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Shareholders approve all proposals at SmartFinancial (NYSE: SMBK) 2026 meeting

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

SmartFinancial, Inc. reported results of its 2026 annual shareholder meeting held on May 21, 2026. Shareholder turnout was strong, with 13,783,833 of 17,098,473 common shares represented, equal to 80.61% of shares outstanding as of the record date.

Shareholders elected ten directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting, including William (“Billy”) Y. Carroll Jr. and William (“Bill”) Y. Carroll Sr. They also ratified Elliott Davis, PLLC as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. In addition, shareholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to SmartFinancial’s named executive officers as described in the April 7, 2026 proxy statement.

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Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Shares outstanding record date 17,098,473 shares Common stock outstanding as of the annual meeting record date
Shares represented at meeting 13,783,833 shares Shares present in person or by proxy, 80.61% of outstanding
Auditor ratification votes for 13,769,399 votes Votes for ratifying Elliott Davis, PLLC for fiscal year 2026
Auditor ratification votes against 4,421 votes Votes against ratifying Elliott Davis, PLLC as auditor
Say-on-pay votes for 11,056,323 votes Votes for non-binding approval of named executive officer compensation
Say-on-pay votes against 331,566 votes Votes against the non-binding advisory compensation proposal
Broker non-votes on say-on-pay 2,378,708 votes Broker non-votes recorded on the advisory compensation proposal
Highest director votes for 11,213,303 votes Votes for director nominee Kelli D. Shomaker
broker non-votes financial
"VOTES FOR | VOTES WITHHELD | BROKER NON-VOTES"
Broker non-votes occur when a brokerage firm is unable to vote on a shareholder’s behalf during a company election or decision because the shareholder has not given specific voting instructions, and the broker is not allowed or chooses not to vote on certain matters. They are important because they can affect the outcome of votes, especially when the results are close, by effectively reducing the total number of votes cast.
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"ratified the appointment of Elliott Davis, PLLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm"
An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.
non-binding advisory basis financial
"approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers"
A non-binding advisory basis is guidance or a recommendation offered for informational purposes that does not create legal obligations or guarantees; recipients can accept, modify, or ignore it without contractual consequences. Investors should treat it like a weather forecast for planning—useful for forming expectations and assessing risk, but not a firm promise—so they should verify assumptions, seek confirming information, and avoid relying on it as the sole basis for investment decisions.
named executive officers financial
"the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement"
Named executive officers are the senior company leaders whose names, roles and compensation are singled out in required regulatory filings; this typically includes the chief executive, chief financial officer and the next highest‑paid senior officers. Investors treat this list like a team roster — it shows who makes key decisions, how they are paid and whether incentives align with shareholder interests, so changes or pay patterns can signal governance quality, risk or strategic shifts.
record date financial
"shares of common stock of the Company outstanding as of the record date for the Annual Meeting"
The record date is the specific day when a company determines which shareholders are eligible to receive a dividend or participate in an upcoming vote. It’s like a cutoff date; if you own the stock on that day, you get the benefits or voting rights. This date matters because it decides who qualifies for certain company benefits.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 21, 2026

SMARTFINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee

  ​ ​ ​

001-37661

  ​ ​ ​

62-1173944

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

(Commission
File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

5401 Kingston Pike, Suite 600

37919

Knoxville, Tennessee

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

(865) 437-5700

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

SMBK

The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 5.07Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The 2026 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of SmartFinancial, Inc. (the “Company”) was held on May 21, 2026.  Of the 17,098,473 shares of common stock of the Company outstanding as of the record date for the Annual Meeting, 13,783,833 shares, or 80.61%, were present at the meeting in person or by proxy.  At the Annual Meeting, Cathy G. Ackermann, Victor L. Barrett, William (“Billy”) Y. Carroll, Jr., William (“Bill”) Y. Carroll, Sr., David A. Ogle, Kelli D. Shomaker, Steven B. Tucker, Wesley M. (“Miller”) Welborn, Keith E. Whaley, O.D., and Geoffrey A. Wolpert were elected as directors of the Company, to serve in such capacity until the 2027 annual meeting of Company shareholders. Additionally, at the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders ratified the appointment of Elliott Davis, PLLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

The shareholders also approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”).

The final voting results for each proposal put to a vote at the Annual Meeting, all of which were described in the Proxy Statement, are set forth below.

Proposal 1: Election of Directors.  The Company’s shareholders elected each director nominee by the vote indicated for each such nominee below:

NAME

VOTES FOR

VOTES WITHHELD

BROKER NON-VOTES

Cathy G. Ackermann

11,212,957

192,168

2,378,708

Victor L. Barrett

10,932,499

472,626

2,378,708

William ("Billy") Y. Carroll Jr.

11,133,366

271,759

2,378,708

William ("Bill") Y. Carroll Sr.

11,070,801

334,324

2,378,708

David A. Ogle

9,660,751

1,744,374

2,378,708

Kelli D. Shomaker

11,213,303

191,822

2,378,708

Steven B. Tucker

11,100,301

304,824

2,378,708

Wesley M. ("Miller") Welborn

11,048,281

356,844

2,378,708

Keith E. Whaley, O.D.

11,041,563

363,562

2,378,708

Geoffrey A. Wolpert

10,418,954

986,171

2,378,708

Proposal 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The Company’s shareholders ratified the appointment of Elliott Davis, PLLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, by the following vote:

VOTES FOR

VOTES AGAINST

ABSTENTIONS

BROKER NON-VOTES

13,769,399

4,421

10,013

-

Proposal 3: Advisory Vote on the Compensation Paid to SmartFinancial’s Named Executive Officers.  The Company’s shareholders approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement, by the following vote:

VOTES FOR

VOTES AGAINST

ABSTENTIONS

BROKER NON-VOTES

11,056,323

331,566

17,236

2,378,708

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

SMARTFINANCIAL, INC.

Date: May 22, 2026

 

By:

/s/ William Y. Carroll, Jr.

Name:

William Y. Carroll, Jr.

Title:

President & Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What did SmartFinancial (SMBK) shareholders vote on at the 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders voted on three key items: electing ten directors, ratifying Elliott Davis, PLLC as independent auditor for 2026, and approving on a non-binding basis the compensation of named executive officers as described in the April 7, 2026 proxy statement.

How many SmartFinancial (SMBK) shares were represented at the 2026 annual meeting?

A total of 13,783,833 shares were represented in person or by proxy, out of 17,098,473 shares outstanding as of the record date. This represents 80.61% of eligible common shares, indicating strong shareholder participation in the meeting’s voting process.

Were all SmartFinancial director nominees elected at the 2026 meeting?

Yes, all ten director nominees, including Cathy G. Ackermann, Victor L. Barrett, William (“Billy”) Y. Carroll Jr., and others, were elected to serve until the 2027 annual meeting. Each nominee received more votes for than withheld, with additional broker non-votes recorded.

Which audit firm did SmartFinancial (SMBK) shareholders ratify for fiscal 2026?

Shareholders ratified Elliott Davis, PLLC as SmartFinancial’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The ratification received 13,769,399 votes for, 4,421 votes against, and 10,013 abstentions, with no broker non-votes reported on this proposal.

How did SmartFinancial shareholders vote on executive compensation in 2026?

Shareholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of SmartFinancial’s named executive officers. The say-on-pay vote received 11,056,323 votes for, 331,566 votes against, 17,236 abstentions, and 2,378,708 broker non-votes, supporting the compensation described in the April 7, 2026 proxy statement.

What was the quorum level at SmartFinancial’s 2026 annual shareholder meeting?

The meeting achieved a quorum with 13,783,833 shares represented out of 17,098,473 outstanding as of the record date. This corresponds to 80.61% participation, allowing the company to conduct official business and vote on all proposals presented to shareholders.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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