SMBK · SmartFinancial, Inc.

SmartFinancial, Inc. announced the promotion of Cynthia A. Cain to Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective March 31, 2026. This newly established role is designed to enhance coordination across critical functions including Operations, Technology, Data, AI Governance, Digital & Innovation, and Payments. Ms. Cain brings over 30 years of experience in accounting, financial operations, and strategic planning. She joined SmartBank in 2019 and most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer, where she was instrumental in financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning. Prior to SmartBank, she held a senior leadership position at South State Bank. President and CEO Billy Carroll emphasized that Ms. Cain's deep institutional knowledge and leadership capabilities make her uniquely qualified to drive the bank's operational and technology strategy during a period of accelerated industry change.