Pending Sale of New Jersey Solutions Centers

On May 9, 2024, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement (the “Agreement”) with American Heritage Federal Credit Union (“AHFCU”) pursuant to which AHFCU will purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities (the “Transaction” or "New Jersey Branch Sale") of the New Jersey operations of the Bank, including all three branch locations (including two branch leases).

Under the Agreement, AHFCU will acquire substantially all of the loans, three branch locations (along with associated personal property and fixtures) and will assume substantially all of the deposits. The total deposit premium to be paid by AHFCU equates to approximately 7.0% of all deposits assumed at closing. With respect to the acquired loans, AHFCU will pay an amount equal to the principal balances plus any accrued but unpaid interest and late charges on the loans measured as of the closing date. AHFCU will pay book value for fixed assets, real estate and any other assets located at the owned branch. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $91.8 million in loans and $93.6 million in deposits were classified as held for sale in connection with the Transaction. The FDIC and NCUA have approved the Transaction which remains subject to customary closing conditions. We anticipate the Transaction will be completed on March 31, 2025, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.

Initial Public Offering

In September 2022, the Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") whereby it issued and sold 5,101,205 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $7.50 per share. The Company received net proceeds of $34,650 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,487 and other offering expenses of $1,114. The Company's common stock now trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "LNKB."

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the allowance for credit losses and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the acquisition. GAAP requires goodwill to be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances and written down when impaired. There can be no assurance that future goodwill impairment tests will not result in a charge to income. Core deposit intangible assets (“CDI”) are initially measured at fair value and then amortized over the expected life on an accelerated basis using projected decay rates of the underlying core deposits. The expected life is generally ten years. The principal factors considered when valuing the CDI consist of the following: (1) the rate and maturity structure of the interest-bearing liabilities, (2) estimated retention rates for each deposit liability category, (3) the current interest rate environment, and (4) estimated noninterest income potential of the acquired relationship. The CDI is evaluated periodically for impairment.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually as of September 30 and between annual tests when events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. If there is a goodwill impairment charge, it will be the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The same one-step impairment test is applied to goodwill at all reporting units.

The determination of the fair value of the Company incorporates assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value of the Company in a change of control transaction, as prescribed by ASC Topic 820.

To arrive at a conclusion of fair value, we utilize both the Income and Market Approach and then apply weighting factors to each result. Weighting factors represent our best business judgment of the weightings a market participant would utilize in arriving at a fair value for the Company. In performing our analyses, we also made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business, economic and market conditions, and various other matters, many of which cannot be predicted and are beyond our control. With respect to financial projections, projections reflect the best currently available estimates and judgments as to the expected future financial performance of the Company.

Investment Securities

Investment securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Investment securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time, including securities

that may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity, and changes in the availability of and in the yield of alternative investments, are classified as available for sale. These investment securities are carried at fair value. Fair values of securities available for sale are determined by using Level 2 fair value measures calculated through the use of matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a common mathematical technique that does not rely exclusively on quoted market prices for specific securities but rather utilizes the security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted prices in determining fair value. The Company uses independent service providers to calculate our Level 2 fair value measures. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from operations and are reported net of tax as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are reported in the consolidated statements of operations and determined using the adjusted cost of the specific security sold on the trade date. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale debt security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for credit losses and any deferred fees or costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans. The Company is generally amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized as adjustments to interest income using the effective yield method.

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into commercial and consumer loans. Commercial loans consist of the following classes: agriculture and farmland, commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, construction and municipal. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate, and consumer and other. The loan segments are based on collateral type.

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes is discontinued at the time the loan is more than ninety days delinquent unless the loan is well collateralized and in process of collection. Nonaccrual loans are reviewed for charge-off if more than ninety-days past due, except for residential loans and consumer loans. Residential loans are reviewed at 180 days and consumer loans are reviewed at 120 days past due. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered unlikely.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans placed on nonaccrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans

are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. In addition, a loan should be in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period, usually requiring a payment history of six months.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics, such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the allowance for credit losses using the following methods:


Portfolio Segment	Measurement Method
Agriculture and farmland	Remaining life
Construction	Discounted cash flow
Commercial & industrial	Discounted cash flow
Commercial real estate
Multifamily	Discounted cash flow
Owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Non-owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Residential real estate
First liens	Discounted cash flow
Second liens and lines of credit	Discounted cash flow
Municipal	Remaining life
Consumer and other loans	Remaining life

Loans that do not share risk similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans are evaluated individually generally based on nonaccrual and delinquency status. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation described above. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a modification to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancelable by the Company.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Company on a chosen group of employees. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. This life insurance investment is carried at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Income from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies is included in non-interest income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, net of expenses.

Leases

The Company evaluates its contracts at inception to determine if an arrangement either is a lease or contains one. Right-of-use ("ROU") assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, so the Company's incremental borrowing rate is used based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is reevaluated upon lease modification. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made less any lease incentives. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option.

In accordance with ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), the Company keeps leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet. The Company recognizes these lease payments in the consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components and has elected the practical expedient to account for them as a single lease component.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control of the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Bank, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Allowances for Off-balance Sheet Financial Instruments

Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets when they are funded.

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life.

Stock Warrants

The Company issued stock purchase warrants in connection with its initial stock offering via private placement, giving organizers the right to purchase shares of common stock at the initial offering price of $10 per share. For organizers, the warrants serve as a reward for bearing the financial risk of the Company’s organization by advancing “seed money” for its organizational and pre-opening expenses. The organizers’ warrants are non-voting and are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant. All grants were issued during 2019. These warrants are transferable in accordance with the warrant agreement, but are not puttable to the Company. These shares may be issued from previously authorized but unissued shares of stock. The Board has made no additional authorization to issue any further warrants as of December 31, 2024 and has no current plans for future issuance of warrants. To date, organizers have not exercised any warrants since their issuance.

Based on the contractual terms, the warrants do not fall within the scope of ASC 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and they meet the requirements within ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to be classified within shareholders’ equity. The fair value of these shares upon issuance using the Black-Scholes model was zero, based on the fair value for the stock on the date of grant.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock
Common stock shares repurchased are recorded as treasury stock, at cost on the consolidated balance sheets, on a settlement date basis. Gains and losses on subsequent reissuance of shares are credited or charged to surplus using the average cost method.

Operating Segments

While the chief decision maker monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Discrete financial information is not available other than on a Company-wide basis.

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

The Company is holding assets and liabilities for sale in connection with the New Jersey Branch Sale, which are held at lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. Depreciation and amortization was stopped at the time the assets were classified as held for sale.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This standard update requires additional interim and annual disclosures about a company's income taxes, including more detailed information around the annual rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. For public business entities, this Update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40).This ASU requires disclosure in the notes to financial statements of specified information about certain costs and expenses. Specific disclosures are required for (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation, (d) intangible asset amortization, and (e) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil and gas producing activities. The amendments in this Update do not change or remove current expense disclosure requirements. However, the amendments affect where this information appears in the notes to financial statements because entities are required to include certain current disclosures in the same tabular format disclosure as the other disaggregation requirements in the amendments. The amendments in ASU 2024-03 apply only to public business entities and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which revises the effective date of ASU 2024-03 (on disclosures about disaggregation of income statement expenses) “to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027.” Entities within the ASU’s scope are permitted to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.