SmartFinancial vs South Plains Financial

SmartFinancial (SMARTFINANCIAL INC) and South Plains Financial (SOUTH PLAINS FINANCIAL INC) are compared here to outline their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible way. The page explains how each company operates, the financial principles they prioritise, and the external factors shaping their activity. Educational content, not financial advice.

SmartFinancial (SMARTFINANCIAL INC) and South Plains Financial (SOUTH PLAINS FINANCIAL INC) are compared here to outline their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, ...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

SMBK

Metric

SPFI

$664.09M

Market Cap

$656.58M

-0.04%

Potential Profit

3.41%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Buy

Investment Analysis

SmartFinancial

SMBK

Pros

SmartFinancial showed strong financial growth in 2024 with revenue increasing by 11.36% and net income rising 26.40%.
The company operates in multiple southeastern U.S. states with a diversified product offering including commercial, residential loans, and wealth management.
SmartFinancial trades at a reasonable forward P/E ratio of 12.09 with analyst consensus rating it as a buy and a moderate upside price target.

Considerations

SmartFinancial's valuation metrics like P/E and PEG ratios are slightly higher than sector averages, indicating potentially less valuation margin.
The stock’s geographic concentration in Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida could expose it to regional economic or regulatory risks.
Recent revenue slightly missed the forecast in Q3 2025, suggesting some execution or market demand risk.

South Plains Financial

SPFI

Pros

South Plains Financial provides a broad range of commercial and consumer financial services indicating diversified revenue streams.
The company's stock trades on Nasdaq with a visible volume and price range suggesting active market interest.
As a bank holding company, South Plains Financial benefits from regulatory oversight and a stable banking business model.

Considerations

Current stock price shows a recent decline indicating short-term price pressure or market sentiment challenges.
Limited public financial data available recently makes it harder to assess recent profitability and growth momentum.
Exposure to banking sector cyclicality and potential regional economic fluctuations could affect performance.

About The Companies

SmartFinancial (SMBK)

SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK) is a US regional bank holding company that provides deposit, lending and other financial services to individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses. With an approximate market capitalisation of $599.56M, it sits in the small-cap regional banking space where growth often depends on lending activity, net interest margin and local economic conditions. Investors should note the business is sensitive to interest-rate moves — higher rates can widen margins but may also increase stress for borrowers — and to loan portfolio credit quality. Regulatory capital requirements and liquidity management are important for stability. The stock can offer income potential and cyclical upside, but it also carries risks common to regional banks, including concentration risk and sensitivity to local economic cycles. This summary is educational only and not personal investment advice; prospective investors should review the company’s filings and consider their own risk tolerance.

South Plains Financial (SPFI)

South Plains Financial, Inc. is the bank holding company for City Bank, a community-focused institution with deep roots across Texas and New Mexico. It serves a diverse clientele, from small and medium-sized businesses to individual customers, offering a comprehensive suite of financial services. These include commercial and retail banking, various types of lending (such as real estate and agricultural), and a range of deposit accounts. Additionally, the company provides investment, trust, and mortgage services, positioning itself as a full-service financial partner in its local markets. For investors, SPFI represents a regional banking player with a clear focus. As with any financial stock, its performance can be influenced by economic conditions and interest rates. The value of investments can fall as well as rise.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Banking Liquidity Strain: Risks and Resilient Options

U.S. banks have significantly increased their borrowing from the Fed's emergency lending facility, signaling potential stress in short-term funding markets. This theme focuses on resilient financial institutions and technology providers that can help navigate or benefit from these tightening liquidity conditions.

Published: October 16, 2025

Explore Basket

Bank M&A Activity Overview: Consolidation Wave

Fifth Third's $10.9 billion acquisition of Comerica creates a new top-ten U.S. bank, signaling a potential wave of consolidation in the regional banking sector. This theme identifies other mid-sized regional banks that could become prime candidates for similar mergers or acquisitions as the industry continues to scale up.

Published: October 10, 2025

Explore Basket

The Next Fed Chair: A Monetary Policy Pivot

President Trump's search for a new Federal Reserve Chair, including private-sector candidates, signals a potential shift in monetary policy. This could create opportunities in interest-rate-sensitive industries, such as banking and housing, if the new leadership prioritizes lower borrowing costs.

Published: August 14, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Banking Liquidity Strain: Risks and Resilient Options

U.S. banks have significantly increased their borrowing from the Fed's emergency lending facility, signaling potential stress in short-term funding markets. This theme focuses on resilient financial institutions and technology providers that can help navigate or benefit from these tightening liquidity conditions.

Published: October 16, 2025

Explore Basket

Bank M&A Activity Overview: Consolidation Wave

Fifth Third's $10.9 billion acquisition of Comerica creates a new top-ten U.S. bank, signaling a potential wave of consolidation in the regional banking sector. This theme identifies other mid-sized regional banks that could become prime candidates for similar mergers or acquisitions as the industry continues to scale up.

Published: October 10, 2025

Explore Basket

The Next Fed Chair: A Monetary Policy Pivot

President Trump's search for a new Federal Reserve Chair, including private-sector candidates, signals a potential shift in monetary policy. This could create opportunities in interest-rate-sensitive industries, such as banking and housing, if the new leadership prioritizes lower borrowing costs.

Published: August 14, 2025

Explore Basket

Banking On The Fed's Rate Hold

The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain current interest rates, despite political pressure, signals a commitment to managing inflation. This creates an investment opportunity in companies that benefit from a stable and higher interest rate environment, such as banks and other financial services firms.

Published: July 30, 2025

Explore Basket

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

The merger of Pinnacle Financial and Synovus Financial creates a dominant regional bank in the Southeastern U.S. This major deal could trigger a wave of consolidation, creating opportunities among other regional banks poised for similar strategic moves.

Published: July 26, 2025

Explore Basket

Discover More Comparisons

SmartFinancial vs Southern Missouri Bancorp

SmartFinancial vs First Community

SmartFinancial vs South Plains Financial

Comparison Snapshot