Form 4: SMARTFINANCIAL Director Acquires 808 Shares

SMARTFINANCIAL Inc. Director Cathy G. Ackermann reported the acquisition of 808 shares of common stock on January 29, 2026, increasing her beneficial ownership.

Summary

• Cathy G. Ackermann, a Director of SMARTFINANCIAL Inc. (SMBK), acquired 808 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on January 29, 2026, with an acquisition price of $0 per share, indicating a grant or award.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Ackermann directly beneficially owns 16,831 shares of common stock.
• Additionally, she indirectly beneficially owns 2,100 shares through her spouse and 10,500 shares through a Marital Trust for Rebecca James Sidwell.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive event. While a routine grant, it increases director ownership, which is generally seen as a positive alignment of interests, but does not indicate new strategic developments.

Positives

• The acquisition of shares by a director, even if a grant, aligns management's interests with those of shareholders.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that equity grants to directors are a common component of compensation packages across various industries, designed to align the interests of board members with long-term shareholder value. This transaction is a routine disclosure of such an event.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity compensation for directors, often in the form of stock grants or restricted stock units, is a standard practice in corporate governance across publicly traded companies, including financial institutions like SMARTFINANCIAL Inc.
• The $0 acquisition price is typical for compensatory grants, distinguishing it from open-market purchases.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased alignment of a director's interests with shareholders due to higher beneficial ownership.

Key Dates

Keywords

SMARTFINANCIAL, SMBK, Cathy G. Ackermann, Director, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Stock Acquisition, Beneficial Ownership