Presentation of Financial Information (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business

Nature of Business:

SmartFinancial, Inc. (the “Company”) 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 eastern Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The Company’s primary deposit products are interest-bearing demand deposits and time deposits. Its primary lending products are commercial, residential, and consumer loans.

Interim Financial Information (Unaudited)

Interim Financial Information (Unaudited):

The financial information in this report for March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 has not been audited. The information included herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements presented herein conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general industry practices. In the opinion of SmartFinancial’s management, the accompanying interim financial statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition, the results of operations, and cash flows for the interim period. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates:

All adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals, that in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods covered by the report have been included. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with those appearing in the most recent Annual Report previously filed on Form 10-K.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of foreclosed assets and deferred taxes, other-than-temporary impairments of securities, and the fair value of financial instruments.

The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the economic environment and market conditions. In connection with the determination of the estimated losses on loans, management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral.

The Company’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additional losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.

Accounting Changes and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

During interim periods, the Company follows the accounting policies set forth in its annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements not yet effective that could impact the accounting, reporting, and/or disclosure of financial information by the Company issued since December 31, 2017.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability in ASU 2016-2: Leases (Topic 842). For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. Existing sale-leaseback guidance, including guidance for real estate, is replaced with a new model applicable to both lessees and lessors. The new guidance will be effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has several lease agreements, such as branch locations, which are currently considered operating leases, and therefore, not recognized on the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The Company expects the new guidance will require these lease agreements to be recognized on the consolidated statements of condition as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. Therefore, the Company’s preliminary evaluation indicates the provisions of ASU No. 2016-02 are expected to impact the Company’s consolidated statements of condition, along with our regulatory capital ratios. However, the Company continues to evaluate the extent of potential impact the new guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is in the process of identifying a complete inventory of arrangements containing a lease and accumulating the lease data necessary to apply the amended guidance.

In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient Transition to Topic 842 , an amendment to ASU 2016-2: Leases. The amendments in this Update permit an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under Topic 842 land easements that exist or expired before the entity’s adoption of Topic 842 and that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. An entity that elects this practical expedient should apply the practical expedient consistently to all of its existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. Once an entity adopts Topic 842, it should apply that Topic prospectively to all new (or modified) land easements to determine whether the arrangement should be accounted for as a lease. An entity that does not elect this practical expedient should evaluate all existing or expired land easements in connection with the adoption of the new lease requirements in Topic 842 to assess whether they meet the definition of a lease. An entity should continue to apply its current accounting policy for accounting for land easements that existed before the entity’s adoption of Topic 842. For example, if an entity currently accounts for certain land easements as leases under Topic 840, it should continue to account for those land easements as leases before its adoption of Topic 842. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Update 2016-02, for which the company is currently evaluating the impact.

Note 1. Presentation of Financial Information, Continued

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (continued):

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU changed the credit loss model on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, available for sale securities and certain purchased financial instruments. Credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost will be determined using a current expected credit loss model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. Purchased financial assets with more-than-insignificant credit deterioration since origination ("PCD assets" which are currently named "PCI Loans") measured at amortized cost will have an allowance for credit losses established at acquisition as part of the purchase price. Subsequent increases or decreases to the allowance for credit losses on PCD assets will be recognized in the income statement. Interest income should be recognized on PCD assets based on the effective interest rate, determined excluding the discount attributed to credit losses at acquisition. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recognized through an allowance for credit losses. The amount of the credit loss is limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost of the available-for-sale debt security. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years for the Company and other SEC filers. Early adoption is permitted and if early adopted, all provisions must be adopted in the same period. The amendments should be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period adopted. A prospective approach is required for securities with other than temporary impairment recognized prior to adoption.

The Company is continuing its implementation efforts through its Company-wide implementation team. The implementation team meets periodically to discuss the latest developments and ensure progress is being made. The team also keeps current on evolving interpretations and industry practices related to ASU 2016-13 via webcasts, publications, conferences, and peer bank meetings. The team continues to evaluate and validate data resources and different loss methodologies. The Company’s preliminary evaluation indicates the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 are expected to impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements, in particular the level of the reserve for credit losses. However, the Company continues to evaluate the extent of the potential impact.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The ASU simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill and eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The Company should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The impairment charge is limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The ASU shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The premium on individual callable debt securities shall be amortized to the earliest call date. This guidance does not apply to securities for which prepayments are estimated on a large number of similar loans where prepayments are probable and reasonably estimable. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. This update should be adopted on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings on the date of adoption. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Changes:

We adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” and its related amendments as of January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective approach. The implementation of the new standard did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue; as such, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary. Since the guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under other GAAP, the new guidance did not have a material impact on revenue most closely associated with financial instruments, including interest income and expense. The Company completed its overall assessment of revenue streams and review of related contracts potentially affected by the ASU, including, deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant income, and insurance and brokerage commissions. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that ASU 2014-09 did not materially change the method in which the Company currently recognizes revenue for these revenue streams.

Under ASU 2014-09, we adopted new policies related to revenue recognition. In general, for revenue not associated with financial instruments, guarantees and lease contracts, we apply the following steps when recognizing revenue from contracts with customers: (i) identify the contract, (ii) identify the performance obligations, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue when performance obligation is satisfied. Our contracts with customers are generally short term in nature, typically due within one year or less or cancellable by us or our customer upon a short notice period. Performance obligations for our customer contracts are generally satisfied at a single point in time, typically when the transaction is complete, or over time. For performance obligations satisfied over time, we primarily use the output method, directly measuring the value of the products/services transferred to the customer, to determine when performance obligations have been satisfied. We typically receive payment from customers and recognize revenue concurrent with the satisfaction of our performance obligations. In most cases, this occurs within a single financial reporting period. For payments received in advance of the satisfaction of performance obligations, revenue recognition is deferred until such time the performance obligations have been satisfied. In cases where we have not received payment despite satisfaction of our performance obligations, we accrue an estimate of the amount due in the period our performance obligations have been satisfied. For contracts with variable components, only amounts for which collection is probable are accrued. We generally act in a principal capacity, on our own behalf, in most of our contracts with customers. In such transactions, we recognize revenue and the related costs to provide our services on a gross basis in our financial statements. In some cases, we act in an agent capacity, deriving revenue through assisting other entities in transactions with our customers. In such transactions, we recognized revenue and the related costs to provide our services on a net basis in our financial statements. These transactions relate to our customers' use of various interchange and ATM/debit card networks.

Based on our underlying contracts, ASU 2014-09 requires us to report network costs associated with debit card and ATM transactions netted against the related fees from such transactions. Previously, such network costs were reported as a component of other noninterest expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, gross interchange and debit card transaction fees totaled$332.5 thousand while related network costs totaled $187.0 thousand. On a net basis, we reported $145.5 thousand as interchange and debit card transaction fees in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we reported interchange and debit card transaction fees totaling$192.4 thousand on a gross basis in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income while related network costs totaling $86.8 thousand were reported in other operating expenses included as a component of other noninterest expense.

ASU 2016-01 "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, ("ASU 2016-01") makes targeted amendments to the guidance for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments, other than equity method investments, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption to reclassify the cumulative change in fair value of equity securities previously recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2016-01 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and there was no adjustment to retained earnings. ASU 2016-01 also emphasizes the existing requirement to use exit prices to measure fair value for disclosure purposes and clarifies that entities should not make use of a practicability exception in determining the fair value of loans. Accordingly, we refined the calculation used to determine the disclosed fair value of our loans held for investment portfolio as part of adopting this standard. The refined calculation is disclosed Note 6 - Fair Value Disclosures.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications:

Certain captions and amounts in the 2017 consolidated financial statements were reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation and these reclassifications had no impact on net income or equity as previously reported.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share:

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance (excluding tax impact). Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding stock options, determined using the treasury stock method, and restricted stock awards, determined by the fair value of the Company's stock on date of grant.