and furthering the company’s efforts to enhance liquidity and tradability of its subordinated debt within the capital markets framework.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMBK) stock is a Buy with a $42.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartFinancial stock, see the SMBK Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
SmartFinancial Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend Announcement
Positive
Nov 3, 2025

On October 31, 2025, SmartFinancial‘s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on December 2, 2025, to shareholders of record as of November 17, 2025. This announcement, made public on November 3, 2025, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing value to its shareholders and maintaining a stable financial position in the banking industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (SMBK) stock is a Buy with a $39.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SmartFinancial stock, see the SMBK Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 31, 2026