LINKBANCORP, Inc. Announces Full Year 2021 and Fourth Quarter Financial Results And Dividend

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LINKBANCORP, Inc. (OTC Pink:  LNKB) (the "Company"), the parent company of The Gratz Bank, including its LINKBANK division (the "Bank") reported net income of $788 thousand or $0.08 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $289 thousand or $0.04 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2021.¹  These results include merger related expenses of $616 thousand for the fourth quarter and $4.6 million for 2021, relating to the merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc.

On February 15, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share of common stock to shareholders of record on February 28, 2022, which is expected to be paid on March 15, 2022.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Successful integration and conversion of The Gratz Bank
• Net interest income increased 141% compared to 4^th quarter 2020
• Linked quarter organic loan growth of $63.2 million, exclusive of PPP loans, representing an annualized growth rate of 40.4%
• NPAs/Assets at December 31, 2021 was 0.15%

Andrew Samuel, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The fourth quarter began with the successful integration and systems conversion relating to our combination with GNB Financial Services, Inc. and concluded with strong growth in quality commercial loans."  He continued, "This represents the first full quarter since the effective date of the merger and confirms the value of this combination.  We expect the first quarter of 2022 will provide a clear view of the trajectory of earnings growth, further fueled by recent additions to our team in the York, Lancaster and Delaware Valley markets."

Total assets were $932.8 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $979.2 million at September 30, 2021 and $430.5 million at December 31, 2020.  Deposits and net loans as of December 31, 2021 totaled $771.7 million and $711.7 million, respectively, compared to deposits and net loans of  $802.6 million and $665.1 million, respectively, at September 30, 2021 and $375.1 million and $233.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.  The $46.6 million increase in net loans from the linked quarter includes the impact of loans under the U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which declined $16.6 million to $23.8 million at December 31, 2021.  The decline in deposits over the linked quarter was driven primarily by the nonrenewal of $20 million in maturing brokered deposits and seasonality in certain larger deposit accounts.  The Company continues to experience strong growth in new demand deposit accounts, particularly in response to initiatives to service professional services firms within our markets.     

As of December 31, 2021, the Company's non-performing assets were $1.4 million, representing 0.15% of total assets.  Non-performing assets at December 31, 2021 exclude purchased credit impaired loans with a balance of $5.5 million, inclusive of $3.9 million in loans held for sale.  The allowance for loan losses measured 0.43% of total loans, or approximately 0.96% of the non-purchased portfolio, at December 31, 2021. The total reserve when including the allowance for loan losses and the credit fair value adjustment made to loans acquired in the merger totaled $10.2 million or approximately 1.41% of total gross loans at December 31, 2021.  

Net interest income for the full year of 2021 increased 39.2% to $16.1 million compared to $11.6 million in 2020 as a result of average balance sheet growth and beginning to transition the mix of interest-earning assets from lower yielding investments into higher yielding organic loan growth.  Non-interest income increased from $1.8 million in 2020 to $2.1 million in 2021.

Noninterest expense for 2021 totaled $17.5 million, compared to $8.3 million in 2020, with the increase including merger-related expenses of $4.6 million, an increased expense base from a larger combined company, and investments the Company made to grow its commercial banking team and enhance the infrastructure to execute on its organic and strategic growth plans. 

Shareholders' equity increased to $109.7 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $50.7 million at December 31, 2020 with the increase primarily the result of the merger. 

ABOUT LINKBANCORP, Inc.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. was formed in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. Its subsidiary bank, The Gratz Bank, is a Pennsylvania state-chartered bank serving individuals, families, nonprofits and business clients throughout Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania through 10 client solutions centers of The Gratz Bank and LINKBANK, a division of The Gratz Bank.  LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock is traded over the counter (OTC Pink) under the symbol "LNKB". For further company information, visit ir.linkbancorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements about LINKBANCORP (together with its bank subsidiary unless the context otherwise requires, "LINK") involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements other than statements of current or historical fact, including statements regarding LINK's future financial condition, results of operations, business plans, liquidity, cash flows, projected costs, and the impact of any laws or regulations applicable to LINK, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "may," "will," "should," and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: (1) costs or difficulties related to integration following the merger; (2) the risk that the anticipated benefits, cost savings and any other savings from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than expected to realize; (3) changes to interest rates; (4) the ability to control costs and expenses; (5) general economic conditions, including inflation; (6) adverse developments in borrower industries and, in particular, declines in real estate values; (7)LINK's ability to maintain compliance with federal and state laws that regulate its business and capital levels; (8) LINK's ability to raise capital as needed by its business; (9) the duration and scope of the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic and its impact on levels of consumer confidence; (10) actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; (11) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies and economic activity, and (12) the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. LINK does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. 

¹ Due to the merger of LINKBANCORP, Inc. and GNB Financial Services, Inc. effective September 18, 2021, all periods prior to such date represent the results of GNB Financial Services, Inc. as the accounting acquirer in the merger.

Contact:
Nicole Ulmer
Corporate and Investor Relations Officer
717.803.8895
[email protected]

SOURCE LINKBANCORP, Inc.