On September 1, 2015, SmartFinancial, Inc. announced the completion of its merger with Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Cornerstone Community Bank. The company plans to merge SmartBank and Cornerstone Community Bank in the first quarter of 2016. As of September 30, 2015, SmartFinancial had $1 billion in total assets, and the two subsidiary banks had 12 full-service branch locations in East Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle markets.
"Since our founding in 2007, SmartBank has developed a unique culture that includes a dynamic banking platform, an emphasis on strategic branching and a disciplined approach to lending," said Billy Carroll, SmartFinancial, Inc. President and CEO. "Becoming publicly traded on the Nasdaq is certain to create an even better value for our shareholders, clients and associates alike."
"We are thrilled where this unique partnership is taking us. Being listed on Nasdaq’s Capital Market is a major milestone in our story that is currently unfolding, and is something that we are extremely proud of," said Miller Welborn, SmartFinancial, Inc. Chairman. "This opportunity will ultimately better position us to grow in our markets and will create a greater value for our shareholders."
