OPELOUSAS, La., April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: "CLST") (the "Company"), the parent company for Catalyst Bank (the "Bank") (www.catalystbank.com), reported net income of $558,000, or $0.15 per diluted common share ("diluted EPS"), for the first quarter of 2026, compared to net income of $456,000, or $0.13 diluted EPS, for the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company's net income for the first quarter of 2026 included professional fees of $95,000 (pre-tax) related to our agreement to acquire Lakeside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Lakeside Bank (collectively referred to as "Lakeside").
"Our team is fully engaged in preparing for our growth in Southwest Louisiana through the Lakeside acquisition," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank. "At the same time, we remain focused on winning new business organically and expanding existing relationships. As a result of our team's efforts, we continue to see improvement in our financial performance."
Loans
Loans totaled $163.7 million at March 31, 2026, down $6.5 million, or 4%, from December 31, 2025. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 Change
----------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------------
Real estate loans
One- to four-family
residential $ 78,093 $ 80,123 $(2,030) (3)%
Commercial real estate 33,673 32,872 801 2
Construction and land 19,761 18,806 955 5
Multi-family
residential 4,781 5,309 (528) (10)
------- -------- -------
Total real estate loans 136,308 137,110 (802) (1)
Other loans
Commercial and
industrial 25,626 31,205 (5,579) (18)%
Consumer 1,743 1,895 (152) (8)
------- -------- -------
Total other loans 27,369 33,100 (5,731) (17)
------- -------- -------
Total loans $ 163,677 $ 170,210 $(6,533) (4)
======= ======== =======
During the first quarter of 2026, a $5.9 million commercial and industrial loan relationship paid off after the sale of the borrower's business.
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) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 Change
----------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------------
Commercial real estate
Retail $ 9,273 $ 9,455 $ (182) (2)%
Hospitality 5,519 5,632 (113) (2)
Health service
facilities 4,911 3,300 1,611 49
Restaurants 1,047 1,071 (24) (2)
Oilfield services 355 365 (10) (3)
Other non-owner
occupied 2,322 2,349 (27) (1)
Other owner occupied 10,246 10,700 (454) (4)
------- -------- -------
Total commercial real
estate $ 33,673 $ 32,872 $ 801 2
======= ======== =======
Construction and land
Multi-family
residential $ 5,783 $ 4,749 $ 1,034 22%
Health service
facilities 9,698 10,547 (849) (8)
Other commercial
construction and land 2,436 2,112 324 15
Consumer residential
construction and land 1,844 1,398 446 32
------- -------- -------
Total construction and
land $ 19,761 $ 18,806 $ 955 5
======= ======== =======
Commercial and
industrial
Oilfield services $ 17,959 $ 17,295 $ 664 4%
Industrial equipment 986 7,064 (6,078) (86)
Professional services 3,250 3,531 (281) (8)
Other commercial and
industrial 3,431 3,315 116 3
------- -------- -------
Total commercial and
industrial loans $ 25,626 $ 31,205 $(5,579) (18)
======= ======== =======
A $1.6 million construction loan, included in the health service facilities category in the table above, converted to a commercial real estate loan during the first quarter of 2026. Multi-family residential construction loan growth was largely driven by new apartment homes in Lafayette Parish.
Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses
At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $2.7 million. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.94% and 0.95% at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Non-performing loans ("NPLs") were 1.64% and 1.55% of total loans at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. During the first quarter of 2026, a $304,000 commercial real estate loan was placed on non-accrual status. At March 31, 2026, 82% of total NPLs were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, compared to 95% at December 31, 2025.
At March 31, 2026, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $2.3 million, or 1.40% of total loans, compared to $2.4 million, or 1.39% of total loans, at December 31, 2025. The Company recorded a $70,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2026, compared to a $96,000 provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2025. The reversal of expected credit losses recorded in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by declines in commercial and industrial and residential loan balances. Net loan charge-offs totaled $37,000 during the first quarter of 2026, compared to net charge-offs of $42,000 during the fourth quarter of 2025. Net loan charge-offs in 2026 included a $28,000 charge-off of a commercial line of credit.
Investment Securities
Total investment securities were $63.1 million, or 22% of total assets, at March 31, 2026, down $2.3 million, or 3%, compared to December 31, 2025. We did not purchase investment securities in the first quarter of 2026. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we purchased $7.4 million of government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities. The weighted average yield of the securities purchased during the fourth quarter of 2025 was 4.39% at March 31, 2026.
Deposits
Total deposits were $195.4 million at March 31, 2026, up $10.1 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2025. Total deposits averaged $198.2 million during the first quarter of 2026, compared to $181.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2025. The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 84% and 92% at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.
The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's deposits as of the dates indicated.
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 Change
----------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------------
Non-interest-bearing
demand deposits $ 34,739 $ 29,991 $ 4,748 16%
Interest-bearing demand
deposits 33,249 32,851 398 1
Money market 9,296 10,235 (939) (9)
Savings 60,525 53,831 6,694 12
Certificates of deposit 57,564 58,366 (802) (1)
------- -------- ------
Total deposits $ 195,373 $ 185,274 $10,099 5
======= ======== ======
The increase in total average deposits for the first quarter compared to the prior quarter and total deposits at the end of each period shown in the table above was driven by a mix of public and non-public deposits.
Total public fund deposits were $29.8 million, or 15% of total deposits, at March 31, 2026, compared to $26.4 million, or 14% of total deposits, at December 31, 2025. During the first quarter of 2026, total public fund deposits averaged $35.6 million, compared to $24.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2025. The increases were largely due to seasonal fluctuations.
Capital and Share Repurchases
At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $82.2 million, or 28.5% of total assets, and $81.7 million, or 28.9% of total assets, respectively.
The Company repurchased 16,614 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $15.71 during the first quarter of 2026, compared to 54,693 shares at an average cost per share of $14.76 during the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company paused share repurchases temporarily during the first quarter of 2026 while conducting due diligence and negotiations related to our agreement to acquire Lakeside.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company announced our sixth share repurchase plan (the "November 2025 Repurchase Plan"). Under the November 2025 Repurchase Plan, the Company may purchase up to 205,000 shares, or approximately 5%, of the Company's outstanding common stock. At March 31, 2026, 172,297 shares of the Company's common stock were available for repurchase under the November 2025 Repurchase Plan. We expect to resume repurchases during the second quarter of 2026.
Since the announcement of our first share repurchase plan on January 26, 2023 and through March 31, 2026, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,231,703 shares of its common stock, or 23% of the common shares originally issued, at an average cost per share of $12.11. At March 31, 2026, the Company had common shares outstanding of 4,058,297.
Net Interest Income
The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2026 was 3.83%, down eight basis points compared to the prior quarter. For the first quarter of 2026, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.36%, down 17 basis points from the prior quarter, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.35%, down 15 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2025. Net interest income for the first quarter of 2026 was $2.5 million, up $38,000, or 2%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025.
Total interest income was up $22,000, or 1%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the prior quarter largely due to an increase in income on cash and due from banks, which was partially offset by a decline in interest income on loans. The change in interest income was largely the result of an increase in the volume of interest earning cash, which was mainly fueled by deposit growth during first quarter of 2026.
Total interest expense decreased $16,000, or 2%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the prior quarter. The decline in interest expense was mainly due to lower borrowings expense. We paid off a short-term Federal Home Loan Bank advance during the first quarter of 2026. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.30% during the first quarter of 2026, down 15 basis points from the prior quarter.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Company's total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Taxable equivalent ("TE") yields have been calculated using a marginal tax rate of 21%. All average balances are based on daily balances.
Three Months Ended
------------------------------------------------------------------
3/31/2026 12/31/2025
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Average Average
Average Yield/ Average Yield/
(Dollars in thousands) Balance Interest Rate$(TE)$ Balance Interest Rate(TE)
----------------------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans receivable(1) $168,545 $ 2,749 6.61% $167,335 $ 2,815 6.68%
Investment
securities(2) 67,529 522 3.13 65,352 511 3.17
Other interest earning
assets 33,760 299 3.60 22,567 222 3.91
------- ------ ------- ------
Total interest-earning
assets $269,834 $ 3,570 5.36 $255,254 $ 3,548 5.53
======= ====== ======= ======
INTEREST-BEARING
LIABILITIES
Demand deposits, money
market, and savings
accounts $107,158 $ 494 1.87% $ 93,710 $ 467 1.98%
Certificates of deposit 58,086 445 3.10 58,677 475 3.21
------- ------ ------- ------
Total interest-bearing
deposits 165,244 939 2.30 152,387 942 2.45
Borrowings 11,110 86 3.11 12,884 99 3.08
------- ------ ------- ------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities $176,354 $ 1,025 2.35 $165,271 $ 1,041 2.50
======= ====== ======= ======
Net interest-earning
assets $ 93,480 $ 89,983
======= =======
Net interest income;
average interest rate
spread $ 2,545 3.01% $ 2,507 3.03%
====== ======
Net interest margin(3) 3.83 3.91
(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 first quarter of 2026 totaled $352,000, down $10,000, or 3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily due to a decline in income from service charges on deposit accounts.
Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2026 totaled $2.3 million, up $61,000, or 3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. Professional fees for the first quarter of 2026 totaled $185,000, up $87,000, or 89%, from the prior quarter. The Company incurred $95,000 (pre-tax) of professional fees during the first quarter of 2026 related to our agreement to acquire Lakeside.
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 $288.5 million in assets at March 31, 2026. 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, 2025, 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.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 3/31/2025
--------------------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
ASSETS
Non-interest-bearing cash $ 4,898 $ 4,132 $ 4,128
Interest-bearing cash and
due from banks 33,635 21,073 36,190
--------- -------- ---------
Total cash and cash
equivalents 38,533 25,205 40,318
Investment securities:
Securities
available-for-sale, at
fair value 48,216 50,467 29,840
Securities held-to-maturity 14,914 14,917 13,445
Loans receivable, net of
unearned income 163,677 170,210 166,077
Allowance for credit losses (2,295) (2,367) (2,500)
--------- -------- ---------
Loans receivable, net 161,382 167,843 163,577
Accrued interest receivable 849 907 866
Foreclosed assets 34 34 77
Premises and equipment, net 5,749 5,850 6,049
Stock in correspondent
banks, at cost 1,963 1,139 809
Bank-owned life insurance 15,117 14,983 14,607
Other assets 1,751 1,582 2,060
--------- -------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 288,508 $ 282,927 $ 271,648
========= ======== =========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing $ 34,739 $ 29,991 $ 26,093
Interest-bearing 160,634 155,283 154,505
--------- -------- ---------
Total deposits 195,373 185,274 180,598
Borrowings 9,759 14,732 9,603
Other liabilities 1,167 1,196 856
--------- -------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 206,299 201,202 191,057
--------- -------- ---------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 41 41 42
Additional paid-in capital 37,303 37,363 38,844
Unallocated common stock
held by benefit plans (5,129) (5,182) (5,649)
Retained earnings 52,470 51,912 50,446
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (2,476) (2,409) (3,092)
--------- -------- ---------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 82,209 81,725 80,591
--------- -------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 288,508 $ 282,927 $ 271,648
========= ======== =========
CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
--------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 3/31/2025
------------------------------- ----------- ------------ -----------
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable, including
fees $ 2,749 $ 2,815 $ 2,738
Investment securities 522 511 275
Cash and due from banks 290 215 341
Other 9 7 20
------- -------- -------
Total interest income 3,570 3,548 3,374
------- -------- -------
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits 939 942 941
Borrowings 86 99 68
------- -------- -------
Total interest expense 1,025 1,041 1,009
------- -------- -------
Net interest income 2,545 2,507 2,365
Provision for (reversal of)
credit losses (70) 96 -
------- -------- -------
Net interest income after
provision for (reversal of)
credit losses 2,615 2,411 2,365
------- -------- -------
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit
accounts 202 210 197
Bank-owned life insurance 134 134 118
Other 16 18 22
------- -------- -------
Total non-interest income 352 362 337
------- -------- -------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits 1,321 1,334 1,245
Occupancy and equipment 209 196 199
Data processing and
communication 180 181 182
Professional fees 185 98 101
Directors' fees 121 123 114
Foreclosed assets, net - 17 (127)
Advertising and marketing 33 37 39
Other 234 236 229
------- -------- -------
Total non-interest expense 2,283 2,222 1,982
------- -------- -------
Income before income tax expense 684 551 720
Income tax expense 126 95 134
------- -------- -------
NET INCOME $ 558 $ 456 $ 586
======= ======== =======
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.13 $ 0.16
Diluted 0.15 0.13 0.16
CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
----------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 3/31/2025
------------------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
EARNINGS DATA
Total interest income $ 3,570 $ 3,548 $ 3,374
Total interest expense 1,025 1,041 1,009
--------- --------- ---------
Net interest income 2,545 2,507 2,365
--------- --------- ---------
Provision for (reversal
of) credit losses (70) 96 -
Total non-interest
income 352 362 337
Total non-interest
expense 2,283 2,222 1,982
Income tax expense 126 95 134
--------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 558 $ 456 $ 586
========= ========= =========
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET
DATA
Total loans $ 168,545 $ 167,335 $ 166,145
Total interest-earning
assets 269,834 255,254 246,690
Total assets 292,752 277,546 268,232
Total interest-bearing
deposits 165,244 152,387 149,979
Total interest-bearing
liabilities 176,354 165,271 159,552
Total deposits 198,160 181,537 177,106
Total shareholders'
equity 82,141 81,739 80,426
SELECTED RATIOS
Return on average assets 0.77% 0.65% 0.89%
Return on average equity 2.76 2.22 2.96
Efficiency ratio 78.79 77.40 73.34
Net interest margin(TE) 3.83 3.91 3.89
Average equity to
average assets 28.06 29.45 29.98
Common equity Tier 1
capital ratio(1) 44.29 42.45 46.95
Tier 1 leverage capital
ratio(1) 26.22 27.36 29.45
Total risk-based capital
ratio(1) 45.55 43.71 48.20
NON-FINANCIAL DATA
Total employees
(full-time equivalent) 49 49 49
Common shares issued and
outstanding, end of
period 4,058,297 4,074,911 4,205,201
(1) Capital ratios are preliminary end-of-period ratios for the Bank
only and are subject to change.
CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(continued)
Three Months Ended
--------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 3/31/2026 12/31/2025 3/31/2025
------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT
LOSSES
Loans:
Beginning balance $ 2,367 $ 2,397 $ 2,522
Provision for (reversal
of) credit losses (35) 12 17
Charge-offs (49) (60) (53)
Recoveries 12 18 14
----- ------ -----
Net charge-offs (37) (42) (39)
----- ------ -----
Ending balance $ 2,295 $ 2,367 $ 2,500
===== ====== =====
Unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance $ 211 $ 127 $ 121
Provision for (reversal
of) credit losses on
unfunded commitments (35) 84 (17)
----- ------ -----
Ending balance $ 176 $ 211 $ 104
===== ====== =====
Total provision for
(reversal of) credit
losses $ (70) $ 96 $ -
CREDIT QUALITY(1)
Non-accruing loans $ 2,432 $ 2,248 $ 1,554
Accruing loans 90 days or
more past due 246 395 91
----- ------ -----
Total non-performing
loans 2,678 2,643 1,645
Foreclosed assets 34 34 77
----- ------ -----
Total non-performing
assets $ 2,712 $ 2,677 $ 1,722
===== ====== =====
Total non-performing loans
to total loans 1.64% 1.55% 0.99%
Total non-performing
assets to total assets 0.94 0.95 0.63
(1) Credit quality data and ratios are as of the end of each period
presented.
For more information:
Joe Zanco, President and CEO
(337) 948-3033
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SOURCE Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.
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April 30, 2026 07:00 ET (11:00 GMT)