Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2025 Third Quarter Results

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Oct 23, 2025, 07:00 ET

OPELOUSAS, La., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: "CLST") (the "Company"), the parent company for Catalyst Bank (the "Bank") (www.catalystbank.com), reported net income of $489,000 for the third quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $521,000 for the second quarter of 2025.

"Our team has done a good job attracting new deposit customers in 2025," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank. "While loan growth has been slow, we are beginning to see signs of increased economic activity, which we expect will spur loan growth opportunities in the coming quarters."

Loans

Loans totaled $164.8 million at September 30, 2025, down $2.8 million, or 2%, from June 30, 2025. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.


*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025		6/30/2025		Change
Real estate loans
One- to four-family residential	$	78,373	$	80,195	$	(1,822)	(2)	%
Commercial real estate		33,679		33,976		(297)	(1)
Construction and land		18,850		20,650		(1,800)	(9)
Multi-family residential		5,367		5,432		(65)	(1)
Total real estate loans		136,269		140,253		(3,984)	(3)
Other loans
Commercial and industrial		25,665		25,035		630	3	%
Consumer		2,833		2,281		552	24
Total other loans		28,498		27,316		1,182	4
Total loans	$	164,767	$	167,569	$	(2,802)	(2)

In the third quarter of 2025, a $4.6 million construction loan paid-off and we received $1.0 million of total pay-downs on a commercial and industrial relationship that was downgraded to substandard during the first quarter of 2025. As of September 30, 2025, the classified commercial and industrial relationship totaled $2.1 million and all loans within the relationship were current and performing. Pay-offs and pay-downs during the third quarter of 2025 were partially offset by growth within the health and oilfield services segments of our loan portfolio.

The following table presents certain major segments of our commercial real estate, construction and land, and commercial and industrial loan balances as of the dates indicated.


*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025		6/30/2025		Change
Commercial real estate
Retail	$	9,725	$	9,739	$	(14)	(0)	%
Hospitality		5,742		5,849		(107)	(2)
Health service facilities		3,325		3,345		(20)	(1)
Restaurants		1,095		1,049		46	4
Oilfield services		374		384		(10)	(3)
Other non-owner occupied		2,380		2,648		(268)	(10)
Other owner occupied		11,038		10,962		76	1
Total commercial real estate	$	33,679	$	33,976	$	(297)	(1)
Construction and land
Multi-family residential	$	4,692	$	8,997	$	(4,305)	(48)	%
Health service facilities		9,695		7,649		2,046	27
Other commercial construction and land		1,772		1,782		(10)	(1)
Consumer residential construction and land		2,691		2,222		469	21
Total construction and land	$	18,850	$	20,650	$	(1,800)	(9)
Commercial and industrial
Oilfield services	$	9,532	$	8,081	$	1,451	18	%
Industrial equipment		7,865		8,453		(588)	(7)
Professional services		3,187		3,146		41	1
Other commercial and industrial		5,081		5,355		(274)	(5)
Total commercial and industrial loans	$	25,665	$	25,035	$	630	3

Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

At September 30, 2025, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $1.9 million, compared to $1.8 million at June 30, 2025. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.67% and 0.64% at September 30 and June 30, 2025, respectively. Non-performing loans ("NPLs") comprised 1.11% and 1.00% of total loans at September 30 and June 30, 2025, respectively. At September 30 and June 30, 2025, 99% of total NPLs were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.

At September 30 and June 30, 2025, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $2.4 million, or 1.45% of total loans. For the third quarter of 2025, we recorded a reversal of provision for credit losses of $36,000 largely due to a reduction in expected credit losses on individually evaluated loans and a decline in total loans. Net loan charge-offs totaled $2,000 during the third quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $42,000 during the second quarter of 2025. Net loan charge-offs during 2025 have been primarily related to residential mortgage loans and overdrawn deposit accounts.

Investment Securities

Total investment securities were $59.8 million, or 21% of total assets, at September 30, 2025, up $15.6 million, or 35%, compared to June 30, 2025. During the third quarter of 2025, we purchased $15.1 million of variable-rate and $1.1 million of fixed-rate government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities. The weighted average yield of the securities purchased during the third quarter was 5.17% at September 30, 2025.

Deposits

Total deposits were $186.4 million at September 30, 2025, up $4.2 million, or 2%, from June 30, 2025. Total deposits averaged $179.8 million during the third quarter of 2025, compared to $179.4 million during the second quarter of 2025. The increase in deposits was primarily attributable to our high-yield account specials. The competitive offerings have been successful at attracting new deposits and deepening relationships with existing customers. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's deposits as of the dates indicated.


*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025		6/30/2025		Change
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	27,617	$	31,155	$	(3,538)	(11)	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits		35,748		35,307		441	1
Money market		11,783		9,437		2,346	25
Savings		52,152		51,001		1,151	2
Certificates of deposit		59,072		55,311		3,761	7
Total deposits	$	186,372	$	182,211	$	4,161	2

The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 88% and 92% at September 30 and June 30 2025, respectively.

Total public fund deposits amounted to $30.5 million, or 16% of total deposits, at September 30, 2025, compared to $29.0 million at June 30, 2025. At September 30 and June 30, 2025, approximately 64% of our total public fund deposits consisted of non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits.

Capital and Share Repurchases

At September 30 and June 30, 2025, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $81.6 million, or 28.7% of total assets, and $80.8 million, or 29.5% of total assets, respectively.

The Company repurchased 13,212 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $12.93 during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 62,385 shares at an average cost per share of $11.91 during the second quarter of 2025. Under the Company's November 2024 Repurchase Plan, 38,604 shares of the Company's common stock were available for repurchase at September 30, 2025. Since the announcement of our first share repurchase plan on January 26, 2023 and through September 30, 2025, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,160,396 shares of its common stock, or approximately 22% of the common shares originally issued, at an average cost per share of $11.94. At September 30, 2025, the Company had common shares outstanding of 4,129,604.

Net Interest Income

The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2025 was 3.88%, down ten basis points compared to the prior quarter. For the third quarter of 2025, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.56%, down two basis points from the prior quarter, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.62%, up 11 basis points from the second quarter of 2025.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2025 was $2.5 million, down $18,000, or 1%, compared to the second quarter of 2025. Total interest income was up $52,000, or 2%, in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter largely due to an increase in income on investment securities and loans. Total interest expense increased $70,000, or 7%, in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter. The increase in interest expense was mainly due to the full quarter impact of growth in our high-yield savings account balances during the second quarter of 2025.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Company's total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Taxable equivalent ("TE") yields have been calculated using a marginal tax rate of 21%. All average balances are based on daily balances.


	Three Months Ended
	9/30/2025						6/30/2025
*(Dollars in thousands)*	Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/ Rate^(TE)		Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/ Rate^(TE)
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans receivable⁽¹⁾	$	167,032	$	2,816	6.69	%	$	167,627	$	2,792	6.68	%
Investment securities⁽²⁾		51,731		345	2.71			48,285		294	2.49
Other interest earning assets		32,241		352	4.33			33,225		375	4.53
Total interest-earning assets	$	251,004	$	3,513	5.56		$	249,137	$	3,461	5.58
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Demand deposits, money market, and savings accounts	$	94,308	$	529	2.22	%	$	92,088	$	466	2.03	%
Certificates of deposit		56,113		454	3.21			57,018		459	3.23
Total interest-bearing deposits		150,421		983	2.59			149,106		925	2.49
Borrowings		10,699		80	2.97			9,619		68	2.84
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	161,120	$	1,063	2.62		$	158,725	$	993	2.51
Net interest-earning assets	$	89,884					$	90,412
Net interest income; average interest rate spread			$	2,450	2.94	%			$	2,468	3.07	%
Net interest margin⁽³⁾					3.88						3.98

(1) Includes non-accrual loans during the respective periods. Calculated net of deferred fees and discounts and loans in-process.

(2) Average investment securities does not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available-for-sale securities.

(3) Equals net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Taxable equivalent yields are calculated using a marginal tax rate of 21%.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $315,000, down $29,000, or 8%, compared to the second quarter of 2025. During the third quarter of 2025, we corrected an immaterial technical error related to fees charged for the use of foreign ATMs and refunded customers all fees that were applied in error. The refunded fees were the primary reason for the decrease in income from service charges on deposit accounts when comparing the third quarter to the second quarter of 2025.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $2.2 million, up $24,000, or 1%, compared to the second quarter of 2025.

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $1.3 million, up $50,000, or 4%, from the prior quarter. New grants of share-based compensation in June 2025 and additional payroll tax expense for vesting of existing stock awards accounted for approximately half of the increase.

Professional fees for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $91,000, down $23,000, or 20%, from the prior quarter. During the second quarter of 2025 the Company incurred additional professional fees for our annual shareholders meeting and related materials.

Other non-interest expense totaled $211,000 for the third quarter of 2025, down $23,000, or 10%, from the prior quarter primarily due to a decline in loan collection related expenses.

About Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.

Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLST) is a Louisiana corporation and registered bank holding company for Catalyst Bank, its wholly-owned subsidiary, with $283.8 million in assets at September 30, 2025. Catalyst Bank, formerly St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank, has been in operation in the Acadiana region of south-central Louisiana since 1922. With a focus on fueling business and improving lives throughout the region, Catalyst Bank offers commercial and retail banking products through our six full-service branches located in Carencro, Eunice, Lafayette, Opelousas, and Port Barre. To learn more about Catalyst Bancorp and Catalyst Bank, visit www.catalystbank.com, or the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release reflects industry conditions, Company performance and financial results and contains "forward-looking statements,' which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and businesses, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectation expressed in such forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are described under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Supervision and Regulation" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC's website and the Company's website, each of which are referenced above. To the extent that statements in this news release relate to future plans, objectives, financial results or performance by the Company, these statements are deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are generally identified by use of words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements represent management's beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. All information is as of the date of this news release. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

	(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025		6/30/2025		12/31/2024		9/30/2024
ASSETS
Non-interest-bearing cash	$	4,515	$	4,024	$	4,076	$	3,625
Interest-bearing cash and due from banks		32,756		36,032		40,219		42,128
Total cash and cash equivalents		37,271		40,056		44,295		45,753
Investment securities:
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		44,853		29,294		28,712		32,196
Securities held-to-maturity		14,945		14,948		13,447		13,450
Loans receivable, net of unearned income		164,767		167,569		167,076		165,882
Allowance for credit losses		(2,397)		(2,431)		(2,522)		(2,414)
Loans receivable, net		162,370		165,138		164,554		163,468
Accrued interest receivable		861		883		851		815
Foreclosed assets		76		80		194		173
Premises and equipment, net		5,954		5,977		6,085		6,135
Stock in correspondent banks, at cost		939		825		1,961		1,939
Bank-owned life insurance		14,849		14,726		14,489		14,370
Other assets		1,716		1,858		2,109		2,318
TOTAL ASSETS	$	283,834	$	273,785	$	276,697	$	280,617

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing	$	27,617	$	31,155	$	28,281	$	27,904
Interest-bearing		158,755		151,056		157,393		139,532
Total deposits		186,372		182,211		185,674		167,436
Borrowings		14,693		9,647		9,558		29,513
Other liabilities		1,184		1,128		1,261		2,001
TOTAL LIABILITIES		202,249		192,986		196,493		198,950

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock		41		41		43		44
Additional paid-in capital		37,997		38,259		39,561		40,847
Unallocated common stock held by benefit plans		(5,260)		(5,596)		(5,702)		(5,777)
Retained earnings		51,456		50,967		49,860		49,234
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,649)		(2,872)		(3,558)		(2,681)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		81,585		80,799		80,204		81,667
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	283,834	$	273,785	$	276,697	$	280,617

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025		6/30/2025		9/30/2024		9/30/2025		9/30/2024
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable, including fees	$	2,816	$	2,792	$	2,717	$	8,346	$	7,314
Investment securities		345		294		255		914		790
Cash and due from banks		345		353		678		1,039		2,184
Other		7		22		21		49		63
Total interest income		3,513		3,461		3,671		10,348		10,351
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		983		925		830		2,849		2,370
Borrowings		80		68		309		216		908
Total interest expense		1,063		993		1,139		3,065		3,278
Net interest income		2,450		2,468		2,532		7,283		7,073
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		(36)		-		337		(36)		531
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses		2,486		2,468		2,195		7,319		6,542
NON-INTEREST INCOME (LOSS)
Service charges on deposit accounts		172		202		200		571		597
Bank-owned life insurance		123		119		118		360		344
Loss on sales of investment securities		-		-		-		-		(5,507)
Other income on foreclosed assets		-		-		-		216		-
(Loss) gain on sale of fixed assets		(1)		-		-		(1)		6
Federal community development grant		-		-		280		-		280
Other		21		23		22		66		103
Total non-interest income (loss)		315		344		620		1,212		(4,177)
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		1,312		1,262		1,200		3,819		3,603
Occupancy and equipment		220		208		193		627		572
Data processing and communication		179		176		238		537		1,170
Professional fees		91		114		151		306		375
Directors' fees		123		117		116		354		345
ATM and debit card		24		29		24		75		124
Foreclosed assets, net		7		18		33		114		67
Advertising and marketing		35		20		31		94		112
Other		211		234		274		652		751
Total non-interest expense		2,202		2,178		2,260		6,578		7,119
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		599		634		555		1,953		(4,754)
Income tax expense (benefit)		110		113		108		357		(1,039)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	489	$	521	$	447	$	1,596	$	(3,715)

Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.14	$	0.11	$	0.43	$	(0.93)
Diluted		0.13		0.14		0.11		0.43		(0.93)

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025			6/30/2025			9/30/2024			9/30/2025			9/30/2024
EARNINGS DATA
Total interest income	$	3,513		$	3,461		$	3,671		$	10,348		$	10,351
Total interest expense		1,063			993			1,139			3,065			3,278
Net interest income		2,450			2,468			2,532			7,283			7,073
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		(36)			-			337			(36)			531
Total non-interest income (loss)		315			344			620			1,212			(4,177)
Total non-interest expense		2,202			2,178			2,260			6,578			7,119
Income tax expense (benefit)		110			113			108			357			(1,039)
Net income (loss)	$	489		$	521		$	447		$	1,596		$	(3,715)

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total loans	$	167,032		$	167,627		$	161,410		$	166,938		$	152,066
Total interest-earning assets		251,004			249,137			261,069			248,959			265,212
Total assets		272,987			270,788			282,440			270,686			284,964
Total interest-bearing deposits		150,421			149,106			141,074			149,837			143,619
Total interest-bearing liabilities		161,120			158,725			170,576			159,805			172,608
Total deposits		179,825			179,426			169,437			178,795			172,461
Total shareholders' equity		81,136			80,611			81,307			80,727			81,645

SELECTED RATIOS
Return on average assets		0.71	%		0.77	%		0.63	%		0.79	%		(1.74)	%
Return on average equity		2.39			2.59			2.18			2.64			(6.08)
Efficiency ratio		79.67			77.46			71.72			77.44			245.83
Net interest margin^(TE)		3.88			3.98			3.86			3.92			3.56
Average equity to average assets		29.72			29.77			28.79			29.82			28.65
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio⁽¹⁾		43.95			43.72			45.74
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio⁽¹⁾		27.58			27.56			27.43
Total risk-based capital ratio⁽¹⁾		45.20			44.98			46.99

NON-FINANCIAL DATA
Total employees (full-time equivalent)		49			49			48
Common shares issued and outstanding, end of period		4,129,604			4,142,816			4,399,127

(1) Capital ratios are preliminary end-of-period ratios for the Bank only and are subject to change.

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(continued)

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
*(Dollars in thousands)*	9/30/2025			6/30/2025			9/30/2024			9/30/2025		9/30/2024
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Loans:
Beginning balance	$	2,431		$	2,500		$	2,215		$	2,522	$	2,124
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		(32)			(27)			330			(42)		557
Charge-offs		(37)			(63)			(184)			(153)		(364)
Recoveries		35			21			53			70		97
Net charge-offs		(2)			(42)			(131)			(83)		(267)
Ending balance	$	2,397		$	2,431		$	2,414		$	2,397	$	2,414

Unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance	$	131		$	104		$	224			121		257
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on unfunded commitments		(4)			27			7			6		(26)
Ending balance	$	127		$	131		$	231		$	127	$	231

Total provision for (reversal of) credit losses	$	(36)		$	-		$	337		$	(36)	$	531

CREDIT QUALITY⁽¹⁾
Non-accruing loans	$	1,459		$	1,455		$	1,423
Accruing loans 90 days or more past due		364			215			15
Total non-performing loans		1,823			1,670			1,438
Foreclosed assets		76			80			173
Total non-performing assets	$	1,899		$	1,750		$	1,611

Total non-performing loans to total loans		1.11	%		1.00	%		0.87	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets		0.67			0.64			0.57