LINKBANCORP, Inc. [LNKB] Filings

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

OR

Commission File Number 001-41505

LINKBANCORP, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: NA

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, 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.

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 the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the closing price of the shares of common stock as reported on NASDAQ as of June 30, 2023 was $79,560,850. For this purpose, executive officers and directors of the Registrant are considered affiliates.

The number of shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 25, 2024 was 37,348,151.

LINKBANCORP, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

INDEX

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 ("Exchange Act"), 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:

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:

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 Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect future events or developments.

Item 1. Business.

Description of Business

LINKBANCORP, Inc. (“LINKBANCORP” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on April 6, 2018 and is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In October 2018, LINKBANCORP became a bank holding company when it completed the acquisition of Stonebridge Bank, which was subsequently renamed LINKBANK.

On September 18, 2021, the Company completed its merger with GNB Financial Services, Inc. (“GNBF”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Gratz Bank pursuant to which GNBF merged with and into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation and LINKBANK merged with and into The Gratz Bank, with The Gratz Bank as the surviving institution (collectively, the "Gratz Merger"). Effective November 4, 2022, The Gratz Bank legally changed its name and began to operate under one brand under the name LINKBANK (the "Bank").

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 and thereafter the Company's common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company received net proceeds of $34.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $2.5 million and other offering expenses of $1.1 million. The Company contributed $20.0 million in capital to the Bank in October 2022.

On November 30, 2023, the Company completed its merger with Partners Bancorp ("Partners"), and its wholly owned subsidiaries, The Bank of Delmarva and Virginia Partners Bank, pursuant to which Partners merged with and into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation (the "Partners Merger"). The Bank of Delmarva and Virginia Partners Bank merged with and into LINKBANK with LINKBANK as the surviving bank (the "Bank Mergers"). In connection with the announcement of the Partners Merger in the first quarter of 2023, LINKBANCORP completed a private placement of $10.0 million with certain directors of LINKBANCORP as well as other accredited investors.

LINKBANCORP has no material operations and conducts no business on its own other than owning the Bank. In December 2023, subsidiary GNB Investment Corp. was dissolved.

LINKBANCORP common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “LNKB” and is subject to Nasdaq's rules for listed companies.

LINKBANK, a Pennsylvania-chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities ("PADOBS") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). LINKBANCORP is the Bank’s sole shareholder.

The Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services to individuals, families, nonprofit and business clients, through its digital presence on the internet and client solutions centers. The Bank has ten solutions centers in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania, and loan production offices in Chester and York Counties in Pennsylvania, eight solutions centers in Wicomico, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Worcester counties in Maryland and a loan production office in Anne Arundel county in Maryland, four solutions centers and a loan production office in Sussex county in Delaware, three solutions centers in Camden and Burlington counties in New Jersey, one solutions center in Spotsylvania county in Virginia, and three solutions centers in the cities of Fredericksburg and Reston, Virginia. In addition to these banking activities, the Bank owns a 51% share in Johnson Mortgage Company LLC, which was acquired in the Partners Merger.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had total consolidated assets of approximately $2.67 billion, total loans of approximately $2.24 billion, total deposits of approximately $2.30 billion and total consolidated shareholders’ equity of approximately $265.8 million.

LINKBANCORP’s principal executive offices are located at 1250 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 202, Camp Hill, PA 17011, its phone number is 855-569-2265 and its website is ir.linkbancorp.com.

The Company is subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, it files annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is www.sec.gov.

Strategy and Recent Growth

Our core strategy is to further our mission of “positively impacting lives” through community banking by building strong relationships that bring value to our customers, employees, the communities we serve and our shareholders. In pursuing this mission, the Company specifically seeks 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. As one example of these efforts, in 2019 we launched and continue to support The LINK Foundation, established as a separate legal entity and governed by a distinct board of directors, but fully aligned with the

Company’s mission. The LINK Foundation provides financial support to organizations within our markets focused on three funding priorities - developing future leaders, promoting financial literacy and fortifying personal growth.

Our business strategy seeks to provide our customers with personal service, financial sophistication and the full array of product offerings of a larger regional bank, focusing on developing local lending relationships funded by the generation of local retail and business deposits. We believe our culture of highly engaged employees enhances productivity and results in lower employee turnover, ultimately leading to greater operational efficiencies and customer loyalty. We differentiate ourselves based on high touch relationship building service, supported by the convenience of technology. We are committed to increasing our market share in the communities we serve by continuing to leverage available technology, existing branch locations, and new branch locations, and by considering other strategic growth opportunities throughout Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, the counties of Wicomico, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Worcester counties in Maryland, Sussex county in Delaware, Camden and Burlington counties in New Jersey, Spotsylvania county in Virginia, and the cities of Fredericksburg and Reston, Virginia and surrounding areas.

The Bank provides traditional lending, deposit gathering and cash services to retail customers, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. We offer a full array of technology solutions to our clients and continually evaluate new technologies that enhance the customer experience and allow the Bank to operate more efficiently.

The Bank does not rely on significant noninterest income growth. The management team has experience running many different product sets and subsidiaries but is focused on core deposit and loan growth.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company achieved the following accomplishments:

The Company’s management team has significant experience in successfully executing bank growth strategies, including through bank mergers and acquisitions. Accordingly, as opportunities arise, we will consider growth through acquisition including whole institutions, branches or additional lines of business that are aligned with our strategy and mission, as demonstrated by our merger with Partners completed on November 30, 2023.

Current Market Area

We currently conduct our business principally through ten Customer Solutions Centers in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties, Pennsylvania. In 2021 and 2022 respectively, we established loan production offices in York and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania. As a result of the Partners Merger, we entered the counties of Wicomico, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Worcester counties in Maryland, Sussex county in Delaware, Camden and Burlington counties in New Jersey, Spotsylvania county in Virginia, and the cities of Fredericksburg and Reston, Virginia. We will continue to consider other strategic locations in the markets we serve to further our objective to become the bank of choice in those markets. We occasionally make loans secured by properties located outside of our primary lending market, usually to borrowers with whom we have an existing relationship and who have a presence within our primary market.

While we manage our banking operations as separate regions, we operate in only one segment. Our regions are based on geographic markets, which allows each region to retain flexibility and local leadership in the unique communities we serve. We believe that this approach gives our Bank greater flexibility to better serve our markets and increases responsiveness to the needs of local customers.

Lending Activities

Our principal lending activity has been the origination of commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and to a lesser extent, commercial real estate construction and land development loans, residential real estate loans, home equity loans, consumer loans and agriculture loans. The Bank is predominantly oriented towards commercial customers, with approximately 67.0% of the portfolio in various types of commercial loans and 33.0% in residential real estate, consumer, and other loans at December 31, 2023. Our commercial customers are primarily small- and medium-sized businesses. Approximately 56.0% of the loan portfolio earns interest at a fixed rate and the remaining approximately 44.0% of the loan portfolio earns interest at a rate that varies or adjusts based on an underlying index at December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by type of loan as of December 31, 2023:

Commercial Business (C&I) Lending. As of December 31, 2023, we had $238.3 million in commercial business loans, representing 10.63% of total loans. Our business strategy is to increase our originations of commercial business loans. We offer commercial term loans, lines of credit, agricultural production, equipment financing, and revolving lines of credit with a target loan size of $100,000 to $5.0 million to small businesses in our market area to finance short-term working capital needs such as accounts receivable and inventory. Our commercial lines of credit are typically adjustable-rate and are generally priced on a floating rate basis utilizing the prime rate. We generally obtain personal guarantees with respect to all commercial business lines of credit.

We typically originate commercial business loans on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business, the experience and stability of the borrower’s management team, earnings projections and the underlying assumptions, and the value and marketability of any collateral securing the loan. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and the general economic environment in our market area. Therefore, commercial business loans that we originate generally have greater credit risk than one-to-four family residential real estate loans or consumer loans. In addition, commercial business loans often result in larger outstanding balances to single borrowers, or related groups of borrowers, and also generally require substantially greater evaluation and oversight efforts.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. As of December 31, 2023, we had $1.26 billion in commercial real estate and multi-family loans, representing 56.4% of total loans. Our commercial real estate and multi-family loans generally have amortization terms of 15 to 25 years and have adjustable interest rates. The adjustable rate loans are typically fixed for the first five years and either adjust annually thereafter or have a balloon payment due at the end of the fixed term. Our commercial real estate and multi-family loans are generally tied to a margin at or above the appropriate three or five year treasury or the Prime Rate. The maximum loan-to-value ratio of our commercial real estate and multifamily loans is generally 80% of the lower of cost or appraised value of the property securing the loan. Our commercial real estate loans are typically secured by multi-family, hotel, agricultural, medical, retail, churches or other commercial properties. At December 31, 2023, our commercial real estate loans were 46.0% non-owner occupied, 39.7% owner-occupied, and 14.3% multifamily.

We consider a number of factors in originating commercial real estate and multi-family loans. We evaluate the qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including project-level and global cash flows, credit history, and management expertise, as well as the value and condition of the property securing the loan. When evaluating the qualifications of the borrower, we consider the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower’s payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating the property securing the loan, the factors we consider include the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service). We generally require a debt service ratio of at least 1.25x.

Personal guarantees are generally obtained from the principals of commercial real estate and multi-family loan borrowers, although this requirement may be waived in limited circumstances depending upon the loan-to-value ratio and the debt service ratio associated with the loan. We require property and casualty insurance and flood insurance if the property is in a flood zone area. In addition, borrowers are required to obtain title insurance unless the balance of the loan is less than $250,000. In such cases, we will require an ownership and encumbrance report relating to the title of the property.

Construction and Land Development Lending. At December 31, 2023, $178.5 million, or 7.96% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of construction and land loans. Of these, $129.3 million were for commercial development and land loans and $49.2 million were for residential development. We offer both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate construction and land loans, although most of these loans have fixed interest rates. The maximum loan-to-value of these loans is generally 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property.

Construction and land lending generally involves greater credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction or land loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost is inaccurate, we may be required to advance additional funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Moreover, if the estimated value of the completed project is inaccurate, the borrower may hold a property with a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment of the construction loan upon the sale of the property. Construction and land loans also expose us to the risk that improvements will not be completed on time in accordance with specifications and projected costs. In addition, the ultimate sale or rental of the property may not occur as anticipated. Land loans pose additional risk because the property generally does not produce income and may be relatively illiquid.

One-to-four family Residential Real Estate Lending. At December 31, 2023, we had $402.4 million in residential real estate loans, representing 17.95% of total loans. These loans are originated by the Bank and underwritten by the correspondent lender in accordance with secondary market standards and The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, underwriting guidelines to comply with ability to repay and qualified mortgage rules. Certain mortgage loans such as adjustable rate jumbo loans may be retained in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Based on the nature of the borrower and the related size of the loan, we may choose to retain these loans as part of our loan portfolio or sell these loans to the secondary market, which could include sales to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.

In underwriting residential real estate loans, we evaluate both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Properties securing real estate loans we make are appraised by independent appraisers. We generally require borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan.

Home Equity Loans. At December 31, 2023, we had $70.7 million of home equity loans reported within residential real estate loans, representing 3.16% of our total loan portfolio. Home equity loans consists of either revolving lines of credit, term, or second mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate. These loans are underwritten based on repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, and credit history. Home equity loans are generally considered to have more credit risk than traditional one-to-four family residential loans because the Bank tends to have a subordinate lien position. Our home equity loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property) generally at a maximum current loan-to-value ratio of 80%. There are minimum credit score standards, maximum debt to income ratios and credit requirements on each home equity product that is defined in the Bank’s credit policy. All credit decisions for home equity loans are made centrally by the Bank’s consumer lending department.

Consumer Lending. To a much lesser extent, we offer a variety of consumer loans to individuals who reside or work in our market area. At December 31, 2023, our consumer loan portfolio totaled $16.8 million, or 0.75% of our total loan portfolio, and $11.0 million of our consumer loans were unsecured (excluding overdraft accounts).

Consumer loans can have either a variable rate based on the index of Wall Street Journal Prime rate or a fixed-rate of interest for a term of up to 10 years, depending on the type of collateral, product and the creditworthiness of the borrower. Our lending policy allows for unsecured, non-real estate secured, and real estate secured loan products that are either installment or open end credit. Our consumer loans may be secured with deposits, automobiles, motorcycles, or real property.

Our consumer loan policy sets forth our underwriting guidelines overall for all loan applications and addresses specific guidelines such as acceptable loan amounts, credit score, debt-to-income ratios, loan-to-value ratios, and collateral allowable by product type. The policy guidelines address applications, structuring, stability, credit standards, collateral, consumer compliance, insurance requirements and appraisal requirements.

Other Loans. In addition to the loan types discussed above, the Company also originates agricultural loans and municipal loans. At December 31, 2023, our agricultural loan portfolio totaled $65.9 million or 2.94% of our total loan portfolio and municipal loans totaled $5.2 million or 0.23% of our total loan portfolio. The agricultural loan portfolio consists of loans to local farmers and agricultural businesses that are generally secured by farmland and equipment. The municipal loan portfolio consists of loans to qualified local municipalities, which are generally supported by the taxing authority of the borrowing municipality, and is frequently secured by collateral.

Lending Concentrations

The federal banking regulators have issued guidance for those institutions which are deemed to have concentrations in commercial real estate lending. Pursuant to the supervisory criteria contained in the guidance for identifying institutions with a potential commercial real estate concentration risk, institutions which have (1) total reported loans for construction, land development and other land acquisitions which represent 100% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital; or (2) total commercial real estate loans representing 300% or more of the institution’s total risk-based capital and the institution’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months are identified as having potential commercial real estate concentration risk. Institutions which are deemed to have concentrations in commercial real estate lending are expected to employ heightened levels of risk management with respect to their commercial real estate portfolios and may be required to hold higher levels of capital. The Company, like many community banks, has a concentration in commercial real estate loans, and the Company has experienced growth in its commercial real estate portfolio in recent years, including through the recently completed Partners Merger.

At December 31, 2023, non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans (including construction, land and land development loans) represented 374.5% of total risk based capital. Construction, land and land development loans represented 71.1% of total risk based capital. Management has implemented and continues to maintain heightened risk management procedures and prudent underwriting criteria with respect to its commercial real estate portfolio. Loan monitoring practices include but are not limited to periodic stress testing analysis to evaluate changes to cash flows and changes in collateral values to determine the loan level of stress over key underwriting metrics such as debt service coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, etc. Nevertheless, we may be required to maintain higher levels of capital as a result of our commercial real estate concentrations, which could require us to obtain additional capital and may adversely affect shareholder returns. The Company's Capital Policy and Capital Plan has established internal minimum targets for regulatory capital ratios that are in excess of well capitalized ratios.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had no concentrations of loans in any one industry exceeding 10% of its total loan portfolio. An industry for this purpose is defined as a group of businesses that are engaged in similar activities and have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions.

Credit Risk Management

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Pursuant to applicable law, the aggregate amount of loans that we are permitted to make to any one borrower or a group of related borrowers is generally limited to 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus (25% if the amount in excess of 15% is secured by “readily marketable highly liquid collateral” or 30% for certain residential development loans). Our legal lending limit was $37.2 million at December 31, 2023. In addition, we have established an in-house target that is less than the legal limits on loans to one borrower. Our in-house target was $25 million at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, our largest credit relationship totaled $25 million, comprised of nine separate facilities, most of which are secured by real estate. Each of these loans was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2023.

Our lending activities follow written, nondiscriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by our board of directors and management. The Bank has established the Senior Loan Committee (SLC) to be able to more efficiently service our commercial customers, prudently manage credit risks, and effectively insure that credit policies are followed. The SLC requires a quorum of the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Credit Officer, Senior Credit Officer, and Market Chief Executive Officers. Each of these individuals have extensive experience in the approval of commercial loans. The SLC has authority to approve loans beginning over $7.5 million up to and including $15 million. In addition, the Director’s Loan Committee (DLC) has authority to approve loans over $15 million up to the legal lending limit of the Bank (with the exception of Regulation O (insider) loans which need to be approved by the Board of Directors).

The loan approval structure prohibits any single signature loan authority. Dual signatures are in effect up to $7.5 million. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Credit Officer have been given dual signature authority up to $15 million in situations where timing is essential. These approvals must be ratified by OLC at the next meeting.

Ongoing Credit Risk Management. In addition to the underwriting process referenced above, we perform ongoing risk monitoring and review processes for all credit exposures. Although we grade and classify our loans internally, we have an independent third-party professional firm perform regular loan reviews to confirm loan classifications. We strive to identify potential problem loans early in an effort to aggressively seek resolution of these situations before the loans create a loss, record any necessary charge-offs promptly and maintain adequate allowance for credit losses levels.

Although we maintain a cautious credit outlook due to continued uncertainty in the economic environment, we believe the Bank is very well positioned for the months ahead given a strong loan loss reserve, application of prudent underwriting standards and a diverse loan portfolio, which does not include a significant concentration of loans in office, restaurants, lodging or other industries that are perceived to be at higher risk in the current economic environment.

Allowance for Credit Losses. The allowance for credit losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management, with assistance from a third-party provider and incorporates a discounted cash flow model utilizing Federal Open Market Committee forecasts and is impacted by the size and composition of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. As of December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses measured 1.06% of total loans.

Investments

The Company’s board of directors is responsible for approving and overseeing the investment policy. The investment policy is reviewed at least annually by management and any changes to the policy are recommended to the board of directors and are subject to its approval. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, regulatory standards, liquidity requirements, potential returns and consistency with our interest rate risk management strategy. The Company also uses the investment portfolio to collateralize municipal deposits. The asset liability management committee, which consists of our President and Chief Risk Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Bank President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Credit Officer, and Treasurer oversees the Company’s investing activities and strategies.

The current investment policy authorizes the Company to invest in debt securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies or government sponsored enterprises. In addition, management is authorized to invest in investment grade state and municipal obligations. The policy also permits investments in mortgage-backed securities, including pass-through securities, issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, as well as investments in corporate debentures, federal funds and deposits in other insured institutions. The Company also is required to maintain an investment in FHLB stock, which investment is based primarily on the level of the Company’s FHLB borrowings. Additionally, the Company is required to maintain an investment in Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia stock equal to six percent of its capital and surplus. The Company does not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor does it purchase any high-risk mortgage derivative products, corporate junk bonds, and certain types of structured notes.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had a portfolio of investment securities available for sale which is reported at fair value and a portfolio of held to maturity investment securities that were carried at amortized cost.

Source of Funds

Generally, deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities. We may also use borrowings, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh advances, to supplement cash flow needs, as necessary. In addition, we receive funds from scheduled loan payments, loan prepayments, and income on interest-earning assets. While scheduled loan payments and income on interest-earning assets are a relatively stable source of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.

Deposits. We obtain most of our deposits from small- and medium-sized businesses, retail customers, and non-profit customers within our market area. We solicit deposits through our relationship-driven team of dedicated and accessible bankers and through community-focused marketing. We emphasize obtaining deposit relationships at loan origination. We have invested in personnel, business and compliance processes and technology that enable us to acquire, and efficiently and effectively serve, a wide array of business deposit accounts, while continuing to provide the level of customer service for which we are known. We currently offer a comprehensive range of business deposit products and services to assist with the banking needs of our business customers, including a variety of remote deposit and cash management products along with commercial transaction accounts. We also provide online banking, mobile banking, and direct deposit services.

We offer a selection of deposit accounts, including demand accounts (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing), money market deposit accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the amount of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. At December 31, 2023, our core deposits (which includes all deposits except for time deposit accounts greater than $250,000 and brokered deposits) totaled $2.04 billion or 88.9% of our total deposits, and our average cost of funds for 2023 on this stable funding source was 1.72%. At December 31, 2023, we had $119.4 million in brokered deposits, all maturing in the first half of 2024. Our reciprocal CDARS and ICS deposits totaled $145.6 million at December 31, 2023. Management utilizes brokered deposits as a supplement to core deposit funding from time to time and does not consider brokered deposits to be a primary source of funding.

The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposits for the Bank by account type as of December 31, 2023.

Other than reciprocal CDARS and ICS deposits, and brokered deposits, all deposits are generated from in-market relationships through our Client Solutions Centers.

Borrowings. We obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh upon the security of our capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and certain of our loans. Such advances may be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. As of December 31, 2023 we had $10 million in outstanding FHLB advances. At December 31, 2023, we had remaining available capacity with FHLB, subject to certain collateral restrictions, of approximately $305.7 million. In February 2024, the maximum available capacity with FHLB increased to $430.0 million, based on additional collateral pledged to the FHLB as a result of the Partners Merger.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had subordinated notes outstanding with a carrying value of $61.4 million. Of this amount, $20.3 million was acquired in the Gratz Merger and 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.

Subordinated notes with carrying value of $21.1 million were assumed in the Partners Merger within two tranches of debt issuances. The first tranche has a face value of $4.5 million and bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.875% per year for four years. The second tranche has a face value of $18.05 million and bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year for 18 additional months.

The remaining subordinated notes of $20.0 million bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 4.5% 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 April 15, 2032. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, subject to any required regulatory approvals after five years.

Competition

Commercial banking in our locations is extremely competitive. For example, as of June 30, 2023 (the most recent date for which data is available), data provided by the FDIC Deposit Market Share Report indicated that within the Company's current physical locations, there were 117 different FDIC-insured institutions operating a total of 1,323 offices.

The Company’s market areas are served by branches of the largest banks in the Mid-Atlantic region, some of which are among the largest institutions in the United States. We must compete in our current and future growth market areas with large regional and nationwide banking organizations, other federally and state-chartered financial institutions such as savings and loan institutions and credit unions, mortgage companies, and other lenders engaged in the business of extending commercial credit. Many of the Company’s competitors have broader geographic markets and higher lending limits than we do and are also able to provide more services and make greater use of media advertising. Competitive threats also continue to emerge from in- and out-of-market providers and entities with powerful non-traditional and sometimes unregulated products, services, and technology, including numerous new fintech firms. The Bank’s comparatively small branch network will be a competitive disadvantage in attracting retail customers since a number of large national bank and regional state bank franchises have significant branch office coverage in the Bank’s market area.

Human Capital

We believe our employees are our most valuable asset. We are committed to building a culture of integrity and excellence and seek to provide a challenging and rewarding work environment in which employees are supported professionally. Our team members receive benefits including competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) plan with employer contributions and short-term and long-term disability coverage.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 342 full-time and 36 part time employees.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

LINKBANCORP, is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). As such, it is registered with, subject to examination and supervision by, and otherwise required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”).

The Bank is a Pennsylvania-chartered commercial bank subject to extensive regulation by the PADOBS and the FDIC. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC. The Bank must file reports with the PADOBS and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers or acquisitions with other depository institutions. There are periodic examinations of the Bank by the PADOBS and the FDIC to review the Bank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a commercial bank can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulation, whether by the PADOBS, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or Congress could have a material impact on the operations of the Bank.

Set forth below is a brief description of material regulatory requirements that are or will be applicable to LINKBANCORP, and the Bank. The description is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on LINKBANCORP and the Bank, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual statutes and regulations involved.

Bank Regulation

Capital Requirements

Federal regulations require FDIC-insured depository institutions to meet several minimum capital standards: a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 6.0%, a total capital to risk-based assets of 8%, and a 4% Tier 1 capital to total assets leverage ratio.

For purposes of the regulatory capital requirements, common equity Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common shareholders' equity and retained earnings. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common equity Tier 1 and additional Tier 1 capital. Additional Tier 1 capital includes certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital (common equity Tier 1 capital plus additional Tier 1 capital) and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital is comprised of capital instruments and related surplus, meeting specified requirements, and may include cumulative preferred stock and long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, intermediate preferred stock and subordinated debt. Also included in Tier 2 capital is the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions such as the Bank, that have exercised an opt-out election regarding the treatment of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"), up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available for sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Calculation of all types of regulatory capital is subject to deductions and adjustments specified in the regulations.

In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (e.g., recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk. For example, a risk weight of 0% is assigned to cash and U.S. government securities, a risk weight of 50% is generally assigned to prudently underwritten first lien one-to four-family residential mortgages, a risk weight of 100% is assigned to commercial and consumer loans, a risk weight of 150% is assigned to certain past due loans and a risk weight of between 0% to 600% is assigned to permissible equity interests, depending on certain specified factors.

In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a "capital conservation buffer" consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements.

In assessing an institution's capital adequacy, the FDIC takes into consideration, not only these numeric factors, but qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual institutions where deemed necessary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the FDIC finalized a rule, effective January 1, 2020, that established a community bank leverage ratio (tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets) at 9% for institutions under $10 billion in assets that such institutions may elect to utilize in lieu of the general applicable risk-based capital requirements under Basel III. Such institutions that meet the community bank leverage ratio and certain other qualifying criteria will automatically be deemed to be well-capitalized. Eligible institutions may opt

into and out of the community bank ratio framework on their quarterly call report. The Bank did not elect to follow the community bank leverage ratio as of December 31, 2023.

At December 31, 2023, the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered to be well-capitalized based on FDIC guidelines.

Loans-to-One Borrower

Generally, a Pennsylvania-chartered commercial bank may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of capital. An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank was in compliance with the loans-to-one borrower limitations.

Capital Distributions

The Pennsylvania Banking Code states, in part, that dividends may be declared and paid only out of accumulated net earnings and may not be declared or paid unless surplus is at least equal to capital. Dividends may not reduce surplus without the prior consent of the PADOBS. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution may not make any capital distribution if, after making such distribution, the institution would fail to meet any applicable regulatory capital requirement.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws

All insured institutions have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income borrowers. The FDIC is required to assess the Bank’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications, such as branches or mergers, or in restrictions on its activities. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the FDIC, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.

On October 24, 2023, the FDIC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies issued a final rule to strengthen and modernize the federal CRA regulations. Under the final rule, banks with assets of at least $2 billion as of December 31 in both of the prior two calendar years will be a “large bank.” The FDIC will evaluate large banks under four performance tests: the Retail Lending Test, the Retail Services and Products Test, the Community Development Financing Test, and the Community Development Services Test. The applicability date for the majority of the provisions in the CRA regulations is January 1, 2026, and additional requirements will be applicable on January 1, 2027.

The Community Reinvestment Act requires all institutions insured by the FDIC to publicly disclose their rating. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating in its most recent federal examination.

Transactions with Related Parties

A state-chartered bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its affiliates is limited by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and federal regulation. An affiliate is generally a company that controls or is under common control with an insured depository institution, such as the Bank. The Company is an affiliate of the Bank because of its control of the Bank. In general, transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliates are subject to certain quantitative limits and collateral requirements. In addition, federal regulations prohibit a state-chartered bank from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary. Finally, transactions with affiliates must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, not involve the purchase of low-quality assets and be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.

The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve. Among other things, these provisions generally require that extensions of credit to insiders be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features; and not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board. Extensions of credit to executive officers are subject to additional limits based on the type of extension involved.

Standards for Safety and Soundness

Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions. These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. Interagency guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to implement an acceptable compliance plan. Failure to implement such a plan can result in further enforcement action, including the issuance of a cease and desist order or the imposition of civil money penalties.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action

Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take "prompt corrective action" with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

An institution is deemed to be "well capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater. An institution is "adequately capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater. An institution is "undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%. An institution is deemed to be "significantly undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be "critically undercapitalized" if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.

Generally, the PADOBS is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a state-chartered bank that is “critically undercapitalized” within specific time frames. The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FDIC within 45 days of the date that an institution is deemed to have received notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Any bank holding company of an institution that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must guarantee performance under the plan in an amount of up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it was deemed to be undercapitalized by the FDIC or the amount necessary to restore the institution to adequately capitalized status. This guarantee remains in place until the FDIC notifies the institution that it has maintained adequately capitalized status for each of four consecutive calendar quarters. Institutions that are undercapitalized become subject to certain mandatory measures, such as restrictions on capital distributions and asset growth. The PADOBS may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

At December 31, 2023, the Bank met the criteria for being considered “well capitalized.”

Enforcement

The PADOBS maintains enforcement authority over the Bank, including the power to issue cease and desist orders and civil money penalties and to remove directors, officers or employees. It also has the power to appoint a conservator or receiver for a bank upon insolvency, imminent insolvency, unsafe or unsound condition or certain other situations. The FDIC has primary federal enforcement responsibility over non-member state banks and has authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including shareholders, and any attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful actions likely to have an adverse effect on the bank. Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors. Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and can amount to $25,000 per day, or even $1 million per day in especially egregious cases. In general, regulatory enforcement actions occur with respect to situations involving unsafe or unsound practices or conditions, violations of law or regulation or breaches of fiduciary duty. Federal and Pennsylvania laws also establish criminal penalties for certain violations.

Federal Insurance of Deposit Accounts

The maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions is $250,000 per depositor. Assessments for most insured depository institutions are now based on financial measures and supervisory ratings derived from statistical modeling estimating the probability of failure within three years. The assessment range (inclusive of possible adjustments) is for institutions of the Bank’s size 3.5 basis points to 32 basis points as of December 31, 2023. The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments

and also to issue special assessments. In 2023, the FDIC issued a special assessment applicable for banks with uninsured deposits in excess of $5 billion in order to recover losses sustained by the Deposit Insurance Fund as a result of the March 2023 failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Any significant increases would have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what assessment rates will be in the future.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.

Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements

State-chartered banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

FHLB System

The Bank is a member of the FHLB System, which consists of 11 regional FHLBs. The FHLB System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. As a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh, the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank was in compliance with this requirement. The Bank also is able to borrow from the FHLB of Pittsburgh, which provides an additional source of liquidity for the Bank.

Other Regulations

Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. The Bank's operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:

The operations of the Bank also are subject to the:

Bank Holding Company Regulation

General

The Company, as a bank holding company controlling the Bank, is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve under the BHC Act. The Company is periodically examined by and required to submit reports to the Federal Reserve and must comply with the Federal Reserve’s rules and regulations. Among other things, the Federal Reserve has authority to restrict activities by a bank holding company that are deemed to pose a serious risk to the subsidiary bank.

Permissible Activities

A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in non-banking activities, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data processing services; (iii) providing discount brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings and loan association whose direct and indirect activities are limited to those permitted for bank holding companies.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 authorized a bank holding company that meets specified conditions, including being “well capitalized” and “well managed,” to opt to become a “financial holding company” and thereby engage in a broader array of financial activities than previously permitted. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking. A “financial holding company” may engage in a broader array of financial activities than permitted a typical bank holding company. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking. The Company has not elected “financial holding company” status.

Capital

Bank holding companies are subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements, which have historically been similar to, though less stringent than, those of the for the Bank. The Dodd Frank Act, however, required the Federal Reserve to promulgate consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. As a result, consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to the subsidiary banks generally apply to bank holding companies. However, the Federal Reserve has provided a “Small Bank Holding Company” exception to its consolidated capital requirements, and subsequent legislation and the related issuance of regulations by the Federal Reserve have increased the threshold for the exception to $3.0 billion of consolidated assets. Consequently, bank holding companies such as the Company with less than $3.0 billion of consolidated assets are not subject to the consolidated holding company capital requirements unless otherwise directed by the Federal Reserve.

Source of Strength

The Federal Reserve has issued regulations requiring that all bank holding companies serve as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing financial, managerial and other support in times of an institution’s distress.

Dividends and Stock Repurchases

The Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by holding companies. In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall supervisory financial condition. Separate regulatory guidance provides for prior consultation with Federal Reserve staff concerning dividends in certain circumstances such as where the company’s net income for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the company’s overall rate or earnings retention is inconsistent with the company’s capital needs and overall

financial condition. The ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized.

The regulatory guidance also states that a bank holding company should consult with Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock if the bank holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or the repurchase or redemption would result in a net reduction, at the end of a quarter, in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred.

There is a separate requirement that a bank holding company give the Federal Reserve prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve. There is an exception to this approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.

These regulatory policies may affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends, repurchase shares of common stock or otherwise engage in capital distributions.

Acquisition of Control of the Company

Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person may acquire control of a bank holding company such as the Company unless the Federal Reserve has prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. In evaluating such notices, the Federal Reserve takes into consideration such factors as the financial resources, competence, experience and integrity of the acquirer, the future prospects the bank holding company involved and its subsidiary bank and the competitive effects of the acquisition. Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the company’s directors, or a determination by the regulator that the acquirer has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly to exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a bank holding company’s voting stock constitutes a rebuttable presumption of control under the regulations under certain circumstances.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), which was enacted in April 2012, has made numerous changes to the federal securities laws to facilitate access to capital markets. Under the JOBS Act, a company with total annual gross revenues of less than $1.235 billion during its most recently completed fiscal year qualifies as an “emerging growth company.” The Company qualifies as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.

An “emerging growth company” may choose not to hold shareholder votes to approve annual executive compensation (more frequently referred to as “say-on-pay” votes) or executive compensation payable in connection with a merger (more frequently referred to as “say-on-golden parachute” votes). An emerging growth company also is not subject to the requirement that its auditors attest to the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting, and can provide scaled disclosure regarding executive compensation; however, the Company will also not be subject to the auditor attestation requirement or additional executive compensation disclosure so long as it remains a “non-accelerated filer” and a “smaller reporting company,” respectively, under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally less than $75 million and $250 million, respectively, of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates or less than $100.0 million in annual revenue). Finally, an emerging growth company may elect to comply with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a private company, but must make such election when the company is first required to file a registration statement. The Company has elected to comply with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a private company.

A company loses emerging growth company status on the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year of the company during which it had total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; (iii) the date on which such company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which such company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally, at least $700 million of voting and non- voting equity held by non-affiliates).

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is intended to improve corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. The Company has policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these

regulations, and will review and document such policies, procedures and systems to ensure continued compliance with these regulations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

An investment in our common stock is subject to risks inherent in our business. The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect us are described below. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or focused on or that management currently deems immaterial may also impair our business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

Risks Related to Our Business

The Company may be unable to effectively manage its rapid growth.

The Company's business strategy anticipates the rapid expansion of its business to pursue existing and potential market opportunities. On November 30, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Partners Bancorp which more than doubled the size of the Company. This high pace of growth places significant demands on the Company’s management and operational resources. In order to manage such growth effectively, the Company must implement effective operational systems, procedures and internal controls. Failure to implement these systems, procedures and controls on a timely basis could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operation or financial condition. Further, the Company’s continued expansion of its business may include entering new lines of business or introducing new products and services. We cannot assure you that the Company will be successful in such expansion efforts and any failure could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operation or financial condition.

The merger with Partners Bancorp and any future acquisitions could disrupt the Company’s business and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

On November 30, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Partners Bancorp. The Company may choose to expand in the future by making additional acquisitions, including other financial institutions, branches or fee- based businesses, that could be material to its business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Acquisitions, including the merger with Partners Bancorp, involve many risks, including the following:

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

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

The vast majority of the Company’s loans have real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower and may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is extended. A weakening of the real estate market in the Company’s primary market areas could result in an increase in the number of borrowers who default on their loans and a reduction in the value of the collateral securing their loans, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability and asset quality. If the Company is required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, the Company’s earnings and capital

could be adversely affected. Acts of nature, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods, which may cause uninsured damage and other loss of value to real estate that secures these loans, may also negatively impact the Company’s financial condition.

The Company’s loan portfolio contains a number of real estate loans with relatively large balances.

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

Commercial real estate loans may increase the Company’s exposure to credit risk.

At December 31, 2023, the Company’s commercial real estate loans totaled $1.26 billion, or 56.4%, of our total loan portfolio. Loans secured by commercial real estate are generally viewed as having more risk of default than loans secured by residential real estate or consumer loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property, the income stream of the borrowers, the accuracy of the estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction, and the estimated cost of construction. Such loans are generally more risky than loans secured by consumer loans because those loans are typically not secured by real estate collateral. An adverse development with respect to one lending relationship can expose the Company to a significantly greater risk of loss compared with a single-family residential mortgage loan because the Company typically has more than one loan with such borrowers. Additionally, these loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared with single-family residential mortgage loans. Therefore, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant decline in the related asset quality. If the Company’s primary market areas experience an economic slowdown, these loans represent higher risk and could result in a sharp increase in loans charged off and could require the Company to significantly increase its allowance for credit losses, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

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

At December 31, 2023, $238.3 million, or 10.63% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of commercial business loans. The Company’s commercial business loans are originated primarily based on the identified cash flow and general liquidity of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower and/or repayment capacity of any guarantor. The borrower’s cash flow may be unpredictable, and collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Although commercial business loans are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of default is often an insufficient source of repayment because accounts receivable may be uncollectible and inventories may be obsolete or of limited use. In addition, business assets may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise, and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. Accordingly, the repayment of commercial business loans depends primarily on the cash flow and credit worthiness of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral value provided by the borrower and liquidity of the guarantor.

A portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio consists of loan participations. Loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans the Bank originates because it is not the lead lender, and the Bank has limited control over credit monitoring.

The Bank participates in commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans with other financial institutions from time to time in which it is not the lead lender. The Bank’s commercial real estate loan participations are generally located in Pennsylvania although the Bank has from time to time participated in loans located in the states of Maryland and Virginia. The Bank also occasionally participates in commercial business loans with other financial institutions in which it is not the lead lender. These loans are limited to our geographic lending market and are generally secured by blanket UCC liens. At December 31, 2023, commercial real estate loan participations for which the Bank was not the lead lender totaled $73.1 million, or 5.8% of our commercial real estate loan portfolio. Commercial business loan participations for which the Bank was not the lead lender totaled $5.5 million, or 2.3% of our commercial business loan portfolio. Construction loan participations for which the Bank was not the lead lender totaled $14.5 million, or 8.1% of our construction loan portfolio.

The Bank underwrites each commercial real estate loan and commercial business loan that it participates in and establishes the loan classification and loan provision using the same criteria it uses for loans the Bank originates. Loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans the Bank originates because the Bank relies on the lead lender to service and to monitor the performance of the loan. Moreover, decisions regarding the classification of a loan participation and loan loss provisions associated with a loan participation are made in part based upon information provided by the lead lender. A lead lender also may not monitor a participation loan in the same manner as the Bank would for loans that it originates. At December 31, 2023, no loan participations were delinquent

60 days or more. If the Bank underwriting of these participation loans is not sufficient, non-performing loans may increase, and earnings may decrease.

The Company may be exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which it takes title.

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

The Company’s decisions regarding allowance for credit losses and credit risk may materially and adversely affect its business.

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

The Company attempts to maintain an appropriate allowance for credit losses to provide for estimated losses over the life of the loan portfolio. The Company periodically determines the amount of the allowance based on consideration of several factors, including but not limited to:

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

If the Company’s non-performing assets increase, earnings will be adversely affected.

At December 31, 2023, non-performing assets, which consist of non-performing loans and other real estate owned, were $7.3 million, or 0.32% of total assets. The Company’s non-performing assets adversely affect net income in various ways:

If additional borrowers become delinquent and do not pay back their loans and the Company is unable to successfully manage its non-performing assets, losses and troubled assets could increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company may have higher loan losses than it has allowed for in its allowance for credit losses.

The Company’s actual loan losses could exceed its allowance for credit losses and therefore its allowance for credit losses may not be adequate. A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by commercial real estate. Repayment of such loans is generally considered more subject to market risk than residential mortgage loans. Industry experience shows that a portion of loans will become delinquent and a portion of loans will require partial or entire charge-off. Regardless of the underwriting criteria utilized, losses may be experienced as a result of various factors beyond the Company’s control, including among other things, changes in market conditions affecting the value of loan collateral and problems affecting borrower credit.

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

The national economy continues to experience elevated levels of inflation. As of December 31, 2023, the year over year consumer price index (“CPI”) increase was 3.4%, primarily driven by increases in food and housing prices. As a result, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 100 basis points in 2023 to combat rising inflation. High inflation, if sustained, could have an adverse effect on our business. The recent increase in interest rates in response to elevated levels of inflation has decreased the value of our securities portfolio, resulting in an increase in unrealized losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the shareholders’ equity section of our balance sheet. In addition, inflation-driven increases in our levels of non-interest expense could negatively impact our results of operations. High inflation and increasing interest rates could also cause increased volatility in the business environment, which could adversely affect loan demand and borrowers’ ability to repay loans.

The Company relies heavily on its senior management team and the unexpected loss of any of those personnel could adversely affect its operations.

The Company is a customer-focused and relationship-driven organization. The Company expects its future growth to be driven in a large part by the relationships maintained with its customers by its chief executive officer and by other senior officers. The unexpected loss of any of the Company’s key employees could have a material adverse effect on its business and operations, which would have an adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition, and the value of its securities.

The success of the Company’s strategy depends on its ability to identify and retain individuals with experience and relationships in its markets.

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

Changes in economic conditions, in particular an economic slowdown in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and Southern New Jersey could materially and negatively affect the Company’s business.

The Company primarily serves individuals, businesses and municipalities located in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and York Counties in Pennsylvania, Wicomico, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Worcester counties in Maryland, Sussex county in Delaware, Camden and Burlington counties in New Jersey, Spotsylvania county in Virginia, and the cities of Fredericksburg and Reston, Virginia (the "local market").

As of December 31, 2023, a majority of our loan portfolio was secured by real estate and other assets located in the local market. The Company’s business is directly impacted by factors such as economic, political and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in government monetary and fiscal policies and inflation, all of which are beyond the Company’s control. Any deterioration in economic conditions, whether caused by national or local concerns, in particular any further economic slowdown in the local market, could result in the following consequences, any of which could hurt the Company’s business materially: loan delinquencies may increase; problem assets and foreclosures may increase; demand for the Company’s products and services may decrease; low cost or noninterest bearing deposits may decrease; and collateral for loans made by the Company, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing customers’ borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with the Company’s existing loans.

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

The small- and medium-sized business target market may have fewer financial resources to weather a downturn in the economy.

The Company targets its commercial development and marketing strategy to serve the banking and financial services needs of small- and medium-sized businesses. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities. If general economic conditions negatively impact this major economic sector in the markets in which the Company operates, its results of operations and financial condition, as well as the value of its securities, may be adversely affected.

Higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums or special assessments could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition.

The Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain deposit insurance. As an FDIC-insured institution, the Bank is required to pay quarterly deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. The FDIC issued a final rule in October 2022 to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rates by 2 basis points beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. If there are financial institution failures, the Bank may be required to pay higher FDIC premiums or special assessments. For example, in 2023, the FDIC issued a special assessment for banks with total consolidated assets of $5 billion or more in order to recover losses sustained by the DIF as a result of the March 2023 failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature bank. Although the Bank cannot predict if there will be future increases to insurance assessment rates or special assessments, either a deterioration in its risk-based capital ratios or further adjustments to the base assessment rates could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The Company depends on the accuracy and completeness of information about clients and counterparties and its financial condition could be adversely affected if it relies on misleading information.

In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, the Company may rely on information furnished to it by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which it does not independently verify. The Company also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, the Company may assume that a customer’s audited financial statements conform with GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. The

Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent it relies on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.

Changes in prevailing interest rates may reduce the Company’s profitability.

The Company’s results of operations depend in large part upon the level of its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings. Depending on the terms and maturities of the Company’s assets and liabilities, a significant change in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on its profitability. Many factors cause changes in interest rates, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions. While the Company intends to manage the effects of changes in interest rates by adjusting the terms, maturities, and pricing of its assets and liabilities, its efforts may not be effective and its financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

The Company is subject to interest rate risk, and fluctuations in market interest rates may affect its interest margin and income, demand for products, defaults on loans, loan prepayments and the fair value of its financial instruments.

The Company’s earnings and cash flows depend largely upon its net interest income. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence the interest the Company receives on loans and investments and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, which may affect net interest margin. Such changes could also affect (i) demand for products and services and price competition, in turn affecting our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits; (ii) the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities; (iii) the average duration of its mortgage-backed securities portfolio and other interest-earning assets; (iv) levels of defaults on loans; and (v) loan prepayments.

During 2023, in response to accelerated inflation, the Federal Reserve continued to implement monetary tightening policies, resulting in increased interest rates. The Federal Reserve has signaled that interest rates may remain elevated. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. In addition, the Company’s net interest margin may contract in a rising rate environment because its funding costs may increase faster than the yield earned on its interest-earning assets. In a rising rate environment, demand for loans may decrease and loans with adjustable interest rates are more likely to experience a higher rate of default. Additionally, changes in interest rates also affect the fair value of the securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. The combination of these events may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings. In addition, in a falling rate environment or the recent pandemic-related environment where the Federal Reserve held the federal reference rate near 0.00%, loans may be prepaid sooner than the Company expects, which could result in a delay between when the Company receives the prepayment and when it is able to redeploy the funds into new interest-earning assets and in a decrease in the amount of interest income the Company is able to earn on those assets. If the Company is unable to manage these risks effectively, its financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Any substantial, unexpected or prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Also, the Company’s interest rate risk modeling techniques and assumptions likely may not fully predict or capture the impact of actual interest rate changes on its balance sheet.

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

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Bank cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Bank. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

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

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

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

Liquidity needs could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operation.

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

Market conditions may impact the competitive landscape for deposits in the banking industry. The rising interest rate environment and future actions the Federal Reserve may take may impact pricing and demand for deposits in the banking industry. Additionally, deposit levels may be affected by a number of factors, including rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns available to customers on alternative investments and general economic conditions. The withdrawal of more deposits than the Company anticipates could have an adverse impact on profitability as the Company may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Such sources include proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances, sales of investment securities and loans, and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks, as well as out-of-market time deposits which could cause the Company's overall cost of funding to increase. While the Company believes that these sources are currently adequate, there can be no assurance they will be sufficient to meet future liquidity demands, particularly if the Company continues to grow and experience increasing loan demand. The Company may be required to slow or discontinue loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments or liquidate assets should such sources not be adequate.

Technological advances impact the Company’s business; its information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

To conduct the Company’s business, it relies heavily on new technology-driven products and services and on communications and information systems. The Company’s future success will depend, in part, on its ability to address the needs of the Bank’s customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in operations. Furthermore, any failure, interruption or breach of the security of the Company’s information systems could result in failures or disruptions in its customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of the Company’s information systems, there can be no assurance that the Company can prevent any such failures, interruptions or security breaches or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. During the normal course of the

Company’s business, it has experienced and it expects to continue to experience attempts to breach its systems, none of which has been material to the Company to date, and it may be unable to protect sensitive data and the integrity of its systems. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company’s information systems could damage its reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject it to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose it to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations as well as the value of its securities.

The Company’s controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

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

The Bank is subject to risks and losses resulting from fraudulent activities that could adversely impact its financial performance and results of operations.

The Bank is susceptible to fraudulent activity that may be committed against it or its clients, which may result in financial losses or increased costs to the Bank or its clients, disclosure or misuse of its information or its client’s information, misappropriation of assets, privacy breaches against its clients, litigation or damage to the Bank’s reputation. The Bank is most subject to fraud and compliance risk in connection with the origination of loans, ACH transactions, wire transactions, ATM transactions, checking transactions, and debit cards that it has issued to its customers and through its online banking portals.

The Company maintains a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against such risks, including data processing system failures and errors, and customer fraud. If its internal controls fail to prevent or detect any such occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Negative public opinion surrounding the Company and the financial institutions industry generally could damage its reputation and adversely impact its earnings.

Reputation risk, or the risk to the Company’s business, earnings and capital from negative public opinion surrounding the Company and the financial institutions industry generally, is inherent in its business. Negative public opinion can result from the Company’s actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. Negative public opinion can adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract clients and employees and can expose it to litigation and regulatory action. Although the Company takes steps to minimize reputation risk in dealing with its clients and communities, this risk will always be present given the nature of its business.

Severe weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies and pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events could significantly impact our business.

Severe weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies and pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical conflicts, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to conduct business. Such events could affect the operations of the bank branches, stability of the Bank’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue, and/or cause the Company to incur additional expenses. Additionally, demand for the Company’s products and services may decline; loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income; collateral for loans may decline in value, which could increase loan losses; the allowance for credit losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties; a material decrease in net income could affect the Company’s ability to pay cash dividends; cybersecurity risks may be increased as the result of employees working remotely; critical services provided by third-party vendors may become unavailable; government actions and mandates may affect the Company’s workforce and infrastructure; and the Company may experience staffing shortages and unanticipated unavailability or loss of key employees. The occurrence of any such event or a combination of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Regulatory and Legal Risks

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

The Company, primarily through the Bank, is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the safety and soundness of the banking system as a whole, not shareholders. These regulations affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject the Company to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products it may offer, and/or limit the pricing it may charge on certain banking services, among other things. The Company will have to apply resources to ensure that it is in compliance with any changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretations or implementation, which may increase its costs of operations and adversely impact its earnings.

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

In 2006, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure could receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate, and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital, and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Commercial real estate loans represent 374.5% of our risk-based capital at December 31, 2023 and the outstanding balance of our commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by greater than 50% during the 36 months preceding December 31, 2023.

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

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

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

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

The Company is subject to various privacy, information security and data protection laws, including requirements concerning security breach notification, and it could be negatively impacted by these laws. For example, the Company’s business is subject to the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which, among other things: (i) imposes certain limitations on its ability to share nonpublic personal information about its customers with nonaffiliated third parties; (ii) requires that it provide certain disclosures to customers about its information collection, sharing and security practices and afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by the Company with nonaffiliated third parties (with certain exceptions) and (iii) requires it develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing safeguards appropriate based on its size and complexity, the nature and scope of its activities, and the sensitivity of customer information it processes, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Various state and federal banking regulators and states have also enacted data security breach notification requirements with varying levels of individual, consumer, regulatory or law enforcement notification in certain circumstances in the event of a security breach. Moreover, legislators and regulators in the United States are increasingly adopting or revising privacy, information security and data protection laws that potentially could have a significant impact on the Company’s current and planned privacy, data protection and information security-related practices, the Company’s collection, use, sharing, retention and safeguarding of consumer or employee information, and some of its current or planned business activities. This could also increase the Company’s costs of compliance and business operations and could reduce income from certain business initiatives. This includes increased privacy-related enforcement activity at the federal level, by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as at the state level, such as with regard to mobile applications.

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

The Company's and the Bank’s use of third party vendors and their other ongoing third party business relationships are subject to increasing regulatory requirements and attention.

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

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

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

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

Federal, state and local laws have been adopted that are intended to eliminate certain lending practices considered “predatory.” These laws prohibit practices such as steering borrowers away from more affordable products, selling unnecessary insurance to borrowers, repeatedly refinancing loans and making loans without a reasonable expectation that the borrowers will be able to repay the

loans irrespective of the value of the underlying property. Loans with certain terms and conditions and that otherwise meet the definition of a “qualified mortgage” may be protected from liability to a borrower for failing to make the necessary determinations. The Company may find it necessary to tighten its mortgage loan underwriting standards in response to these rules, which may constrain its ability to make loans consistent with its business strategies. It is the Company’s policy not to make predatory loans and to determine borrowers’ ability to repay, but the law and related rules create the potential for increased liability with respect to the Company’s lending and loan investment activities. They increase the Company’s cost of doing business and, ultimately, may prevent it from making certain loans and cause it to reduce the average percentage rate or the points and fees on loans that it does make.

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

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

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

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

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

The Company may be subject to more stringent capital requirements in the future.

From time to time, the Company’s banking regulators change the regulatory capital adequacy guidelines applicable to it and its banking subsidiary. In December 2010 and January 2011, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published the final texts of reforms on capital and liquidity generally referred to as “Basel III.” The federal regulatory agencies adopted capital rules implementing the Basel III capital framework in the United States. Under these rules, the Bank is required to satisfy additional, more stringent, capital adequacy standards than it has in the past. If the Company’s consolidated assets were to exceed $3.0 billion or larger, the Company would be subject to consolidated holding company capital requirements similar to those applicable to the Bank. The Bank has met all of the requirements of the Basel III-based capital rules to date, but the Bank may fail to do so in the future. In addition, these requirements could have a negative impact on the Bank’s ability to lend, grow deposit balances, make acquisitions or make capital distributions in the form of dividends or share repurchases. Higher capital levels could also lower the Company’s return on equity, which may negatively impact its business, results of operations, financial condition, and the value of its securities.

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

From time to time, customers and others make claims and take legal action pertaining to the Company’s performance of fiduciary responsibilities or other matters. Whether customer claims and legal action are legitimate or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in the Company’s favor they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the

market perception of it and its products and services as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to an Investment in the Company’s Securities

There is a limited trading market in the Company's common stock, which will hinder your ability to sell our common stock and may lower the market price of the stock.

Although the Company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, there is currently a limited trading market for the Company's common stock. An active trading market for shares of the Company's common stock may never develop or be sustained. This limited trading market for the Company's common stock may reduce the market value of our common stock. Before investing in shares of the Company's common stock you should consider the limited trading market for our common stock and be financially prepared and able to hold your shares for an indefinite period.

The Company can provide no assurance regarding whether it will continue to make dividend payments in the future.

The Company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share. All future dividends will be dependent on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, as well as capital regulations and dividend restrictions from the PADOBS, the FDIC, and the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. The FDIC also has the authority under federal law to enjoin a bank from engaging in what in its opinion constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business, including the payment of a dividend under certain circumstances. The Company can provide no assurance regarding whether it will continue to make dividend payments in the future.

The Company may issue additional shares of common stock, and this would result in dilution of a shareholder’s ownership percentage and potentially the per share book value of the common stock.

The Company may, in the future, determine that it is advisable, or it may encounter circumstances where it determines it is necessary, to issue additional shares of common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent an interest in common stock, or common stock-equivalent securities to fund strategic initiatives or other business needs or to build additional capital. In September 2022, the Company completed its IPO whereby it issued and sold 5,101,205 shares of common stock. In February 2023, the Company completed a private placement of $10.0 million in common stock. On November 30, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of Partners Bancorp and issued 20,683,158 shares of common stock. These issuances diluted and future issuances may dilute the ownership interests of shareholders and could potentially dilute the per share book value of the common stock if the issuances are done at a lower per share offering price.

Furthermore, in recognition of the financial risk and efforts undertook in organizing the Company, certain founding investors were granted warrants to purchase four shares of common stock at a purchase price of $10 per share for every one share the individual purchased during the Company’s initial offering in 2018-2019. In the aggregate, warrants to purchase 1,537,484 shares of common stock were granted to these individuals, which are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant. The exercise of such warrants would dilute the ownership interests of the Company's shareholders.

The Company's securities are not FDIC insured and may lose value.

Shares of the Company's common stock are not savings accounts or deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC, or any other governmental agency, and involve investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

The Company’s common stock is subordinate to existing and future indebtedness.

Shares of the Company’s common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, the Company’s common stock ranks junior to all our customer deposits and indebtedness, and other non-equity claims on the Company, with respect to assets available to satisfy claims. In addition, the shares of common stock rank junior to the $20.0 million in subordinated debt that the Company assumed in connection with the Gratz Merger, $22.6 million in subordinated debt that the Company assumed in connection with the Partners Merger, and $20.0 million of subordinated debt that the Company issued in April 2022.

Other Risks

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

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

The Company's shareholders have limited control over changes in the Company’s policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks that shareholders face.

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

The Company's articles of incorporation permit the Board of Directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of the holders of the Company's common stock or discourage a third party from acquiring the Company in a manner that could result in a premium price to shareholders.

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

The Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, and certain banking laws applicable to us, could have an anti-takeover effect that decreases the Company’s chances of being acquired, even if an acquisition is in the shareholders’ best interests.

Certain provisions of the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, and federal and state banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of our organization or conduct a proxy contest, even if those events were perceived by many of the Company’s shareholders as beneficial to their interests. These provisions, and the corporate and banking laws and regulations applicable to us:

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

The Company is an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and the Company cannot be certain whether the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make the Company’s common stock less attractive to investors.

The Company is an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and is, therefore, permitted to, and intends to, take advantage of certain exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. The Company will be an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which the Company had total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more, (ii) December 31, 2026, (iii) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt or (iv) the date on which the Company is deemed a “large accelerated filer,” as defined under the federal securities laws. For so long as the Company remains an “emerging growth company,” the Company may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in the Company’s periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on certain executive compensation matters, such as “say on pay” and “say on frequency.” As a result, the Company’s shareholders may not have access to certain information that they may deem important. Although the Company intends to rely on the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act, the exact implications of the JOBS Act for the Company are still subject to interpretations and guidance by the SEC and other regulatory agencies.

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

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

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None

Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is a significant and integrated component of the Company’s risk management strategy. As a financial services company, cyber threats are present and growing, and the potential exists for a cybersecurity incident to occur, which could disrupt business operations or compromise sensitive data. The Company takes very seriously the responsibilities to protect sensitive client information, technology resources, and shareholder value from the risk of cyber threats and incidents. The Company has not identified any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of previous cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, financial condition or results of operation. Risks relating to cybersecurity and their potential impact are discussed more fully in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A herein.

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

The Company maintains an enterprise-wide and Board-approved Information Security Program (the “Program”), which includes policies, procedures, guidelines and standards to address the assessment, identification and management of cybersecurity risks. The Company designed the Program to be consistent with industry standards that include National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) Cybersecurity Framework, the Financial Services Sector Cybersecurity Risk (“CRI”) Profile, and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Cyber Security Assessment. Core activities supporting the Company’s strategy include leveraging people, technology and processes to manage and maintain cybersecurity controls.

People play a significant role in our defense against cybersecurity threats. We have established policies, training, and client education to mitigate cyber risk.

Additionally, we employ innovative technology solutions designed to identify, protect, detect, and mitigate cybersecurity threats through use of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, patching, endpoint detection and response, encryption, multi factor authentication, and data backups to immutable storage.

We regularly engage third-party assessors, auditors, and solutions to test and evaluate our controls for managing cybersecurity threats. These engagements include penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, internal and external audits, security framework maturity assessments for continued focus and improvement, and social engineering tests of the effectiveness of our employee training to monitor our security posture. We leverage a managed service provider to monitor users, application, infrastructure, and network activity on a 24/7/365 basis to detect and alert the cyber security operation team of cyber threats and potential cybersecurity events of concern.

The Company relies on third-party vendor solutions to support its operations; many of these vendors have access to sensitive and proprietary information. We exercise a detailed vendor due diligence evaluation during the onboarding, and periodic reviews of these vendors with access to sensitive Company data. The Company requires contracts of third parties to incorporate industry and regulatory standard clauses requiring reporting to the Company of the occurrence and mitigation of cybersecurity threats and incidents as well as to maintain adequate levels of cybersecurity insurance coverage.

In the event of a cyber incident, the Company created and maintains a Business Contingency Program. This program provides guidance that will be needed to prepare, detect, analyze, remediate and recover business operations quickly and with the least impact to the Company and its customers.

Cybersecurity Governance

The Company has established an Information Security Committee consisting of the Chief Operations & Technology Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Information Security Officer and department representatives across multiple functional areas of the Company to focus on cybersecurity strategic and tactical delivery, policy oversight, monitoring of key cybersecurity risk indicators, and the assessment and management of cyber risk threats. The Committee is assisted by a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (the “vCISO”) which is provided by a contracted third-party security firm. The Committee’s activities support the overall protection of data and information assets of the Company in accordance with the Information Security Program, regulatory privacy requirements and Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council guidance. The Committee submits a quarterly report, together with the minutes of its meetings, to the Enterprise Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Chief Operations & Technology Officer, among other duties, is responsible for the security and integrity of infrastructure, applications and databases and coordinates security implementations, monitoring and enforcement in conjunction with the vCISO and our risk management department. Our Chief Operations & Technology Officer has over 25 years of relevant experience in information technology and information security, building and leading technical organizations of various sizes, including in the banking industry. The vCISO has served in various roles in information technology and information security for 20 years, and holds multiple certifications relevant to cybersecurity, including CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) and Fortinet NSE (Network Security Expert) level 3.

The Board of Directors receives periodic training related to cybersecurity and annually reviews comprehensive risk assessments of the Company’s information technology, privacy and cybersecurity programs. The Board of Directors formally approves the Company’s cybersecurity policies and program annually, and more frequently if material changes are adopted. Oversight of the Company’s Information Security Program has been delegated to the Enterprise Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors. The Enterprise Risk Management Committee receives quarterly reports on the effectiveness and overall performance of the cybersecurity program and provides a report of the same to the full Board of Directors.

The Company engages external independent parties to perform independent audit engagements, as well as other assessments of the Company’s information security and third-party risk management program and information systems. Material findings and recommendations arising from these assessments are reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Item 2. Properties.

The Company's principal offices are located at 1250 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 202, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. This facility is leased by the Bank.

We own or lease other premises for use as Solutions Centers and loan production offices in Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and York Counties within Pennsylvania, Wicomico, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Worcester Counties in Maryland, Sussex County in Delaware, Camden and Burlington Counties in New Jersey, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and the cities of Fredericksburg and Reston, Virginia. We believe that the properties currently owned or leased are adequate for present levels of operation. The following table sets forth the locations of Bank facilities as of December 31, 2023.