SCHEDULE 13G/A: Vanguard Group Amends SmartFinancial Inc. Stake, Reports 4.83% Beneficial Ownership

The Vanguard Group has filed an amended Schedule 13G, disclosing a 4.83% beneficial ownership stake in SmartFinancial Inc. as of December 31, 2024.

Summary

• The Vanguard Group filed an Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G regarding its beneficial ownership in SmartFinancial Inc.
• As of December 31, 2024, The Vanguard Group beneficially owned 818,072 shares of SmartFinancial Inc. Common Stock.
• This represents 4.83% of the total class of securities.
• The Vanguard Group holds sole voting power over 0 shares, shared voting power over 6,938 shares, sole dispositive power over 805,664 shares, and shared dispositive power over 12,408 shares.
• The filing indicates that Vanguard's clients, including investment companies and other managed accounts, have the right to receive dividends or proceeds from the sale of these securities.
• No single client's interest in the reported securities exceeds 5%.
• The filing certifies that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is a factual disclosure of beneficial ownership by a large institutional investor. It does not contain information that would significantly alter sentiment positively or negatively, as it's a routine compliance filing.

Positives

• The Vanguard Group, a major institutional investor, maintains a significant stake in SmartFinancial Inc., indicating continued confidence or passive investment.
• The holding is for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business, not for control, suggesting a stable, long-term investment perspective.

Negatives

• The beneficial ownership percentage of 4.83% is below the 5% threshold, which means The Vanguard Group is no longer required to file a Schedule 13G unless their ownership increases to or above 5% again, potentially reducing future transparency on their exact holding unless they choose to file voluntarily.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure by a large asset manager, The Vanguard Group, detailing its passive investment stake in SmartFinancial Inc. It reflects typical portfolio management activities rather than a strategic industry move or competitive positioning. Such filings are common for institutional investors managing broad portfolios.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Provides transparency regarding a significant institutional holder's stake in the company, confirming a large, passive investment position.

Key Dates

Keywords

SmartFinancial Inc., Vanguard Group, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Common Stock, Institutional Investor, SEC Filing, Investment Management