<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001038773-18-000012.txt : 20180327
<SEC-HEADER>0001038773-18-000012.hdr.sgml : 20180327
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180327163737
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001038773-18-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180327
ITEM INFORMATION:		Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180327
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180327

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMARTFINANCIAL INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038773
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				621173944
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-37661
		FILM NUMBER:		18715841

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 KINGSTON PIKE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			KNOXVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37919
		BUSINESS PHONE:		866-290-2554

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 KINGSTON PIKE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			KNOXVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37919

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980402

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EAST RIDGE BANCSHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970507
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form8-kitem401_41268162x1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K SMBK CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS 3.27.18
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="s8ED78BA812588447BE1468EAB621EF4F"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:5px;text-align:center;-sec-extract:summary;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">FORM&#160;8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">Date of earliest event reported: March 22, 2018</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">SMARTFINANCIAL, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="5"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:34%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:32%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:32%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Tennessee</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">333-203449</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">62-1173944</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(State or Other Jurisdiction</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:1px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">of Incorporation)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:1px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">File Number)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(IRS Employer</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:1px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">5401 Kingston Pike, Suite 600</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:1px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Knoxville, Tennessee</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">37919</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(Address of Principal 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style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">N/A</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&#160;8-K&#160;filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (</font><font 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CFR&#160;240.13e-4(c))</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule&#160;12b-2&#160;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934&#160;(&#167;240.12b-2&#160;of this chapter). Emerging growth company&#160;&#160;&#9744;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;background-color:#ffffff;">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&#160;13(a) of the Exchange Act.&#160;&#160;&#9744;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:138%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:0px;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;"><font style="text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:20px;">(a)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">The audit committee (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Audit Committee</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) of the board of directors of SmartFinancial, Inc. (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) completed a review of the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. As a result of this review, on March 26, 2018, the Audit Committee informed Mauldin &amp; Jenkins, LLC (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Mauldin &amp; Jenkins</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) of its decision to dismiss Mauldin &amp; Jenkins as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, effective as of March 22, 2018.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">During the Company&#8217;s fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the subsequent interim period through March 22, 2018, there were (i) no disagreements between the Company and Mauldin &amp; Jenkins on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to Mauldin &amp; Jenkins&#8217; satisfaction, would have caused Mauldin &amp; Jenkins to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its report on the Company&#8217;s consolidated financial statements for the relevant year, and (ii) no &#8220;reportable events&#8221; as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">The audit reports of Mauldin &amp; Jenkins on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">The Company has provided Mauldin &amp; Jenkins with a copy of this Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">SEC</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) and requested Mauldin &amp; Jenkins to furnish to the Company a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of Mauldin &amp; Jenkins letter dated March 27, 2018 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:24px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:0px;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;"><font style="text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:31px;">(b)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">On March 22, 2018, based upon the recommendation and approval of the Audit Committee, the Company selected Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">DHG</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) as the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. During the Company&#8217;s fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the subsequent interim period through March 22, 2018, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with DHG regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction for the Company, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company&#8217;s consolidated financial statements; and as such, no written report or oral advice was provided, and none was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issues; or (ii) any </font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:0px;text-align:left;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">matter that was either the subject of a &#8220;disagreement&#8221; or a &#8220;reportable event&#8221; (within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, respectively).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01                          Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">(d)            Exhibits</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;font-size:11pt;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="exhibit161-form8xk_4121807.htm"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">16.1  </font></a><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from Mauldin &amp; Jenkins, LLC.</font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:312px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">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.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="5"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:42%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:14%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:42%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">SMARTFINANCIAL, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;padding-left:16px;text-indent:-16px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Date: March  27, 2018</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">/s/ William Y. Carroll, Jr.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">William Y. Carroll, Jr.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">President&#160;&amp; Chief Executive Officer</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:138%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:138%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:7%;"></td><td style="width:93%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:2px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&#160;No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:2px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="exhibit161-form8xk_4121807.htm"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">16.1</font></a></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from Mauldin &amp; Jenkins, LLC.</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:138%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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<TYPE>EX-16.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>exhibit161-form8xk_4121807.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 16.1
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		<title>Exhibit</title>
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<div><a name="s38DEB46A3E6E2F62C07E68ECB157726E"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Exhibit 16.1</font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">March 27, 2018</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:12px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Ladies and Gentlemen:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:12px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">We were previously principal accountants for SmartFinancial, Inc. and under the date of March 16, 2018, we reported on the consolidated financial statements of SmartFinancial, Inc. as of and for the years ended December&#160;31, 2016 and 2017.&#160; On March 26, 2018, we were dismissed.&#160; We have read SmartFinancial&#8217;s statements included under Item&#160;4.01 of its Form&#160;8-K dated March 27, 2018, and we agree with such statements, except that we are not in a position to agree or disagree with (1) SmartFinancial&#8217;s statements in the first paragraph of Item 4.01 (a) that the Audit Committee of the board of directors had completed a review of the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, and (2) SmartFinancial Inc.&#8217;s statements in Item 4.01 (b).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">Very truly yours,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:12px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;background-color:#ffffff;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">/s/ Mauldin &amp; Jenkins, LLC </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Mauldin &amp; Jenkins, LLC</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:312px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">1</font></div></div>	</body>
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