2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition Journal

Messiah University Executive Summary

T hrough our careful analysis of LINKBANCORP, we hope to bring your attention to a few major points. Being a relatively small banking institution in the current economy is no easy task, but LINKBANK has proven themselves to be triumphant through their undeniable growth, increased profitability, and skillfully serving their local community. Growth has been both organic and a result of a previous merger with Gratz National Bank. Prospects for future growth, with the upcoming merger of equals with Partners Bank is exciting, and the financials have shown great strength despite related expenses being incurred. In the process of going public in 2022 on the NASDAQ, they raised $10 million of capital to support this MOE with Partners and expect to continue improving their capital ratios. Loans and deposits have continued to remain steady, despite trust being lost by consumers in the current banking economy. Overall, their metrics including earning assets as

a percentage of total assets, loan to deposit ratios, and capital ratios are either right on par with national averages or exceeding, which is imperative to their growth focus, and while some metrics may not quite meet national average levels, improving margins such as NIM and earned interest income are a primary focus for LINK over the next year.

LINKBANK has proven themselves to be triumphant through their undeniable growth, increased profitability, and skillfully serving their local community.

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