LINKBANCORP, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023


☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to ______

Commission File Number 001-41505

LINKBANCORP, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Pennsylvania	82-5130531
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1250 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 202 Camp Hill, PA 17011 (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (855) 569-2265

Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	LNKB	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large Accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated Filer	☐

Non-Accelerated Filer	☒	Smaller Reporting Company	☒

		Emerging Growth Company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes ☐ No ☒.

Indicate the number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of the latest practicable date: 16,228,440 shares as of May 12, 2023.

LINKBANCORP, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		PAGE
Item 1 -	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022	3
	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022	5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	7
Item 2 -	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	34
Item 3 -	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	43
Item 4 -	Controls and Procedures	43

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 -	Legal Proceedings	44
Item 1A -	Risk Factors	44
Item 2 -	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	45
Item 3 -	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	45
Item 4 -	Mine Safety Disclosures	45
Item 5 -	Other Information	45
Item 6 -	Exhibits	45
SIGNATURES		46

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - Consolidated Financial Statements

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)


	March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Noninterest-bearing cash equivalents	$	4,545		$	4,209
Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions		47,190			25,802
Cash and cash equivalents		51,735			30,011
Certificates of deposit with other banks		745			5,623
Securities available for sale, at fair value		86,804			78,813
Securities held to maturity (Fair value of $37,851 and $30,080, respectively)		39,519			31,822
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(533	)		—
Securities held to maturity, net		38,986			31,822
Loans receivable		945,371			927,871
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans		(10,526	)		(4,666	)
Net loans		934,845			923,205
Investments in restricted bank stock		4,134			3,377
Premises and equipment, net		6,497			6,743
Right-of-Use Asset – Premises		10,058			10,219
Bank-owned life insurance		24,384			19,244
Goodwill and other intangible assets		36,833			36,894
Deferred tax asset		6,749			5,619
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		12,188			12,084
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,213,958		$	1,163,654
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Demand, noninterest bearing	$	204,495		$	192,773
Interest bearing		780,003			753,999
Total deposits		984,498			946,772
Other borrowings		31,250			20,938
Subordinated debt		40,441			40,484
Operating lease liabilities		10,058			10,219
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments		1,055			54
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		5,075			6,634
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,072,377			1,025,101

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 10)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock (At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022: no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding.)		—			—
Common stock (At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022: $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 16,221,692 and 14,939,640 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.)		250			149
Surplus		127,659			117,709
Retained earnings		18,911			27,100
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(5,239	)		(6,405	)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		141,581			138,553
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,213,958		$	1,163,654

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023			2022
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loans receivable, including fees	$	11,762		$	7,763
Investment securities and certificates of deposit:
Taxable		653			276
Exempt from federal income tax		300			290
Other		275			53
Total interest and dividend income		12,990			8,382
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		4,517			665
Other borrowings		87			33
Subordinated debt		432			207
Total interest expense		5,036			905
NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		7,954			7,477
Provision for credit losses		293			280
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		7,661			7,197
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		199			210
Bank-owned life insurance		140			110
Net realized (losses) gains on the sales of debt securities		(2,370	)		13
Gain on sale of loans		—			180
Other		178			198
Total noninterest income		(1,853	)		711
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		4,120			3,656
Occupancy		707			473
Equipment and data processing		693			698
Professional fees		381			228
FDIC insurance		159			204
Bank shares tax		278			183
Merger & system conversion related expenses		587			—
Other		812			656
Total noninterest expense		7,737			6,098
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense		(1,929	)		1,810
Income tax (benefit) expense		(376	)		286
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(1,553	)	$	1,524
EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC	$	(0.10	)	$	0.16
EARNINGS PER SHARE, DILUTED	$	(0.10	)	$	0.15
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING,
BASIC		15,480,951			9,826,435
DILUTED		15,480,951			10,053,684

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023			2022
(In Thousands)
Net (loss) income	$	(1,553	)	$	1,524
Components of other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities		1,477			(5,165	)
Tax effect		(311	)		1,085
Net of tax amount		1,166			(4,080	)

Reclassification adjustment for debt securities gains realized in net income		—			(13	)
Tax effect		—			3
Net of tax amount		—			(10	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		1,166			(4,090	)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(387	)	$	(2,566	)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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, December 31, 2022		14,939,640	$	149	$	117,709	$	27,100		$	(6,405	)	$	138,553
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles (Note 1)		—		—		—		(5,419	)		—			(5,419	)
Balance, January 1, 2023, as adjusted		14,939,640		149		117,709		21,681			(6,405	)		133,134
Net loss		—		—		—		(1,553	)		—			(1,553	)
Dividends declared ($0.075 per share)		—		—		—		(1,217	)		—			(1,217	)
Issuance of shares of common stock, net proceeds		1,282,052		101		9,879		—			—			9,980
Employee stock purchase plan		—		—		42		—			—			42
Stock option expense		—		—		29		—			—			29
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—			1,166			1,166
Balance, March 31, 2023		16,221,692		250		127,659		18,911			(5,239	)		141,581

(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		—		—		—		1,524			—			1,524
Dividends declared ($0.075 per share)		—		—		—		(737	)		—			(737	)
Stock option expense		—		—		20		—			—			20
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—			(4,090	)		(4,090	)
Balance, March 31, 2022		9,826,435	$	99	$	82,930	$	25,623		$	(2,312	)	$	106,340

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)	2023			2022
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	(1,553	)	$	1,524
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses		293			280
Depreciation		228			192
Amortization of intangible assets		61			67
(Accretion) amortization of premiums and (discounts), net		(282	)		(495	)
Origination of loans to be sold		—			(1,860	)
Gain on sale of loans		—			(180	)
Share-based and deferred compensation		174			245
Bank-owned life insurance income		(140	)		(110	)
Loss (Gain) on sale of debt securities, available for sale		2,370			(13	)
Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets		(83	)		(1,590	)
Change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities		(1,662	)		(720	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(594	)		(2,660	)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment securities available for sale:
Proceeds from sales		1,847			513
Proceeds from calls and maturities		-			750
Proceeds from principal repayments		1,808			3,702
Purchases		(9,756	)		—
Investment securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from principal repayments		613			—
Purchases		(11,289	)		(5,000	)
Proceeds from redemptions of certificates of deposit with other banks		4,878			—
Purchase of restricted investment in bank stocks		(2,264	)		(999	)
Redemption of restricted investment in bank stocks		1,507			72
Increase in loans, net		(16,827	)		(15,754	)
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance		(5,000	)		—
Purchase of premises and equipment		-			(156	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(34,483	)		(16,872	)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in deposits, net		37,726			90,505
Change in short-term borrowings, net		10,312			16,303
Dividends paid		(1,217	)		(737	)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		9,980			—
Net cash provided by financing activities		56,801			106,071
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		21,724			86,539
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		30,011			22,590
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	51,735		$	109,129

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	4,773	$	613

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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 LINKBANK (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. On October 5, 2018, 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 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 "Gratz Merger"). In markets other than the pre-merger Gratz Bank areas, the Bank operated as "LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank." Effective November 4, 2022, the Bank began to operate under one brand under the name LINKBANK.

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.

Initial Public Offering

In September 2022, the Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") whereby it issued and sold 5,101,205 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $7.50 per share. The Company received net proceeds of $34,659 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,487 and other offering expenses of $1,114. The Company's common stock now trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "LNKB."

Basis of Presentation

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. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the consolidated balance sheet date of March 31, 2023 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

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the allowance for credit 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 months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. 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, 2022.

Reclassification of Prior Period Financial Statements

Certain previously reported items have been reclassified to conform to the current year's classifications. Reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders' equity.

Pending Merger with Partners Bancorp

On February 22, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Partners Merger Agreement") with Partners Bancorp ("Partners"), a Maryland corporation, and the holding company for The Bank of Delmarva and Virginia Partners Bank, based in Seaford, Delaware and Fredericksburg, Virginia, respectively. At December 31, 2022, Partners had total assets of $1.57 billion, total loans of $1.23 billion, total deposits of $1.34 billion, and 17,973,724 shares outstanding. The Partners Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Partners will merge with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation, and that The Bank of Delmarva and Virginia Partners Bank will merge with and into LINKBANK, with LINKBANK as the surviving bank. The Partners Merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of each company. The acquisition will introduce the Company's operations into northern Virginia, eastern Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey.

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities

On February 21, 2023, the Company entered into Investment Agreements with certain directors of the Company as well as other accredited investors under which it issued and sold 1,282,052 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01, at a price of $7.80 per share. The shares were issued on February 21, 2023, in a private placement exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D of the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The offering resulted in gross proceeds of $10.0 million. There were no underwriting discounts or commissions.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for credit losses and any deferred fees or costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans. The 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.

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes is discontinued at the time the loan is more than ninety days delinquent unless the loan is well collateralized and in process of collection. Nonaccrual loans are reviewed for charge-off if more than ninety-days past due, except for residential loans and consumer loans. Residential loans are reviewed at 180 days and consumer loans are

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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.

Goodwill Impairment

Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for potential impairment on at least an annual basis, with testing between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that could potentially reduce the fair value of a reporting unit. In conjunction with the IPO, the Company issued 5,101,205 shares of common stock and the Company's stock price subsequently decreased from an average closing price of $9.32 per share for the month of August 2022, to $7.50 per share upon completion of the IPO. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company's stock price has further decreased, causing management to perform a goodwill impairment test at March 31, 2023. In testing goodwill for impairment as of March 31, 2023, the Company determined that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Accordingly, there was no goodwill impairment at March 31, 2023.

New Accounting Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted

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 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. ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2024. 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Goodwill Impairment

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 had been Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead the goodwill impairment test consists 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 was effective for annual and any interim goodwill impairment tests in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2023. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

Current Expected Credit Losses

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended, which replaces 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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. At January 1, 2023, the Company increased the allowance for credit losses for loans by $5.7 million, the allowance for credit losses for unfunded loan commitments by $910 thousand, and the allowance on held-to-maturity securities by $602 thousand. At January 1, 2023, the Company reported a cumulative-effect adjustment of $5.4 million to decrease retained earnings.

The Company did not record a an allowance for credit losses on its available-for-sale debt securities under the newly codified available-for-sale debt security impairment model, as the majority of these securities are government agency-backed securities for which the risk of loss is minimal.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (PCD) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired and accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of the adoption. On January 1, 2023, the amortized cost basis of the PCD assets were adjusted to reflect the addition of $308 thousand to the allowance for credit losses. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2023.

The below table shows the changes made to loan segments and the allowance for credit losses upon the adoption of ASC 326 as of January 1, 2023.


(In Thousands)	December 31, 2022 Statement Balance		Segment portfolio reclassifications			December 31, 2022 after reclassifications
Loans:
Agriculture and farmland	$	15,591	$	40,155		$	55,746
Construction		-		57,713			57,713
Commercial & industrial		103,874		881			104,755
Paycheck Protection Program		881		(881	)		-
Commercial real estate		540,914		(540,914	)		-
Multifamily		-		105,390			105,390
Owner occupied		-		139,554			139,554
Non-owner occupied		-		245,274			245,274
Residential real estate		250,832		(250,832	)		-
First liens		-		168,084			168,084
Second liens and lines of credit		-		35,576			35,576
Municipal		5,466		-			5,466
Consumer and other		10,057		-			10,057
Total		927,615		-			927,615
Deferred Costs		256		-			256
Total	$	927,871	$	-		$	927,871

Allowance:
Agriculture and farmland	$	33	$	246		$	279
Construction		-		274			274
Commercial & industrial		583		-			583
Paycheck Protection Program		-		-			-
Commercial real estate		2,462		(2,462	)		-
Multifamily		-		480			480
Owner occupied		-		635			635
Non-owner occupied		-		1,116			1,116
Residential real estate		1,536		(1,536	)		-
First liens		-		1,029			1,029
Second liens and lines of credit		-		218			218
Municipal		12		-			12
Consumer and other		40		-			40
Total	$	4,666	$	-		$	4,666

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have adopted a rule that provides a banking organization the option to phase-in, over a three year period, the effects of CECL on its regulatory capital upon the adoption of the CECL standard. The Company has elected to exercise this phase-in option.

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 Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2023 in conjunction with ASC 326. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company revised some of its existing accounting policies as noted below:

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

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

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


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

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

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

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

Allowance for Credit losses - Held-to-Maturity Securities

Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $177 thousand at March 31, 2023 which is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Corporate debentures and structured mortgage-backed securities.

•

The corporate debentures are comprised of investments in subordinated debt issued by U.S. based banks.

•

All of the structured mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

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

Investment Securities

Investment securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Investment securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity, and changes in the availability of and in the yield of alternative investments, are classified as available for sale. These investment securities are carried at fair value. Fair values of securities available for sale are determined by using Level 2 fair value measures calculated through the use of matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a common mathematical technique that does not rely exclusively on quoted market prices for specific securities but rather utilizes the security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted prices in determining fair value. The Company uses independent service providers to calculate our Level 2 fair value measures. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from operations and are reported net of tax as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are reported in the consolidated statements of 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.

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

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

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities totaled $944 thousand at March 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2023
(In Thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Available for Sale:
US government agency securities	$	2,000	$	4	$	—		$	2,004
Small Business Administration loan pools		783		—		(15	)		768
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		45,691		39		(3,275	)		42,455
Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities		44,960		4		(3,387	)		41,577
	$	93,434	$	47	$	(6,677	)	$	86,804

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Allowance for Credit Losses
Held to Maturity:
Corporate debentures	$	15,000	$	17	$	(1,048	)	$	13,969	$	533
Structured mortgage-backed securities		24,519		1		(638	)		23,882		—
	$	39,519	$	18	$	(1,686	)	$	37,851	$	533

	December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Available for Sale:
Small Business Administration loan pools	$	858	$	—	$	(15	)	$	843
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		44,189		14		(4,034	)		40,169
Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities		41,873		—		(4,072	)		37,801
	$	86,920	$	14	$	(8,121	)	$	78,813
Held to Maturity:
Corporate debentures	$	14,993	$	—	$	(994	)	$	13,999
Structured mortgage-backed securities		16,829		—		(748	)		16,081
	$	31,822	$	—	$	(1,742	)	$	30,080

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The following tables summarize the Company's debt securities in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, aggregated by security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position.


	March 31, 2023
	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	$	-	$	-		$	768	$	(15	)	$	768	$	(15	)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		21,742		(923	)		15,228		(2,352	)		36,970		(3,275	)
Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities		3,468		(65	)		35,226		(3,322	)		38,694		(3,387	)
	$	25,210	$	(988	)	$	51,222	$	(5,689	)	$	76,432	$	(6,677	)
Held to Maturity:
Structured mortgage-backed securities		21,349		(638	)		—		—			21,349		(638	)
	$	21,349	$	(638	)	$	—	$	—		$	21,349	$	(638	)

	December 31, 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	$	334	$	(1	)	$	509	$	(14	)	$	843	$	(15	)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		34,836		(3,372	)		2,559		(662	)		37,395		(4,034	)
Mortgage-backed securities in government-sponsored entities		18,052		(1,538	)		19,749		(2,534	)		37,801		(4,072	)
	$	53,222	$	(4,911	)	$	22,817	$	(3,210	)	$	76,039	$	(8,121	)
Held to Maturity
Corporate debentures	$	13,999	$	(994	)	$	—	$	—		$	13,999	$	(994	)
Structured mortgage-backed securities		16,081		(748	)		-		-			16,081		(748	)
	$	30,080	$	(1,742	)	$	—	$	—		$	30,080	$	(1,742	)

No allowance for credit losses on available for sale debt securities was needed at March 31, 2023. The Company reviews its position quarterly and believes that as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 168 and 175 available for sale debt securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company has concluded that the

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

unrealized losses disclosed above are the result of interest rate changes and market conditions that are not expected to result in the noncollection of principal and interest during the year.

There were 11 and ten held to maturity debt securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

As of March 31, 2023, 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	$	312	$	308	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years		7,695		7,605		8,000		7,483
Due after five years through ten years		14,105		13,495		7,000		6,486
Due after ten years		26,362		23,819		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized mortgage obligations		44,960		41,577		24,519		23,882
	$	93,434	$	86,804	$	39,519	$	37,851

The following table summarizes sales of debt securities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.



(In Thousands)	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Proceeds	$	1,847	$	513
Gross gains		—		13
Gross losses		2,370		—
Net gain	$	2,370	$	13

The tax benefit (provision) related to these realized gains and losses was $498 and $(3) as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

At December 31, 2022, the Company's corporate debenture portfolio contained $3,000 of an investment in subordinated notes issued by Signature Bank. As a result of and subsequent to the failure of Signature Bank during the first quarter of 2023, the Company sold its investment in the Signature Bank subordinated notes and incurred a pre-tax gross loss of approximately $2,445.

The Company had pledged debt securities with a carrying value of $46,288 and $47,418 to secure public monies as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

LOANS RECEIVABLE

The portfolio segments and classes of loans are as follows:


(In Thousands)	March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Agriculture and farmland loans	$	53,301		$	55,746
Construction loans		67,934			57,713
Commercial & industrial loans		99,356			104,755
Commercial real estate loans
Multifamily		111,461			105,390
Owner occupied		151,407			139,554
Non-owner occupied		249,638			245,274
Residential real estate loans
First liens		166,478			168,084
Second liens and lines of credit		30,720			35,576
Consumer and other loans		10,472			10,057
Municipal loans		4,292			5,466
		945,059			927,615
Deferred costs (fees)		312			256
Allowance for credit losses		(10,526	)		(4,666	)
Total	$	934,845		$	923,205

The balances at December 31, 2022 were reclassified from those previously reported as shown in Note 1.

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.

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process is $504 and zero, respectively.

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT 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

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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 systematically monitors the loan portfolio and the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis to provide for expected losses inherent in the portfolio. For segments determined by discounted cash flow analysis, the Company's estimate of future economic conditions utilized in its estimate is primarily dependent on the Federal Open Market Committee's forecasts related to Real Gross Domestic Product and Unemployment rate. For segments determined by the remaining life method, an average loss rate is generally calculated based on peer losses and applied to the future outstanding loan balances at quarter end.

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 credit losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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 credit losses by loan segment for the three months ended March 31, 2023.


	Beginning balance, prior to adoption of ASC 326		Impact of adopting ASC 326			Charge-offs		Recoveries		Provision for credit losses			Ending balance
(In Thousands)	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Allowance for credit losses:
Agriculture and farmland	$	279	$	(190	)	$	-	$	-	$	119		$	208
Construction		274		513			-		-		26			813
Commercial & industrial		583		283			-		-		64			930
Commercial real estate											-
Multifamily		480		340			-		-		(90	)		730
Owner occupied		635		760			-		-		198			1,593
Non-owner occupied		1,116		3,195			-		-		4			4,315
Residential real estate											-
First liens		1,029		635			-		1		(157	)		1,508
Second liens and lines of credit		218		140			-		1		43			402
Municipal		12		(2	)		-		-		(3	)		7
Consumer		40		(19	)		-		-		(1	)		20
Total	$	4,666	$	5,655		$	-	$	2	$	203		$	10,526

The balances at December 31, 2022 were reclassified from those previously reported as shown in Note 1.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of nonaccrual loans and loans past due over 89 days still accruing by segments of the loan portfolio:


	As of March 31, 2023
(In Thousands)	Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit Loss		Nonaccrual with a related Allowance for Credit Loss		Loans past due over 89 days still accruing
Agriculture and farmland	$	—	$	781	$	—
Construction		—		—		—
Commercial & industrial		16		—		35
Commercial real estate
Multifamily		—		—		—
Owner occupied		—		—		—
Non-owner occupied		50		140		50
Residential real estate
First liens		364		811		20
Second liens and lines of credit		39		7		105
Municipal		—		—		—
Consumer		54		—		57
Total	$	523	$	1,739	$	267

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The Company recognized $14 of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table presents an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past due loans at March 31, 2023.


	March 31, 2023
(In Thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans
Agriculture and farmland	$	36	$	-	$	-	$	36	$	53,265	$	53,301
Construction		-		-		-		-		67,934		67,934
Commercial & industrial		221		293		35		549		98,807		99,356
Commercial real estate
Multifamily		1,013		-		-		1,013		110,448		111,461
Owner occupied		413		-		-		413		150,994		151,407
Non-owner occupied		-		88		190		278		249,360		249,638
Residential real estate
First liens		883		490		602		1,975		164,503		166,478
Second liens and lines of credit		103		-		129		232		30,488		30,720
Municipal		-		-		-		-		10,472		10,472
Consumer		9		1		57		67		4,225		4,292
Total	$	2,678	$	872	$	1,013	$	4,563	$	940,496	$	945,059

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of March 31, 2023. 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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of March 31, 2023.


	March 31, 2023
	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In Thousands)	2023		2022		2021		2020		2019		Prior		Revolving loans amortized cost basis		Revolving loans converted to term		Total
Agriculture and farmland
Pass	$	659	$	14,941	$	5,381	$	5,614	$	3,636	$	15,143	$	4,706	$	—	$	50,080
Special mention		—		—		—		—		—		—		15		—		15
Substandard or lower		—		—		—		264		65		2,876		1		—		3,206
Total Agriculture and farmland	$	659	$	14,941	$	5,381	$	5,878	$	3,701	$	18,019	$	4,722	$	—	$	53,301
Agriculture and farmland
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Construction
Pass		1,730		30,869		9,442		931		5,538		1,811		17,613		—		67,934
Special mention		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard or lower		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total Construction		1,730		30,869		9,442		931		5,538		1,811		17,613		—		67,934
Construction
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial & industrial
Pass		3,788		14,696		8,602		10,903		2,573		770		55,785		570		97,687
Special mention		—		—		242		—		—		505		892		—		1,639
Substandard or lower		15		—		—		—		14		—		1		—		30
Total Commercial & industrial		3,803		14,696		8,844		10,903		2,587		1,275		56,678		570		99,356
Commercial & industrial
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial real estate - Multifamily
Pass		2,200		44,429		44,855		11,506		6,047		432		81		—		109,550
Special mention		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard or lower		—		—		—		—		—		1,911		—		—		1,911
Total Commercial real estate - Multifamily		2,200		44,429		44,855		11,506		6,047		2,343		81		—		111,461
Commercial real estate - Multifamily
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]


	March 31, 2023
	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In Thousands)	2023		2022		2021		2020		2019		Prior		Revolving loans amortized cost basis		Revolving loans converted to term		Total
Commercial real estate - Owner occupied
Pass		12,514		63,935		25,014		15,887		19,784		6,035		2,177		—		145,346
Special mention		—		—		—		—		1,359		304		64		—		1,727
Substandard or lower		—		—		1,527		—		2,189		339		279		—		4,334
Total Commercial real estate - Owner occupied		12,514		63,935		26,541		15,887		23,332		6,678		2,520		—		151,407
Commercial real estate - Owner occupied
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied
Pass		10,101		97,256		59,740		21,160		32,957		13,571		8,382		—		243,167
Special mention		—		—		—		—		6,281		—		—		—		6,281
Substandard or lower		—		—		50		—		140		—		—		—		190
Total Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied		10,101		97,256		59,790		21,160		39,378		13,571		8,382		—		249,638
Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Municipal
Pass		—		126		323		1,787		—		1,975		81		—		4,292
Special mention		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard or lower		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total Commercial real estate - Municipal		—		126		323		1,787		—		1,975		81		—		4,292
Municipal
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total
Pass	$	30,992	$	266,252	$	153,357	$	67,788	$	70,535	$	39,737	$	88,825	$	570	$	718,056
Special mention		—		—		242		—		7,640		809		971		—		9,662
Substandard or lower		15		—		1,577		264		2,408		5,126		281		—		9,671
Total	$	31,007	$	266,252	$	155,176	$	68,052	$	80,583	$	45,672	$	90,077	$	570	$	737,389

The Company considers the performance of the loan portfolio and its impact on the allowance for credit losses. As part of our adoption of CECL, the Company will monitor small balance, homogeneous loans, such as home equity, residential mortgage, and consumer loans based on delinquency status rather than the assignment of loan specific risk ratings. The Company will

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

evaluate credit quality based on the aging status of the loan. The following tables present the amortized cost of these loans based on payment activity, by origination year:


	March 31, 2023
	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In Thousands)	2023		2022		2021		2020		2019		Prior		Revolving loans amortized cost basis		Revolving loans converted to term		Total
Residential real estate - First liens
Performing	$	4,571	$	45,639	$	49,399	$	20,674	$	12,214	$	32,656	$	—	$	—	$	165,153
Nonperforming		—		—		—		—		232		1,093		—		—		1,325
Total Residential real estate - First liens	$	4,571	$	45,639	$	49,399	$	20,674	$	12,446	$	33,749	$	—	$	—	$	166,478
Residential real estate - First liens
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit
Performing		97		702		753		1,189		441		1,740		25,536		—		30,458
Nonperforming		—		—		—		—		—		149		105		8		262
Total Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit		97		702		753		1,189		441		1,889		25,641		8		30,720
Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Consumer and other
Performing		1,516		2,978		98		93		29		35		5,666		—		10,415
Nonperforming		—		2		—		—		49		6		—		—		57
Total Consumer and other		1,516		2,980		98		93		78		41		5,666		—		10,472
Consumer and other
Current period gross charge-offs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total
Performing	$	6,184	$	49,319	$	50,250	$	21,956	$	12,684	$	34,431	$	31,202	$	—	$	206,026
Nonperforming		—		2		—		—		281		1,248		105		8		1,644
Total	$	6,184	$	49,321	$	50,250	$	21,956	$	12,965	$	35,679	$	31,307	$	8	$	207,670

Allowance for loan losses

Prior to the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2023, the Company calculated the allowance for loan losses using the incurred losses methodology. The following tables are disclosures related to the allowance for loan losses in prior periods.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three month period ended March 31, 2022.


	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 Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	23		$	582	$	799	$	1,634	$	22		$	15	$	77		$	3,152
Charge-offs		—			—		—		—		—			—		—			—
Recoveries		—			2		—		7		2			—		—			11
Provision		(3	)		1		271		87		(11	)		—		(65	)		280
Ending balance	$	20		$	585	$	1,070	$	1,728	$	13		$	15	$	12		$	3,443

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The following table illustrates the balance of loans individually evaluated vs. collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2022.


	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, 2022
Allowance for loan losses:
Ending balance	$	33	$	583	$	2,462	$	1,536	$	40	$	12	$	—	$	4,666
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	20	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	20
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	33	$	563	$	2,462	$	1,536	$	40	$	12	$	—	$	4,646
Loans:
Ending balance	$	15,591	$	104,755	$	540,914	$	250,832	$	10,057	$	5,466			$	927,615
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	300	$	55	$	2,306	$	4,652	$	—	$	—			$	7,313
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	—	$	—	$	2,227	$	182	$	—	$	—			$	2,409
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	15,291	$	104,700	$	536,381	$	245,998	$	10,057	$	5,466			$	917,893

Credit Quality Information

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of December 31, 2022. 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:

Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.

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, 2022:


(In Thousands)			Special
As of December 31, 2022	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Agriculture loans	$	15,291	$	—	$	300	$	—	$	15,591
Commercial and PPP		101,980		2,721		54		—		104,755
Commercial real estate loans		533,864		2,516		4,534		—		540,914
Residential real estate loans		246,028		207		4,597		—		250,832
Consumer loans		10,057		—		—		—		10,057
Municipal loans		5,466		—		—		—		5,466
Total	$	912,686	$	5,444	$	9,485	$	—	$	927,615

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The following table presents an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past due loans at December 31, 2022.


	December 31, 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	$	193	$	48	$	149	$	390	$	15,201	$	—	$	15,591	$	149
Commercial and PPP loans		111		21		54		186		104,569		—		104,755		54
Commercial real estate loans		863		88		190		1,141		537,546		2,227		540,914		—
Residential real estate loans		2,474		137		1,176		3,787		246,863		182		250,832		540
Consumer loans		254		58		—		312		9,745		—		10,057		—
Municipal loans		—		—		—		—		5,466		—		5,466		—
Total	$	3,895	$	352	$	1,569	$	5,816	$	919,390	$	2,409	$	927,615	$	743

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, 2022
(In Thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
Agriculture loans	$	300	$	300	$	—
Commercial loans		35		55		—
Commercial real estate loans		2,306		2,312		—
Residential real estate loans		4,652		4,683		—
Consumer loans		—		—		—
Municipal loans		—		—		—

With an allowance recorded:
Agriculture loans	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial loans		20		20		20
Commercial real estate loans		—		—		—
Residential real estate loans		—		—		—
Consumer loans		—		—		—
Municipal loans		—		—		—
		—		—		—
Total
Agriculture loans	$	300	$	300	$	—
Commercial loans		55		75		20
Commercial real estate loans		2,306		2,312		—
Residential real estate loans		4,652		4,683		—
Consumer loans		—		—		—
Municipal loans		—		—		—
	$	7,313	$	7,370	$	20

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022
(In Thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Agriculture loans	$	249	$	3
Commercial loans		37		—
Commercial real estate loans		181		3
Residential real estate loans		1,902		17
Consumer loans		—		—
Municipal loans		—		—
		2,369		23
With an allowance recorded:
Agriculture loans	$	—	$	—
Commercial loans		—		—
Commercial real estate loans		—		—
Residential real estate loans		4		—
Consumer loans		—		—
Municipal loans		—		—
		4		-
Total	$	2,373	$	23

The following table presents nonaccrual loans by classes of the loan portfolio:


(In Thousands)	December 31, 2022
Commercial and PPP loans	$	35
Commercial real estate loans		231
Residential real estate loans		1,652
Consumer loans		—
Total	$	1,918

The above nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2022 excludes PCI loans with a total balance of $2,409. Management does not consider these loans to be non-performing as they are accounted for under the accretable yield method and are performing in line with expectations as of December 31, 2022.

At December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of borrowings secured by loans pledged to the FHLB under its blanket lien was $0.

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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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, 2022, the Company had no loans identified as TDRs. There were also no new loan modifications during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that were considered TDRs.

DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2023					December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Amount		%			Amount		%
Demand, noninterest-bearing	$	204,495		20.77	%	$	192,773		20.36	%
Demand, interest-bearing		250,944		25.49			254,478		26.88
Money market and savings		241,858		24.57			228,048		24.09
Time deposits, $250 and over		51,855		5.27			45,616		4.82
Time deposits, other		235,346		23.91			225,857		23.86
	$	984,498		100.0	%	$	946,772		100.0	%

Within time deposits, other, there were $70,000 in brokered deposits outstanding at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Of the $70,000 in brokered deposits outstanding at March 31, 2023, $10,000 matures in May 2023 and $60,000 matures in July 2023.

BORROWINGS AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

Borrowings and subordinated debt was as follows:


(in Thousands)	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Subordinated Debt	$	40,441	$	40,484
Short-term borrowings		31,250		20,938
Total	$	71,691	$	61,422

Subordinated Notes Sale - 2022

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 year ended December 31, 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 9 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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

Short-term Borrowings - FHLB Advances

The Company had $31.3 million and $20.9 million in short-term FHLB Advances outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These advances are scheduled to mature in 2023.

Available Lines of Credit

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 March 31, 2023. There were no borrowings under these lines of credit at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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 March 31, 2023				At December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1)	$	51,735	$	51,735	$	30,011	$	30,011
Certificates of deposit with other banks (Level 3)		745		740		5,623		5,590
Securities held to maturity (Level 2)		39,519		37,851		31,822		30,080
Loans (Level 3)		945,371		905,832		927,871		886,944
Accrued interest receivable (Level 1)		4,618		4,618		4,661		4,661
Restricted investments in bank stock (Level 1)		4,134		4,134		3,377		3,377
Cash surrender value of life insurance (Level 1)		24,384		24,384		19,244		19,244
Financial liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits (Level 1)		697,297		697,297		675,299		675,299
Time Deposits (Level 3)		287,201		283,762		271,473		266,775
Other borrowings (Level 3)		31,250		31,250		20,938		20,938
Subordinated Notes (Level 3)		40,441		35,949		40,484		35,966
Accrued interest payable (Level 1)		1,060		1,060		797		797

The following tables present the assets reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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. The valuations 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.


	March 31, 2023
(In Thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Assets:
US government agency securities	$	—	$	2,004	$	—	$	2,004
Small Business Administration loan pools		—		768		—		768
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		—		42,455		—		42,455
Mortgage backed securities in government-sponsored entities		—		41,577		—		41,577
Total	$	—	$	86,804	$	—	$	86,804

	December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Assets:
Small Business Administration loan pools	$	—	$	843	$	—	$	843
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		—		40,169		—		40,169
Mortgage backed securities in government-sponsored entities		—		37,801		—		37,801
Total	$	—	$	78,813	$	—	$	78,813

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are presented in the table below.


	March 31, 2023
(In Thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Loans individually evaluated	$	—	$	—	$	11,818	$	11,818

	December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Loans individually evaluated	$	—	$	—	$	7,313	$	7,313

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:

March 31, 2023

Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements

(In Thousands)

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Input

Range (Weighted
Average)

Loans individually evaluated

11,818

Appraisal of
collateral

)

Liquidation
expenses

December 31, 2022

Quantitative Information About Level III Fair Value Measurements

(In Thousands)

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Input

Range (Weighted
Average)

Loans individually evaluated

7,313

Appraisal of
collateral

)

Liquidation
expenses

(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.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 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 2019 Plan was frozen such that no new awards would be granted under the 2019 Plan following receipt of shareholder approval of the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan described within this footnote.

On May 26, 2022, the Company's shareholders approved the LINKBANCORP, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2022 Plan"). The 2022 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 2022 Plan is administered by the members of LINKBANCORP’s Compensation Committee (the "Committee"). At least 95% of the awards under the 2022 Plan will vest no earlier than one year after the grant date.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The table below provides details of the Company's stock options at March 31, 2023.


	Number of Stock Options			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in ‘000s)
Outstanding, December 31, 2022		490,000		$	10.11		7.1	$	33
Granted		—
Expired/terminated		(17,800	)		11.15		—
Exercised		—
Outstanding, March 31, 2023		472,200		$	10.07		7.1	$	—
Exercisable at period end		214,700		$	10.19		6.3	$	—

The exercise prices for options outstanding as of March 31, 2023 ranged from $9.00 to $14.50. The Company recognized compensation expense of $29 and $20 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs totaled $267 and will be recognized ratably as expense through December 31, 2027.

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 March 31, 2023, 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%.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 under the Basel III Capital Rules. Bank capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations.


	March 31, 2023					December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total capital
(to risk-weighted assets)
Actual	$	135,442		13.53	%	$	125,632		12.89	%
For capital adequacy purposes		80,052		8.00			77,953		8.00
To be well capitalized		100,065		10.00			97,441		10.00
Tier 1 capital
(to risk-weighted assets)
Actual	$	123,328		12.32	%	$	120,912		12.41	%
For capital adequacy purposes		60,039		6.00			58,465		6.00
To be well capitalized		80,052		8.00			77,953		8.00
Common equity
(to risk-weighted assets)
Actual	$	123,328		12.32	%	$	120,912		12.41	%
For capital adequacy purposes		45,029		4.50			43,848		4.50
To be well capitalized		65,042		6.50			63,337		6.50
Tier 1 capital
(to average assets)
Actual	$	123,328		10.78	%	$	120,912		10.93	%
For capital adequacy purposes		45,759		4.00			44,248		4.00
To be well capitalized		57,199		5.00			55,311		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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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.

The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have adopted a rule that provides a banking organization the option to phase-in over a three-year period the effects of CECL on its regulatory capital upon the adoption of the CECL standard. The Company opted to exercise this phase-in option.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has an allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet instruments of $1,055 and $54, respectively, included within the liabilities section of the balance sheet. The corresponding provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $90 and zero, respectively.

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:


(In Thousands)	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Unfunded commitments under lines of credit:
Home equity loans	$	40,104	$	43,798
Commercial real estate, construction, and land development		65,323		62,146
Commercial and industrial		144,950		125,205
Other		—		—
Total	$	250,377	$	231,149

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.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

[In Thousands, Except Share Data]

11.

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 March 31,
	2023			2022
Net income (loss)	$	(1,553	)	$	1,524
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		15,480,951			9,826,435
Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants		—			227,249
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		15,480,951			10,053,684
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.10	)	$	0.16
Diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	0.15

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 in the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Share-based compensation awards		—		151,200
Warrants		—		1,537,484
Total dilutive securities		—		1,688,684

The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future periods that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Share-based compensation awards		214,700		—
Warrants		1,537,484		—
Total anti-dilutive securities		1,752,184		—

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion and analysis reflects the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other relevant statistical data and is intended to enhance your understanding of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis is presented in the following sections:

•

Forward Looking Statements

•

Overview and Strategy

•

Partners Merger

•

Financial Highlights

•

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

•

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

•

Liquidity, Commitments, and Capital Resources

•

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

•

Critical Accounting Estimates

•

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events. 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 based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change.

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:

•

inflation and changes in market interest rates that reduce our margins and yields, reduce the fair value of financial instruments or reduce our volume of loan originations, or increase the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make, whether held in portfolio or sold in the secondary market;

•

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

•

competition within our market area that is stronger than expected;

•

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

•

our ability to access cost-effective funding;

•

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

•

demand for loans and deposits in our market area;

•

our ability to continue to implement our business strategies;

•

competition among depository and other financial institutions;

•

recent events involving the failure of financial institutions may adversely affect our business, and the market price of our common stock;

•

any future FDIC insurance premium increases, or special assessment may adversely affect our earnings;

•

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 manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk;

•

our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

•

the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental polices impacting the value of the products of our borrowers;

•

the Partners Merger will not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder, or other approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all;

•

our ability to successfully integrate into our operations GNBF’s assets, liabilities or systems we acquired, as well as new management personnel or customers, and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto;

•

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

•

our ability to maintain our reputation;

•

our ability to prevent or mitigate fraudulent activity;

•

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;

•

our ability to retain key employees and our existing customers;

•

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;

•

risks and uncertainties related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic and resulting governmental and societal response and its effects on our business and operations;

•

acts of war or terrorism;

•

our ability to evaluate the amount and timing of recognition of future tax assets and liabilities;

•

our compensation expense associated with equity benefits allocated or awarded to our employees; and

•

changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to reflect future events or developments.

Overview and Strategy

The Company’s core strategy is to further its mission of “positively impacting lives” through community banking by building strong relationships that bring value to its customers, employees, the communities it serves and its shareholders. In pursuing this mission, the Company specifically desires to invest in the development of strong future leaders for the banking industry and our communities, to contribute to economically and socially flourishing communities, and to demonstrate the continued viability and integral role of community banking for our economic and social development.

The Company operates primarily through its sole subsidiary, LINKBANK, 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.

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 credit losses.

Non-interest 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, and revenue from the sale of SBA loans and residential mortgage loans to the secondary market and related servicing fees. Non-interest expenses, which include salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, data processing, professional fees, merger and system conversion expense, 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 concentrated in South Central Pennsylvania in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and York 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.

Partners Merger

On February 22, 2023, the Company and Partners Bancorp entered into the Merger Agreement that provides that Partners Bancorp will merge with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the “Partners Merger”). Partners Bancorp shareholders will receive 1.15 shares of Company common stock for each Partners Bancorp share they own. Following the Partners Merger, Partners Bancorp’s two bank subsidiaries, The Bank of Delmarva and Virginia Partners Bank, will merge with and into LINKBANK, with LINKBANK remaining as the surviving bank (the “Bank Mergers”). The completion of the Partners Merger and the Bank Mergers is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by both Company and Partners Bancorp shareholders and the receipt of regulatory approvals. The Partners Merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

Financial Highlights

The following is a summary of the financial highlights as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

•

Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Net loss was $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a $3.1 million decrease from net income of $1.5 million for the same period in 2022. Diluted net (loss) income per share was ($0.10) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.15 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2022.

•

Net Interest Income - Net interest income before provision for credit losses increased $477 thousand, or 6.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2023 totaled 2.95%, representing a 45 basis points decrease over the same period in 2022. The primary driver for the growth in net interest income was the increased average balance of net interest earning assets, which grew by $201.8 million from the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023 accompanied by higher rates earned on these assets. This growth was partially offset by a higher cost of funds.

•

Loan Growth - Total gross loans held for investment grew by $11.6 million during the first three months of 2023 to $945.4 million at March 31, 2023, equating to an annualized growth rate of approximately 7.6%.

•

Deposit Growth - Total deposits grew by $37.7 million during the first three months of 2023 to $984.5 million at March 31, 2023, equating to an annualized growth rate of approximately 16.2%.

•

Private Placement - On February 21, 2023, the Company entered into Investment Agreements with certain directors of the Company as well as other accredited investors under which it issued and sold 1,282,052 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01, at a price of $7.80 per share for gross proceeds of $10.0 million. There were no underwriting discounts or commissions.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

Total assets at March 31, 2023, were $1.21 billion, an increase of $50.3 million, or 4.3%, from $1.16 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase in total assets was primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million, from $30.0 million at December 31, 2022 to $51.7 million at March 31, 2023, an increase in securities available for sale of $8.0 million, or 10.1%, from $78.8 million at December 31, 2022 to $86.8 million at March 31, 2023, an increase in securities held to maturity from $31.8 million at December 31, 2022 to $39.0 million at March 31, 2023, and an increase in net loans receivable of $11.6 million, or 1.3%, from $923.2 million at December 31, 2022 to $934.8 million at March 31, 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $21.7 million, or 72.4%, from $30.0 million at December 31, 2022 to $51.7 million at March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to:

Primary Cash Inflows

•

Net increase in deposits of $37.7 million;

•

Cash received from investment securities (sales, calls, maturities, and principal repayments) of $4.3 million;

•

Cash received from redemptions of certificates of deposit with other banks of $4.9 million;

•

Proceeds from the Private Placement of $10.0 million; and

•

Net increase in short-term borrowings of $10.3 million.

Primary Cash Outflows

•

Cash used in operating activities of $594 thousand;

•

Net increase in cash funding of loans receivable of $16.8 million;

•

Purchase of investment securities held to maturity of $11.3 million;

•

Purchase of investment securities available for sale of $9.8 million; and

•

Payment of dividends of $1.2 million.

Securities available-for-sale increased by $8.0 million, or 10.1%, to $86.8 million at March 31, 2023 from $78.8 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was due to purchases of investment securities of $9.8 million, an increase in fair value of our securities of $1.5 million as a result of changes in market conditions, partially offset by calls/repayments totaling $1.8 million, and sales of existing securities of $1.3 million. Securities held to maturity increased $7.7 million, or 24.2% to $39.5 million at March 31, 2023 from $31.8 million at December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily the result of securities purchases of $11.3 million, partially offset by the sale one security with a purchase value of $3.0 million that was related to a failed financial institution resulting in a loss recognized of $2.4 million.

Net loans receivable increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as shown in the table below:


(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022			Change			%
Agriculture loans	$	53,301		$	55,746		$	(2,445	)		(4.39	)%
Construction loans		67,934			57,713			10,221			17.71
Commercial loans		99,356			104,755			(5,399	)		(5.15	)
Commercial real estate loans
Multifamily		111,461			105,390			6,071			5.76
Owner occupied		151,407			139,554			11,853			8.49
Non-owner occupied		249,638			245,274			4,364			1.78
Residential real estate loans
First liens		166,478			168,084			(1,606	)		(0.96	)
Second liens and lines of credit		30,720			35,576			(4,856	)		(13.65	)
Consumer and other loans		10,472			10,057			415			4.13
Municipal loans		4,292			5,466			(1,174	)		(21.48	)
Total Loans		945,059			927,615			17,444			1.88
Deferred costs (fees)		312			256			56			21.88
Allowance for credit losses		(10,526	)		(4,666	)		(5,860	)		125.59
Total	$	934,845		$	923,205			11,640			1.26	%

Construction loans increased $10.2 million during the first three months of 2023 primarily due to draws on existing loans with new loan originations for the quarter adding $1.7 million to the balance. The growth in our commercial real estate loans of $22.3 million was not attributable to any one significant loan relationship and was primarily the result of balances of new loan originations of $25.0 million partially offset by normal loan repayment activity. Both commercial loans and residential real estate loans decreased during the first quarter of 2023 as normal principal repayments, decreases in line usage, and payoffs outpaced balances on new loan originations of $4.1 million and $6.5 million, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023.

The allowance for credit losses increased $5.9 million from $4.7 million at December 31, 2022 to $10.5 million at March 31, 2023. The primary driver of the increased allowance for credit losses related to loans was the adoption of the CECL accounting standard which added $5.7 million. Refer to Notes 1 and 4 within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Asset quality remained strong at March 31, 2023 with non-performing loans, which is defined as non-accrual loans, and loans delinquent greater than 90 days and still accruing interest, was $2.5 million or 0.26% of total gross loans. This was compared to $2.7 million of non-performing loans at December 31, 2022, which equated to 0.29% of total gross loans. Additionally, our allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $10.5 million at March 31, 2023 and represented 1.11% to our total gross loans, which is an increase from 0.50% at December 31, 2022. This significant increase in our allowance coverage is due to the adoption of CECL as of January 1, 2023. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no other real estate owned.

Deposits grew by $37.7 million, or 4.0%, from a total of $946.8 million at December 31, 2022 to $984.5 million at March 31, 2023. Changes in the deposit types are presented in the table below:


(in thousands)	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022		Change			%
Demand, noninterest-bearing	$	204,495	$	192,773	$	11,722			6.1	%
Demand, interest-bearing		250,944		254,478		(3,534	)		(1.4	)
Money market and savings		241,858		228,048		13,810			6.1
Time deposits, $250,000 and over		51,855		45,616		6,239			13.7
Time deposits, other		235,346		225,857		9,489			4.2
Total deposits	$	984,498	$	946,772	$	37,726			4.0	%

The increase of $8.2 million in demand deposits during the first three months of 2023 was the result of new accounts opened during the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by net decreases in existing account balances, with new accounts contributing approximately $18.8 million in balance at March 31, 2023. New accounts opened during the first three months of 2023 also explains the majority of the growth in money market and savings accounts, contributing $12.3 million to the overall balance growth of $13.8 million. Included in the time deposits balance above were brokered time deposits with a balance of $70.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The Company has deposits that exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 of $439.9 million and $408.4 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Total uninsured deposits is 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. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total uninsured deposits includes $31.6 million and $36.8 million, respectively, of municipal deposits that exceed the FDIC insurance limits. These municipal deposits are fully secured with pledged securities from our available for sale securities portfolio.

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, other borrowings consisted of $31.3 million and $20.9 million, respectively in short-term FHLB advances. The advances outstanding as of March 31, 2023 are scheduled to mature in the second quarter of 2023.

Subordinated debt with a fair value of $20.7 million was assumed as part of the Gratz Merger. These 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, 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 five years, or October 1, 2025. 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 $40.4 million and $40.5 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Total shareholders’ equity increased by $3.0 million, or 2.2%, from $138.6 million at December 31, 2022, to $141.6 million at March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to the net proceeds from the private placement of $10.0 million and a $1.2 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss during the first three months of 2023 as a result of increases in fair market values of available for sale securities. These increases were offset by the cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of CECL of $5.4 million, a net loss of $1.6 million, and dividends of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

General: Net loss was $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, or ($0.10) per diluted share, a decrease of $3.1 million compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the same prior year period was primarily the result of a decrease in noninterest income of $2.6 million and an increase in noninterest expense of $1.6 million, partially offset by an increase in net interest income before provision for credit losses of $477 thousand.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the difference between the interest the Company earns on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the expense the Company pays 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 the Company earns or pays 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 credit losses, but include non-accrual 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 March 31,
	2023								2022
(Dollars in thousands)	Avg Bal		Interest (2)			Yield/Rate			Avg Bal		Interest (2)			Yield/Rate
Int. Earn. Cash	$	36,470	$	275			3.06	%	$	59,735	$	53			0.36	%
Securities
Taxable (1)		81,899		653			3.23	%		67,681		276			1.65	%
Tax-Exempt		38,368		377			3.98	%		45,030		367			3.31	%
Total Securities		120,267		1,030			3.47	%		112,711		643			2.31	%
Total Cash Equiv. and Investments		156,737		1,305			3.38	%		172,446		696			1.64	%
Total Loans (3)		936,510		11,762			5.09	%		718,987		7,763			4.38	%
Total Interest-Earning Assets		1,093,247		13,067			4.85	%		891,433		8,459			3.85	%
Other Assets		90,938								85,852
Total Assets	$	1,184,185							$	977,285
Interest bearing demand	$	251,103	$	1,188			1.92	%	$	258,140	$	245			0.38	%
Money market demand		245,563		1,350			2.23	%		215,410		139			0.26	%
Time deposits		290,605		1,979			2.76	%		194,897		281			0.58	%
Total Borrowings		49,246		519			4.27	%		57,965		240			1.68	%
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities		836,517		5,036			2.44	%		726,412		905			0.51	%
Non Int Bearing Deposits		192,135								131,841
Total Cost of Funds	$	1,028,652	$	5,036			1.99	%	$	858,253	$	905			0.43	%
Other Liabilities		17,508								11,035
Total Liabilities	$	1,046,160							$	869,288
Shareholders' Equity	$	138,025							$	107,997
Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity	$	1,184,185							$	977,285
Net Interest Income/Spread (FTE)				8,031			2.41	%				7,554			3.34	%
Tax-Equivalent Basis Adjustment				(77	)							(77	)
Net Interest Income			$	7,954							$	7,477
Net Interest Margin							2.95	%							3.40	%
(1) Taxable income on securities includes income from available for sale securities and income from certificates of deposits with other banks.
(2) Income stated on a tax equivalent basis which is non-GAAP and is reconciled to GAAP at the bottom of the table.
(3) Includes the balances of nonaccrual loans.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table reflects the sensitivity of the Company’s 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 March 31, 2023 vs. 2022 Increase (Decrease) Due To:
(Dollars in thousands)	Rate			Volume			Net
Interest Income:
Int. Earn. Cash	$	243		$	(21	)	$	222
Securities
Taxable		319			58			377
Tax-Exempt		64			(54	)		10
Total Securities		383			4			387
Total Loans		1,640			2,359			3,999
Total Interest-Earning Assets		2,266			2,342			4,608
Interest Expense:
Interest bearing demand		950			(7	)		943
Money market demand		1,192			19			1,211
Time deposits		1,561			137			1,698
Total Borrowings		315			(36	)		279
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities		4,018			113			4,131
Change in Net Interest Income	$	(1,752	)	$	2,229		$	477

Net Interest Income: Net interest income increased by $477 thousand, or 6.4%, to $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase can be attributed to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher average balance in interest-earning assets as compared to the same period in 2022 and an increase in the average yield on interest earning assets. These increases on the asset side were partially offset mostly by an increase in cost of funds. The net interest margin decreased 45 basis points to 2.95% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 3.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Interest Income: Interest income increased to $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans as a result of the growth in average loans as well as the increase in average yields earned on all categories of interest earning assets. The growth in average balance of interest earning assets which increased $201.8 million to $1.093 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $891.4 million for the comparable period in 2022 contributed $2.3 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 $217.5 million to $936.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The average yield on loans increased 71 basis points on an annualized basis from 4.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 5.09% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which contributed $2.3 million in growth of interest income. Normal amortization of net loan discounts recorded as part of purchase accounting adjustments to loans acquired through the Gratz Merger contributed $365 thousand to interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Overall the average yield of interest earning assets increased 100 basis points on an annualized basis to 4.85% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to a larger concentration of interest earning assets in loans along with an increase in the average yield of securities and loans.

Interest Expense: Interest expense increased by $4.1 million, or 456%, to $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $905 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 193 basis points on an annualized basis from 0.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 2.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to the increasing interest rate environment during the current period as well as the impact of interest on $20 million of subordinated notes acquired in the Gratz Merger as well as $20 million of subordinated notes issued during April 2022. This increase in interest expense was also impacted by an increase in the average balances of interest bearing liabilities, which increased $110.1 million to $836.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $726.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as a result of the increase in the average balance of our deposits and borrowings.

Provision for Credit Losses: The provision for credit losses increased by $13 thousand from $280 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to $293 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company adopted the current expected loss model ("CECL") which changes the methodology related to the calculation of expected credit losses within the loan portfolio. This new methodology calculates losses over the expected life of our loans based on historical

credit performance in conjunction with select forecasted economic factors. The provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted of $203 thousand related to loans and $90 thousand related to unfunded commitments. Approximately $100 thousand of the provision for credit losses can be attributable to an increase in the forecasted loss factors at March 31, 2023 with the remainder related to the necessary provision for new loans and loan commitments.

The Company completes a comprehensive quarterly evaluation to determine its provision for credit 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.

Refer to Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statement for additional details on the provision for credit losses.

Non-interest Income: Non-interest income decreased by $2.6 million to a loss of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from the $711 thousand recognized during the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily the result of a loss on the sale of an investment in the subordinated notes of Signature Bank which was taken into FDIC receivership during the quarter. The Company sold our investment and recognized a loss of $2.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company had recognized a gain on the sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans sold into the secondary market of $180 thousand during the first quarter of 2022. The Company had no such gains in the first quarter of 2023.

Non-interest Expense: Non-interest expense increased $1.6 million, or 27%, from $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was largely due to: (1) an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $464 thousand related to an increase in the number of employees to facilitate our growth and foster deposit relationships; (2) an increase of $234 thousand in occupancy expense related to increased property maintenance costs, lease costs, and depreciation expense mostly related to our new corporate headquarters location and the Delaware Valley regional headquarters location; (3) an increase of $153 thousand in professional fees expenses; and (4) an increase in merger related expenses of $587 thousand as a result of the Partners Merger which merger agreement was executed in the first quarter of 2023.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $376 thousand compared to an income tax expense of $286 thousand for the same period in 2022 as a result of a decrease in income before income tax expense. The income tax benefit recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was the direct result of our net loss adjusted for tax free income and non-deductible merger related expenses. We recognized an income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 at an effective tax rate of 19.5% which is less than our statutory tax rate of 21%. This is compared to income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 15.8%.

Liquidity, Commitments, and Capital Resources

The Company’s liquidity, represented by cash and due from banks, is a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, principal repayments of securities and outstanding loans, and funds provided from operations. In addition, the Company invests 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.

The Company strives to maintain sufficient liquidity to fund operations, loan demand and to satisfy fluctuations in deposit levels. The Company is 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 the Company’s business management. We manage our liquidity in accordance with a board of directors-approved asset liability policy, which is administered by the Company’s asset-liability committee (“ALCO”). ALCO reports interest rate sensitivity, liquidity, capital and investment-related matters on a quarterly basis to the Company’s board of directors.

The Company reviews cash flow projections regularly and updates them in order to maintain liquid assets at levels believed to meet the requirements of normal operations, including loan commitments and potential deposit outflows from maturing certificates of deposit and savings withdrawals. Certificates of deposit due within one year of March 31, 2023, totaled $258.4 million, or 90.0% of our certificates of deposit, and 26.2% of total deposits. Of these certificates of deposit, $70 million are brokered 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 the Company’s primary source of funds, when needed the Company is also able to generate cash through borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”). At

March 31, 2023, the Company had $31.3 million outstanding in FHLB borrowings with a remaining available capacity with FHLB, subject to certain collateral restrictions, of approximately $286.4 million.

In addition to our available borrowing capacity at the FHLB, the Company has bank-level lines of credit with multiple financial institutions that provide an available $51.0 million of additional liquidity at March 31, 2023. The Company also maintains available credit at the Federal Reserve Bank's Discount Window of $8.5 million at March 31, 2023.

Consistent with the Company’s goals to operate as a sound and profitable financial institution, the Company actively seeks to maintain the Bank's status as a well-capitalized institution in accordance with regulatory standards. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Bank met the capital requirements to be considered “well capitalized.” See Note 9 within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our capital resources.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

See Note 10 within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning for more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

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 estimate, which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The more significant area in which the Company's management applies critical assumptions and estimates include the following:

Allowance for credit losses: The loan portfolio is the biggest asset on the Company's balance sheet. The allowance for credit losses represents management's estimate of credit losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. A provision for credit losses is recorded to adjust the level of the allowance for credit losses as deemed necessary by management. The allowance for credit losses consists of reserves on loans that share similar risk characteristics, and reserves on loans that do not share similar risk characteristics.

Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on periodic evaluations of past events, including historical credit loss experience on financial assets with similar risk characteristics, historical credit losses experienced by peer institutions on financial assets with similar risk characteristics, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the remaining cash flows over the contractual term of the financial assets. This evaluation has subjective components requiring material estimates, including forecasted national economic conditions such as GDP and unemployment, expected default probabilities, the expected loss given default, and the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows. All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change.

Generally, loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are collateral-dependent and impairment is measured through the collateral method. When the measurement of these loans is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the shortfall is recorded through the allowance for credit losses. To the extent that actual results differ from management estimates, additional provisions for credit losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently issued accounting standards are included in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply judgment in evaluating its controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and

procedures (as defined in 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations are operating in an effective manner.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

At March 31, 2023, the Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business, which involve amounts in the aggregate believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and operating results of the Company.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following risk factor(s) represent(s) a material update and addition to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are a cautionary statement identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

Recent events involving the failure of financial institutions may adversely affect our business, and the market price of our common stock.

Recent developments and events in the financial services industry, including the large-scale deposit withdrawals over a short period of time at Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank that resulted in the failure of those institutions have resulted in decreased confidence in banks among depositors, other counterparties and investors, as well as significant disruption, volatility and reduced valuations of equity and other securities of banks in the capital markets. These events have occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly rising interest rate environment which, among other things, has resulted in unrealized losses in longer duration securities and loans held by banks, more competition for bank deposits and may increase the risk of a potential recession. These events and developments could materially and adversely impact our business or financial condition, including through potential liquidity pressures, reduced net interest margins, and potential increased credit losses. These recent events and developments have, and could continue to, adversely impact the market price and volatility of our common stock. These recent events may also result in changes to laws or regulations governing banks and bank holding companies or result in the impositions of restrictions through supervisory or enforcement activities, including higher capital requirements, which could have a material impact on our businesses. The cost of resolving the recent failures may prompt the FDIC to increase its premiums above the recently increased levels or to issue additional special assessments.

Failure to address the federal debt ceiling in a timely manner, downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, and uncertain credit and financial market conditions may affect the stability of securities issued or guaranteed by the federal government, which may adversely affect the valuation or liquidity of our investment securities portfolio and increase future borrowing costs.

As a result of uncertain political, credit and financial market conditions, including the potential consequences of the federal government defaulting on its obligations for a period of time due to federal debt ceiling limitations or other unresolved political issues, investments in financial instruments issued or guaranteed by the federal government pose credit default and liquidity risks. Downgrades to the U.S. credit rating could affect the stability of securities issued or guaranteed by the federal government and the valuation or liquidity of our portfolio of such investment securities, and could result in our counterparties requiring additional collateral for our borrowings. Further, unless and until U.S. political, credit and financial market conditions have been sufficiently resolved or stabilized, it may increase our future funding costs.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number	Description

3.1	Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form S-4 Registration Statement, filed May 7, 2021

3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form S-4 Registration Statement, filed May 7, 2021

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32	Section 1350 Certification

101 INS**	The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document

101 SCH**	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101 CAL**	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101 DEF**	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101 LAB**	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101 PRE**	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive date file because its XBRL tags are embedded with the inline XBRL document.

** Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Condition as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 15, 2023

LINKBANCORP, INC.


By:	/s/ Andrew Samuel
	Andrew Samuel
	Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

By:	/s/ Kristofer Paul
	Kristofer Paul
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)
	(Principal Accounting Officer)