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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-267303

 

PROSPECTUS

4,575,000 Shares

 

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COMMON STOCK

 

 

This prospectus relates to the initial public offering of the common stock of LINKBANCORP, Inc., the holding company for The Gratz Bank, a Pennsylvania state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

We are offering 4,575,000 shares of common stock. Prior to this offering, shares of our common stock were quoted on the Pink Open Market operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc., or the Pink Market, under the symbol “LNKB.” On September 13, 2022, the last reported sales price for shares of our common stock as reported on the Pink Market was $9.51 per share. Our common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LNKB.”

The public offering price of our common stock is $7.50 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company disclosure standards.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in our common stock.

 

     Per
Share
     Total  

Public offering price

   $ 7.50      $ 34,312,500  

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

   $ 0.4875      $ 2,230,313  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

   $ 7.0125      $ 32,082,188  

 

(1)

The offering of our common stock will be conducted on a firm commitment basis. See “Underwriting” for a description of all underwriting compensation payable and expense reimbursement in connection with this offering.

The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 686,250 shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The shares of our common stock in this offering are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of our common stock against payment on or about September 16, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.

 

 

 

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The date of this prospectus is September 13, 2022


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     33  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     55  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     57  

CAPITALIZATION

     58  

DILUTION

     59  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     60  

MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

     62  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     63  

BUSINESS

     90  

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

     108  

MANAGEMENT

     117  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     123  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     131  

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     133  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     136  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     139  

CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

     141  

UNDERWRITING

     145  

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS

     150  

LEGAL MATTERS

     151  

EXPERTS

     151  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     151  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

About This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered to you. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We and the underwriters are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us,” “LINKBANCORP” or “the Company” refer to LINKBANCORP, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, and its subsidiary The Gratz Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “the Bank” or “The Gratz Bank.”

Presentation of Information

Effective on September 18, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of GNB Financial Services, Inc. (“GNBF”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and between the Company, LINKBANK, GNBF and The Gratz Bank. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, GNBF merged with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving entity, and LINKBANK merged with and into The Gratz Bank, with The Gratz Bank being the surviving entity. We refer to this transaction in this prospectus as the “Merger.” The Merger constituted a

 

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business combination and was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. As such, GNBF was the accounting acquirer and the Company was the accounting acquiree. LINKBANCORP issued 4.85 million common shares to GNBF shareholders which represented approximately 49.4% of the post-merger outstanding common shares of LINKBANCORP. We refer to the Company prior to the completion of the Merger in this prospectus as “Legacy LINKBANCORP.”

The following diagram illustrates the legal and accounting reorganization that occurred as a result of the Merger:

 

 

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The Company’s financial statements and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and interim period through June 30, 2022, included in this prospectus, include the results of operations of the combined companies on and after the effective date of the Merger. Results for periods before the effective date of the Merger for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflect only the consolidated results of GNBF, and do not include the results of operations of Legacy LINKBANCORP before the completion of the Merger.

The Legacy LINKBANCORP financial statements and related financial results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and the interim period through June 30, 2021, included in this prospectus, reflect the results of operations of Legacy LINKBANCORP before the effective date of the Merger and do not include the results of GNBF before the completion of the Merger.

See below under “Summary — Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of the Company” and “— Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Legacy LINKBANCORP” for additional information regarding the summary historical consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods shown with respect to the Company and Legacy LINKBANCORP, respectively.

This prospectus describes the specific details regarding this offering and the terms and conditions of our common stock being offered hereby and the risks of investing in our common stock. For additional information, please see the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

You should not interpret the contents of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus to be legal, business, investment or tax advice. You should consult with your own advisors for that type of advice and consult with them about the legal, tax, business, financial and other issues that you should consider before investing in our common stock.

 

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Unless otherwise stated, all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters have not exercised their option to purchase additional shares of common stock.

Until October 8, 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade shares of our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Market and Industry Data

Within this prospectus, we reference certain market, industry and demographic data and other statistical information. We have obtained this data and information from various independent, third-party industry sources and publications. Nothing in the data or information used or derived from third party sources should be construed as advice. Some data and other information are also based on our good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys and independent sources. We believe that these external sources and estimates are reliable, but have not independently verified them. Statements as to our market position are based on market data currently available to us. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the economic, employment, industry and other market data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. In addition, forward-looking information obtained from these sources is subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties regarding the other forward-looking statements in this prospectus. Trademarks used in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners, although for presentational convenience we may not use the ® or the ™ symbols to identify such trademarks.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company:

 

   

we may present as few as two years of audited financial statements and two years of related management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

we are exempt from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

we are permitted to provide reduced disclosure regarding our executive compensation arrangements pursuant to the rules applicable to smaller reporting companies, which means we do not have to include a compensation discussion and analysis and certain other disclosures regarding our executive compensation; and

 

   

we are not required to hold non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

In addition to the relief described above, the JOBS Act permits us an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards affecting public companies. We have irrevocably determined to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included in this prospectus, as well as financial statements that we file in the future, may not be comparable to the financial statements of public companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards on a non-delayed basis.

 

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In this prospectus we have elected to take advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements relating to executive compensation, and in the future we may take advantage of any or all of these exemptions for so long as we remain an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the end of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more, (ii) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt and (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto before making an investment decision. Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Our Company

We are a Pennsylvania corporation headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and formed in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. In October 2018, we completed the acquisition of Stonebridge Bank, which was subsequently named LINKBANK. In September 2021, LINKBANCORP and GNB Financial Services, Inc., or GNBF, completed a strategic combination, resulting in The Gratz Bank becoming our wholly owned subsidiary. We are a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the BHC Act. The Gratz Bank is a Pennsylvania state-chartered commercial bank offering personal and business lending and deposit services to individuals, families, nonprofit and business clients throughout Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, primarily through our digital presence on the internet and 10 client solutions centers in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties. In markets other than those serviced pre-Merger by The Gratz Bank, the Bank operates as “LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank.” The Bank intends to legally change its name to LINKBANK in November 2022 to create one single brand, subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Our community banking strategy seeks to provide our customers with personal service, financial sophistication and the full array of product offerings of a larger regional bank, focusing on developing local lending relationships funded by the generation of local retail and business deposits. We believe our culture of highly engaged employees enhances productivity and results in lower employee turnover, ultimately, leading to greater operational efficiencies and customer loyalty. We differentiate ourselves based on high touch, relationship building service, supported by the convenience of technology. Our high touch level of service led us to change how we think about bank branches. We call our branches “solutions centers” because our personnel are all trained across our full product offerings so they can quickly and efficiently serve our customers’ needs for loan or deposit products. We are committed to increasing our market share in the communities we serve by continuing to leverage available technology, existing branch locations, and new branch locations, and by considering other strategic opportunities in both the markets we serve and the surrounding areas.

As of June 30, 2022, our consolidated assets, net loans, deposits and shareholders’ equity totaled $1.1 billion, $786.5 million, $902.4 million and $104.8 million, respectively.

As a bank holding company, we are subject to the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or FRB. We are required to file with the FRB reports and other information regarding our business operations and the business operations of our subsidiaries. As a state-chartered commercial bank, The Gratz Bank is subject to primary supervision, periodic examination and regulation by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, or PADOBS, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, as its primary federal bank regulator.

 

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Creating a Community Bank to Positively Impact its Community

 

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LINKBANCORP was organized in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. Members of the founding management team and board of directors had worked together with multiple financial institutions of various sizes, primarily focused in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, over a period of more than 20 years. Informed by these experiences, the founders sought to establish an entrepreneurial and growth-oriented community bank that would leverage talented relationship bankers, coupled with emerging innovations in technology, to meet the needs of the local community.

 

Rather than organize a de novo bank to facilitate these objectives, in October 2018 LINKBANCORP acquired and recapitalized Stonebridge Bank, a community bank primarily serving Chester County, Pennsylvania, in a transaction conducted under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, funded with proceeds from a private placement of common stock to friends and family. At the time of the acquisition of Stonebridge Bank, it had $55.2 million in total assets and one branch office. Stonebridge Bank had been party to a consent order with the FDIC and the PADOBS at the time of the acquisition, which was successfully resolved by the Company’s management team, with the consent order terminated in February 2019.

 

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Following the acquisition and private placement, the Company adopted a strategic plan focused on providing differentiated consumer and commercial banking services to clients in the Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania markets. As a result, the Bank has grown its balance sheet significantly both through organic loan and deposit growth, as well as the opportunistic strategic merger with GNBF as described in this prospectus. The Company’s management team has leveraged their strong local community ties, extensive merger and acquisition experience and experience with the bank regulatory agencies to create an entrepreneurial and rapidly-growing bank supported by an advanced risk management infrastructure and strong credit quality. A summary of our growth in assets, deposits and loans is set forth below:

 

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Our Key Accomplishments

The summary below highlights our recent business accomplishments and key milestones, commencing with the 2018 acquisition of Stonebridge Bank. The history below that occurred prior to the Merger is the history of Legacy LINKBANCORP and not GNBF:

 

   

October 2018: Closed acquisition of Stonebridge Bank.

 

   

December 2018: At December 31, 2018, total assets were $83.7 million and the Company had 35 full-time employees.

 

   

January 2019: Completed $45.5 million common stock private placement to support the Company’s business plan and organic growth.

 

   

May – June 2019: Opened Client Solutions Centers in Camp Hill and Lancaster.

 

   

April – July 2020: Originated over 533 Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans for $86.1 million (through March 31, 2021 LINKBANK originated a total of 909 PPP loans for $139.9 million).

 

   

June 2020: Achieved the Company’s first profitable quarter, with $439,000 in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and an annualized return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 0.54%.

 

   

September – October 2020: Raised $5.0 million in a private placement common stock issuance and issued $20.0 million in subordinated debt to support organic growth efforts.

 

   

December 2020: Crossed over $400 million in total assets and the Company had 54 full-time employees.

 

   

December 2020: Announced our strategic merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc.

 

   

September 2021: Completion of merger with GNBF, as a result of which LINKBANCORP becomes the parent company of The Gratz Bank, also operating as “LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank” within the legacy LINKBANK Capital, Lancaster and Delaware Valley Regions.

 

   

Executive management roles continue to be filled by the Legacy LINKBANCORP officers, including Andrew Samuel - CEO; Carl Lundblad - President; Brent Smith, President of The Gratz Bank; Kristofer Paul - CFO; and Tiffanie Horton - Chief Credit Officer.

 

   

Achieves critical mass in the Central Pennsylvania market.

 

   

Doubles the Company’s asset size and provides opportunity to capture economies of scale on both the revenue and cost sides.

 

   

Diversifies the loan portfolio and provides low cost, stable and highly granular retail deposits.

 

   

GNBF’s relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio prior to the Merger provides additional liquidity to fuel LINKBANCORP’s strong loan generation capabilities.

 

   

Significantly enhances the loan-to-one borrower limit with a doubling of regulatory capital.

 

   

December 2021: Total assets at December 31, 2021 were $932.8 million and the Company achieved $788,000 in quarterly net income, which included Merger-related expenses of $616,000.

 

   

January 2022: The Company announced the hiring of a Regional President for the York/Lancaster Region and expansion of its Capital (Harrisburg) Region team.

 

   

February 2022: The Company announced the hiring of a Regional President for the Delaware Valley markets in southeastern Pennsylvania and the expansion of its York Region team.

 

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April 2022: The Company completed a $20.0 million subordinated debt capital raise.

 

   

April 2022: Opened loan production office (LPO) in downtown York to support that team’s success and additional growth opportunities.

 

   

May 2022: The Company announced the expansion of its Delaware Valley Region team by the addition of two senior commercial relationship managers.

 

   

June 2022: Total assets at June 30, 2022 were $1.1 billion and the Company recognized quarterly net income of $1.6 million.

Our Mission & Business Strategy

Our mission is to positively impact lives by building the premier community bank franchise serving consumers and businesses in the Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania markets and the surrounding areas. We have a seasoned management team and have been able to attract experienced and long-tenured bankers with proven track records.

Although our executive management team has had success throughout the community bank industry since the early 2000’s, in building our business plan and go-to market strategy for LINKBANCORP, we knew that the traditional community bank model would need to be adjusted and enhanced to compete and win in the current environment. This shift in strategy had several tenants:

 

   

Hire talented, entrepreneurial bankers with demonstrated track records.

 

   

Focus on profitable customer relationships and taking wallet share.

 

   

Operate with a branch-lite footprint.

 

   

Leverage technology, digital banking and information systems.

 

   

Achieve economies of scale and increase operating leverage as we grow.

The key ingredient to implementing this strategy is attracting and retaining top talent, which is driven by our culture and values that reflect authenticity and enthusiasm in all interactions. Blending a strong heritage of banking expertise with strong values, we are committed to providing compelling products, services, and financial consulting.

Branch-Lite Organic Growth Engine

Prior to completing our strategic merger with GNBF in 2021, we grew to over $450 million in total assets with only four branch offices. Our offices look and operate differently than branches of most of our competitors in the marketplace. Recognizing that client interactions continue to trend more toward digital transactions, our offices are designed to function as “client solutions centers,” many with no traditional teller line and staffed with just 3-4 full-time employees who are cross-trained to address a variety of client needs.

Our go-to market approach is focused on hiring experienced and talented bankers that operate as a team in a particular region, under the leadership of a regional president who has significant decision-making authority for both consumer and commercial banking, thereby providing clients with a level of access and responsiveness not available from most of our competitors. Client solutions centers are strategically placed in each regional market and serve as a “home base” for each team.

We have experienced great success utilizing this relationship-focus combined with regional leadership and decision-making in communities with strong local identities and a significant population of family-owned operating/manufacturing businesses.

 

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LOGO

The de novo build out of our regional business development teams in the Capital, Lancaster/York and Delaware Valley Regions was supplemented with the strategic merger with GNBF, which forms the Gratz Region. Given the more rural demographics and long-tenured Gratz Bank customers, our strategy has been to continue operating those branches as they previously were with a focus on core deposit gathering in that region to fuel organic loan growth in our other regions.

Our community banking strategy is focused on high touch relationship management and exceptional service supported by technology, primarily directed toward three different areas:

 

   

Personal Banking: Strategically placed client solutions centers leveraging our strong local community identity and complemented with digital banking solutions.

 

   

Business Banking: Focused on family-owned businesses with under $100 million in annual revenue.

 

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Nonprofit Banking: Bank of choice for nonprofits, with strong individual and organizational engagement in the communities we serve.

We seek to maintain an average of more than $100 million in deposits per office to support our “branch-lite” footprint and achieve desired efficiencies. Below is a summary of our deposit growth for our client solutions centers located in the Capital and Lancaster/York Regions. Both of these solutions centers have been open since 2019 and we believe best demonstrate our community bank strategy as described above. We also recently hired a business development team to focus on our relocated solutions center in the Delaware Valley Region, where we will continue to execute this strategy.

 

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Through the GNBF Merger we inherited six branch offices, all of which remain open. The strategy for these legacy GNBF offices are different than our legacy LINKBANK client solutions centers, although we believe they provide a strong core funding base for our organic loan growth. As of June 30, 2022, our overall average branch size for offices open more than one year, was $94.6 million. While industry wide data for 2022 is not publicly available, we believe our average branch size of $85 million as of June 30, 2021 compares favorably to the $74 million average branch size in our markets of operation at June 30, 2021.

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Nimble and Innovative Tech Forward Operating Platform

From its inception, the Company had a vision for entrepreneurial growth and innovation in technology. We knew that the traditional community bank operating model and philosophy would need to change and focus on technology that would support our branch-lite model as well as a more efficient operating and risk management

 

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infrastructure. To accomplish this, we have sought to develop a platform that will achieve objectives of native mobility, modular architecture, open API and cloud-based infrastructure. Early investments in virtualization and cloud capabilities have successfully enabled partnering for technology services that facilitate a more efficient and integrated workflow while enhancing responsiveness and the overall client experience.

We also recognize that innovation is not possible without skilled technologists who understand the business of banking. In early 2022, we made a significant investment to recruit highly experienced professionals from community and regional financial services companies specifically skilled in the areas of data, digital banking, automation and process maturity. These business solutions architects, representing decades of combined banking operations and technology experience, are embedded and positioned in direct partnership with our business lines to accelerate service delivery and strategic advancements, shifting away from the typical community bank technology model of incremental improvements constrained by operational expense, toward a more nimble model where opportunities are identified and then promptly implemented for near-term impact.

Growth Strategy Focused in Sizeable Markets with Above Average Growth

Our organic growth strategy is focused in the Capital, Lancaster and Delaware Valley Regions. Population growth in each of these counties well exceeds the Pennsylvania average:

 

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These three regions collectively have $122 billion in deposit balances (per June 30, 2021 FDIC data), which is more than 20% of the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with $553 billion in deposit balances. This addressable market of $122 billion in deposit balances is 1.7x times larger than the Philadelphia County market which is the closest major metropolitan area. These markets are amongst the largest in Pennsylvania, have strong demographics and the competitive landscape is such that they are heavily banked by the large money center and regional banks.

 

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Capitalizing on Market Disruption

Our market area has undergone significant consolidation, particularly in the last twelve months. We intend to take advantage of the recent disruption caused by mergers and acquisitions in our operating markets, which we believe has created an environment of underbanked customers and has created opportunities to hire seasoned

bankers. We have successfully employed this strategy in the past, hiring experienced bankers from merged institutions, which has helped us enhance critical aspects of our operations. We believe the most recent wave of consolidations, together with what we anticipate will be further consolidation, will create additional opportunities for us to attract additional experienced bankers. Below are some of the merger transactions announced and/or closed in and around our geographic footprint since 2017:

 

   

First Commonwealth Corporation / Centric Financial Corporation

 

   

Fulton Financial Corporation / Prudential Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. / Riverview Financial Corporation

 

   

WSFS Financial Corporation / Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation

 

   

Citizens & Northern Corporation / Covenant Financial Inc.

 

   

S&T Bancorp, Inc. / DNB Financial Corporation

 

   

Citizens & Northern Corporation / Monument Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

WSFS Financial Corporation / Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. / Donegal Financial Services Corp.

Consistent with this strategy, we recently added teams of experienced bankers to supplement our efforts in both the York/Lancaster Region and the Delaware Valley Region. In each case, these “lift outs” involved well-respected lending teams that are familiar with these markets from regional financial institutions impacted by consolidation and other disruptions. In a short period of time, the investment in these teams has resulted in significant opportunities for new client relationships and increasing market share.

 

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Opportunistic Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy

Our mergers and acquisitions strategy has been and will continue to be highly opportunistic. We will pursue strategic merger and acquisition opportunities, including whole bank and branch acquisitions, and non-bank acquisitions, that build long-term shareholder value. Our executive team has extensive experience in merger and acquisition integration with 10+ completed transactions since the early 2000s. The focus of our mergers and acquisitions strategy is to identify community banks open to a potential combination that are within a two-hour drive time radius or approximately 50-100 miles from our headquarters in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. While the geographic radius of approximately 50-100 miles encapsulates many market areas, our focus is on acquiring banks operating outside of the major metropolitan markets. Throughout our history we have focused on the more suburban market areas that benefit from densely populated metropolitan markets. The most recent example of this is our business development opportunity in the Delaware Valley Region, which benefits from the growth and disruption in the Philadelphia metropolitan market. We also believe that the Maryland and northern Virginia marketplace offers potential growth opportunities. These markets have strong demographics and look and feel much like our existing markets. Our executive team actively develops relationships with community banks within these areas in order to explore such opportunities when the time is appropriate.

 

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LOGO    LOGO

We have disciplined acquisition criteria that any potential merger and acquisition transaction must meet:

 

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There may be highly strategic and compelling situations that arise which may not meet all five of the criteria listed above; these situations are likely very unique and rare and will be fully vetted by the LINKBANCORP Board and Management team before pursuing such a transaction. We would only pursue a nonconforming transaction if we believed the risk-adjusted return and shareholder value creation potential was well in-excess of other strategic initiatives.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors and position us to execute our business strategy successfully:

Seasoned Executive Team with Value Creation Track Record

Our seasoned executive management team, which is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Samuel, has significant experience and success with building, operating, and creating shareholder value at numerous banking institutions.

This management team has long tenure together in our markets, providing a familiarity with each other and with the marketplace that is unique among our competitors. Executives are highly engaged in business development and community engagement initiatives and are able to attract and recruit top talent due to a reputation for developing high performing and successful teams.

 

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LOGO

 

(1) 

On September 8, 2022, Adam Pierce, LINKBANCORP’s Chief Operations and Technology Officer, advised the Company that he intends to resign his position with the Company effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Pierce’s resignation is for personal reasons and is not the result of any disagreement or dispute with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies or practices. The Company will appoint Jeffrey Renninger as Interim Chief Operations and Technology Officer effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Renninger previously served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from 2018 to 2020, and has over 30 years of bank operations experience, primarily working with this management team.

Differentiated Brand and Culture

We believe our corporate culture is a differentiating factor in our demonstrated growth and ability to gain market share. Central to our culture and brand are our core “L-I-N-K” values which support our mission of positively impacting lives.

 

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In our brief history, we have intentionally nurtured this culture to support development of a well-defined internal and external brand reflecting a purpose-driven, entrepreneurial and relational organization that is highly responsive to client needs and our communities and attracts best-in-class bank professionals.

This culture starts with our mission to positively impact lives through community banking. In pursuing this mission, we invest in the development of strong future leaders for the banking industry and our communities, contribute to economically and socially flourishing communities, and seek to demonstrate the continued viability and integral role of community banking for our economic and social development. As one example of these efforts, we launched and continue to support The LINK Foundation, established as a separate legal entity and governed by a distinct board of trustees, but fully aligned with our mission. The LINK Foundation provides financial support to organizations within our markets focused on three funding priorities—developing future leaders, promoting financial literacy and fortifying personal growth.

Our culture and brand are significantly dependent on highly engaged employees, so we are intentionally committed to investing in the development of our employees. Under the leadership of our Chief Culture Officer, we offer our employees hands-on leadership training, performance management and professional development training, monthly sessions focused on our core values, fun celebration and team-building events and time dedicated to participating in community volunteer opportunities. In recognition of these initiatives, we have been recognized regionally and nationally within the banking industry as a best place to work. We believe our culture of highly engaged employees committed to a common purpose enhances productivity and results in lower employee turnover, leading to greater operational efficiencies, a consistent brand experience and customer loyalty.

Significant Experience in Acquiring and Integrating Banks

Our executive team has a long-term track record and significant experience with acquiring and integrating community bank acquisitions as well as executing on sales and strategic mergers. Our executive team, including experience at prior institutions, has successfully closed on and integrated six whole bank transactions (acquisitions or strategic mergers) and numerous branch acquisitions. In September 2021, we closed the GNBF strategic merger and have successfully grown the GNBF deposit franchise. As anticipated, the GNBF strategic merger has provided an attractive core funding base that has helped fund our commercial loan growth in the Capital, Lancaster/York, and Delaware Valley markets. We successfully completed the systems integration with GNBF in October 2021 which was only one month after closing. While we are confident in our organic growth prospects, we intend to pursue prudent and commercially attractive acquisitions that will position us to further capitalize on market opportunities and help us continue to improve our platform’s operating leverage.

 

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LOGO

Disciplined Underwriting and Robust Enterprise Risk Management

Our holistic approach to risk management has been an asset that supports our growth strategies. Our enterprise risk management program follows a “three lines of defense” structure and is designed to permeate across all functional areas. From our inception, we placed a very high priority on establishing an effective risk management culture, including appointing a Board-level Enterprise Risk Management Committee which reviews information each quarter regarding exposure to strategic risk, reputation risk, credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, legal and regulatory compliance risk, operations and technology (including cybersecurity) risk, as well as the Company’s strategies to monitor, control and mitigate these risks. The Company’s Chief Risk Officer and officer-level Management Enterprise Risk Committee meets quarterly to review and discuss existing and emerging risks, including key risk indicators (KRIs) that are tracked and monitored regularly, and serve as a primary avenue for escalation and reporting to the Board’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee.

 

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We understand that credit is one of the most critical risks for any financial institution. As a result of our disciplined underwriting standards and procedures, we have achieved significant balance sheet growth while maintaining superior credit quality. Our nonperforming assets to total assets ratio was 0.14% as of June 30, 2022 and our allowance represented 260.4% of our nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2022.

Our credit culture is guided by the following principles:

 

   

Focus on relationship lending, in many cases with clients that our relationship managers and executive management team have known for decades;

 

   

Development of underwriting and credit risk management processes tailored to each of our products and regions;

 

   

Centralized credit oversight and segregated reporting of credit and lending teams;

 

   

Utilization of regional credit officers with specific lending authority, allowing for localized analysis and decision making and faster turnaround time;

 

   

Commitment to maintaining a diverse portfolio;

 

   

Sophisticated monitoring and analysis of our portfolio and establishment of sub-portfolio limits that we review regularly and adjust in response to changes in our lending strategy and market conditions; and

 

   

Proactive problem asset management.

Although we maintain a cautious credit outlook due to continued uncertainty in the current economic environment, we believe we are well positioned for the months ahead given a strong loan reserve, application of prudent underwriting standards and a diverse loan portfolio with no significant concentrations. We also expect a rising interest rate environment to be a positive given that our portfolio is more heavily weighted toward variable and adjustable-rate loans.

Recent Developments

On August 18, 2022, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2022. This dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2022, payable on September 15, 2022. Investors in this offering are not entitled to receive this dividend.

Risks Relating to Our Company and an Investment in Our Common Stock

An investment in our common stock involves substantial risks and uncertainties. Investors should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus, including the detailed discussion of these and other risks under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33, prior to investing in our common stock. Some of the significant risks include the following:

 

   

Changes in economic conditions, in particular an economic slowdown in Pennsylvania, could materially and negatively affect our business.

 

   

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and events that negatively impact the real estate market could hurt our business.

 

   

Inflation can have an adverse impact on our business and on our customers.

 

   

The economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak could continue to affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

   

Changes in prevailing interest rates may reduce our profitability, and we may not be able to adequately anticipate and respond to changes in market interest rates.

 

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Our commercial real estate loans may increase our exposure to credit risk.

 

   

Repayment of commercial business loans is often dependent on the cash flows of the borrower, which may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value.

 

   

Our decisions regarding allowance for loan losses and credit risk may materially and adversely affect our business. If the allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.

 

   

If our non-performing assets increase, our earnings will be adversely affected.

 

   

A portion of our loan portfolio consists of loan participations. Loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans we originate because we are not the lead lender, and we have limited control over credit monitoring.

 

   

The implementation of the current expected credit loss accounting standard could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

   

We may be unable to effectively manage our growth.

 

   

We may encounter significant difficulties in integrating with GNBF and may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected.

 

   

Future acquisitions could disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

   

We rely heavily on technology, and our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

 

   

We rely on third party vendors, which could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks.

 

   

Liquidity needs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

 

   

We rely heavily on our senior management team and the unexpected loss of any of those personnel could adversely affect our operations.

 

   

Competition with other financial institutions may have an adverse effect on our ability to retain and grow our client base, which could have a negative effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

   

We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision that could interfere with our ability to conduct our business and may negatively impact our financial results, restrict our activities, have an adverse impact on our operations, and impose financial requirements or limitations on the conduct of our business.

 

   

The Bank is subject to federal and state fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.

 

   

The Bank faces a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.

 

   

Regulations relating to privacy, information security and data protection could increase our costs, affect or limit how they collect and use personal information and adversely affect their business opportunities.

 

   

The trading history of our common stock is characterized by low trading volume. An active, liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop, and you may not be able to sell your common stock at or above the public offering price, or at all.

 

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You will incur immediate dilution as a result of this offering.

 

   

The price of our common stock could be volatile following this offering.

 

   

Our management will have broad discretion as to the use of proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

 

   

Our directors and executive officers beneficially own a significant portion of our common stock and have substantial influence over us.

 

   

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and certain banking laws applicable to us, could have an anti-takeover effect that decreases our chances of being acquired, even if our acquisition is in our shareholders’ best interests.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 3045 Market Street, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011 and our telephone number at that address is (855) 569-2265. Our website address is ir.linkbancorp.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

4,575,000 shares

 

Underwriters’ purchase option

686,250 shares from us

 

Common stock outstanding after completion of this offering

14,413,435 shares (or 15,099,685 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $31.1 million (or approximately $35.9 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), based on the public offering price of $7.50 per share. We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering to support the growth of The Gratz Bank, including providing capital to The Gratz Bank to support growth of its operations, including, without limitation, expansion of its lending activities, financing strategic acquisitions that may from time to time arise and for other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Dividend policy

Through the second quarter of 2022, we paid total dividends of $0.15 per share, or an annualized yield of 4.00%, based on the market price of $7.50 per share. The Merger Agreement with GNBF provides that, for three years following the effective time of the Merger, the Company will pay a quarterly cash dividend in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year, provided sufficient funds are legally available and that the Company and the Bank remain “well-capitalized” in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines. Subject to the approval of our board of directors and regulatory restrictions, the Company anticipates that it will continue to pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year. Our board of directors will make any determination whether or not to pay dividends based upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital and regulatory restrictions and other relevant factors. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

Listing and trading symbol

Our common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LNKB.”

 

Directed Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 6.5% of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, principal shareholders, employees, business associates, and related persons who have expressed an interest in purchasing our common stock in this offering. We will offer these shares to the extent permitted under applicable regulations in the United States through a directed share program. See the section entitled “Underwriting—Directed Share Program.”

 

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Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 33 of this prospectus, for a discussion of factors that you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus relating to the number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering is based on 9,838,435 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and:

 

   

assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to 686,250 additional shares of common stock from us;

 

   

excludes 403,900 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $10.86 per share (195,700 options of which are exercisable) as of June 30, 2022;

 

   

excludes 1,537,484 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $10.00 per share (all which are exercisable) as of June 30, 2022; and

 

   

does not attribute to any director, officer, principal shareholder or related person any purchases of shares of our common stock in this offering, including through the directed share program described in the section entitled “Underwriting — Directed Share Program.”

 

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of the Company

The following table sets forth summary historical consolidated financial data for the Company as of the dates and for the periods shown. The summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the summary income statement data for the years then ended have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and the summary income statement data for the year then ended is derived from our audited financial statements not included in this prospectus. The summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2022 and for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 is derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and includes all normal and recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2022 include the results of operations on and after the effective date of the Merger. Results for periods before the effective date of the Merger for the Company at or for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 reflect only the consolidated results of GNBF and do not include the results of operations of Legacy LINKBANCORP before the completion of the Merger. The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     At June 30,
2022
     At December 31,  
     2021      2020      2019  
     (In thousands)  

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

           

Total assets

   $ 1,059,885      $ 932,763      $ 429,544      $ 383,366  

Cash and cash equivalents

     62,996        22,590        33,162        27,708  

Certificates of deposit with other banks

     11,088        12,828        17,051        18,794  

Securities available for sale

     85,756        103,783        125,447        84,916  

Securities held to maturity

     28,816        —        —        —  

Loans receivable, net

     786,516        711,665        233,795        235,083  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     37,020        37,152        2,509        2,575  

Deposits

     902,373        771,665        375,124        330,907  

Other borrowings

     1,639        19,814        1,120        2,759  

Subordinated debt

     40,585        20,696        —        —  

Total shareholders’ equity

     104,771        109,623        50,674        45,706  

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2022      2021      2021     2020      2019  
     (In thousands)  

Selected Operating Data:

             

Interest and dividend income

   $ 17,478      $ 6,657      $ 18,496     $ 14,291      $ 14,811  

Interest expense

     2,148        977        2,390       2,717        3,007  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income

     15,330        5,680        16,106       11,574        11,804  

Provision for loan losses

     675        91        648       184        416  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest income

     1,408        1,214        2,139       1,754        1,163  

Noninterest expense

     12,342        4,130        17,497       8,306        7,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income tax (benefit) expense

     3,721        2,673        100       4,838        4,763  

Income tax (benefit) expense

     591        375        (189     645        757  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 3,130      $ 2,298      $ 289     $ 4,193      $ 4,006  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     At or For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
    At or For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2022     2021     2021     2020     2019  

Performance Ratios (1):

          

Return on average assets

     0.63     1.05     0.05     1.02     1.12

Adjusted return on average assets (2)

     0.63     1.05     0.68     1.00     1.12

Return on average equity

     5.91     9.14     0.56     8.79     9.13

Adjusted return on average equity (2)

     5.89     9.14     7.52     8.61     9.11

Return on average tangible equity (2)

     9.06     9.61     0.74     9.28     9.66

Adjusted return on average tangible equity (2)

     9.03     9.61     9.92     9.09     9.63

Interest rate spread (3)

     3.31     2.64     3.01     2.84     3.09

Net interest margin (4)

     3.39     2.73     3.07     2.97     3.48

Efficiency ratio (5)

     73.7     59.9     96     62     60

Efficiency ratio, as adjusted (6)

     73.8     59.9     71     63     60

Noninterest income to average total assets

     0.28     0.56     0.37     0.43     0.33

Noninterest income to total revenue (7)

     8.35     17.61     12.82     13.16     8.98

Noninterest expense to average total assets

     2.49     1.89     3.07     2.02     2.12

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

     123.14     134.98     126.69     130.78     130.21

Average equity to average total assets

     10.68     11.54     8.99     11.61     12.27

Share and Per Share Data:

          

Basic earnings

   $ 0.32     $ 0.40     $ 0.04     $ 0.74     $ 0.70  

Diluted earnings

   $ 0.31     $ 0.40     $ 0.04     $ 0.74     $ 0.70  

Book value

   $ 10.65     $ 9.15     $ 11.16     $ 8.90     $ 8.03  

Tangible book value (8)

   $ 6.89     $ 8.71     $ 7.38     $ 8.46     $ 7.58  

Dividend payout ratio (9)

     47.12     21.05     505.9     34.2     30.1

Number of shares outstanding

     9,838,435       5,691,685       9,826,435       5,691,686       5,691,686  

Weighted average number of shares Outstanding—diluted

     9,983,742       5,691,686       7,250,463       5,691,686       5,686,323  

Capital Ratios:

          

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (10)

     6.62     11.54     8.09     11.28     11.33

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (11)

     11.94     13.35     11.02     13.22     12.99

Tier 1 capital to average assets (11)

     10.10     8.33     8.85     7.90     8.50

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (11)

     11.94     13.35     11.02     13.22     12.99

Total capital to risk weighted assets (11)

     12.42     14.45     11.50     14.33     14.14

Asset Quality Ratios:

          

Non-performing assets to total assets

     0.14     0.12     0.15     0.14     0.23

Non-performing loans to total loans

     0.19     0.21     0.20     0.26     0.38

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans

     260.37     538.76     225.79     452.76     301.90

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

     0.49     1.16     0.44     1.18     1.14

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average outstanding loans during the period

     (0.02 )%      0.00     0.08     0.04     (0.01 )% 

Other:

          

Number of offices

     10       6       10       6       6  

Number of full-time equivalent employees

     135       47       106       48       54  

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

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(2)

This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of the Company—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation.”

(3)

Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods.

(4)

The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the periods.

(5)

The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.

(6)

The efficiency ratio, as adjusted represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding gains or losses from securities sales and Merger expenses. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation.”

(7)

We calculate revenue as net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding gains or losses from securities sales, before provision for loan losses for the relevant periods. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation.”

(8)

We calculate tangible book value per common share as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangibles, divided by the outstanding number of shares of our common stock at the end of the relevant period. Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure, and, as we calculate tangible book value per common share, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per common share. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation.”

(9)

The dividend payout ratio represents dividends paid per share divided by net income per share.

(10)

We calculate tangible common equity as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangibles, and we calculate tangible assets as total assets less goodwill and other intangibles. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation.”

(11)

Ratios are only for The Gratz Bank.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for the Company

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, we also evaluate our performance based on certain additional metrics. Tangible book value per share and the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets are not financial measures recognized under GAAP and, therefore, are considered non-GAAP financial measures.

Our management, banking regulators, many financial analysts and other investors use these non-GAAP financial measures to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, which typically stem from the use of the purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share or related measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for total shareholders’ equity, total assets, book value per share or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

 

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The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, shareholders’ equity (on a GAAP basis) to tangible equity and total assets (on a GAAP basis) to tangible assets and calculates our tangible book value per share.

 

     At June 30,     At December 31,  
     2022     2021     2021     2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands, except for share data)  

Tangible Common Equity:

          

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 104,771     $ 52,076     $ 109,623     $ 50,674     $ 45,706  

Adjustments:

          

Goodwill

     35,842       2,333       35,842       2,333       2,333  

Other intangible assets

     1,178       149       1,310       176       242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible common equity

   $ 67,751     $ 49,594     $ 72,471     $ 48,165     $ 43,131  

Common shares outstanding

     9,838,435       5,691,685       9,826,435       5,691,686       5,691,686  

Book value per common share

   $ 10.65     $ 9.15     $ 11.16     $ 8.90     $ 8.03  

Tangible book value per common share

   $ 6.89     $ 8.71     $ 7.38     $ 8.46     $ 7.58  

Tangible Assets:

          

Total assets

   $ 1,059,885     $ 432,170     $ 932,763     $ 429,544     $ 383,366  

Adjustments:

          

Goodwill

     35,842       2,333       35,842       2,333       2,333  

Other intangible assets

     1,178       149       1,310       176       242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible assets

   $ 1,022,865     $ 429,688     $ 895,611     $ 427,035     $ 380,791  

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

     6.62     11.54     8.09     11.28     11.33

The efficiency ratio, as adjusted, is a non-GAAP measure of expense control relative to adjusted revenue. We calculate the efficiency ratio, adjusted, by dividing total noninterest expenses, as determined under GAAP but excluding merger related expenses, by the sum of total net interest income and total noninterest income, each as determined under GAAP, but excluding net gains or losses on the sale of securities and other non-recurring income sources, if applicable, from this calculation, which we refer to below as adjusted revenue. We believe that this provides one reasonable measure of core expenses relative to core revenue.

The following table reconciles our efficiency ratio, as adjusted, for the periods set forth below.

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
         2022             2021             2021             2020             2019      
     (Dollars in thousands)  

GAAP-based efficiency ratio

     73.7     59.9     96     62     60

Net interest income

   $ 15,330     $ 5,680     $ 16,106     $ 11,574     $ 11,804  

Noninterest income

     1,408       1,214       2,139       1,754       1,163  

Less: net gains on sales of securities

     13       —       74       110       13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenue

   $ 16,725     $ 6,894     $ 18,171     $ 13,218     $ 12,954  

Total noninterest expense

     12,342       4,130       17,497       8,306       7,788  

Less: merger expenses

     —       —       4,584       —       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted noninterest expense

     12,342       4,130       12,913       8,306       7,788  

Efficiency ratio, as adjusted

     73.8     59.9     71     63     60

Management will often make adjustments to our results of operations when completing analysis of our operations in order to exclude certain items that we do not consider to be indicative of our core banking operations. For the tables below, net income is adjusted to remove Merger related expenses as well as gains on

 

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sales of securities. While we acknowledge that these items are likely to recur in future periods, they are not considered to be indicative of our core banking operations, and therefore, management often excludes them from our analysis of our return on average assets and our return on average equity to better understand our core operating performance.

The following table reconciles our return on average assets, as adjusted, for the periods set forth below.

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2022     2021     2021     2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Average assets

     999,378       439,548       570,422       411,008       357,560  

Return on average assets(1)

     0.63     1.05     0.05     1.02     1.12

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Net (gain) loss on sale of securities

     (13     —       (74     (110     (13

Tax effect at 21%

     3       —       16       23       3  

Merger expenses

     —       —       4,584       —       —  

Tax benefit at 21%

     —       —       (963     —       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     3,120       2,298       3,852       4,106       3,996  

Average assets

     999,378       439,548       570,422       411,008       357,560  

Adjusted return on average assets(1)

     0.63     1.05     0.68     1.00     1.12

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

The following table reconciles our return on average equity, as adjusted, for the periods set forth below.

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2022     2021     2021     2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Average shareholders’ equity

     106,767       50,725       51,257       47,711       43,864  

Return on average shareholders’ equity(1)

     5.91     9.14     0.56     8.79     9.13

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Net (gain) loss on sale of securities

     (13     —       (74     (110     (13

Tax effect at 21%

     3       —       16       23       3  

Merger expenses

     —       —       4,584       —       —  

Tax benefit at 21%

     —       —       (963     —       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     3,120       2,298       3,852       4,106       3,996  

Average shareholders’ equity

     106,767       50,725       51,257       47,711       43,864  

Adjusted return on average shareholders’ equity(1)

     5.89     9.14     7.52     8.61     9.11

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

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The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, the calculation of the return on average equity (on a GAAP basis) to the calculation of the return on average tangible equity and the calculation of the adjusted return on average tangible equity.

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2022     2021     2021     2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Average shareholders’ equity

     106,767       50,725       51,257       47,711       43,864  

Return on average shareholders’ equity(1)

     5.91     9.14     0.56     8.79     9.13

Average Tangible Common Equity:

          

Average total shareholders’ equity

   $ 106,767     $ 50,725     $ 51,257     $ 47,711     $ 43,864  

Adjustments:

          

Average goodwill

     (35,842     (2,333     (11,919     (2,333     (2,213

Average other intangible assets

     (1,254     (163     (506     (213     (163

Average tangible common equity

   $ 69,671     $ 48,229     $ 38,832     $ 45,165     $ 41,488  

Return on average tangible common shareholders’ equity

     9.06     9.61     0.74     9.28     9.66

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298     $ 289     $ 4,193     $ 4,006  

Net (gain) loss on sale of securities

     (13     —       (74     (110     (13

Tax effect at 21%

     3       —       16       23       3  

Merger expenses

     —       —       4,584       —       —  

Tax benefit at 21%

     —       —       (963     —       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     3,120       2,298       3,852       4,106       3,996  

Average tangible common equity

   $ 69,671     $ 48,229     $ 38,832     $ 45,165     $ 41,488  

Adjusted return on average tangible equity(1)

     9.03     9.61     9.92     9.09     9.63

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Legacy LINKBANCORP

The following table sets forth summary historical consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods shown for Legacy LINKBANCORP. The summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the summary income statement data for the years then ended have been derived from Legacy LINKBANCORP’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2021 and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 is derived from Legacy LINKBANCORP’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and includes all normal and recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation.

 

     At June 30,
2021
     At December 31,  
     2020      2019  
     (In thousands)  

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

        

Total assets

   $ 464,430      $ 424,106      $ 233,500  

Cash and cash equivalents

     31,449        9,002        11,210  

Securities available for sale

     3,398        79,205        46,975  

Loans receivable, net

     409,427        323,214        166,793  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     1,357        1,371        1,402  

Deposits

     372,053        283,054        188,673  

Borrowings

     23,087        78,982        6,914  

Subordinated debt

     19,973        19,970        —  

Total shareholders’ equity

     43,477        40,334        36,873  

 

     For the
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2021
     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2020      2019  
     (In thousands)  

Selected Operating Data:

        

Interest and dividend income

   $ 8,163      $ 12,558      $ 5,714  

Interest expense

     1,372        3,381        1,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income

     6,791        9,177        4,004  

Provision for loan losses

     617        2,470        1,605  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest income

     269        649        393  

Noninterest expense

     6,229        9,120        8,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense

     214        (1,764      (6,075

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (2,953      —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,167      $ (1,764    $ (6,075
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     At or For the
Six Months
Ended June 30,
2021
    At or For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
        2020             2019      

Performance Ratios (1):

      

Return on average assets

     1.51     (0.54 )%      (4.27 )% 

Adjusted return on average assets (2)

     0.33     (0.54 )%      (4.27 )% 

Return on average equity

     14.96     (4.86 )%      (15.29 )% 

Adjusted return on average equity (2)

     3.23     (4.86 )%      (15.29 )% 

Return on average tangible equity (2)

     15.46     (5.05 )%      (15.85 )% 

Adjusted return on average tangible equity (2)

     3.33     (5.05 )%      (15.85 )% 

Interest rate spread (3)

     3.16     2.78     2.64

Net interest margin (4)

     3.35     2.89     3.03

Efficiency ratio (5)

     88     93     202

Noninterest income to average total assets

     0.13     0.20     0.28

Noninterest income to total revenue (6)

     3.81     6.60     8.94

Noninterest expense to average total assets

     2.98     2.80     6.24

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

     127.82     124.35     139.26

Average equity to average total assets

     10.12     11.14     27.95

Share and Per Share Data:

      

Basic earnings

   $ 0.64     $ (0.38   $ (1.34

Diluted earnings

   $ 0.60     $ (0.38   $ (1.34

Book value

   $ 8.75     $ 8.12     $ 8.11  

Tangible book value (7)

   $ 8.48     $ 7.84     $ 7.80  

Dividend payout ratio (8)

     0.00     0.00     0.00

Number of shares outstanding

     4,968,089       4,967,089       4,545,297  

Weighted average number of shares Outstanding—diluted

     5,212,236       4,627,274       4,545,297  

Capital Ratios:

      

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (9)

     9.10     9.22     15.28

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets(10)

     12.38     14.61     17.34

Tier 1 capital to average assets(10)

     12.52     12.84     14.05

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets(10)

     12.38     14.61     17.34

Total capital to risk weighted assets(10)

     13.60     15.86     18.33

Asset Quality Ratios:

      

Non-performing assets to total assets

     0.11     0.05     0.39

Non-performing loans to total loans

     0.13     0.06     0.55

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans

     933.85     2088.50     183.79

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

     1.16     1.27     1.00

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average outstanding loans during the period

     0.00     (0.01 )%      (0.04 )% 

Other:

      

Number of offices

     3       3       3  

Number of full-time equivalent employees

     64       54       46  

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

 

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(2)

This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for Legacy LINKBANCORP.”

(3)

Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods.

(4)

The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the periods.

(5)

The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.

(6)

We calculate revenue as net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding gains or losses from securities sales, before provision for loan losses for the relevant periods. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for Legacy LINKBANCORP.”

(7)

We calculate tangible book value per common share as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangibles, divided by the outstanding number of shares of our common stock at the end of the relevant period. Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure, and, as we calculate tangible book value per common share, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per common share. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for Legacy LINKBANCORP.”

(8)

The dividend payout ratio represents dividends paid per share divided by net income per share.

(9)

We calculate tangible common equity as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangibles, and we calculate tangible assets as total assets less goodwill and other intangibles. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for Legacy LINKBANCORP.”

(10)

Ratios are only for LINKBANK.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation for Legacy LINKBANCORP

Legacy LINKBANCORP’s accounting and reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, we also evaluate our performance based on certain additional metrics. Tangible book value per share and the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets are not financial measures recognized under GAAP and, therefore, are considered non-GAAP financial measures.

Our management, banking regulators, many financial analysts and other investors use these non-GAAP financial measures to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, which typically stem from the use of the purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share or related measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for total shareholders’ equity, total assets, book value per share or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

 

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The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, Legacy LINKBANCORP’s shareholders’ equity (on a GAAP basis) to tangible equity and total assets (on a GAAP basis) to tangible assets and calculates the Legacy LINKBANCORP tangible book value per share.

 

     At June 30,
2021
    At December 31,  
    2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands, except for share data)  

Tangible Common Equity:

      

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 43,477     $ 40,334     $ 36,873  

Adjustments:

      

Goodwill

     1,253       1,253       1,253  

Other intangible assets

     104       118       147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible common equity

   $ 42,120     $ 38,963     $ 35,473  

Common shares outstanding

     4,968,089       4,967,089       4,545,297  

Book value per common share

   $ 8.75     $ 8.12     $ 8.11  

Tangible book value per common share

   $ 8.48     $ 7.84     $ 7.80  

Tangible Assets:

      

Total assets

   $ 464,430     $ 424,106     $ 233,500  

Adjustments:

      

Goodwill

     1,253       1,253       1,253  

Other intangible assets

     104       118       147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible assets

   $ 463,073     $ 422,735     $ 232,100  

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

     9.10     9.22     15.28

Management will often make adjustments to our results of operations when completing analysis of our operations in order to exclude certain items that we do not consider to be indicative of our core banking operations. For the tables below, net income is adjusted to remove the impact of the reversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Based on our current level of taxable income along with our forecasted projections, we would expect that this type of tax adjustment would not occur in the future. Therefore, management excluded this item from our analysis of our return on average assets and our return on average equity to better understand our core operating performance.

The following tables reconcile our return on average assets, as adjusted, and return on average equity, as adjusted, for the six months ended June 30, 2021. There were no adjustments to net income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2021
 
     (Dollars in
thousands)
 

Net income

   $ 3,167  

Average assets

     421,950  

Return on average assets(1)

     1.51

Net income

   $ 3,167  

Merger related expenses

     560  

Reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     (3,044
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     683  

Average assets

     421,950  

Adjusted return on average assets(1)

     0.33

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

 

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     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2021
 
     (Dollars in
thousands)
 

Net income

   $ 3,167  

Average equity

     42,687  

Return on average equity(1)

     14.96

Net income

   $ 3,167  

Merger related expenses

     560  

Reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     (3,044
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     683  

Average equity

     42,687  

Adjusted return on average equity(1)

     3.23

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, the calculation of the return on average equity (on a GAAP basis) to the calculation of the return on average tangible equity and the calculation of the adjusted return on average tangible equity.

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
2021
    For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
    2020     2019  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 3,167     $ (1,764   $ (6,075

Average equity

     42,687       36,325       39,721  

Return (loss) on average equity(1)

     14.96     (4.86 )%      (15.29 )% 

Average Tangible Common Equity:

      

Average total shareholders’ equity

   $ 42,687     $ 36,325     $ 39,721  

Adjustments:

      

Average goodwill

     (1,253     (1,253     (1,253

Average other intangible assets

     (119     (134     (152

Average tangible common equity

   $ 41,315     $ 34,938     $ 38,316  

Return on average tangible common shareholders’ equity

     15.46     (5.05 )%      (15.85 )% 

Net income

   $ 3,167     $ (1,764   $ (6,075

Merger related expenses

     560       —         —    

Reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     (3,044     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income (loss)

     683       (1,764     (6,075

Average tangible common equity

   $ 41,315     $ 34,938     $ 38,316  

Adjusted return (loss) on average tangible common shareholders’ equity(1)

     3.33     (5.05 )%      (15.85 )% 

 

(1)

Annualized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

 

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

The following sets forth summary unaudited pro forma financial data, which combines our historical financial information with GNBF for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 after giving effect to the closing of the Merger on September 18, 2021. The summary unaudited pro forma financial data are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to represent what the actual results of operations if combined with GNBF (referred to as the “Combined Company”) would have been had the Merger occurred on the dates assumed, nor are they indicative of future results of operations or financial position of the Combined Company.

 

     LINKBANCORP,
Inc. for the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2021
     (Accounting
Acquiree)
LINKBANCORP,
Inc. (1/1/2021 to
9/17/2021)
     Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
            Pro Forma
Combined for
the Twelve
Months
Ended
December 31,
2021
 

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

              

Loans, including fees

   $ 15,924      $ 11,546      $ 1,813        (1    $ 29,283  

Other

     2,572        106        (6      (2      2,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

     18,496        11,652        1,807           31,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

              

Deposits

     2,091        1,077        (165      (3      3,003  

Borrowings

     50        10                60  

Subordinated debt

     249        1,177        (130      (4      1,296  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     2,390        2,264        (295         4,359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE

              

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     16,106        9,388        2,102           27,596  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

     648        768                1,416  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

              

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     15,458        8,620        2,102           26,180  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

NONINTEREST INCOME

              

Service charges on accounts

     733        99                832  

Bank owned life insurance

     253        96                349  

Gain on sale of secondary market mortgage loans

     316                     316  

Other

     837        217                1,054  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     2,139        412                2,551  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

              

Salaries and employee benefits

     6,999        5,586                12,585  

Occupancy

     913        627                1,540  

Equipment and data processing

     1,340        1,088                2,428  

Professional fees

     685        713                1,398  

FDIC insurance

     231        159                390  

Bank shares tax

     434        265                699  

Merger related expenses

     4,584        922        (5,506      (5     

Other

     2,311        1,163        122        (6      3,596  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total noninterest expenses

     17,497        10,523        (5,384         22,636  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense

     100        (1,491      7,486           6,095  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (189      (2,922      1,425        (7      (1,686
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 289      $ 1,431      $ 6,061         $ 7,781  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

              

EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC

   $ 0.04      $ 0.29            $ 0.79  

EARNINGS PER SHARE, DILUTED

   $ 0.04      $ 0.27            $ 0.76  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

              

BASIC

     6,879,658        4,967,986        (2,034,451      (8      9,813,193  

DILUTED

     7,250,463        5,379,387        (2,405,256      (8      10,224,594  

 

(1)

The ASC 310-20 loan interest rate fair value and general credit fair value adjustments and the ASC 310-30 accretable yield will be substantially recognized over the expected life of the loans and is expected to

 

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  increase pro forma pre-tax interest income by $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. No pro forma earnings impact was assumed from the ASC310-30 non-accretable discount or ASC 310-20 loan fee reversals and existing loan fair value balances.
(2)

An other interest income adjustment of $6 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, was made to reflect lost interest income related to the payment of cash consideration of $10.1 million at a rate of 0.08%, the average federal funds rate from January 1, 2021 through the Merger date.

(3)

Adjustment to reflect the amortization of certificate of deposit fair value adjustment which will be substantially recognized over the life of the deposits. These adjustments are expected to decrease pro forma pre-tax interest expense by $165 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021.

(4)

Adjustment to reflect the amortization of subordinated debt fair value adjustment which will be substantially recognized over the period to the call date. This adjustment is expected to decrease pro forma pre-tax interest expense by $130 thousand for year ended December 31, 2021.

(5)

Adjustment to other noninterest expense to reflect the reversal of Merger-related expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2021, total Merger expenses were $5.5 million.

(6)

Adjustment to reflect the amortization of the new core deposit intangible based upon an expected life of 10 years using sum-of-the-years’ digits method and is expected to increase pro forma pre-tax expense by $122 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021.

(7)

Provision for income taxes was applied on income statement adjustments using an effective tax rate of 21%.

(8)

Adjustment to eliminate GNBF’s average common shares outstanding and recognize the issuance of LINKBANCORP common stock based on the election of those GNBF shareholders that elected to receive LINKBANCORP common stock at an exchange ratio of 7.3064. Adjusted diluted shares outstanding include the effect of LINKBANCORP’s stock options and stock warrants.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before deciding to invest in our common stock. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors section, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Our Business

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

Changes in economic conditions, in particular an economic slowdown in Pennsylvania, could materially and negatively affect our business.

We primarily serve individuals, businesses and municipalities located in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties, Pennsylvania. As of June 30, 2022, a majority of our loan portfolio was secured by real estate and other assets located in these areas in Pennsylvania. Our business is directly impacted by factors such as economic, political and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in government monetary and fiscal policies and inflation, all of which are beyond our control. Any deterioration in economic conditions, whether caused by national or local concerns, in particular any economic slowdown in Pennsylvania, could result in the following consequences, any of which could adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition: loan delinquencies may increase; problem assets and foreclosures may increase; demand for our products and services may decrease; low cost or noninterest-bearing deposits may decrease; and collateral for loans made by us, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing customers’ borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our existing loans.

Our success significantly depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits, and housing starts in our markets. If the communities in which we operate do not grow or if prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are unfavorable, our business may not succeed. An economic downturn or prolonged recession would likely result in further deterioration of the quality of our loan portfolio and reduce our level of deposits, which in turn would hurt our business. If we experience an economic downturn or a prolonged economic recession occurs in the economy as a whole, borrowers will be less likely to repay their loans as scheduled. Moreover, in many cases the value of the real estate or other collateral that secures our loans would be adversely affected by an economic downtown or a prolonged economic recession. Unlike many larger institutions, we are not able to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies. An economic downturn could, therefore, result in losses that materially and adversely affect our business.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and events that negatively impact the real estate market could hurt our business.

At June 30, 2022, approximately $677.3 million, or 85.7%, of our total loan portfolio was secured by real estate, almost all of which is located in our primary lending market. The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower and may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is extended. A weakening of the real estate market in our primary market areas could result in an increase in the number of borrowers who default on their loans, resulting in an increase to our allowance for loan losses, and a reduction in the value of the collateral securing their loans, which in turn could

 

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have an adverse effect on our profitability and asset quality. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, our earnings and capital could be adversely affected. Acts of nature, including hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, fires and floods, which may cause uninsured damage and other loss of value to real estate that secures these loans, may also negatively impact our financial condition.

Inflation can have an adverse impact on our business and on our customers.

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. The annual inflation rate in the United States increased to 9.1% in June 2022, the highest rate since November 1981. As a result, the FRB has increased the federal funds rate by 225 basis points to date in 2022 and has indicated its intention to continue to increase interest rates in an effort to combat inflation. As inflation increases, the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, would decrease, although this effect can be less pronounced for floating rate instruments. In addition, inflation increases the cost of goods and services we use in our business operations, such as electricity and other utilities, which increases our noninterest expenses. Furthermore, our customers are also affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay their loans with us.

Our small- and medium-sized business target market may have fewer financial resources to weather a downturn in the economy, which may impair their ability as a borrower to repay a loan.

We target our commercial development and marketing strategy to serve the banking and financial services needs of small- and medium-sized businesses. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities, frequently have smaller market shares than their competition, may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, often need substantial additional capital to expand or compete, and may experience substantial volatility in operating results, any of which, individually or in the aggregate, may impair their ability as a borrower to repay a loan. If general economic conditions negatively impact the markets in which we operate, our small- and medium-sized business borrowers may be disproportionally affected and negatively impact their ability to repay outstanding loans, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant economic dislocation in the United States and internationally, resulting in a slow-down in economic activity, increased unemployment levels, and disruptions in global supply chains and financial markets. The pandemic and related government actions to curb its spread also resulted in closures of many organizations and the institution of social distancing requirements in many states and communities. Certain industries have been particularly hard-hit, including the travel and hospitality industry, the restaurant industry and the retail industry. In response to the pandemic, various state governments and federal agencies required lenders to provide forbearance and other relief to borrowers (e.g., waiving late payment and other fees). Federal banking agencies encouraged financial institutions to prudently work with affected borrowers and legislation provided relief from reporting loan classifications due to modifications related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The spread of the coronavirus also caused us to modify our business practices, including employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences.

Given the ongoing dynamic nature of the pandemic, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to a number of risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, ability to execute our growth strategy, and ability to pay dividends. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in demand for our products and

 

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services; increased loan losses or other impairments in our loan portfolios and increases in our allowance for loan losses; a decline in collateral for our loans, especially real estate; unanticipated unavailability of employees; increased cyber security risks as employees work remotely; a prolonged weakness in economic conditions resulting in a reduction of future projected earnings could necessitate a valuation allowance against our current outstanding deferred tax assets; a triggering event leading to impairment testing on our goodwill or core deposit and customer relationships intangibles, which could result in an impairment charge; and increased costs as the Company and our regulators, customers and vendors adapt to evolving pandemic conditions.

Risks Related to Lending Activities

Changes in prevailing interest rates may reduce our profitability, and we may not be able to adequately anticipate and respond to changes in market interest rates.

The majority of our banking assets are monetary in nature and subject to risk from changes in interest rates. Like most community banks, our earnings and cash flows depend to a great extent upon the level of our net interest income, or the difference between the interest income we earn on loans, investments and other interest-earning assets, and the interest we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Depending on the terms and maturities of our assets and liabilities, a significant change in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly, or to a greater degree than interest-earning assets in a period, an increase in interest rates could reduce net interest income. Similarly, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly, or to a greater degree than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could reduce net interest income. An increase in interest rates may, among other things, reduce the demand for loans and our ability to originate loans and decrease loan repayment rates. Conversely, a decrease in the general level of interest rates may affect us through, among other things, increased prepayments on our loan portfolio and increased competition for deposits. Accordingly, changes in the level of market interest rates affect our net yield on interest-earning assets, loan origination volume and our overall results. Although our asset-liability management strategy is designed to control and mitigate exposure to the risks related to changes in market interest rates, those rates are affected by many factors outside of our control, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic conditions, inflation, deflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets.

Our commercial real estate loans may increase our exposure to credit risk.

At June 30, 2022, our commercial real estate loans totaled $435.6 million, or 55.1%, of our total loan portfolio. Loans secured by commercial real estate are generally viewed as having more risk of default than loans secured by residential real estate or consumer loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property, the income stream of the borrowers, and, if applicable, the accuracy of the estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost of construction. If we foreclose on a commercial real estate loan, our holding period for the collateral is typically longer than for a one- to four-family residential property because there are fewer potential purchasers of the collateral. Further, an adverse development with respect to one lending relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared with a single-family residential mortgage loan because we typically has more than one loan with such borrowers. Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared with single-family residential mortgage loans. Therefore, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant decline in the related asset quality. Further, if our primary market areas experience an economic slowdown, these loans represent higher risk and could result in a sharp increase in loans charged off and could require us to significantly increase our allowance for loan losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

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Our loan portfolio contains a number of real estate loans with relatively large balances.

Our loan portfolio contains a number of real estate loans with relatively large balances. The deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in nonperforming loans, which could result in a net loss of earnings, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Repayment of commercial business loans is often dependent on the cash flows of the borrower, which may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value.

At June 30, 2022, $88.5 million, or 11.2% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of commercial business loans (excluding PPP loans, which are expected to be fully guaranteed by the SBA). Our commercial business loans are originated primarily based on the borrower’s cash flow and general liquidity and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower and/or repayment capacity of any guarantor. The repayment of commercial business loans is thus often dependent upon the success of the borrower’s underlying business. The borrower’s cash flow may be unpredictable, and collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Although commercial business loans are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of default is often an insufficient source of repayment because accounts receivable may be uncollectible and inventories may be obsolete or of limited use. In addition, business assets may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise or sell, and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. Accordingly, the repayment of commercial business loans depends primarily on the cash flow and credit worthiness of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral value provided by the borrower and liquidity of the guarantor. Commercial business loans may be larger in amount than loans to individuals and, therefore, have the potential for larger losses on a per loan basis.

A portion of our loan portfolio consists of construction loans, which may expose us to increased credit risk.

At June 30, 2022, $36.2 million, or 4.6%, of our total loan portfolio consisted of construction loans. Construction lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than single-family permanent mortgage lending because funds are advanced upon the collateral for the project based on an estimate of the costs that will produce a future value at completion. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the completed project loan-to-value ratio. With regard to loans originated to builders for speculative projects, changes in the demand, such as for new housing and higher than anticipated building costs, may cause actual results to vary significantly from those estimated. A downturn in the housing, or the real estate market, could increase loan delinquencies, defaults, and foreclosures, and significantly impair the value of our collateral and our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure.

Our decisions regarding allowance for loan losses and credit risk may materially and adversely affect our business. If the allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.

Making loans and other extensions of credit is an essential element of our business. Although we seek to mitigate risks inherent in lending by adhering to specific underwriting practices, our loans and other extensions of credit may not be repaid. The risk of nonpayment is affected by a number of factors, including:

 

   

the duration of the credit;

 

   

credit risks of a particular customer;

 

   

changes in economic and industry conditions; and

 

   

evaluation of economic conditions;

 

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in the case of a collateralized loan, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral.

We attempt to maintain an appropriate allowance for loan losses to provide for probable losses in our loan portfolio. At June 30, 2022, our allowance for loan losses was 0.49% of total gross loans, or approximately 0.90% of the non-purchased portfolio, and 260.4% of nonperforming loans. We periodically determine the amount of the allowance based on consideration of several factors, including but not limited to:

 

   

an ongoing review of the quality, mix, and size of our overall loan portfolio;

 

   

our historical loan loss experience;

 

   

evaluation of economic conditions;

 

   

regular reviews of loan delinquencies and loan portfolio quality;

 

   

ongoing review of financial information provided by borrowers; and

 

   

the amount and quality of collateral, including guarantees, securing the loans.

The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans, increased charge-offs, and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses. In addition, regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. Any increases in the allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If our non-performing assets increase, our earnings will be adversely affected.

At June 30, 2022, our non-performing assets, which consist of non-performing loans and other real estate owned, were $1.5 million, or 0.14% of total assets. Our non-performing assets adversely affect our net income in various ways:

 

   

we record interest income only on the cash basis or cost-recovery method for nonaccrual loans and we do not record interest income for other real estate owned;

 

   

we must provide for probable loan losses through a current period charge to the provision for loan losses;

 

   

noninterest expense increases when we write down the value of properties in our other real estate owned portfolio to reflect changing market values;

 

   

there are legal fees associated with the resolution of problem assets, as well as carrying costs, such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees; and

 

   

the resolution of non-performing assets requires the active involvement of management, which can distract them from more profitable activity.

If additional borrowers become delinquent and do not pay their loans and we are unable to successfully manage our non-performing assets, our losses and troubled assets could increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Appraisals and other valuation techniques we use in evaluating and monitoring loans secured by real property, other real estate owned and repossessed personal property may not accurately describe the net value of the asset.

In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, we generally require an appraisal of the property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made and, as real estate values may change significantly in value in relatively short periods of time (especially in periods of heightened economic uncertainty), this estimate may not accurately describe the net value of the real property collateral after the loan is made. As a result, we may not be able to realize the full amount of any remaining indebtedness when we foreclose on and sell the relevant property. In addition, we rely on appraisals and other valuation techniques to establish the value of our other real estate owned, and personal property that we acquire through foreclosure proceedings and to determine certain loan impairments. If any of these valuations are inaccurate, our consolidated financial statements may not reflect the correct value of our other real estate owned, and our allowance for loan losses may not reflect accurate loan impairments. This could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

A portion of our loan portfolio consists of loan participations. Loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans we originate because we are not the lead lender, and we have limited control over credit monitoring.

We participate in commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans with other financial institutions from time to time in which we are not the lead lender. Our commercial real estate loan participations are generally located in Pennsylvania although we have from time to time participated in loans located in the states of Maryland and Virginia. We also occasionally participate in commercial business loans with other financial institutions in which we are not the lead lender. These loans are limited to our geographic lending market and are generally secured by blanket UCC liens. At June 30, 2022, commercial real estate loan participations for which we were not the lead lender totaled $34.9 million, or 8.0% of our commercial real estate loan portfolio, and commercial business loan participations for which we were not the lead lender totaled $2.3 million, or 2.6% of our commercial business loan portfolio.

We underwrite each commercial real estate loan and commercial business loan that we participate in and establish the loan classification and loan provision using the same criteria we use for loans we originate. Loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans we originate because we rely on the lead lender to service and to monitor the performance of the loan. Moreover, our decisions regarding the classification of a loan participation and loan loss provisions associated with a loan participation are made in part based upon information provided by the lead lender. A lead lender also may not monitor a participation loan in the same manner as we would for loans that we originate. At June 30, 2022, no loan participations were delinquent 60 days or more. If our underwriting of these participation loans is not sufficient, our non-performing loans may increase, and our earnings may decrease.

The implementation of the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) accounting standard could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss model with a lifetime loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss model, or CECL. CECL will become effective for us beginning January 1, 2023. This standard requires earlier recognition of expected credit losses on loans and certain other instruments, compared to the incurred loss model. The change to the CECL framework requires us to greatly increase the data we must collect and review to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses. The adoption of CECL may result in greater volatility in the level of the allowance for credit losses, depending on various factors and assumptions applied in the model, such as the reasonable and supportable forecasted economic conditions and loan payment behaviors. Any increase in the allowance for credit losses, or expenses incurred to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses, may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may be exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we take title.

In the course of our business, we may foreclose and take title to real estate, potentially becoming subject to environmental liabilities associated with the properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs associated with one of these properties, or we may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. Costs associated with investigation or remediation activities can be substantial. If we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. These costs and claims could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Growth

We may be unable to effectively manage our growth.

Our business strategy anticipates the rapid expansion of our business to pursue existing and potential market opportunities. A high pace of growth places significant demands on our management and operational resources. In order to manage such growth effectively, we must implement effective operational systems, procedures and internal controls. Failure to implement these systems, procedures and controls on a timely basis could materially and adversely affect our results of operation or financial condition. Further, our continued expansion of our business may include entering new lines of business or introducing new products and services, which may involve increased expenses and risk of loss.

We cannot assure you that we will be successful in such expansion efforts. We can provide no assurance that we will be successful in increasing the volume of our loans and deposits at acceptable levels and upon terms acceptable to us. We also can provide no assurance that we will be successful in expanding our operations organically or through strategic acquisitions while managing the costs and implementation risks associated with this growth strategy. Any failure to execute our growth strategy could materially and adversely affect our results of operation or financial condition.

We may encounter difficulties in integrating with GNBF and may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected.

LINKBANCORP consummated its merger with GNBF on September 18, 2021. The successful integration of LINKBANCORP and GNBF will depend, in part, on our ability to combine and manage the businesses of LINKBANCORP and GNBF in a manner that permits growth opportunities, including enhanced revenues and revenue synergies, operating efficiencies, an expanded market reach, and that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of LINKBANCORP or GNBF nor result in decreased revenues due to loss of customers. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Merger may not be fully realized or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected.

Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could also result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues, and diversion of management’s time and energy, and could have an adverse effect on the combined company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. In addition, it is possible that the integration process could result in the disruption of our ongoing business or cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Merger.

Future acquisitions could disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We have grown through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, including the completion of the Merger with GNBF. We may choose to expand by making additional acquisitions, including other financial

 

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institutions, branches or fee-based businesses, that could be material to our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Acquisitions involve many risks, including the following:

 

   

an acquisition may negatively affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows because it may require us to incur charges or assume substantial debt or other liabilities, may cause adverse tax consequences or unfavorable accounting treatment, may expose us to claims and disputes by third parties, or may not generate sufficient financial return to offset additional costs and expenses related to the acquisition;

 

   

we may encounter difficulties or unforeseen expenditures in integrating acquired operations, including the associated internal controls and regulatory functions, into our operations, particularly if key personnel of the acquired company decide not to work for us;

 

   

an acquisition may disrupt our ongoing business, divert resources, increase our expenses and distract our management;

 

   

an acquisition may involve the entry into geographic or business markets in which we have little or no prior experience or where competitors have stronger market positions;

 

   

if we incur debt to fund such acquisition, such debt may subject us to material restrictions on our ability to conduct our business as well as financial maintenance covenants; and

 

   

to the extent that we issue a significant amount of equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, existing shareholders may be diluted and earnings per share may decrease.

The occurrence of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Risks Related to Operations and Security

We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about clients and counterparties and our financial condition could be adversely affected if we rely on misleading information.

In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which we do not independently verify. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, we may assume that a customer’s audited financial statements conform with GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent it relies on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.

We face significant operational risks because the nature of the financial services business involves a high volume of transactions.

We operate in diverse markets and rely on the ability of our employees and systems to process a high number of transactions. Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from our operations, including but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or persons outside our company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of our internal control systems and compliance requirements. Insurance coverage may not be available for such losses, or where available, such losses may exceed insurance limits. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could arise as a result of operational deficiencies or as a result of non-compliance with applicable regulatory standards, adverse business decisions or their implementation, or customer attrition due to potential negative publicity. In the event of a breakdown in our internal control systems, improper operation of systems or improper employee actions, we could suffer financial loss, face regulatory action, and/or suffer damage to our reputation.

 

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We are dependent on the use of data and modeling in our management’s decision-making, and faulty data or modeling approaches could negatively impact our decision-making ability or possibly subject us to regulatory scrutiny in the future.

The use of statistical and quantitative models and other quantitative and qualitative analyses is necessary for bank decision-making, and the employment of such analyses is becoming increasingly widespread in our operations.

Liquidity stress testing, interest rate sensitivity analysis, the identification of possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations and the estimation of credit losses are all examples of areas in which we are dependent on models and the data that underlies them. The use of statistical and quantitative models is also becoming more prevalent in regulatory compliance. While we are not currently subject to annual Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or Dodd-Frank Act, stress testing and the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review submissions, we anticipate that model-derived testing may become more extensively implemented by regulators in the future.

We anticipate data-based modeling will penetrate further into bank decision-making, particularly risk management efforts, as the capacities developed to meet rigorous stress testing requirements are able to be employed more widely and in differing applications. While we believe these quantitative techniques and approaches improve our decision-making, they also create the possibility that faulty data or flawed quantitative approaches could negatively impact our decision-making ability or, if we become subject to regulatory stress-testing in the future, cause increased adverse regulatory scrutiny. Secondarily, because of the complexity inherent in these approaches, misunderstanding or misuse of their outputs could similarly result in suboptimal decision-making.

We rely heavily on technology, and our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

We rely heavily on new technology-driven products and services and on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in operations.

Any failure, interruption or breach of the security of our information systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. We regularly collect, process, transmit and store significant amounts of confidential information regarding our customers, employees and others and concerning our own business, operations, plans and strategies. In some cases, this confidential or proprietary information is collected, compiled, processed, transmitted or stored by third parties on our behalf. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that we can prevent any such failures, interruptions or security breaches or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed.

Information security risks have generally increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial and other transactions and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks and mobile phishing. Mobile phishing, a means for identity thieves to obtain sensitive personal information through fraudulent e-mail, text or voice mail, is an emerging threat targeting the customers of financial entities. During the normal course of our business, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience attempts to breach our systems and we may be unable to protect sensitive data and the integrity of our systems. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage out reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of

 

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operations. As information security risks and cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.

Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for significant losses.

Our risk management framework is designed to minimize risk and loss to us. We seek to identify, measure, monitor, report and control our exposure to risk, including strategic, market, liquidity, compliance and operational risks. While we use broad and diversified risk monitoring and mitigation techniques, these techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or future development of currently unanticipated or unknown risks. Recent economic conditions and heightened legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry, among other developments, have increased our level of risk. Accordingly, we could suffer losses if we fail to properly anticipate and manage these risks.

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

We regularly review and update our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well-designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on third party vendors, which could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks.

Third party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure, including certain data processing and information services. Accordingly, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with our contractual agreements with them, or we also could be adversely affected if such an agreement is not renewed by the third-party vendor or is renewed on terms less favorable to us. If our third-party providers encounter difficulties, or if we have difficulty communicating with those service providers, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our business operations could be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel. To our knowledge, the services and programs provided to us by third parties have not experienced any material security breaches. However, the existence of cyber-attacks or security breaches at third parties with access to our data, such as vendors, may not be disclosed to us in a timely manner.

Our use of third-party vendors and other third-party business relationships are subject to increasing regulatory requirements and attention.

We regularly use third party vendors as part of our business. These types of third-party relationships are subject to increasingly demanding regulatory requirements and attention by our federal bank regulators. Regulatory guidance requires all banking organizations to enhance due diligence, ongoing monitoring and control over organizations’ third-party vendors and other ongoing third-party business relationships. We expect that regulators will hold us responsible for any deficiencies in our oversight and control of our third-party relationships and in the performance of the parties with which we have these relationships. As a result, if our regulators conclude that we have not exercised adequate oversight and control over our third party vendors or other ongoing third party business relationships or that such third parties have not performed appropriately, we could be subject to enforcement actions, including civil money penalties or other administrative or judicial penalties or fines as well as requirements for customer remediation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Liquidity needs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

Our primary sources of funds are customer deposits and loan repayments. While scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, they are subject to the ability of borrowers to repay the loans. The ability of borrowers to repay loans can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including changes in economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting business industry groups, reductions in real estate values or markets, business closings or lay-offs, inclement weather, which could be exacerbated by potential climate change, natural disasters and international instability.

Additionally, deposit levels may be affected by a number of factors, including rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns available to customers on alternative investments and general economic conditions. Accordingly, we may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Such sources include proceeds from FHLB advances, sales of investment securities and loans, and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks, as well as out-of-market time deposits. While we believe that these sources are currently adequate, there can be no assurance they will be sufficient to meet future liquidity demands, particularly if we continue to grow and experience increasing loan demand. We may be required to slow or discontinue loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments or liquidate assets should such sources not be adequate.

We rely heavily on our senior management team and the unexpected loss of any of those personnel could adversely affect our operations.

We are a customer-focused and relationship-driven organization. Our success depends in large part on the performance of our key personnel. We expect our future growth to be driven in a large part by the relationships maintained with our customers by our chief executive officer and by other senior officers. The unexpected loss of any of our key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, which would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The success of our strategy depends on our ability to identify and retain individuals with experience and relationships in our markets.

In order to be successful, we must identify and retain experienced key management members with local expertise and relationships. Competition for qualified personnel is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of and experience in the community banking industry in our chosen geographic markets. Even if we identify individuals that we believe could assist us in building our franchise, we may be unable to recruit these individuals away from more established banks. In addition, the process of identifying and recruiting individuals with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategy is often lengthy. Our inability to identify, recruit, and retain talented personnel could limit our growth and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to the Financial Services Industry

Higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments could adversely impact our financial condition.

Our deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain deposit insurance. As an FDIC-insured institution, the Bank is required to pay quarterly deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. Although we cannot predict what the insurance assessment rates will be, either a deterioration in our risk-based capital ratios or adjustments to the base assessment rates could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute

 

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transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Bank cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Bank. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Competition with other financial institutions may have an adverse effect on our ability to retain and grow our client base, which could have a negative effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

The banking and financial services industry is very competitive and includes services offered from other banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage companies, other lenders, and institutions offering uninsured investment alternatives. Legal and regulatory developments have made it easier for new and sometimes unregulated competitors to compete with us. The financial services industry has and is experiencing an ongoing trend towards consolidation in which fewer large national and regional banks and other financial institutions are replacing many smaller and more local banks. These larger banks and other financial institutions hold a large accumulation of assets and have significantly greater resources and a wider geographic presence or greater accessibility. In some instances, these larger entities operate without the traditional brick and mortar facilities that restrict geographic presence. Some competitors have more aggressive marketing campaigns and better brand recognition, and are able to offer more services, more favorable pricing or greater customer convenience than we can. In addition, competition has increased from new banks and other financial services providers that target our existing or potential customers. As consolidation continues among large banks, we expect other smaller institutions to try to compete in the markets we plan to serve. This competition could reduce our net income by decreasing the number and size of the loans that we originate and the interest rates we charge on these loans. Additionally, these competitors may offer higher interest rates, which could decrease the deposits we attract or require us to increase rates to retain existing deposits or attract new deposits. Increased deposit competition could adversely affect our ability to generate the funds necessary for lending operations which could increase our cost of funds.

The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge as part of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Technological developments have allowed competitors, including some non-depository institutions, to compete more effectively in local markets and have expanded the range of financial products, services and capital available to our target customers. If we are unable to implement, maintain and use such technologies effectively, we may not be able to offer products or achieve cost-efficiencies necessary to compete in the industry. In addition, some of these competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and lower cost structures.

Regulatory, Legal and Accounting Risks

We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision that could interfere with our ability to conduct our business and may negatively impact our financial results, restrict our activities, have an adverse impact on our operations, and impose financial requirements or limitations on the conduct of our business.

The Bank is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund and the safety and soundness of the banking system as a whole, not shareholders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional

 

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costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer, and/or limit the pricing we may charge on certain banking services, among other things. We will have to apply resources to ensure that we are in compliance with any changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretations or implementation, which may increase our costs of operations and adversely impact our earnings.

Imposition of limits by bank regulators on commercial real estate lending activities could curtail our growth and adversely affect our earnings.

In 2006, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the FRB (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure could receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate, and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital, and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Commercial real estate loans represent 276% of our risk-based capital at June 30, 2022 and the outstanding balance of our commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by greater than 50% during the 36 months preceding June 30, 2022.

In December 2015, the Agencies released a new statement on prudent risk management for commercial real estate lending (the “2015 Statement”). In the 2015 Statement, the Agencies, among other things, indicate the intent to continue “to pay special attention” to commercial real estate lending activities and concentrations going forward. If our regulators were to impose restrictions on the amount of such loans we can hold in our portfolio or require us to implement additional compliance measures, for reasons noted above or otherwise, our earnings would be adversely affected as would our earnings per share.

The Bank is limited in the amount it can lend to one borrower.

The Bank is limited in the amount it can lend to a single borrower. The legal lending limit is 15% of the Bank’s capital and surplus with an additional 10% available for certain loans meeting heightened collateral requirements. However, we generally impose an internal limit that is more conservative than the legal maximum. Our lending limit is significantly less than the limit for most of our competitors and may affect our ability to seek relationships with larger businesses in our market area. From time to time, we attempt to accommodate larger loans by selling participations in those loans to other financial institutions. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or maintain customers seeking larger loans or that we will be able to sell participations in such loans on terms we consider favorable. Our inability to attract and maintain these customers or our inability to sell loan participations on favorable terms could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Federal, state and local consumer lending laws may restrict our ability to originate certain mortgage loans or increase our risk of liability with respect to such loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

Federal, state and local laws have been adopted that are intended to eliminate certain lending practices considered “predatory.” These laws prohibit practices such as steering borrowers away from more affordable products, selling unnecessary insurance to borrowers, repeatedly refinancing loans and making loans without a reasonable expectation that the borrowers will be able to repay the loans irrespective of the value of the underlying property. Loans with certain terms and conditions and that otherwise meet the definition of a “qualified mortgage” may be protected from liability to a borrower for failing to make the necessary determinations. We may find it necessary to tighten our mortgage loan underwriting standards in response to these rules, which may constrain our ability to make loans consistent with our business strategies. It is our policy not to make predatory loans and to determine borrowers’ ability to repay, but the law and related rules create the potential for increased liability with respect to our lending and loan investment activities. They increase our cost

 

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of doing business and, ultimately, may prevent us from making certain loans and cause us to reduce the average percentage rate or the points and fees on loans that we do make.

The Bank is subject to federal and state fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.

Federal and state fair lending laws and regulations, such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The Department of Justice, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other federal and state agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. A successful challenge to our performance under the fair lending laws and regulations could adversely impact our rating under the Community Reinvestment Act and result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on merger and acquisition activity and restrictions on expansion activity, which could negatively impact our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. The Bank’s current Community Reinvestment Act rating is “Satisfactory.”

The Bank faces a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.

The Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”), and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain effective anti-money laundering programs and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, established by the U.S. Treasury to administer the Bank Secrecy Act, is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with the individual federal banking regulators, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service. There is also increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Federal and state bank regulators also have begun to increase focus on compliance with Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient or the policies, procedures and systems of the financial institutions that we have already acquired or may acquire in the future are deficient, it would subject us to liability, including fines and regulatory actions such as restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for the Bank.

Regulations relating to privacy, information security and data protection could increase our costs, affect or limit how they collect and use personal information and adversely affect their business opportunities.

We are subject to various privacy, information security and data protection laws, including requirements concerning security breach notification, and we could be negatively impacted by these laws. For example, our business is subject to the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which, among other things: (i) imposes certain limitations on our ability to share nonpublic personal information about our customers with nonaffiliated third parties; (ii) requires that we provide certain disclosures to customers about our information collection, sharing and security practices and afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by us with nonaffiliated third parties (with certain exceptions) and (iii) requires us to develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing safeguards appropriate based on our size and complexity, the nature and scope of our activities, and the sensitivity of customer information we process, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Various state and federal banking regulators and states have also enacted data security breach notification

 

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requirements with varying levels of individual, consumer, regulatory or law enforcement notification in certain circumstances in the event of a security breach. Moreover, legislators and regulators in the United States are increasingly adopting or revising privacy, information security and data protection laws that potentially could have a significant impact on our current and planned privacy, data protection and information security-related practices, our collection, use, sharing, retention and safeguarding of consumer or employee information, and some of our current or planned business activities. This could also increase our costs of compliance and business operations and could reduce income from certain business initiatives. This includes increased privacy-related enforcement activity at the federal level, by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as at the state level, such as with regard to mobile applications.

Compliance with current or future privacy, data protection and information security laws (including those regarding security breach notification) affecting customer or employee data to which we are subject could result in higher compliance and technology costs and could restrict our ability to provide certain products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions or results of operations. Our failure to comply with privacy, data protection and information security laws could result in potentially significant regulatory or governmental investigations or actions, litigation, fines, sanctions and damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The FRB may require the Company to commit capital resources to support the Bank.

The FRB requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the FRB may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal bank regulators to require that all companies that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution serve as a source of financial strength for the institution. Under these requirements, in the future, the Company could be required to provide financial assistance to the Bank, if it experiences financial distress.

A capital injection may be required at times when the Company does not have the resources to provide it, and therefore the Company may be required to borrow the funds. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the holding company’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of our note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the holding company in order to make the required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and will adversely impact the holding company’s cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We are subject to stringent capital requirements, which may adversely impact our return on equity, require us to raise additional capital, or restrict us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares.

Federal regulations establish minimum capital requirements for insured depository institutions, including minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios and define what constitutes “capital” for calculating these ratios. The regulations also establish a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5%, effectively resulting in the following minimum capital ratios after giving effect to the additional capital conservation buffer: (1) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%, (2) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 8.5%, and (3) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. Additionally, if our consolidated assets were to exceed $3.0 billion or larger, the Company would be subject to consolidated holding company capital requirements similar to those applicable to the Bank. The application of such stringent capital requirements could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, requiring the raising of additional capital, and resulting in regulatory actions constraining us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares if we are unable to comply with such requirements.

 

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We may be a party to various lawsuits or regulatory proceedings. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties such that the expenses and ultimate exposure with respect to many of these matters cannot be ascertained.

From time to time, customers and others make claims and take legal action pertaining to our performance of fiduciary responsibilities or other matters. Whether customer claims and legal action are legitimate or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in our favor they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of us and our products and services as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Further, we may be subject to regulatory proceedings. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The use of estimates and valuations may be different from actual results, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

We make various estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Broadly, those estimates are used in measuring the fair value of certain financial instruments, establishing provision for loan losses and potential litigation liability. Market volatility may make it difficult to determine the fair value for certain of our assets and liabilities. Subsequent valuations, in light of factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the values of these financial instruments in future periods. In addition, at the time of any sales and settlements of these assets and liabilities, the price we ultimately realize will depend on the demand and liquidity in the market at that time for that particular type of asset or liability and may be materially lower than our estimate of their current fair value. Estimates are based on available information and judgment. Therefore, actual values and results could differ from our estimates and that difference could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

General Risks

Negative public opinion surrounding the Bank and the financial institutions industry generally could damage our reputation and adversely impact our earnings. Our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the success of our business, and the failure to do so may materially adversely affect our performance.

We are a community bank and our reputation is one of the most valuable assets of our business. Reputation risk, or the risk to our business, earnings and capital from the actions of employees, the manner in which we conduct our business, or negative public opinion surrounding the Bank and the financial institutions industry generally, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion can result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. Negative public opinion can adversely affect our ability to keep and attract clients and employees and can expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Although we take steps to minimize reputation risk in dealing with our clients and communities, this risk will always be present given the nature of our business.

Furthermore, shareholders and other stakeholders have begun to consider how corporations are addressing environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues. Governments, investors, customers and the general public are increasingly focused on ESG practices and disclosures, and views about ESG are diverse and rapidly changing. These shifts in investing priorities may result in adverse effects on the trading price of our common stock if investors determine that we have not made sufficient progress on ESG matters. We could also face potential negative ESG-related publicity in traditional media or social media if shareholders or other stakeholders determine that we have not adequately considered or addressed ESG matters. If we, or our relationships with certain customers, vendors or suppliers became the subject of negative publicity, our ability to attract and retain customers and employees, and our financial condition and results of operations, could be adversely impacted.

 

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Adverse weather events could negatively affect our local economies or disrupt it operations, which would have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Adverse weather events can disrupt our operations, result in damage to our properties and negatively affect the local economies in which it operates. In addition, these weather events may result in a decline in value or destruction of properties securing our loans and an increase in delinquencies, foreclosures and loan losses.

Societal responses to climate change could adversely affect our business and performance, including indirectly through impacts on our customers.

Concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led and will continue to lead to governmental efforts around the world to mitigate those impacts. Consumers and businesses also may change their behavior on their own as a result of these concerns. We and our customers will need to respond to new laws and regulations as well as consumer and business preferences resulting from climate change concerns. We and our customers may face cost increases, asset value reductions and operating process changes. The impact on our customers will likely vary depending on their specific attributes, including reliance on or role in carbon intensive activities. Among the impacts to us could be a drop in demand for our products and services, particularly in certain sectors. In addition, we could face reductions in creditworthiness on the part of some customers or in the value of assets securing loans. Our efforts to take these risks into account in making lending and other decisions, including by increasing our business with climate-friendly companies, may not be effective in protecting us from the negative impact of new laws and regulations or changes in consumer or business behavior.

Risks Related to the Offering and an Investment in our Securities

The trading history of our common stock is characterized by low trading volume. An active, liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop, and you may not be able to sell your common stock at or above the public offering price, or at all.

Our common stock is currently quoted on the Pink Market operated by the OTC Markets Group under the trading symbol “LNKB.” Although our common stock is quoted on the Pink Market, it trades infrequently.

Upon the completion of the offering, our common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LNKB.” We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us and additional shares outstanding will lead to a more active trading market in our common stock or how liquid that market might become. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends upon the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time, which presence is dependent upon the individual decisions of investors, over which we have no control. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling your shares of common stock at an attractive price, or at all. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling our common stock and may impair our ability to expand our business by using our common stock as consideration in an acquisition.

Additionally, the public offering price for our common stock was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. Consequently, you may not be able to sell your common stock at or above the public offering price or at any other price or at the time that you would like to sell.

You will incur immediate dilution as a result of this offering.

If you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will pay more for your shares than the net tangible book value per share immediately following consummation of this offering. As a result, you will incur immediate dilution of $0.64 per share representing the difference between the offering price of $7.50 per share and our net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2022, as adjusted after this offering, of $6.86 per share of common

 

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stock. This represents 8.5% dilution from the public offering price of $7.50 per share. Accordingly, if we were to be liquidated at our book value immediately following this offering, you would not receive the full amount of your investment. See section titled “Dilution” for additional information.

The price of our common stock could be volatile following this offering.

The market price of our common stock following this offering may be volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among other things:

 

   

changes in general economic conditions and overall market fluctuations;

 

   

changes in interest rates;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;

 

   

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

   

the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC, or other news concerning our competitors or trends in our industry;

 

   

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts following our stock, or the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after this offering;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

 

   

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

   

the trading volume of our common stock;

 

   

new technology used, or services offered, by competitors;

 

   

changes in business, legal or regulatory conditions, or other developments affecting the financial services industry, participants in our industry; and

 

   

future sales of our common stock by us, directors, executives and significant shareholders, including the sale of our common stock by our existing shareholders who are not subject to the lock-up agreements described in “Underwriting.”

These factors, and any of the risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance, and could prevent you from selling your common stock at or above the price at which you purchased shares. In addition, the stock markets, from time to time, experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These broad fluctuations may adversely affect investor confidence and the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual performance.

If the market price of our common stock reaches an elevated level following this offering, it may materially and rapidly decline. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders have often instituted securities class action litigation. If we were to be involved in a class action lawsuit, we could incur substantial costs and it could divert the attention of senior management and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they do publish such reports but issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common stock, the price and trading volume of our common stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock could be affected by whether equity research analysts publish research or reports about us and our business. We currently have no research analysts that publishes reports about

 

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us and our business. We cannot predict at this time whether any research analysts will publish research and reports on us and our common stock. If one or more equity analysts do cover us and our common stock and publish research reports about us, the price of our stock could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade our stock or if those analysts issue other unfavorable commentary or cease publishing reports about us or our business.

If any of the analysts who elect to cover us downgrades our stock, our stock price could decline rapidly. If any of these analysts ceases coverage of us, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our common stock price or trading volume to decline and our common stock to be less liquid.

If a substantial number of shares become available for sale and are sold in a short period of time, the market price of our common stock could decline.

If our existing shareholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market following this offering, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that our existing shareholders might sell shares of common stock could also depress our market price. Upon completion of this offering, we will have 14,413,435 shares of our common stock outstanding, or 15,099,685 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares. Our directors and executive officers, collectively representing 19.73% of our beneficial ownership of common shares outstanding upon completion of this offering, or 18.91% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, will be subject to the lock-up agreements described in “Underwriting” and the Rule 144 holding period requirements described in “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” After all of the lock-up periods have expired and the holding periods have elapsed, an estimated 1,764,475 additional shares (excluding exercisable options and warrants) of our outstanding common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market. In addition, the underwriters may, at any time and without notice, release all or a portion of the shares subject to lock-up agreements. The market price of shares of our common stock may drop significantly when the restrictions on resale by our existing shareholders lapse. A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities and could result in a decline in the value of the shares of our common stock purchased in this offering.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain whether the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and is, therefore, permitted to, and intends to, take advantage of certain exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. We will be an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which the Company had total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more, (ii) December 31, 2026, (iii) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt or (iv) the date on which the Company is deemed a “large accelerated filer,” as defined under the federal securities laws.

For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company,” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on certain executive compensation matters, such advisory votes on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information that they may deem important. Although we intend to rely on the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act, the exact implications of the JOBS Act for the Company are still subject to interpretations and guidance by the SEC and other regulatory agencies.

 

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In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards. We have elected to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

We cannot predict whether investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of taking advantage of these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of these choices, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock, and our stock price may be more volatile.

Our management will have broad discretion as to the use of proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

We are not required to apply any portion of the net proceeds of this offering for any particular purpose. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds of this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering. At June 30, 2022, our total shareholders’ equity was $104.8 million and our annualized total return on average common equity was 5.91% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. We expect our total shareholders’ equity to be $135.9 million upon completion of the offering, based on the public offering price of $7.50 per share and stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2022. A portion of the proceeds from this offering are expected to be used to provide additional capital as a cushion against minimum regulatory capital requirements, which may tend to reduce our return on equity as opposed to if such proceeds were used for further growth. Our shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to allocate and invest the net proceeds. We may not be successful in using the net proceeds from this offering to increase our profitability or market value and we cannot predict whether the proceeds will be invested to yield a favorable return.

Our shareholders have limited control over changes in our policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks that shareholders face.

The board of directors of the Company determine the major policies of the Company, including our policies regarding growth and distributions. The board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the shareholders. The board of directors’ broad discretion in setting policies and shareholders’ inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks the shareholders face.

Our directors and executive officers beneficially own a significant portion of our common stock and have substantial influence over us.

Our directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned approximately 25.7% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of August 15, 2022. As a result of this level of ownership, our directors and executive officers have the ability, by taking coordinated action, to exercise significant influence over our affairs and policies. The interests of our directors and executive officers may not be consistent with your interests as a shareholder. This influence may also have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or changes in management, or limiting the ability of our other shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our Company.

Our dividend policy may change without notice and any payment of dividends in the future is subject to the discretion of our board of directors.

The holders of our common stock will receive cash dividends if and when declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Our principal business operations are conducted through our subsidiary, The Gratz Bank. Cash available to pay dividends to our shareholders is derived primarily, if not entirely, from dividends paid by The Gratz Bank to us. The ability of The Gratz Bank to pay dividends to us, as well as our ability to pay

 

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dividends to our shareholders, will continue to be subject to, and limited by, certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Further, any lenders making loans to us may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive with respect to dividend payments than the regulatory requirements.

Pursuant to our Merger Agreement with GNBF, for three years following the effective time of the Merger, the Company will pay a quarterly cash dividend in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year, provided sufficient funds are legally available and that the Company and the Bank remain “well-capitalized” in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines. Subject to the approval of our board of directors and regulatory restrictions, the Company anticipates that it will continue to pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

A future issuance of stock could dilute the value of our common stock.

We may sell additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, in subsequent public or private offerings. Upon completion of this offering, there will be 14,413,435 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, or 15,099,685 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares. Future issuance of any new shares could cause further dilution in the value of our outstanding shares of common stock. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.

Our common stock is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness.

Shares of our common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, our common stock ranks junior to all our customer deposits and indebtedness, and other non-equity claims on us, with respect to assets available to satisfy claims. In addition, the shares of common stock rank junior to the $20.0 million in subordinated debt that we assumed in connection with the Merger and the $20.0 million of subordinated debt that we issued in April 2022.

Our Articles of Incorporation permit the board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of the holders of our common stock or discourage a third party from acquiring the Company in a manner that could result in a premium price to shareholders.

The board of directors may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock, classify any unissued shares of our preferred stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of our preferred stock into other classes or series of stock and set the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any such stock. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Such preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price to holders of our common stock.

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and certain banking laws applicable to us, could have an anti-takeover effect that decreases our chances of being acquired, even if our acquisition is in our shareholders’ best interests.

Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and federal and state banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of

 

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our organization or conduct a proxy contest, even if those events were perceived by many of our shareholders as beneficial to their interests. These provisions, and the corporate and banking laws and regulations applicable to us:

 

   

enable our board of directors to increase the size of the board and fill the vacancies created by the increase;

 

   

provide that directors may only be removed for cause and by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast;

 

   

enable our board of directors to amend our Bylaws without shareholder approval, subject, however, to any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law that requires action to be taken by the shareholders and the general power of the shareholders to change such action in accordance with the Bylaws and Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law;

 

   

require advance notice for shareholder proposals and director nominations;

 

   

require a supermajority vote of the shareholders to approve a merger that has not been approved by the board of directors, and to amend certain provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws; and

 

   

require prior regulatory approval of any transaction involving control of our organization.

The foregoing may discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control.

An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit and is not guaranteed by the FDIC, so you could lose some or all of your investment.

An investment in our common stock is not a deposit account or other obligation of the Bank and, therefore, is not insured against loss or guaranteed by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other governmental, public or private entity. An investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described herein. As a result, if you acquire our common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “attribute,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would,” “annualized” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

   

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

 

   

statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;

 

   

statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

 

   

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;

 

   

fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions;

 

   

demand for loans and deposits in our market area;

 

   

conditions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the severity and duration of the associated economic slowdown either nationally or in our market areas and the effectiveness of vaccination programs, that are worse than expected;

 

   

changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;

 

   

our ability to access cost-effective funding;

 

   

our ability to implement and change our business strategies;

 

   

competition among depository and other financial institutions;

 

   

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

 

   

the rate of delinquencies and amounts of loans charged-off;

 

   

adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

   

changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

 

   

our ability to capitalize on strategic opportunities;

 

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our ability to successfully introduce new products and services, enter new markets, and capitalize on growth opportunities;

 

   

our ability to successfully integrate into our operations any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we may acquire and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames, and any goodwill charges related thereto;

 

   

our ability to retain our existing customers;

 

   

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

   

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

 

   

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;

 

   

changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios;

 

   

a breach in security of our information systems, including the occurrence of a cyber incident or a deficiency in cyber security;

 

   

political instability or civil unrest;

 

   

acts of war or terrorism;

 

   

competition and innovation with respect to financial products and services by banks, financial institutions and non-traditional providers, including retail businesses and technology companies;

 

   

the failure to attract and retain skilled people;

 

   

the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies; and

 

   

other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and operational factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services described elsewhere in this prospectus.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included in this prospectus. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Further information on other factors that could affect us are included in the section captioned “Risk Factors.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Based upon a public offering price of $7.50 per share, we estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by us will be approximately $31.1 million (or approximately $35.9 million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering to support the growth of The Gratz Bank, including providing capital to The Gratz Bank to support growth of its operations, including, without limitation, expansion of its lending activities, financing strategic acquisitions that may from time to time arise and for other general corporate purposes.

Our management will retain broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of this offering, and the precise amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds of this offering will depend upon market conditions, as well as other factors. Until we deploy the proceeds of this offering for the uses described above, we expect to hold such proceeds in short-term investments.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table shows our capitalization, including regulatory capital ratios, on a consolidated basis, as of June 30, 2022:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance and sale by us of 4,575,000 shares of common stock in this offering (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase any additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any), and the receipt and application of the net proceeds from the sale of these shares at the public offering price of $7.50 per share after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of the Company,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     At June 30, 2022  
     Actual     As
Adjusted
 
     (dollars in thousands
except per share data)
 
     (unaudited)  

Short term debt

   $ 1,639     $ 1,639  

Long term debt

     40,585       40,585  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     42,224       42,224  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized—25,000,000 shares; outstanding—9,838,435 shares actual and 14,413,435 shares as adjusted

   $ 99     $ 104  

Surplus

     83,070       114,173  

Retained earnings

     26,491       26,491  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     (4,889     (4,889
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 104,771     $ 135,879  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 146,995     $ 178,103  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital ratios

    

Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)

     6.62     9.67

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets(2)

     11.94     15.11

Tier 1 capital to average assets(2)

     10.10     12.32

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets(2)

     11.94     15.11

Total capital to risk-weighted assets(2)

     12.42     15.59

Per share data

    

Book value per common share

   $ 10.66     $ 9.43  

Tangible book value per common share(1)

   $ 6.89     $ 6.86  

 

(1)

Tangible book value represents the amount of our total tangible assets reduced by our total liabilities. Tangible assets are calculated by reducing total assets, as defined by GAAP, by $35.8 million in goodwill and $1.2 million in other intangible assets. Tangible book value at June 30, 2022 was $67.8 million “Actual” and $98.9 million “As Adjusted.” Tangible book value per common share represents our tangible book value divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding.

(2)

Ratios are for the Bank only. Assumes 84% of the net proceeds of the offering, or $26.1 million, is contributed to the Bank.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of common stock upon completion of this offering.

Net tangible book value per common share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. Tangible assets are calculated by reducing total assets by $35.8 million in goodwill and $1.2 million in other intangible assets. Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2022 was $67.8 million, or $6.89 per share of common stock, based upon 9,838,435 shares of common stock outstanding as of such date.

After giving effect to the sale of 4,575,000 shares of our common stock by us at the public offering price of $7.50 per share, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2022 would have been approximately $98.9 million, or approximately $6.86 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of $0.03 per share to existing common shareholders, and an immediate dilution of $0.64 per share to investors participating in this offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Public offering price per share

      $ 7.50  

Net tangible book value per share at June 30, 2022

   $ 6.89     

Decrease in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

     (0.03   
  

 

 

    

As adjusted tangible book value per share after this offering

        6.86  
     

 

 

 

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors

      $ 0.64  
     

 

 

 

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2022, the differences between our existing shareholders and new investors with respect to the number of shares of our common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid. The calculations with respect to shares purchased by new investors in this offering reflect the offering price of $7.50 per share, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:

 

     Shares Purchased      Total Consideration      Average Price
Per Share
 
     Number      Percentage      Amount      Percentage  

Existing shareholders as of June 30, 2022

     9,838,435        68.3%      $ 83,169        67.5%        $8.45  

New Investors

     4,575,000        31.7%        34,313        32.5%        7.50  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     14,413,435        100.0%      $ 117,482        100.0%        8.15  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, then our pro forma net tangible book value of our common stock as of June 30, 2022, would be approximately $103.7 million, or $6.87 per share, representing an immediate decrease in net tangible book value to our existing shareholders of approximately $0.02 per share and immediate dilution in net tangible book value to investors purchasing shares in this offering of approximately $0.63 per share.

The table above excludes 475,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance in connection with equity awards available for issuance under our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2022. If equity awards are issued under our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, investors purchasing in this offering will experience further dilution.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

On December 15, 2021, the Company paid its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share. The following table shows the amount and the dividends paid on shares of LINKBANCORP common stock in 2021 and through June 30, 2022:

 

Quarterly Period

   Amount Per Share  

June 30, 2022

   $ 0.075  

March 31, 2022

   $ 0.075  

December 31, 2021

   $ 0.075  

On August 18, 2022, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2022. This dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2022, payable on September 15, 2022. Investors in this offering are not entitled to receive this dividend.

The Merger Agreement with GNBF provides that, for three years following the effective time of the Merger, the Company will pay a quarterly cash dividend in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year, provided sufficient funds are legally available and that the Company and the Bank remain “well-capitalized” in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines. Subject to the approval of our board of directors and regulatory restrictions, the Company anticipates that it will continue to pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis in an amount equal to or greater than $0.30 per share per year. Any future determination to pay cash dividends on our common stock will be made by our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

our historical and projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations;

 

   

our capital levels and requirements;

 

   

statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other limitations;

 

   

any contractual restriction on our ability to pay cash dividends, including pursuant to the terms of any of our credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements;

 

   

our business strategy;

 

   

tax considerations;

 

   

any acquisitions or potential acquisitions that we may examine;

 

   

general economic conditions; and

 

   

other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

As a Pennsylvania corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on dividends under Pennsylvania General Corporation Law. Generally, Pennsylvania law limits cash dividends if the corporation would be unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or if the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved when the distribution is measured, to satisfy the shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

We are also subject to certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends as a result of banking laws, regulations and policies. The FRB has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies. In general, the FRB’s policy provides that dividends should be paid only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past two years is sufficient to fund the dividends and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the bank holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The FRB has the authority to prohibit a bank holding company from paying dividends if such payment is deemed to be an unsafe or unsound practice. See “Supervision and Regulation – Holding Company Regulation.”

 

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Because we are a bank holding company, we are dependent upon the payment of dividends by The Gratz Bank to us as our principal source of funds to pay dividends in the future and to make other payments. The Gratz Bank is also subject to various legal, regulatory and other restrictions on its ability to pay dividends and make other distributions and payments to us. The Pennsylvania Banking Code states, in part, that dividends may be declared and paid only out of accumulated net earnings and may not be declared or paid unless surplus is at least equal to capital. Dividends may not reduce surplus without the prior consent of the PADOBS. The PADOBS and the FDIC have the authority to prohibit a Pennsylvania commercial bank from paying dividends if such payment is deemed to be an unsafe or unsound practice. In addition, as a depository institution the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC, The Gratz Bank may not pay dividends or distribute any of its capital assets while it remains in default on any assessment due to the FDIC. The Gratz Bank currently is not (and never has been) in default under any of its obligations to the FDIC. See “Supervision and Regulation— Bank Regulation—Capital Distributions.” To pay a cash dividend, a state bank must also maintain an adequate capital conservation buffer under the capital rules described in “Supervision and Regulation— Bank Regulation—Capital Requirements.”

 

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MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

Existing shares of LINKBANCORP’s common stock are quoted on the Pink Open Market operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (the “Pink Market”) under the symbol “LNKB.” As of September 1, 2022, there were approximately 593 holders of record of our common stock. Upon completion of the offering, we expect that shares of our common stock will be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LNKB.”

The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for shares of LINKBANCORP common stock for the periods indicated, as obtained from the Pink Market. These reported market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2022

   High      Low  

Third Quarter through September 13, 2022

   $ 9.70      $ 8.50  

Second Quarter

     11.21        9.20  

First Quarter

     11.95        11.05  

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2021

             

Fourth Quarter

   $ 13.40      $ 11.50  

Third Quarter

     19.00        13.05  

Second Quarter

     13.75        11.55  

First Quarter

     12.00        11.25  

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020

             

Fourth Quarter

   $ 12.09      $ 10.25  

Third Quarter

     11.00        9.99  

Second Quarter

     12.00        9.05  

First Quarter

     10.00        10.00  

Although our shares have been quoted on the Pink Market, the prices at which such transactions occurred may not necessarily reflect the price that would be paid for our common stock in a more active market. We anticipate that this offering and the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market will result in a more active trading market for our common stock. However, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after this offering. You may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our common stock is not active. See “Underwriting” for more information regarding our arrangements with the underwriters.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and at and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Financial information prior to September 18, 2021 refers to the consolidated financial statements of GNBF, the accounting acquiror in the Merger described below. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Overview

The Company operates primarily through its sole subsidiary, The Gratz Bank and LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank, which provides traditional lending, deposit gathering and cash services to retail customers, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Bank focuses its lending activities on small businesses, targeted to create a diverse loan portfolio in relation to its underlying collateral and different business segments with unique cash flow generation and varied interest rate sensitivity. The Bank offers a full suite of deposit products and cash management services focused on the small business and nonprofit segments. The Bank intends to legally change its name to LINKBANK in November 2022 to create one single brand, subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Our revenues consist primarily of interest income earned on loans and investments. Interest income is partially offset by interest expense incurred on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by the balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and their relative interest rates. Net interest income is typically further reduced by a provision for loan losses.

Noninterest income also contributes to our operating results, consisting of service charges on deposit accounts, earnings on bank-owned life insurance, revenue from the sale of securities, revenue from the sale of SBA loans and residential mortgage loans to the secondary market and related servicing fees. Noninterest expense, which include salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, data processing, professional fees, FDIC insurance and other general and administrative expenses, are the Company’s primary expenditures incurred as a result of operations.

Financial institutions, in general, are significantly affected by economic conditions, competition, and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Lending activities are influenced by the demand for and supply of housing and commercial real estate, competition among lenders, interest rate conditions, and funds availability. Our operations and lending are primarily located in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties, and are influenced by local economic conditions. Deposit balances and cost of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates on competing investments, customer preferences, and levels of personal income and savings in our primary market area. Operations are also significantly impacted by government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. Future changes in applicable law, regulations or government policies may materially impact the Company.

Completion of Merger

On September 18, 2021, the Company completed its merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc., with LINKBANCORP as the surviving corporation. Immediately following the Merger, LINKBANK merged with and into The Gratz Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GNBF, with The Gratz Bank as the surviving bank. LINKBANK’s banking offices continue to operate as LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank.

 

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Under the Merger Agreement, GNBF shareholders had the opportunity to elect to receive $87.68 per share in cash or 7.3064 of LINKBANCORP common shares for each share they owned. The Merger Agreement provided for proration procedures intended to ensure that, in the aggregate, at least 80% of the GNBF common shares outstanding would be exchanged for LINKBANCORP common stock. The Merger was effective on September 18, 2021, with the GNBF shareholders collectively electing to receive cash for 14.865% of their common shares and LINKBANCORP common shares for 85.135% of existing GNBF common shares. These elections resulted in LINKBANCORP issuing 4.85 million common shares to GNBF shareholders which represented approximately 49.4% of the post-merger outstanding common shares of LINKBANCORP.

As described in Note 2 of the Company’s notes to the audited consolidated financial statements, the Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition and, accordingly, the historical financial information of the Company for all periods prior to September 18, 2021 is that of GNBF and its subsidiaries. For all periods beginning on September 18, 2021 and thereafter, the financial information is that of the Combined Company. See Note 2 “Merger” of the Company’s notes to the audited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Key Factors Affecting Our Business

COVID-19. The Company’s financial condition and performance are all highly dependent on the business environment in the market areas in which we operate and in the United States as a whole. During the first quarter of 2020, there was an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) which spread to numerous countries around the world, including the United States, becoming a global pandemic. As the spread of COVID-19 increased during the first and second quarters of 2020, federal, state, and local governments implemented various restrictive measures such as quarantines, restrictions on travel, school closings, “stay at home” rules and restrictions on certain business operations. These restrictions were lifted as people gained access to vaccines during the fourth quarter of 2020. Throughout the first half of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively affect our economy but started to wane towards the end of the second quarter only to see a national resurgence in cases during July 2021 and December 2021 as a result of variant strains of COVID-19. Primarily throughout 2020, the aforementioned restrictions had adversely affected the economy on a national, state, and local level, including the geographical areas in which the Company operates. As we progressed through 2021, especially during the second half of 2021 and continuing into the first half of 2022, our economy benefited from reduced business and travel restrictions as the national and local impact of COVID-19 lessened.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income is the most significant contributor to our net income and is the difference between the interest and fees earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is primarily a function of the average balances and yields of these interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. These factors are influenced by internal considerations such as product mix and risk appetite as well as external influences such as economic conditions, competition for loans and deposits and market interest rates.

The cost of our deposits and short-term borrowings is primarily based on short-term interest rates, which are largely driven by the FRB’s actions and market competition. The yields generated by our loans and securities are typically affected by short-term and long-term interest rates, which are driven by market competition and market rates which are often impacted by the FRB’s actions. The level of net interest income is influenced by movements in such interest rates and the pace at which such movements occur.

Based on our asset sensitivity, a steepened yield curve and higher interest rates generally could have a beneficial impact on our net interest income. Conversely, a flat yield curve at lower rates would be expected to have an adverse impact on our net interest income.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income is also a contributor to our net income. Noninterest income consists primarily of service charges on deposit accounts, earnings on bank owned life insurance, our net gains on the sale of investment securities and loans and other fee income consisting primarily of the change in value of mortgage servicing rights and other miscellaneous loan fees.

 

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Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense includes salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment and data processing, professional fees, FDIC insurance assessment, bank shares tax, Merger related expenses and other expenses. In evaluating our level of noninterest expense we closely monitor our efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net interest income plus noninterest income. We continue to seek to identify ways to streamline our business and operate more efficiently.

Credit Quality. We have well established loan policies and underwriting practices that have resulted in very low levels of charge-offs and nonperforming assets. We strive to originate quality loans that will maintain the credit quality of our loan portfolio. However, credit trends in the markets in which we operate are largely impacted by economic conditions beyond our control and can adversely impact our financial condition.

Competition. The banking industry and businesses in which we operate are highly competitive. We may see increased competition in different areas including the interest rates on our products, underwriting standards and product offerings and structure. While we seek to maintain an appropriate return on our investments, we anticipate that we will experience continued pressure on our net interest margin as we operate in this competitive environment.

Economic Conditions. Overall, real GDP decreased by 3.5% for 2020 as compared to an increase of 2.2% in 2019. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, market interest rates declined significantly during 2020 with the 10-year Treasury bond falling from a high yield of 1.88% on January 2, 2020 to a low of 0.52% on August 4, 2020. However, during 2021 the economic recovery from the global pandemic resulted in real GDP growth of 5.7% when compared to 2020. With the economy experiencing its strongest full year growth since 1984, the FRB’s monetary policy is now at the forefront of economic discussions as debate arises around what actions, if any, the FRB will take to attempt to slow the economic growth and the inflation that comes with it. According to the June 2022 Consumer Price Index, consumer prices increased 9.1% from a year earlier, the fastest yearly increase in over 40 years. In addition, the annual inflation rate in the United States increased to 9.1% in June 2022, the highest rate since November 1981. Surging commodity prices and disruptions emanating from the war in Ukraine are influencing investor sentiment and increased expectations for inflation and future additional FRB rate hikes.

At the beginning of 2020, the FRB set the target range for the Fed Funds rate at 1.50% to 1.75% and by March 31, 2020, the Fed Funds target range was reduced to 0% to 0.25% in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fed Funds rate was left unchanged through the remainder of 2020 and through December 31, 2021. However, on March 16, 2022, the FRB increased the Fed Funds target range to 0.25% to 0.5% and subsequently has further increased the Fed Funds rate multiple times to a target range of 2.25% to 2.50% in order to combat high inflation. The consensus is that rates will be increased additional times during 2022. Additionally, the current geopolitical environment in Europe provides yet another layer of uncertainty around the actions that the FRB might take. It is reasonably foreseeable that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of these conditions, including expected credit losses on loans.

Regulatory Trends. We operate in a highly regulated environment and nearly all of our operations are subject to extensive regulation and supervision. Bank or securities regulators, Congress, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the PADOBS may revise the laws and regulations applicable to us, may impose new laws and regulations, may increase the level of scrutiny of our business in the supervisory process, or pursue additional enforcement actions against financial institutions. Future legislative and regulatory changes such as these may increase our costs and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The legislative and regulatory trends that will affect us in the future are impossible to predict with any certainty.

Public Company Costs. Following the completion of this offering, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. We expect that these costs will include additional personnel, legal, consulting, regulatory, insurance, accounting, investor relations and other expenses that we did not incur as a public company registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act or as a private company.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and follow general practices within the financial services industry. It is management’s opinion that accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the Company’s business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity required in making such estimates. See Note 1 of the Company’s notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included within this prospectus for all our accounting policies, including these identified critical accounting estimates.

Allowance for loan losses – The loan portfolio is the largest asset on the Company’s balance sheet. The allowance for loan losses represents the amount that, in management’s judgement , reflects credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. Loan loss estimates are determined by historical experience, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. Because economic conditions can change and future events are inherently difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan losses, and therefore the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses, could change significantly.

Accounting for business combinations – The Company accounts for acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, and liabilities assumed, are recorded at fair value, Because the acquired loans were recorded at fair value, no allowance for loan losses was recorded related to these loans because the fair value of the loans incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk.

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

Summary Financial Condition. The following table sets forth a summary of the material categories of our balance sheet at the dates indicated:

 

                          Change  
     As of June 30,
2022
     As of December 31,      June 30, 2022 vs.
December 31, 2021
    December 31, 2021 vs.
December 31, 2020
 
     2021      2020      Amount     Percentage     Amount     Percentage  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Total assets

   $ 1,059,885      $ 932,763      $ 429,544      $ 127,092       13.6   $ 503,219       117.2

Cash and cash equivalents

     62,996        22,590        33,162        40,406       178.9     (10,572     (31.9 )% 

Loans receivable, net

     786,516        711,664        233,795        74,852       10.5     477,869       204.4

Securities available for sale

     85,756        103,783        125,447        (18,027     (17.4 )%      (21,664     (17.3 )% 

Securities held to maturity

     28,816        —          —          28,816       100.0     —         —    

Total deposits

     902,373        771,665        375,124        130,708       16.9     396,541       105.7

Other borrowings

     1,639        19,814        1,120        (18,175     (91.7 )%      18,694       1669.1

Subordinated debt

     40,585        20,696        —        19,889       96.1     20,694       N/A

Shareholders’ Equity

     104,771        109,623        50,674        (4,852     (4.4 )%      58,949       116.3

Total Assets. Total assets at June 30, 2022, were $1.06 billion, an increase of $127.1 million, or 13.6%, from $932.8 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in total assets was primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $40.4 million, from $22.6 million at December 31, 2021 to $63.0 million at June 30, 2022, an increase in securities held to maturity from $0 to $28.8 million at June 30, 2022, and an increase in loans receivable, net, of $74.9 million, or 10.5%, from $711.7 million at December 31, 2021 to $786.5 million at June 30, 2022. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in securities available for sale of $18.0 million, or 17.4%, from $103.8 million at December 31, 2021 to $85.8 million at June 30, 2022.

 

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Total assets at December 31, 2021, were $932.8 million, an increase of $503.3 million, or 117.2%, from $429.5 million at December 31, 2020. The increase in total assets was primarily due to the assets acquired from LINKBANCORP in the Merger, which totaled $523.2 million and consisted of:

 

(amounts in thousands)

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49,962  

Securities available for sale

     3,111  

Loans

     415,905  

Premises and equipment

     2,087  

Right-of-use asset

     4,544  

Intangible assets

     1,246  

Goodwill

     33,508  

Investment in bank owned life insurance

     4,784  

Deferred taxes

     3,675  

Other assets

     4,394  

Excluding the assets acquired through the Merger, assets at December 31, 2021 would have decreased $20.0 million from December 31, 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased $40.4 million, or 178.9%, from $22.6 million at December 31, 2021 to $63.0 million at June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to:

Primary Cash Inflows

 

   

Net increase in deposits of $130.7 million;

 

   

Cash received from investment securities (calls, maturities, and principal repayments) of $9.6 million;

 

   

Proceeds from the issuance of subordinated debt of $20.0 million; and

 

   

Cash provided by operating activities of $803 thousand.

Primary Cash Outflows

 

   

Repayments of borrowings of $18.2 million;

 

   

Net increase in the funding of loans receivable of $70.6 million;

 

   

Purchase of investment securities held to maturity of $29.4 million; and

 

   

Payment of dividends of $1.5 million.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $10.6 million, or 31.9%, from $33.2 million at December 31, 2020 to $22.6 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to:

Primary Cash Inflows

 

   

Cash provided by operating activities of $4.8 million;

 

   

Net cash acquired through the Merger of $39.9 million;

 

   

Net increase in deposits of $5.4 million;

 

   

Net cash from available for sale investment securities (sales, calls, maturities, and principal repayments less purchases) of $21.7 million; and

 

   

Net proceeds from redemption of certificates of deposits with other banks of $4.2 million.

 

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Primary Cash Outflows

 

   

Repayments of borrowings of $14.3 million;

 

   

Net increase in the funding of loans receivable of $66.5 million;

 

   

Payment of dividends of $1.5 million; and

 

   

Purchase of bank-owned life insurance of $5.0 million.

Securities. Securities available-for-sale decreased by $18.0 million, or 17.4%, to $85.8 million at June 30, 2022 from $103.8 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease was due to a decrease in fair value of our holdings of $8.5 million, calls/sales/repayments totaling $8.9 million, and net amortization of premiums and discounts of $0.5 million. In addition, we purchased investment securities classified as held-to-maturity of $29.4 million during the first half of 2022 consisting of mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored enterprises and corporate debentures.

The following table shows the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities at the dates indicated.

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 706      $ —      $ (13    $ 693  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     44,389        50        (3,446      40,993  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     46,847        3        (2,780      44,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 91,942      $ 53      $ (6,239    $ 85,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Held to Maturity:

           

Corporate debentures

   $ 9,993      $ —      $ (241    $ 9,752  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     18,823        —          (285      18,538  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 28,816      $ —        $ (526    $ 28,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 1,099      $ —      $ (15    $ 1,084  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     46,115        2,405        (38      48,482  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     54,239        382        (404      54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 101,453      $ 2,787      $ (457    $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth the estimated fair value and amortized cost of our available-for-sale and held to maturity securities portfolio, by contractual maturity, as of June 30, 2022.

 

     Available for Sale
Securities
     Held to Maturity
Securities
 
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Due within one year

   $ 95      $ 95      $ —      $ —  

Due after one year through five years

     5,554        5,535        3,000        2,965  

Due after five years through ten years

     11,983        11,532        6,993        6,787  

Due after ten years

     29,872        26,757        —        —  

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     44,438        41,837        18,823        18,538  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 91,942      $ 85,756      $ 28,816      $ 28,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale decreased by $21.6 million, or 17.3%, to $103.8 million at December 31, 2021 from $125.4 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of $11.3 million of securities available-for-sale, a decrease in fair value of our holdings of $1.7 million and net amortization of premiums and discounts of $1.4 million. Additionally during 2021, we purchased $14.2 million of securities and received a return of principal of $24.5 million. The proceeds from securities sales and the net return of principal repayments were used to fund loan growth during 2021.

Loans. Net loans receivable increased during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and during the year ended December 31, 2021 as shown in the table below:

 

                       Change  
     As of
June 30,
    As of December 31,     June 30, 2022 vs.
December 31, 2021
    December 31, 2021 vs.
December 31, 2020
 
     2022     2021     2020     Amount     Percentage     Amount     Percentage  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Agriculture loans

   $ 7,710     $ 9,341     $ 11,246     $ (1,631     (17.46 )%    $ (1,905     (16.94 )% 

Commercial business loans

     88,452       98,604       21,534       (10,152     (10.30 )%      77,070       357.90

PPP loans

     2,527       23,774       —         (21,247     (89.37 )%      23,774       N/A  

Commercial real estate loans

     435,588       338,749       27,261       96,839       28.59     311,488       1142.61

Residential real estate loans(1)

     241,401       231,302       167,536       10,099       4.37     63,766       38.06

Consumer loans

     8,689       7,087       2,514       1,602       22.60     4,573       181.90

Municipal loans

     5,814       6,182       6,749       (368     (5.95 )%      (567     (8.40 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total Loans

     790,181       715,039       236,840       75,142       10.51     478,199       201.91

Deferred (fees) costs

     225       (223     (256     448       200.90     33       (12.89 )% 

Allowance for loan losses

     (3,890     (3,152     (2,789     738       23.41     (363     13.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

Net Loans

   $ 786,516     $ 711,664     $ 233,795     $ 74,852       10.52   $ 477,869       204.40
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1)

Residential real estate loans consist of one- to four-family residential, residential development, home equity and farmland loans.

The growth in our commercial real estate loans was not attributable to any one significant loan relationship and was primarily generated in markets serviced by our Camp Hill, Lancaster, and Delaware Valley client solutions centers. Residential real estate loans increased $10.1 million during the first half of 2022 with $23.8 million related to new loan originations of mortgage loans for investment properties partially offset by normal principal amortization and payoffs. The reduction in PPP loans since December 31, 2021 related to SBA loan forgiveness of PPP loans during the first half of 2022.

 

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At June 30, 2022, commercial real estate loans included commercial construction loans with a balance of $26.7 million compared to $28.5 million at December 31, 2021. Residential construction loans contained within residential real estate loans totaled $9.5 million compared to $2.5 million at December 31, 2021. Total construction loans represented a 62% draw percentage at both June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

The majority of the growth in net loans during 2021 was a result of the loans acquired through the Merger which totaled $415.9 million. Following the Merger, during the fourth quarter of 2021, total loans grew by $46.4 million, primarily in commercial business and commercial real estate loans, which equated to an approximate annualized growth rate of 27% for that quarter.

Loan Portfolio Maturities. The following table presents the maturity distribution of our loan portfolio at June 30, 2022. The table further presents breakdown of our loans between those loans that earn interest at a fixed interest rate and those loans that contain an interest rate that currently fluctuates in accordance with changes to a specific interest rate index.

 

(In Thousands)    Due in
One
Year or
Less
     After One
but Within
Five Years
     After Five
but Within
Fifteen
Years
     After
Fifteen
Years
     Total due
after One
Year
     Total  

Agriculture loans

   $ 1,317      $ 1,117      $ 806      $ 4,470      $ 6,393      $ 7,710  

Commercial business loans

     9,254        26,048        19,849        33,301        79,198        88,452  

PPP loans

     —          2,527        —          —          2,527        2,527  

Commercial real estate loans

     15,800        48,673        327,778        43,337        419,788        435,588  

Residential real estate loans

     6,278        51,552        93,797        89,774        235,123        241,401  

Consumer and other loans

     134        689        7,449        417        8,555        8,689  

Municipal loans

     197        495        2,725        2,397        5,617        5,814  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 32,980      $ 131,101      $ 452,404      $ 173,696      $ 757,201      $ 790,181  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans with fixed interest rates

                 

Agriculture loans

   $ 139      $ 627      $ 166      $ —        $ 793      $ 932  

Commercial business loans

     1,431        19,095        8,105        260        27,460        28,891  

PPP loans

     —          2,527        —          —          2,527        2,527  

Commercial real estate loans

     2,652        21,217        139,794        993        162,004        164,656  

Residential real estate loans

     1,058        13,555        37,920        18,630        70,105        71,163  

Consumer and other loans

     69        658        44        417        1,119        1,188  

Municipal loans

     197        106        2,486        700        3,292        3,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,546      $ 57,785      $ 188,515      $ 21,000      $ 267,300      $ 272,846  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans with floating interest rates

                 

Agriculture loans

   $ 1,178      $ 490      $ 640      $ 4,470      $ 5,600      $ 6,778  

Commercial business loans

     7,823        6,953        11,744        33,041        51,738        59,561  

PPP loans

     —          —          —          —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     13,148        27,456        187,984        42,344        257,784        270,932  

Residential real estate loans

     5,220        37,997        55,877        71,144        165,018        170,238  

Consumer and other loans

     65        31        7,405        —          7,436        7,501  

Municipal loans

     —          389        239        1,697        2,325        2,325  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,434      $ 73,316      $ 263,889      $ 152,696      $ 489,901      $ 517,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Nonperforming Loans. Nonperforming loans are presented in the table below. Non-performing loans are defined as nonaccrual loans (including non-accruing troubled debt restructurings) and loans delinquent greater than 90 days and still accruing interest. We had $0, $762,000 and $147,000 in accruing loans past due 90 days or more (all residential real estate loans) at June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. We had no troubled debt restructurings that were not accruing interest at any of the dates below.

 

     June 30, 2022     December 31, 2021  
            Nonperforming
Loans
           Nonperforming
Loans
 
(In Thousands)    Total
Loans
     Amount     Percent
of Loans
in
Category
    Total
Loans
     Amount     Percent
of Loans
in
Category
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 7,710      $ —       —     $ 9,341      $ —       —  

Commercial business loans

     88,452        36       0.04     98,604        39       0.04

PPP loans

     2,527        —       —       23,774        —       —  

Commercial real estate loans

     435,588        137       0.03     338,749        144       0.04

Residential real estate loans

     241,401        1,321       0.55     231,302        1,211       0.52

Consumer and other loans

     8,689        —       —       7,087        2       0.03

Municipal loans

     5,814        —       —       6,182        —       —  

Total

   $ 790,181      $ 1,494       0.19   $ 715,039      $ 1,396       0.20
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Excluding PPP loans

   $ 787,654      $ 1,494       0.19   $ 691,265      $ 1,396       0.20
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Allowance for loan losses

      $ 3,89 0          $ 3,152    

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans

        0.49          0.44  

Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans

        0.19          0.19  

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

        260.37          225.79  

 

     December 31, 2020  
            Nonperforming Loans  
(In Thousands)    Total
Loans
     Amount     Percent
of Loans
in
Category
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 11,246      $ —       —  

Commercial business loans

     21,534        48       0.22

PPP loans

     —        —       —  

Commercial real estate loans

     27,261        —       —  

Residential real estate loans

     167,536        568       0.34

Consumer and other loans

     2,514        —       —  

Municipal loans

     6,749        —       —  

Total

   $ 236,840      $ 616       0.26
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Excluding PPP loans

   $ 236,840      $ 616       0.26
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Allowance for loan losses

      $ 2,789    

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans

        1.18  

Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans

        0.26  

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

        452.76  

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses. The table below provides an allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category at June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

(In Thousands)

   Amount of
Allowance
Allocated
     Percent of Loans in
Each Category to
Total Loans
    Total
Loans
     Ratio of Allowance
Allocated to Loans in
Each Category
 

June 30, 2022

          

Agriculture loans

   $ 17        0.98   $ 7,710        0.22

Commercial business loans

     506        11.19     88,452        0.57

PPP loans

     —        0.32     2,527        0.00

Commercial real estate loans

     1,786        55.13     435,588        0.41

Residential real estate loans

     1,547        30.55     241,401        0.64

Consumer and other loans

     21        1.10     8,689        0.24

Municipal loans

     13        0.73     5,814        0.22

Unallocated Allowance

     —        —       —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 3,890        100.00   $ 790,181        0.49
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

December 31, 2021

          

Agriculture loans

   $ 23        1.31   $ 9,341        0.25

Commercial business loans

     582        13.79     98,604        0.59

PPP loans

     —        3.32     23,774        0.00

Commercial real estate loans

     799        47.37     338,749        0.24

Residential real estate loans

     1,634        32.35     231,302        0.71

Consumer and other loans

     22        0.99     7,087        0.31

Municipal loans

     15        0.86     6,182        0.24

Unallocated Allowance

     77        —       —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 3,152        100.00   $ 715,039        0.44
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

December 31, 2020

          

Agriculture loans

   $ 120        4.75   $ 11,246        1.07

Commercial business loans

     290        9.09     21,534        1.35

Commercial real estate loans

     314        11.51     27,261        1.15

Residential real estate loans

     1,702        70.74     167,536        1.02

Consumer and other loans

     35        1.06     2,514        1.39

Municipal loans

     18        2.85     6,749        0.27

Unallocated Allowance

     310        —       —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 2,789        100.00   $ 236,840        1.18
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

The allowance for loan losses increased $738 thousand from $3.2 million at December 31, 2021 to $3.9 million at June 30, 2022. The primary driver of the increased allowance for loan losses was a provision for loan losses recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2022 of $675 thousand.

 

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The allowance for loan losses increased $363 thousand from $2.8 million at December 31, 2020 to $3.2 million at December 31, 2021. The primary driver of the increased allowance for loan losses was a provision for loan losses recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021 of $648 thousand, offset by net charge-offs of $285 thousand. During the year ended December 31, 2021, management noted that a total of eight pre-merger loans with an outstanding principal balance of $560 thousand had migrated from the Pass risk rating category to the Substandard category and an additional eight pre-merger loans with an outstanding principal balance of $4.3 million had migrated from the Pass risk rating category to the Special Mention category resulting in a need to increase the provision for loan losses. Additionally, management adjusted the qualitative allowance factors to reflect a change in management over the credit portfolio, also adding to the 2021 provision when compared to the prior year.

Not included in the table above is the remaining unamortized credit fair value adjustment on loans acquired through the Merger, which are shown in the table below.

 

(In Thousands)              
Nature of Loan Adjustment    June 30, 2022      December 31, 2021  

To reflect a market interest rate

   $ (1,058    $ (1,337

To reflect additional credit risk

     (6,071      (7,105
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (7,128    $ (8,442
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Asset Quality. Asset quality remained strong at June 30, 2022 with non-performing loans, which is defined as nonaccrual loans (including non-accruing troubled debt restructurings) and loans delinquent greater than 90 days and still accruing interest, totaling $1.5 million or 0.19% of total gross loans. This is compared to $1.4 million of non-performing loans at December 31, 2021, which equated to 0.20% of total gross loans. Additionally, to compare our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of our gross loans outstanding, we also consider the credit fair value adjustment that was made to the loans acquired through the Merger, which totaled $6.1 million at June 30, 2022, in order to capture a truer picture of our overall coverage related to potential loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses and our credit fair value adjustment totaled $10.0 million at June 30, 2022 and represented 1.26% of our total gross loans, which is a decrease from 1.43% at December 31, 2021. As June 30, 2022, we had no other real estate owned.

Asset quality remained strong at December 31, 2021 with non-performing loans totaling $1.4 million or 0.20% of total gross loans. This is compared to $616 thousand of non-performing loans at December 31, 2020, which equated to 0.26% of gross loans. Additionally, to compare our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of our gross loans outstanding, we also consider the credit fair value adjustment that was made to the loans acquired through the Merger, which totaled $7.1 million at December 31, 2021, in order to capture a truer picture of our overall coverage related to potential loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses and our credit fair value adjustment totaled $10.2 million at December 31, 2021 and represented 1.39% of our total gross loans, which is an increase from 1.18% at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, we had no other real estate owned.

 

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Additional information related to the provision for loan losses and net (charge-offs) recoveries is presented in the table below. Also see Note 6—Allowance for Loan Losses in the accompanying notes to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

(In Thousands)    Provision
Expense
(Benefit)
     Net (Charge-
Offs)
Recoveries
     Average
Loans
     Ratio of Annualized Net
(Charge-Offs) Recoveries
to Average Loans
 

At June 30, 2022

           

Agriculture loans

   $ (6    $ —      $ 8,153        —  

Commercial business loans

     (82      6        96,073        0.01

PPP loans

     —        —        12,011        —  

Commercial real estate loans

     988        (1      379,301        (0.00 )% 

Residential real estate loans

     (143      56        226,781        0.02

Consumer and other loans

     (3      2      6,878        0.03

Municipal loans

     (2      —        6,059        —  

Unallocated

     (77      —        —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 675      $ 63      $ 735,256        0.01
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Excluding PPP loans

   $ 675      $ 63      $ 723,245        0.01
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

At December 31, 2021

           

Agriculture loans

   $ (97    $ —      $ 9,386        0.00

Commercial business loans

     294        (2      43,102        0.00

PPP loans

     —        —        6,523        0.00

Commercial real estate loans

     503        (18      119,217        (0.02 )% 

Residential real estate loans

     197        (265      181,494        (0.15 )% 

Consumer and other loans

     (13      —        3,550        0.00

Municipal loans

     (3      —        6,577        0.00

Unallocated

     (233      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 648      $ (285    $ 369,849        (0.08 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Excluding PPP loans

   $ 648      $ (285    $ 363,325        (0.08 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

At December 31, 2020

           

Agriculture loans

   $ (32    $ —      $ 11,988        0.00

Commercial business loans

     (22      —        21,284        0.00

PPP loans

     —        —        —        0.00

Commercial real estate loans

     59        —        36,473        0.00

Residential real estate loans

     87        (92      153,051        (0.06 )% 

Consumer and other loans

     (3      (5      3,171        (0.16 )% 

Municipal loans

     5        —        6,476        0.00

Unallocated

     90        —        —     

Total

   $ 184      $ (97    $ 232,443        (0.04 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Excluding PPP loans

   $ 184      $ (97    $ 232,443        (0.04 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Deposits. Deposits grew by $130.7 million, or 16.9%, from a total of $771.7 million at December 31, 2021 to $902.4 million at June 30, 2022. Total deposits grew by $396.5 million or 105.7%, from $375.1 million at December 31, 2020 to $771.7 million at December 31, 2021.

 

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Changes in the deposit types during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are presented in the table below:

 

                   Change         
     As of
June 30,

2022
     As of December 31,      June 30, 2022 vs.
December 31, 2021
    December 31, 2021
vs.
December 31, 2020
 
     2021      2020      Amount            Percentage     Amount      Percentage  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 184,345      $ 129,243      $ 66,573      $ 55,102          42.6   $ 62,670        94.1

Demand, interest-bearing

     269,493        256,258        158,708        13,235          5.2     97,550        61.5

Money market and savings

     235,411        205,843        69,188        29,568          14.4     136,655        197.5

Time deposits, $250,000 and over

     55,507        56,266        14,253        (759        (1.3 )%      42,013        294.8

Time deposits, other

     157,617        124,055        66,402        33,562          27.1     57,653        86.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

    

Total deposits

   $ 902,373      $ 771,665      $ 375,124      $ 130,708          16.9   $ 396,541        105.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

    

The increase of $68.3 million in demand deposits during the first half of 2022 was the result of new accounts opened during the first six months of 2022, partially offset by a net decrease in existing account balances, with new accounts contributing approximately $77.6 million in balance at June 30, 2022. Included in the time deposits balance at June 30, 2022 above were brokered time deposits with a balance of $20.0 million, and $0 as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

Of the increase in total deposits of $396.5 million at December 31, 2021 as compared to at December 31, 2020, the deposits assumed in the Merger contributed $391.2 million resulting in deposit growth outside of the Merger of $5.4 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2020.

The table below presents the daily average balances by deposit type and weighted average rates paid thereon for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

     June 30, 2022     December 31, 2021     December 31, 2020  

(In Thousands)

   Average
Balance
     Average
Rate Paid
    Average
Balance
     Average
Rate Paid
    Average
Balance
     Average
Rate Paid
 

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 142,323        0.00   $ 99,747        0.00   $ 61,780        0.00

Demand, interest-bearing

     264,527        0.38     175,133        0.59     144,081        0.94

Money market and savings

     219,972        0.35     112,511        0.18     70,238        0.09

Time deposits

     203,009        0.60     110,928        0.77     81,701        1.52
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total Deposits

   $ 829,831        0.36   $ 498,319        0.42   $ 357,800        0.74
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

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Table of Contents

We had deposits that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 of $390.0 million and $317.2 million at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. We estimate deposits that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 of $101.8 million at December 31, 2020. Total uninsured deposits are calculated based on regulatory reporting requirements and reflects the portion of any deposit of a customer at an insured depository institution that exceeds the applicable FDIC insurance coverage for that depositor at that institution and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit accounts that are classified as deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regime. At June 30, 2022, the scheduled maturities of time deposits that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit or otherwise uninsured were as follows:

 

(In Thousands)        June 30, 2022      

Due within 3 months or less

     $12,247  

Due after 3 months and within 6 months

     6,221  

Due after 6 months and within 12 months

     4,350  

Due after 12 months

     12,918  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 35,736  
  

 

 

 

Borrowings. At June 30, 2022, other borrowings consisted of $1.6 million in borrowings under the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”), which were assumed as part of the Merger. The PPPLF is a program designated to facilitate lending by financial institutions to small businesses under the PPP provision of the CARES Act.

At December 31, 2021, other borrowings consisted of $19.8 million in borrowings under PPPLF, which were assumed as part of the Merger. At December 31, 2020, other borrowings consisted of $1.1 million in FHLB fixed rate advances. Additionally, subordinated debt with a fair value of $20.7 million was assumed as part of the Merger. These notes bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year for the first five years and then float at an index tied to the SOFR for years six through ten. The notes have a term of ten years, with a maturity date of October 1, 2030. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, subject to any required regulatory approvals after the first five years.

Additionally, on April 8, 2022, LINKBANCORP issued subordinated debt with a carrying value of $20.0 million. These notes bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.50% per year up to April 15, 2027 and then float to an index tied to the three-month SOFR, plus 203 basis points. Subject to limited exceptions, the Company cannot redeem the notes before the fifth anniversary of the issuance date. The balance of subordinated debt was $40.6 million and $20.7 million at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

Shareholders’ Equity. Total shareholders’ equity decreased by $4.9 million, or 4.4%, from $109.6 million at December 31, 2021, to $104.8 million at June 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $6.7 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the first six months of 2022 as a result of decreases in fair market values of available for sale securities due to the current rising interest rate environment. This decrease to shareholders’ equity was partially offset by net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 of $3.1 million, less dividends declared of $1.5 million.

Total shareholders’ equity increased by $58.9 million, or 116.3%, from $50.7 million at December 31, 2020, to $109.6 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to the stock issued in association with the Merger which added $61.4 million to shareholders’ equity and net income of $289 thousand. This addition to equity was partially offset by dividends paid of $1.5 million and other comprehensive loss of $1.4 million.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

General. Net income was $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, or $0.16 per diluted share, an increase of $433 thousand compared to net income of $1.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 reflected the results of the combined company following the completion of the Merger on September 18, 2021 whereas net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 reflected the results of GNBF prior to the Merger.

 

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Table of Contents

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to the same prior year period was the result of an increase in net interest income of $5.0 million. This increase was partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $4.2 million and increases in the provision for loan losses of $351 thousand and income tax expense of $104 thousand.

Analysis of Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents the difference between the interest we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Net interest income depends on both the volume of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates we earn or pay on them.

Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields. The following table sets forth certain information relating to average balance sheets and reflects the average annualized yield on interest-earning assets and average annualized cost of interest-bearing liabilities, interest earned and interest paid for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances are derived from daily balances over the periods indicated. The average balances for loans are net of allowance for loan losses, but include nonaccrual loans. The loan yields include net amortization of certain deferred fees and costs that are considered adjustments to yields. Yields on earning assets are shown on a fully taxable-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21%.

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2022     2021  
(Dollars in thousands)    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/
Rate(1)
    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/
Rate(1)
 

Interest Earning Cash Securities

   $ 60,718      $ 97       0.64   $ 42,634      $ 37       0.35

Securities

              

Taxable (2)

     74,105        587       3.18     94,370        299       1.27

Tax-Exempt

     45,030        377       3.36     48,420        382       3.16
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Securities

     119,135        964       3.28     142,790        681       1.93
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cash Equivalents and Investments

     179,853        1,061       2.37     185,424        718       1.55

Total Loans

     751,347        8,114       4.33     235,477        2,695       4.59
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest Earning Assets

     931,200        9,175       3.95     420,901        3,413       3.25

Other Assets

     90,361            19,105       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Assets

   $ 1,021,561          $ 440,006       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Interest-bearing demand

   $ 270,844      $ 260       0.39   $ 156,342      $ 254       0.65

Money market demand

     224,483        238       0.43     78,808        18       0.09

Time deposits

     211,033        320       0.61     72,615        190       1.05

Total Borrowings

     46,961        424       3.62     534        4       3.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     753,321        1,242       0.66     308,299        466       0.61

Non-Interest Bearing Deposits

     152,691        —       —       76,770        —       —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cost of Funds

   $ 906,012      $ 1,242       0.55   $ 385,069      $ 466       0.49
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Other Liabilities

     10,489            3,099       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities

   $ 916,501          $ 388,168       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 105,060          $ 51,840       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,021,561          $ 440,008       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Net Interest Income/Spread (FTE)

        7,933       3.29        2,947       2.64

Tax-Equivalent Basis Adjustment

        (80          (80  
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Income

      $ 7,853          $ 2,867    
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Margin

          3.38          2.73

 

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Taxable income on securities includes income from available for sale securities and income from certificates of deposits with other banks.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table reflects the sensitivity of our interest income and interest expense to changes in volume and in yields on interest-earning assets and costs of interest-bearing liabilities during the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Increase (Decrease) Due To:
 
(Dollars in thousands)    Rate      Volume      Net  

Interest Income:

        

Interest Earning Cash

   $ 31      $ 29      $ 60  

Securities

        

Taxable

     449        (161      288  

Tax-Exempt

     23        (28      (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Securities

     472        (189      283  

Total Loans

     (153      5,572        5,419  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Interest Earning Assets

     350        5,412        5,762  

Interest Expense:

        

Interest-bearing demand

     (101      107        6  

Money market demand

     67        153        220  

Time deposits

     (80      210        130  

Total Borrowings

     1        419        420  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     (113      889        776  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in Net Interest Income

   $ 463      $ 4,523      $ 4,986  

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $5.0 million, or 173.9%, to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase can be mostly attributed to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher average balance in loans as a result of the completion of the Merger. The net interest margin increased 65 basis points to 3.38% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 2.73% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Interest Income. Interest income increased to $9.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans as a result of the growth in average assets, primarily loans, following the completion of the Merger. The growth in average balance of interest earning assets which increased $510.3 million to $931.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $420.9 million for the comparable period in 2021 contributed $5.4 million in growth of interest income. The growth in the average balance of interest earning assets was due primarily to the increase in the average balance of loans which increased $515.9 million to $751.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021 reflecting the completion of the Merger. This growth was partially offset by a decrease in average yield on loans which decreased 26 basis points on an annualized basis from 4.59% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 to 4.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. In general, the lower yield on the loan portfolio can be attributed to the new loan originations that occurred from June 30, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally, the loans that closed during the second quarter of 2022 did not fully reflect the impact of the Federal Reserve’s increase to its benchmark rate by 150 basis points over the first two quarters of 2022 as a portion of these loans had been in various stages of our approval pipeline as benchmark rates moved upward. The normal amortization of net loan discounts recorded as part of purchase accounting adjustments to loans acquired through the Merger contributed $550 thousand to interest income during the three months ended June 30, 2022. Overall, the average yield of interest earning assets increased 70 basis points on an annualized basis to 3.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021 due primarily to a larger concentration of interest earning assets in loans along with an increase in the average yield of securities.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $776 thousand, or 166.5%, to $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $466 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $445.0 million to $753.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $308.3 million for the

 

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comparative period in 2021 as a result of the completion of the Merger which had the effect of increasing the average balances of deposits and borrowings. This average balance growth resulted in an increase in interest expense of $889 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021. The average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased five basis points on an annualized basis from 0.61% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 to 0.66% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 due to the increasing interest rate environment during the current period as well as the impact of interest on $40 million in subordinated notes which were not present in the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased by $351 thousand from $44 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $395 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, management noted that the total amount of special mention rated loans decreased $5.5 million compared to March 31, 2022, while total substandard rated loans increased $7.5 million. The provision for the three months ended June 30, 2022 can be mostly attributed to the commercial real estate loan balances added to the pool of loans collectively evaluated for incurred losses. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the allowance for loan losses needed for residential real estate loans which can be attributed to an increased balance of loans individually assessed for impairment for the three months ended June 30, 2022, which required no reserve based on the estimated recoverable value of collateral in comparison to the outstanding balance due on these credits.

We complete a comprehensive quarterly evaluation to determine its provision for loan losses. The evaluation reflects analyses of individual borrowers and historical loss experience, and changes in net loan balances, supplemented as necessary by credit judgment that considers observable trends, conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased by $52 thousand to $696 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022, from the $644 thousand recognized during the same period of 2021. The increase was the result of an increase in BOLI income of $64 thousand, an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $71 thousand, and an increase in gain on sale of loans of $72 thousand. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in other income of $155 thousand.

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $4.1 million, or 198.4%, from $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, to $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was largely due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $2.6 million related to higher headcount from the combined company as a result of the Merger and also due to an increase in employees to facilitate loan growth and foster deposit relationships. Additionally, there was (1) an increase of $320 thousand in occupancy expense related to increased property maintenance costs, lease costs, and depreciation expense for LINKBANK locations post-merger; (2) an increase of $365 thousand in equipment and data processing expenses related to the additional costs attributed processing post-merger customer transactions over a larger account base during the second quarter of 2022 when compared to a pre-merger basis during the second quarter of 2021; (3) an increase in professional fees of $237 thousand; (4) and an increase in other expense of $425 thousand.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $306 thousand compared to income tax expense of $202 thousand for the same period in 2021. The income tax expense recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was the direct result of our net income adjusted for tax free income and non-deductible expenses. We recognized an income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 at an effective tax rate of 16.0% which is less than our statutory tax rate of 21%. This is compared to income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 14.6%.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

General. Net income was $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, or $0.31 per diluted share, an increase of $832 thousand compared to net income of $2.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 reflected the results of the combined company following the completion of the Merger on September 18, 2021 whereas net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 reflected the results of GNBF prior to the Merger.

 

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Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to the same prior year period was the result of an increase in net interest income of $9.7 million and an increase in noninterest income of $194 thousand. These increases were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $8.2 million and increases in the provision for loan losses of $584 thousand and income tax expense of $216 thousand.

Analysis of Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents the difference between the interest we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Net interest income depends on both the volume of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates we earn or pay on them.

Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields. The following table sets forth certain information relating to average balance sheets and reflects the average annualized yield on interest-earning assets and average annualized cost of interest-bearing liabilities, interest earned and interest paid for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances are derived from daily balances over the periods indicated. The average balances for loans are net of allowance for loan losses, but include nonaccrual loans. The loan yields include net amortization of certain deferred fees and costs that are considered adjustments to yields. Yields on earning assets are shown on a fully taxable-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21%.

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2022     2021  
(Dollars in thousands)    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/
Rate(1)
    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/
Rate(1)
 

Interest Earning Cash Securities

   $ 60,229      $ 149       0.50   $ 41,558      $ 67       0.33

Securities

              

Taxable (2)

     70,674        863       2.46     94,000        612       1.31

Tax-Exempt

     45,030        746       3.34     48,602        768       3.19
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Securities

     115,704        1,609       2.80     142,602        1,380       1.95
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cash Equivalents and Investments

     175,933        1,758       2.02     184,160        1,447       1.58

Total Loans

     735,256        15,877       4.35     235,779        5,371       4.59
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest Earning Assets

     911,189        17,635       3.90     419,939        6,818       3.27

Other Assets

     88,189            19,609       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Assets

   $ 999,378          $ 439,548       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Interest-bearing demand

   $ 264,527      $ 505       0.38   $ 159,550      $ 535       0.68

Money market demand

     219,972        377       0.35     77,364        37       0.10

Time deposits

     203,009        601       0.60     73,450        394       1.08

Total Borrowings

     52,433        665       2.56     744        11       2.98
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     739,941        2,148       0.59     311,108        977       0.63

Non Interest Bearing Deposits

     142,323        —       —       73,791        —       —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cost of Funds

   $ 882,264      $ 2,148       0.49   $ 384,899      $ 977       0.51
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Other Liabilities

     10,347            3,924       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities

   $ 892,611          $ 388,823       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 106,767          $ 50,725       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 999,378          $ 439,548       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Net Interest Income/Spread (FTE)

        15,487       3.31        5,841       2.64

Tax-Equivalent Basis Adjustment

        (157          (161  
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Income

      $ 15,330          $ 5,680    
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Margin

          3.39          2.73

 

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Taxable income on securities includes income from available for sale securities and income from certificates of deposits with other banks.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table reflects the sensitivity of our interest income and interest expense to changes in volume and in yields on interest-earning assets and costs of interest-bearing liabilities during the periods indicated.

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Increase (Decrease) Due To:
 
(Dollars in thousands)    Rate      Volume      Net  

Interest Income:

        

Interest Earning Cash

   $ 35      $ 47      $ 82  

Securities

        

Taxable

     536        (285      251  

Tax-Exempt

     36        (58      (22
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Securities

     572        (343      229  

Total Loans

     (281      10,787        10,506  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Interest Earning Assets

     326        10,491        10,817  

Interest Expense:

        

Interest-bearing demand

     (228      198        (30

Money market demand

     96        244        340  

Time deposits

     (175      382        207  

Total Borrowings

     (2      656        654  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     (309      1,480        1,171  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in Net Interest Income

   $ 635      $ 9,011      $ 9,646  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $9.7 million, or 169.9%, to $15.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase can be mostly attributed to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher average balance in loans as a result of the completion of the Merger. The net interest margin increased 66 basis points to 3.39% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 2.73% for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Interest Income. Interest income increased to $17.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans as a result of the growth in average assets, primarily loans, following the completion of the Merger. The growth in average balance of interest earning assets which increased $491.3 million to $911.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $419.9 million for the comparable period in 2021 contributed $10.5 million in growth of interest income. The growth in the average balance of interest earning assets was due primarily to the increase in the average balance of loans which increased $499.5 million to $735.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021 reflecting the completion of the Merger. This growth was partially offset by a decrease in average yield on loans which decreased 24 basis points on an annualized basis from 4.59% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to 4.35% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. In general, the lower yield on the loan portfolio can be attributed to the new loan originations that occurred from June 30, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally, the loans that closed during the first six months of 2022 did not fully reflect the impact of the Federal Reserve’s increase to its benchmark rate by 150 basis points over the first two quarters of 2022 as a portion of these loans had been in various stages of our approval pipeline as benchmark rates moved upward. The normal amortization of net loan discounts recorded as part of purchase accounting adjustments to loans acquired through the Merger contributed $1.1 million to interest income during the six months ended June 30, 2022. Overall, the average yield of interest earning assets increased 63 basis points on an annualized basis to 3.90% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021 due primarily to a larger concentration of interest earning assets in loans and an increase in the average yield of securities.

 

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Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $1.2 million, or 119.9%, to $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $977 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $428.8 million to $739.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $311.1 million for the comparative period in 2021 as a result of (1) the completion of the Merger which had the effect of increasing the average balances of deposits and borrowings, and (2) the issuance of subordinated debt in April 2022, which had the effect of increasing the average balances of borrowings. This average balance growth resulted in an increase in interest expense of $1.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021. This impact of average balance growth on interest expense was partially offset by a decrease in average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased two basis points on an annualized basis from 0.51% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to 0.49% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 due to management’s ability to generate low cost deposits as well as reduce the overall average rate paid on time deposits as renewals occurred. Offsetting this reduction in interest expense partially was the impact to interest expense of $20 million of subordinated notes acquired in the Merger as well as $20 million of new subordinated notes issued during April of 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased by $584 thousand from $91 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $675 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, management noted that the total amount of special mention rated loans decreased $3.9 million compared to December 31, 2021, while total substandard rated loans decreased $5.0 million and doubtful rated loans increased by $2.7 million. The provision for the six months ended June 30, 2022 can be mostly attributed to the commercial real estate loan balances added to the pool of loans collectively evaluated for incurred losses. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the allowance for loan losses needed for residential real estate loans which can be attributed to an increased balance of loans individually assessed for impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which required no reserve based on the estimated recoverable value of collateral in comparison to the outstanding balance due on these credits.

We complete a comprehensive quarterly evaluation to determine its provision for loan losses. The evaluation reflects analyses of individual borrowers and historical loss experience, and changes in net loan balances, supplemented as necessary by credit judgment that considers observable trends, conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors.

Noninterest Income. Non-interest income increased by $194 thousand to $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, from the $1.2 million recognized during the same period of 2021. The increase was the result of an increase in BOLI income of $130 thousand, and service charges on deposit accounts of $87 thousand. This increase was partially offset by decreases in other income of $98 thousand.

Noninterest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $8.2 million, or 198.8%, from $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, to $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was largely due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $5.1 million related to higher headcount from the combined company as a result of the Merger and also due to an increase in employees to facilitate loan growth and foster deposit relationships. Additionally, the there was (1) an increase of $632 thousand in occupancy expense related to increased property maintenance costs, lease costs, and depreciation expense for LINKBANK locations post-merger; (2) an increase of $724 thousand in equipment and data processing expenses related to the additional costs attributed processing post-merger customer transactions over a larger account base during the first six months of 2022 when compared to a pre-merger basis during the same period in 2021; and (3) an increase in other expenses of $988 thousand.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $591 thousand compared to income tax expense of $375 thousand for the same period in 2021. The income tax expense recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was the direct result of our net income adjusted for tax free

 

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income and non-deductible expenses. We recognized an income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 at an effective tax rate of 15.9% which is less than our statutory tax rate of 21%. This is compared to income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 14.0%.

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

General. Net income was $289 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, or $0.04 per diluted share, a decrease of $3.9 million compared to net income of $4.2 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected the results of GNBF for the period from January 1, 2021 through September 17, 2021 and the results of the combined company following the completion of the Merger on September 18, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year was the result of an increase in noninterest expense of $9.2 million, $4.6 million of which related to Merger expenses, and an increase in the provision for loan losses of $464 thousand. These were partially offset by an increase in interest and dividend income of $4.2 million, a decrease in interest expense of $327 thousand, a decrease in income tax expense of $834 thousand, and an increase in noninterest income of $385 thousand.

Analysis of Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents the difference between the interest we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Net interest income depends on both the volume of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates we earn or pay on them.

Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields. The following table sets forth certain information relating to average balance sheets and reflects the average annualized yield on interest-earning assets and average annualized cost of interest-bearing liabilities, interest earned and interest paid for the years indicated. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the years presented. Average balances are derived from daily balances over

 

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the years indicated. The average balances for loans are net of allowance for loan losses, but include nonaccrual loans. The loan yields include net amortization of certain deferred fees and costs that are considered adjustments to yields, but were not material adjustments to the yields. Yields on earning assets are shown on a fully taxable-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21%.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2021     2020  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/Rate
    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     Interest     Average
Yield/Rate
 

Interest Earning Cash

   $ 35,279      $ 381       1.08   $ 46,324      $ 561       1.21

Securities

              

Taxable (1)

     73,960        939       1.27     65,010        1,002       1.54

Tax-Exempt

     44,719        1,585       3.54     46,004        1,562       3.40
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Available for Sale Securities

     118,679        2,524       2.13     111,014        2,564       2.31
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cash Equivalents and Investments

     153,958        2,905       1.89     157,338        3,125       1.99

Total Loans

     369,849        15,924       4.31     232,443        11,494       4.94
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest Earning Assets

     523,807        18,829       3.59     389,781        14,619       3.75

Other Assets

     46,615            21,227       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Assets

   $ 570,422          $ 411,008       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Interest-bearing demand

   $ 175,133      $ 1,034       0.59   $ 144,081      $ 1,349       0.94

Money market demand

     112,511        198       0.18     70,238        66       0.09

Time deposits

     110,928        859       0.77     81,701        1,243       1.52

Total Borrowings

     14,881        299       2.01     2,021        59       2.92
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     413,453        2,390       0.58     298,041        2,717       0.91

Non Interest Bearing Deposits

     99,747        —       —       61,780        —       —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Cost of Funds

   $ 513,200      $ 2,390       0.47   $ 359,821      $ 2,717       0.76
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Other Liabilities

     5,965            3,476       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities

   $ 519,165          $ 363,297       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 51,257          $ 47,711       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 570,422          $ 411,008       
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Net Interest Income/Spread (FTE)

        16,439       3.01        11,902       2.84

Tax-Equivalent Basis Adjustment

        (333          (328  
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Income

      $ 16,106          $ 11,574    
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net Interest Margin

          3.07          2.97

 

(1)

Taxable income on securities includes income from available for sale securities and income from certificates of deposits with other banks.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table reflects the sensitivity of our interest income and interest expense to changes in volume and in yields on interest-earning assets and costs of interest-bearing liabilities during the years indicated.

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. 2020
Increase (Decrease) Due To:
 
(Dollars in thousands)          Rate                 Volume                 Net        

Interest Income:

      

Interest Earning Cash

   $ (61   $ (119   $ (180

Available for Sale Securities

      

Taxable

     (177     114       (63

Tax-Exempt

     68       (46     23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Available for Sale Securities

     (108     68       (40

Total Loans

     (1,486     5,916       4,430  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Interest Earning Assets

     (1,655     5,865       4,210  

Interest Expense:

      

Interest-bearing demand

     (498     183       (315

Money market demand

     58       74       132  

Time deposits

     (610     226       (384

Total Borrowings

     (18     258       240  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     (1,069     742       (327
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in Net Interest Income

   $ (586   $ 5,122     $ 4,537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $4.5 million, or 39.2%, to $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase can be mostly attributed to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher average balance in loans, as well as a decrease in interest expense resulting from decreased rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin increased 10 basis points to 3.07% for the year ended December 31, 2021 from 2.97% for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Interest Income. Interest income increased to $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans as a result of the growth in average assets, primarily loans, following the completion of the Merger. The growth in the average balance of interest-earning assets which increased $134.0 million to $523.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $389.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 contributed $5.9 million in growth of interest income. The average balance of loans increased $137.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the Merger. This growth was partially offset by a decrease in average yield on interest-earning assets which decreased 16 basis points from 3.75% for the year ended December 31, 2020 to 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2021. In general, we experienced a decrease in most rates on interest-earning assets as a result of the low interest rate environment which began following the FRB’s decision to decrease the range for the Fed Funds target rate to 0% to 0.25% as of March 31, 2020. This rate reduction along with increased competition for loan originations has resulted in new loans originated during 2021, generally, earning a lower percentage of interest compared to the loan portfolio existing at December 31, 2020.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $327 thousand, or 12.0%, to $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the decrease in the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased 33 basis points from 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2020 to 0.58% for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily as a result of the reduction in rates of our time deposits and interest-bearing

 

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demand deposits. This decrease in rates was partially offset by an increase in the average balances of interest-bearing liabilities, which increased $115.4 million to $413.5 million for the year ended December 31 2021 compared to $298.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the increase in the average balance of our deposits. While the aforementioned lower rate environment has helped us reduce overall cost of funds, the evolution of our business has also played a role in this reduction of cost. As we continue to grow and mature, we have been able to continue to foster customer relationships that grow core deposits and decrease our reliance upon higher cost time deposits.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased by $464 thousand from $184 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $648 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of eight pre-merger loans with an outstanding principal balance of $560 thousand migrated from the Pass risk rating category to the Substandard category and an additional eight pre-merger loans with an outstanding principal balance of $4.3 million migrated from the Pass risk rating category to the Special Mention category resulting in a need to increase the provision for loan losses. Another cause for additional provision for loan losses can be attributed to an increase in net charge-offs of $188 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, management adjusted the qualitative allowance factors to reflect a change in management over the credit portfolio, also adding to the current year provision when compared to the prior year.

We complete a comprehensive, quarterly evaluation to determine its provision for loan losses. The evaluation reflects analyses of individual borrowers and historical loss experience, and changes in net loan balances, supplemented as necessary by credit judgment that considers observable trends, conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased by $385 thousand to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from the $1.8 million recognized during 2020. The increase was the result of increased earnings on bank owned life insurance due to additional purchases and assumptions from the Merger. The Merger also resulted in various other increases in other fees and charges for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $9.2 million, or 110.7%, from $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was largely due to Merger related expenses which totaled $4.6 million and represented one-time expenses that have been specifically incurred as a result of the Merger and management would not expect to incur these expenses in future periods where a merger is not present. Additionally, there was (1) an increase of $2.5 million in salary and employee benefits expense related to increased employee headcount post-merger; (2) an increase of $466 thousand in occupancy expense as a result of increased lease expense and increased depreciation expense related to the addition of LINKBANK division locations as a result of the reverse merger; (3) an increase of $152 thousand in equipment and data processing expenses related to the additional costs attributed to maintaining two operating systems until our system conversion was completed on October 15, 2021; and (4) an increase in FDIC insurance costs of $158 thousand.

Income Tax Benefit/Expense. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $189 thousand compared to income tax expense of $645 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Accounting for the effect of tax free income and non-deductible merger expenses resulted in a net tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Management of Market Risk

General. The principal objective of our asset and liability management function is to evaluate the interest rate risk within the balance sheet and pursue a controlled assumption of interest rate risk while maximizing net income and preserving adequate levels of liquidity and capital. The board of directors of our Bank through its

 

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Risk Committee has oversight of our asset and liability management function, which is managed by our Asset/Liability Management Committee. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to market interest rate changes, local and national market conditions and market interest rates. That group also reviews our liquidity, capital, deposit mix, loan mix and investment positions.

As a financial institution, our primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities, and the fair value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage our exposure to interest rates primarily by structuring our balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. We do not typically enter into derivative contracts for the purpose of managing interest rate risk, but we may do so in the future. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Net Interest Income Simulation. We use an interest rate risk simulation model to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and the balance sheet. Instantaneous parallel rate shift scenarios are modeled and utilized to evaluate risk and establish exposure limits for acceptable changes in net interest margin. These scenarios, known as rate shocks, simulate an instantaneous change in interest rates and use various assumptions, including, but not limited to, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment and replacement of asset and liability cash flows.

The following table presents the estimated changes in our net interest income, calculated on a bank-only basis, which would result from changes in market interest rates over twelve-month period as of June 30, 2022. The table below demonstrates that we are asset-sensitive in a rising interest rate environment.

 

At June 30, 2022

 

Change in Interest Rates

(basis points) (1)

   Net Interest Income
Year 1 Forecast
     Year 1 Change
from Level
 
     (Dollars in thousands)         

+400

   $ 40,611        14.14

+300

     39,381        10.68

+200

     38,122        7.14

+100

     36,878        3.65

Level

     35,580        —  

-100

     34,175        (3.95 )% 

 

(1)

This analysis assumes an instantaneous and parallel rate shock across the entire yield curve for the scenarios indicated.

Economic Value of Equity Simulation. We also analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through an economic value of equity (“EVE”) model. EVE represents the present value of the expected cash flows from our assets less the present value of the expected cash flows arising from our liabilities adjusted for the value of off-balance sheet contracts. EVE attempts to quantify our economic value using a discounted cash flow methodology. We estimate what our EVE would be as of a specific date. We then calculate what EVE would be as of the same date throughout a series of interest rate scenarios representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve. We currently calculate EVE under the assumptions that interest rates increase 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points from current market rates, and under the assumption that interest rates decrease 100 basis points from current market rates.

 

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The following table presents the estimated changes in our EVE, calculated on a bank-only basis, that would result from changes in market interest rates as of June 30, 2022.

 

At June 30, 2022

   

 

 

Change in Interest

Rates (basis points) (1)

   Estimated
EVE (2)
                 EVE as a Percentage of Present
Value of Assets (3)
    Present Value
of Assets
 
   Estimated Increase (Decrease) in
EVE
    EVE
Ratio (4)
    Increase
(Decrease)
(basis points)
       
       Amount             Percent         Amount  
            (Dollars in thousands)              

+400

   $ 147,260      $ (15,962     (9.78 )%      16.15     6     $ 911,827  

+300

     151,537        (11,685     (7.16 )%      16.19     10       935,991  

+200

     155,262        (7,960     (4.88 )%      16.16     7       960,780  

+100

     159,080        (4,142     (2.54 )%      16.12     3       986,849  

Level

     163,222        —       —       16.09     —         1,014,431  

-100

     165,646        2,424       1.49     15.88     (21     1,043,111  

 

(1)

This analysis assumes an instantaneous and parallel rate shock across the entire yield curve for the scenarios indicated.

(2)

The estimated EVE is the present value of all assets less the present value of all liabilities as calculated for the corresponding scenario.

(3)

The EVE as a percentage of the Present Value of Assets is used as a present value capital measure. The EVE ratio is a market value capital ratio.

(4)

The EVE ratio is defined as “Estimated EVE” divided by the Present Value of Assets.

Many assumptions are used to calculate the impact of interest rate fluctuations. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections due to several factors, including the timing and frequency of rate changes, market conditions and the shape of the yield curve. The computations of interest rate risk shown above do not include actions that our management may undertake to manage the risks in response to anticipated changes in interest rates, and actual results may also differ due to any actions taken in response to the changing rates.

Liquidity, Commitments, and Capital Resources

Our liquidity, represented by cash and due from banks, is a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal repayments of securities and outstanding loans, and funds provided from operations. In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term interest-earnings assets such as overnight deposits or U.S. agency securities, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. While scheduled payments from the amortization of loans and securities and short-term investments are relatively predictable sources of funds, general interest rates, economic conditions and competition greatly influence deposit flows and repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities.

We strive to maintain sufficient liquidity to fund operations, loan demand and to satisfy fluctuations in deposit levels. We are required to have enough investments that qualify as liquid assets in order to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure safe and sound banking operations. Liquidity may increase or decrease depending upon the availability of funds and comparative yields on investments in relation to the return on loans. Our attempts to maintain adequate but not excessive liquidity, and liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of our business management. We manage our liquidity in accordance with a board of directors-approved asset liability policy, which is administered by our asset-liability committee (“ALCO”). ALCO reports interest rate sensitivity, liquidity, capital and investment-related matters on a quarterly basis to our board of directors.

We review cash flow projections regularly and update them in order to maintain liquid assets at levels believed to meet the requirements of normal operations, including loan commitments and potential deposit

 

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outflows from maturing certificates of deposit and savings withdrawals. Certificates of deposit, excluding brokered deposits, due within one year of June 30, 2022 totaled $134.3 million, or 69.5% of our certificates of deposit, and 15.2% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other deposits and FHLB advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or borrowings than we currently pay. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered. While deposits are our primary source of funds, when needed we are also able to generate cash through borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”). At June 30, 2022, we had no outstanding FHLB borrowings with a remaining available capacity with FHLB, subject to certain collateral restrictions, of approximately $276.2 million. In addition, the Company had $51 million in available lines of credit with other banks at June 30, 2022.

Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and PADOBS. At June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See Note 10 to the Company’s notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements and Note 17 to the Company’s notes to the audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus for actual and required capital amounts and ratios at June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments.

At June 30, 2022, we had $189.1 million in loan commitments outstanding. We also had $8.8 million in standby letters of credit at June 30, 2022. At December 31, 2021, we had $145.1 million in loan commitments outstanding. We also had $6.2 million in standby letters of credit at December 31, 2021.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a Pennsylvania corporation headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and formed in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. In October 2018, we completed the acquisition of Stonebridge Bank, which was subsequently named LINKBANK. In September 2021, LINKBANCORP and GNBF, completed a strategic combination, resulting in The Gratz Bank becoming our wholly owned subsidiary. We are a bank holding company registered under the BHC Act. The Gratz Bank is a Pennsylvania state-chartered commercial bank offering personal and business lending and deposit services to individuals, families, nonprofit and business clients throughout Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, primarily through our digital presence on the internet and 10 client solutions centers in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties. In markets other than those serviced pre-Merger by The Gratz Bank, the Bank operates as “LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank.” The Bank intends to legally change its name to LINKBANK in November 2022 to create one single brand, subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Our community banking strategy seeks to provide our customers with personal service, financial sophistication and the full array of product offerings of a larger regional bank, focusing on developing local lending relationships funded by the generation of local retail and business deposits. We believe our culture of highly engaged employees enhances productivity and results in lower employee turnover, ultimately, leading to greater operational efficiencies and customer loyalty. We differentiate ourselves based on high touch, relationship building service, supported by the convenience of technology. Our high touch level of service led us to change how we think about bank branches. We call our branches “solutions centers” because our personnel are all trained across our full product offerings so they can quickly and efficiently serve our customers’ needs for loan or deposit products. We are committed to increasing our market share in the communities we serve by continuing to leverage available technology, existing branch locations, and new branch locations, and by considering other strategic opportunities in both the markets we serve and the surrounding areas.

As of June 30, 2022, our consolidated assets, net loans, deposits and shareholders’ equity totaled $1.1 billion, $786.5 million, $902.4 million and $104.8 million, respectively.

As a bank holding company, we are subject to the supervision of the FRB. We are required to file with the FRB reports and other information regarding our business operations and the business operations of our subsidiaries. As a state-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to primary supervision, periodic examination and regulation by the PADOBS and by the FDIC as its primary federal regulator.

Creating a Community Bank to Positively Impact its Community

 

LOGO   

LINKBANCORP was organized in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. Members of the founding management team and board of directors had worked together with multiple financial institutions of various sizes, primarily focused in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, over a period of more than 20 years. Informed by these experiences, the founders sought to establish an entrepreneurial and growth-oriented community bank that would leverage talented relationship bankers, coupled with emerging innovations in technology, to meet the needs of the local community.

 

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Rather than organize a de novo bank to facilitate these objectives, in October 2018 LINKBANCORP acquired and recapitalized Stonebridge Bank, a community bank primarily serving Chester County, Pennsylvania, in a transaction conducted under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, funded with proceeds from a private placement of common stock to friends and family. At the time of the acquisition of Stonebridge Bank, it had $55.2 million in total assets and one branch office. Stonebridge Bank had been party to a consent order with the FDIC and the PADOBS at the time of the acquisition, which was successfully resolved by the Company’s management team, with the consent order terminated in February 2019.

Following the acquisition and private placement, the Company adopted a strategic plan focused on providing differentiated consumer and commercial banking services to clients in the Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania markets. As a result, the Bank has grown its balance sheet significantly both through organic loan and deposit growth, as well as the opportunistic strategic merger with GNBF as described in the prospectus. The Company’s management team has leveraged their strong local community ties, extensive merger and acquisition experience and experience with the bank regulatory agencies to create an entrepreneurial and rapidly-growing bank supported by an advanced risk management infrastructure and strong credit quality.

Our Key Accomplishments

The summary below highlights our recent business accomplishments and key milestones, commencing with the 2018 acquisition of Stonebridge Bank. The history below that occurred prior to the Merger is the history of Legacy LINKBANCORP and not GNBF:

 

   

October 2018: Closed acquisition of Stonebridge Bank.

 

   

December 2018: At December 31, 2018, total assets were $83.7 million and the Company had 35 full-time employees.

 

   

January 2019: Completed $45.5 million common stock private placement to support the Company’s business plan and organic growth.

 

   

May – June 2019: Opened Client Solutions Centers in Camp Hill and Lancaster.

 

   

April – July 2020: Originated over 533 Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans for $86.1 million (through March 31, 2021 LINKBANK originated a total of 909 PPP loans for $139.9 million).

 

   

June 2020: Achieved the Company’s first profitable quarter, with $439,000 in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and an annualized return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 0.54%.

 

   

September – October 2020: Raised $5.0 million in a private placement common stock issuance and issued $20.0 million in subordinated debt to support organic growth efforts.

 

   

December 2020: Crossed over $400 million in total assets and the Company had 54 full-time employees.

 

   

December 2020: Announced our strategic merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc.

 

   

September 2021: Completion of merger with GNBF, as a result of which LINKBANCORP becomes the parent company of The Gratz Bank, also operating as “LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank” within the legacy LINKBANK Capital, Lancaster and Delaware Valley Regions.

 

   

Executive management roles continue to be filled by the Legacy LINKBANCORP officers, including Andrew Samuel—CEO; Carl Lundblad—President; Brent Smith, President of The Gratz Bank; Kristofer Paul—CFO; and Tiffanie Horton—Chief Credit Officer.

 

   

Achieves critical mass in the Central Pennsylvania market.

 

   

Doubles the Company’s asset size and provides opportunity to capture economies of scale on both the revenue and cost sides.

 

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Diversifies the loan portfolio and provides low cost, stable and highly granular retail deposits.

 

   

GNBF’s relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio prior to the Merger provides additional liquidity to fuel LINKBANCORP’s strong loan generation capabilities.

 

   

Significantly enhances the loan-to-one borrower limit with a doubling of regulatory capital.

 

   

December 2021: Total assets at December 31, 2021 were $932.8 million and the Company achieved $788,000 in quarterly net income, which included Merger-related expenses of $616,000.

 

   

January 2022: The Company announced the hiring of a Regional President for the York/Lancaster Region and expansion of its Capital (Harrisburg) Region team.

 

   

February 2022: The Company announced the hiring of a Regional President for the Delaware Valley markets in southeastern Pennsylvania and the expansion of its York Region team.

 

   

April 2022: The Company completed a $20.0 million subordinated debt capital raise.

 

   

April 2022: Opened loan production office (LPO) in downtown York to support that team’s success and additional growth opportunities.

 

   

May 2022: The Company announced the expansion of its Delaware Valley Region team by the addition of two senior commercial relationship managers.

 

   

June 2022: Total assets at June 30, 2022 were $1.1 billion and the Company recognized quarterly net income of $1.6 million.

Our Mission & Business Strategy

Our mission is to positively impact lives by building the premier community bank franchise serving consumers and businesses in the Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania markets and the surrounding areas. We have a seasoned management team and have been able to attract experienced and long-tenured bankers with proven track records.

Although our executive management team has had success throughout the community bank industry since the early 2000’s, in building our business plan and go-to market strategy for LINKBANCORP, we knew that the traditional community bank model would need to be adjusted and enhanced to compete and win in the current environment. This shift in strategy had several tenants:

 

   

Hire talented, entrepreneurial bankers with demonstrated track records.

 

   

Focus on profitable customer relationships and taking wallet share.

 

   

Operate with a branch-lite footprint.

 

   

Leverage technology, digital banking and information systems.

 

   

Achieve economies of scale and increase operating leverage as we grow.

The key ingredient to implementing this strategy is attracting and retaining top talent, which is driven by our culture and values that reflect authenticity and enthusiasm in all interactions. Blending a strong heritage of banking expertise with strong values, we are committed to providing compelling products, services, and financial consulting.

Branch-Lite Organic Growth Engine

Prior to completing our strategic merger with GNBF in 2021, we grew to over $450 million in total assets with only four branch offices. Our offices look and operate differently than branches of most of our competitors

 

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in the marketplace. Recognizing that client interactions continue to trend more toward digital transactions, our offices are designed to function as “client solutions centers,” many with no traditional teller line and staffed with just 3-4 full-time employees who are cross-trained to address a variety of client needs.

Our go-to market approach is focused on hiring experienced and talented bankers that operate as a team in a particular region, under the leadership of a regional president who has significant decision-making authority for both consumer and commercial banking, thereby providing clients with a level of access and responsiveness not available from most of our competitors. Client solutions centers are strategically placed in each regional market and serve as a “home base” for each team.

We have experienced great success utilizing this relationship-focus combined with regional leadership and decision-making in communities with strong local identities and a significant population of family-owned operating/manufacturing businesses.

 

 

LOGO

The de novo build out of our regional business development teams in the Capital, Lancaster/York and Delaware Valley Regions was supplemented with the strategic merger with GNBF, which forms the Gratz Region. Given the more rural demographics and long-tenured Gratz Bank customers, our strategy has been to continue operating those branches as they previously were with a focus on core deposit gathering in that region to fuel organic loan growth in our other regions.

Our community banking strategy is focused on high touch relationship management and exceptional service supported by technology, primarily directed toward three different areas:

 

   

Personal Banking: Strategically placed client solutions centers leveraging our strong local community identity and complemented with digital banking solutions.

 

   

Business Banking: Focused on family-owned businesses with under $100 million in annual revenue.

 

   

Nonprofit Banking: Bank of choice for nonprofits, with strong individual and organizational engagement in the communities we serve.

 

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We seek to maintain an average of more than $100 million in deposits per office to support our “branch-lite” footprint and achieve desired efficiencies. Below is a summary of our deposit growth for client solutions centers located in the Capital and Lancaster/York Regions. Both of these solutions centers have been open since 2019 and we believe best demonstrate our community bank strategy as described above. We also recently hired a business development team to focus on our relocated solutions center in the Delaware Valley Region, where we will continue to execute this strategy.

 

 

LOGO

 

Through the GNBF Merger we inherited six branch offices, all of which remain open. The strategy for these legacy GNBF offices are different than our legacy LINKBANK client solutions centers, although we believe they provide a strong core funding base for our organic loan growth. As of June 30, 2022, our overall average branch size for offices open more than one year, was $94.6 million. While industry wide data for 2022 is not publicly available, we believe our average branch size of $85 million as of June 30, 2021 compares favorably to the $74 million average branch size in our markets of operation at June 30, 2021.

   LOGO

Nimble and Innovative Tech Forward Operating Platform

From its inception, the Company had a vision for entrepreneurial growth and innovation in technology. We knew that the traditional community bank operating model and philosophy would need to change and focus on technology that would support our branch-lite model as well as a more efficient operating and risk management infrastructure. To accomplish this, we have sought to develop a platform that will achieve objectives of native mobility, modular architecture, open API and cloud-based infrastructure. Early investments in virtualization and cloud capabilities have successfully enabled partnering for technology services that facilitate a more efficient and integrated workflow while enhancing responsiveness and the overall client experience.

 

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We also recognize that innovation is not possible without skilled technologists who understand the business of banking. In early 2022, we made a significant investment to recruit highly experienced professionals from community and regional financial services companies specifically skilled in the areas of data, digital banking, automation and process maturity. These business solutions architects, representing decades of combined banking operations and technology experience, are embedded and positioned in direct partnership with our business lines to accelerate service delivery and strategic advancements, shifting away from the typical community bank technology model of incremental improvements constrained by operational expense, toward a more nimble model where opportunities are identified and then promptly implemented for near-term impact.

Growth Strategy Focused in Sizeable Markets with Above Average Growth

Our organic growth strategy is focused in the Capital, Lancaster and Delaware Valley Regions. Population growth in each of these counties well exceeds the Pennsylvania average:

 

 

LOGO

These three regions collectively have $122 billion in deposit balances (per June 30, 2021 FDIC data), which is more than 20% of the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with $553 billion in deposit balances. This addressable market of $122 billion in deposit balances is 1.7x times larger than the Philadelphia County market which is the closest major metropolitan area. These markets are amongst the largest in Pennsylvania, have strong demographics and the competitive landscape is such that they are heavily banked by the large money center and regional banks.

Capitalizing on Market Disruption

Our market area has undergone significant consolidation, particularly in the last twelve months. We intend to take advantage of the recent disruption caused by mergers and acquisitions in our operating markets, which we believe has created an environment of underbanked customers and has created opportunities to hire seasoned bankers. We have successfully employed this strategy in the past, hiring experienced bankers from merged institutions, which has helped us enhance critical aspects of our operations. We believe the most recent wave of consolidations, together with what we anticipate will be further consolidation, will create additional opportunities for us to attract additional experienced bankers. Below are some of the merger transactions announced and/or closed in and around our geographic footprint since 2017:

 

   

First Commonwealth Corporation / Centric Financial Corporation

 

   

Fulton Financial Corporation / Prudential Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. / Riverview Financial Corporation

 

   

WSFS Financial Corporation / Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation

 

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Citizens & Northern Corporation / Covenant Financial Inc.

 

   

S&T Bancorp, Inc. / DNB Financial Corporation

 

   

Citizens & Northern Corporation / Monument Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

WSFS Financial Corporation / Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.

 

   

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. / Donegal Financial Services Corp.

Consistent with this strategy, we recently added teams of experienced bankers to supplement our efforts in both the York/Lancaster Region and the Delaware Valley Region. In each case, these “lift outs” involved well-respected lending teams that are familiar with these markets from regional financial institutions impacted by consolidation and other disruptions. In a short period of time, the investment in these teams has resulted in significant opportunities for new client relationships and increasing market share.

Opportunistic Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy

Our mergers and acquisitions strategy has been and will continue to be highly opportunistic. We will pursue strategic merger and acquisition opportunities, including whole bank and branch acquisitions, and non-bank acquisitions, that build long-term shareholder value. Our executive team has extensive experience in merger and acquisition integration with 10+ completed transactions since the early 2000s. The focus of our mergers and acquisitions strategy is to identify community banks open to a potential combination that are within a two-hour drive time radius or approximately 50-100 miles from our headquarters in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. While the geographic radius of approximately 50-100 miles encapsulates many market areas, our focus is on acquiring banks operating outside of the major metropolitan markets. Throughout our history we have focused on the more suburban market areas that benefit from densely populated metropolitan markets. The most recent example of this is our business development opportunity in the Delaware Valley Region, which benefits from the growth and disruption in the Philadelphia metropolitan market. We also believe that the Maryland and northern Virginia marketplace offers potential growth opportunities. These markets have strong demographics and look and feel much like our existing markets. Our executive team actively develops relationships with community banks within these areas in order to explore such opportunities when the time is appropriate.

We have disciplined acquisition criteria that any potential merger and acquisition transaction must meet:

 

 

LOGO

There may be highly strategic and compelling situations that arise which may not meet all five of the criteria listed above; these situations are likely very unique and rare and will be fully vetted by the LINKBANCORP Board and Management team before pursuing such a transaction. We would only pursue a nonconforming transaction if we believed the risk-adjusted return and shareholder value creation potential was well in-excess of other strategic initiatives.

 

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Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors and position us to execute our business strategy successfully:

Seasoned Executive Team with Value Creation Track Record

Our seasoned executive management team, which is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Samuel, has significant experience and success with building, operating, and creating shareholder value at numerous banking institutions.

This management team has long tenure together in our markets, providing a familiarity with each other and with the marketplace that is unique among our competitors. Executives are highly engaged in business development and community engagement initiatives and are able to attract and recruit top talent due to a reputation for developing high performing and successful teams.

 

 

LOGO

 

(1)

On September 8, 2022, Adam Pierce, LINKBANCORP’s Chief Operations and Technology Officer, advised the Company that he intends to resign his position with the Company effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Pierce’s resignation is for personal reasons and is not the result of any disagreement or dispute with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies or practices. The Company will appoint Jeffrey Renninger as Interim Chief Operations and Technology Officer effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Renninger previously served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from 2018 to 2020, and has over 30 years of bank operations experience, primarily working with this management team.

Differentiated Brand and Culture

We believe our corporate culture is a differentiating factor in our demonstrated growth and ability to gain market share. Central to our culture and brand are our core “L-I-N-K” values which support our mission of positively impacting lives.

 

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In our brief history, we have intentionally nurtured this culture to support development of a well-defined internal and external brand reflecting a purpose-driven, entrepreneurial and relational organization that is highly responsive to client needs and our communities and attracts best-in-class bank professionals.

This culture starts with our mission to positively impact lives through community banking. In pursuing this mission, we invest in the development of strong future leaders for the banking industry and our communities, contribute to economically and socially flourishing communities, and seek to demonstrate the continued viability and integral role of community banking for our economic and social development. As one example of these efforts, we launched and continue to support The LINK Foundation, established as a separate legal entity and governed by a distinct board of trustees, but fully aligned with our mission. The LINK Foundation provides financial support to organizations within our markets focused on three funding priorities—developing future leaders, promoting financial literacy and fortifying personal growth.

Our culture and brand is significantly dependent on highly engaged employees, so we are intentionally committed to investing in the development of our employees. Under the leadership of our Chief Culture Officer, we offer our employees hands-on leadership training, performance management and professional development training, monthly sessions focused on our core values, fun celebration and team-building events and time dedicated to participating in community volunteer opportunities. In recognition of these initiatives, we have been recognized regionally and nationally within the banking industry as a best place to work. We believe our culture of highly engaged employees committed to a common purpose enhances productivity and results in lower employee turnover, leading to greater operational efficiencies, a consistent brand experience and customer loyalty.

Significant Experience in Acquiring and Integrating Banks

Our executive team has a long-term track record and significant experience with acquiring and integrating community bank acquisitions as well as executing on sales and strategic mergers. Our executive team, including experience at prior institutions, has successfully closed on and integrated six whole bank transactions (acquisitions or strategic mergers) and numerous branch acquisitions. In September 2021, we closed the GNBF strategic merger and have successfully grown the GNBF deposit franchise. As anticipated, the GNBF strategic merger has provided an attractive core funding base that has helped fund our commercial loan growth in the Capital, Lancaster/York, and Delaware Valley markets. We successfully completed the systems integration with GNBF in October 2021 which was only one month after closing. While we are confident in our organic growth prospects, we intend to pursue prudent and commercially attractive acquisitions that will position us to further capitalize on market opportunities and help us continue to improve our platform’s operating leverage.

Disciplined Underwriting and Robust Enterprise Risk Management

Our holistic approach to risk management has been an asset that supports our growth strategies. Our enterprise risk management program follows a “three lines of defense” structure and is designed to permeate across all functional areas. From our inception, we placed a very high priority on establishing an effective risk management culture, including appointing a Board-level Enterprise Risk Management Committee which reviews information each quarter regarding exposure to strategic risk, reputation risk, credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, legal and regulatory compliance risk, operations and technology (including cybersecurity) risk, as well as the Company’s strategies to monitor, control and mitigate these risks. The Company’s Chief Risk Officer and officer-level Management Enterprise Risk Committee meets quarterly to review and discuss existing and emerging risks, including key risk indicators (KRIs) that are tracked and monitored regularly, and serve as a primary avenue for escalation and reporting to the Board’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee.

We understand that credit is one of the most critical risks for any financial institution. As a result of our disciplined underwriting standards and procedures, we have achieved significant balance sheet growth while maintaining superior credit quality. Our nonperforming assets to total assets ratio was 0.14% as of June 30, 2022 and our allowance represented 260.4% of our nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2022.

 

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Our credit culture is guided by the following principles:

 

   

Focus on relationship lending, in many cases with clients that our relationship managers and executive management team have known for decades;

 

   

Development of underwriting and credit risk management processes tailored to each of our products and regions;

 

   

Centralized credit oversight and segregated reporting of credit and lending teams;

 

   

Utilization of regional credit officers with specific lending authority, allowing for localized analysis and decision making and faster turnaround time;

 

   

Commitment to maintaining a diverse portfolio;

 

   

Sophisticated monitoring and analysis of our portfolio and establishment of sub-portfolio limits that we review regularly and adjust in response to changes in our lending strategy and market conditions; and

 

   

Proactive problem asset management.

Although we maintain a cautious credit outlook due to continued uncertainty in the current economic environment, we believe we are well positioned for the months ahead given a strong loan reserve, application of prudent underwriting standards and a diverse loan portfolio with no significant concentrations. We also expect a rising interest rate environment to be a positive given that our portfolio is more heavily weighted toward variable and adjustable-rate loans.

Lending Activities

General. Our principal lending activity has been the origination of commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and to a lesser extent, commercial real estate construction and land development loans, residential real estate loans, home equity loans, consumer loans and agriculture loans. The Bank is predominantly oriented towards commercial customers, with approximately 66.3% of the portfolio in various types of commercial loans and 33.7% in residential real estate, consumer and other loans at June 30, 2022. Our commercial customers are primarily small- and medium-sized businesses. Approximately 34.5% of the loan portfolio earns interest at a fixed rate over the term of the note and the remaining approximately 65.5% earns interest at a rate that varies or adjusts based on an underlying index at June 30, 2022.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by type of loan as of June 30, 2022:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30, 2022      Percent  

Agriculture loans

   $ 7,710        1.0

Commercial business loans

     88,452        11.2

PPP loans

     2,527        0.3

Commercial real estate loans

     435,588        55.1

Residential real estate loans

     241,401        30.6

Consumer and other loans

     8,689        1.1

Municipal loans

     5,814        0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans

     790,181        100.0
     

 

 

 

Deferred fees

     225     

Allowance for loan losses

     (3,890   
  

 

 

    

Net Loans

   $ 786,516     
  

 

 

    

Commercial Business Lending. As of June 30, 2022, we had $88.5 million in commercial business loans (excluding PPP loans), representing 11.2% of total loans. Our business strategy is to increase our originations of commercial business loans. We offer commercial term loans, lines of credit, agricultural production, equipment

 

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financing, and revolving lines of credit with a target loan size of $100,000 to $5.0 million to small businesses in our market area to finance short-term working capital needs such as accounts receivable and inventory. Our commercial lines of credit are typically adjustable-rate and are generally priced on a floating rate basis utilizing the Prime Rate. We generally obtain personal guarantees with respect to all commercial business lines of credit.

We typically originate commercial business loans on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business, the experience and stability of the borrower’s management team, earnings projections and the underlying assumptions, and the value and marketability of any collateral securing the loan. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and the general economic environment in our market area. Therefore, commercial business loans that we originate generally have greater credit risk than one-to-four family residential real estate loans or consumer loans. In addition, commercial business loans often result in larger outstanding balances to single borrowers, or related groups of borrowers, and also generally require substantially greater evaluation and oversight efforts.

We also have the ability to originate loans that are guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), an independent agency of the federal government. The SBA 7(a) loan program supports, through a U.S. Government guarantee, some portion of the traditional commercial loan underwriting that might not be fully covered absent the guarantee. In the future, we intend to increase our originations of 7(a) SBA loans as requested by our customers and we intend to sell the guaranteed portion to unrelated third parties. As of June 30, 2022, we had no SBA loans held for sale and two SBA loans in our loan portfolio, and were servicing $3.7 million of SBA loans sold to investors.

As a result of the Merger, we acquired loans made through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered directly by the SBA. The PPP provided loans to small businesses who were affected by economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide cash-flow assistance to employers who maintain their payroll (including healthcare and certain related expenses), mortgage interest, rent, leases, utilities and interest on existing debt during the COVID-19 emergency. As of June 30, 2022, we had outstanding principal balance of $2.5 million of PPP loans. The PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and may be eligible for forgiveness by the SBA to the extent that the proceeds are used to cover eligible payroll costs, interest costs, rent, and utility costs. PPP loans deemed eligible for forgiveness by the SBA will be repaid by the SBA to the Bank.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. As of June 30, 2022, we had $435.6 million in commercial real estate and multi-family loans, representing 55.1% of total loans. Our commercial real estate and multi-family loans generally have amortization terms of 15 to 25 years and have adjustable interest rates. The adjustable-rate loans are typically fixed for the first five years and either adjust annually thereafter or have a balloon payment due at the end of the fixed term. Our commercial real estate and multi-family loans are generally tied to a margin above the appropriate three- or five-year treasury or the Prime Rate. The maximum loan-to-value ratio of our commercial real estate and multifamily loans is generally 80% of the lower of cost or appraised value of the property securing the loan. Our commercial real estate loans are typically secured by multifamily, hotel, agricultural, medical, retail, churches or other commercial properties. At June 30, 2022, 37.9% of our commercial real estate loans were for owner-occupied purposes and 17.9% were secured by multifamily properties.

We consider a number of factors in originating commercial real estate and multi-family loans. We evaluate the qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including project-level and global cash flows, credit history, and management expertise, as well as the value and condition of the property securing the loan. When evaluating the qualifications of the borrower, we consider the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower’s payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating the property securing the loan, the factors we consider include the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service). We generally require a debt service ratio of at least 1.25x.

 

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Personal guarantees are generally obtained from the principals of commercial real estate and multi-family loan borrowers, although this requirement may be waived in limited circumstances depending upon the loan-to-value ratio and the debt service ratio associated with the loan. We require property and casualty insurance and flood insurance if the property is in a flood zone area. In addition, borrowers are required to obtain title insurance unless the balance of the loan is less than $250,000. In such cases, we will require an ownership and encumbrance report relating to the title of the property.

Construction and Land Development Lending. At June 30, 2022, $36.1 million, or 4.6% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of construction and land loans. Of these, $26.7 million were for commercial development and land loans and are included within our commercial real estate loans and $9.4 million were for residential development and reported within our residential real estate loan category. We offer both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate construction and land loans, although most of these loans have fixed interest rates. The maximum loan-to-value of these loans is generally 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property.

Construction and land lending generally involves greater credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction or land loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost is inaccurate, we may be required to advance additional funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Moreover, if the estimated value of the completed project is inaccurate, the borrower may hold a property with a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment of the construction loan upon the sale of the property. Construction and land loans also expose us to the risk that improvements will not be completed on time in accordance with specifications and projected costs. In addition, the ultimate sale or rental of the property may not occur as anticipated. Land loans pose additional risk because the property generally does not produce income and may be relatively illiquid.

Residential Real Estate Lending. As of June 30, 2022, we had $241.4 million in residential real estate loans, representing 30.6% of total loans. Residential real estate loans consist of loans secured by single-family properties, which are owner-occupied or investor-owned, and include farmland loans. In addition, as noted above and below, residential real estate loans also include residential development loans and home equity loans. We offer fixed and adjustable-rate residential real estate loans with terms of up to 30 years. We generally limit the loan-to-value ratios of our residential mortgage loans without private mortgage insurance to 80% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is lower. At June 30, 2022, $113.5 million, or 47.0% of our residential real estate loans were commercially underwritten loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties whose primary source of repayment is generally rental income on the secured properties.

Our adjustable-rate residential real estate loans carry terms to maturity ranging from 10 to 30 years and generally have fixed rates for initial terms of five years, although we also offer terms of one, two, three, seven or ten years, and adjust annually thereafter at a margin. The maximum amount by which the interest rate may be increased or decreased is generally 5% for the first adjustment period and 2% per adjustment period thereafter, with a lifetime interest rate cap of generally 5% over the initial interest rate of the loan. We typically hold in portfolio our adjustable-rate residential real estate loans.

Residential real estate loans are generally underwritten in accordance with secondary market standards and The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, underwriting guidelines to comply with ability to repay and qualified mortgage rules. We generally originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage loans in amounts up to the maximum conforming loan limits for secondary loan sales although we do originate some jumbo loans which exceed those limits. We generally retain the servicing of the residential loans that we sell into the secondary market.

Due to the interest rate risk inherent in holding long-term fixed rate residential real estate loans in the portfolio, we have recently limited our origination of residential real estate loans secured by single-family

 

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properties. Depending on future market conditions, we expect to originate residential mortgage loans with the intention of selling a portion of these loans into the secondary market through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh while retaining adjustable-rate, jumbo and select fixed rate residential real estate loans in our portfolio.

Residential real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied farmland. As of June 30, 2022, owner-occupied farmland loans totaled $37.7 million, or 15.6% of our residential real estate loan portfolio. Such loans are generally fixed-rate loans at a margin over the Prime Rate with terms up to 10 years and amortization schedules of up to 30 years. Loans secured by owner-occupied farmland may be made in amounts up to 80% of the value of the farm. Generally, we obtain personal guarantees from the borrower on all loans secured by owner-occupied farmland.

In underwriting residential real estate loans, we evaluate both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Properties securing real estate loans we make are appraised by independent appraisers. We generally require borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan.

Home Equity Loans. At June 30, 2022, we had $35.5 million of home equity loans reported within residential real estate loans, representing 4.5% of our total loan portfolio. Home equity loans consists of either revolving lines of credit, term, or second mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate. These loans are underwritten based on repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, and credit history. Home equity loans are generally considered to have more credit risk than traditional one-to-four family residential loans because the Bank tends to have a subordinate lien position. Our home equity loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property) at a maximum current loan-to-value of 80%. There are minimum credit score standards, maximum debt to income ratios and credit requirements on each home equity product that is defined in the Bank’s credit policy. All credit decisions for home equity loans are made centrally by the Bank’s consumer lending department.

Consumer Lending. To a much lesser extent, we offer a variety of consumer loans to individuals who reside or work in our market area. At June 30, 2022, our consumer loan portfolio totaled $8.7 million, or 1.1% of our total loan portfolio, and $5.0 million of our consumer loans were unsecured (excluding overdraft accounts).

Consumer loans can have either a variable rate based on the index of Prime Rate or a fixed-rate of interest for a term of up to 10 years, depending on the type of collateral, product and the creditworthiness of the borrower. Our lending policy allows for unsecured, nonreal estate secured, and real estate secured loan products that are either installment or open-end credit. Our consumer loans may be secured with deposits, automobiles, motorcycles, or real property.

Our consumer loan policy sets forth our underwriting guidelines overall for all loan applications and addresses specific guidelines such as acceptable loan amounts, credit score, debt-to-income ratios, loan-to-value ratios, and collateral allowable by product type. The policy guidelines address applications, structuring, stability, credit standards, collateral, consumer compliance, insurance requirements and appraisal requirements.

Other Loans. In addition to the loan types discussed above, the Company also originates agriculture loans and municipal loans. At June 30, 2022, our agriculture loan portfolio totaled $7.7 million or 1.0% of our total loan portfolio and municipal loans totaled $5.8 million or 0.7% of our total loan portfolio. The agriculture loan portfolio consists of loans to local farmers and agricultural businesses that are generally secured by farmland and equipment. The municipal loan portfolio consists of loans to qualified local municipalities, which are generally supported by the taxing authority of the borrowing municipality, and is frequently secured by collateral.

 

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Loan Purchases, Participations and Sales. From time to time, we purchase whole loans or participate in loans with other financial institutions to supplement our origination of loans. At June 30, 2022, we had 21 participation loans for $37.5 million in which we were not the lead lender, all of which were performing in accordance with the loans’ original terms at June 30, 2022. In these circumstances, we follow our customary loan underwriting and approval policies. We also have participated out portions of lending relationships from time to time that exceeded our loans-to-one borrower legal lending limit and for risk diversification. At June 30, 2022, we had nine participation loans for $13.9 million in which we originated the loan and subsequently participated all or a portion of the principal balance to other financial institutions.

We sold $12.1 million and $31.4 million in residential real estate loans during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. We did not sell any residential loans in the first half of 2022. We did sell the guaranteed portion of one SBA loan for $1.9 million during the first quarter of 2022.

Credit Risk Management

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Pursuant to applicable law, the aggregate amount of loans that we are permitted to make to any one borrower or a group of related borrowers is generally limited to 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus (25% if the amount in excess of 15% is secured by “readily marketable highly liquid collateral” or 30% for certain residential development loans). Our legal lending limit was $14.5 million at June 30, 2022. In addition, we have established an in-house target that is less than the legal limits on loans to one borrower. Our in-house target was $10.0 million at June 30, 2022. At June 30, 2022, our largest credit relationship totaled $12.8 million, comprised of five separate facilities each secured by real estate. Each of these loans was performing in accordance with its terms at June 30, 2022.

Our lending activities follow written, nondiscriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by our board of directors and management. The Bank has established the Officers’ Loan Committee (OLC) to be able to more efficiently service our commercial customers, prudently manage credit risks, and effectively ensure that credit policies are followed. The OLC requires a quorum of the Chief Executive Officer, Bank President, Chief Credit Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and the Regional Presidents. Each of these individuals have extensive experience in the approval of commercial loans. The OLC has authority to approve loans beginning over $3.0 million up to and including $8.0 million. In addition, the Director’s Loan Committee (DLC) has authority to approve loans over $8.0 million up to the legal lending limit of the Bank (with the exception of Regulation O (insider) loans which need to be approved by the board of directors).

The loan approval structure prohibits any single signature loan authority. Dual signatures are in effect up to $3.0 million. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Credit Officer have been given dual signature authority up to $8.0 million in situations where timing is essential. These approvals must be ratified by OLC at the next meeting.

Ongoing Credit Risk Management. In addition to the underwriting process referenced above, we perform ongoing risk monitoring and review processes for all credit exposures. Although we grade and classify our loans internally, we have an independent third-party professional firm perform regular loan reviews to confirm loan classifications. We strive to identify potential problem loans early in an effort to aggressively seek resolution of these situations before the loans create a loss, record any necessary charge-offs promptly and maintain adequate allowance levels for probable loan losses incurred in the loan portfolio.

Although we maintain a cautious credit outlook due to continued uncertainty in the economic environment, we believe the Bank is very well positioned for the months ahead given a strong loan loss reserve, application of prudent underwriting standards and a diverse loan portfolio, which does not include a significant concentration of loans in restaurants, lodging or other industries that are perceived to be at higher risk in the current economic environment.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering historical experience, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. As of June 30, 2022, the allowance for loan losses measured 0.49% of total loans, or approximately 0.87% of the non-purchased portfolio. The total reserve when including the allowance for loan losses and the credit fair value adjustment made to loans acquired in the Merger totaled $10.0 million or approximately 1.26% of total gross loans outstanding at June 30, 2022.

Investments

Our board of directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy. The investment policy is reviewed at least annually by management and any changes to the policy are recommended to the board of directors and are subject to its approval. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, regulatory standards, liquidity requirements, potential returns and consistency with our interest rate risk management strategy. We also use our investment portfolio to collateralize our municipal deposits. Our asset liability management committee, which consists of our President and Chief Risk Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Bank President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Credit Officer, oversees our investing activities and strategies.

Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in debt securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies or government sponsored enterprises. In addition, management is authorized to invest in investment grade state and municipal obligations. The policy also permits investments in mortgage-backed securities, including pass-through securities, issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, as well as investments in corporate debentures, federal funds and deposits in other insured institutions. We also are required to maintain an investment in FHLB stock, which investment is based primarily on the level of our FHLB borrowings. Additionally, we are required to maintain an investment in Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia stock equal to six percent of our capital and surplus. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk mortgage derivative products, corporate junk bonds, and certain types of structured notes.

At June 30, 2022, we had a portfolio of investment securities available for sale which is reported at fair value and a portfolio of held to maturity investment securities that were not carried at fair value through earnings.

Source of Funds

General. Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities. We may also use borrowings, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh advances, to supplement cash flow needs, as necessary. In addition, we receive funds from scheduled loan payments, loan prepayments, and income on interest-earning assets. While scheduled loan payments and income on interest-earning assets are a relatively stable source of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.

Deposits. We obtain most of our deposits from small- and medium-sized businesses, retail customers, and non-profit customers within our market area. We solicit deposits through our relationship-driven team of dedicated and accessible bankers and through community-focused marketing. We emphasize obtaining deposit relationships at loan origination. We have invested in personnel, business and compliance processes and technology that enable us to acquire, and efficiently and effectively serve, a wide array of business deposit accounts, while continuing to provide the level of customer service for which we are known. We currently offer a comprehensive range of business deposit products and services to assist with the banking needs of our business customers, including a variety of remote deposit and cash management products along with commercial

 

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transaction accounts. We also provide online banking, mobile banking, and direct deposit services. In 2021, we added a team of bankers focused on originating low cost deposits from and servicing accounts of professional services firms with cash management and other deposit servicing products.

We offer a selection of deposit accounts, including demand accounts (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing), money market deposit accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the amount of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. At June 30, 2022, our core deposits (which includes all deposits except for time deposit accounts greater than $250,000 and brokered deposits) totaled $826.9 million, or 91.6% of our total deposits, and our cost of funds on this stable funding source was 0.45%. We had $20.0 million in brokered deposits at June 30, 2022. Our reciprocal CDARS and ICS deposits totaled $12.5 million at June 30, 2022.

The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposits for the Bank by account type as of June 30, 2022.

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Amount      %  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 184,345        20.4

Demand, interest-bearing

     269,493        29.9  

Money market and savings

     235,411        26.1  

Time deposits, $250,000 and over

     55,507        6.1  

Time deposits, other

     157,617        17.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Deposits

   $ 902,373        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

All deposits are generated from in-market relationships through our client solutions centers and our convenient digital account opening solution.

Borrowings. We obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh upon the security of our capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and certain of our loans. Such advances may be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. As of June 30, 2022, we had no outstanding FHLB advances. At June 30, 2022, we had remaining available capacity with FHLB, subject to certain collateral restrictions, of approximately $276.2 million. In addition, the Company had $51 million in available lines of credit with other banks at June 30, 2022.

At June 30, 2022, the Company had subordinated notes outstanding that were issued in 2020 with a fair value of $20.6 million. These notes bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year for the first five years and then float at an index tied to the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”) for years six through ten. The notes have a term of ten years, with a maturity date of October 1, 2030. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, subject to any required regulatory approvals after the first five years.

Additionally, on April 8, 2022, the Company issued $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes. The notes, which mature on April 15, 2032, bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.50% for the period up to but excluding April 15, 2027. From and including April 15, 2027 until maturity or redemption, the interest rate will adjust to a floating rate equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month SOFR, plus 203 basis points. Subject to limited exceptions, the Company cannot redeem the notes before the fifth anniversary of the issuance date.

Competition

Commercial banking in Pennsylvania is extremely competitive. For example, as of June 30, 2021 (the most recent date for which data is available), data provided by the FDIC Deposit Market Share Report indicated that within the Company’s Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania market area, there were 57 different FDIC-insured institutions operating a total of 534 offices.

 

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The Company’s market areas are served by branches of the largest banks in the Northeast, some of which are among the largest institutions in the United States. We must compete in our current and future growth market areas with large regional and nationwide banking organizations, other federally and state-chartered financial institutions such as savings and loan institutions and credit unions, mortgage companies, and other lenders engaged in the business of extending commercial credit. Many of the Company’s competitors have broader geographic markets and higher lending limits than we do and are also able to provide more services and make greater use of media advertising. Competitive threats also continue to emerge from in-and out-of-market providers and entities with powerful non-traditional and sometimes unregulated products, services, and technology, including numerous new fintech firms. The Bank’s comparatively small branch network will be a competitive disadvantage in attracting retail customers since a number of large national bank and regional state bank franchises have significant branch office coverage in the Bank’s market area.

Human Capital

We believe our employees are our most valuable asset. We are committed to building a culture of integrity and excellence and seek to provide a challenging and rewarding work environment in which employees are supported professionally. Our team members receive benefits including competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) plan with employer contributions and short-term and long-term disability coverage.

Personnel

As of June 30, 2022, we had 128 full-time employees and 15 part-time employees at LINKBANCORP and The Gratz Bank, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit. We believe we have a good working relationship with our employees.

Subsidiaries

The Gratz Bank and GNB Investment Corp., a Delaware investment company subsidiary, are the only subsidiaries of LINKBANCORP and there are no subsidiaries of The Gratz Bank and GNB Investment Corp.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of our business. As of June 30, 2022, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Properties

The Company’s principal offices are located at 3045 Market Street, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The Company owns and leases other premises for use as client solutions centers in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties within Pennsylvania. The following table sets forth the location and other information of our Bank facilities.

 

Brand

 

Location

 

Street Address

 

City, State and Zip Code

 

Region

 

Owned/
Leased

LINKBANK

  Camp Hill Solutions Center   3045 Market Street   Camp Hill, PA 17011   Capital Region   Leased

LINKBANK

  Linglestown Solutions Center   2057 EG Drive   Harrisburg, PA 17110   Capital Region   Leased

LINKBANK

  Lancaster Solutions Center   2010 Fruitville Pike   Lancaster, PA 17601   Lancaster Region   Leased

The Gratz Bank

  Gratz Solutions Center   32 West Market Street   Gratz, PA 17030   Gratz Region   Owned

The Gratz Bank

  Herndon Solutions Center   4231 State Route 147   Herndon, PA 17830   Gratz Region   Owned

The Gratz Bank

  Minersville Solutions Center   260 West Sunbury Street   Minersville, PA 17954   Gratz Region   Owned

The Gratz Bank

  Pottsville Solutions Center   2221 West Market Street   Pottsville, PA 17901   Gratz Region   Leased

The Gratz Bank

  Treverton Solutions Center   450 West Shamokin Street   Trevorton, PA 17881   Gratz Region   Owned

The Gratz Bank

  Valley View Solutions Center   1625 West Main Street   Valley View, PA 17983   Gratz Region   Owned

LINKBANK

  West Chester Solutions Center   1436 Pottstown Pike   West Chester, PA 19380  

Delaware Valley

Region

  Leased

Loan Production Office:

         

LINKBANK

  York Loan Production Office  

135 N. George Street,

Suite 201

  York, PA 17401   York Region   Leased

 

 

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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

LINKBANCORP, is a bank holding company within the meaning of the BHC Act. As such, it is registered with, subject to examination and supervision by, and otherwise required to comply with the rules and regulations of the FRB.

The Bank is a Pennsylvania-chartered commercial bank subject to extensive regulation by the PADOBS and the FDIC. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC. The Bank must file reports with the PADOBS and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers or acquisitions with other depository institutions and the opening of new branches. There are periodic examinations of the Bank by the PADOBS and the FDIC to review the Bank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements and to ascertain the financial health and stability of the Bank. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive oversight framework of the activities in which a commercial bank can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Adverse findings and conclusions reached by regulators in connection with the examination process could result in the imposition of significant restrictions and limitations on the Bank’s business activities until the regulatory concerns which gave rise to such adverse findings and conclusions have been adequately addressed. Such restrictions and limitations could have an adverse impact on the operations and financial condition of the Bank. Any change in such regulations, whether by the PADOBS, the FDIC, the FRB or Congress could have a material impact on the operations and financial condition of the Bank.

Set forth below is a brief description of material regulatory requirements that are or will be applicable to LINKBANCORP, and the Bank. The description is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on LINKBANCORP and the Bank, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual statutes and regulations involved.

Bank Regulation

Capital Requirements

Federal regulations require FDIC-insured depository institutions to meet several minimum capital standards: a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 6.0%, a total capital to risk-based assets of 8%, and a 4% Tier 1 capital to total assets leverage ratio.

For purposes of the regulatory capital requirements, common equity Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common shareholders’ equity and retained earnings. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common equity Tier 1 and additional Tier 1 capital. Additional Tier 1 capital includes certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital (common equity Tier 1 capital plus additional Tier 1 capital) and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital is comprised of capital instruments and related surplus, and may include cumulative preferred stock and long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, intermediate preferred stock and subordinated debt that satisfies certain specific and detailed requirements. Also included in Tier 2 capital is the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions such as the Bank, that have exercised an opt-out election regarding the treatment of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available for sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Calculation of all types of regulatory capital is subject to deductions and adjustments specified in the applicable regulations.

 

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In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (e.g., recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk. For example, a risk weight of 0% is assigned to cash and U.S. government securities, a risk weight of 50% is generally assigned to prudently underwritten first lien one-to four-family residential mortgages, a risk weight of 100% is assigned to commercial and consumer loans, a risk weight of 150% is assigned to certain past due loans and a risk weight of between 0% to 600% is assigned to permissible equity interests, depending on certain specified factors.

In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions, repurchase of outstanding stock and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted asset above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements.

In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the FDIC takes into consideration, not only these numeric factors, but qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual institutions where deemed necessary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the FDIC finalized a rule, effective January 1, 2020, that established a community bank leverage ratio (tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets) at 9% for institutions under $10 billion in assets that such institutions may elect to utilize in lieu of the general applicable risk-based capital requirements under Basel III described above. Such institutions that meet the community bank leverage ratio and certain other qualifying criteria will automatically be deemed to be well-capitalized. The CARES Act required that the community bank leverage ratio be temporarily lowered to 8%. The federal regulators issued a rule making the reduced ratio effective for the second quarter of 2020. Another rule was issued to transition back to the 9% community bank leverage ratio by increasing the ratio to 8.5% for calendar year 2021 and to 9% thereafter. Eligible institutions may opt into and out of the community bank ratio framework on their quarterly call report. The Bank did not elect to follow the community bank leverage ratio as of June 30, 2022.

At June 30, 2022, the Bank exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be well-capitalized based on FDIC guidelines.

Loans-to-One Borrower

Generally, a Pennsylvania-chartered commercial bank may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of its capital. An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate. As of June 30, 2022, the Bank was in compliance with the loans-to-one borrower limitations.

Capital Distributions

The Pennsylvania Banking Code states, in part, that dividends may be declared and paid only out of accumulated net earnings and may not be declared or paid unless surplus is at least equal to capital. Dividends may not reduce surplus without the prior consent of the PADOBS. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution may not make any capital distribution if, after making such distribution, the institution would fail to meet any applicable regulatory capital requirement.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws

All insured institutions have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income borrowers.

 

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The FDIC is required to assess the Bank’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications, such as branches or mergers, or in restrictions on its activities. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the FDIC, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.

The Community Reinvestment Act requires all institutions insured by the FDIC to publicly disclose their CRA rating. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating in its most recent federal examination.

Transactions with Related Parties

A state-chartered bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its affiliates is limited by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and related federal regulations. An affiliate of a company is generally a company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another company, including an insured depository institution such as the Bank. The Company is an affiliate of the Bank because of its control of the Bank. In general, transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliates are subject to certain prohibitions, quantitative limits and collateral requirements. In addition, federal regulations prohibit a state-chartered bank from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary. Finally, transactions with affiliates must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, not involve the purchase of low-quality assets and be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.

The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the FRB. Among other things, these provisions generally require that extensions of credit to insiders be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features; and not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board. Extensions of credit to executive officers are subject to additional limits based on the type of extension involved.

Standards for Safety and Soundness

Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions. These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. Interagency guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to implement an acceptable compliance plan. Failure to implement such a plan can result in further enforcement action, including the issuance of a cease and desist order or the imposition of civil money penalties.

The PADOBS implements a similar set of laws, regulations and restrictions applicable to the Bank under Pennsylvania law.

 

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Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action

Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet certain applicable minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater. An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater. An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.

The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FDIC within 45 days of the date that an institution is deemed to have received notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Any bank holding company of an institution that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must guarantee performance under the plan in an amount of up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it was deemed to be undercapitalized by the FDIC or the amount necessary to restore the institution to adequately capitalized status. This guarantee remains in place until the FDIC notifies the institution that it has maintained adequately capitalized status for each of four consecutive calendar quarters. Institutions that are undercapitalized become subject to certain mandatory measures, such as restrictions on capital distributions and asset growth.

Generally, the PADOBS is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a state-chartered bank that is “critically undercapitalized” within specific time frames. The PADBS may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

At June 30, 2022, the Bank met the criteria for being considered “well capitalized.”

Enforcement

The PADOBS maintains enforcement authority over the Bank, including the power to issue cease and desist orders and civil money penalties and to remove directors, officers or employees. It also has the power to appoint a conservator or receiver for a bank upon insolvency, imminent insolvency, unsafe or unsound condition or certain other situations. The FDIC has primary federal enforcement responsibility over non-member state banks and has authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including officers, directors, shareholders, and any attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful actions likely to have an adverse effect on the bank. Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors. Civil money penalties cover a wide range of violations and can amount to $25,000 per day, or even $1 million per day in especially egregious cases. In general, regulatory enforcement actions occur with respect to situations involving unsafe or unsound practices or conditions, violations of law or regulation or breaches of fiduciary duty, including self-dealing. Federal and Pennsylvania laws also establish criminal penalties for certain violations.

Federal Insurance of Deposit Accounts

The maximum amount of deposit insurance for depositary institutions is $250,000 per depositor. The FDIC requires depositary institutions to pay assessments to the FDIC to cover the cost of this insurance. Such

 

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assessments for most insured depository institutions are now based on financial measures and supervisory ratings derived from statistical modeling which estimate the probability of failure within three years. The assessment range (inclusive of possible adjustments) is for institutions of the Bank’s size is 1.5 basis points to 30 basis points of the institution’s deposit base. The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. Any significant increases would have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what assessment rates will be in the future.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.

Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements

State-chartered banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

FHLB System

The Bank is a member of the FHLB System, which consists of 11 regional FHLBs. The FHLB System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. As a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh, the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB. As of June 30, 2022, the Bank was in compliance with this requirement. The Bank also is able to borrow from the FHLB of Pittsburgh, which provides an additional source of liquidity for the Bank.

Other Regulations

Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. The Bank’s operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:

 

   

Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

 

   

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, requiring that borrowers for mortgage loans for one-to four-family residential real estate receive various disclosures, including good faith estimates of settlement costs, lender servicing and escrow account practices, and prohibiting certain practices that increase the cost of settlement services;

 

   

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;

 

   

Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;

 

   

Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;

 

   

Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;

 

   

Truth in Savings Act; and

 

   

Rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.

 

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The operations of the Bank also are subject to the:

 

   

Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;

 

   

Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;

 

   

Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (also known as “Check 21”), which gives “substitute checks,” such as digital check images and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check;

 

   

The PATRIOT Act, which requires banks operating to, among other things, establish broadened anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements, also applicable to financial institutions, under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations; and

 

   

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information by financial institutions with unaffiliated third parties. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institution’s privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to “opt out” of the sharing of certain personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.

Holding Company Regulation

General

The Company, as a bank holding company controlling the Bank, is subject to regulation and supervision by the FRB under the BHCA. The Company is periodically examined by and required to submit reports to the FRB and must comply with the FRB’s rules and regulations. Among other things, the FRB has authority to restrict activities by a bank holding company that are deemed to pose a serious risk to the subsidiary bank.

Permissible Activities

A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in non-banking activities, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the FRB has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data processing services; (iii) providing discount brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings and loan association whose direct and indirect activities are limited to those permitted for bank holding companies.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 authorized a bank holding company that meets specified conditions, including being “well capitalized” and “well managed,” to opt to become a “financial holding company” and thereby engage in a broader array of financial activities than previously permitted. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking. A “financial holding company” may engage in a broader array of financial activities than permitted a typical bank holding company. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking. The Company has not elected “financial holding company” status.

 

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Capital

Bank holding companies are subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements, which have historically been similar to, though less stringent than, those of the for the Bank. Federal legislation, however, required the FRB to promulgate consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. As a result, consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to the subsidiary banks generally apply to bank holding companies. However, the FRB has provided a “Small Bank Holding Company” exception to its consolidated capital requirements, and subsequent legislation and the related issuance of regulations by the FRB have increased the threshold for the exception to $3.0 billion of consolidated assets. Consequently, bank holding companies such as the Company with less than $3.0 billion of consolidated assets are not subject to the consolidated holding company capital requirements unless otherwise directed by the FRB.

Source of Strength

The FRB has issued regulations requiring that all bank holding companies serve as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing financial, managerial and other support in times of an institution’s distress.

Dividends and Stock Repurchases

The FRB has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by holding companies. In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall supervisory financial condition. Separate regulatory guidance provides for prior consultation with FRB staff concerning dividends in certain circumstances such as where the company’s net income for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the company’s overall rate or earnings retention is inconsistent with the company’s capital needs and overall financial condition. The ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized.

The regulatory guidance also states that a bank holding company should consult with FRB supervisory staff prior to redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock if the bank holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or the repurchase or redemption would result in a net reduction, at the end of a quarter, in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred.

There is a separate requirement that a bank holding company give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, FRB order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB. There is an exception to this approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.

These regulatory policies may affect the ability of LINKBANCORP, Inc. to pay dividends, repurchase shares of common stock or otherwise engage in capital distributions.

 

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Acquisition of Control of the Company

Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person may acquire control of a bank holding company such as the Company unless the FRB has prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. In evaluating such notices, the FRB takes into consideration such factors as the financial resources, competence, experience and integrity of the acquirer, the future prospects the bank holding company involved and its subsidiary bank and the competitive effects of the acquisition. Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the company’s directors, or a determination by the regulator that the acquirer has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly to exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a bank holding company’s voting stock constitutes a rebuttable presumption of control under the regulations under certain circumstances including where, as will be the case with the Company, the issuer has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Federal Securities Laws

LINKBANCORP, Inc.’s common stock will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) prior to the completion of the stock offering. LINKBANCORP, Inc. is currently a reporting company subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and, following its registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, LINKBANCORP, Inc. will be a reporting company subject to additional Exchange Act requirements, including requirements related to proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and beneficial ownership reporting.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), which was enacted in April 2012, has made numerous changes to the federal securities laws to facilitate access to capital markets. Under the JOBS Act, a company with total annual gross revenues of less than $1.07 billion during its most recently completed fiscal year qualifies as an “emerging growth company.” LINKBANCORP, Inc. qualifies as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.

An “emerging growth company” may choose not to hold shareholder votes to approve annual executive compensation (more frequently referred to as “say-on-pay” votes) or executive compensation payable in connection with a merger (more frequently referred to as “say-on-golden parachute” votes). An emerging growth company also is not subject to the requirement that its auditors attest to the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting, and can provide scaled disclosure regarding executive compensation; however, LINKBANCORP, Inc. will also not be subject to the auditor attestation requirement or additional executive compensation disclosure so long as it remains a “non-accelerated filer” and a “smaller reporting company,” respectively, under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally less than $75 million and $250 million, respectively, of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates or less than $100.0 million in annual revenue). Finally, an emerging growth company may elect to comply with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a private company, but must make such election when the company is first required to file a registration statement. LINKBANCORP, Inc. has previously elected to comply with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a private company.

A company loses emerging growth company status on the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year of the company during which it had total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; (iii) the date on which such company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which such company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally, at least $700 million of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates).

 

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is intended to improve corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. We have policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations, and we review and document such policies, procedures and systems to ensure continued compliance with these regulations.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Our Directors and Executive Officers

Our board of directors is comprised of fifteen members. Our Bylaws provide that directors are each elected annually. Our directors are elected to serve for a one-year period and until their respective successors shall have been elected and shall qualify. The following table states our directors’ names, their ages as of August 15, 2022, the years that they began serving as directors and when their current term as directors of LINKBANCORP expires.

 

Name

  

Position(s) Held With
LINKBANCORP/The Gratz Bank

   Age      Director
Since
    Term
Expires
 
DIRECTORS  

Andrew Samuel

   Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board      60        2018       2023  

Brent Smith

   Executive Vice President, President of The Gratz Bank and Director      40        2018       2023  

Jennifer Delaye

   Director      56        2018       2023  

Anson Flake

   Director      56        2019       2023  

George Parmer

   Director      82        2018       2023  

Debra Pierson

   Director      54        2018       2023  

Diane Poillon

   Director      53        2019       2023  

William E. Pommerening

   Director      63        2018       2023  

Timothy J. Allison

   Director      73        2021  (1)      2023  

William L. Jones

   Director      67        2021  (1)      2023  

David H. Koppenhaver

   Director      74        2021  (1)      2023  

Joseph C. Michetti, Jr.

   Chairman of the Board      68        2021  (1)      2023  

Kristen Snyder

   Director      37        2021  (1)      2023  

Steven I. Tressler

   Director      68        2021  (1)      2023  

Wesley M. Weymers

   Director and Executive Chairman of The Gratz Bank      65        2021  (1)      2023  
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS(2)  

Carl Lundblad

   President and Chief Risk Officer      51        N/A       N/A  

Tiffanie Horton

   Chief Credit Officer      41        N/A       N/A  

Kristofer Paul

   Chief Financial Officer      42        N/A       N/A  

 

(1)

Appointed pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger among LINKBANCORP, LINKBANK, GNB Financial Services, Inc. and The Gratz Bank, dated December 10, 2020.

(2)

On September 8, 2022, Adam Pierce, LINKBANCORP’s Chief Operations and Technology Officer, advised the Company that he intends to resign his position with the Company effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Pierce’s resignation is for personal reasons and is not the result of any disagreement or dispute with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies or practices. The Company will appoint Jeffrey Renninger as Interim Chief Operations and Technology Officer effective September 23, 2022. Mr. Renninger previously served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from 2018 to 2020, and has over 30 years of bank operations experience, primarily working with this management team.

The Business Background of Our Directors and Executive Officers

The biographies of each of the directors and executive officers are set forth below. With respect to the directors, the biographies also contain information regarding the person’s business experience and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to determine that the person should serve as a director. LINKBANCORP believes that each of these individuals have reputations for integrity, honesty, and adherence to high ethical standards. Each has demonstrated business insight and an ability to exercise sound judgement as well as a commitment to service. None of the

 

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LINKBANCORP directors are directors of any other publicly-traded company. Each director of LINKBANCORP is also a director of The Gratz Bank.

Andrew Samuel, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Samuel has served as LINKBANCORP’s and LINKBANK’s Chief Executive Officer since their inception in 2018 and became the Chief Executive Officer of The Gratz Bank following the completion of the Merger. Mr. Samuel serves as Vice-Chairman of the board of directors of LINKBANCORP. Prior to the Merger, Mr. Samuel served as Chairman of LINKBANCORP. Prior to his service with LINKBANCORP, Mr. Samuel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBPC) and Sunshine Bank since October 2014 through its acquisition in January 2018. He served as a Director and President of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUSQ) and President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of Susquehanna Bank, from February 2012 to October 2014. Prior to joining Susquehanna and, beginning in 2005, Mr. Samuel served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Tower Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TOBC) and Graystone Bank, a de novo bank he co-founded in 2005 that grew to approximately $2.7 billion in assets at the time of the sale to Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Mr. Samuel has served in various executive and other positions at other financial institutions dating back to 1984, including Waypoint Financial Corp., Sovereign Bank, Fulton Bank, and Commonwealth National Banks/Mellon. Mr. Samuel’s leadership experience and vast knowledge of the banking industry led to his nomination to the board.

Brent Smith, Director, Executive Vice President and President of The Gratz Bank: Mr. Smith served as the President of LINKBANK and Executive Vice President of LINKBANCORP since their inception in 2018 and became the President of The Gratz Bank following the completion of the Merger. Prior thereto, Mr. Smith most recently served as Sunshine Bank’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Development since 2014. Prior to joining Sunshine Bank, he was vice president and director of brokerage services at Susquehanna Bank from 2012 to 2014. He joined Susquehanna after the acquisition of Tower Bancorp, Inc. where he had served as Vice President and Director of Investor Relations from 2009 to 2012. Mr. Smith’s experience and knowledge of banking and the financial services industry led to his nomination to the board.

George Parmer, Director: Mr. Parmer is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fine Line Homes, a family-owned company that started building homes in 1972. Mr. Parmer is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Residential Warranty Company, a leading provider of insured new home warranties to the building industry. Mr. Parmer has also been a member of the board of directors of Amesite Inc. (Nasdaq: AMST), an artificial intelligence software company providing online learning since November 2020. He previously served as an independent director of Sunshine Bank and Sunshine Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBPC) from 2014 until its sale in 2018. In addition to his business venues, Mr. Parmer was a licensed public accountant, a member of the National Association of Accountants and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders. Mr. Parmer provides the board of directors with an in-depth knowledge of real estate and finance which led to his nomination to the board.

William Pommerening, Director: Mr. Pommerening is the chief executive officer and managing director of RP Financial, LC. He has provided consulting, valuation, merger and acquisition advisory and planning services to the financial services industry since 1983. He has previously served as a director of Sunshine Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBPC) and Sunshine Bank from 2014 until 2018 and of Tower Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TOBC) from 2009 until its acquisition by Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. in 2012. Mr. Pommerening’s vast experience with the financial services industry led to his nomination to the board.

Jennifer Delaye, Director: Ms. Delaye is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The JDK Group, a full-service event production firm that began operations in 1987. Ms. Delaye is also the Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Agriculture Systems (INTAG) where she has spearheaded the use of new-age agriculture systems in the event planning industry. Ms. Delaye is a member of the Leading Caterers of America organization and has started a number of restaurant businesses. In 2014 she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Harrisburg Chamber and has previously been named one of Pennsylvania’s “50 Best Women in Business.” Ms. Delaye’s wealth of entrepreneurial business experience led to her nomination to the board.

 

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Debra Pierson, Director: Ms. Pierson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pierson Computing Connection, which she founded in 1993, specializing in providing technology solutions to state, local and education customers throughout the East Coast. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Ms. Pierson serves on the national board of directors of the Alzheimer’s Association. Ms. Pierson’s expertise in technology and business led to her nomination to the board.

Anson Flake, Director: Mr. Flake is the founder and CEO of TEAM Aurelius, a venture focused on health and human performance. He previously co-founded a sports medicine and healthcare manufacturing company, HydroWorx International, Inc. in 1993, serving as Chief Executive Officer from 1997 through 2016, when HydroWorx was acquired by a private equity firm. Mr. Flake received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Washburn University School of Law. He teaches entrepreneurship at Trinity High School (Camp Hill, Pa.) and is a founding board member of Harrisburg University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Mr. Flake’s entrepreneurial expertise, legal background and commitment to the local communities led to his selection to the board.

Diane Poillon, Director: Ms. Poillon is President and Chief Executive Officer of Willow Valley Associates. She has 30 years of experience in the hospitality and real estate business at Willow Valley in roles including Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President of Focus Service Hotels, Director of Learning and Development, Director of Safety and Manager of Family Restaurant. Ms. Poillon is an active community leader in Central Pennsylvania, including positions on the boards of the Lancaster General Health Foundation, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Water Street Mission. Ms. Poillon’s real estate and business expertise and community leadership led to her nomination as a director.

Timothy J. Allison, Director: Mr. Allison has been a director of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was a GNBF and The Gratz Bank director since 2008. He previously served as Vice-President of The Gratz Bank from 1996 through his retirement in 2014. Previously, Mr. Allison served in various positions with Pennsylvania National Bank for 24 years. Mr. Allison’s vast banking expertise and prior experience with GNBF led to his selection to the board.

William L. Jones, Director: Mr. Jones has been a director of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank since 2017. A certified public accountant since 1980, Mr. Jones is the President and owner of Jones & Co., Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Jones’s strong accounting, finance and business experience led to his selection to the board.

David H. Koppenhaver, Director: Mr. Koppenhaver has been a director of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021. He was previously a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank. He is currently the President of Koppy’s Propane, Inc. which is a retailer of propane gas and related supplies. Mr. Koppenhaver is the father of Director Kristen Snyder. Mr. Koppenhaver’s strong business experience led to his selection to the board.

Joseph C. Michetti, Jr., Director: Mr. Michetti has been the Chairman of the board of directors of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank since 2007 and served as Chairman of the GNBF board of directors. He has been a licensed attorney since 1979 and is currently a partner in the law firm of Diehl, Dluge, Michetti & Michetti. Mr. Michetti’s legal and business experience led to his selection to the board.

Kristen Snyder, Director: Ms. Snyder has been a director of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank since 2018. Ms. Snyder is a principal of Koppy’s Propane, Inc., overseeing Operations, Finance, Safety and Human Resources. Prior to that, she served as Senior Analyst for JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Snyder is the daughter of Director David H. Koppenhaver. Ms. Snyder’s business and finance experience led to her selection to the board.

 

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Steven I. Tressler, Director: Mr. Tressler has been a director of LINKBANCORP since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank since 2011. He is the former Chief Executive Officer of The Herndon National Bank, having served as such from 1990 until his retirement following the acquisition of The Herndon National Bank by GNBF in 2011. Mr. Tressler’s business and banking experience led to his selection to the board.

Wesley M. Weymers, Director: Mr. Weymers has been a director of LINKBANCORP and the Executive Chairman of The Gratz Bank since the consummation of the Merger with GNBF in September 2021 and prior to that, was the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of GNBF and The Gratz Bank since 2013. Mr. Weymers previously served as Chief Lending Officer of The Gratz Bank from January 2011 through December 2012 and, prior to that, he was Chief Credit Officer at The First National Bank of Mifflintown from May 2010 through January 2011. He formerly served as Chief Lending Officer at Juniata Valley Bank from August 2008 through May 2010 and, prior to that, as President and Chief Executive Officer of CSB Bank. Mr. Weymers’ leadership experience and vast knowledge of the banking industry led to his nomination to the board.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Carl Lundblad, President and Chief Risk Officer: Mr. Lundblad has served as LINKBANCORP’s President and Chief Risk Officer since 2019. Mr. Lundblad has more than 20 years of strategic, legal and operational leadership experience in the financial services industry, including as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUSQ) from 2012 to 2015, up to and including the successful acquisition of Susquehanna by BB&T Corporation (now Truist Financial Corporation). Prior thereto, he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Graystone Bank and Tower Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TOBC) from 2007 to 2012. Previously, he was a partner and manager of the Banking & Securities practice at the law firm of Rhoads & Sinon LLP. From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Lundblad served as Chief Executive Officer of Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair-trade retail and wholesale organization.

Kristofer Paul, Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Paul has served as LINKBANCORP’s Chief Financial Officer since February 2021. Prior thereto, Mr. Paul most recently served as Vice President and Controller of Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) since 2016, where he oversaw the financial reporting and accounting functions. He has significant experience in the financial services industry having served as Senior Vice President and Controller of Orrstown Bank from 2012 to 2016 and as Chief Accounting Officer of Tower Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TOBC) from 2008 to 2012, joining from KPMG LLP where he supported public and private companies in multiple industries from 2002 to 2008. Mr. Paul is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Tiffanie Horton, Chief Credit Officer: Ms. Horton has served as LINKBANCORP’s Chief Credit Officer since its inception in 2018. Prior thereto, Ms. Horton served as Vice President, Credit Administration at Sunshine Bank since 2015. From 2009 to 2015, Ms. Horton was Vice President, Regional Credit Officer II at Graystone Bank and its successor, Susquehanna Bank. Ms. Horton also worked at Sovereign Bank as a Commercial Portfolio Manager II between 2007 and 2009 and as a Financial Analyst at Waypoint Bank (acquired by Sovereign) between 2003 and 2005.

Board Independence

Based on information provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, LINKBANCORP believes that all of the directors other than Messrs. Samuel, Smith and Weymers are “independent” directors as defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rules which the Company has adopted as its independence standard. Mr. Samuel, who serves as LINKBANCORP’s Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Smith, who serves as President of The Gratz Bank and Executive Vice President of LINKBANCORP, and Mr. Weymers, who serves as Executive Chairman of The Gratz Bank, are executive officers and therefore are not considered to be independent. In evaluating the independence of our independent

 

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directors, the Board considered, in addition to the transactions reported under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below, the Bank’s purchase of catering services from a company in which Ms. Delaye has a controlling interest; propane supplies purchased from a company in which Mr. Koppenhaver and Ms. Snyder have a controlling interest; legal services engaged from a law firm in which Mr. Michetti has a controlling interest; and air and surface disinfection products from a company in which Mr. Pommerening has a controlling interest.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The business of LINKBANCORP is conducted at regular and special meetings of the board of directors and its committees. In addition, the “independent” members of the board of directors (as defined in the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market) regularly meet in executive sessions. The primary committees of the board of directors of LINKBANCORP are the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of Directors Jones (Chairman), Flake, Snyder and Tressler, each of whom is “independent” in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and Nasdaq listing rules. The Audit Committee also serves as the audit committee of the board of directors of The Gratz Bank. The board of directors has determined that Director Jones (Chairman) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. In addition, each Audit Committee member has the ability to analyze and evaluate our financial statements as well as an understanding of the Audit Committee’s functions. The Audit Committee reviews the financial records and affairs of LINKBANCORP and monitors adherence in accounting and financial reporting to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Directors Koppenhaver (Chairman), Parmer and Pierson, each of whom is independent in accordance with Nasdaq listing rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also serves as the nominating committee of the board of directors of The Gratz Bank. The purpose of the committee is to assist the Board in identifying individuals to become directors, determine the size and composition of the Board and its committees, monitor Board effectiveness and implement corporate governance guidelines.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised of Directors Parmer (Chairman), Pierson and Tressler, each of whom is independent in accordance with Nasdaq listing rules. No member of the Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or employee of LINKBANCORP or The Gratz Bank. The Compensation Committee also serves as the compensation committee of the board of directors of The Gratz Bank.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation philosophy, developing compensation guidelines, establishing the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other senior executive officers. No executive officer who is also a director participates with respect to decisions on his compensation. The Compensation Committee also administers stock-based incentive and compensation plans. The Compensation Committee may retain, at its discretion, compensation consultants to assist it in making compensation related decisions.

The Compensation Committee retains responsibility for all compensation determinations as to executive officers. The Compensation Committee may utilize information and benchmarks from an independent compensation consulting firm, and from other sources, to determine how executive compensation levels compare to those companies within the industry. The Compensation Committee may review published data for companies of similar size, location, financial characteristics and stage of development among other factors.

 

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In designing the compensation program for LINKBANCORP, the Committee takes into consideration methods to avoid encouraging the taking of excessive risk by executive management or by any other employees. The Committee assessed risks posed by the incentive compensation paid to executive management and other employees and determined that LINKBANCORP’s compensation policies, practices and programs do not pose risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on LINKBANCORP.

Other Committees. The Company also has a standing Enterprise Risk Management Committee, and the Bank has a standing Directors Loan Committee.

Board’s Role in Cybersecurity Risk Oversight. Cybersecurity risk is a key consideration in the Bank’s management of operational risk. The Bank maintains a formal information security management program, which is approved annually by the Bank’s board of directors. Regular board oversight is accomplished primarily through the Enterprise Risk Management Committee of the Bank’s board of directors, which receives quarterly reports on significant matters of actual, threatened or potential breaches of cybersecurity, and monitors the activities of management’s Technology Committee, including cybersecurity related reports and assessments. Additionally, on an annual basis, the Bank’s board of directors receives a full report on the Bank’s information security program, including review of an annual cybersecurity risk assessment and relevant cybersecurity training. The Bank also maintains specific cyber insurance through its corporate insurance program, the adequacy of which is subject to review and oversight by the Bank’s board of directors. Further, technology and security experience are skills that the board of directors considers in its assessment of board membership criteria.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that is applicable to its senior financial officers, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and all officers performing similar functions. We have posted this Code of Ethics on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.linkbancorp.com under “Governance Documents.” Amendments to and waivers from the Code of Ethics will also be disclosed on the Company’s website. The information contained on our website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, which permit us to limit reporting of executive compensation to our principal executive officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers, which are referred to as our “named executive officers.” As more fully described below, we have elected to voluntarily add one more executive officer to our named executive officers in order to provide a more complete presentation of the compensation of key executives.

The compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table below is not necessarily indicative of how we will compensate our named executive officers in the future. We will continue to review, evaluate and modify our compensation framework to maintain a competitive total compensation package. As such, and as a result of our becoming a publicly traded company, the compensation program following this offering could vary from our historical practices.

Our named executive officers, which consist of our principal executive officer and the Company’s three other most highly compensated executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2021, are:

 

   

Andrew Samuel, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Carl Lundblad, President and Chief Risk Officer;

 

   

Brent Smith, Executive Vice President and President of The Gratz Bank; and

 

   

Wesley Weymers, Executive Vice President and Executive Chairman of The Gratz Bank.

Summary Compensation Table

Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of Andrew Samuel, our principal executive officer, and the other three most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Each individual listed in the table below is referred to as a named executive officer.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Bonus
($)
    Option
Awards
($)
    Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(1)
     All Other
Compensation
($)(2)
     Total
($)
 

Andrew Samuel

     2021        500,000        285,000       —       —        15,138        800,138  

Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

     2020        250,000        200,000       —       —        15,479        465,479  

Carl Lundblad

     2021        230,000        83,375       —       —        30,343        343,718  

President and Chief Risk Officer

     2020        180,000        50,000       —       —        6,022        236,022  

Brent Smith(3)

     2021        210,000        76,125       —       —        33,237        319,362  

Executive Vice President and President of The Gratz Bank

     2020        180,000        50,000       —       —        11,796        241,796  

Wesley Weymers(4)

     2021        80,577        350,000 (5)      2,320 (6)      1,620        3,639        438,156  

Executive Vice President and Executive Chairman of The Gratz Bank

                  

 

(1)

The non-qualified deferred compensation earnings represent the above market earnings on compensation that was credited to the applicable named executive officer’s account under the deferred compensation agreements, which are described below.

 

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(2)

The amounts in this column include the following elements of compensation:

 

Name

   Year      401(k)
Match
($)
     Deferred
Compensation
Plan
($)
    
Life
Insurance
($)
     Country
Club Dues
($)
    
Company
Car ($)
     Total
($)
 

Andrew Samuel

     2021        8,700        —        828        4,370        1,240        15,138  

Carl Lundblad

     2021        6,927        23,000        416        —        —        30,343  

Brent Smith

     2021        6,430        21,000        165        4,370        1,272        33,237  

Wesley Weymers

     2021        370        —        269        —        3,000        3,639  

 

(3)

Under the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, Mr. Smith’s compensation is not required to be disclosed. However, since Mr. Smith is a key executive and his total compensation is similar to Mr. Lundblad’s total compensation, LINKBANCORP voluntarily elected to disclose Mr. Smith’s compensation in order to provide a more complete presentation of the compensation of key executives.

(4)

Includes compensation since Mr. Weymers became an executive officer upon completion of the Merger with GNBF effective September 18, 2021. Since Mr. Weymers is a named executive officer for the first time in 2021, pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules, compensation for prior years is not required to be reported.

(5)

Includes $300,000 retention bonus paid following completion of the Merger and a $50,000 annual bonus stipulated in Mr. Weymers’ employment agreement.

(6)

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, the reported amount is the grant date fair value computed based upon the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the actual value, if any, that may be realized will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised. Therefore, there is no assurance that the value of an option realized by a named executive officer will be at or near the value shown above. The assumptions used in the calculation of the amount shown is included in Note 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus.

Cash Bonus Awards. For 2021, LINKBANCORP did not have a cash bonus or incentive plan in which executive officers were eligible to participate. However, the board of directors awarded discretionary cash bonuses for 2021 to executive officers, including the awards to the named executive officers as set forth in the above table, after giving consideration to LINKBANCORP’s performance for 2021, including core earnings, credit quality and successful completion of the Merger and system integration and conversion.

2022 Base Salaries. Following a market compensation study conducted by an independent compensation consulting firm in late 2021 for LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee, the committee established base salaries for LINKBANCORP’s named executive officers as follows: Andrew Samuel: $625,000, Carl Lundblad: $305,000, Brent Smith $275,000 and Wesley Weymers: $300,000.

Employment Agreements

Andrew Samuel, Carl Lundblad and Brent Smith. On October 28, 2021, the Company and the Bank entered into employment agreements with Andrew S. Samuel, Carl Lundblad and Brent Smith (collectively, the “Employment Agreements” or individually, the “Employment Agreement”).

The term of the Employment Agreements is three years (two years for Messrs. Lundblad and Smith) and commencing as of October 28, 2022, and on each subsequent October 28, thereafter, the term of the Employment Agreements will renew for an additional year so that the remaining term will again become three years (two years for Messrs. Lundblad and Smith) unless the Company, the Bank (collectively, the “Employer”) or the executive gives written notice to the contrary not less than ninety (90) days prior to a renewal date. In the event written notice of non-renewal is provided, the executive would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits under the Employment Agreement other than payment of the executive’s accrued benefits (as defined in the Employment Agreement), as of the date of the expiration of the Employment Agreement or until the

 

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executive voluntarily terminates employment, whichever occurs earlier. The current annual base salaries under the Employment Agreements with Messrs. Samuel, Lundblad and Smith are $625,000, $305,000 and $275,000, respectively. In addition to base salary, the Employment Agreements provide for, among other things, participation in bonus programs and other benefit plans and arrangements applicable to executive employees.

The Employer may terminate the executive’s employment for “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) at any time, in which event the executive would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after his termination of employment except for the executive’s accrued benefits. Certain events resulting in the executive’s termination of employment entitle the executive to severance benefits. In the event of the executive’s involuntary termination of employment or in the event of a voluntary termination for “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the executive would become entitled to a severance payment in the form of a cash lump sum payment equal to three times the executive’s annual base salary and the average cash bonus and other cash incentive compensation earned by the executive with respect to the three calendar years immediately preceding the year of termination. In addition, the executive would become entitled to the continuation of life, disability, medical insurance and other health and welfare benefits for the earlier of three years or until the executive obtains substantially similar benefits through other employment, or if the coverage cannot be provided because the executive is no longer an executive, the Employer shall reimburse the executive in an amount equal to the monthly premium paid by the executive to obtain substantially similar health and welfare benefits which reimbursement shall continue until the earlier of the expiration of three years from the date of termination of employment or until the executive obtains substantially similar benefits through other employment.

In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the Employment Agreements) of the Employer followed within two years by the executive’s involuntary termination of employment for a reason other than for cause or upon his voluntary termination for good reason, the executive would become entitled to a severance payment in the form of a cash lump sum payment equal to three times the executive’s annual base salary and the average cash bonus and other cash incentive compensation earned by the executive with respect to the three calendar years immediately preceding the year of termination. In addition, the executive would become entitled to the continuation of life, disability, medical insurance and other health and welfare benefits for the earlier of three years or until the executive obtains substantially similar benefits through other employment, or if the coverage cannot be provided because the executive is no longer an executive, the Employer shall reimburse the executive in an amount equal to the monthly premium paid by the executive to obtain substantially similar health and welfare benefits which reimbursement shall continue until the earlier of the expiration of three years from the date of termination of employment or until the executive obtains substantially similar benefits through other employment. In the event that an excise tax under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code would be assessed on the payments or other benefits received under the Employment Agreement in connection with a change in control of the Employer, the executive would receive either: (1) all the payments and benefits to which the executive is entitled under the Employment Agreement, subject to the excise tax; or (2) have such payments and benefits reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that the excise tax will not apply, if such reduction would result in a greater net after-tax benefit to the executive.

Upon termination of the executive’s employment, the executive will be subject to certain restrictions on the executive’s ability to compete or to solicit business or employees of the Employer for a period of eighteen (18) months (one year for Messrs. Lundblad and Smith) following his termination of employment. The Employment Agreements also include provisions protecting the Employer’s confidential business information.

Wesley M. Weymers. In connection with the Merger Agreement, on December 10, 2020, Mr. Weymers entered into an employment agreement with LINKBANCORP and The Gratz Bank, effective as of September 18, 2021 for a term expiring on March 6, 2024 (the “Weymers Employment Agreement”). Under the Weymers Employment Agreement, Mr. Weymers will be employed as Executive Chairman of the Board of The Gratz Bank and will receive (i) an annual salary rate of $300,000, (ii) a minimum annual bonus amount of $50,000, (iii) retention bonuses in the following amounts: (A) $300,000 payable within five days following the closing of

 

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the Merger, (B) $200,000 payable on the first anniversary of the closing of the Merger, (C) $200,000 payable on the second anniversary of the closing of the Merger and (D) $167,900 payable on March 6, 2024, (iv) as soon as reasonably practicable following the closing of the Merger, and on or promptly following each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing of the Merger, grants of options to purchase 7,000 shares of LINKBANCORP common stock, with each such grant vesting ratably over five years from the applicable grant date, and (v) an automobile allowance of $1,000 per month. The Weymers Employment Agreement includes non-compete and non-solicit provisions for the benefit of LINKBANCORP and The Gratz Bank (running for two years from the termination of employment). The agreement also provides for severance upon a termination following a change in control or if Mr. Weymers’ employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason, payable in an amount equal to the sum of 2.99 times his annual base salary and the aggregate amount of all unpaid retention bonuses, if any, and the continuation of life, disability, medical insurance and other normal health and benefits for a period of 2.99 years.

Deferred Compensation Agreements

On October 28, 2021, the Bank entered into deferred compensation agreements (collectively, the “Deferral Agreements”) with Carl Lundblad and Brent Smith. The purpose of the Deferral Agreements is to provide Messrs. Lundblad and Smith with retirement benefits.

Under the Deferral Agreements, Messrs. Lundblad and Smith may annually elect to defer the payment of a portion of their base salary and/or bonus by filing a deferral election form with the plan administrator, setting forth the amount of the deferral and its duration. Benefits under the Deferral Agreements will be paid to the executives upon termination of employment after “normal retirement age,” upon “early termination,” or upon a “disability” prior to normal retirement age or “disability” (as such terms are defined in the Deferral Agreements). Benefits will be distributed in 180 monthly installments if termination of employment occurs after normal retirement age or 120 monthly installments upon the occurrence of an early termination or disability, with the payment commencing in the month following the payment event. In the event a “change in control” (as defined in the Deferral Agreements) followed within twenty-four (24) months by a termination of employment prior to the executive’s normal retirement age, the executive’s deferral account will be paid in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment. In addition to any deferrals, the Bank will make a contribution to the executive’s deferral account, commencing in 2022 and continuing until the earliest of termination of employment, normal retirement age, disability or death of the executive, in an amount up to 15% of base salary based on the Company’s operating return on assets (as defined in the Deferral Agreements). In addition, the executive’s deferral account will be credited with interest at a rate equal to the crediting rate (as defined in the Deferral Agreements).

Mr. Weymers is party to a deferred compensation agreement with the Bank, pursuant to which Mr. Weymers may defer a percentage of his salary and/or bonus and such amounts will earn a rate of interest equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the average one-year Treasury instrument for the plan year. Mr. Weymers is fully vested in the account balance and will receive payments on the first day of the calendar month, following his termination of service or his sixty-fifth (65th) birthday or upon death.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreements

On October 28, 2021, the Bank entered into a supplemental executive retirement plan agreement (the “Samuel SERP”) with Mr. Samuel to provide certain benefits upon retirement or other termination of employment. Under the terms of the Samuel SERP, upon separation from service (as defined in the Samuel SERP) after normal retirement age (age 70), the executive will be entitled to an annual benefit in the amount of $300,000, payable in monthly installments over a period of fifteen (15) years, commencing the month following separation from service. In the event of a separation from service prior to normal retirement age, except when such separation from service is an involuntary termination (as defined in the Samuel SERP) or termination for

 

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good reason (as defined in the Samuel SERP) occurring within two years after a change in control (as defined in the Samuel SERP) or a termination for cause (as defined in the Samuel SERP), the executive will be entitled to a reduced benefit, payable in monthly installments over a period of fifteen (15) years, commencing the month following separation from service. If a change in control (as defined in the Samuel SERP) occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by an involuntary termination or termination for good reason prior to normal retirement age, the executive will be entitled to an annual benefit in the amount of $300,000, payable in monthly installments over a period of fifteen (15) years, commencing the month following separation from service. The Samuel SERP also provides a death benefit, payable in a lump sum, in the event the executive dies prior to a separation from service. In the event the executive is terminated by the Bank for cause (as defined in the Samuel SERP), the executive will not receive any benefits under the Samuel SERP.

The Bank is also party to an Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “Weymers SERP”) with Wesley M. Weymers. Under the terms of the Weymers SERP, upon Mr. Weymers’ termination of employment after retiring after the age of sixty-five and one-half (65-1/2), he will be entitled to an annual payment equal to $72,000 payable in equal installments for fifteen (15) years. In the event that his employment is terminated prior to age sixty-five and one-half (65-1/2) including for death or disability, he will be entitled to an annual amount equal to the vested annual benefit as provided in the Weymers SERP payable in monthly installments for fifteen (15) years. If Mr. Weymers has an early termination of employment prior to reaching age sixty-five and one-half (65-1/2) as a result of (i) the termination by the Bank without “cause” (as defined in the Weymers SERP), (ii) the expiration of the employment period under his employment agreement or (iii) the resignation by Mr. Weymers for “good reason” (as defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Weymers will be entitled to receive the full annual benefit of $72,000 payable in equal monthly installments for fifteen (15) years. If Mr. Weymers’ employment is terminated for cause, as defined in the Weymers SERP, he will not be entitled to any benefits under the Weymers SERP.

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan

Pursuant to a Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan, each of the participating officers of The Gratz Bank is entitled to certain life insurance coverage in connection with certain bank-owned life insurance purchased by the Bank. If a participating officer dies prior to a separation from service to the Bank, then such officer’s designated beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the lesser of $100,000 or the net death proceeds under the purchased policy, after subtracting the greater of the policy’s cash surrender value or the aggregate premiums paid by the Bank. Messrs. Samuel, Lundblad and Smith are each a participant in the Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan.

2022 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 26, 2022, the shareholders of LINKBANCORP approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”). The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 475,000 shares of LINKBANCORP’s common stock pursuant to grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, including incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, any of which may vest based either on the passage of time or achievement of performance, or a combination of each, to officers, employees, directors and service providers of LINKBANCORP and its subsidiaries. At least 95% of the awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will vest no earlier than one year after the grant date. For a non-employee director, the sum of the grant date fair value of equity awards granted under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, including stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units may not exceed $50,000 for any calendar year. An employee may not: (i) receive a grant of more than 30,000 stock options during any calendar year, and (ii) the sum of the grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units may not exceed $500,000 for any calendar year. As of June 30, 2022, no options to purchase shares of common stock have been granted to officers, directors, and others, no shares of restricted stock have been granted to directors and executive officers and 475,000 shares remain available for grant under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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Unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee, in the event of a participant’s termination of service due to disability or death, awards will vest and stock options remain exercisable for one year. Unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee, in the event of a participant’s voluntary resignation for any reason (except death or disability), all unvested awards will be forfeited and upon a participant’s termination for cause, all unvested awards, including unexercised stock options, will be forfeited. Generally, all vested stock options remain exercisable for three months from the date of termination of service due to a resignation of a director or employee for any reason (except death or disability, in which case they will remain exercisable for one year).

Unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee, all unvested service-based awards will vest upon an Involuntary Termination of Service following a Change in Control (as defined in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan). Stock options will remain exercisable for one year following an Involuntary Termination of Service following a Change in Control (as defined in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan). All Performance Awards will vest upon an Involuntary Termination of Service following a Change in Control based on the greater of actual performance or at the target level (as defined in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan).

The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the members of the Compensation Committee who are “Disinterested Board Members,” as defined in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee has full and exclusive power within the limitations set forth in the 2022 Equity Incentive to make all decisions and determinations regarding the selection of participants and the granting of awards; establishing the terms and conditions relating to each award; and interpreting and otherwise construing the plan.

2019 Equity Incentive Plan

Following the receipt of shareholder approval of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, LINKBANCORP will no longer make grants under the LINKBANCORP 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. As of June 30, 2022, options to purchase 403,900 shares of common stock have been granted (and are outstanding) to officers, directors, and others, and since the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is frozen, no shares remain available for grant under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2021 regarding the Company’s equity compensation plan that has been approved by shareholders.

 

Plan Category

   Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
(a)
     Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)
     Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

        

2019 Equity Incentive Plan

     421,500      $ 10.46        14,200  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     —        —        —  

Total

     421,500      $ 10.46        14,200  

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table shows stock options outstanding for each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2021.

 

     Option Awards  

Name

   Grant
Date
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable(1)
     Option
Exercise
Price ($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Andrew Samuel

     10/19/2019        16,000        24,000        10.00        10/19/2029  

Carl Lundblad

     06/14/2019        12,000        18,000        10.00        06/14/2029  

Brent Smith

     06/14/2019        16,000        24,000        10.00        06/14/2029  

Wesley Weymers

     10/28/2021        —        7,000        12.98        10/28/2031  

 

(1)

The options vest ratably over 5 years from the grant date. Vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions or at the discretion of the LINKBANCORP Compensation Committee.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2021 certain information as to total compensation paid to non-employee directors. Messrs. Samuel, Smith and Weymers did not receive any additional compensation for service on our board of directors or The Gratz Bank’s board of directors.

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash
($)
     Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(2)
($)
     Option
Awards
($)(3)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
($)
 

Jennifer Delaye

     10,000        —        —        —        10,000  

Anson Flake

     11,125        —        —        —        11,125  

George Parmer

     11,750        —        —        —        11,750  

Debra Pierson

     10,000        —        —        —        10,000  

Diane Poillon

     10,000        —        —        —        10,000  

William E. Pommerening

     11,750        —        —        —        11,750  

Timothy J. Allison(1)

     6,250        1,446        —        —        7,696  

William L. Jones(1)

     6,875        —        —        —        6,875  

Samuel K. Kauffman(1)

     6,250        —        —        —        6,250  

David H. Koppenhaver(1)

     6,875        —        —        —        6,875  

Joseph C. Michetti, Jr.(1)

     7,500        3,428        —        —        10,928  

Kristen Snyder(1)

     6,250        —        —        —        6,250  

Steven I. Tressler(1)

     6,250        —        —        —        6,250  

 

(1)

Fees paid since appointment as a Director of LINKBANCORP upon completion of the Merger. Mr. Kauffman’s term as a director ended on May 26, 2022.

(2)

The non-qualified deferred compensation earnings represent the above market earnings on compensation that was deferred by the director under the deferred compensation agreements, which are described below.

(3)

As of December 31, 2021, Directors Delaye, Flake, Parmer, Pierson, Poillon and Pommerening each held options to purchase 5,000 shares.

 

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Director Fees

Through September 17, 2021, non-employee directors who attended at least 75% of all board and committee meetings were entitled to receive an annual retainer equal to $6,500 for the chairs of the Risk Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee and $5,000 for all other outside directors. Following effectiveness of the Merger, non-employee directors who attend at least 75% of all board and committee meetings are entitled to receive an annual retainer of $25,000; Chairs of the Compensation, Risk, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees are entitled to an additional $2,500 annual retainer. Mr. Michetti, as Chair of the LINKBANCORP board of directors, receives an additional $5,000 annual retainer. Fees are paid quarterly.

Directors Deferred Compensation Agreements

Directors Koppenhaver, Allision and Michetti are each party to deferred compensation agreements with the Bank wherein the director may elect to defer a percentage of fees and compensation received and such deferral will accrue interest equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the average one-year Treasury instrument for the plan year. The participants are always 100% vested in the amount they defer. The director is entitled to receive a distribution from his deferred account upon death, termination of service or reaching age sixty-five, in the manner elected in a previously executed election form.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In addition to the compensation arrangements with directors and executive officers described in “Executive Compensation” above, the following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2019, to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than five percent of our capital stock, or their immediate family members or entities affiliated with them, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Party Transactions

Transactions by the Company or The Gratz Bank with related parties are subject to certain regulatory requirements and restrictions, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (which govern certain transactions by The Gratz Bank with its affiliates) and the Federal Reserve’s Regulation O (which governs certain loans by The Gratz Bank to its executive officers, directors and principal shareholders).

Under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules, related party transactions are transactions in which we are a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related party has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Related parties of the Company include directors (including nominees for election as directors), executive officers, five percent shareholders and the immediate family members of these persons. In determining whether to approve a related party transaction, the board of directors will consider, among other factors, the fairness of the proposed transaction, the direct or indirect nature of the related party’s interest in the transaction, the appearance of an improper conflict of interests for any director or executive officer taking into account the size of the transaction and the financial position of the related party, whether the transaction would impair an outside director’s independence, the acceptability of the transaction to our regulators and the potential violations of other corporate policies.

Banking Relationships and Related Party Transactions

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits publicly traded companies from making loans to their executive officers and directors, but it contains a specific exemption from the prohibition for loans made by federally insured financial institutions, such as The Gratz Bank, to their executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking regulations. At June 30, 2022, all of our loans to directors and executive officers were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to The Gratz Bank, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. These loans were performing according to their original terms at June 30, 2022, and were made in compliance with federal banking regulations.

At June 30, 2022, the aggregate amount of extensions of credit to our directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their associates was $2.8 million, or approximately 2.7% of our total equity. At June 30, 2022, unfunded commitments totaled $1.5 million.

On September 30, 2020, LINKBANCORP completed a $20.0 million private placement of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030. The notes have a maturity date of October 1, 2030 and will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% until October 1, 2025. From October 1, 2025 to the stated maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset semi-annually to an annual floating rate equal to the then-current three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread of 475 basis points, but no less than 5.0%. The investors in the notes included Derry Management, Inc., which purchased $2.0 million in principal amount of the notes, and Residential Warranty Company LLC, which purchased $17.0 million in principal amount of the notes. George Parmer, a director of LINKBANCORP, is the President and owner of each of the foregoing entities.

 

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On April 8, 2022, LINKBANCORP completed a $20.0 million private placement of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032. The notes have a maturity date of April 15, 2032 and will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.5% up to but excluding April 15, 2027. From and including April 15, 2027 to the stated maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to a floating rate equal to the then-current three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread of 203 basis points. The investors in the notes included Residential Warranty Company LLC, which purchased $7.0 million in principal amount of the notes. George Parmer, a director of LINKBANCORP, is the President and owner of Residential Warranty Company LLC.

Directed Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 297,375 shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, principal shareholders, employees, business associates, and related persons who have expressed an interest in purchasing our common stock in this offering. We will offer these shares to the extent permitted under applicable regulations in the United States through a directed share program. See the section entitled “Underwriting—Directed Share Program.”

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information as of August 15, 2022 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock, and as adjusted to reflect the completion of this offering:

 

   

each shareholder known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

each of our named executive officers; and

 

   

all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if such person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of securities, or to dispose or direct the disposition of securities, or has the right to acquire such powers within 60 days. For purposes of calculating each person’s percentage ownership, common stock issuable pursuant to options or warrants exercisable within 60 days are included as outstanding and beneficially owned for that person or group, but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 9,838,435 shares of our common stock outstanding as of August 15, 2022 and 14,413,435 shares to be outstanding after the completion of this offering (or 15,099,685 shares if the underwriters exercise their purchase option in full).

 

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Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed shareholder is: c/o LINKBANCORP, Inc., 3045 Market Street, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011.

 

    Shares Beneficially Owned as of August 15, 2022           Shares Beneficially Owned
After the Offering
 

Name and Address
of
Beneficial Owner

  Number
of
Shares
    Options and
Warrants
Exercisable
within 60
Days
    Total
Beneficial
Ownership of
Common
Stock(1)
    Percentage of
Shares
Outstanding
(2)
    Shares to
be
Purchased
in the
Offering
    Total
Beneficial
Ownership of
Common
Stock
    Percent,
assuming no
exercise of
underwriters’
purchase
option
    Percent,
assuming full
exercise of
underwriters’
purchase
option
 

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

               

Andrew Samuel

    228,870 (3)      927,740 (4)      1,156,610       10.74     2,800       1,159,410       7.56     7.23

Brent Smith

    60,000 (5)      264,000 (6)      324,000       3.21     2,857       326,857       2.23     2.13

Carl Lundblad

    15,000       78,000 (7)      93,000       *       23,333       116,333       *       *  

Jennifer Delaye

    15,000       3,000 (13)      18,000       *       5,714       23,714       *       *  

Anson Flake

    60,416       3,000 (13)      63,416       *       28,125       91,541       *       *  

George Parmer

    486,775 (8)      3,000 (13)      489,775       4.98     10,000       499,775       3.47     3.31

Debra Pierson

    24,992       3,000 (13)      27,992       *       22,857       50,849       *       *  

Diane Poillon

    5,000       3,000 (13)      8,000       *       2,285       10,285       *       *  

William E. Pommerening

    57,750 (9)      3,000 (13)      60,750       *       1,142       61,892       *       *  

Timothy J. Allison

    11,091       —       11,091       *       500       11,591       *       *  

William L. Jones

    7,306 (10)      —       7,306       *       571       7,877       *       *  

David H. Koppenhaver

    193,992       —       193,992       1.97     100,000       293,992       2.04     1.95

Joseph C. Michetti, Jr.

    98,815 (11)      —       98,815       1.00     11,000       109,815       *       *  

Kristen Snyder

    4,397 (12)      —       4,397       *       12,500       16,897       *       *  

Steven I. Tressler

    245,020       —       245,020       2.49     10,000       255,020       1.77     1.69

Wesley M. Weymers

    2,191       —       2,191       *       1,000       3,191       *       *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons total)

    1,526,291 (14)      1,345,444 (15)      2,871,735       25.68     238,184 (16)      3,109,919       19.73     18.91

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner for purposes of this table, of any shares of common stock if he or she has shared or sole voting or investment power with respect to such security, or has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days from the date as of which beneficial ownership is being determined. Except as otherwise noted, ownership is direct and the named individuals and group exercise sole voting and investment power over the shares of Company common stock. No shares of common stock are pledged as collateral by a director or a named executive officer.

(2)

Calculated based on 9,838,435 shares outstanding at August 15, 2022, and adding the number of shares of common stock underlying options and warrants that such shareholder is considered to beneficially own.

(3)

Includes 27,500 shares held in Mr. Samuel’s IRA account and 6,060 shares held in an IRA account of Mr. Samuel’s daughter who shares the same household. Mr. Samuel disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in his daughter’s IRA.

 

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(4)

Includes 907,240 shares which Mr. Samuel is entitled to purchase pursuant to warrants granted to founders of LINKBANCORP based on their initial investment in LINKBANCORP, and 16,000 options exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022. Also includes 4,500 options held by Mr. Samuel’s daughter, exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022.

(5)

Includes 35,500 shares held in Mr. Smith’s IRA account.

(6)

Includes 240,000 shares which Mr. Smith is entitled to purchase pursuant to warrants granted to founders of LINKBANCORP based on their initial investment in LINKBANCORP, and 24,000 options exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022.

(7)

Includes 60,000 shares which Mr. Lundblad is entitled to purchase pursuant to warrants granted to founders of LINKBANCORP based on their initial investment in LINKBANCORP, and 18,000 options exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022.

(8)

Includes 27,863 shares held by Mr. Parmer’s spouse, 10,926 shares held in a limited partnership in which Mr. Parmer is the general partner and 338,722 shares held in various related family trusts. Mr. Parmer disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in family trusts.

(9)

Includes 55,000 shares held in Mr. Pommerening’s SEP IRA account.

(10)

Includes 7,306 shares held in a brokerage account.

(11)

Includes 32,358 shares held in a joint account with Mr. Michetti’s spouse as well as 591 shares held individually by his spouse. Also includes 59,269 shares in Mr. Michetti’s IRA.

(12)

Includes 3,835 shares held in a joint account with Ms. Snyder’s spouse.

(13)

All are options exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022.

(14)

Includes 9,676 shares which other executive officers own.

(15)

Includes 38,704 shares which other executive officers are entitled to purchase pursuant to warrants granted to founders of LINKBANCORP based on their initial investment in LINKBANCORP, and 19,000 options exercisable within 60 days of August 15, 2022.

(16)

Includes 3,500 shares to be purchased in the offering by other executive officers.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of the material rights of our capital stock and related provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. This discussion may not contain all of the information regarding our capital stock that is important to you. Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

Our authorized capital consists of 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share. At June 30, 2022, there were 9,838,435 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares at that date were, and the shares of common stock to be issued upon completion of this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable. Immediately following the completion of this offering, we will have 14,413,435 shares of common stock outstanding (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase any additional shares). At June 30, 2022, options or warrants to purchase 1,941,384 shares of our common stock held by employees and directors were outstanding. 

Common Stock

Dividends. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the LINKBANCORP board of directors out of funds legally available therefore. LINKBANCORP’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on its earnings and financial condition and subject to certain restrictions imposed by state and federal laws.

Voting Rights. The holders of our common stock have exclusive voting rights in LINKBANCORP. They elect our board of directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Pennsylvania law or as are otherwise presented to them by the board of directors. Generally, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and does not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors.

Liquidation or Dissolution. In the unlikely event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of LINKBANCORP, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of LINKBANCORP available for distribution.

Preemptive Rights. Holders of the common stock of LINKBANCORP will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Preferred Stock

LINKBANCORP’s board of directors, without shareholder approval, is empowered to authorize the issuance, in one or more series, of shares of preferred stock at such times, for such purposes and for such consideration as it may deem advisable. The board of directors is also authorized to fix before the issuance thereof the designation, voting, conversion, preference and other relative rights, qualifications and limitations of any such series of preferred stock. Accordingly, LINKBANCORP’s board of directors, without shareholder approval, may authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, under certain circumstances, discourage an attempt by others to gain control of LINKBANCORP.

The creation and issuance of any additional series of preferred stock, and the relative rights, designations and preferences of such series, if and when established, will depend on, among other things, LINKBANCORP’s future capital needs, then existing market conditions and other factors that, in the judgment of LINKBANCORP’s board of directors, might warrant the issuance of preferred stock.

 

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Restrictions on Acquisition of LINKBANCORP, Inc.

The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of Pennsylvania law, our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and certain other regulatory provisions that may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. The following description is necessarily general and is not intended to be a complete description of the document or regulatory provision in question.

Pennsylvania Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Authorized but Unissued Stock. The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without shareholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future private or public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of common stock and preferred stock may enable the board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or discourage any attempt to obtain control of LINKBANCORP by means such as a proxy contest, tender offer, or merger, and thereby protect the continuity of LINKBANCORP’s management.

No Cumulative Voting. The Articles of Incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Shareholder Nominations and Proposals. The Bylaws provide that any shareholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors or a proposal for new business at an annual meeting of shareholders must submit written notice to the Company at least 90 days and not more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting.

Special Meetings of Shareholders. For a special shareholders’ meeting to be called by shareholders, Pennsylvania law requires the request of holders of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at a meeting to call a special shareholders’ meeting.

Removing Directors from Office. The Bylaws provide that directors may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the votes cast of our common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Bylaw Amendments. The Bylaws require that any shareholder amendments to the Bylaws be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting.

Approval of Certain Transactions. Under the Articles of Incorporation, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or any action that would result in the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, is subject to a heightened shareholder vote standard, requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, unless two-thirds of the Company’s board of directors has previously approved the transaction. Additionally, the provision in the Articles of Incorporation that sets forth this requirement may not be amended unless the amendment is approved by 75% of the outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company.

Change in Control Law and Regulations. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, a federal law, no person may acquire control of an insured bank or its parent holding company unless the FRB has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. The FRB takes into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the competitive effects of the acquisition. In addition, federal regulations provide that no company may acquire control of a bank without the prior approval of the FRB. Any company that acquires such control becomes a “bank holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the FRB.

 

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Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the company’s directors, or a determination by the FRB that the acquirer has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a bank holding company’s voting stock constitutes a rebuttable determination of control under the regulations under certain circumstances including where, as will be the case with LINKBANCORP, the issuer has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. FRB regulations provide that parties seeking to rebut control will be provided an opportunity to do so in writing.

Listing and Trading

Our common stock is currently not listed on any securities exchange. Our common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LNKB.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, Brooklyn, New York.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there was a limited public market for shares of our common stock. Shares of our common stock were quoted on the Pink Market, under the symbol “LNKB.” Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. Furthermore, because only a limited number of shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to existing contractual and legal restrictions on resale as described below, there may be sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after the restrictions lapse. This may adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon completion of this offering, we will have 14,413,435 shares of common stock outstanding (or 15,099,685 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). Of these shares, 4,575,000 shares of our common stock (or 5,261,250 shares if the underwriters exercise their purchase option in full) sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, including those shares purchased by certain of our directors and officers through the directed share program described in the section entitled “Underwriting.” In addition, we registered and issued 4,845,897 shares of Company common stock that was issued as merger consideration to GNBF shareholders that is freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, except for any shares issued to our affiliates as defined above. The remaining 4,992,538 shares of our common stock outstanding are “restricted shares” as defined in Rule 144. Restricted shares may be sold in the public market only if registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144. As a result of the contractual 180-day lock-up period described below, 1,764,475 shares (excluding exercisable options and warrants) will be available for sale in the public market only after 180 days from the date of this prospectus (generally subject to volume and other offering limitations).

Rule 144

In general, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell such securities, provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding, the sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the 90 days preceding, the sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 144,134 shares immediately after this offering (or approximately 150,996 shares if the underwriters exercise their purchase option in full); or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale;

provided, in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Such sales both by affiliates and by non-affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale and notice provisions of Rule 144 to the extent applicable.

Registration Statement on Form S-8

In connection with or as soon as practicable following the completion of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-8 to register approximately 1,365,900 shares of our common

 

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stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans and employee stock purchase plan. That registration statement will become effective upon filing and shares of common stock covered by such registration statement will be eligible for sale in the public market immediately after the effective date of such registration statement (unless held by affiliates) subject to the lock-up agreements described below.

Lock-up Agreements

We and each of our directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of Stephens Inc. See “Underwriting.” The underwriters do not have any present intention or arrangement to release any shares of our common stock subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period.

 

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences relevant to non-U.S. holders, as defined below, of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) that acquires our common stock in this offering and holds our common stock as a “capital asset” (generally, property held for investment). This summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury regulations and judicial and administrative authority, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could result in U.S. federal income tax consequences that differ from those summarized below. We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below and there can be no assurance that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, positions contrary to those described in this summary.

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, or to investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, but not limited to, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dealers in securities, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons who have acquired our common stock as compensation or otherwise in connection with the performance of services, persons subject to special tax accounting rules under Code Section 451(b), or persons that will hold our common stock as a position in a “hedging transaction,” “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes, such as consequences under the Medicare contribution tax or the alternative minimum tax. Further, this summary does not address the consequences under any U.S. federal tax laws other than U.S federal income tax laws (such as U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws), and does not address the consequences under the tax laws of any state, local, or non-U.S. jurisdiction.

This discussion is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice to any prospective purchaser of our common stock. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any state, local, non- U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

As used in this summary, the terms “non-U.S. holder” or “you” refer to a beneficial owner of our common stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is neither a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for such purposes) nor a “United States person” which term refers to any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents of the United States);

 

   

a corporation (or other entity or arrangement taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, including the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust which (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons as defined under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

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If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are treated as a partner in such an entity holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you.

Distributions

Distributions paid with respect to our common stock will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “-Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder of our common stock will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). If a non-U.S. Holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other intermediary, the non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the intermediary, which then will be required to provide certification to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. A non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

If dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

   

you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met;

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, you maintain a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States to which such gain is attributable); or

 

   

our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest (“USRPI”) by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and certain other conditions are satisfied.

 

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Gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to a flat 30% tax (or such lower rate as specified by any applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Gain described in the second bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, net of certain deductions, at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property relative to the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus certain other business assets, there can be no assurance that we are not or will not become a USRPHC. Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC only if the fair market value of its USRPIs equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus certain other business assets.

Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from a non-U.S. Holder’s sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market (within the meaning of Code Section 897(c)(3)) and the non-U.S. Holder actually and constructively owns 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period preceding the non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, our common stock. Please note, though, that we can provide no assurance that our common stock will be or remain regularly traded.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Annual reporting to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Holder will be required as to the amount of dividends paid to such non-U.S. Holder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld with respect to such dividends. This information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. Dividends generally are not subject to “backup withholding” if the non-U.S. Holder properly certifies as to its non-U.S. status (usually by completing an IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8ECI).

The payment of the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of a broker will be subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the non-U.S. Holder certifies its non-U.S. status (usually by completing an IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8ECI) or otherwise establishes an exemption. Information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, generally will also apply to payments of the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or a non-U.S. broker with certain types of relationships to the United States unless the non-U.S. Holder certifies its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from payments made to a non-U.S. Holder may be refunded or credited against such non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), and the relevant administrative guidance thereunder, impose a withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including U.S.-source dividends, that are received by foreign financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities unless certain certification, information reporting and other specified requirements are satisfied. An inter-governmental agreement between the United States and an applicable non-U.S. country may modify

 

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such requirements. Although withholding under FATCA would have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the taxable disposition of the our common stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the relevant U.S. law and other official guidance on FATCA withholding.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We and Stephens Inc., as representative for the underwriters named below, will enter into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of common stock being offered hereby. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, each underwriter will severally and not jointly agree to purchase, and we have agreed to sell the number of shares of our common stock set forth in the table below.

 

Name

   Number of Shares  

Stephens Inc.

     2,745,000  

Piper Sandler & Co.

     1,372,500  

D.A. Davidson & Co.

     457,500  
  

 

 

 

Total

     4,575,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase shares of our common stock depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, including:

 

   

the representations and warranties made by us are true and agreements have been performed;

 

   

there is no material adverse change in the financial markets or in our business; and

 

   

we deliver customary closing documents.

Subject to these conditions, the underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all such shares of common stock if any are purchased. However, the underwriters are not obligated to take or pay for the shares of our common stock covered by the underwriters’ purchase option described below, unless and until such option is exercised.

The shares of common stock are being offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the underwriters and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are conditional and may be terminated at their discretion based on their assessment of the state of the financial markets. The obligations of the underwriters may also be terminated upon the occurrence of the events specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock in this offering if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the purchase option described below.

Purchase Option

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable no later than 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 686,250 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. We will be obligated to sell these shares of common stock to the underwriters to the extent the purchase option is exercised. The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the sale of our common stock offered by this prospectus.

Discounts and Expenses

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain securities dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $0.2925 per share. After the public offering of the common stock, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.

 

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The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters and the proceeds we will receive before expenses. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares.

 

     Per Share      Total
Without
Over-Allotment
     Total
With
Over-Allotment
 

Price to public

   $ 7.50      $ 34,312,500      $ 39,459,375  

Underwriting discount

   $ 0.4875      $ 2,230,313      $ 2,564,859  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

   $ 7.0125      $ 32,082,188      $ 36,894,516  

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $975,000 and are payable by us. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain actual out-of-pocket expenses up to $250,000 incurred by the underwriters on our behalf in connection with the offering.

The shares of common stock are being offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the underwriters and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offer and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Lock-up Agreements

We, each of our executive officers and directors, have agreed, subject to certain exceptions for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to sell, offer, agree to sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to sell, make any short sale, or otherwise dispose of or hedge, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock or warrants or other rights to purchase shares of our common stock or other similar securities without, in each case, the prior written consent of Stephens Inc., as representative of the underwriters. These restrictions are expressly agreed to preclude us, and our executive officers and directors and certain other persons, from engaging in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement that is designed to, or which reasonably could be expected to, lead to or result in a sale, disposition or transfer, in whole or in part, of any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock, whether such transaction would be settled by delivery of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Indemnification and Contribution

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters, and persons who control the underwriters, and the underwriters’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of these liabilities.

Stabilization

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase shares of common stock so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum, and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while the offering is in progress.

 

   

Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of shares of common stock in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase. This creates a syndicate short

 

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position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares of common stock over-allotted by the underwriters are not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

   

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase shares through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common stock originally sold by that syndicate member is purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Passive Market Making

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of the distribution of this offering. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of those transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in a passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any time.

Nasdaq Capital Market Listing

Our shares of common stock have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “LNKB.”

Offering Price Determination

Before this offering, there has been a limited public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations between us and the underwriters. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are:

 

   

the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the underwriter believes to be comparable to us;

 

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our financial information;

 

   

the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete;

 

   

an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues;

 

   

our book value; and

 

   

the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

An active trading market for the shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

Our Relationship with the Underwriters

The underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates and have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Our common stock is being offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the underwriters and other conditions.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the websites or through online services maintained by the underwriter or its affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained on any other website maintained by the underwriters are not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by the underwriters or us and should not be relied upon by investors.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

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Directed Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 6.5% of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus for sale to our directors, officers, principal shareholders, employees, business associates, and related persons. Our directed share program will be administered by Stephens Inc. or its affiliate. Reserved shares purchased by our directors and executive officers will be subject to the lock-up provisions described above. The number of shares of our common stock available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase the reserved shares. Any reserved shares of our common stock that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares of common stock offered by this prospectus.

 

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CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS

Effective on September 18, 2021, the Company completed its Merger with GNBF. The Merger was treated as a “reverse merger” for accounting purposes with GNBF as the accounting acquirer and the Company as the legal acquirer. The Securities and Exchange Commission has released guidance that, in the case of a reverse merger, unless the same independent accountant reported on the most recent financial statements of both the accounting acquirer and the legal acquirer, a change in accountants will occur. Prior to the completion of the Merger, GNBF’s independent accountant was Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA and the Company’s independent accountant was S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. In addition, S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. had previously served as the independent accountant for GNBF for the year ended December 31, 2019.

On September 17, 2021, Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA resigned as principal accountant of the Company as a result of the completion of the Merger.

The audit report of Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA on GNBF’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the year ended December 31, 2020 and the subsequent interim period through September 17, 2021, there were no: (1) disagreements with Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA, would have caused Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its audit report, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K.

The audit report of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. on GNBF’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no: (1) disagreements with S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., would have caused S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its audit report, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K.

The Company provided Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA with a copy of this disclosure contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company requested that Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA issue a letter stating whether or not it agreed with the above statements. The letter from Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA to the Securities and Exchange Commission is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this registration statement.

The Company has provided S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. with a copy of this disclosure contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company requested that S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. issue a letter stating whether or not it agreed with the above and below statements. The letter from S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. to the Securities and Exchange Commission is attached as Exhibit 16.2 to this registration statement.

Concurrent with the Merger, the Audit Committee of the Company engaged S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. as the Company’s new principal accountant for the year ending December 31, 2021. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the subsequent interim period prior to engaging S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., the Company did not consult with S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event, each as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v), respectively.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Luse Gorman, PC, Washington, DC. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Cincinnati, Ohio.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of LINKBANCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021, included in this prospectus, have been so included in reliance on the report of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of LINKBANCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, included in this prospectus, have been so included in reliance on the report of Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA, independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Legacy LINKBANCORP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, included in this prospectus, have been so included in reliance on the report of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

LINKBANCORP, Inc. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including LINKBANCORP, Inc. The statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are, of necessity, brief descriptions of the material terms of, and should be read in conjunction with, such contract or document.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LINKBANCORP, INC.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2022 AND DECEMBER 31, 2021

AND FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 AND 2021

(UNAUDITED)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

     F-2  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

     F-6  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-8  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020

(AUDITED)

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-40  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020

     F-44  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December  31, 2021 and 2020

     F-45  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

     F-46  

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2021 and 2020

     F-47  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December  31, 2021 and 2020

     F-48  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-50  

LINKBANCORP, INC. (As Accounting Acquiree)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ACQUISITION TARGET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020

AND FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June  30, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020

     F-89  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-90  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-91  

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-92  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-94  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-95  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ACQUISITION TARGET

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019

(AUDITED)

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-131  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-134  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December  31, 2020 and 2019

     F-135  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-136  

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2020 and 2019

     F-137  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December  31, 2020 and 2019

     F-138  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-139  

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

     June 30, 2022     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)             

ASSETS

    

Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents

   $ 7,563     $ 8,620  

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     55,433       13,970  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     62,996       22,590  

Certificates of deposit with other banks

     11,088       12,828  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     85,756       103,783  

Securities held to maturity (Fair value of $28,290 and $0, respectively)

     28,816       —    

Loans held for sale

     —         3,860  

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $3,890 at June 30, 2022, and $3,152 at December 31, 2021

     786,516       711,664  

Investments in restricted bank stock

     2,567       2,685  

Premises and equipment, net

     7,915       5,289  

Right-of-Use Asset – Premises

     4,513       4,680  

Bank-owned life insurance

     19,012       18,787  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     37,020       37,152  

Deferred tax asset

     5,777       4,038  

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     7,909       5,407  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,059,885     $ 932,763  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Deposits:

    

Demand, noninterest bearing

   $ 184,345     $ 129,243  

Interest bearing

     718,028       642,422  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     902,373       771,665  

Other borrowings

     1,639       19,814  

Subordinated debt

     40,585       20,696  

Operating lease liabilities

     4,513       4,680  

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     6,004       6,285  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     955,114       823,140  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 11)

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred stock (At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021: no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding.)

     —         —    

Common stock (At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021: $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 9,838,435 and 9,826,435 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.)

     99       99  

Surplus

     83,070       82,910  

Retained earnings

     26,491       24,836  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (4,889     1,778  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     104,771       109,623  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,059,885     $ 932,763  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)   2022     2021     2022     2021  

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

       

Loans receivable, including fees

  $ 8,114     $ 2,695     $ 15,877     $ 5,371  

Investment securities and certificates of deposit:

       

Taxable

    587       299       863     $ 612  

Exempt from federal income tax

    298       302       589       607  

Other

    96       37       149       67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

    9,095       3,333       17,478       6,657  

INTEREST EXPENSE

       

Deposits

    818       462       1,483       966  

Other borrowings

    2       4       24       11  

Subordinated debt

    422       —         641       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

    1,242       466       2,148       977  

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

    7,853       2,867       15,330       5,680  

Provision for loan losses

    395       44       675       91  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

    7,458       2,823       14,655       5,589  

NONINTEREST INCOME

       

Service charges on deposit accounts

    218       147       428       341  

Bank-owned life insurance

    114       50       225       95  

Net realized gains on the sales of debt securities, available for sale

    —         —         13       0  

Gain on sale of loans

    153       81       333       271  

Other

    211       366       409       507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

    696       644       1,408       1,214  

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

       

Salaries and employee benefits

    3,722       1,143       7,378       2,246  

Occupancy

    433       113       907       275  

Equipment and data processing

    595       230       1,192       468  

Professional fees

    307       70       535       293  

FDIC insurance

    138       29       342       59  

Bank shares tax

    201       86       384       173  

Other

    846       421       1,604       616  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

    6,242       2,092       12,342       4,130  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

    1,912       1,375       3,721       2,673  

Income tax expense

    306       202       591       375  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

  $ 1,606     $ 1,173     $ 3,130     $ 2,298  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC

  $ 0.16     $ 0.21     $ 0.32       0.40  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE, DILUTED

  $ 0.16     $ 0.21     $ 0.31       0.40  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE

  $ 0.075     $ 0.04     $ 0.150     $ 0.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING,

       

BASIC

    9,836,984       5,691,686       9,831,739       5,691,686  

DILUTED

    9,913,477       5,691,686       9,983,742       5,691,686  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2022     2021     2022     2021  
(In Thousands)                         

Net income

   $ 1,606     $ 1,173     $ 3,130     $ 2,298  

Components of other comprehensive (loss) income:

        

Unrealized holding (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities

     (3,262     500       (8,427     (520

Tax effect

     685       (105     1,770       108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net of tax amount

     (2,577     395       (6,657     (412
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for debt securities gains realized in net income

     —         —         (13     —    

Tax effect

     —         —         3       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net of tax amount

     —         —         (10     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

     (2,577     395       (6,667     (412
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive (loss) income

   $ (971   $ 1,568     $ (3,537   $ 1,886  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

 

(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Surplus      Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, March 31, 2022

     9,826,435      $ 99      $ 82,930      $ 25,623     $ (2,312   $ 106,340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     —          —          —          1,606       —         1,606  

Dividends declared ($0.075 per share)

     —          —          —          (738     —         (738

Exercise of stock options

     12,000        —          120        —         —         120  

Stock option expense

     —          —          20        —         —         20  

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —          —          —         (2,577     (2,577
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2022

     9,838,435      $ 99      $ 83,070      $ 26,491     $ (4,889   $ 104,771  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands, except share data)   Common
Stock
Shares
    Common
Stock
Amount
    Surplus     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  

Balance, March 31, 2021*

    5,715,950     $ 57     $ 21,604     $ 26,892     $ 2,385     $ (188   $ 50,750  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    —         —         —         1,173       —         —         1,173  

Dividends declared ($0.04 per share)*

    —         —         —         (242     —         —         (242

Other comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         395       —         395  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2021

    5,715,950     $ 57     $ 21,604     $ 27,823     $ 2,780     $ (188   $ 52,076  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Common Stock Share, Common Stock Amount, Surplus, and Dividends per share amount have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the recapitalization due to the Merger, which has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition.

 

(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Surplus      Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2021

     9,826,435      $ 99      $ 82,910      $ 24,836     $ 1,778     $ 109,623  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     —          —          —          3,130       —         3,130  

Dividends declared ($0.15 per share)

     —          —          —          (1,475     —         (1,475

Exercise of stock options

     12,000        —          120        —         —         120  

Stock option expense

     —          —          40        —         —         40  

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —          —          —         (6,667     (6,667
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2022

     9,838,435      $ 99      $ 83,070      $ 26,491     $ (4,889   $ 104,771  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands, except share data)         Common
Stock
Shares
    Common
Stock
Amount
    Surplus     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2020

    *       5,715,950     $ 57     $ 21,604     $ 26,009     $ 3,192     $ (188   $ 50,674  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

      —         —         —         2,298       —         —         2,298  

Dividends declared ($0.08 per share)

      —         —         —         (484     —         —         (484

Other comprehensive loss

      —         —         —         —         (412     —         (412
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2021

      5,715,950     $ 57     $ 21,604     $ 27,823     $ 2,780     $ (188   $ 52,076  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Common Stock Shares, Common Stock Amount, Surplus, and Dividends per share amount have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the recapitalization due to the Merger, which has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition.

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)             2022                       2021           

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 3,130     $ 2,298  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     675       91  

Depreciation

     384       109  

Amortization of intangible assets

     132       27  

(Accretion) amortization of premiums and (discounts), net

     (683     750  

Origination of loans to be sold

     (3,659     (8,226

Proceeds from loan sales

     3,992       9,512  

Gain on sale of loans

     (333     (271

Share-based and deferred compensation

     349       —    

Bank-owned life insurance income

     (225     (95

Gain on sale of debt securities, available for sale

     (13     —    

Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets

     (2,356     (789

Change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     (590     914  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     803       4,320  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

Investment securities available for sale:

 

Proceeds from sales

     513       —    

Proceeds from calls and maturities

     1,150       1,155  

Proceeds from principal repayments

     7,271       10,804  

Purchases

     —         (14,192

Investment securities held to maturity

 

Proceeds from principal repayments

     628       —    

Purchases

     (29,389     —    

Purchase of certificates of deposit with other banks

     —         (249

Proceeds from redemptions of certificates of deposit with other banks

     1,740       2,730  

Purchase of restricted investment in bank stocks

     (999     (439

Redemption of restricted investment in bank stocks

     1,117       138  

Increase in loans, net

     (70,596     (12,481

Proceeds from death benefit under bank-owned life insurance

     —         190  

Purchase of premises and equipment

     (3,010     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

     (91,575     (12,344
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Increase in deposits, net

     130,708       1,176  

Change in short-term borrowings, net

     (18,175     282  

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt

     20,000       —    

Repayments of other borrowings

     —         (1,120

Issuance of shares from exercise of stock options

     120       —    

Dividends paid

     (1,475     (484
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     131,178       (146
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     40,406       (8,170

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     22,590       33,162  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 62,996     $ 24,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
             2022                      2021          

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

     

Cash paid during the period for:

     

Interest

   $ 1,926      $ 1,032  

Income taxes

   $ 200      $ 425  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Nature of Operations

LINKBANCORP, Inc. (the “Company” or “LINKBANCORP”) is a bank holding company that operates The Gratz Bank (the “Bank”). The Company was incorporated on April 6, 2018, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company was formed with the intent of becoming a bank holding company through acquisition of a bank.

On September 17, 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (the “PADOBS”) approved the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of Stonebridge Bank. LINKBANCORP purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Stonebridge Bank, from its former parent company Stonebridge Financial Corp. under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. LINKBANCORP subsequently renamed the bank LINKBANK.

On December 10, 2020, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, LINKBANK, and GNB Financial Services, Inc. (“GNBF”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Gratz Bank (the “Bank”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which GNBF merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation. LINKBANK merged with and into The Gratz Bank, with The Gratz Bank as the surviving institution. The merger was consummated effective September 18, 2021 (collectively, the “Merger”). Additionally, as part of the Merger, the Company acquired 100% ownership of GNB Investments, Inc., a Delaware investment company which was wholly-owned by GNB Financial Services, Inc. at the time of Merger.

The Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. The Bank’s operations are conducted from its ten Solutions Centers located in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties within Pennsylvania. The Company’s corporate office resides in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. As a state chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the PADOBS and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Company is regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the FDIC.

Basis of Presentation

The merger of GNBF with and into the Company was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. As such, GNBF was the accounting acquirer and LINKBANCORP was the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, GNBF’s historical financial statements are the historical financial statements of the combined company for all periods prior to September 18, 2021 (the “Merger Date”).

The Company’s results of operations for the first half of 2022 include the results of operations of the combined company after the Merger Date. Results for periods before the Merger Date reflect only those consolidated results of GNBF and do not include the results of operations of LINKBANCORP. The number of shares issued and outstanding, earnings per share, additional paid-in capital, dividends paid and all references to share quantities of the Company have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the equivalent number of shares issued to holders of GNBF common stock in the Merger. The assets and liabilities of LINKBANCORP as of the Merger Date have been recorded at their estimated fair value and added to those of GNBF. See Note 2. Merger for further information.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting practices of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and to general practices within the banking industry.

 

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the consolidated balance sheet date of June 30, 2022 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The evaluation was conducted through the date these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

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 loan losses, and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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 loan 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 Bank 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, commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and municipal. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate, and other consumer. The loan segments are based on collateral type.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes, including troubled debt restructurings, 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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, which currently is Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead the goodwill impairment test will consist of a single quantitative step comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and any interim goodwill impairment tests in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. This model is also applicable to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance, such as loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments. In addition, the amendments in ASU 2016-03 require credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as a valuation allowance rather than as a direct write down. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring more timely recording of credit losses on these financial instruments. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be affected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This Update is effective for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other companies, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13 and has individuals from multiple disciplines working with a third-party vendor solution to assist with the application of ASU 2016-13, which includes historical data validation, methodology selection, and the development of policies, procedures and appropriate internal controls. The Company expects to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

effective but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements, but recognizes that the impact of adoption and implementation could be material to the consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures. The Company anticipates the magnitude of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and its related amendments will be influenced by the composition, characteristics, and quality of its loan and investment securities portfolios, and economic conditions and forecasts as of the date of adoption. For debt securities with other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), the guidance will be applied prospectively. Existing PCI assets will be grandfathered and classified as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) assets at the date of adoption. The asset will be grossed up for the allowance for expected losses for all PCD assets at the date of adoption and will continue to recognize the noncredit discount in interest income based on the yield of such assets as of the adoption date. Subsequent changes in the expected credit losses will be recorded through the allowance.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which added to ASU 2020-04 on optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a onetime election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified our loan receivables that have an interest rate indexed to LIBOR and is currently assessing the appropriate transition path. As such, the Company does not have an estimate of the financial impact of this update but does not expect the impact to be material to the financial statements of the Company.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, which eliminates accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) by creditors that have adopted ASU 2016-13 and its related amendments. The amendments require that an entity evaluate whether the loan modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan, and introduce new requirements related to modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The amendments also require public business entities to disclose current-period gross write-offs for financing receivables by year of origination in the vintage disclosures. For entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For entities that have not adopted ASU 2016-13, the amendments in this update are effective at the time the entity adopts ASU 2016-13. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

 

2.

MERGER

Effective September 18, 2021 the Company completed its merger with GNBF by acquiring 100% of the outstanding common shares of GNBF.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, GNBF merged with and into LINKBANCORP with LINKBANCORP as the surviving corporation. Additionally, LINKBANK, the wholly owned subsidiary of LINKBANCORP merged with and into The Gratz Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of GNBF with The Gratz Bank as the surviving bank subsidiary of the Company. This transaction, in total, is herein referred to as the Merger.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The Merger constituted a business combination and was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. As such, GNBF was the accounting acquirer and LINKBANCORP was the accounting acquiree and the historical financial statements of the combined company are the historical financial statements of GNBF.

Under the Merger Agreement, GNBF shareholders had the opportunity to elect to receive $87.68 per share in cash or 7.3064 of LINKBANCORP common shares for each share they owned. The Merger agreement provided for proration procedures intended to ensure that, in the aggregate, at least 80% of the GNBF common shares outstanding be exchanged for LINKBANCORP common stock. The Merger was effective on September 18, 2021, with the GNBF shareholders collectively electing to receive cash for 14.865% of their shares and LINKBANCORP common shares for 85.135% of existing GNBF shares. These elections resulted in LINKBANCORP issuing 4.85 million common shares to GNBF shareholders which represented approximately 49.4% of the post-merger outstanding common shares of the Company.

In accordance with FASB ASC 805-40-30-2, the fair value consideration of a reverse acquisition is determined based on a number of hypothetical equity interest the legal acquiree would have had to issue to give the owners of the legal acquirer the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition.

The total fair value consideration was $71.5 million which consisted of $54.0 million for the fair value of common stock issued, $10.1 million in cash consideration and $7.4 million for the fair value of LINKBANCORP options and warrants. The consideration assigned to cash and common stock in this reverse acquisition was determined based on the hypothetical number of equity interests that GNBF would have had to issue to give LINKBANCORRP shareholders a 50.62% ownership, the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition. The allocation of the consideration assigned to cash and common stock was allocated between the actual cash to be paid by the legal acquirer with the resultant amount being assigned to common equity.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following table summarizes the fair value consideration paid for GNBF as of the date of acquisition:

 

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)      

Total GNBF common shares outstanding

    779,000  

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock

    663,240  

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for cash

    115,760  

Exchange Ratio

    7.3064  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. shares to be issued to GNBF shareholders

    4,845,897  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. Shares currently outstanding

    4,968,550  

Total LINKBANCORP, Inc. shares to be outstanding

    9,814,447  

GNBF pro forma common share % ownership

    49.38

LINKBANCORP, Inc. pro forma common share % ownership

    50.62

Reverse Acquisition Hypothetical Purchase Price Consideration

 

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock

    663,240  

Ownership % to be owned by current GNBF shareholders

    49.38

Hypothetical GNBF shares outstanding based on GNBF % ownership

    1,343,267  

Ownership % by legacy LINKBANCORP, Inc. shareholders

    50.62

Hypothetical GNBF shares to be issued as consideration

    680,027  

Fair value of GNBF shares (LINKBANCORP, Inc. fair value per share of $12.90 as of 9/17/2021 multiplied by the exchange rate)

  $ 94.25  

Purchase price assigned to hypothetical GNBF shares issued to LINKBANCORP, Inc. shareholders

  $ 64,094  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. options and warrants

    1,962,484  

Fair value per options and warrants

  $ 3.76  

Purchase price assigned to LINKBANCORP, Inc. options and warrants

    7,379  
 

 

 

 

Total purchase price consideration

  $ 71,473  
 

 

 

 

Pro Forma Purchase Price Allocation Between Stock & Cash:

 

Cash consideration

  $ 10,077  

Common Stock

    61,396  
 

 

 

 

Total Purchase Price For Accounting Purposes

  $ 71,473  

The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, for each transaction, the purchase price is allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition. In conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2015-16, upon receipt of final fair value estimates during the measurement period, which must be within one year of the acquisition date, the Company records any adjustments to the preliminary fair value estimates in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The Company is continuing to finalize the fair values of loans, intangible assets, and income taxes. As a result,

 

F-13


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

the recorded fair value adjustments are preliminary and may change as additional information becomes available. Based on management’s preliminary valuation of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the purchase price for the Merger is allocated in the table below.

 

Total Consideration in the Merger

    $ 71,473  

Calculated Fair Value of Assets Acquired

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 49,962    

Securities available for sale

    3,111    

Loans

    415,905    

Premises and equipment

    2,087    

Right-of-use asset

    4,544    

Intangible assets

    1,246    

Investment in bank owned life insurance

    4,784    

Deferred taxes

    3,675    

Other assets

    4,394    
 

 

 

   

Total Assets Acquired

    489,708    

Calculated Fair Value of Liabilities Assumed

   

Deposits

    391,160    

Long term borrowings

    33,034    

Subordinated debt

    20,740    

Operating lease liabilities

    4,544    

Other liabilities

    2,265    
 

 

 

   

Total Liabilities Assumed

    451,743    

Net Assets Acquired

      37,965  
   

 

 

 

Goodwill From the Merger

    $ 33,508  
   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Merger as of September 18, 2021:

 

Total Consideration in the Merger

      $ 71,473  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. stockholders’ equity

   $ 43,124     

LINKBANCORP, Inc. goodwill and intangibles

     (1,353   

Fair Value Adjustments:

     

Loans

     

Interest rate

     (1,521   

General credit

     (6,346   

Credit adjustment for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     (1,243   

Remove existing deferred loan fees, net at acquisition

     1,192     

Remove the allowance for loan losses present at acquisition

     4,953     

Intangible assets

     1,146     

Other assets

     (991   

Time deposits

     (231   

Subordinated debt

     (765   
  

 

 

    
            37,965  
     

 

 

 

Goodwill From the Merger

      $ 33,508  
     

 

 

 

 

F-14


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

Pursuant to the accounting requirements, the Company assigned a fair value to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of LINKBANCORP ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of LINKBANCORP were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the date of the acquisition and are subject to adjustment for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. While the fair values are not expected to be materially different from the estimates, any material adjustments to the estimates will be reflected, retroactively, as of the date of the acquisition. The items most susceptible to adjustment are the fair value adjustments on loans, core deposit intangible and the deferred income tax assets resulting from the acquisition. Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:

Investment securities available-for-sale

The estimated fair values of the investment securities available for sale, primarily comprised of U.S. Government agency mortgage-backed securities were determined using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. A fair value premium of $96 thousand was recorded and will be amortized over the estimated life of the investments using the interest rate method.

Loans

Acquired loans (performing and non-performing) are initially recorded at their acquisition-date fair values using Level 3 inputs. Fair values are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, expected lifetime losses, environmental factors, collateral values, discount rates, expected payments and expected prepayments. Specifically, the Company has prepared three separate loan fair value adjustments that it believed a market participant might employ in estimating the entire fair value adjustment for the acquired loan portfolio. The three fair value adjustments employed were for loans acquired without evidence of credit quality deterioration, the Company prepared the interest rate loan fair value and credit fair value adjustments and for ASC 310-30 purchased credit impaired loans a specific credit fair value adjustment was made. The acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date without carryover of LINKBANCORP’s previously established allowance for loan losses. The fair value of the financial assets acquired included loans receivable with an unpaid principal balance of $425.0 million.

The table below illustrates the fair value adjustments made to the amortized cost basis in order to present the fair value of the loans acquired.

 

Unpaid principal balance at Merger

   $ 425,015  

Interest rate fair value adjustment on pools of homogeneous loans

     (1,520

Credit fair value adjustment on pools of homogeneous loans

     (6,347

Credit fair value adjustment on purchased credit impaired loans

     (1,243
  

 

 

 

Fair value of acquired loans

   $ 415,905  
  

 

 

 

 

F-15


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

For loans acquired without evidence of credit quality deterioration were grouped into homogeneous pools by characteristics such as loan type, term, collateral, and rate. Market rates for similar loans were obtained from various internal and external data sources. From each pool a monthly expected cash flow was prepared that incorporated expected monthly payments, impact of prepayments and expected monthly net charge-offs. A discounted cash flow was calculated for each pool to estimate the fair value. In this analysis the fair value adjustment was bifurcated into two components an interest rate fair value adjustment and a general credit fair value adjustment. Additionally, it is noted the credit fair value adjustment incorporated assumptions for: 1) expected lifetime credit migration losses; and 2) estimated fair value adjustment for certain qualitative factors. Both the interest rate and credit fair value adjustments relate to loans acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration will be substantially recognized as interest income on a level yield amortization method over the expected life of the loans.

For loans acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration, ASC 310-30 loans, the fair value was calculated with a non-accretable fair value discount based on an adjusted collateral value and if there was a collateral shortfall a non-accretable discount was established. This non-accretable discount would not be amortized for GAAP purposes. In additional an accretable yield fair value discount was created to reflect the time value of money a market participant would discount the loan for the time it would take to recover the adjusted collateral value. The accretable yield fair value will be recognized over the workout period of the loan on a level yield basis as a component of interest income.

The following table presents the acquired purchased credit impaired loans receivable at the Merger Date:

 

Contractual principal and interest at Merger

   $ 8,509  

Nonaccretable difference

     (2,716
  

 

 

 

Expected cash flows at Merger

     5,793  

Accretable yield

     (409
  

 

 

 

Fair value of purchased credit impaired loans

   $ 5,384  
  

 

 

 

Facilities Leases

The Company assumed leases on four facilities of LINKBANCORP. The Company believed that the current lease costs were at market terms therefore no fair value adjustment is needed. LINKBANCORP did not operate any owned facilities.

Core Deposit Intangible

The fair value of the core deposit intangible was determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate commensurate with market participants. To calculate cash flows, deposit account servicing costs (net of deposit fee income) and interest expense on deposits were compared to the higher cost of alternative funding sources available through national brokered CD offering rates and FHLB advance rates. The projected cash flows were developed using expected deposit attrition. The core deposit intangible will be amortized over ten years using the sum-of-years digits method.

Time Deposits

The fair value adjustment for time deposits was based on a discounted cash flow methodology of the contract rates and contractual repayments of fixed maturity deposits using prevailing market interest rates for similar-term time deposits. The time deposit fair value adjustment will be amortized into income on a level yield amortization method over the contractual life of the deposits.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

Long Term Borrowings

The Company reviewed the cost of the borrowings to market interest rates for similar instruments and believed that the rates were comparable and that no fair value adjustment was recorded.

Subordinated Debt

The fair value of the subordinated debt was determined using a discounted cash flow method using a market participant discount rate for similar instruments. The subordinated debt fair value adjustment will be amortized into income on a level yield amortization method based upon the assumed market rate and the term of the subordinated debt.

Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations

The following pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of GNBF and LINKBANCORP as if the Merger occurred as of January 1, 2021 with pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments give effect to any change in interest income due to the accretion of discounts (premiums) associated with the fair value adjustments of acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and other debt, and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2021. Merger related expenses incurred by the Company during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had GNBF merged with LINKBANCORP at the beginning of 2021. The pro forma amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 do not reflect the anticipated cost savings that had not yet been realized.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
2021
     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
2021
 

Net interest income

   $ 7,381      $ 13,737  

Non-interest income

     803        1,483  

Net income

     2,280        6,502  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.23      $ 0.66  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.22      $ 0.64  

 

F-17


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

3.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 706      $ —        $ (13    $ 693  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     44,389        50        (3,446      40,993  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     46,847        3        (2,780      44,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 91,942      $ 53      $ (6,239    $ 85,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Held to Maturity:

           

Corporate debentures

   $ 9,993      $ —        $ (241    $ 9,752  

Structured mortgage-backed securities

     18,823        —          (285      18,538  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 28,816      $ —        $ (526    $ 28,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 1,099      $ —        $ (15    $ 1,084  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     46,115        2,405        (38      48,482  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     54,239        382        (404      54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 101,453      $ 2,787      $ (457    $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-18


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following tables show the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual debt securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

     June 30, 2022  
     Less Than Twelve
Months
    Twelve Months or
Greater
    Total  
(In Thousands)    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available for Sale:

               

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ —       $ 693      $ (13   $ 693      $ (13

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     35,196        (3,326     313        (120     35,509        (3,446

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     32,614        (1,808     10,603        (972     43,217        (2,780
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 67,810      $ (5,134   $ 11,609      $ (1,105   $ 79,419      $ (6,239
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Held to Maturity:

 

Corporate debentures

   $ 9,752      $ (241   $ —        $ —       $ 9,752      $ (241

Structured mortgage-backed securities

     18,538        (285     —          —         18,538        (285
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 28,290      $ (526   $ —        $ —       $ 28,290      $ (526
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2021  
     Less Than Twelve
Months
    Twelve Months or
Greater
    Total  
(In Thousands)    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available for Sale:

 

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ —       $ 1,084      $ (15   $ 1,084      $ (15

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     3,189        (38     —          —         3,189        (38

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     23,420        (266     4,687        (102     28,107        (368
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 26,609      $ (304   $ 5,771      $ (117   $ 32,380      $ (421
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company reviews its position quarterly and believes that as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the declines outlined in the above tables represent temporary declines, and the Company does not intend to sell, and does not believe it will be required to sell, these debt securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be at maturity. There were 162 and 41 available for sale debt securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. There were 9 and zero held to maturity debt securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company has concluded that the unrealized losses disclosed above are not other than temporary, but are the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the noncollection of principal and interest during the year.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

As of June 30, 2022, amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity, where applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrower may have the right to prepay obligations with or without penalty.

 

     Available for Sale
Securities
     Held to Maturity
Securities
 
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Due within one year

   $ 95      $ 95      $ —        $ —    

Due after one year through five years

     5,554        5,535        3,000        2,965  

Due after five years through ten years

     11,983        11,532        6,993        6,787  

Due after ten years

     29,872        26,757        —          —    

Mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     44,438        41,837        18,823        18,538  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 91,942      $ 85,756      $ 28,816      $ 28,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes sales of debt securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. There were no sales of debt securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

(In Thousands)    For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2022      2022  

Proceeds

   $ —        $ 513  

Gross gains

     —          13  

Gross losses

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain

   $ —        $ 13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company had pledged debt securities with a carrying value of $37,869 and $45,300 to secure public monies as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

 

4.

LOANS RECEIVABLE

The portfolio segments and classes of loans are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30, 2022      December 31,
2021
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 7,710      $ 9,341  

Commercial loans

     88,452        98,604  

Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans

     2,527        23,774  

Commercial real estate loans

     435,588        338,749  

Residential real estate loans

     241,401        231,302  

Consumer and other loans

     8,689        7,087  

Municipal loans

     5,814        6,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     790,181        715,039  

Deferred costs (fees)

     225        (223

Allowance for loan losses

     (3,890      (3,152
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 786,516      $ 711,664  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-20


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The Company originates commercial, residential, and consumer loans within its primary market areas of southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania. A significant portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate. In the normal course of business, the Company extends loans to officers, directors, and corporations in which they are beneficially interested as stockholders, officers, or directors. The balance of these loans and extensions of credit totaled $2,785 and $10,631 as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

 

5.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan segments used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio and, therefore, no further disaggregation is considered necessary. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans on commercial and residential property. The portfolio also includes agricultural loans, commercial loans, municipal loans, and consumer loans.

The Company’s primary lending activity is the origination of commercial loans extended to small and mid-sized commercial and industrial entities.

Commercial loans are primarily underwritten on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to service such debt from income. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any equipment, or other chattel, although loans may also be made on an unsecured basis. Collateralized working capital loans typically are secured by short-term assets whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.

Construction and Land loans are to finance the construction of owner-occupied and income producing properties. These loans are categorized within commercial or one-to-four family residential loans based upon the underlying collateral and intended use following the completion of the construction period. Real estate development and construction loans are approved based on an analysis of the borrower and guarantor, the viability of the project and on an acceptable percentage of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Construction loan funds are disbursed periodically based on the percentage of construction or development completed. The Company carefully monitors these loans with on-site inspections and requires the receipt of lien waivers on funds advanced. The Company considers the market conditions and feasibility of proposed projects, the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and guarantors, the amount of the borrower’s equity in the project, independent appraisals, cost estimates and pre-construction sale information. The Company also makes loans on occasion for the purchase of land for future development by the borrower. Land loans are extended for the future development for either commercial or residential use by the borrower. The Company carefully analyzes the intended use of the property and the viability thereof.

The Company’s commercial real estate loans consist of mortgage loans secured by nonresidential real estate, such as by apartment buildings, small office buildings, and owner-occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are secured by the subject property and are underwritten based on loan to value limits, cash flow coverage and general creditworthiness of the obligors. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances and their repayment is typically dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying real estate.

Residential real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, credit history and stability. These loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property).

 

F-21


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

In addition to the main types of loans discussed above, the Company also originates agricultural loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. The agricultural loan portfolio consists of loans to local farmers and agricultural businesses that are generally secured by farmland and equipment. The consumer loan portfolio consists of lending in the form of home equity loans secured by financed property and personal consumer loans, which may be secured or unsecured. The municipal loan portfolio consists of loans to qualified local municipalities, which are generally supported by the taxing authority of the borrowing municipality, and is frequently secured by collateral.

Management has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses the Company has segmented certain loans in the portfolio by product type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: agriculture loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, residential real estate loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. Historical loss percentages for each risk category are calculated and used as the basis for calculating allowance allocations. These historical loss percentages are calculated over a four-year period for all portfolio segments.

Certain qualitative factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non-classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed for each portfolio segment:

 

   

Levels of and trends in delinquencies

 

   

Trends in volume and terms

 

   

Changes in collateral

 

   

Changes in management and lending staff

 

   

Economic trends

 

   

Concentrations of credit

 

   

Changes in lending policies

 

   

External factors

 

   

Changes in underwriting process

 

   

Trends in credit quality ratings

These qualitative factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted based upon relevant changes within the portfolio.

The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
(In Thousands)   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 20     $ 585     $ 1,070     $ 1,728     $ 13     $ 15     $ 12     $ 3,443  

Charge-offs

    —         (1     (1     —         —         —         —         (2

Recoveries

    —         5       —         49       —         —         —         54  

Provision

    (3     (83     717       (230     8       (2     (12     395  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 17     $ 506     $ 1,786     $ 1,547     $ 21     $ 13     $ 0     $ 3,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 105     $ 315     $ 315     $ 1,674     $ 24     $ 18     $ 336     $ 2,787  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    —         19       —         25       —         —         —         44  

Provision

    (7     18       25       (29     (1     (2     40       44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 98     $ 352     $ 340     $ 1,670     $ 23     $ 16     $ 376     $ 2,875  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the six month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
and PPP
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
(In Thousands)   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15     $ 77     $ 3,152  

Charge-offs

    —         (1     (1     —         —         —         —         (2

Recoveries

    —         7       —         56       2       —         —         65  

Provision

    (6     (82     988       (143     (3     (2     (77     675  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 17     $ 506     $ 1,786     $ 1,547     $ 21     $ 13     $ 0     $ 3,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 120     $ 290     $ 314     $ 1,702     $ 35     $ 18     $ 310     $ 2,789  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         (49     (3     —         —         (52

Recoveries

    —         19       —         27       1       —         —         47  

Provision

    (22     43       26       (10     (10     (2     66       91  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 98     $ 352     $ 340     $ 1,670     $ 23     $ 16     $ 376     $ 2,875  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-23


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The increase in the allowance for loan losses allocated to the commercial real estate loans can be attributed to the risk associated with the increased balances in commercial real estate loans. The decreased allocation in the allowance for loan losses allocated to residential real estate loans can be attributed to an increased balance of loans individually assessed for impairment as of June 30, 2022, which required no reserve based on the estimated recoverable value of collateral in comparison to the outstanding balance due on these credits. Please see the “Credit Quality Information” section below for further details.

The following table illustrates the balance of loans individually evaluated vs. collectively evaluated for impairment at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
and PPP
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
(In Thousands)   As of June 30, 2022  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Ending balance

  $ 17     $ 506     $ 1,786     $ 1,547     $ 21     $ 13     $ 0     $ 3,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 17     $ 506     $ 1,786     $ 1,547     $ 21     $ 13     $ 0     $ 3,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 7,710     $ 90,979     $ 435,588     $ 241,401     $ 8,689     $ 5,814       $ 790,181  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 200     $ 2,451     $ 2,501     $ 3,145     $ —       $ —         $ 8,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

  $ —       $ 601     $ 4,369     $ 597     $ —       $ —         $ 5,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 7,510     $ 87,927     $ 428,718     $ 237,659     $ 8,689     $ 5,814       $ 776,317  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

F-24


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
and PPP
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
(In Thousands)   As of December 31, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Ending balance

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15       77     $ 3,152  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15       77     $ 3,152  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 9,341     $ 122,378     $ 338,749     $ 231,302     $ 7,087     $ 6,182       $ 715,039  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ 42     $ —       $ 709     $ —       $ —         $ 751  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

  $ —       $ 512     $ 4,394     $ 650     $ —       $ —         $ 5,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 9,341     $ 121,824     $ 334,355     $ 229,943     $ 7,087     $ 6,182       $ 708,732  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

The Company evaluated whether loans acquired in the Merger were within the scope of ASC 310-30, Receivables - Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased credit-impaired loans (“PCI”) are loans that have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. The fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans, on the acquisition date, was determined, primarily based on the fair value of loan collateral. The carrying value of purchased loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality as a result of the Merger was $5,249 and $5,556 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the unpaid principal balance for all PCI loans acquired through the Merger was $6,627 and the estimated fair value of the loans was $5,384. Total contractually required payments on these loans, including interest, at acquisition was $8,509. The Company’s preliminary estimate of expected cash flows was $5,793 at the acquisition date. The Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount of $2,716 relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value. The Company further estimated the timing and amount of expected cash flows in excess of the estimated fair value and established an accretable discount of $409 relating to these impaired loans.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following table provides activity for the accretable yield of PCI loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022:

 

(In Thousands)    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2022
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2022
 

Accretable yield, beginning of period

   $ 206      $ 307  

Additions

     —          —    

Accretion of income

     (25      (126

Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference due to improvement in expected cash flows

     —          —    

Other changes, net

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accretable yield, end of period

   $ 181      $ 181  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all.

The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass – loans that are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. There are four sub-grades within the Pass category to further distinguish the loan.

Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.

Substandard – loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances.

Loss – loans classified as a Loss are considered uncollectible and are immediately charged against allowances.

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

 

(In Thousands)           Special                       
As of June 30, 2022    Pass      Mention      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Agriculture loans

   $ 7,510      $ —        $ 200      $ —        $ 7,710  

Commercial and PPP loans

     86,141        1,785        3,053        —          90,979  

Commercial real estate loans

     428,458        310        4,743        2,077        435,588  

Residential real estate loans

     236,123        1,453        3,202        623        241,401  

Consumer loans

     8,689        —          —          —          8,689  

Municipal loans

     5,814        —          —          —          5,814  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 772,735      $ 3,548      $ 11,198      $ 2,700      $ 790,181  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-26


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

(In Thousands)           Special                       
As of December 31, 2021    Pass      Mention      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Agriculture loans

   $ 9,341      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 9,341  

Commercial and PPP

     117,918        3,757        703        —          122,378  

Commercial real estate loans

     332,156        2,077        4,516        —          338,749  

Residential real estate loans

     228,664        1,657        981        —          231,302  

Consumer loans

     7,087        —          —          —          7,087  

Municipal loans

     6,182        —          —          —          6,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 701,348      $ 7,491      $ 6,200      $ —        $ 715,039  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due loans.

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or Greater
Past Due
     Total
Past Due
     Current      Purchased
Credit
Impaired
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Total > 90
Days and
Accruing
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 154      $ —        $ —        $ 154      $ 7,556      $ —        $ 7,710      $ —    

Commercial and PPP loans

     —          21        —          21        90,958        —          90,979        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     460        140        —          600        430,623        4,365        435,588        —    

Residential real estate loans

     1,467        210        338        2,015        239,386        —          241,401        —    

Consumer loans

     15        2        —          17        8,672        —          8,689        —    

Municipal loans

        —          —          —          5,814        —          5,814        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,096      $ 373      $ 338      $ 2,807      $ 783,009      $ 4,365      $ 790,181      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or Greater
Past Due
     Total
Past Due
     Current      Purchased
Credit
Impaired
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Total > 90
Days and
Accruing
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 83      $ —        $ —        $ 83      $ 9,258      $ —        $ 9,341      $ —    

Commercial and PPP loans

     66        —          —          66        121,800        512        122,378        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     245        —          —          245        334,110        4,394        338,749        —    

Residential real estate loans

     1,427        211        869        2,507        228,145        650        231,302        762  

Consumer loans

     31        2        —          33        7,054        —          7,087        —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —          6,182        —          6,182        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,852      $ 213      $ 869      $ 2,934      $ 706,549      $ 5,556      $ 715,039      $ 762  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-27


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

Impaired Loans

The following tables present the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans and related allowance, if applicable. Also presented are the average recorded investments and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired.

 

     As of June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

With no related allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ 200      $ 200      $ —    

Commercial loans

     2,451        2,471        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     2,501        2,501        —    

Residential real estate loans

     3,145        3,269        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    

Total

        

Agriculture loans

   $ 200      $ 200      $ —    

Commercial loans

     2,451        2,471        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     2,501        2,501        —    

Residential real estate loans

     3,145        3,269        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,297      $ 8,441      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-28


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

     As of December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

With no related allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     42        61        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     709        779        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
     —          —          —    

Total

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     42        61        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     709        779        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 751      $ 840      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2022      2021  
(In Thousands)    Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

   $ 237      $ 3      $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     4,706        66        —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     455        4        —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     3,143        23        213        4  

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,541        96        213        4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

With an allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,541      $ 96      $ 213      $ 4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-29


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2022      2021  
(In Thousands)    Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

   $ 242      $ 6      $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     4,935        132        —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     461        9        —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     3,171        48        225        8  

Consumer loans

     —             —          —    

Municipal loans

     —             —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,809      $ 195      $ 225      $ 8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

With an allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,809      $ 195      $ 225      $ 8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents nonaccrual loans by classes of the loan portfolio:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2022
     December 31,
2021
 

Commercial loans

   $ 36      $ 39  

Commercial real estate loans

     137        144  

Residential real estate loans

     1,321        449  

Consumer loans

     —          2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,494      $ 634  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Approximately $435,588 or 55.1% of the Bank’s loan portfolio was in commercial real estate loans at June 30, 2022. While the Bank does not have a concentration of credit risk with any single borrower or industry, repayments on loans in these portfolios can be negatively influenced by decreases in real estate values. The Bank mitigates this risk through conservative underwriting policies and procedures. In addition, $165,203 of real estate-commercial loans were owner occupied properties as of June 30, 2022. These types of loans are generally considered to involve less risk than nonowner-occupied mortgages.

At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of borrowings secured by loans pledged to the FHLB under its blanket lien was $0 and $1,120, respectively.

Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

A loan is considered to be a TDR loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The Bank may grant a concession or modification for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider resulting in a modified loan which is then identified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Bank may modify loans through rate reductions, extensions of maturity, interest only payments, or payment modifications to better match the timing of cash flows due under the modified terms with the cash flows from the borrowers’ operations. Loan modifications are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. TDRs are considered impaired loans for purposes of calculating the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.

The Bank identifies loans for potential restructure primarily through direct communication with the borrower and evaluation of the borrower’s financial statements, revenue projections, tax returns, and credit reports. Even if the borrower is not presently in default, management will consider the likelihood that cash flow shortages, adverse economic conditions, and negative trends may result in a payment default in the near future. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no loans identified as TDRs. There were also no new loan modifications during the periods that were considered TDRs.

 

6.

DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30,
2022
    December 31,
2021
 
(In Thousands)    Amount      %     Amount      %  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 184,345        20.43   $ 129,243        16.75

Demand, interest-bearing

     269,493        29.86       256,258        33.21  

Money market and savings

     235,411        26.09       205,843        26.68  

Time deposits, $250 and over

     55,507        6.15       56,266        7.29  

Time deposits, other

     157,617        17.47       124,055        16.08  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 902,373        100.0   $ 771,665        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Within time deposits, other, there were $20,000 and $0 in brokered deposits outstanding at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

 

7.

BORROWINGS AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

Borrowings and subordinated debt was as follows:

 

(in Thousands)    June 30,
2022
     December 31,
2021
 

Long-term FHLB advances

   $ —        $ —    

Subordinated Debt

     40,585        20,696  

Federal Reserve PPPLF

     1,639        19,814  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 42,224      $ 40,510  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On April 8, 2022, LINKBANCORP entered into Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements (the “Agreements”) with certain institutional accredited investors (the “Purchasers”) and, pursuant to the Agreements, issued to the Purchasers $20,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032 (the “Notes”). The investors included a related party entity that is controlled by a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, which purchased $7,000 in principal amount of the note. During the three months

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

ended June 30, 2022, the Company contributed $15,000 of the subordinated note proceeds to the Bank as equity capital, the impact of which, can be seen within Note 10 Regulatory Capital Requirements later in this document.

The Notes are intended to qualify at the holding company level as Tier 2 capital under the capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board.

The Notes, which mature on April 15, 2032, bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.50% for the period up to but excluding April 15, 2027 (the “Fixed Interest Rate Period”). From April 15, 2027 until maturity or redemption (the “Floating Interest Rate Period”), the interest rate will adjust to a floating rate equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus 203 basis points. The Company will pay interest in arrears semi-annually during the Fixed Interest Rate Period and quarterly during the Floating Interest Rate Period. The Notes constitute unsecured and subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness and obligations to general and secured creditors. Subject to limited exceptions, the Company cannot redeem the Notes before the fifth anniversary of the issuance date.

The Agreements and Notes contain customary subordination provisions, representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default.

The Bank has available unsecured lines of credit, with interest based on the daily Federal Funds rate, with four correspondent banks totaling $51,000 at June 30, 2022. There were no borrowings under these lines of credit at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

8.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in an estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts The Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. In accordance with the fair value measurements accounting guidance (FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements), the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company uses a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment. The fair value guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels of pricing are as follows:

 

         Level I:    Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
    
  Level II:    Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair-valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
    
  Level III:    Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value are as follows:

 

     At June 30, 2022      At December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1)

   $ 62,996      $ 62,996      $ 22,590      $ 22,590  

Certificates of deposit with other banks (Level 3)

     11,088        11,088        12,828        12,828  

Securities held to maturity (Level 2)

     28,816        28,290        —          —    

Loans (Level 3)

     786,516        774,687        711,664        705,706  

Accrued interest receivable (Level 1)

     3,797        3,797        3,022        3,022  

Restricted investments in bank stock (Level 1)

     2,567        2,567        2,685        2,685  

Cash surrender value of life insurance (Level 1)

     19,012        19,012        18,787        18,787  

Financial liabilities:

           

Non-maturity deposits (Level 1)

     689,249        689,249        591,344        591,344  

Time Deposits (Level 3)

     213,124        210,984        180,321        180,485  

Other borrowings (Level 3)

     1,639        1,639        19,814        19,819  

Subordinated Notes (Level 3)

     40,585        38,026        20,696        20,696  

Accrued interest payable (Level 1)

     325        325        103        103  

The following tables present the assets reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are reported at fair value. These securities are valued by an independent third party. The valuations are based on market data. They utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, their evaluated pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (only obtained from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bid, offers and reference data. For certain securities additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Inputs are prioritized differently on any given day based on market conditions.

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ 693      $ —        $ 693  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —          40,993        —          40,993  

Mortgage backed securities

     —          44,070        —          44,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 85,756      $ —        $ 85,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ 1,084      $ —        $ 1,084  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —          48,482        —          48,482  

Mortgage backed securities

     —          54,217        —          54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 103,783      $ —        $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are presented in the table below.

 

     June 30, 2022  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 8,297      $ 8,297  

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 751      $ 751  

Loans Held for Sale

   $ —        $ —        $ 3,860      $ 3,860  

The following tables provide information describing the valuation processes used to determine nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy:

 

     June 30, 2022  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair
    Value    
     Valuation
    Techniques    
    Unobservable
Input
     Range
(Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 8,297       

Appraisal
of
collateral 
 

(1) 
   
Liquidation
expenses

 
     10

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

     December 31, 2021  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair
    Value    
     Valuation
    Techniques    
    Unobservable
Input
     Range
(Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 751       

Appraisal
of
collateral 
 

(1) 
   
Liquidation
expenses

 
     10

Loans Held for Sale

   $ 3,860       

Appraisal
of
collateral 
 

(1) 
   
Liquidation of
collateral
 
 
     15

 

  (1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include various Level III inputs that are not identifiable.

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors, such as economic conditions, aging, and/or estimated liquidation expenses incurred when selling the collateral. The range and weighted average of appraisal adjustments and liquidation expenses are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.

 

9.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 14, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 450,000 shares of LINKBANCORP common stock pursuant to grants of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The Plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”). Unless the Committee specifies a different vesting schedule, awards under the Plan shall be granted with a vesting rate of 20 percent per year. Vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions or at the discretion of the Committee at any time. Employees and directors of LINKBANCORP or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the plan, except that nonemployees may not be granted incentive stock options. Stock options are either “incentive” stock options or “nonqualified” stock options. Incentive stock options have certain tax advantages and must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. The table below provides details of the Company’s stock options at June 30, 2022.

 

     Number
of Stock
Options
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in
Years
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in ‘000s)
 

Outstanding, December 31, 2021

     421,500      $ 10.46        7.9      $ 780  

Granted

     —             

Expired/terminated

     (5,600      12.00        8.3     

Exercised

     (12,000      10.00        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding, June 30, 2022

     403,900      $ 10.86        7.4      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at period end

     195,700      $ 10.08        7.1      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The exercise prices for options outstanding as of June 30, 2022 ranged from $10.00 to $14.50. Because the stock options issued by the Company historically relate to LINKBANK employees and given the reverse acquisition accounting described in Note 1 paired with the timing of the Merger between the Company and

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

GNBF, the Company recognized no compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company recognized compensation expense of $39 during the six months ended June 30, 2022. At June 30, 2022, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs totaled $169 and will be recognized ratably as expense through December 31, 2026.

On May 26, 2022, the Company’s shareholders approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”). The Plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 475,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, and non-qualified stock options. The Plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”). At least 95% of the awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will vest no earlier than one year after the grant date.

 

10.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings, and other factors.

The Bank is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. As of June 30, 2022, the Bank has met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, under-capitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If an institution is adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required before the institution may accept brokered deposits. If an institution is undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and plans for capital restoration are required.

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face limitations on dividends, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to management based on the amount of the shortfall. Under Basel III rules, banks must hold a capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios. The required capital conservation buffer is 2.50%.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 under the Basel III Capital Rules. Bank capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations.

 

     June 30, 2022     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 101,598        12.42   $ 81,355        11.50

For capital adequacy purposes

     65,422        8.00       56,578        8.00  

To be well capitalized

     81,777        10.00       70,722        10.00  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 97,654        11.94   $ 77,904        11.02

For capital adequacy purposes

     49,066        6.00       42,433        6.00  

To be well capitalized

     65,422        8.00       56,578        8.00  

Common equity

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 97,654        11.94   $ 77,904        11.02

For capital adequacy purposes

     36,800        4.50       31,825        4.50  

To be well capitalized

     53,155        6.50       45,969        6.50  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to average assets)

          

Actual

   $ 97,654        10.10   $ 77,904        8.85

For capital adequacy purposes

     38,657        4.00       35,230        4.00  

To be well capitalized

     48,321        5.00       44,038        5.00  

The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, issued a rule pursuant to The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 to establish for institutions with assets of less than $10 billion a “community bank leverage ratio” (the ratio of a bank’s tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) of 9% that qualifying institutions may elect to use in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under Basel III. If an election to use the community bank leverage ratio capital framework is made, a qualifying bank with less than $10 billion in assets with capital exceeding the specified community bank leverage ratio is considered compliant with all applicable regulatory capital and leverage requirements, including the requirement to be “well capitalized.” As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Bank had not elected to be subject to the alternative framework.

Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid by the Bank. The Pennsylvania Banking Code provides that cash dividends may be declared and paid out of accumulated net earnings. In addition, dividends paid by the Bank would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. Loans or advances by the Bank to the Company are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus and must have collateral securing the loans or advances.

 

11.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making and monitoring commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company has a reserve related to credit losses for off-balance sheet instruments of $54, which is included in other liabilities.

At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2022
     December 31,
2021
 

Unfunded commitments under lines of credit:

     

Home equity loans

   $ 36,193      $ 17,774  

Commercial real estate, construction, and land development

     29,012        20,609  

Commercial and industrial

     115,107        100,440  

Other

     8,797        6,244  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 189,109      $ 145,067  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include personal or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment.

 

12.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the composition of earnings per share:

 

(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2022      2021      2022      2021  

Net income

   $ 1,606      $ 1,173      $ 3,130      $ 2,298  

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     9,836,984        5,691,686        9,831,739        5,691,686  

Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants

     76,493        —          152,003        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     9,913,477        5,691,686        9,983,742        5,691,686  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.16      $ 0.21      $ 0.32      $ 0.40  

Diluted

   $ 0.16      $ 0.21      $ 0.31      $ 0.40  

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in future periods that were included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. There were no dilutive securities outstanding during the first six months of 2021. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Share-based compensation awards

     195,700  

Warrants

     1,537,484  
  

 

 

 

Total dilutive securities

     1,733,184  
  

 

 

 

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

During July 2022, to accommodate growth, the Company took occupancy of an office lease for a new corporate headquarters, located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The office space consists of approximately 24,000 square feet, and the lease expires on June 30, 2032, with two additional five year renewal options.

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of LINKBANCORP, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of LINKBANCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021; the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended; and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent, with respect to the Company, in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements; and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter, in any way, our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

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Table of Contents

Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL)

Description of the Matter

The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $715 million as of December 31, 2021, and the associated ALL was $3.2 million. As discussed in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, determining the amount of the ALL requires significant judgment about the collectability of loans, which includes an assessment of quantitative factors such as historical loss experience within each risk category of loans and testing of certain commercial loans for impairment. Management applies additional qualitative adjustments to reflect the inherent losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date that are not reflected in the historical loss experience. Qualitative adjustments are made based upon changes in lending policies and practices, economic conditions, changes in the loan portfolio mix, trends in loan delinquencies and classified loans, collateral values, and concentrations of credit risk for the commercial loan portfolios.

We identified these qualitative adjustments within the ALL as critical audit matters because they involve a high degree of subjectivity. In turn, auditing management’s judgments regarding the qualitative factors applied in the ALL calculation involved a high degree of subjectivity.

Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL) – Qualitative Factors (Continued)

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We gained an understanding of the Company’s process for establishing the ALL, including the qualitative adjustments made to the ALL. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s ALL process, which included, among others, management’s review and approval controls designed to assess the need and level of qualitative adjustments to the ALL, as well as the reliability of the data utilized to support management’s assessment.

To test the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the appropriateness of management’s methodology and assessed whether all relevant risks were reflected in the ALL and the need to consider qualitative adjustments, including the potential effect of COVID-19 on the adjustments.

Regarding the measurement of the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of the data and inputs utilized in management’s estimate. For example, we compared the inputs and data to the Company’s historical loan performance data, third-party macroeconomic data, and peer bank data and considered the existence of new or contrary information. We also compared the ALL to a range of historical losses to evaluate the ALL, including the reasonableness of qualitative adjustments. Furthermore, we analyzed the changes in the components of the qualitative reserves relative to changes in external market factors, the Company’s loan portfolio, and asset quality trends, which included the evaluation of management’s ability to capture and assess relevant data from both external sources and internal reports on loan customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the supporting documentation for substantiating revisions to qualitative factors.

We also utilized internal credit review specialists with knowledge to evaluate the appropriateness of management’s risk-rating processes, to ensure that the risk ratings applied to the commercial loan portfolio were reasonable.

Accounting for Acquisitions

Description of the Matter

During 2021, the Company completed the reverse acquisition of GNB Financial Services, Inc. (GNBF) for net consideration of $71.5 million, as disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. The transaction was accounted for by applying the acquisition method.

 

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Auditing the Company’s accounting for the reverse acquisition was complex due to the significant estimation required by management to determine the fair value of the loans acquired and intangible assets, which includes core deposit intangibles, of $9.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The Company determined the fair value of the acquired loans by estimating the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest. Management considered a number of factors in evaluating the acquisition-date fair value, including the remaining life of the acquired loans, delinquency status, estimated prepayments, payment options and other loan features, internal risk grade, estimated value of the underlying collateral, and interest rate environment. The Company determined the fair value of the core deposit intangibles by using a discounted cash flow model based on various factors, including discount rate, attrition rate, interest rate, cost of alternative funds, and net maintenance costs. The significant estimation was primarily due to the judgement involved in determining the discount rate used to discount the expected cash flows for acquired loans and core deposit intangibles, along with other factors described above, to establish the acquisition-date fair value of the loans and core deposit intangibles. These factors are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s accounting for the acquisition. Our tests included testing controls over the completeness and accuracy of the data and the estimation process supporting the fair value of loans acquired and core deposit intangibles. We also tested management’s review of factors used in the valuation models.

To test the estimated fair value of the loans acquired and intangible assets, which include core deposit intangibles, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the Company’s valuation methodology, evaluating the factors used by the Company’s valuation specialist, and evaluating the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the factors and estimates. For example, when evaluating the discount rate and other factors noted above, we compared the factors to current industry, market, and economic information, in addition to factors used in historical acquisitions.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

LOGO

Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2022

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors

GNB Financial Services, Inc.

Gratz, Pennsylvania

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of GNB Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020, and the consolidated results of its income and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ HACKER, JOHNSON & SMITH PA

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

Tampa, Florida

May 7, 2021

PCAOB ID: 400

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    December 31, 2021      December 31, 2020  

ASSETS

     

Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents

   $ 8,620      $ 5,709  

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     13,970        27,453  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     22,590        33,162  

Certificates of deposit with other banks

     12,828        17,051  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     103,783        125,447  

Loans held for sale

     3,860        1,015  

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $3,152 at December 31, 2021, and $2,789 at December 31, 2020

     711,664        233,795  

Investments in restricted bank stock

     2,685        2,268  

Premises and equipment, net

     5,289        3,428  

Right-of-Use Asset – Premises

     4,680        370  

Bank-owned life insurance

     18,787        8,941  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     37,152        2,509  

Deferred tax asset

     4,038        —    

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     5,407        1,558  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 932,763      $ 429,544  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

Demand, noninterest bearing

   $ 129,243      $ 66,573  

Interest bearing

     642,422        308,551  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

     771,665        375,124  

Other Borrowings

     19,814        1,120  

Subordinated Debt

     20,696        —    

Operating Lease Liabilities

     4,680        370  

Deferred tax liability

     —          22  

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     6,285        2,234  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     823,140        378,870  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Notes 1, 8, and 18)

     

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Preferred stock (At December 31, 2021: no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2020: no shares authorized)

     —          —    

Common stock (At December 31, 2021: $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 9,826,435 shares issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2020: $0.01 par value; 14,612,800 shares authorized; 5,715,950 shares issued and 5,691,686 shares outstanding)

     99        57  

Surplus

     82,910        21,604  

Retained earnings

     24,836        26,009  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,778        3,192  

Treasury stock (0 and 24,265 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

     —          (188
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     109,623        50,674  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 932,763      $ 429,544  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    Year Ended December 31,  
     2021     2020  

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

    

Loans receivable, including fees

   $ 15,924     $ 11,494  

Investment securities and certificates of deposit:

    

Taxable

     873     $ 1,409  

Exempt from federal income tax

     1,252     $ 1,221  

Other

     447       167  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

     18,496       14,291  

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Deposits

     2,091       2,658  

Other Borrowings

     50       59  

Subordinated Debt

     249       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     2,390       2,717  

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     16,106       11,574  

Provision for loan losses

     648       184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     15,458       11,390  

NONINTEREST INCOME

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

     733       743  

Bank-owned life insurance

     253       186  

Net realized gains on the sales of debt securities, available for sale

     74       110  

Gain on sale of secondary market mortgage loans

     316       358  

Other

     763       357  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     2,139       1,754  

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     6,999       4,544  

Occupancy

     913       447  

Equipment and data processing

     1,340       1,188  

Professional fees

     685       538  

FDIC insurance

     231       73  

Bank Shares Tax

     434       294  

Merger Related Expenses

     4,584       —    

Other

     2,311       1,222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

     17,497       8,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax (benefit) expense

     100       4,838  

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (189     645  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 289     $ 4,193  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC

   $ 0.04     $ 0.74  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE, DILUTED

   $ 0.04     $ 0.74  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING,

    

BASIC

     6,879,658       5,691,686  

DILUTED

     7,250,463       5,691,686  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2021     2020  

Net income

   $ 289     $ 4,193  

Components of other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

     (1,716     2,904  

Tax effect

     360       (609
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net of tax amount

     (1,356     2,295  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for debt securities gains realized in net income

     (74     (110

Tax effect

     16       23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net of tax amount

     (58     (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,414     2,208  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (1,125 )    $ 6,401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

 

(In Thousands, except share data)           Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Surplus      Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  

Balance, December 31,
2020

     *        5,715,950      $ 57      $ 21,604      $ 26,009     $ 3,192     $ (188   $ 50,674  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        —          —          —          289       —         —         289  

Dividends declared ($0.205 per share)

        —          —          —          (1,462     —         —         (1,462

Impact of merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc.

        4,098,485        41        61,167        —         —         188       61,396  

Exercise of stock options

        12,000        1        119        —         —         —         120  

Stock option expense

        —          —          20        —         —         —         20  

Other comprehensive loss

        —          —          —          —         (1,414     —         (1,414
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

        9,826,435      $ 99      $ 82,910      $ 24,836     $ 1,778     $ —       $ 109,623  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands, except share data)           Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Surplus      Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
     Treasury
Stock
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2019

     *        5,715,950      $ 57      $ 21,604      $ 23,249     $ 984      $ (188   $ 45,706  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        —          —          —          4,193       —          —         4,193  

Dividends declared ($0.25 per share)

        —          —          —          (1,433     —          —         (1,433

Other comprehensive income

        —          —          —          —         2,208        —         2,208  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

        5,715,950      $ 57      $ 21,604      $ 26,009     $ 3,192      $ (188   $ 50,674  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Common Stock Shares, Common Stock Amount, Surplus, and Dividends per share amount have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the recapitalization due to the Merger, which has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition.

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

     For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2021     2020  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 289     $ 4,193  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     648       184  

Depreciation

     355       244  

Amortization of intangible assets

     125       65  

Amortization of premiums and discounts

     1,379       954  

Origination of loans to be sold

     (12,079     (31,441

Proceeds from loan sales

     13,410       30,784  

Gain on sale of loans

     (316     (358

Share-based and deferred compensation

     292       —    

Capitalized mortgage servicing rights

     (169     (275

Bank-owned life insurance income

     (253     (186

Gain on sale of debt securities, available for sale

     (74     (110

Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets

     (165     (544

Change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     1,332       (382
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     4,774       3,128  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Investment securities available for sale:

    

Proceeds from sales

     11,371       5,706  

Proceeds from calls and maturities

     2,900       12,250  

Proceeds from principal repayments

     21,592       14,593  

Purchases

     (14,192     (71,130

Purchase of certificates of deposit with other banks

     (249     (996

Proceeds from redemptions of certificates of deposit with other banks

     4,472       2,739  

Purchase of restricted investment in bank stocks

     (536     (1,129

Redemption of restricted investment in bank stocks

     1,122       153  

(Increase) decrease in loans, net

     (66,472     1,104  

Purchase of bank-owned life insurance

     (5,000     (2,000

Proceeds from death benefit under bank-owned life insurance

     191       —    

Proceeds from disposal of premises and equipment

     131       —    

Purchase of premises and equipment

     (260     (109

Net cash acquired through merger and acquisition

     39,885       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

     (5,045 )      (38,819 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase in deposits, net

     5,381       44,217  

Repayments of long-term borrowings

     (14,340     (1,639

Issuance of shares from exercise of stock options

     120       —    

Dividends paid

     (1,462     (1,433
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (10,301 )      41,145  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (10,572     5,454  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     33,162       27,708  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 22,590     $ 33,162  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

     For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

     

Cash paid during the period for:

     

Interest

   $ 2,520      $ 2,831  

Income taxes

   $ 560      $ 745  

MERGER AND ACQUISITION CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

     

Non-cash assets acquired:

     

Securities available for sale

     3,111        —    

Loans

     415,905        —    

Investments in restricted bank stock

     1,039        —    

Premises and equipment

     2,087        —    

Right-of-Use Asset

     4,544        —    

Bank-owned life insurance

     4,784        —    

Goodwill

     33,508        —    

Intangible assets

     1,246        —    

Deferred tax assets

     3,675        —    

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     3,295        —    

Liabilities assumed:

        —    

Deposits

     391,160        —    

Other borrowings

     33,034        —    

Subordinated debt

     20,740        —    

Operating lease liabilities

     4,544        —    

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     2,026        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net non-cash assets acquired

     61,396        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents acquired

   $ 49,962      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Nature of Operations

LINKBANCORP, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on April 6, 2018, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company was formed with the intent of becoming a bank holding company through acquisition of a bank.

On September 17, 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (the “PADOBS”) approved the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of Stonebridge Bank, subject to recapitalization of the bank and continued compliance with capital ratios outlined in Note 10. On October 5, 2018, LINKBANCORP, Inc. purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Stonebridge Bank, from its former parent company Stonebridge Financial Corp. under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. LINKBANCORP subsequently renamed the bank LINKBANK.

On December 10, 2020, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, LINKBANK, and GNB Financial Services, Inc. (“GNBF”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Gratz Bank (the “Bank”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which GNBF merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation. LINKBANK merged with and into The Gratz Bank, with The Gratz Bank as the surviving institution. The merger was consummated effective September 18, 2021.

The Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. The Bank’s operations are conducted from its ten Solution Centers located in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties within Pennsylvania. The Company’s corporate office resides in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. As a state chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the PADOBS and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Company is regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the FDIC.

Basis of Presentation

The merger of GNBF with and into the Company was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. As such, GNBF was the accounting acquirer and LINKBANCORP was the accounting acquiree. Factors considered within this guidance included, but were not limited to the following:

 

   

the relative voting interests of GNB shareholders and LINK shareholders in the resulting company after the merger was completed;

 

   

the composition of the board of directors of the Company after the merger was completed;

 

   

the composition of executive and senior management of the resulting company after the merger was completed;

 

   

the terms of the exchange of equity securities in the merger; and

 

   

the relative size of GNB and LINK at the time of the merger.

Accordingly, GNBF’s historical financial statements are the historical financial statements of the combined company for all periods prior to September 18, 2021 (the “Merger Date”).

The Company’s results of operations for 2021 include the results of operations of the combined company on and after the Merger Date. Results for periods before the Merger Date reflect only those consolidated results

 

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of GNBF and do not include the results of operations of LINKBANCORP, Inc. The number of shares issued and outstanding, earnings per share, additional paid-in capital, dividends paid and all references to share quantities of the Company have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the equivalent number of shares issued to holders of GNBF common stock in the Merger. The assets and liabilities of LINKBANCORP, Inc. as of the Merger Date have been recorded at their estimated fair value and added to those of GNBF. See Note 2. Merger for further information.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting practices of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and to general practices within the banking industry. The following summarizes the more significant of these policies and practices.

Reclassification of Prior Period Financial Statements

Certain previously reported items have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s classifications. Certain components of equity have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the Merger, which has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition. Common Stock Shares and Amount, Surplus, and Dividends per share amount have been adjusted to reflect the the merger exchange ratio.

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 loan losses and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Acquisition Method of Accounting

The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to estimate the fair value of the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The estimated fair values are based on available information and current economic conditions at the date of acquisition. Fair value may be obtained from independent appraisers, discounted cash flow present value techniques, management valuation models, quoted prices on national markets or quoted market prices from brokers. These fair value estimates will affect future earnings through the disposition or amortization of the underlying assets and liabilities. Accounting for business combination under GAAP acquisition method prohibits “carrying over” valuation allowances, such as the allowance for loan losses. Uncertainties relating to the expected future cash flows are reflected in the fair value measurement of the acquired loans and reflected in the purchase price. The Company will establish loan loss allowances for the acquired loans in periods after the acquisition, but only for losses incurred on these loans due to credit deterioration after acquisition.

For business acquisitions, whereby the Company acquires loans that have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination, the Company will classify these loans as purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans. The Company will determine which loans will be classified as PCI loans based on borrower payment history, past due status, loan credit grading, value of underlying collateral and other factors that affect the collectability of contractual cash flows. Under GAAP, purchasers are permitted to individually evaluate or collectively aggregate PCI loans into pools. PCI loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter may be assembled into one or more pools with common risk characteristics. Once pooled, a single composite interest rate is used to determine aggregate expected cash flows for each respective pool. PCI loans are recorded on the acquisition date at fair value. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for

 

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each individually analyzed loan. Estimated cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

On a quarterly basis, the Company will update the amount of loan principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, incorporating assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, the amounts and timing of prepayments and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected loan principal cash flows trigger the recognition of impairment, which is then measured as the present value of the expected principal loss plus any related foregone interest cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Impairments that occur after the acquisition date are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Probable and significant increases in expected cash flows would first reverse any previously recorded allowance for loan losses; any remaining increases are recognized prospectively as interest income. The impacts of (i) prepayments, (ii) changes in variable interest rates, and (iii) any other changes in the timing of expected cash flows are recognized prospectively as adjustments to interest income. Disposals of loans, which may include sales of loans, receipt of payments in full by the borrower, or foreclosure, result in removal of the loan from the PCI portfolio.

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 December 31 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from banks. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Short-term investments include interest bearing-deposits with banks with an original maturity of less than 90 days.

 

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Investment Securities

Available for sale – Debt 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 assets 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 income 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.

Investment securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the portion of the decline related to credit impairment is charged to earnings, and any other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

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 loan 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 Bank 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, commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and municipal. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate, and other consumer.

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes, including troubled debt restructurings, 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.

 

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Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. There were no material changes in the Bank’s accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering historical experience, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.

The historical loss component of the allowance is determined by losses recognized by portfolio segment over the preceding sixteen quarters. This is supplemented by the risks for each portfolio segment. Risk factors impacting loans in each of the portfolio segments include broad deterioration of property values, reduced consumer, and business spending as a result of unemployment and reduced credit availability and lack of confidence in the economy. The historical experience is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: (a) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; (b) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (c) changes in levels or trends in charge-offs and recoveries; (d) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss; (e) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (f) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (g) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (h) quality of loan review; (i) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions. The Company uses peer data when they have insufficient history to use their own loss data. The peer group is made up of various Bank’s with similar size and geographical location to obtain comparable data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage loan segments by either

 

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the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and classified as impaired.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment disclosures.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

The Company purchased loans in connection with the Merger. These purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans were recorded at the amount paid, such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If this subsequent estimate indicated that the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a charge to the allowance for loan loss is made through a provision. If the estimate indicates that the present value of the expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.

Such PCI loans are accounted for individually, and the Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan. The expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not amortized over the remaining life of the loan (nonaccretable difference).

For loans purchased that did not show evidence of credit deterioration, the difference between the fair value of the loan at the acquisition date and the loan’s face value is being amortized as a yield adjustment over the estimated remaining life of the loan using the effective interest method.

Investment in Restricted Stock, at Cost

The Company holds restricted stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Pittsburgh and the Atlantic Community Bancshares, Inc. (“ACBB”) which is carried at cost. The Company holds $194 and $170 of ACBB stock at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company holds $2,491 and $2,062 of FHLB stock at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The FHLB stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost, and evaluated for impairment as necessary. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted; (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance; (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB; and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.

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.

 

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Premises and Equipment

Leasehold improvements and furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives for furniture and equipment are three to ten years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their respective lease term or estimated life of the improvement.

Other Real Estate Owned

Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans are carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Prior to foreclosure, as the value of the underlying loan is written down to fair value of the real estate or other assets to be acquired by a charge to the allowance for loan losses, if necessary. Any subsequent write-downs are charged against operating expenses. Operating expenses of such properties, net of related income and losses on disposition, are included in other expenses and gains and losses are included in other noninterest income or other noninterest expense. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no other real estate owned. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has initiated formal foreclosure proceedings on no consumer residential mortgages, which have not yet been transferred into foreclosed assets.

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.

Income Taxes

The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Bank determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. The Bank recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

 

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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.

Share-based Compensation

The Bank follows the provisions of ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation. This standard requires the Bank to recognize the cost of employee and organizer services received in share-based payment transactions and measure the cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost will be recognized over the period during which the employee or organizer is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employee’s service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the fair value of the Company’s common stock as the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards.

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, 2021 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.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, which is also recognized as a separate component of equity.

Treasury Stock

Common stock shares repurchased are recorded as treasury stock, at cost on the consolidated balance sheets, on a settlement date basis.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) represents net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share

 

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includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. Potential common shares that may be issued related to outstanding stock options are determined using the treasury stock 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, as management does not separately allocate expenses between the various operations of the Company.

Advertising Expenses

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $171 and $37, respectively, and were included within Other Expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, which currently is Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead the goodwill impairment test will consist of a single quantitative step comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and any interim goodwill impairment tests in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. This model is also applicable to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance, such as loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments. In addition, the amendments in ASU 2016-03 require credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as a valuation rather than as a direct write down. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring more timely recording of credit losses on these financial instruments. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be affected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This Update is effective for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other companies, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13 and has individuals from multiple disciplines working with a third-party vendor solution to assist with the application of ASU 2016-13. The Company expects to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated

 

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financial statements. For debt securities with other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), the guidance will be applied prospectively. Existing PCI assets will be grandfathered and classified as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) assets at the date of adoption. The asset will be grossed up for the allowance for expected losses for all PCD assets at the date of adoption and will continue to recognize the noncredit discount in interest income based on the yield of such assets as of the adoption date. Subsequent changes in the expected credit losses swill be recorded through the allowance.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which added to ASU 2020-04 on optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a onetime election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified our loan receivables that have an interest rate indexed to LIBOR and is currently assessing the appropriate transition path. As such, the Company does not have an estimate of the financial impact of this update but does not expect the impact to be material to the financial statements of the Company.

 

2.

MERGER

As described in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, effective September 18, 2021 the Company completed its merger with GNBF by acquiring 100% of the outstanding common shares of GNBF.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, GNBF merged with and into LINKBANCORP, Inc. with LINKBANCORP, Inc. as the surviving corporation. Additionally, LINKBANK, the wholly owned subsidiary of LINKBANCORP, Inc. merged with and into The Gratz Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of GNBF with The Gratz Bank as the surviving bank subsidiary of the Company. This transaction, in total, is herein referred to as the Merger.

The Merger constituted a business combination and was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. As such, GNBF was the accounting acquirer and LINKBANCORP, Inc. was the accounting acquiree and the historical financial statements of the combined company are the historical financial statements of GNBF.

Under the Merger Agreement, GNBF shareholders had the opportunity to elect to receive $87.68 per share in cash or 7.3064 of LINKBANCORP, Inc. common shares for each share they own. The agreement provided for proration procedures intended to ensure that, in the aggregate, at least 80% of the GNBF common shares outstanding will be exchanged for LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock. The Merger was effective on September 18, 2021, with the GNBF shareholders collectively electing to receive cash for 14.865% of their shares and LINKBANCORP, Inc. common shares for 85.135% of existing GNBF shares. These elections resulted in LINKBANCORP issuing 4.85 million common shares to GNBF shareholders which represented approximately 49.4% of the post-merger outstanding common shares of the Company.

In accordance with FASB ASC 805-40-30-2, the fair value consideration of a reverse acquisition is determined based on a number of hypothetical equity interest the legal acquiree would have had to issue to

 

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give the owners of the legal acquirer the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition.

The total fair value consideration was $71.5 million which consisted of $54.0 million for the fair value of common stock issued, $10.1 million in cash consideration and $7.4 million for the fair value of LINKBANCORP, Inc. options and warrants. The consideration assigned to cash and common stock in this reverse acquisition was determined based on the hypothetical number of equity interests that GNBF would have had to issue to give LINK shareholders a 50.62% ownership, the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition. The allocation of the consideration assigned to cash and common stock was allocated between the actual cash to be paid by the legal acquirer with the resultant amount being assigned to common equity.

The following table summarizes the fair value consideration paid for GNBF as of the date of acquisition:

 

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)       

Total GNBF common shares outstanding

     779,000  

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock

     663,240  

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for cash

     115,760  

Exchange Ratio

     7.3064  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. shares to be issued to GNBF shareholders

     4,845,897  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. Shares currently outstanding

     4,968,550  

Total LINKBANCORP, Inc. shares to be outstanding

     9,814,447  

GNBF pro forma common share % ownership

     49.38

LINKBANCORP, Inc. pro forma common share % ownership

     50.62

Reverse Acquisition Hypothetical Purchase Price Consideration

  

GNBF shares outstanding exchanged for LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock

     663,240  

Ownership % to be owned by current GNBF shareholders

     49.38

Hypothetical GNBF shares outstanding based on GNBF % ownership

     1,343,267  

Ownership % by legacy LINKBANCORP, Inc. shareholders

     50.62

Hypothetical GNBF shares to be issued as consideration

     680,027  

Fair value of GNBF shares (LINKBANCORP, Inc. fair value per share of $12.90 as of 9/17/2021 multiplied by the exchange rate)

   $ 94.25  

Purchase price assigned to hypothetical GNBF shares issued to LINKBANCORP, Inc. shareholders

   $ 64,094  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. options and warrants

     1,962,484  

Fair value per options and warrants

   $ 3.76  

Purchase price assigned to LINKBANCORP, Inc. options and warrants

     7,379  
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price consideration

   $ 71,473  
  

 

 

 

Pro Forma Purchase Price Allocation Between Stock & Cash:

  

Cash consideration

   $ 10,077  

Common Stock

     61,396  
  

 

 

 

Total Purchase Price For Accounting Purposes

   $ 71,473  

 

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The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, for each transaction, the purchase price is allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition. In conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2015-16, upon receipt of final fair value estimates during the measurement period, which must be within one year of the acquisition date, the Company records any adjustments to the preliminary fair value estimates in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The Company is continuing to finalize the fair values of loans, intangible assets, and income taxes. As a result, the recorded fair value adjustments are preliminary and may change as additional information becomes available. Based on management’s preliminary valuation of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the purchase price for the Merger is allocated in the table below.

 

Total Consideration in the Merger

      $ 71,473  

Calculated Fair Value of Assets Acquired

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49,962     

Securities available for sale

     3,111     

Loans

     415,905     

Premises and equipment

     2,087     

Right-of-use asset

     4,544     

Intangible assets

     1,246     

Investment in bank owned life insurance

     4,784     

Deferred taxes

     3,675     

Other assets

     4,394     
  

 

 

    

Total Assets Acquired

     489,708     

Calculated Fair Value of Liabilities Assumed

 

Deposits

     391,160     

Long term borrowings

     33,034     

Subordinated debt

     20,740     

Operating lease liabilities

     4,544     

Other liabilities

     2,265     
  

 

 

    

Total Liabilities Assumed

     451,743     

Net Assets Acquired

        37,965  
     

 

 

 

Goodwill From the Merger

      $ 33,508  
     

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Merger as of September 18, 2021:

 

Total Consideration in the Merger

      $ 71,473  

LINKBANCORP, Inc. stockholders’ equity

   $ 43,124     

LINKBANCORP, Inc. goodwill and intangibles

     (1,353   

Fair Value Adjustments:

     

Loans

     

Interest rate

     (1,521   

General credit

     (6,346   

Credit adjustment for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     (1,243   

Remove existing deferred loan fees, net at acquisition

     1,192     

Remove the allowance for loan losses present at acquisition

     4,953     

Intangible assets

     1,146     

Other assets

     (991   

Time deposits

     (231   

Subordinated debt

     (765   
  

 

 

    
        37,965  
     

 

 

 

Goodwill From the Merger

      $ 33,508  
     

 

 

 

 

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Pursuant to the accounting requirements, the Company assigned a fair value to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of LINKBANCORP, Inc. ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of LINKBANCORP, Inc. were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the date of the acquisition and are subject to adjustment for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. While the fair values are not expected to be materially different from the estimates, any material adjustments to the estimates will be reflected, retroactively, as of the date of the acquisition. The items most susceptible to adjustment are the fair value adjustments on loans, core deposit intangible and the deferred income tax assets resulting from the acquisition.

Goodwill represents consideration transferred in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition represents the value expected from the expansion of the Company’s market and enhancement of operations and efficiencies. Goodwill acquired in the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:

Investment securities available-for-sale

The estimated fair values of the investment securities available for sale, primarily comprised of U.S. Government agency mortgage-backed securities were determined using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. A fair value premium of $96 was recorded and will be amortized over the estimated life of the investments using the interest rate method.

Loans

Acquired loans (performing and non-performing) are initially recorded at their acquisition-date fair values using Level 3 inputs. Fair values are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, expected lifetime losses, environmental factors, collateral values, discount rates, expected payments and expected prepayments. Specifically, the Company has prepared three separate loan fair value adjustments that it believed a market participant might employ in estimating the entire fair value adjustment for the acquired loan portfolio. The three fair value adjustments employed were for loans acquired without evidence of credit quality deterioration, the Company prepared the interest rate loan fair value and credit fair value adjustments and for ASC 310-30 purchased credit impaired loans a specific credit fair value adjustment was made. The acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date without carryover of LINKBANCORP, Inc.’s previously established allowance for loan losses. The fair value of the financial assets acquired included loans receivable with an unpaid principal balance of $425.0 million.

The table below illustrates the fair value adjustments made to the amortized cost basis in order to present the fair value of the loans acquired.

 

Unpaid principal balance at merger

   $ 425,015  

Interest rate fair value adjustment on pools of homogeneous loans

     (1,520

Credit fair value adjustment on pools of homogeneous loans

     (6,347

Credit fair value adjustment on purchased credit impaired loans

     (1,243
  

 

 

 

Fair value of acquired loans

   $ 415,905  
  

 

 

 

 

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For loans acquired without evidence of credit quality deterioration were grouped into homogeneous pools by characteristics such as loan type, term, collateral, and rate. Market rates for similar loans were obtained from various internal and external data sources. From each pool a monthly expected cash flow was prepared that incorporated expected monthly payments, impact of prepayments and expected monthly net charge-offs. A discounted cash flow was calculated for each pool to estimate the fair value. In this analysis the fair value adjustment was bifurcated into two components an interest rate fair value adjustment and a general credit fair value adjustment. Additionally, it is noted the credit fair value adjustment incorporated assumptions for: 1) expected lifetime credit migration losses; and 2) estimated fair value adjustment for certain qualitative factors. Both the interest rate and credit fair value adjustments relate to loans acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration will be substantially recognized as interest income on a level yield amortization method over the expected life of the loans.

For loans acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration, ASC 310-30 loans, the fair value was calculated with a non-accretable fair value discount based on an adjusted collateral value and if there was a collateral shortfall a non-accretable discount was established. This non-accretable discount would not be amortized for GAAP purposes. In additional an accretable yield fair value discount was created to reflect the time value of money a market participant would discount the loan for the time it would take to recover the adjusted collateral value. The accretable yield fair value will be recognized over the workout period of the loan on a level yield basis as a component of interest income.

The following table presents the acquired purchased credit impaired loans receivable at the merger date:

 

Contractual principal and interest at merger

   $ 8,509  

Nonaccretable difference

     (2,716
  

 

 

 

Expected cash flows at merger

     5,793  

Accretable yield

     (409
  

 

 

 

Fair value of purchased credit impaired loans

   $ 5,384  
  

 

 

 

Facilities Leases

The Company assumed leases on four facilities of LINKBANCORP, Inc.. The Company believed that the current lease costs were at market terms therefore no fair value adjustment is needed. It is noted that LINKBANCORP, Inc. did not operate any owned facilities.

Core Deposit Intangible

The fair value of the core deposit intangible was determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate commensurate with market participants. To calculate cash flows, deposit account servicing costs (net of deposit fee income) and interest expense on deposits were compared to the higher cost of alternative funding sources available through national brokered CD offering rates and FHLB advance rates. The projected cash flows were developed using expected deposit attrition. The core deposit intangible will be amortized over ten years using the sum-of-years digits method.

Time Deposits

The fair value adjustment for time deposits was based on a discounted cash flow methodology of the contract rates and contractual repayments of fixed maturity deposits using prevailing market interest rates for similar-term time deposits. The time deposit fair value adjustment will be amortized into income on a level yield amortization method over the contractual life of the deposits.

Long Term Borrowings

The Company reviewed the cost of the borrowings to market interest rates for similar instruments and believed that the rates were comparable and that no fair value adjustment was recorded.

 

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Subordinated Debt

The fair value of the subordinated debt was determined using a discounted cash flow method using a market participant discount rate for similar instruments. The subordinated debt fair value adjustment will be amortized into income on a level yield amortization method based upon the assumed market rate and the term of the subordinated debt.

Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of GNBF and LINKBANCORP, Inc. as if the Merger occurred as of January 1, 2020 with pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments give effect to any change in interest income due to the accretion of discounts (premiums) associated with the fair value adjustments of acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and other debt, and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2020. Merger related expenses incurred by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021 are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had GNBF merged with LINKBANCORP, Inc. at the beginning of 2020. The pro forma amounts for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 do not reflect the anticipated cost savings that have not yet been realized.

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2021      2020  

Net interest income

   $ 28,075      $ 23,392  

Non-interest income

     2,551        2,403  

Net income (loss)

     8,159        4,387  

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.83      $ 0.47  

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.80      $ 0.46  

 

3.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 1,099      $ —        $ (15    $ 1,084  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     46,115        2,405        (38      48,482  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     54,239        382        (404      54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 101,453      $ 2,787      $ (457    $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 7,835      $ 198      $ (39    $ 7,994  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     49,167        2,895        (3      52,059  

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     64,406        1,068        (80      65,394  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 121,408      $ 4,161      $ (122    $ 125,447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following tables show the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual debt securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

     December 31, 2021  
     Less Than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available for Sale:

               

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ —       $ 1,084      $ (15   $ 1,084      $ (15

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     3,189        (38     —          —         3,189        (38

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     23,420        (266     4,687        (102     28,107        (368
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 26,609      $ (304   $ 5,771      $ (117   $ 32,380      $ (421
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2020  
     Less Than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available for Sale:

               

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ 2,059      $ (9   $ 1,539      $ (30   $ 3,598      $ (39

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     557        (3     —          —         557        (3

Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities

     12,245        (80     —          —         12,245        (80

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 14,861      $ (92   $ 1,539      $ (30   $ 16,400      $ (122
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company reviews its position quarterly and has asserted that as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the declines outlined in the above tables represent temporary declines, and the Company does not intend to sell, and does not believe it will be required to sell, these debt securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be at maturity. There were 41 and 19 debt securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company has concluded that the unrealized losses disclosed above are not other than temporary, but are the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the noncollection of principal and interest during the year.

Amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity, where applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrower may have the right to prepay obligations with or without penalty.

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amortized

Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

     

Due within one year

   $ 1,195      $ 1,200  

Due after one year through five years

     5,442        5,593  

Due after five years through ten years

     12,006        12,400  

Due after ten years

     28,571        30,373  

Mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     54,239        54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 101,453      $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes sales of debt securities:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2021      2020  

Proceeds

   $ 11,371      $ 5,706  

Gross gains

     127        221  

Gross losses

     (53      (111
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain

   $ 74      $ 110  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company had pledged debt securities with a carrying value of $45,300 and $52,100 to secure public monies as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

4.

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT WITH OTHER BANKS

Interest-earning certificates of deposit with other banks are held at cost. The contractual maturity of these certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

 

     December 31  
(in thousands)    2021      2020  

Due in one year or less

   $ 7,205      $ 4,472  

Due after one year through five years

     5,623        11,583  

Due after five years through ten years

     —          996  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 12,828      $ 17,051  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5.

LOANS RECEIVABLE

The portfolio segments and classes of loans are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    December 31,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 9,341      $ 11,246  

Commercial loans

     98,604        21,534  

Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans

     23,774        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     338,749        27,261  

Residential real estate loans

     231,302        167,536  

Consumer and other loans

     7,087        2,514  

Municipal loans

     6,182        6,749  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     715,039        236,840  

Deferred fees

     (223      (256

Allowance for loan losses

     (3,152      (2,789
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 711,664      $ 233,795  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company originates commercial, residential, and consumer loans within its primary market areas of southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania. A significant portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate. In the normal course of business, the Company extends loans to officers, directors, and corporations in which they are beneficially interested as stockholders, officers, or directors. The balance of these loans and extensions of credit totaled $10,631 and $2,586 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company serviced residential mortgage loans for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh in the amount of $51,101 and $45,356, respectively.

 

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6.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan segments used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio and, therefore, no further disaggregation is considered necessary. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans on commercial and residential property. The portfolio also includes agricultural loans, commercial loans, municipal loans, and consumer loans.

The Company’s primary lending activity is the origination of commercial loans extended to small and mid-sized commercial and industrial entities.

Commercial loans are primarily underwritten on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to service such debt from income. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any equipment, or other chattel, although loans may also be made on an unsecured basis. Collateralized working capital loans typically are secured by short-term assets whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.

Construction and Land loans are to finance the construction of owner-occupied and income producing properties. These loans are categorized within commercial or one-to-four family residential loans based upon the underlying collateral and intended use following the completion of the construction period. Real estate development and construction loans are approved based on an analysis of the borrower and guarantor, the viability of the project and on an acceptable percentage of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Construction loan funds are disbursed periodically based on the percentage of construction or development completed. The Company carefully monitors these loans with on-site inspections and requires the receipt of lien waivers on funds advanced. The Company considers the market conditions and feasibility of proposed projects, the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and guarantors, the amount of the borrower’s equity in the project, independent appraisals, cost estimates and pre-construction sale information. The Company also makes loans on occasion for the purchase of land for future development by the borrower. Land loans are extended for the future development for either commercial or residential use by the borrower. The Company carefully analyzes the intended use of the property and the viability thereof.

The Company’s commercial real estate loans consist of mortgage loans secured by nonresidential real estate, such as by apartment buildings, small office buildings, and owner-occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are secured by the subject property and are underwritten based on loan to value limits, cash flow coverage and general creditworthiness of the obligors. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances and their repayment is typically dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying real estate.

Residential real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, credit history and stability. These loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property).

In addition to the main types of loans discussed above, the Company also originates agricultural loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. The agricultural loan portfolio consists of loans to local farmers and agricultural businesses that are generally secured by farmland and equipment. The consumer loan portfolio consists of lending in the form of home equity loans secured by financed property and personal consumer loans, which may be secured or unsecured. The municipal loan portfolio consists of loans to qualified local municipalities, which are generally supported by the taxing authority of the borrowing municipality, and is frequently secured by collateral.

Management has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses the Company has segmented certain loans in the portfolio by product type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: agriculture loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans,

 

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residential real estate loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. Historical loss percentages for each risk category are calculated and used as the basis for calculating allowance allocations. These historical loss percentages are calculated over a four-year period for all portfolio segments.

Certain qualitative factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non-classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed for each portfolio segment:

 

   

Levels of and trends in delinquencies

 

   

Trends in volume and terms

 

   

Changes in collateral

 

   

Changes in management and lending staff

 

   

Economic trends

 

   

Concentrations of credit

 

   

Changes in lending policies

 

   

External factors

 

   

Changes in underwriting process

 

   

Trends in credit quality ratings

These qualitative factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted based upon relevant changes within the portfolio.

The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
and PPP
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

Beginning balance

  $ 120     $ 290     $ 314     $ 1,702     $ 35     $ 18     $ 310     $ 2,789  

Charge-offs

    —         (24     (18     (297     —         —         —         (339

Recoveries

    —         22       —         32       —         —         —         54  

Provision

    (97     294       503       197       (13     (3     (233     648  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15     $ 77     $ 3,152  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

Beginning balance

  $ 152     $ 312     $ 255     $ 1,707     $ 43     $ 13     $ 220     $ 2,702  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         (99     (12     —         —         (111

Recoveries

    —         —         —         7       7       —         —         14  

Provision

    (32     (22     59       87       (3     5       90       184  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 120     $ 290     $ 314     $ 1,702     $ 35     $ 18     $ 310     $ 2,789  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in the allowance for loan losses allocated to the commercial loans and commercial real estate loans can be attributed to the increase in the carrying value of loans that have been risk rated as Special Mention and Substandard as of December 31, 2021. Please see the “Credit Quality Information” section below for further details.

 

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The following table illustrates the balance of loans individually evaluated vs. collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
and PPP
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
    As of December 31, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Ending balance

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15     $ 77     $ 3,152  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 23     $ 582     $ 799     $ 1,634     $ 22     $ 15     $ 77     $ 3,152  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 9,341     $ 122,378     $ 338,749     $ 231,302     $ 7,087     $ 6,182       $ 715,039  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ 42     $ —       $ 709     $ —       $ —         $ 751  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

  $ —       $ 512     $ 4,394     $ 650     $ —       $ —         $ 5,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 9,341     $ 121,824     $ 334,355     $ 229,943     $ 7,087     $ 6,182       $ 708,732  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Agriculture
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
    Residential
Real Estate
Loan
    Consumer
Loans
    Municipal
Loans
    Unallocated
Loans
    Total  
    As of December 31, 2020  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Ending balance

  $ 120     $ 290     $ 314     $ 1,702     $ 35     $ 18       310     $ 2,789  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 120     $ 290     $ 314     $ 1,702     $ 35     $ 18       310     $ 2,789  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 11,246     $ 21,534     $ 27,261     $ 167,536     $ 2,514     $ 6,749       $ 236,840  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ —       $ 2     $ —       $ 295     $ —       $ —         $ 297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 11,246     $ 21,532     $ 27,261     $ 167,241     $ 2,514     $ 6,749       $ 236,543  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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The Company evaluated whether loans acquired in the Merger were within the scope of ASC 310-30, Receivables— Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased credit-impaired loans (“PCI”) are loans that have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. The fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans, on the acquisition date, was determined, primarily based on the fair value of loan collateral. The carrying value of purchased loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality as a result of the Merger was $5,527 at December 31, 2021.

On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the unpaid principal balance for all PCI loans acquired through the Merger was $6,627 and the estimated fair value of the loans was $5,384. Total contractually required payments on these loans, including interest, at acquisition was $8,509. The Company’s preliminary estimate of expected cash flows was $5,793 at the acquisition date. The Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount of $2,716 relating to these PCI loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value. The Company further estimated the timing and amount of expected cash flows in excess of the estimated fair value and established an accretable discount of $409 relating to these PCI loans. The remaining unamortized accretable discount at December 31, 2021 totaled $307.

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all.

The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass – loans that are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. There are four sub-grades within the Pass category to further distinguish the loan.

Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.

Substandard – loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances.

Loss – loans classified as a Loss are considered uncollectible and are immediately charged against allowances.

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

(In Thousands)

As of December 31, 2021

   Pass      Special
Mention
     Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Agriculture loans

   $ 9,341        —          —          —        $ 9,341  

Commercial and PPP loans

   $ 117,918        3,757        703        —        $ 122,378  

Commercial real estate loans

   $ 332,156        2,077        4,516        —        $ 338,749  

Residential real estate loans

   $ 228,664        1,657        981        —        $ 231,302  

Consumer loans

   $ 7,087        —          —          —        $ 7,087  

Municipal loans

   $ 6,182        —          —          —        $ 6,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 701,348      $ 7,491      $ 6,200      $ —        $ 715,039  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(In Thousands)

As of December 31, 2020

   Pass      Special
Mention
     Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Agriculture loans

   $ 11,246        —          —          —        $ 11,246  

Commercial loans

   $ 21,259        —          275        —        $ 21,534  

Commercial real estate loans

   $ 27,261        —          —          —        $ 27,261  

Residential real estate loans

   $ 166,968        —          568        —        $ 167,536  

Consumer loans

   $ 2,514        —          —          —        $ 2,514  

Municipal loans

   $ 6,749        —          —          —        $ 6,749  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 235,997      $ —        $ 843      $ —        $ 236,840  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due loans.

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or Greater
Past Due
     Total
Past Due
     Current      Purchased
Credit
Impaired
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Total > 90
Days and
Accruing
 

Agriculture loans

   $ 83      $ —        $ —        $ 83      $ 9,258      $ —        $ 9,341      $ —    

Commercial and PPP loans

     66        —          —          66        121,800        512        122,378        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     245        —          —          245        334,110        4,394        338,749        —    

Residential real estate loans

     1,427        211        869        2,507        228,145        650        231,302        762  

Consumer loans

     31        2        —          33        7,054        —          7,087        —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —          6,182        —          6,182        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,852      $ 213      $ 869      $ 2,934      $ 706,549      $ 5,556      $ 715,039      $ 762  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or Greater
Past Due
     Total
Past Due
     Current      Total
Loans
     Total > 90
Days and
Accruing
        

Agriculture loans

   $ 171      $ —        $ —        $ 171      $ 11,075      $ 11,246      $ —       

Commercial loans

     66        —          6        72        21,462        21,534        —       

Commercial real estate loans

     1,297        —          —          1,297        25,964        27,261        —       

Residential real estate loans

     1,248        831        338        2,417        165,119        167,536        147     

Consumer loans

     69        26        —          95        2,419        2,514        —       

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —          6,749        6,749        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 2,851      $ 857      $ 344      $ 4,052      $ 232,788      $ 236,840      $ 147     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Impaired Loans

The following tables present the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans and related allowance, if applicable. Also presented are the average recorded investments and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired.

 

     As of December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

With no related allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $  —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     42        61        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     709        779        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
     —          —          —    

Total

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     42        61        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     709        779        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 751      $ 840      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2020  
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

With no related allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     2        7        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     295        332        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —    

 

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     As of December 31, 2020  
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
     —          —          —    

Total

        

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     2        7        —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     295        332        —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 297      $ 339      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  
(In Thousands)    Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

        —          3        1  

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     759        20        345        11  

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 759      $ 20      $ 348      $ 12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

With an allowance recorded:

           

Agriculture loans

     —          —          —          —    

Commercial loans

     —          —          —          —    

Commercial real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Residential real estate loans

     —          —          —          —    

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —    

Municipal loans

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 759      $ 20      $ 348      $ 12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table present nonaccrual loans by classes of the loan portfolio:

 

(In Thousands)    December 31,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Agriculture loans

   $ —        $ —    

Commercial loans

     39        48  

Commercial real estate loans

     144        —    

Residential real estate loans

     449        421  

Consumer loans

     2        —    

Municipal loans

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 634      $ 469  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Approximately $338,749 or 47.4% of the Bank’s loan portfolio was in commercial real estate loans at December 31, 2021. While the Bank does not have a concentration of credit risk with any single borrower or industry, repayments on loans in these portfolios can be negatively influenced by decreases in real estate values. The Bank mitigates this risk through conservative underwriting policies and procedures. In addition, $109,226 of real estate-commercial loans were owner occupied properties as of December 31, 2021. These types of loans are generally considered to involve less risk than nonowner-occupied mortgages.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying amount of borrowings secured by loans pledged to the FHLB under its blanket lien was $0 and $1,120, respectively.

Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

A loan is considered to be a TDR loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk.

The Bank may grant a concession or modification for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider resulting in a modified loan which is then identified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Bank may modify loans through rate reductions, extensions of maturity, interest only payments, or payment modifications to better match the timing of cash flows due under the modified terms with the cash flows from the borrowers’ operations. Loan modifications are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. TDRs are considered impaired loans for purposes of calculating the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.

The Bank identifies loans for potential restructure primarily through direct communication with the borrower and evaluation of the borrower’s financial statements, revenue projections, tax returns, and credit reports. Even if the borrower is not presently in default, management will consider the likelihood that cash flow shortages, adverse economic conditions, and negative trends may result in a payment default in the near future. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had no loans identified as TDRs. There were also no new loan modifications during the periods that were considered TDRs.

COVID-19 Loan Forbearance Programs

Section 4013 of the CARES Act provides that banks may elect not to categorize a loan modification as a TDR if the loan modification is (1) related to COVID-19; (2) executed on a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019; and (3) executed between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (A) 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act terminates, or (B) January 1, 2022.

On April 7, 2020, federal banking regulators issued a revised interagency statement that included guidance on their approach for the accounting of loan modifications in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance interprets current accounting standards and indicates that a lender can conclude that a borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty if short-term modifications are made in response to COVID-19, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant related to the loans in which the borrower is less than 30 days past due on its contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented.

According to the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies on April 7, 2020, short-term loan modifications not otherwise eligible under Section 4013 that are made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no loans that remain on a CARES Act modification.

 

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In addition, the risk-rating on COVID-19 modified loans did not change, and these loans will not be considered past due until after the deferral period is over and scheduled payments resume. The credit quality of these loans will be reevaluated after the deferral period ends.

 

7.

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Year-end premises and equipment owned and utilized in the operations of the Company were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2021      2020  

Land

   $ 689      $ 821  

Buildings and improvements

     4,190        4,146  

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

     2,939        1,576  

Leasehold Improvements

     941        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,759        6,543  

Accumulated Depreciation

     (3,470      (3,115
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,289      $ 3,428  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense was $355 and $244 for 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

8.

LEASE COMMITMENTS

The following table presents information associated with our obligations under leases for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

     2021     2020  

Weighted-average remaining term (years)

     12.9       6.1  

Weighted-average discount rate

     4.9     2.4

Total lease expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $206 and $65, respectively. The Company leases its administration and operating facility and six offices under lease agreements with various expirations through February 2039.

Certain of the Company’s leases contain options to renew the lease after the initial term. Management considers the Company’s historical pattern of exercising renewal options on leases and the positive performance of the leased locations, when determining whether it is reasonably certain that the leases will be renewed. If management concludes that there is reasonable certainty about the renewal option, it is included in the calculation of the remaining term of each applicable lease.

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows due related to operating leases as of December 31, 2021:

 

(In Thousands)    Amount  

2022

   $ 403  

2023

     409  

2024

     426  

2025

     434  

2026 and thereafter

     4,424  
  

 

 

 

Total Undiscounted Cash Flows

   $ 6,096  

Discount on Cash Flows

     (1,416
  

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

   $ 4,680  
  

 

 

 

 

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9.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The change in goodwill during the year is as follows:

 

     2021      2020  

Beginning of year

   $ 2,333      $ 2,333  

Acquired Goodwill

     33,509        —    

Impairment

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 35,842      $ 2,333  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. At December 31, 2021, the Company’s reporting unit had positive equity and the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, resulting in no impairment of goodwill.

Acquired Intangible Assets

Acquired intangible assets were as follows at year-end:

 

     2021      2020  
     Gross Carrying Amount      Accumulated
Amortization
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Amortized intangible assets:

           

Core deposit intangibles

   $ 1,566      $ 589      $ 656      $ 479  

Trade name intangibles

     348        15        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,914      $ 604      $ 656      $ 479  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $125 and $65, respectively.

Expected amortization for the next five years is as follows:

 

(In Thousands)       

2022

   $ 263  

2023

     238  

2024

     212  

2025

     185  

2026

     166  

 

10.

DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 
(In Thousands)    Amount      %     Amount      %  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 129,243        16.75   $ 66,573        17.75

Demand, interest-bearing

     256,258        33.21       158,708        42.31  

Money market and savings

     205,843        26.67       69,188        18.44  

Time deposits, $250 and over

     56,266        7.29       14,253        3.80  

Time deposits, other

     124,055        16.08       66,402        17.70  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 771,665        100.0   $ 375,124        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    December 31,
2021
 

One year or less

   $ 118,629  

More than one year to two years

     36,575  

More than two years to three years

     10,754  

More than three years to four years

     9,026  

More than four years to five years

     4,888  

More than five years

     449  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 180,321  
  

 

 

 

 

11.

BORROWINGS AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

Other borrowings and subordinated debt was as follows:

 

(in Thousands)    December 31,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Long-term FHLB advances

   $ —        $ 1,120  

Subordinated Debt

     20,696        —    

Federal Reserve PPPLF

     19,814        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long-term borrowings

   $ 40,510      $ 1,120  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As part of the Merger, the Company assumed $20.0 million of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes. The notes mature October 1, 2030 and will initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% until October 1, 2025. From October 1, 2025 to the stated maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset semi-annually to an annual floating rate equal to the then-current three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread of 475 basis points, but no less than 5.0%.

The Company may redeem the the Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, on or after October 1, 2025, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Subordinated Notes are also redeemable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the indenture.

The Subordinated Notes may be included in Tier I capital (subject to certain limitations) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

The investors in the Subordinated Notes included two related party entities that are controlled by a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, which purchased a combined $19 million in principal amounts of the note.

 

12.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Retirement Plan

The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan for its eligible employees. The Plan allows employee contributions from their compensation as defined in the 401(k) Plan, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company made a 3 percent non-elective contribution to all eligible participants as of the end of the plan year, based on W-2 wages for that period. The Company also made a discretionary contribution of 6 percent of W-2 wages for the year ended December 31, 2020. Effective January 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021, the Company made a non-elective contribution of 4 percent of W-2 wages to all participants. Effective October 1, 2021, the Company matches 50 percent of the first 6 percent of the employee’s contribution, and this match is immediately vested. Matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan recognized in Compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $65 and $154, respectively.

 

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Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company has a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of members of the Board of Directors and certain officers. The plan provides all directors and certain officers with the ability to defer receipt of some or all of their director fees or salary and bonuses. The deferrals, along with accumulated earnings, are payable at retirement. The Bank has purchased life insurance policies on each director and officer that are actuarially designed to offset the annual expenses associated with the deferred compensation and the supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”). The Bank is the sole owner and beneficiary of all policies. The Bank accrues the estimated annual costs of the deferred amounts that will be payable at retirement. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the accumulated liability was approximately $1.24 million and $1.21 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized director deferred compensation cost in noninterest expense of $57 and $128.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

The Company maintains a SERP for certain executives. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the accumulated liability was $953 and $743, respectively, and is included in other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $206 and $140, respectively. Benefit payments amounted to $119 and $112 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

13.

INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of:

 

     For the Twelve Months Ended  
(In Thousands)    2021      2020  

Current tax (benefit) expense

   $ (265    $ 663  

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

     76        (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (189    $ 645  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The tax effects of deductible and taxable temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, respectively, are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    December 31,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Deferred tax assets:

     

Allowance for loan losses

   $ 706      $ 571  

Deferred compensation

     295        266  

Net fair value adjustment on acquired net assets

     1,700        59  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     2,263        67  

Other

     8        23  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     4,972        986  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Premises and equipment

   $ (350    $ (95

Net unrealized gain on debt securities

     (491      (847

Mortgage servicing rights

     (93      (58

Deferred loan fees

     0        (8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (934      (1,008
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 4,038      $ (22
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The Company also has a $10,778 net operating loss carryforward at December 31, 2021 of which $450 will begin to expire in 2030. The remaining $10,328 of net operating loss carryforward does not expire. The Company had no valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in view of the Company’s ability to realize the net deferred tax assets against future anticipated taxable income.

The reconciliation of the federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2021     2020  
(In Thousands)    Amount      % of
Pretax
Income
    Amount      % of
Pretax
Income
 

Provision at statutory rate

   $ 21        21.0   $ 1,016        21.0

Tax-exempt income on debt securities

     (291      (291.3     (299      (6.2

Bank-owned life insurance

     (53      (53.0     (39      (0.8

Non-deductible merger expenses

     149        (149.2     —          —    

Other

     (15      (14.6     (33      (0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Actual tax expense and effective rate

   $ (189      (188.6 )%    $ 645        13.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company recognized no adjustment for uncertain tax positions or unrecognized income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operation. The Company did not recognize any interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018.

 

14.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in an estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts The Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. In accordance with the fair value measurements accounting guidance (FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements), the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company uses a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires

 

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the use of significant judgment. The fair value guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels of pricing are as follows:

 

         Level I:    Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
  Level II:    Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair-valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
  Level III:    Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value are as follows:

 

     At December 31, 2021      At December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1)

   $ 22,590      $ 22,590      $ 33,162      $ 33,162  

Certificates of deposit with other banks
(Level 3)

     12,828        12,828        17,051        17,051  

Loans (Level 3)

     711,664        705,706        233,795        236,030  

Accrued interest receivable (Level 1)

     3,022        3,022        1,675        1,675  

Restricted investments in bank stock (Level 1)

     2,685        2,685        2,268        2,268  

Cash surrender value of life insurance (Level 1)

     18,787        18,787        8,941        8,941  

Financial liabilities:

           

Non-maturity deposits (Level 1)

     591,344        591,344        294,469        294,469  

Time Deposits (Level 3)

     180,321        180,485        80,655        81,164  

Long-term borrowings (Level 3)

     19,814        19,819        1,120        1,116  

Subordinated Notes (Level 3)

     20,696        20,696        —          —    

Accrued interest payable (Level 1)

     103        103        233        233  

The following tables present the assets reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are reported at fair value. These securities are valued by an independent third party. The valuations are based on market data. They utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, their evaluated pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (only obtained from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bid, offers and reference data. For certain securities additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Inputs are prioritized differently on any given day based on market conditions.

 

 

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     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

     —          1,084        —          1,084  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —          48,482        —          48,482  

Mortgage backed securities

     —          54,217        —          54,217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 103,783      $ —        $ 103,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

           

Small Business Administration loan pools

   $ —        $ 7,994      $ —        $ 7,994  

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —          52,059        —          52,059  

Mortgage backed securities

     —          65,394        —          65,394  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 125,447      $ —        $ 125,447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used as of December 31, 2021 are presented in the table below. There were no impaired loans measured at their fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2020.

 

     December 31, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 751      $ 751  

Loans Held for Sale

   $ —        $ —        $ 3,860      $ 3,860  

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Loans Held for Sale

   $ —        $ —        $ 1,015      $ 1,015  

The following tables provide information describing the valuation processes used to determine nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy:

 

     December 31, 2021  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value
Measurements
 
(In Thousands)    Fair
Value
     Valuation
Techniques
            Unobservable
Input
     Range
(Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 751       

Appraisal
of
collateral
 

 
     (1     
Liquidation
expenses

 
     10

Loans Held for Sale

   $ 3,860       

Appraisal
of
collateral
 

 
     (1     

Liquidation
of
collateral
 
 
 
     15
     December 31, 2020  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value
Measurements
 
(In Thousands)    Fair
Value
     Valuation
Techniques
            Unobservable
Input
     Range
(Weighted
Average)
 

Loans Held for Sale

   $ 1,015       

Appraisal
of
collateral
 

 
     (1     

Liquidation
of
collateral
 
 
 
     10

 

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  (1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include various Level III inputs that are not identifiable.

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors, such as economic conditions, aging, and/or estimated liquidation expenses incurred when selling the collateral. The range and weighted average of appraisal adjustments and liquidation expenses are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.

 

15.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Loans to principal officers, directors, and their affiliates during 2021 were as follows:

 

     2021  

Beginning balance

   $ 325  

New loans

     1,305  

Effect of changes in composition of related parties

     4,774  

Net repayments in existing accounts

     (28
  

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 6,376  
  

 

 

 

Deposits from principal officers, directors, and their affiliates as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $34,211 and $2,874, respectively.

Two companies owned by a Director of the Company invested in the subordinated debentures issued by the Company. Refer to Note 11 for further information.

 

16.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

As a result of the Merger, the Company assumed the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).The Plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 450,000 shares of LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock pursuant to grants of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The Plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP, Inc.’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”). Unless the Committee specifies a different vesting schedule, awards under the Plan shall be granted with a vesting rate of 20 percent per year. Vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions or at the discretion of the Committee at any time. Employees and directors of LINKBANCORP, Inc. or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the plan, except that nonemployees may not be granted incentive stock options. Stock options are either “incentive” stock options or “nonqualified” stock options. Incentive stock options have certain tax advantages and must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. The table below provides details of the Company’s stock options at December 31, 2021.

 

     Number
of Stock
Options
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in
Years
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in ‘000s)
 

Outstanding, December 31, 2020

     —        $ —          —        $ —    

Assumed in business combination

     406,000        10.19        7.9     

Granted

     35,500        12.26        7.9     

Expired/terminated

     (8,000      12.00        —       

Exercised

     (12,000      10.00        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2021

     421,500      $ 10.46        7.9      $ 780  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at period end

     145,200      $ 10.04        7.5      $ 315  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 ranged from $10.00 to $14.50. Because the stock options issued by the Company historically relate to LINKBANK employees and given

 

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the reverse acquisition accounting described in Note 1 paired with the timing of the Merger between the Company and GNBF, the Company recognized no compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

The Company determined the expected life of the stock options using a simplified method approach allowed for plain-vanilla share options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect as of the grant date. Expected volatility was determined using the calculated value method of an option pricing model that substitutes the historical volatility of an appropriate industry/sector index for the expected volatility.

 

     December 31,  
     2021     2020  

Weighted average fair value of options granted

   $ 1.13     $ 0.25  

Dividend yield

     0.00     0.00

Expected volatility

     4.36     4.36

Risk-free interest rate

     0.08     0.62

Expected life (in years)

     7.0       6.0  

Assumed forfeiture rate

     8.00     8.00

Additional information related to the stock option plan during each year follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2021      2020  

Stock-based compensation expense recognized

   $ 25      $ —    

Number of unvested stock options

     276,300        —    

Fair value of unvested stock options

   $ 210      $ —    

Amount remaining to be recognized as expense

   $ 218      $ —    

The remaining amount of $218 will be recognized ratably as expense through December 31, 2026.

 

17.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings, and other factors.

The Bank and Company are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank has met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, under-capitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If an institution is adequately capitalized,

 

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regulatory approval is required before the institution may accept brokered deposits. If an institution is undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and plans for capital restoration are required.

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face limitations on dividends, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to management based on the amount of the shortfall. Under Basel III rules, banks must hold a capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios. The required capital conservation buffer is 2.50%.

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 under the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations:

 

     December 31, 2021     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 81,355        11.50   $ 36,484        14.33

For capital adequacy purposes

     56,578        8.00       20,367        8.00  

To be well capitalized

     70,722        10.00       24,459        10.00  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 77,904        11.02   $ 33,666        13.22

For capital adequacy purposes

     42,433        6.00       15,275        6.00  

To be well capitalized

     56,578        8.00       20,367        8.00  

Common equity

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 77,904        11.02   $ 33,666        13.22

For capital adequacy purposes

     31,825        4.50       11,456        4.50  

To be well capitalized

     45,969        6.50       16,548        6.50  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to average assets)

          

Actual

   $ 77,904        8.85   $ 33,666        7.90

For capital adequacy purposes

     35,230        4.00       17,054        4.00  

To be well capitalized

     44,038        5.00       21,317        5.00  

The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, issued a rule pursuant to The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 to establish for institutions with assets of less than $10 billion a “community bank leverage ratio” (the ratio of a bank’s tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) of 9% that qualifying institutions may elect to use in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under Basel III. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule in August 2020 to lower the community bank leverage ratio to 8% beginning in the second calendar quarter of 2020 through the end of 2020. In 2021, the community bank leverage ratio increased to 8.5% for the calendar year. The community bank leverage ratio requirement will return to 9% effective January 1, 2022. If an election to use the community bank leverage ratio capital framework is made, a qualifying bank with less than $10 billion in assets with capital exceeding the specified community bank leverage ratio is considered compliant with all applicable regulatory capital and leverage requirements, including the requirement to be “well capitalized.” As of December 31, 2021, the Bank had not elected to be subject to the alternative framework.

 

 

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Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid by the Bank. The Pennsylvania Banking Code provides that cash dividends may be declared and paid out of accumulated net earnings. In addition, dividends paid by the Bank would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. Loans or advances by the Bank to the Company are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus and must have collateral securing the loans or advances.

 

18.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making and monitoring commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has a reserve related to credit losses for off-balance sheet instruments totaling $54 and $29, respectively, which is included in other liabilities.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

(In Thousands)   December 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 

Unfunded commitments under lines of credit:

   

Home equity loans

  $ 17,774     $ 6,815  

Commercial real estate, construction, and land development

    20,609       3,801  

Commercial and industrial

    100,440       35,517  

Other

    6,244       1,081  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 145,067     $ 47,214  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include personal or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment.

 

19.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the composition of earnings per share:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)   2021     2020  

Net income

  $ 289     $ 4,193  

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

    6,879,658       5,691,686  

Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants

    370,805       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    7,250,463       5,691,686  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

   

Basic

  $ 0.04     $ 0.74  

Diluted

  $ 0.04     $ 0.74  

 

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The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in future periods that were included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no dilutive securities in 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Warrants

   $ 1,537,484  

Share-based compensation awards

     161,100  
  

 

 

 

Total dilutive securities

   $ 1,698,584  
  

 

 

 

 

20.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company grants commercial, residential and consumer loans to customers primarily located in the South Central and Greater Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania. The concentration of credit by type of loan is set forth in Note 5. The debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is influenced by the region’s economy.

There are numerous risks associated with commercial loans that could impact the borrower’s ability to repay on a timely basis. They include but are not limited to, the owner’s business expertise, changes in local economies, competition, government regulation, and the general financial stability of the borrowing entity.

The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by making an analysis of the borrower’s business and industry history, its financial position, as well as that of the business owner. The Company will also require the borrower to provide financial information on the operations of the business periodically over the life of the loan. In addition, most commercial loans are secured by assets of the business or those of the business owner, which can be liquidated if the borrower defaults, along with the personal surety of the business owner.

From time to time, the Company will maintain balances with its correspondent banks that exceed the $250,000 federally insured deposit limits. Management routinely evaluates the credit worthiness of these correspondent banks and does not feel they pose significant risk to the Company.

 

21.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

All of the Company’s revenue within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 is recognized within Non-Interest Income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. ASC 606 is applicable to certain non-interest income streams, which are discussed below.

Service Charges and Activity Fees on Deposits

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of monthly ATM Income, Wire Transfer Fees, Non-Sufficient Funds Charges, and other deposit related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and, therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company’s performance obligation for wire transfers and returned deposit fees, are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Fees on loan related activity

Fees from loan related activity is comprised mostly of upfront fees recognized on Assumable Rate Conversion Agreements, where Bank originates a floating rate loan. The borrower concurrently signs an addendum to the promissory note with a third party permitting the borrower to pay a fixed rate of interest. The Bank through a master servicing agreement services the Assumable Rate Conversion between the third party and borrower.

 

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Other

Other fees are primarily comprised of Remote/Mobile Deposit Fees and other service charges. Other noninterest income consists primarily of other nonrecurring revenue which is not recorded in the categories listed above. This revenue is miscellaneous in nature and is recognized as income upon receipt.

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  

Non-interest income in-scope of Topic 606

     

Service charges and activity fees on deposits

   $ 733      $ 743  

Fees on loan related activity

     227        —    

Other

     367        82  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-interest income (in-scope of Topic 606)

     1,327        825  

Non-interest income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)

     812        929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-interest income

   $ 2,139      $ 1,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

22.

PARENT COMPANY ONLY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Condensed financial information of LINKBANCORP, Inc. follows:

Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  
     2021      2020  
(In thousands)              

ASSETS

     

Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents

   $ 276      $ 12  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     517        516  

Investment in subsidiaries

     129,181        50,169  

Other Assets

     365        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 130,339      $ 50,702  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Subordinated debt

   $ 20,696      $ —    

Other liabilities

     20        28  

Shareholders’ equity

     109,623        50,674  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 130,339      $ 50,702  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  
(in thousands)              

Income:

     

Interest income

   $ 18      $ 15  

Dividend income from subsidiaries

     724        1,433  

Expenses:

     

Interest expense

     249        —    

Other noninterest expenses

     794        261  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Years Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  
(in thousands)              

Income before income tax

     (301      1,186  

Income tax benefit

     (199      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (102      1,186  

Equity in undistributed subsidiary income

     391        3,007  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 289      $ 4,193  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

   $ (1,125    $ 6,401  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  
(in thousands)              

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     

Net income

   $ 289      $ 4,193  

Adjustments:

     

Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

     (391      (3,007

Other, net

     (72      6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (174      1,192  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     

Net cash acquired through merger and acquisition

     3,080        —    

Investments in subsidiaries

     (1,300      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

     1,780        —    

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     

Issuance of shares from exercise of stock options

     120        —    

Dividends paid

     (1,462      (1,433
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,342      (1,433
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     264        (241

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     12        253  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

   $ 276      $ 12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 15, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share of common stock to shareholders of record on February 28, 2022, resulting in $737 being paid on March 15, 2022.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

     June 30, 2021     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands, except share data)             

ASSETS

    

Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents

   $ 2,117     $ 767  

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     29,332       8,235  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     31,449       9,002  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     3,398       79,205  

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,800 at June 30, 2021, and $4,177 at December 31, 2020

     409,427       323,214  

Investments in restricted bank stock

     1,039       2,615  

Premises and equipment, net

     1,771       1,386  

Right-to-Use Asset – Premises

     4,428       —    

Bank-owned life insurance

     4,756       4,688  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     1,357       1,371  

Deferred tax asset

     3,033       98  

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     3,772       2,527  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $  464,430     $  424,106  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Deposits:

    

Demand, noninterest bearing

   $ 74,303     $ 42,374  

Interest bearing

     297,750       240,680  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     372,053       283,054  

Short-Term Borrowings

     —         41,667  

Other Borrowings

     23,087       37,315  

Subordinated Debt

     19,973       19,970  

Operating Lease Liabilities

     4,428       —    

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     1,412       1,766  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     420,953       383,772  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 4,968,089 and 4,967,089 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

     50       50  

Surplus

     50,567       50,516  

Accumulated deficit

     (7,207     (10,374

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     67       142  

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     43,477       40,334  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 464,430     $ 424,106  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021      2020      2021     2020  
(In Thousands, except per share data)              

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

          

Loans receivable, including fees

   $ 4,367      $ 3,815      $ 8,097     $ 5,981  

Other

     31        52        66       201  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

     4,398        3,867        8,163       6,182  

INTEREST EXPENSE

          

Deposits

     365        832        783       1,801  

Short-term Borrowings

     8        —          10       1  

Other Borrowings

     61        102        74       102  

Subordinated Debt

     254        —          505       —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     688        934        1,372       1,904  

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     3,710        2,933        6,791       4,278  

Provision for loan losses

     410        115        617       2,065  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     3,300        2,818        6,174       2,213  

NONINTEREST INCOME

          

Service charges on deposit accounts

     36        13        64       25  

Bank-owned life insurance

     34        36        68       73  

Other

     89        71        137       99  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     159        120        269       197  

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

          

Salaries and employee benefits

     1,840        1,639        3,746       2,937  

Occupancy

     200        226        403       422  

Equipment and data processing

     277        197        493       382  

Professional fees

     98        123        201       238  

FDIC insurance

     41        107        63       161  

Bank Shares Tax

     88        57        177       114  

Advertising

     103        13        180       33  

Merger Related Expenses

     129        —          560       —    

Other

     228        137        406       281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

     3,004        2,499        6,229       4,568  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) before income tax (benefit) expense

     455        439        214       (2,158

Income tax (benefit) expense

     53        —          (2,953     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 402      $ 439      $ 3,167     $ (2,158
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE, BASIC

   $ 0.08      $ 0.10      $ 0.64     $ (0.47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE, DILUTED

   $ 0.08      $ 0.09      $ 0.60     $ (0.47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING,

          

BASIC

     4,968,089        4,545,297        4,967,780       4,545,297  

DILUTED

     5,290,002        4,621,230        5,257,216       4,545,297  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
         2021             2020              2021             2020      
(In Thousands)              

Net income (loss)

   $  402     $  439      $  3,167     $  (2,158

Components of other comprehensive income (loss):

         

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

     (33     57        (95     133  

Tax effect

     7       —          20       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     (26     57        (75     133  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 376     $ 496      $ 3,092     $  (2,025
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

 

(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Additional
Paid-in-Capital
     Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, March 31, 2021

     4,968,089      $  50      $  50,547      $  (7,609   $ 93     $  43,081  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     —           —           —           402       —          402  

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           20        —          —          20  

Other comprehensive loss

     —           —           —           —          (26     (26
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2021

     4,968,089      $ 50      $ 50,567      $  (7,207   $ 67     $ 43,477  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Additional
Paid-in-Capital
     Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, March 31, 2020

     4,545,297      $ 45      $ 45,470      $  (11,207   $ 65     $ 34,373  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     —           —           —           439       —          439  

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           21        —          —          21  

Other comprehensive income

     —           —           —           —          57       57  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2020

     4,545,297      $ 45      $ 45,491      $  (10,768   $  122     $ 34,890  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

 

(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Additional
Paid-in-Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2020

     4,967,089      $  50      $  50,516      $  (10,374   $  142     $  40,334  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,000        —           10        —          —          10  

Net income

     —           —           —           3,167       —          3,167  

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           41        —          —          41  

Other comprehensive loss

     —           —           —           —          (75     (75
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2021

     4,968,089      $ 50      $ 50,567      $ (7,207   $ 67     $ 43,477  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
(In Thousands, except share data)    Common
Stock
Shares
     Common
Stock
Amount
     Additional
Paid-in-Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2019

     4,545,297      $ 45      $ 45,449      $ (8,610   $  (11   $ 36,873  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     —           —           —           —          —          —     

Net loss

     —           —           —           (2,158     —          (2,158

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           42        —          —          42  

Other comprehensive income

     —           —           —           —          133       133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2020

     4,545,297      $ 45      $ 45,491      $  (10,768   $ 122     $ 34,890  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

        For the Six Months Ended June 30,      
(In Thousands)   2021     2020  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES   Unaudited  

Net income (loss)

  $ 3,167     $ (2,158

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:

   

Provision for loan losses

    617       2,065  

Depreciation

    123       127  

Amortization of intangible assets

    14       16  

Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net

    23       13  

Share-based compensation

    41       42  

Amortization of premiums on purchased loans

    27       11  

Bank-owned life insurance income

    (68     (73

Deferred tax benefit

    (3,044     —    

Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets

    (1,153     (740

Change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

    (351     120  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

    (604     (577
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   

Investment securities available for sale:

   

Proceeds from calls and maturities

    75,000       47,000  

Proceeds from principal repayments

    726       1,048  

Purchases

    —         (10,171

Purchase of restricted investment in bank stocks

    (1,341     (906

Redemption of restricted investment in bank stocks

    2,917       —    

Increase in loans, net

    (86,857     (119,750

Purchase of premises and equipment

    (508     (235
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

    (10,063     (83,014
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   

Increase in deposits, net

    88,999       28,111  

Change in Short-term borrowings, net

    (41,667     (6,914

Proceeds from Long-term borrowings

    —         86,404  

Repayments of Long-term borrowings

    (14,228     —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    10       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    33,114       107,601  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

    22,447       24,010  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

    9,002       11,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

  $ 31,449     $ 35,220  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

   

Cash paid during the period for:

   

Interest

  $ 1,705     $ 1,882  

Income taxes

  $ —       $ —    

Non-Cash activities :

   

Right of Use asset

  $ 4,495     $ —    

Operating lease liability

  $ 4,495     $ —    

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

LINKBANCORP, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on April 6, 2018, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company was formed with the intent of becoming a bank holding company through acquisition of a bank.

On September 17, 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (PADOBS) approved the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of Stonebridge Bank, subject to recapitalization of the Bank and continued compliance with capital ratios outlined in Note 12. On October 5, 2018, LINKBANCORP, Inc. purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Stonebridge Bank, from its former parent company Stonebridge Financial Corp. under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. LINKBANCORP subsequently renamed the bank LINKBANK (the “Bank”). The Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. The Bank’s operations are conducted from its three Solution Centers in Camp Hill, West Chester, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Company’s corporate office resides in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. As a state chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (the PADOBS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC). The Company is regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the FDIC.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting practices of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and to general practices within the banking industry. The following summarized the more significant of these policies and practices.

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 loan losses, and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Interim Financial Information (Continued)

 

indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2021. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 contained in the Company’s definitive prospectus dated August 12, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Securities Act Rule 424(b)(3) on August 12, 2021.

Acquisition Method of Accounting

The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to estimate the fair value of the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The estimated fair values are based on available information and current economic conditions at the date of acquisition. Fair value may be obtained from independent appraisers, discounted cash flow present value techniques, management valuation models, quoted prices on national markets or quoted market prices from brokers. These fair value estimates will affect future earnings through the disposition or amortization of the underlying assets and liabilities. Accounting for business combination under GAAP acquisition method prohibits “carrying over” valuation allowances, such as the allowance for loan losses. Uncertainties relating to the expected future cash flows are reflected in the fair value measurement of the acquired loans and reflected in the purchase price. The Company will establish loan loss allowances for the acquired loans in periods after the acquisition, but only for losses incurred on these loans due to credit deterioration after acquisition.

For business acquisitions, whereby the Company acquires loans that have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination, the Company will classify these loans as purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans. The Company will determine which loans will be classified as PCI loans based on borrower payment history, past due status, loan credit grading, value of underlying collateral and other factors that affect the collectability of contractual cash flows. Under GAAP, purchasers are permitted to individually evaluate or collectively aggregate PCI loans into pools. PCI loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter may be assembled into one or more pools with common risk characteristics. Once pooled, a single composite interest rate is used to determine aggregate expected cash flows for each respective pool. PCI loans are recorded on the acquisition date at fair value. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each individually analyzed loan. Estimated cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

On a quarterly basis, the Company will update the amount of loan principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, incorporating assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, the amounts and timing of prepayments and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected loan principal cash flows trigger the recognition of impairment, which is then measured as the present value of the expected principal loss plus any related foregone interest cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Impairments that occur after the acquisition date are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Probable and significant increases in expected cash flows would first reverse any previously recorded allowance for loan losses; any remaining increases are recognized prospectively as interest income. The impacts of (i) prepayments, (ii) changes in variable interest rates, and (iii) any other changes in the timing of expected cash flows are recognized prospectively as adjustments to interest income. Disposals of loans, which may include sales of loans, receipt of payments in full by the borrower, or foreclosure, result in removal of the loan from the PCI portfolio.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible

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 measure at fair value and then amortized over the expected life on an accelerated basis using projected decay rates of the underlying core deposits. 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 December 31 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from banks. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Short-term investments include interest bearing-deposits with banks with an original maturity of less than 90 days.

Investment Securities

Available for sale – Debt 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 assets 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

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Investment Securities (Continued)

 

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 income 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.

Investment securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the portion of the decline related to credit impairment is charged to earnings.

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 loan 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 Bank 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: commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and commercial real estate. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate, home equity, and other consumer.

Loan origination fees are deferred, and certain direct origination costs are capitalized. The net amounts are deferred and are recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes, including troubled debt restructurings, 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

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Loans Receivable (Continued)

 

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 Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to operations. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. There were no material changes in the Bank’s accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan losses during the three months ended and six months ended June 30, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering historical experience, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.

The historical loss component of the allowance is determined by losses recognized by portfolio segment over the preceding sixteen quarters. This is supplemented by the risks for each portfolio segment. Risk factors impacting loans in each of the portfolio segments include broad deterioration of property values, reduced consumer, and business spending as a result of unemployment and reduced credit availability and lack of confidence in the economy. The historical experience is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: (a) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; (b) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (c) changes in levels or trends in charge-offs and recoveries; (d) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss; (e) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (f) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (g) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (h) quality of loan review; (i) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions. The Company uses peer data when they have insufficient history to use their own loss data. The peer group is made up of various Bank’s with similar size and geographical location to obtain comparable data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage loan segments by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment disclosures.

Investment in Restricted Stock, at Cost

The Company holds restricted stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Pittsburgh and the Atlantic Community Bancshares, Inc. (“ACBB”) which is carried at cost. The Company holds $24,000 of ACBB stock at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company holds $1,015,000 and $2,591,000 of FHLB stock at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The FHLB stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost, and evaluated for impairment as necessary. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted; (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance; (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB; and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.

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.

Premises and Equipment

Leasehold improvements and furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimate useful lives for furniture and equipment from three to ten years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lease term or estimated life of the improvement, if shorter.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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.

Income Taxes

The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Bank determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. The Bank recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

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.

Share-based Compensation

The Bank follows the provisions of ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation. This standard requires the Bank to recognize the cost of employee and organizer services received in share-based payment transactions and measure the cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost will be recognized over the period during which the employee or organizer is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employee’s service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Share-based Compensation (Continued)

 

awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the fair value of the Company’s common stock as the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards.

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 June 30, 2021 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.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) represents net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that may be issued related to outstanding stock options are determined using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the composition of earnings per share:

 

(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021      2020      2021      2020  

Net income

   $ 402      $ 439      $ 3,167      $ (2,158

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     4,968,089        4,545,297        4,967,780        4,545,297  

Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants

     321,913        75,933        289,436        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     5,290,002        4,621,230        5,257,216        4,545,297  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.08      $ 0.10      $ 0.64      $ (0.47

Diluted

   $ 0.08      $ 0.09      $ 0.60      $ (0.47

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Earnings Per Share (Continued)

The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in future periods that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. There were no anti-dilutive securities in 2021.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020
 

Warrants

   $ 1,537,484  

Share-based compensation awards

     74,800  
  

 

 

 

Total anti-dilutive securities

   $ 1,612,284  
  

 

 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A short-term lease is defined as one in which (a) the lease term is 12 months or less, and (b) there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. For short-term leases, lessees may elect to recognize lease payments over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), which, among other things, provides an additional transition method that would allow entities to not apply the guidance in ASU 2016-02 in the comparative periods presented in the financial statements and instead recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 and its related amendments as of January 1, 2021, which resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets totaling $3.8 million, as well as lease liabilities totaling $3.8 million. The Company elected to adopt the transition relief provisions from ASU 2018-11 and recorded the impact of adoption as of January 1, 2021, without restating any prior-year amounts or disclosures. There was no cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings required.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be affected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This Update is effective for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (Continued)

 

companies, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We expect to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which added to ASU 2020-04 on optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a onetime election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified our loan receivables that have an interest rate indexed to LIBOR and is currently assessing the appropriate transition path. As such, the Company does not have an estimate of the financial impact of this update but does not expect the impact to be material to the financial statements of the Company.

 

2.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

U.S. treasury securities

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    

Mortgage backed securities, residential

     3,313        85        —          3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 3,313      $ 85      $ —        $ 3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

  

U.S. treasury securities

   $ 75,000      $ —        $ (1    $ 74,999  

Mortgage backed securities, residential

     4,063        143        —          4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 79,063      $ 143      $ (1    $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

2.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

The investments in U.S. treasury securities at December 31, 2020 are made of up two U.S. treasury securities that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months. The unrealized loss position relates principally to changes in interest rates subsequent to the acquisition of the securities. The securities were made up of U.S. treasuries and management believe there is no credit risk and therefore, no other-than-temporary impairment.

All mortgage-backed security investments are government sponsored enterprises (“GSE”) pass-through instruments issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), which guarantee the timely payment of principal on acquisition of the specific securities.

Amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity, where applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrower may have the right to prepay obligations with or without penalty.

 

(In Thousands)    June 30, 2021  
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

     

1 year or less

   $ —        $ —    

Mortgage-backed securities, residential

     3,313        3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,313      $ 3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
(In Thousands)    December 31, 2020  
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Available for Sale:

     

1 year or less

   $ 75,000      $ 74,999  

Mortgage-backed securities, residential

     4,063        4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 79,063      $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

3.

LOANS RECEIVABLE

The portfolio segments and classes of loans are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 129,835      $ 101,370  

Construction and land development

     25,177        20,935  

Real estate - commercial

     193,488        145,800  

Real estate - residential

     41,891        37,302  

Real estate - home equity

     21,987        20,218  

Consumer

     3,429        2,622  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     415,807      328,247  

Less:

     

Deferred fees

     (1,580      (856

Allowance for loan losses

     (4,800      (4,177
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 409,427      $ 323,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     

The Company originates commercial, residential, and consumer loans within its primary market areas of southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania. A significant portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate.

Since April 2020, the Company has participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered directly by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The PPP provides loans to small businesses who were affected by economic conditions as a result of COVID-19 to provide cash-flow assistance to employers who maintain their payroll (including healthcare and certain related expenses), mortgage interest, rent, leases, utilities and interest on existing debt during the COVID-19 emergency. As of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding principal balances of $63,358 and $40,953, respectively. The PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and may be eligible for forgiveness by the SBA to the extent that the proceeds are used to cover eligible payroll costs, interest costs, rent, and utility costs. PPP loans deemed eligible for forgiveness by the SBA will be repaid by the SBA to the Company. PPP loans are included in the Commercial and Industrial category.

In accordance with the SBA terms and conditions on these PPP loans, the Company received approximately $5.0 million in fees associated with the processing of these loans. For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $545 and $1,417 in fees relating to PPP loans, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $1,401 and $1,417 in fees relating to PPP loans, respectively. These fees are deferred upon receipt are amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield in accordance with FASB ASC 310-20-25-2.

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan segments used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio and, therefore, no further disaggregation is considered

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

necessary. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans on commercial and, to a lesser extent residential property. The portfolio also includes commercial loans, and consumer loans.

The Company’s primary lending activity is the origination of commercial loans extended to small and mid-sized commercial and industrial entities.

Commercial loans are primarily underwritten on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to service such debt from income. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any equipment, or other chattel, although loans may also be made on an unsecured basis. Collateralized working capital loans typically are secured by short-term assets whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.

Construction and Land loans are to finance the construction of owner-occupied and income producing properties. These loans are categorized as construction loans during the construction period, later converting to commercial or one-to-four family residential loans after the construction is complete and amortization of the loan begins. Real estate development and construction loans are approved based on an analysis of the borrower and guarantor, the viability of the project and on an acceptable percentage of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Construction loan funds are disbursed periodically based on the percentage of construction or development completed. The Company carefully monitors these loans with on-site inspections and requires the receipt of lien waivers on funds advanced. The Company considers the market conditions and feasibility of proposed projects, the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and guarantors, the amount of the borrower’s equity in the project, independent appraisals, cost estimates and pre-construction sale information. The Company also makes loans on occasion for the purchase of land for future development by the borrower. Land loans are extended for the future development for either commercial or residential use by the borrower. The Company carefully analyzes the intended use of the property and the viability thereof.

The Company’s commercial real estate loans consist of mortgage loans secured by nonresidential real estate, such as by apartment buildings, small office buildings, and owner-occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are secured by the subject property and are underwritten based on loan to value limits, cash flow coverage and general creditworthiness of the obligors. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances and their repayment is typically dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying real estate.

Residential real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, credit history and stability. These loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property).

Home equity loans consists of either revolving line of credit, term, or second mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate. These loans are secured by a first or second lien on the borrower’s residence. There are minimum credit score standards, loan-to-value, and other credit requirements. Home equity lines of credit are variable rate based on an index of Wall Street Journal prime rate with a margin.

The consumer loan portfolio consists of lending in the form of home equity loans secured by financed property and personal consumer loans, which may be secured or unsecured.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Management has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses the Company has segmented certain loans in the portfolio by product type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: agriculture loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, residential real estate loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. Historical loss percentages for each risk category are calculated and used as the basis for calculating allowance allocations. These historical loss percentages are calculated over a four-year period for all portfolio segments.

Certain qualitative factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non-classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed for each portfolio segment:

 

   

Levels of and trends in delinquencies

 

   

Trends in volume and terms

 

   

Changes in collateral

 

   

Changes in management and lending staff

 

   

Economic trends

 

   

Concentrations of credit

 

   

Changes in lending policies

 

   

External factors

 

   

Changes in underwriting process

 

   

Trends in credit quality ratings

These qualitative factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted based upon relevant changes within the portfolio.

The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. (in thousands)

 

   

Commercial

and

    Industrial    

   

Construction

and Land

Development

   

Real

Estate

Commercial

   

Real
Estate

Residential

   

Real
Estate

Home
  Equity  

   

Consumer

    Other    

   

Unallocated

   

  Total  

 
    For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

             

Beginning balance

  $ 901     $ 408     $ 2,343     $ 484     $ 219     $ 31     $ —       $ 4,386  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    2       —         —         2       —         —         —         4  

Provision

    73       84       177       24       36       16       —         410  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 976     $ 492     $ 2,520     $ 510     $ 255     $ 47     $ —       $ 4,800  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 904     $ 226     $ 1,638     $ 526     $ 103     $ 76     $ 171     $ 3,644  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    4       —         —         3       —         —         —         5  

Provision

    32       100       127       (32     (6     (62     (44     115  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 940       326     $ 1,765     $ 497     $ 97     $ 14     $ 127     $ 3,766  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-109


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the six month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. (in thousands)

 

   

Commercial

and

    Industrial    

   

Construction

and Land

Development

   

Real

Estate

Commercial

   

Real Estate

 Residential 

   

Real
Estate

Home
  Equity  

   

Consumer

    Other    

   

Unallocated

   

  Total  

 
    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

             

Beginning balance

  $ 1,002     $ 397     $ 2,082     $ 418     $ 242     $ 35     $ 1     $ 4,177  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    3       —         —         3       —         —         —         6  

Provision

    (29     95       438       89       13       12       (1     617  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 976     $ 492     $ 2,520     $ 510     $ 255     $ 47     $ —       $ 4,800  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 623     $ 170     $ 598     $ 214     $ 45     $ 9     $ 30     $ 1,689  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    6       —         —         6       —         —         —         12  

Provision

    311       156       1,167       277       52       5       97       2,065  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 940       326     $ 1,765     $ 497     $ 97     $ 14     $ 127     $ 3,766  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-110


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following table illustrates the balance of loans individually evaluated vs. collectively evaluated for impairment at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. (in thousands)

 

   

Commercial

and

    Industrial    

   

Construction

and Land

Development

   

Real
Estate

Commercial

   

Real Estate

 Residential 

   

Real
Estate

Home
  Equity  

   

Consumer

    Other    

   

Unallocated

   

  Total  

 
    As of June 30, 2021  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

             

Ending balance

  $ 976     $ 492     $ 2,520     $ 510     $ 255     $ 47     $ —       $ 4,800  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 45     $ —       $ 37     $ 17     $ —       $ 3     $ —       $ 102  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 931     $ 492     $ 2,483     $ 493     $ 255     $ 44     $ —       $ 4,698  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 129,835     $ 25,177     $ 193,488     $ 41,891     $ 21,987     $ 3,429       $ 415,807  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 950     $ —       $ 4,916     $ 823     $ —         3       $ 6,692  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 128,885     $ 25,177     $ 188,572     $ 41,068     $ 21,987     $ 3,426       $ 409,115  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

    Commercial
and
Industrial
    Construction
and Land
Development
    Real
Estate
Commercial
    Real
Estate
Residential
    Real
Estate

Home
Equity
    Consumer
Other
    Unallocated     Total  
    As of December 31, 2020  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

             

Ending balance

  $ 1,002     $ 397     $ 2,082     $ 418     $ 242     $ 35     $ 1     $ 4,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 111     $ —       $ —       $ 18     $ —         3       —       $ 132  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 891     $ 397     $ 2,082     $ 400     $ 242       32       1     $ 4,045  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

               

Ending balance

  $ 101,370     $ 20,935     $ 145,800     $ 37,302     $ 20,218     $ 2,622       $ 328,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
               

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 1,081     $ —       $ 230     $ 331     $ —       $ 3       $ 1,645  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 100,289     $ 20,935     $ 145,570     $ 36,971     $ 20,218     $ 2,619       $ 326,602  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all.

The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass – loans that are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. There are four sub-grades within the Pass category to further distinguish the loan.

Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.

Substandard – loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Credit Quality Information (Continued)

 

Doubtful – loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances.

Loss – loans classified as a Loss are considered uncollectible and are immediately charged against allowances.

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

(In Thousands)           Special
Mention
                      
As of June 30, 2021    Pass      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 125,705      $ 3,180      $ 950      $ —        $ 129,835  

Construction and land development

     25,177        —          —          —          25,177  

Real estate - commercial

     188,367        4,568        553        —          193,488  

Real estate - residential

     41,559        107        225        —          41,891  

Real estate - home equity

     21,987        —          —          —          21,987  

Consumer

     3,426        —          3        —          3,429  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 406,221      $ 7,855      $ 1,731      $ —        $ 415,807  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(In Thousands)           Special
Mention
                      
As of December 31, 2020    Pass      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 100,289      $ —        $ 1,081      $ —        $ 101,370  

Construction and land development

     20,935        —          —          —          20,935  

Real estate - commercial

     145,358        212        230        —          145,800  

Real estate - residential

     36,892        142        268        —          37,302  

Real estate - home equity

     20,155        —          63        —          20,218  

Consumer

     2,619        —          3        —          2,622  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 326,248      $ 354      $ 1,645      $ —        $ 328,247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

F-113


Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Credit Quality Information (Continued)

 

The following tables present an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due loans.

 

     June 30, 2021  
(In Thousands)   

30-59
Days

Past
    Due    

    

60-89
Days

Past
    Due    

    

90 Days
or Greater

Past
     Due     

    

Total
Past

    Due    

    

  Current  

    

Total

  Loans  

    

Total > 90
Days and

  Accruing  

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,878      $ —        $ —        $ 1,878      $ 127,957      $ 129,835      $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          25,177        25,177        —    

Real estate - commercial

     2,779        —          —          2,779        190,709        193,488        —    

Real estate - residential

     150        225        —          375        41,516        41,891        —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          21,987        21,987        —    

Consumer

     —          14        —          14        3,415        3,429        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,807      $ 239      $ —        $ 5,046        410,761      $ 415,807      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)   

30-59
Days

Past
    Due    

    

60-89
Days

Past
    Due    

    

90 Days
or Greater

Past
     Due     

    

Total
Past

    Due    

    

  Current  

    

Total

  Loans  

    

Total > 90
Days and

  Accruing  

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 10      $ —        $ —        $ 10      $ 101,360      $ 101,370      $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          20,935        20,935        —    

Real estate - commercial

     480        —          156        636        145,164        145,800        —    

Real estate - residential

     711        719        133        1,563        35,739        37,302        97  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          20,218        20,218        —    

Consumer

     —          —          —          —          2,622        2,622        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,201      $ 719      $ 289      $ 2,209      $ 326,038      $ 328,247      $ 97  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Impaired Loans

The following tables present the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans and related allowance, if applicable. Also presented are the average recorded investments and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired.

 

     As of June 30, 2021  
(In Thousands)   

Recorded

    Investment    

    

Unpaid

Principal

    Balance    

    

Related

    Allowance    

 

With no related allowance recorded:

  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 526      $ 526      $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     2,431        2,431        —    

Real estate - residential

     789        789        —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Commercial and industrial

   $ 424      $ 424      $ 45  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     2,485        2,485        37  

Real estate - residential

     34        34        17  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3  

Total 

        

Commercial and industrial

   $ 950        950        45  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     4,916        4,916        37  

Real estate - residential

     823        823        17  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,692        6,692        102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     As of December 31, 2020  

With no related allowance recorded:

     

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —        $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     230        230        —    

Real estate - residential

     295        295        —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

        

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,081      $ 1,081      $ 111  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —          —    

Real estate - residential

     36        36        18  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3  

Total 

        

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,081        1,081        111  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     230        230        —    

Real estate - residential

     331        331        18  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,645      $ 1,645      $ 132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Impaired Loans (Continued)

 

    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2021     2020  
(In Thousands)   Average
Recorded
    Investment    
    Interest Income
    Recognized    
    Average
Recorded
    Investment    
    Interest Income
    Recognized    
 

With no related allowance recorded:

       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 548     $ 7     $ 762     $ 10  

Construction and land development

    —         —         —         —    

Real estate - commercial

    2,435       16       2,426       26  

Real estate - residential

    790       8       812       11  

Real estate - home equity

    —         —         —         —    

Consumer

    —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    3,773       31       4,000       47  

With an allowance recorded:

       

Commercial and industrial

    424     $ 4     $ 499     $ 6  

Construction and land development

    —         —         —         —    

Real estate - commercial

    2,486       10       2,532       31  

Real estate - residential

    35       —         38       1  

Real estate - home equity

    —         —         —         —    

Consumer

    3       —         4       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,948       14       3,073       38  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 6,721     $ 45     $ 7,073     $ 85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2021     2020  
(In Thousands)   Average
Recorded
Investment
    Interest Income
Recognized
    Average
Recorded
Investment
    Interest Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 584     $ 15     $ 783     $ 20  

Construction and land development

    —         —         —         —    

Real estate - commercial

    2,435       34       2,431       55  

Real estate - residential

    793       17       816       22  

Real estate - home equity

    —         —         —         —    

Consumer

    —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    3,812       66       4,030       97  

With an allowance recorded:

       

Commercial and industrial

    424     $ 9     $ 499     $ 13  

Construction and land development

    —         —         —         —    

Real estate - commercial

    2,491       41       2,538       63  

Real estate - residential

    35       —         38       1  

Real estate - home equity

    —         —         —         —    

Consumer

    3       —         4       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,953       50       3,079       77  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 6,765     $ 116     $ 7,109     $ 174  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Impaired Loans (Continued)

 

The following table present nonaccrual loans by classes of the loan portfolio:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     250        —    

Real estate - residential

     261        100  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —    

Consumer

     3        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 514      $ 103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The recorded investment in non-accrual loans was $514 and $103 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Approximately $218,665 or 52.6% of the Bank’s loan portfolio was in real estate-commercial loans and construction and land development loans at June 30, 2021. While the Bank does not have a concentration of credit risk with any single borrower or industry, repayments on loans in these portfolios can be negatively influenced by decreases in real estate values. The Bank mitigates this risk through conservative underwriting policies and procedures. In addition, $60,126 of real estate-commercial loans were owner occupied properties as of June 30, 2021. These types of loans are generally considered to involve less risk than nonowner-occupied mortgages.

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of borrowings secured by loans pledged to the FHLB under its blanket lien was $20,000 and $61,667, respectively.

Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

A loan is considered to be a TDR loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk.

The Bank may grant a concession or modification for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider resulting in a modified loan which is then identified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Bank may modify loans through rate reductions, extensions of maturity, interest only payments, or payment modifications to better match the timing of cash flows due under the modified terms with the cash flows from the borrowers’ operations. Loan modifications are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. TDRs are considered impaired loans for purposes of calculating the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.

The Bank identifies loans for potential restructure primarily through direct communication with the borrower and evaluation of the borrower’s financial statements, revenue projections, tax returns, and credit reports. Even if the borrower is not presently in default, management will consider the likelihood that cash flow shortages, adverse economic conditions, and negative trends may result in a payment default in the near future. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had no loans identified as TDR’s. There were also no new loan modifications during the periods that were considered TDRs.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

COVID-19 Loan Forbearance Programs

Section 4013 of the CARES Act provides that banks may elect not to categorize a loan modification as a TDR if the loan modification is (1) related to COVID-19; (2) executed on a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019; and (3) executed between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (A) 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act terminates, or (B) January 1, 2022.

On April 7, 2020, federal banking regulators issued a revised interagency statement that included guidance on their approach for the accounting of loan modifications in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance interprets current accounting standards and indicates that a lender can conclude that a borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty if short-term modifications are made in response to COVID-19, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant related to the loans in which the borrower is less than 30 days past due on its contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented.

According to the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies on April 7, 2020, short-term loan modifications not otherwise eligible under Section 4013 that are made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant.

During 2020, our customers had requested 82 loan payment deferrals or payments of interest only on loans totaling $53,700. In accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act and the interagency guidance issued on April 7, 2020, these short-term deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 9 loans totaling $17,708 that remain on a CARES Act modification.

In addition, the risk-rating on COVID-19 modified loans did not change, and these loans will not be considered past due until after the deferral period is over and scheduled payments resume. The credit quality of these loans will be reevaluated after the deferral period ends.

 

5.

DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30, 2021     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Amount      %     Amount      %  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 74,303        19.97   $ 42,374        14.97

Demand, interest-bearing

     31,666        8.51       15,883        5.61  

Money market and savings

     132,412        35.59       81,756        28.88  

Time deposits, $250 and over

     45,214        12.15       47,112        16.64  

Time deposits, other

     88,458        23.78       95,929        33.89  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 372,053        100.0   $ 283,054        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

5.

DEPOSITS (Continued)

 

The scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30, 2021      December 31,
2020
 

One year or less

   $ 109,784      $ 122,859  

More than one year to two years

     12,432        13,441  

More than two years to three years

     9,376        5,921  

More than three years to four years

     1,739        288  

More than four years to five years

     341        532  

More than five years

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 133,672      $ 143,041  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Time deposits include those in denominations of $250 or more. Such deposits aggregated $45,214 and $47,112 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. There were $20,000 brokered deposits outstanding at June 30, 2021 maturing in November 2021 and $25,000 in brokered deposits as of December 31, 2020 maturing in January 2021.

 

6.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The outstanding balances and related information of short-term borrowings represent federal funds purchased and short-term advances with the FHLB are summarized as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30, 2021     December 31,
2020
 

Balance at period end

   $ —       $ 41,667  

Average balance outstanding

     6,330       474  

Maximum month-end balance

     20,833       41,667  

Weighted-average rate at period end

     0.00     0.35

Weighted-average rate during the period

     0.15     0.35

Average balances outstanding during the period represent daily average balances.

The Company had no short-term borrowings at June 30, 2021. The Company had $41.7 million in 13-day FHLB advances at December 31, 2020 which matured on January 5, 2021. Borrowings from the FHLB of Pittsburgh are secured by FHLB stock, qualifying loans, and investments. The Company maintains stock in the FHLB of Pittsburgh of $1,015 as of June 30, 2021 and $2,591 as of December 31, 2020. The Company has a maximum borrowing capacity with the FHLB of approximately $132,756 of which $20,000 was outstanding at June 30, 2021.

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company also has lines of credit at three financial institutions that would allow the Company to borrow up to $25,000. None of the credit lines were drawn upon at June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020 .

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

7.

OTHER BORROWINGS AND SUBORDINATED DEBT

The Company’s other Borrowings consisted of:

 

(in Thousands)    June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Long-term FHLB advances

   $ 20,000      $ 20,000  

Subordinated Debt

     19,973        19,970  

Federal Reserve PPPLF

     3,087        17,315  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long-term borrowings

   $ 43,060      $ 57,285  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

All borrowings from the FHLB are secured by a blanket lien on qualified collateral, defined principally as investment securities and mortgage loans, which are owned by the Company, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances.

Contractual maturities and scheduled cash flows of Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances, in thousands, consist of the following at June 30, 2021:

 

Type

   Amount      Rate     Due in  

Mid Term Repo Fixed Rate

   $ 5,000        0.91     2023  

Fixed Rate

     5,000        0.97     2024  

Fixed Rate

     5,000        1.10     2025  

Fixed Rate

     3,000        1.01     2025  

Fixed Rate

     2,000        1.02     2025  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   
   $ 20,000        1.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

In April 2020, the Federal Reserve initiated the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) , which is designed to facilitate lending by financial institutions to small businesses under the PPP provision of the CARES Act. Only PPP loans are eligible to serve as collateral for the PPPLF, with each dollar of PPP loans providing one dollar of advance availability. The maturity date of an extension of credit under the PPPLF will equal the maturity date of the pool of PPP loans pledged to secure the extension of credit. Any principal payments received by the financial institution on the PPP loans, such as PPP loan forgiveness payments from the Small Business Administration or principal payments from the borrower after the initial six -month deferment period, must be used to pay down the PPPLF advance by the same dollar amount, maintaining the dollar-for-dollar advance amount and PPP aggregate loan balance relationship. The interest rate on PPPLF advances is fixed at 0.35%. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s advances under the PPPLF totaled $3,084.

On September 30, 2020, the Company accepted subscriptions for and sold, at 100% of their principal amount, an aggregate of $20,000 of subordinated notes (the “Notes”), on a private placement basis, to accredited investors. The investors included companies owned and controlled by a director of the Company, which purchased $19,000 in principal amount of the Notes. The Notes bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year for five years and then float at an index tied to the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”). The Notes have a term of ten years and have a maturity date of October 1, 2030. The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, subject to any required regulatory approvals after five years. The Company contributed $15,000 of the proceeds from the Notes to the Bank as equity capital to support the Bank’s continued growth, including ongoing lending activities.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

8.

INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)         2021                2020       

Current tax expense

   $ 91      $ —    

Deferred tax benefit

     (3,044      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (2,953    $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The tax effects of deductible and taxable temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, respectively, are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Deferred tax assets:

     

Allowance for loan losses

   $ 1,008      $ 877  

Fair value adjustment on acquired loans

     515        535  

Alternative minimum tax credit

     98        98  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     1,665        1,872  

Other

     (253      (240
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

     3,033        3,142  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

     —          (3,044
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 3,033      $ 98  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely- than-not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could change in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period change and the deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability. During formation year for the Company of 2018, the Company generated a pre-tax loss and since there was no verifiable evidence that the Company would be profitable in the near future, a full deferred tax asset valuation allowance was established at December 31, 2018 and had been maintained through December 31, 2020.

At March 31, 2021, Management updated its realizability analysis over the deferred tax asset and reached the determination that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized in future periods. As such, the Company recorded a complete reversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance as of March 31, 2021. The Company considered all available evidence and applied judgment in determining the effect of positive and negative evidence and the weight that should be given to that evidence based on its ability to objectively verify it. In the assessing and weighing the positive evidence against the negative evidence, Management determined that more weight could be placed on the positive evidence while the context surrounding the accumulated losses allowed the Company to

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

8.

INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

place a slightly lower weight on the negative evidence. The only piece of negative evidence that management identified was the cumulative loss that the Company has incurred from its inception in October 2018 through March 31, 2021. While ASC 740-10-30-21 states that forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years, management also notes that ASC 740-10-30-17 states, “Sometimes, however, historical information may not be available (for example, start-up operations) or it may not be as relevant (for example, if there has been a significant, recent change in circumstances) and special attention is required.” Management notes that the Company’s circumstances apply to ASC 740-10-30-17. Through March 31, 2020, the Company had an accumulated loss of $11.2 million, which is the result of incurring start-up costs, increased costs associated with remediating the regulatory consent order that the bank was under at the time that the Company purchased the bank charter out of bankruptcy, and costs associated with the establishment of sound banking processes and procedures. Strong positive evidence that can overcome such negative evidence, however, is a recent history of sustainable pre-tax income. The Company achieved positive pre-tax income, excluding merger costs in its four most recent quarters as of March 31, 2021. As a result of this recent profitability, the Company utilized $284 thousand of net operating losses in 2020. The Company achieved the transition from pre-tax losses to pre-tax income through organic growth. Since December 31, 2018 through March 31, 2021, the Company grew its interest earning assets from $79.9 million to $405.7 million, which represents a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 106%. Our improvements in operating profitability has been driven by the Company’s rapid growth since inception and its ability to generate revenue producing assets to a level that sufficiently covers our funding costs and direct operating costs along with our corporate overhead. The Company’s primary business is driven by our net interest spread which is generated through monthly recurring interest income earned on loans reduced by the cost of deposits and borrowings. During 2020, the U.S. economy was negatively affected on a significant level as a result of the COVID 19 global pandemic yet during 2020, the Company grew its net interest spread in comparison to 2019 and during the first quarter of 2021, we further grew our net interest spread despite the continued low interest rate environment in our markets and in the U.S. This was achieved because our Company continues to evolve from a de novo institution to a more mature financial institution and as part of that evolution, we have been able to generate a greater amount of lower cost deposits as we build customer relationships which allows us to place less reliance on non-core, higher cost funding options. This growth as a Company helps support the assumption that our pre-tax income growth is sustainable and reasonable.

With respect to the material assumptions underlying the Company’s determination of the expected U.S. pre-tax income needed to realize its deferred tax assets, it understands that forecasts are inherently subjective and that it is generally preferred that the source of positive evidence for the utilization of the deferred tax assets comes from what has already been demonstrated or is otherwise objectively verifiable. Accordingly, the foundation of the projection process is the amount and trend of pre-tax income during the past year because this evidence is typically the most objective indicator available. At the end of 2020, the Company prepared a forecast of pre-tax income, exclusive of merger expenses, for 2021 based on the existing loan and deposit portfolios along with growth projections. The Company’s pre-tax income for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 yielded annualized results of an assumed full year pre-tax income of approximately $800 thousand, which is relatively consistent with the forecast of pre-tax income prepared for 2021.

At June 30, 2021, Management updated the aforementioned March 31, 2021 analysis and continues to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized in future periods.

 

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Table of Contents

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

8.

INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had federal net operating loss carry forwards of $7,930. Approximately $489 of these net operating loss carryforwards are subject to Section 382 limitations.

 

9.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 14, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).The plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 450,000 share of LINK BANCORP common stock pursuant to grants of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee. Unless the Committee specifies a different vesting schedule, awards under the Plan shall be granted with a vesting rate of 20 percent per year. Vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions or at the discretion of the Committee at any time. Employees and directors of LINKBANCORP or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the plan, except that nonemployees may not be granted incentive stock options. Stock options are either “incentive” stock options or “nonqualified” stock options. Incentive stock options have certain tax advantages and must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

     Number
of Stock
Options
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in
Years
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(in ‘000s)
 

Outstanding, December 31, 2020

     396,000      $ 10.10        8.6      $ 455  

Granted

     30,000        11.77        9.7     

Expired/terminated

     1,200        10.00        —       

Exercised

     1,000        10.00        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Outstanding, June 30, 2021

     423,800      $ 10.19        8.2      $ 1,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at period end

     146,700      $ 10.00        8.0      $ 550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The exercise prices for options outstanding as of June 30, 2021 ranged from $10.00 to $11.78. During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $20 and $21. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $41 and $42. At June 30, 2021, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs totaled $248 and will be recognized ratably as expense through December 31, 2026.

 

10.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making and monitoring commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. As of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, The Company has a reserve related to credit losses for off-balance sheet instruments totaling $25, which is included in other liabilities.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

10.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK (Continued)

 

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

(In Thousands)    June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Unfunded commitments under lines of credit:

     

Home equity loans

   $ 17,278      $ 17,483  

Commercial real estate, construction, and land development

     15,217        10,252  

Commercial and industrial

     50,403        33,471  

Other

     22,810        3,937  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 105,708      $ 65,143  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include personal or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment.

 

11.

LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), the Company determined that two of its three office locations are under operating leases. Several assumptions and judgments were made when applying the requirements of Topic 842 to the Company’s existing lease commitments, including the allocation of consideration in the contracts between lease and non-lease components, determination of the lease term, and determination of the discount rate used in calculating the present value of the lease payments. The Company has elected to account for the variable non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, utilities, real estate taxes, and insurance, separately from the lease component. Such variable non-lease components are reported in net occupancy expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when paid. These variable non-lease components were excluded from the calculation of the present value of the remaining lease payments, therefore, they are not included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reported on the Balance Sheet. The following table presents the lease cost associated with leases for the three and six months ending June 30, 2021. Total rent expense recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was $112, and $229, respectively. The Company leases its administration and operating facility and three offices under lease agreements with various expirations through March 2031.

 

Lease cost (In Thousands)

   Three months
ended
June 30, 2021
     Six months
ended
June 30, 2021
 

Amortization of right-of-use asset

   $ 69      $ 139  

Interest expense

     48        96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease cost

   $ 118      $ 235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average remaining term (years)

        14.0  

Weighted-average discount rate

        5.0

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

11.

LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

 

Certain of the Company’s leases contain options to renew the lease after the initial term. Management considers the Company’s historical pattern of exercising renewal options on leases and the positive performance of the leased locations, when determining whether it is reasonably certain that the leases will be renewed. If management concludes that there is reasonable certainty about the renewal option, it is included in the calculation of the remaining term of each applicable lease. The discount rate utilized in calculating the present value of the remaining lease payments for each lease was the cost of funds on the Company’s subordinated notes.

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows due related to operating leases as of June 30, 2021:

 

(In Thousands)    Amount  

2021

   $ 199  

2022

     403  

2023

     409  

2024

     426  

2025 and thereafter

     4,857  
  

 

 

 

Total Undiscounted Cash Flows

   $ 6,294  

Discount on Cash Flows

     (1,866
  

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

   $ 4,428  
  

 

 

 

 

12.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings, and other factors.

The Bank and Company are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. As of June 30, 2021, the Bank has met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, under-capitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If an institution is adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required before the institution may accept brokered deposits. If an institution is undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and plans for capital restoration are required.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

12.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

 

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face limitations on dividends, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to management based on the amount of the shortfall. Under Basel III rule, banks must hold a capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios. The required capital conservation buffer is 2.50%.

In accordance with the PADOBS approval referenced in Note 1, the Bank must maintain a quarterly minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets of 8% during the first three years after the acquisition. The Bank’s capital amounts and ratios are presented in the table (dollars in thousands):

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 under the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules:

 

     June 30, 2021     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 53,574        13.60   $ 48,810        15.86

For capital adequacy purposes

     31,505        8.00       24,624        8.00  

To be well capitalized

     39,382        10.00       30,780        10.00  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 48,750        12.38   $ 44,958        14.61

For capital adequacy purposes

     23,629        6.00       18,468        6.00  

To be well capitalized

     31,505        8.00       24,624        8.00  

Common equity

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 48,750        12.38   $ 44,958        14.61

For capital adequacy purposes

     17,722        4.50       18,468        4.50  

To be well capitalized

     25,598        6.50       24,624        6.50  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to average assets)

          

Actual

   $ 48,750        12.52   $ 44,958        12.84

For capital adequacy purposes

     17,427        4.00       12,375        4.00  

To be well capitalized

     21,784        5.00       15,469        5.00  

The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, issued a rule pursuant to The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 to establish for institutions with assets of less than $10 billion a “community bank leverage ratio” (the ratio of a bank’s tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) of 9% that qualifying institutions may elect to use in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under Basel III. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule in August 2020 to lower the community bank leverage ratio to 8% beginning in the second calendar quarter of 2020 through the end of 2020. In 2021, the

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

12.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

 

community bank leverage ratio increased to 8.5% for the calendar year. The community bank leverage ratio requirement will return to 9% effective January 1, 2022. If an election to use the community bank leverage ratio capital framework is made, a qualifying bank with less than $10 billion in assets with capital exceeding the specified community bank leverage ratio is considered compliant with all applicable regulatory capital and leverage requirements, including the requirement to be “well capitalized.” As of June 30, 2021, the Bank had not elected to be subject to the alternative framework.

Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid by the Bank. The Pennsylvania Banking Code provides that cash dividends may be declared and paid out of accumulated net earnings. In addition, dividends paid by the Bank would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. Loans or advances by the Bank to the Company are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus and must have collateral securing the loans or advances. Because the Bank is currently in an accumulated deficit position, dividends cannot be paid at this time.

 

13.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in an estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts The Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. In accordance with the fair value measurements accounting guidance (FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements), the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company uses a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment. The fair value guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

13.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels of pricing are as follows:

 

       Level I:   Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
  Level II:   Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair-valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
  Level III:   Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value are as follows:

 

     At June 30, 2021      At December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1)

   $ 31,449      $ 31,449      $ 9,002      $ 9,002  

Loans (Level 3)

     409,427        405,474        323,214        324,160  

Accrued interest receivable (Level 1)

     2,509        2,509        1,842        1,842  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock (Level 1)

     1,015        1,015        2,615        2,615  

Financial liabilities:

           

Non-maturity deposits (Level 1)

     238,381        238,381        140,013        140,013  

Time Deposits (Level 3)

     133,672        128,804        143,041        142,787  

Short-term borrowings (Level 1)

     —          —          41,667        41,667  

Long-term borrowings (Level 3)

     23,087        23,087        37,315        37,738  

Subordinated Notes (Level 3)

     20,000        20,479        20,000        20,256  

Accrued interest payable (Level 1)

     81        81        414        414  

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments (Level 3)

     —          —          —          —    

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

13.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following tables present the assets reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are reported at fair value. These securities are valued by an independent third party. The valuations are based on market data. They utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, their evaluated pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (only obtained from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bid, offers and reference data. For certain securities additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Inputs are prioritized differently on any given day based on market conditions.

 

     June 30, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

  

U.S. treasury securities

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    

Mortgage backed securities

     —          3,398        —          3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 3,398      $ —        $ 3,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

  

U.S. treasury securities

   $ —        $ 74,999      $ —        $ 74,999  

Mortgage backed securities

   $ —        $ 4,206        —          4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —          79,205      $ —        $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, are as follows:

 

     June 30, 2021  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 2,844      $ 2,844  
     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 988      $ 988  

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

 

13.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following tables provide information describing the valuation processes used to determine nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy:

 

     June 30, 2021  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Valuation
Techniques
           Unobservable
Input
     Range (Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 2,844       

Appraisal of

collateral

 

 

    (1     

Liquidation

expenses

 

 

     10
     December 31, 2020  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Valuation
Techniques
           Unobservable
Input
     Range (Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 988       

Appraisal of

collateral

 

 

    (1     

Liquidation

expenses

 

 

     10

 

  (1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include various Level III inputs that are not identifiable.

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors, such as economic conditions, aging, and/or estimated liquidation expenses incurred when selling the collateral. The range and weighted average of appraisal adjustments and liquidation expenses are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.

 

14.

PROPOSED MERGER WITH GNB FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

On December 10, 2020, LINKBANCORP, Inc. (LINK) and its wholly owned subsidiary, LINKBANK (Bank), and GNB Financial Services Inc. (GNB), and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Gratz Bank (“Gratz Bank”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which GNB will merge with and into LINK, with LINK as the surviving corporation. Concurrent with the merger, it is expected that the Bank will merge with and into Gratz Bank, with the Gratz Bank as the surviving institution.

Under the agreement, GNB shareholders will have the opportunity to elect to receive $87.68 per share in cash or 7.3064 of LINK common shares for each share they own. The agreement provides for proration procedures intended to ensure that, in the aggregate, at least 80% of the GNB common shares outstanding will be exchanged for LINK common stock. The transaction is expected to be a tax-free exchange to the extent shareholders of GNB receive stock in exchange for their shares. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of both companies. The merger was completed on September 18, 2021. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the accounting for this merger which will be included in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed for the period ended September 30, 2021.

 

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LOGO

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of LINKBANCORP, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LINKBANCORP, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019; the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended; and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent, with respect to the Company, in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements; and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter, in any way, our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

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LOGO

Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL)

Description of the Matter

The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $327.4 million as of December 31, 2020, and the associated ALL was $4.2 million. As discussed in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, determining the amount of the ALL requires significant judgment about the collectability of loans, which includes an assessment of quantitative factors such as historical loss experience within each risk category of loans and testing of certain commercial loans for impairment. Management applies additional qualitative adjustments to reflect the inherent losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date that are not reflected in the historical loss experience. Qualitative adjustments are made based upon changes in lending policies and practices, economic conditions, changes in the loan portfolio mix, trends in loan delinquencies and classified loans, collateral values, and concentrations of credit risk.

We identified the qualitative adjustments within the ALL as critical audit matters because they involve a high degree of subjectivity. In turn, auditing management’s judgments regarding the qualitative factors applied in the ALL calculation involved a high degree of subjectivity.

Furthermore, concern about the spread of COVID-19 has caused and is likely to continue to cause business shutdowns, limitations on commercial activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, increased unemployment and commercial property vacancy rates, reduced profitability and ability for property owners to make mortgage payments, and overall economic and financial market instability, all of which may cause borrowers to be unable to make scheduled loan payments. If the effects of COVID-19 result in widespread and sustained loan repayment shortfalls, significant loan delinquencies, foreclosures, declines in collateral values, and credit losses could result in, and significantly impact, the overall adequacy of the ALL. The extent of COVID-19’s effects on business, operations, or the global economy as a whole is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, which increases the degree of subjectivity involved in estimating the related qualitative factors within the ALL.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We gained an understanding of the Company’s process for establishing the ALL, including the qualitative adjustments made to the ALL. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s ALL process, which included, among others, management’s review and approval controls designed to assess the need and level of qualitative adjustments to the ALL, as well as the reliability of the data utilized to support management’s assessment.

To test the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the appropriateness of management’s methodology and assessed whether all relevant risks were reflected in the ALL and the need to consider qualitative adjustments, including the potential effect of COVID-19 on the adjustments

Regarding the measurement of the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of the data and inputs utilized in management’s estimate. For example, we compared the inputs and data to the Company’s historical loan performance data, third-party macroeconomic data, and considered the existence of new or contrary information. Furthermore, we analyzed the changes in the components of the qualitative reserves relative to changes in external market factors, the Company’s loan portfolio, and asset quality trends, which included the evaluation of management’s ability to capture and assess relevant data from both external sources and internal reports on loan customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the supporting documentation for substantiating revisions to qualitative factors.

We also utilized internal credit review specialists with knowledge to evaluate the appropriateness of management’s risk-rating processes, to ensure that the risk ratings applied to the commercial loan portfolio were reasonable.

 

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LOGO

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

LOGO

Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

March 18, 2021

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands, except share data)    2020     2019  

ASSETS

 

Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents

   $ 767     $ 971  

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     8,235       10,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     9,002       11,210  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     79,205       46,975  

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,177 at December 31, 2020, and $1,689 at December 31, 2019

     323,214       166,793  

Investments in restricted bank stock

     2,615       43  

Premises and equipment, net

     1,386       1,380  

Bank-owned life insurance

     4,688       4,542  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     1,371       1,402  

Deferred tax asset

     98       98  

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     2,527       1,057  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 424,106     $ 233,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Deposits:

 

Demand, noninterest bearing

   $ 42,374     $ 12,644  

Interest bearing

     240,680       176,029  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     283,054       188,673  

Short-term borrowings

     41,667       6,914  

Other borrowings

     37,315       —    

Subordinated debt

     19,970       —    

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     1,766       1,040  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     383,772       196,627  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 4,967,089 and 4,545,297 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019)

     50       45  

Surplus

     50,516       45,449  

Accumulated deficit

     (10,374     (8,610

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     142       (11

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     40,334       36,873  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $  424,106     $  233,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    2020     2019  

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

    

Loans receivable, including fees

   $ 12,267     $ 4,600  

Other

     291       1,114  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

     12,558       5,714  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Deposits

     2,784       1,710  

Short-term borrowings

     5       —    

Other borrowings

     332       —    

Subordinated debt

     260       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     3,381       1,710  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     9,177       4,004  

Provision for loan losses

     2,470       1,605  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     6,707       2,399  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NONINTEREST INCOME

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

     74       37  

Bank-owned life insurance

     146       140  

Gain on sale of asset

     105       —    

Other

     324       216  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     649       393  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     5,785       4,837  

Occupancy

     813       661  

Equipment and data processing

     870       1,032  

Professional fees

     441       723  

FDIC insurance

     261       63  

Bank shares tax

     228       328  

Advertising

     126       299  

Charitable contribution

     —         250  

Merger related expenses

     119       —    

Other

     477       674  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

     9,120       8,867  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax expense

     (1,764     (6,075

Income tax expense

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS

   $ (1,764)     $ (6,075)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED

   $ (0.38)     $ (1.34)  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC AND DILUTED

     4,627,274       4,545,297  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020     2019  

Net loss

   $     (1,764   $     (6,075

Components of other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

     153       (11

Tax effect

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     153       (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss

   $ (1,611   $ (6,086
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

 

     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-In

Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Total  
(In Thousands, except share data)    Shares      Amount  

Balance, December 31, 2018

     3,696,438      $ 37      $ 36,928      $ (2,535   $ —       $ 34,430  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     848,859        8        8,490        —         —         8,498  

Net loss

     —          —          —          (6,075     —         (6,075

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          31        —         —         31  

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —          —          —         (11     (11
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

     4,545,297        45            45,449        (8,610     (11         36,873  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     421,792        5        4,980        —         —         4,985  

Net loss

     —          —          —          (1,764     —         (1,764

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          87        —         —         87  

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          —          —             153       153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

     4,967,089      $ 50      $ 50,516      $ (10,374)     $ 142     $ 40,334  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidary

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020     2019  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net loss

   $ (1,764   $ (6,075

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     2,470       1,605  

Depreciation

     252       156  

Amortization of intangible assets

     31       34  

Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net

     29       (16

Share-based compensation

     87       31  

Amortization of premiums on purchased loans

     23       (5

Bank-owned life insurance income

     (146     (140

Increase in accrued interest receivable

     (1,449     (438

Other, net

     705       (279
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     238       (5,127
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Investment securities available for sale:

    

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale

     47,000       —    

Proceeds from principal repayments of investment securities available-for-sale

     1,056       —    

Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale

     (80,133     (46,970

Proceeds from maturities of Certificates of deposit

     5,000       —    

Purchases of Certificates of deposit

     (5,000     —    

Purchases of bank-owned life insurance

     —         (4,402

Purchases of restricted investment in bank stocks

     (2,572     —    

Redemption of restricted investment in bank stocks

     —         8  

Increase in loans, net

     (158,943     (134,639

Purchase of premises and equipment

     (258     (1,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

     (193,850     (187,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase in deposits, net

     94,381       141,215  

Increase in short-term borrowings, net

     34,753       6,914  

Proceeds from other borrowings

     37,315       —    

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt

     19,970       —    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     4,985       8,498  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     191,404       156,627  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,208     (35,592

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     11,210       46,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 9,002     $ 11,210  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 3,119     $ 1,569  

Income taxes

     —         —    

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

LINKBANCORP, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on April 6, 2018, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company was formed with the intent of becoming a bank holding company through acquisition of a bank.

On September 17, 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (PADOBS) approved the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of Stonebridge Bank, subject to recapitalization of the Bank and continued compliance with capital ratios outlined in Note 17. On October 5, 2018, LINKBANCORP, Inc. purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Stonebridge Bank, from its former parent company Stonebridge Financial Corp. under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. LINKBANCORP subsequently renamed the bank LINKBANK (the “Bank”). The Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. The Bank’s operations are conducted from its three Solution Centers in Camp Hill, West Chester, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Company’s corporate office resides in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. As a state chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (the PADOBS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC). The Company is regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the FDIC.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting practices of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and to general practices within the banking industry. The following summarized the more significant of these policies and practices.

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 loan losses, and the valuation of deferred tax assets

Acquisition Method of Accounting

The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to estimate the fair value of the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The estimated fair values are based on available information and current economic conditions at the date of acquisition. Fair value may be obtained from independent appraisers, discounted cash flow present value techniques, management valuation models, quoted prices on national markets or quoted market prices from brokers. These fair value estimates will affect future earnings through the disposition or amortization of the underlying assets and liabilities.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Acquisition Method of Accounting (Continued)

 

Accounting for business combination under GAAP acquisition method prohibits “carrying over” valuation allowances, such as the allowance for loan losses. Uncertainties relating to the expected future cash flows are reflected in the fair value measurement of the acquired loans and reflected in the purchase price. The Company will establish loan loss allowances for the acquired loans in periods after the acquisition, but only for losses incurred on these loans due to credit deterioration after acquisition.

For business acquisitions, whereby the Company acquires loan that have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination, the Company will classify these loans as purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans. The Company will determine which loans will be classified as PCI loans based on borrower payment history, past due status, loan credit grading, value of underlying collateral and other factors that affect the collectability of contractual cash flows. Under GAAP, purchasers are permitted to individually evaluate or collectively aggregate PCI loans into pools. PCI loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter may be assembled into one or more pools with common risk characteristics. Once pooled, a single composite interest rate is used to determine aggregate expected cash flows for each respective pool. PCI loans are recorded on the acquisition date at fair value. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each individually analyzed loan. Estimated cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

On a quarterly basis, the Company will update the amount of loan principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, incorporating assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, the amounts and timing of prepayments and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected loan principal cash flows trigger the recognition of impairment, which is then measured as the present value of the expected principal loss plus any related foregone interest cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Impairments that occur after the acquisition date are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Probable and significant increases in expected cash flows would first reverse any previously recorded allowance for loan losses; any remaining increases are recognized prospectively as interest income. The impacts of (i) prepayments, (ii) changes in variable interest rates, and (iii) any other changes in the timing of expected cash flows are recognized prospectively as adjustments to interest income. Disposals of loans, which may include sales of loans, receipt of payments in full by the borrower, or foreclosure, result in removal of the loan from the PCI portfolio.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible

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 measure at fair value and then amortized over the expected life on an accelerated basis using projected decay rates of the underlying core deposits. 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 December 31 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.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible (Continued)

 

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.

Prior to the Company’s acquisition of the Bank, the Bank entered into a regulatory agreement. Specifically, on May 19, 2011, the Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities entered into a joint Consent Order. Effective February 19, 2019, the consent order was terminated, and the Bank is no longer considered a troubled institution.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from banks. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Short-term investments include interest bearing-deposits with banks with an original maturity of less than 90 days.

Investment Securities

Available for sale – Debt 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 assets 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 income 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.

Investment securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the portion of the decline related to credit impairment is charged to earnings.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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 loan 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 Bank 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: commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and commercial real estate. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate, home equity, and other consumer.

Loan origination fees are deferred, and certain direct origination costs are capitalized. The net amounts are deferred and are recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes, including troubled debt restructurings, 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 Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to operations. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. There were no material changes in the Bank’s accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering historical experience, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The historical loss component of the allowance is determined by losses recognized by portfolio segment over the preceding sixteen quarters. This is supplemented by the risks for each portfolio segment. Risk factors impacting loans in each of the portfolio segments include broad deterioration of property values, reduced consumer, and business spending as a result of unemployment and reduced credit availability and lack of confidence in the economy. The historical experience is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: (a) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; (b) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (c) changes in levels or trends in charge-offs and recoveries; (d) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss; (e) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (f) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (g) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (h) quality of loan review; (i) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions. The Company uses peer data when they have insufficient history to use their own loss data. The peer group is made up of various Bank’s with similar size and geographical location to obtain comparable data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by- case basis, taking into consideration all circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage loan segments by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment disclosures.

Investment in Restricted Stock, at Cost

The Company holds restricted stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Pittsburgh and the Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) which is carried at cost. The Company holds $24,000 of ACBB stock at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company holds $2,591,000 and $19,000 of FHLB stock at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The FHLB stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost, and evaluated for impairment as necessary. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted; (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance; (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB; and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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 other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, net of expenses.

Premises and Equipment

Leasehold improvements and furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimate useful lives for furniture and equipment from three to ten years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lease term or estimated life of the improvement, if shorter.

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.

Income Taxes

The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Bank determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. The Bank recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

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.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Share-based Compensation

The Bank follows the provisions of ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation. This standard requires the Bank to recognize the cost of employee and organizer services received in share-based payment transactions and measure the cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost will be recognized over the period during which the employee or organizer is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employee’s service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the fair value of the Company’s common stock as the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) represents net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that may be issued related to outstanding stock options are determined using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the composition of earnings per share:

 

(In Thousands, except share and per share data)    2020      2019  

Net loss

   $ (1,764    $ (6,075

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     4,627,274        4,545,297  

Average treasury stock shares

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share

     4,627,274        4,545,297  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss per common share:

     

Basic

   $ (0.38    $ (1.34

Diluted

   $ (0.38    $ (1.34

The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in future periods that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

 

     2020      2019  

Warrants

   $ 1,537,484      $ 1,537,484  

Share-based compensation awards

     396,000        394,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total anti-dilutive securities

   $ 1,933,484      $ 1,931,984  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

 

balance sheet. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A short-term lease is defined as one in which (a) the lease term is 12 months or less, and (b) there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. For short-term leases, lessees may elect to recognize lease payments over the lease term on a straight-line basis. This Update will be adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2021. The amendments will be applied using a modified retrospective approach beginning as of the period of adoption. Based on our current estimates, we anticipate the value of the initial lease liability and corresponding right of use asset to be less than 1% of our total assets at December 31, 2020.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be affected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This Update is effective for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other companies, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We expect to recognize a one- time cumulative-effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, March 2020, to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a onetime election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified our loan receivables that have an interest rate indexed to LIBOR and is currently assessing the appropriate transition path. As such, the Company does not have an estimate of the financial impact of this update but does not expect the impact to be material to the financial statements of the Company.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

2.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31, 2020  

(In Thousands)

Available for Sale:

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

U.S. treasury securities

   $ 75,000      $ —        $ (1    $ 74,999  

Mortgage backed securities, residential

     4,063        143        —          4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 79,063      $ 143      $ (1    $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2019  

(In Thousands)

Available for Sale:

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
    

Gross
Unrealized

Losses

     Fair
Value
 

U.S. treasury securities

   $ 46,986      $ —        $ (11    $ 46,975  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 46,986      $ —        $ (11    $ 46,975  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The investments in U.S. treasury securities at December 31, 2020 are made of up two U.S. treasury securities that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months. The investments in U.S. treasury securities at December 31, 2019 are made up of three U.S. treasuries that had been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months. The unrealized loss positions for both periods relate principally to changes in interest rates subsequent to the acquisition of the securities. The securities were made up of U.S. treasuries and management believe there is no credit risk and therefore, no other-than-temporary impairment.

All mortgage-backed security investments are government sponsored enterprises (“GSE”) pass-through instruments issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), which guarantee the timely payment of principal on acquisition of the specific securities.

Amortized cost and fair value at December 31, 2020, by contractual maturity, where applicable, are shown below.

 

(In Thousands)

Available for Sale:

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

1 year or less

   $ 75,000      $ 74,999  

Mortgage-backed securities, residential

     4,063        4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 79,063      $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

3.

LOANS RECEIVABLE

The portfolio segments and classes of loans are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 101,370      $ 34,057  

Construction and land development

     20,935        14,681  

Real estate - commercial

     145,800        75,999  

Real estate - residential

     37,302        34,817  

Real estate - home equity

     20,218        8,300  

Consumer

     2,622        702  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     328,247        168,556  

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

3.

LOANS RECEIVABLE (Continued)

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Less:

     

Deferred fees

     (856      (74

Allowance for loan losses

     (4,177      (1,689
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $  323,214      $  166,793  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company originates commercial, residential, and consumer loans within its primary market areas of southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania. A significant portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate.

During 2020 the Company participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered directly by the U.S. SBA. The PPP provides loans to small businesses who were affected by economic conditions as a result of COVID-19 to provide cash-flow assistance to employers who maintain their payroll (including healthcare and certain related expenses), mortgage interest, rent, leases, utilities and interest on existing debt during the COVID- 19 emergency. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding principal balances of $41.0 million. The PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and may be eligible for forgiveness by the SBA to the extent that the proceeds are used to cover eligible payroll costs, interest costs, rent, and utility costs over a period of up to 24 weeks after the loan is made as long as certain conditions are met regarding employee retention and compensation levels. PPP loans deemed eligible for forgiveness by the SBA will be repaid by the SBA to the Company. PPP loans are included in the Commercial and industrial category.

In accordance with the SBA terms and conditions on these PPP loans, the Company received approximately $3.0 million in fees associated with the processing of these loans. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $2.0 million in fees relating to PPP loans. Upon funding of the loan, these fees were deferred and will be amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield in accordance with FASB ASC 310-20-25-2.

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan segments used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio and, therefore, no further disaggregation is considered necessary. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans on commercial and, to a lesser extent residential property. The portfolio also includes commercial loans, and consumer loans.

The Company’s primary lending activity is the origination of commercial loans extended to small and mid- sized commercial and industrial entities.

Commercial loans are primarily underwritten on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to service such debt from income. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any equipment, or other chattel, although loans may also be made on an unsecured basis. Collateralized working capital loans typically are secured by short-term assets whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.

Construction and Land loans are to finance the construction of owner-occupied and income producing properties. These loans are categorized as construction loans during the construction period, later converting

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

to commercial or one-to-four family residential loans after the construction is complete and amortization of the loan begins. Real estate development and construction loans are approved based on an analysis of the borrower and guarantor, the viability of the project and on an acceptable percentage of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Construction loan funds are disbursed periodically based on the percentage of construction or development completed. The Company carefully monitors these loans with on-site inspections and requires the receipt of lien waivers on funds advanced. The Company considers the market conditions and feasibility of proposed projects, the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and guarantors, the amount of the borrower’s equity in the project, independent appraisals, cost estimates and pre-construction sale information. The Company also makes loans on occasion for the purchase of land for future development by the borrower. Land loans are extended for the future development for either commercial or residential use by the borrower. The Company carefully analyzes the intended use of the property and the viability thereof.

The Company’s commercial real estate loans consist of mortgage loans secured by nonresidential real estate, such as by apartment buildings, small office buildings, and owner-occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are secured by the subject property and are underwritten based on loan to value limits, cash flow coverage and general creditworthiness of the obligors. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances and their repayment is typically dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying real estate.

Residential real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, credit history and stability. These loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property).

Home equity loans consists of either revolving line of credit, term, or second mortgage loans secured by one-to- four family residential real estate. These loans are secured by a first or second lien on the borrower’s residence. There are minimum credit score standards, loan-to-value, and other credit requirements. Home equity lines of credit are variable rate based on an index of Wall Street Journal prime rate with a margin.

The consumer loan portfolio consists of lending in the form of home equity loans secured by financed property and personal consumer loans, which may be secured or unsecured.

Management has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses the Company has segmented certain loans in the portfolio by product type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: agriculture loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, residential real estate loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. Historical loss percentages for each risk category are calculated and used as the basis for calculating allowance allocations. These historical loss percentages are calculated over a four-year period for all portfolio segments.

Certain qualitative factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non-classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed for each portfolio segment:

 

   

Levels of and trends in delinquencies

 

   

Trends in volume and terms

 

   

Changes in collateral

 

   

Changes in management and lending staff

 

   

Economic trends

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

   

Concentrations of credit

 

   

Changes in lending policies

 

   

External factors

 

   

Changes in underwriting process

 

   

Trends in credit quality ratings

These qualitative factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted based upon relevant changes within the portfolio.

The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the period ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and information regarding the allowance for loan losses by loan class as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. (in Thousands)

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  
    Commercial
and
Industrial
    Construction
and Land
Development
    Real
Estate
Commercial
    Real
Estate
Residential
    Real
Estate
Home
Equity
    Consumer
Other
    Unallocated     Total  

Allowance for loan losses:

               

Beginning balance

  $ 623     $ 170     $ 598     $ 214     $ 45     $ 9     $     30     $ 1,689  

Charge-offs

    —         —         10       —         —         —         —         10  

Recoveries

    10       —         18       —         —         —         —         28  

Provision

    369       227       1,476       204       197       26       (29     2,470  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 1,002     $ 397     $ 2,082     $ 418     $ 242     $ 35     $ 1     $  4,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 111     $ —       $ —       $ 18     $ —         3       —       $ 132  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 891     $ 397     $ 2,082     $ 400     $ 242       32       1     $ 4,045  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

 

Ending balance

  $ 101,370     $ 20,935     $ 145,800     $ 37,302     $ 20,218     $ 2,622       $ 328,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ending balance:

 

individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 1,081     $ —       $ 230     $ 331     $ —       $ 3       $ 1,645  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ending balance:

 

collectively evaluated for impairment

  $  100,289     $ 20,935     $ 145,570     $ 36,971     $ 20,218     $  2,619       $ 326,602  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
    Commercial
and
Industrial
    Construction
and Land
Development
    Real
Estate
Commercial
    Real
Estate
Residential
    Real
Estate
Home
Equity
    Consumer
Other
    Unallocated     Total  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

Beginning balance

  $ —       $ —       $ 27     $ 22     $ —       $ —       $     —       $ 49  

Charge-offs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Recoveries

    7       14       —         11       —         3       —         35  

Provision

    616       156       571       181       45       6       30       1,605  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 623     $ 170     $ 598     $ 214     $ 45     $ 9     $ 30     $ 1,689  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 325     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —         5       —       $ 330  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 298     $ 170     $ 598     $ 214     $ 45       4       30     $ 1,359  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

 

Ending balance

  $  34,057     $  14,681     $  75,999     $ 34,817     $ 8,300     $  702       $ 168,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 1,323     $ —       $ —       $ 182     $ —       $ 5       $ 1,510  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ending balance:

 

collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 32,734     $ 14,681     $ 75,999     $ 34,635     $ 8,300     $ 697       $ 167,046  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all.

The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass – loans that are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. There are four sub-grades within the Pass category to further distinguish the loan.

Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.

Substandard – loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances.

Loss – loans classified as a Loss are considered uncollectible and are immediately charged against allowances.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Credit Quality Information (Continued)

 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

(In Thousands)           Special                       
As of December 31, 2020    Pass      Mention      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 100,289      $ —        $ 1,081      $ —        $ 101,370  

Construction and land development

     20,935        —          —          —          20,935  

Real estate - commercial

     145,358        212        230        —          145,800  

Real estate - residential

     36,892        142        268        —          37,302  

Real estate - home equity

     20,155        —          63        —          20,218  

Consumer

     2,619        —          3        —          2,622  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $  326,248      $  354      $  1,645      $  —        $ 328,247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)           Special                       
As of December 31, 2019    Pass      Mention      Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 32,644      $  —        $ 1,323      $ —        $ 33,967  

Construction and land development

     14,681        —          —          —          14,681  

Real estate - commercial

     75,797        218        —          —          76,015  

Real estate - residential

     34,121        514        182        —          34,817  

Real estate - home equity

     8,300        —          —          —          8,300  

Consumer

     697        —          5        —          702  

Total

   $ 166,240      $ 732      $ 1,510      $  —        $ 168,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due loans.

 

                   December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past
Due
     60-89
Days
Past
Due
     90 Days
or
Greater
Past
Due
     Total
Past
Due
     Current      Total
Loans
     Total >
90 Days
and
Accruing
 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 10      $ —        $ —        $ 10      $ 101,360      $ 101,370      $  —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          20,935        20,935        —    

Real estate - commercial

     480        —          156        636        145,164        145,800        —    

Real estate - residential

     711        719        133        1,563        35,739        37,302        97  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          20,218        20,218        —    

Consumer

     —          —          —          —          2,622        2,622        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $  1,201      $  719      $  289      $ 2,209      $ 326,038      $ 328,247      $  97  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Credit Quality Information (Continued)

 

                   December 31, 2019  
(In Thousands)    30-59
Days
Past
Due
     60-89
Days
Past
Due
     90 Days
or
Greater
Past
Due
     Total
Past
Due
     Current      Total
Loans
     Total >
90 Days
and
Accruing
 

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —        $  —        $  —        $  33,967      $  33,967      $  —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          14,681        14,681        —    

Real estate - commercial

     93        161        218        472        75,543        76,015        218  

Real estate - residential

     108        306        696        1,110        33,707        34,817        514  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          8,300        8,300        —    

Consumer

     2        —          5        7        695        702        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $  203      $  467      $  919      $ 1,589      $ 166,893      $ 168,482      $  732  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impaired Loans

The following tables present the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans and related allowance, if applicable. Also presented are the average recorded investments and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired.

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —        $     —        $ —        $     —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     230        230        —          238        10  

Real estate - residential

     295        295        —          307        15  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     —          —          —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,081      $ 1,081      $ 111      $ 1,196      $ 60  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - residential

     36        36        18        38        2  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3        —          —    

Total

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,081        1,081        111        1,196        60  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     230        230        —          238        10  

Real estate - residential

     331        331        18        345        17  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     3        3        3        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,645      $ 1,645      $ 132      $ 1,779      $ 87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Impaired Loans (Continued)

 

     December 31, 2019  
(In Thousands)    Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded:

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —        $     —        $ —        $     —    

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - residential

     182        182        —          190        —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     —          —          —          —          —    

With an allowance recorded:

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,323      $ 1,323      $ 325      $ 1,290      $ 40  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - residential

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     5        —          5        —          —    

Total

 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 1,323      $ 1,323      $ 325      $ 1,290      $ 40  

Construction and land development

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —          —          —          —    

Real estate - residential

     182        182        —          190        —    

Real estate - home equity

     —          —          —          —          —    

Consumer

     5        —          5        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  1,510      $  1,505      $  330      $  1,480      $  40  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table present nonaccrual loans by classes of the loan portfolio:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)      2020          2019    

Commercial and industrial

   $ —        $ —    

Construction and land development

     —          —    

Real estate - commercial

     —          —    

Real estate - residential

     100        182  

Real estate - home equity

     —          —    

Consumer

     3        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 103      $ 187  

The recorded investment in non-accrual loans was $103,000 and $187,000 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Approximately $145.8 and $20.9 million or 50.1% of the Bank’s loan portfolio was in real estate-commercial loans and construction and land development loans at December 31, 2020. While the Bank does not have a concentration of credit risk with any single borrower or industry, repayments on loans in these portfolios can be negatively influenced by decreases in real estate values. The Bank mitigates this risk

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

Impaired Loans (Continued)

 

through conservative underwriting policies and procedures. In addition, of real estate-commercial loans were owner occupied properties as of December 31, 2020. These types of loans are generally considered to involve less risk than nonowner-occupied mortgages.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amount of loans pledged to secure borrowings was $61.6 million and $25.5 million.

Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

A loan is considered to be a TDR loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk.

The Bank may grant a concession or modification for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider resulting in a modified loan which is then identified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Bank may modify loans through rate reductions, extensions of maturity, interest only payments, or payment modifications to better match the timing of cash flows due under the modified terms with the cash flows from the borrowers’ operations. Loan modifications are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. TDRs are considered impaired loans for purposes of calculating the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.

The Bank identifies loans for potential restructure primarily through direct communication with the borrower and evaluation of the borrower’s financial statements, revenue projections, tax returns, and credit reports. Even if the borrower is not presently in default, management will consider the likelihood that cash flow shortages, adverse economic conditions, and negative trends may result in a payment default in the near future. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no loans identified as TDR’s. There were also no new loan modifications during the periods that were considered TDRs.

COVID-19 Loan Forbearance Programs

Section 4013 of the CARES Act provides that banks may elect not to categorize a loan modification as a TDR if the loan modification is (1) related to COVID-19; (2) executed on a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019; and (3) executed between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (A) 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act terminates, or (B) December 31, 2020.

On April 7, 2020, federal banking regulators issued a revised interagency statement that included guidance on their approach for the accounting of loan modifications in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance interprets current accounting standards and indicates that a lender can conclude that a borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty if short-term modifications are made in response to COVID-19, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant related to the loans in which the borrower is less than 30 days past due on its contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented.

According to the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies on April 7, 2020, short-term loan modifications not otherwise eligible under Section 4013 that are made on a good faith basis

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

4.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

COVID-19 Loan Forbearance Programs (Continued)

 

in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant.

During 2020, our customers had requested 82 loan payment deferrals or payments of interest only on loans totaling $53.7 million. In accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act and the interagency guidance issued on April 7, 2020, these short-term deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has 15 loans totaling $18.2 million that remain on a CARES Act modification.

In addition, the risk-rating on COVID-19 modified loans did not change, and these loans will not be considered past due until after the deferral period is over and scheduled payments resume. The credit quality of these loans will be reevaluated after the deferral period ends.

 

5.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill totaled $1.3 million at December 31, 2020. The Company recorded goodwill of $1.3 million due to the Stonebridge Bank acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2018. Core deposit intangible net carrying amounts were $118,000 and $149,000 at the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over their estimated lives of seven years. Amortization expense totaled $30,000 and $34,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were initially presented at their estimated fair values based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price. In many cases, the determination of these fair values required management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions and other future events that were highly subjective and subject to change. The fair value estimates were considered preliminary and subject to change after the closing date of the acquisition if additional information became available. Based on a preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded $1.24 million in goodwill as a result of the acquisition. At December 31, 2019, the Company recorded adjustments to goodwill the estimated fair values of assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, which resulted in a $13,000 increase in goodwill. The adjusted amount of goodwill of $1.25 million reflects the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill recorded is deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price allocation was considered final as of December 31, 2019.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible (CDI) are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Goodwill

   $ 1,253      $ 1,253  

CDI

     118        149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,371      $ 1,402  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization on the CDI was $64,000 at December 31, 2020, and $34,000 for the period ended December 31, 2019.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

5.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)

 

The future expected amortization of CDI as of December 31, 2020, are as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

   $ 27  

2022

     23  

2023

     20  

2024

     17  

2025 and thereafter

     31  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 118  
  

 

 

 

 

6.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment consist of the following:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Leasehold improvements

   $ 812      $ 816  

Furniture and fixtures

     1,030        884  

Office equipment

     37        37  

Computer hardware

     245        131  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

     (738      (488
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,386      $ 1,380  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense amounted to $252,000 and $156,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

7.

DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2020     2019  
(In Thousands)    Amount      %     Amount      %  

Demand, noninterest-bearing

   $ 42,374        14.97   $ 12,644        6.7

Demand, interest-bearing

     15,883        5.61       7,923        4.2  

Money market and savings

     81,756        28.88       49,039        26.0  

Time deposits, $250,000 and over

     47,112        16.64       26,302        13.9  

Time deposits, other

     95,929        33.89       92,765        49.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 283,054        100.0   $  188,673        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

7.

DEPOSITS (Continued)

 

The scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

One year or less

   $ 122,859      $ 104,061  

More than one year to two years

     13,441        14,429  

More than two years to three years

     5,921        270  

More than three years to four years

     288        74  

More than four years to five years

     532        233  

More than five years

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 143,041      $ 119,067  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Time deposits include those in denominations of $250,000 or more. Such deposits aggregated $47.1 million and $26.8 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were $25.0 million in brokered deposits as of December 31, 2020 maturing in January 2021 and $10.75 million in brokered deposits as of December 31, 2019 maturing in January 2020.

 

8.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The outstanding balances and related information of short-term borrowings represent federal funds purchased and short-term advances with the FHLB are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020     2019  

Balance at year-end

   $ 41,667     $ 6,914  

Average balance outstanding

     474       19  

Maximum month-end balance

     41,667       6,914  

Weighted-average rate at year-end

     0.35     2.48

Weighted-average rate during the year

     0.35     2.48

Average balances outstanding during the year represent daily average balances.

The Company had $41.7 million in 13-day FHLB advances at December 31, 2020 which matured on January 5, 2021. The Company had $6.9 million in overnight short-term borrowings at December 31, 2019 which matured on January 2, 2020. Borrowings from the FHLB of Pittsburgh are secured by FHLB stock, qualifying loans, and investments. The Company is required to maintain stock in the FHLB of Pittsburgh of $2.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and $19,400 as of December 31, 2019. The Company has a maximum borrowing capacity with the FHLB of approximately $115.8 million of which $61.7 was outstanding at December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company also has lines of credit at three financial institutions that would allow the Company to borrow up to $25.0 million. None of the credit lines were drawn upon at December 31, 2020 and $6.9 million was drawn at December 31, 2019.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

9.

OTHER BORROWINGS AND SUBORDINATED DEBT

 

     December 31,  
(in Thousands)      2020          2019    

Long-term FHLB advances

   $ 20,000        —    

Subordinated Debt

         19,970        —    

Federal Reserve PPPLF

     17,315        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long-term borrowings

   $ 57,285        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

All borrowings from the FHLB are secured by a blanket lien on qualified collateral, defined principally as investment securities and mortgage loans, which are owned by the Company, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances.

Contractual maturities and scheduled cash flows of Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances, in thousands, consist of the following at December 31, 2020: (In Thousands)

 

Type

  

Amount

     Rate    

Due in

 

Mid Term Repo Fixed Rate

   $ 5,000,000        0.91     2023  

Fixed Rate

     5,000,000        0.97     2024  

Fixed Rate

     5,000,000        1.10     2025  

Fixed Rate

     3,000,000        1.01     2025  

Fixed Rate

     2,000,000        1.02     2025  
  

 

 

      
   $ 20,000,000        1.00  
  

 

 

      

In April 2020, the Federal Reserve initiated the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) , which is designed to facilitate lending by financial institutions to small businesses under the PPP provision of the CARES Act. Only PPP loans are eligible to serve as collateral for the PPPLF, with each dollar of PPP loans providing one dollar of advance availability. The maturity date of an extension of credit under the PPPLF will equal the maturity date of the pool of PPP loans pledged to secure the extension of credit. Any principal payments received by the financial institution on the PPP loans, such as PPP loan forgiveness payments from the Small Business Administration or principal payments from the borrower after the initial six -month deferment period, must be used to pay down the PPPLF advance by the same dollar amount, maintaining the dollar-for-dollar advance amount and PPP aggregate loan balance relationship. The interest rate on PPPLF advances is fixed at 0.35%. As of December 31, 2020, our advances under the PPPLF totaled $17.3 million.

On September 30, 2020, the Company accepted subscriptions for and sold, at 100% of their principal amount, an aggregate of $20.0 million of subordinated notes (the “Notes”), on a private placement basis, to accredited investors. The investors included Company’s owned and controlled by a director of the Company, which purchased $19.0 million in principal amount of the Notes. The investors included Company’s owned and controlled by a director of the Company, which purchased $19.0 million in principal amount of the Notes. The Notes bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year for five years and then float at an index tied to the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”) . The Notes have a term of ten years and have a maturity date of October 1, 2030. The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, subject to any required regulatory approvals after five years. The Company contributed $15.0 million of the proceeds from the Notes to the Bank as equity capital to support the Bank’s continued growth, including ongoing lending activities.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

10.

INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Current tax expense

   $            —        $            —    

Deferred taxes

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The tax effects of deductible and taxable temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, respectively, are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Allowance for loan losses

   $ 877      $ 355  

Fair value adjustment on acquired loans

     535        638  

Alternative minimum tax credit

     98        98  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     1,872        1,661  

Other

     (240      3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

     3,142        2,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

     (3,044      (2,657
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 98      $ 98  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely- than-not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the Company’s cumulative three-year loss position and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more-likely-than-not that The Company will be unable to realize the benefits of these deductible differences, except for the alternative minimum tax credits. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could change in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period change and the deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability and the valuation allowance may be adjusted in future periods accordingly.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $8.9 million. Approximately $489,000 of these net operating loss carryforwards are subject to Section 382 limitations.

The Company recognized no adjustment for unrecognized income tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company is subject to examination by the taxing authorities for the operating period since inception. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company did not recognize any interest and penalties for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

11.

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has had, and may be expected to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, their immediate families and affiliated companies (commonly referred to as related parties).

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Loans:

     

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 2,088            1,052  

Additions

     321        1,948  

Amounts Collected

     (243      (912
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 2,166        2,088  

Total unused commitments at end of year

     2,258        1,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate amount of all extensions of credit

   $ 4,424        3,588  

Deposits at end of year

   $     14,669        7,381  

Subordinated notes

   $ 19,000        —    

There was no interest paid on the subordinated notes to related parties totaled because the first interest payment is not due until June of 2021.

 

12.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 14, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).The plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 450,000 share of LINK BANCORP common stock pursuant to grants of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee. Unless the Committee specifies a different vesting schedule, awards under the Plan shall be granted with a vesting rate not exceeding 20 percent per year. Vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions or at the discretion of the Committee at any time. Employees and directors of LINKBANCORP or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the plan, except that nonemployees may not be granted incentive stock options. Stock options are either “incentive” stock options or “nonqualified” stock options. Incentive stock options have certain tax advantages and must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

     Number of
Stock
Options
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding, December 31, 2019

     394,500      $ 10.00      $       9.50      $    

Granted

     21,500        11.77        9.80     

Expired/terminated

     19,500        10.00        —       

Exercised

     500        10.00        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2020

     396,000      $ —        $ 8.60      $ 471,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at year-end

     75,400      $ —        $ 8.60      $ 94,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 2020 ranged from $10.00 to $12.00.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

12.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

 

The Company determined the expected life of the stock options using a simplified method approach allowed for plain-vanilla share options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect as of the grant date. Expected volatility was determined using the calculated value method of an option pricing model that substitutes the historical volatility of an appropriate industry/sector index for the expected volatility.

 

     December 31,  
     2020     2019  

Weighted average fair value of options granted

   $     0.25     $ 1.15  

Dividend yield

     0.00     1.00

Expected volatility

     4.36       10.00

Risk-free interest rate

     0.62     1.85

Expected life (in years)

     6.00       6.00  

Assumed forfeiture rate

     8.00     0.00

Information regarding stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, is set forth below:

 

     December 31,  
     2020      2019  

Stock-based compensation expense recognized

   $ 87,000      $ 31,000  

Number of unvested stock options

     320,600        394,500  

Fair value of unvested stock options

   $ 351,000      $ 451,000  

Amount remaining to be recognized as expense

   $ 286,000      $ 420,000  

The remaining amount of $286,000 will be recognized ratably as expense through December 31, 2025.

 

13.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making and monitoring commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, The Company has a reserve related to credit losses for off-balance sheet instruments totaling $25,000, which is included in other liabilities.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

     December 31,  
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Unfunded commitments under lines of credit:

     

Home equity loans

   $ 17,483      $ 9,138  

Commercial real estate, construction, and land development

     10,252        24,261  

Commercial and industrial

     33,471        15,051  

Other

     3,937        5,682  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 65,143      $ 54,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

13.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK (Continued)

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include personal or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment.

 

14.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company grants commercial, residential and consumer loans to customers primarily located in the South Central and Greater Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania. The concentration of credit by type of loan is set forth in Note 3. The debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is influenced by the region’s economy.

There are numerous risks associated with commercial loans that could impact the borrower’s ability to repay on a timely basis. They include but are not limited to, the owner’s business expertise, changes in local economies, competition, government regulation, and the general financial stability of the borrowing entity.

The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by making an analysis of the borrower’s business and industry history, its financial position, as well as that of the business owner. The Company will also require the borrower to provide financial information on the operations of the business periodically over the life of the loan. In addition, most commercial loans are secured by assets of the business or those of the business owner, which can be liquidated if the borrower defaults, along with the personal surety of the business owner.

From time to time, the Company will maintain balances with its correspondent banks that exceed the $250,000 federally insured deposit limits. Management routinely evaluates the credit worthiness of these correspondent banks and does not feel they pose significant risk to the Company.

 

15.

LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases its administration and operating facility and two branches under lease agreements expiring in October 2029. As additional rent, The Company is responsible for its proportionate share of operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows due related to operating leases as of December 31, 2020:

 

(In Thousands)    Amount  

2021

   $ 369  

2022

     254  

2023

     257  

2024

     131  

2025

     138  

2026 and thereafter

     527  
  

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

   $ 1,676  
  

 

 

 

Total rent expense was $463,000 and $390,000 for year ended December 31, 2020 and, 2019, respectively.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

16.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Company has a 401(k) Plan for its eligible employees. The Company contributed a match of $125,000 and $98,000 to the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

17.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk- weightings, and other factors.

The Bank and Company are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank and Company have met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, under-capitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If an institution is adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required before the institution may accept brokered deposits. If an institution is undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and plans for capital restoration are required.

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

In accordance with the PADOBS approval referenced in Note 1, the Bank must maintain increased minimum capital ratios summarized in Note 1. In addition to the PADOBS approval requires that during the first three years after the acquisition, the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio not fall below 8% during any quarter. The Bank’s capital amounts and ratios are presented in the table (dollars in thousands):

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

17.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, under the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules:

 

     December 31,  
     2020     2019  
(In Thousands)    Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 48,810        15.86   $ 31,691        18.33

For capital adequacy purposes

     24,624        8.00       13,833        8.00  

To be well capitalized

     30,780        10.00       17,291        10.00  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 44,958        14.61   $ 29,977        17.34

For capital adequacy purposes

     18,468        6.00       10,374        6.00  

To be well capitalized

     24,624        8.00       13,833        8.00  

Common equity

          

(to risk-weighted assets)

          

Actual

   $ 44,958        14.61   $ 29,977        17.34

For capital adequacy purposes

     18,468        4.50       7,781        4.50  

To be well capitalized

     24,624        6.50       10,374        6.50  

Tier 1 capital

          

(to average assets)

          

Actual

   $ 44,958        12.84   $ 29,977        14.05

For capital adequacy purposes

     14,006        4.00       8,531        4.00  

To be well capitalized

     17,508        5.00       10,664        5.00  

Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid by the Bank. The Pennsylvania Banking Code provides that cash dividends may be declared and paid out of accumulated net earnings. In addition, dividends paid by the Bank would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. Loans or advances by the Bank to the Company are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus and must have collateral securing the loans or advances. Because the Bank is currently in an accumulated deficit position, dividends cannot be paid at this time.

Federal Reserve Cash Requirements

Effective March 26, 2020, The Federal Reserve Board set the Bank’s reserve requirements ratios to zero percent. As a result, the Bank is no longer required to maintain an average cash reserve balance in vault cash or with the Federal Reserve Bank. The required minimum balance was $5.3 million at December 31, 2019.

Loans

Federal law prevents the Company from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by specific collateral. Further, such secured loans are limited in amount to 10 percent of the Bank’s common stock and capital surplus.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

18.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in an estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts The Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. In accordance with the fair value measurements accounting guidance (FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements), the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company uses a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment. The fair value guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels of pricing are as follows:

 

Level I:    Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
Level II:    Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair- valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
Level III:    Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

18.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value are as follows:

 

     At December 31, 2020      At December 31, 2019  
(In Thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1)

   $ 9,002      $ 9,002      $ 11,210      $ 11,210  

Loans (Level 3)

     323,214        324,160        166,793        168,487  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock (Level 1)

     2,615        2,615        43        43  

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits (Level 3)

     283,054        282,800        188,673        188,136  

Short-term borrowings (Level 1)

     41,667        41,667        6,914        6,914  

Long-term borrowings (Level 3)

     37,315        37,738        —          —    

Subordinated Notes (Level 3)

     20,000        20,256        —          —    
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments (Level 3)      —          —          —          —    

The following tables present the assets reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are reported at fair value. These securities are valued by an independent third party. The valuations are based on market data. They utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, their evaluated pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (only obtained from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bid, offers and reference data. For certain securities additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Inputs are prioritized differently on any given day based on market conditions.

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets:

           

U.S. treasury securities

   $ —        $ 74,999      $ —        $ 74,999  

Mortgage backed securities

     —          4,206        —          4,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 79,205      $ —        $ 79,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2019  
(In Thousands)    Level
I
     Level II      Level
III
     Total  

Assets:

           

U.S. treasury securities

   $ —        $ 46,975      $ —        $ 46,975  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 46,975      $ —        $ 46,975  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

18.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2020  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 988      $ 988  
     December 31, 2019  
(In Thousands)    Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Impaired loans

   $ —        $ —        $ 1,003      $ 1,003  

The following tables provide information describing the valuation processes used to determine nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy:

 

     December 31, 2020  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Valuation
Techniques
  Unobservable
Input
   Range (Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 988      Appraisal of
collateral(1)
  Liquidation
expenses
     10
     December 31, 2019  
     Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements  
(In Thousands)    Fair Value      Valuation
Techniques
  Unobservable
Input
   Range (Weighted
Average)
 

Impaired loans

   $ 1,003      Appraisal of
collateral(1)
  Liquidation
expenses
     10

 

(1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include various Level III inputs that are not identifiable.

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors, such as economic conditions, aging, and/or estimated liquidation expenses incurred when selling the collateral. The range and weighted average of appraisal adjustments and liquidation expenses are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.

 

19.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts not completed as of the date of incorporation on April 6, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after April 6, 2018 are presented under Topic 606.

The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled.

Management determined that revenue derived from financial instruments, including revenue from loans, along with non-interest income resulting from commitment and other loan related fees as well as income from bank owned life insurance are not within the scope of Topic 606. As a result, no changes were made during the period related to these sources of revenue.

Topic 606 is applicable to non-interest income streams such as service charges on deposits and other non- interest income. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

19.

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Continued)

 

Service Charges and Activity Fees on Deposits

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of monthly ATM Income, Wire Transfer Fees, Non- Sufficient Funds Charges, and other Deposit related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and, therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company’s performance obligation for wire transfers and returned deposit fees, are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Fees on loan related activity

Fees from loan related activity is comprised mostly of upfront fees recognized on Assumable Rate Conversion Agreements, where Bank originates, a floating rate loan. The borrower concurrently signs an addendum to the promissory note with a third party permitting the borrower to pay a fixed rate of interest. The Bank through a master servicing agreement services the Assumable Rate Conversion between the third party and borrower.

Other

Other fees are primarily comprised of Remote/Mobile Deposit Fees and other service charges. Other noninterest income consists primarily of other nonrecurring revenue which is not recorded in the categories listed above. This revenue is miscellaneous in nature and is recognized as income upon receipt.

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of- scope of Topic 606, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

    

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 
(In Thousands)    2020      2019  

Non-interest income in-scope of Topic 606

     

Service charges and activity fees on deposits

   $ 74      $ 38  

Fees on loan related activity

     194        167  

Other

     130        49  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-interest income (in-scope of Topic 606)

     204        254  

Non-interest income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)

     251        139  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-interest income

   $ 649      $ 393  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly

 

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LINKBANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

19.

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Continued)

Contract Balances (Continued)

 

after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any contract balances.

Contract Acquisition Costs

In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). The Company utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Bank did not capitalize any contract acquisition cost.

 

20.

PROPOSED MERGER WITH GNB FINANCIAL, INC.

On December 10, 2020, LINKBANCORP, Inc. (LINK) and its wholly owned subsidiary, LINKBANK (Bank), and GNB Financial Corp, Inc. (GNB), and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Gratz Bank (“Gratz Bank”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which GNB will merge with and into LINK, with the LINK as the surviving corporation. Concurrent with the merger, it is expected that the Bank will merge with and into Gratz Bank, with the Gratz Bank as the surviving institution.

Under the agreement, GNB shareholders will have the opportunity to elect to receive $87.68 per share in cash or 7.3064 of LINK common shares for each share they own. The agreement provides for proration procedures intended to ensure that, in the aggregate, at least 80% of the GNB common shares outstanding will be exchanged for LINK common stock. The transaction is expected to be a tax-free exchange to the extent shareholders of GNB receive stock in exchange for their shares. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of both companies. The merger is currently expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021. Each of the directors of LINK and GNB have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement at the shareholders’ meeting to be held to vote on the proposed transaction. The board of the combined company will be evenly split between the two institutions and will be chaired by the current chairman of GNB Financial Services.

 

21.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of March 18, 2021, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements. The evaluation was conducted through March 18, 2021, the date these consolidated financial statements were available to be issued, and no subsequent events have occurred requiring accrual or disclosure.

 

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September 13, 2022

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