LINKBANCORP, Inc. Announces Record First Quarter 2025 Earnings and Declares Dividend

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LINKBANCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNKB) (the "Company"), the parent company of LINKBANK (the "Bank"), reported record net income of $15.3 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $7.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.  Excluding income and expenses associated with the sale of the Bank's New Jersey operations and expenses related to the reduction of the size of the Board of Directors, adjusted earnings were $7.4 million¹, or $0.20¹ per diluted share for the first quarter of 2025, compared with $7.6 million¹, or $0.21¹ per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Additionally, the Company announced that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share of common stock which is expected to be paid on June 16, 2025 to shareholders of record on May 30, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

• Successful Branch Sale. On March 31, 2025, the Bank successfully completed the sale of its banking operations and branches in New Jersey, including related loans and deposits (the "Branch Sale"). The transaction involved the transfer of three branch locations, $87 million of deposits, and $105 million in loans. Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement, deposits were sold at a 7% premium and loans were sold at par, resulting in an after-tax gain, net of transaction costs, of $8.7 million.
• Consistent strength in core earnings. Annualized return on average assets was 2.19% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 1.06% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.86% for the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted return on average assets was 1.05%¹ for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 1.07%¹ for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.86%¹ for the first quarter of 2024.
• Net interest margin expands to 3.94%. Net interest margin expanded to 3.94% for the first quarter of 2025 from 3.85% for the fourth quarter of 2024. Net interest margin was impacted by increased purchase accounting accretion, an increase in loan yields and a decrease in cost of funds.
• Greater than 8% growth in tangible book value per share. The Company's book value per share increased to $7.87 at March 31, 2025 from $7.50 at December 31, 2024. Tangible book value per share increased $0.44, or 8.2%, from $5.36¹ at December 31, 2024 to $5.80¹ at March 31, 2025. The Company's ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets was 7.78%¹ at March 31, 2025, compared to 7.16%¹ at December 31, 2024 and 6.91%¹ at March 31, 2024.
• Significant increase in core deposits supports balance sheet growth. Total deposits at March 31, 2025 were $2.43 billion compared to $2.45 billion at December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $66.6 million, or 11.01% annualized after adjusting for the Branch Sale². Total loans at March 31, 2025 were $2.27 billion, compared to $2.35 billion at December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $24.0 million or 4.10% after adjusting for the Branch Sale².
• Continued strength in on-balance sheet liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents increased $54.1 million from $166.1 million at December 31, 2024 to $220.2 million at March 31, 2025, further bolstering the Company's strong liquidity position.

"We are very pleased to present consistent core earnings in addition to the successful sale of our New Jersey operations," said Andrew Samuel, Chief Executive Officer of LINKBANCORP. "Strong core deposit growth and the gain from the New Jersey sale has well positioned our teams to support our loan pipeline headed into the second quarter. Our strengthened liquidity and capital positions provide the foundation for continued growth, with an emphasis on creating long term shareholder value as we positively impact our local communities."

Income Statement

Net interest income before the provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2025 was $25.8 million compared to $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $24.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. Net interest margin expanded to 3.94% for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 3.85% for the fourth quarter of 2024.  The improvement in net interest margin was driven by a 5 basis points increase in average yield on interest earning assets from 6.09% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 6.14% for the first quarter of 2025. This increase included an increase in purchase accounting accretion while core loan yields increased marginally quarter-over-quarter. In addition, the total cost of funds declined 3 basis points from 2.32% for the fourth quarter of 2024 to 2.29% for the first quarter of 2025, driven by a 5 basis points decrease in the average cost of deposits from 2.15% for the fourth quarter of 2024 to 2.10% for the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by an increase in wholesale funding costs.

Noninterest income increased quarter-over-quarter to $13.3 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 due to the $11.1 million pre-tax gain from the Branch Sale, offset by a decline in service charges on deposits mostly attributable to a decrease in account level fees and interchange revenue.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $19.7 million compared to $18.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $19.3 million for the first quarter of 2024.  Excluding non-core operating costs totaling $912 thousand in the first quarter of 2025, $56 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $56 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, adjusted noninterest expense increased $541 thousand¹ from $18.2 million¹ for the fourth quarter of 2024 to $18.7 million¹ for the first quarter of 2025 while decreasing $407 thousand¹ year-over-year from $19.2 million¹ for the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 excludes expenses related to the reduction of the size of the Board of Directors included in other noninterest expense, as well as bonus accruals related to completion of the Branch Sale included in salaries and employee benefits expense, and other merger and restructuring costs.   

Income tax expense was $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.1% compared to $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting an effective rate of 21.9% and $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an effective tax rate of 21.8%, respectively. The tax rate decreased quarter-over-quarter due to a state income tax apportionment adjustment.

Balance Sheet

Total assets were $2.86 billion at March 31, 2025 compared to $2.88 billion at December 31, 2024 and $2.79 billion at March 31, 2024.  Deposits and net loans as of March 31, 2025 totaled $2.43 billion and $2.25 billion, respectively, compared to deposits and net loans of $2.36 billion and $2.23 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2024 and $2.28 billion and $2.11 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2024.  Deposits and net loans exclude recorded balances held for sale in the Branch Sale of $93.6 million and $91.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024, which are reflected in liabilities held for sale and assets held for sale.  These balances were $105.6 million and $115.9 million respectively, at March 31, 2024.

Total loans at March 31, 2025 were $2.27 billion, compared to $2.35 billion at December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $24.0 million after adjusting for the Branch Sale².Total commercial loan commitments originated in the first quarter of 2025 were $98.5 million with funded balances of $72.0 million. The average commercial loan commitment originated during the first quarter of 2025 totaled approximately $788 thousand with an average outstanding funded balance of $576 thousand.

Total deposits at March 31, 2025 were $2.43 billion compared to $2.45 billion at December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $66.6 million after adjusting for the Branch Sale². Average total deposits, including deposits held for sale, increased $5.3 million to $2.38 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Noninterest bearing deposits totaled $646.0 million at March 31, 2025, representing 26.5% of total deposits.

The Company continues to maintain strong on-balance sheet liquidity, as cash and cash equivalents increased 32.6% to $220.2 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $166.1 million at December 31, 2024.

Shareholders' equity increased from $280.2 million at December 31, 2024 to $294.1 million at March 31, 2025 primarily as a result of a $12.6 million increase in retained earnings.  Book value per share increased to $7.87 at March 31, 2025 compared to $7.50 at December 31, 2024.  Tangible book value per share increased to $5.80¹  at March 31, 2025 compared to $5.36¹  at December 31, 2024 and $5.00¹ at March 31, 2024, representing 16% growth year over year.

Asset Quality

The Company recorded a $228 thousand provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2025, after recording a $132 thousand provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024.  

As of March 31, 2025, the Company's non-performing assets were $26.0 million, representing 0.91% of total assets, compared to $17.2 million, representing 0.60% of total assets at December 31, 2024.

Loans 30-89 days past due at March 31, 2025 were $12.7 million, representing 0.56% of total loans compared to $2.9 million or 0.13% of total loans at December 31, 2024 and $15.3 million or 0.68% of total loans at March 31, 2024.

The current increase in non-performing assets and delinquencies primarily relate to two properly margined first lien secured real estate loans with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $8.8 million at March 31, 2025.

The allowance for credit losses-loans was $26.6 million, or 1.17% of total loans held for investment at March 31, 2025, compared to $26.4 million, or 1.17% of total loans held for investment at December 31, 2024.  The allowance for credit losses-loans to nonperforming assets ratio was 102.22% at March 31, 2025, compared to 153.93% at December 31, 2024.

Capital

The Bank's regulatory capital ratios were well in excess of regulatory minimums to be considered "well capitalized" as of March 31, 2025. The Bank's Total Capital Ratio and Tier 1 Capital Ratio were 12.61% and 11.71% respectively, at March 31, 2025, compared to 11.55% and 10.74%, respectively, at December 31, 2024 and 11.04% and 10.24%, respectively, at March 31, 2024. The Company's ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets was 7.78%¹ at March 31, 2025 compared to 7.16%¹ at December 31, 2024.

ABOUT LINKBANCORP, Inc.

LINKBANCORP, Inc. was formed in 2018 with a mission to positively impact lives through community banking. Its subsidiary bank, LINKBANK, is a Pennsylvania state-chartered bank serving individuals, families, nonprofits and business clients throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, through 24 client solutions centers and www.linkbank.com. LINKBANCORP, Inc. common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market 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. Forward-looking statements are not statements of current or historical fact and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "may," "will," "should," and other similar expressions can be used to identify 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: costs or difficulties associated with newly developed or acquired operations; changes in general economic trends, including inflation, tariffs and changes in interest rates; increased competition; changes in consumer demand for financial services; our ability to control costs and expenses; adverse developments in borrower industries and, in particular, declines in real estate values; changes in and compliance with federal and state laws that regulate our business and capital levels; our ability to raise capital as needed; and the effects of any cybersecurity breaches. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as required by law. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 

LB-E

LB-D