LINKBANCORP, Inc. Announces Record First Quarter Earnings

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HARRISBURG, Pa., April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LINKBANCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNKB) (the "Company"), the parent company of LINKBANK (the "Bank") reported net income of $5.73 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.  Excluding merger related expenses, adjusted earnings were $5.77 million1, or $0.161 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024.

(PRNewsfoto/LINKBANCORP, Inc.)

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

  • Net interest income before provision was $24.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $14.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest margin grew from 3.55% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 4.03% for the first quarter of 2024.

  • Total deposits increased to $2.39 billion at March 31, 2024 from $2.30 billion at December 31, 2023 and $984.5 million at March 31, 2023. Total loans increased slightly to $2.25 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $2.24 billion at December 31, 2023 and $945.4 million at March 31, 2023.

  • The Company enhanced its on-balance sheet liquidity with cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2024 of $172.3 million, up from $80.2 million at December 31, 2023 and $51.7 million at March 31, 2023.

  • Asset quality remained strong as non-performing assets were $6.7 million, representing 0.25% of total assets at March 31, 2024, compared to $7.3 million, representing 0.27% of total assets at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses-loans was 1.06% of total loans at March 31, 2024, unchanged from December 31, 2023.

Given that the merger with Partners Bancorp ("Partners") was completed on November 30, 2023 (the "Merger"), fourth quarter 2023 results do not represent a full quarter of comparable combined earnings.  Reported results prior to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflect legacy LINKBANCORP results only.

"We are very pleased by the strong results of the first quarter of 2024, which represents the first full quarter following completion of our merger with Partners Bancorp," said Andrew Samuel, Chief Executive Officer of LINKBANCORP.  "Following a very successful conversion during the fourth quarter, we have continued to make significant progress in integrating our institutions and executing on the actions needed to achieve the operational efficiencies and other benefits of this combination, including recognizing a 14% reduction in headcount since the close of the transaction and positive steps in implementing our bank-wide branch rationalization initiative."  He continued, "Loan activity during the quarter was consistent with our expectations and solid deposit growth will support growing loan pipelines."