Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2025 Fourth Quarter Results

By PR Newswire | January 29, 2026, 7:00 AM

OPELOUSAS, La., Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: "CLST") (the "Company"), the parent company for Catalyst Bank (the "Bank") (www.catalystbank.com), reported net income of $456,000, or $0.13 per diluted common share ("diluted EPS"), for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $489,000, or $0.13 diluted EPS, for the third quarter of 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.56 diluted EPS, compared to a net loss of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

"Loan growth was strong during the quarter," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank. "We're also pleased to see our net interest margin widen as funding costs declined."

Loans

Loans totaled $170.2 million at December 31, 2025, up $5.4 million, or 3%, from September 30, 2025. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



Change

Real estate loans

























One- to four-family residential



$

80,123



$

78,373



$

1,750



2

%

Commercial real estate





32,872





33,679





(807)



(2)



Construction and land





18,806





18,850





(44)



-



Multi-family residential





5,309





5,367





(58)



(1)



Total real estate loans





137,110





136,269





841



1



Other loans

























Commercial and industrial





31,205





25,665





5,540



22

%

Consumer





1,895





2,833





(938)



(33)



Total other loans





33,100





28,498





4,602



16



Total loans



$

170,210



$

164,767



$

5,443



3



During the fourth quarter of 2025, a $2.2 million construction loan was converted to a fixed-rate residential mortgage loan. The increase in commercial and industrial loans during the fourth quarter of 2025 was largely driven by growth within the oilfield services segment 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)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



Change

Commercial real estate

























Retail



$

9,455



$

9,725



$

(270)



(3)

%

Hospitality





5,632





5,742





(110)



(2)



Health service facilities





3,300





3,325





(25)



(1)



Restaurants





1,071





1,095





(24)



(2)



Oilfield services





365





374





(9)



(2)



Other non-owner occupied





2,349





2,380





(31)



(1)



Other owner occupied





10,700





11,038





(338)



(3)



Total commercial real estate



$

32,872



$

33,679



$

(807)



(2)



Construction and land

























Multi-family residential



$

4,749



$

4,692



$

57



1

%

Health service facilities





10,547





9,695





852



9



Other commercial construction and land





2,112





1,772





340



19



Consumer residential construction and land





1,398





2,691





(1,293)



(48)



Total construction and land



$

18,806



$

18,850



$

(44)



-



Commercial and industrial

























Oilfield services



$

17,295



$

9,532



$

7,763



81

%

Industrial equipment





7,064





7,865





(801)



(10)



Professional services





3,531





3,187





344



11



Other commercial and industrial





3,315





5,081





(1,766)



(35)



Total commercial and industrial loans



$

31,205



$

25,665



$

5,540



22



Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

At December 31, 2025, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $2.7 million, compared to $1.9 million at September 30, 2025. The increase in NPAs was mainly due to an increase in non-accruing one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.95% and 0.67% at December 31 and September 30, 2025, respectively. Non-performing loans ("NPLs") were 1.55% and 1.11% of total loans at December 31 and September 30, 2025, respectively. At December 31, 2025, 95% of total NPLs were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, compared to 99% at September 30, 2025.

At December 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $2.4 million, or 1.39% of total loans, compared to $2.4 million, or 1.45% of total loans, at September 30, 2025. The provision for credit losses was $96,000 for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to a $36,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses during the fourth quarter of 2025 was primarily driven by an increase in construction loan commitments and loan growth. Net loan charge-offs totaled $42,000 during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $2,000 during the third 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 $65.4 million, or 23% of total assets, at December 31, 2025, up $5.6 million, or 9%, compared to September 30, 2025. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we purchased $5.0 million of variable-rate and $2.4 million of fixed-rate government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities. The weighted average yield of the securities purchased during the fourth quarter was 4.63% at December 31, 2025.

Deposits

Total deposits were $185.3 million at December 31, 2025, down $1.1 million, or 1%, from September 30, 2025. Total deposits averaged $181.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $179.8 million during the third quarter of 2025. The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 92% and 88% at December 31 and September 30 2025, respectively.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's deposits as of the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



Change

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits



$

29,991



$

27,617



$

2,374



9

%

Interest-bearing demand deposits





32,851





35,748





(2,897)



(8)



Money market





10,235





11,783





(1,548)



(13)



Savings





53,831





52,152





1,679



3



Certificates of deposit





58,366





59,072





(706)



(1)



Total deposits



$

185,274



$

186,372



$

(1,098)



(1)



The increase in non-interest-bearing demand deposits was primarily due to an increase in commercial deposits.

The decline in interest-bearing demand deposits was primarily due to a decrease in public fund deposits. Total public fund deposits amounted to $26.4 million, or 14% of total deposits, at December 31, 2025, compared to $30.5 million, or 16% of total deposits, at September 30, 2025. At December 31 and September 30, 2025, approximately 59% and 64%, respectively, of our total public fund deposits consisted of non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits.

The decline in money market deposits was largely driven by decreases in balances of high-yield, personal deposits.

Capital and Share Repurchases

At December 31 and September 30, 2025, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $81.7 million, or 28.9% of total assets, and $81.6 million, or 28.7% of total assets, respectively.

The Company repurchased 54,693 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $14.76 during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 13,212 shares at an average cost per share of $12.93 during the third quarter of 2025. During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company completed repurchases under the November 2024 Repurchase Plan and announced the Company's 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 December 31, 2025, 188,911 shares of the Company's common stock were available for repurchase under the November 2025 Repurchase Plan.

Since the announcement of our first share repurchase plan on January 26, 2023 and through December 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,215,089 shares of its common stock, or 23% of the common shares originally issued, at an average cost per share of $12.06. At December 31, 2025, the Company had common shares outstanding of 4,074,911.

Net Interest Income

The net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2025 was 3.91%, up three basis points compared to the prior quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.53%, down three basis points from the prior quarter, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.50%, down 12 basis points from the third quarter of 2025.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $2.5 million, up $57,000, or 2%, compared to the third quarter of 2025. Total interest income was up $35,000, or 1%, in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter largely due to an increase in income on investment securities, which was partially offset by a decline in interest income on cash and due from banks. The change in interest income was largely the result of bond purchases during the third and fourth quarters of 2025. Total interest expense decreased $22,000, or 2%, in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter. The decline in interest expense was mainly due to lower interest rates on public fund deposits and high-yield savings accounts during the fourth quarter of 2025. The decline in interest expense on deposits was partially offset by an increase in interest expense on borrowings due to an increase in the volume of short-term FHLB advances during the fourth 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





12/31/2025



9/30/2025

(Dollars in thousands)



Average

Balance



Interest



Average

Yield/

Rate(TE)



Average

Balance



Interest



Average

Yield/

Rate(TE)

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS





































Loans receivable(1)



$

167,335



$

2,815



6.68

%



$

167,032



$

2,816



6.69

%

Investment securities(2)





65,352





511



3.17







51,731





345



2.71



Other interest earning assets





22,567





222



3.91







32,241





352



4.33



Total interest-earning assets



$

255,254



$

3,548



5.53





$

251,004



$

3,513



5.56



INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES





































Demand deposits, money market, and

savings accounts



$

93,710



$

467



1.98

%



$

94,308



$

529



2.22

%

Certificates of deposit





58,677





475



3.21







56,113





454



3.21



Total interest-bearing deposits





152,387





942



2.45







150,421





983



2.59



Borrowings





12,884





99



3.08







10,699





80



2.97



Total interest-bearing liabilities



$

165,271



$

1,041



2.50





$

161,120



$

1,063



2.62



Net interest-earning assets



$

89,983















$

89,884













Net interest income; average interest rate

spread









$

2,507



3.03

%









$

2,450



2.94

%

Net interest margin(3)















3.91

















3.88







(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 fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $362,000, up $47,000, or 15%, compared to the third 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 $30,000 of fees that were applied in error. The refunded fees decreased income from service charges on deposit accounts for the third quarter of 2025.

Income from bank-owned life insurance increased by $11,000, or 9%, for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter largely due to an internal exchange of certain existing policies.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $2.2 million, up $20,000, or 1%, compared to the third quarter of 2025.

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $1.3 million, up $22,000, or 2%, from the prior quarter. The increase was largely due to a new hire, an increase in compensation expense related to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan due to a rise in the Company's average stock price, and annual raises that were made effective during the fourth quarter of 2025. 

Occupancy and equipment expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $196,000, down $24,000, or 11%, from the prior quarter.  During the third quarter of 2025, the Company incurred additional repairs and maintenance costs for a vandalized ATM. During the fourth quarter of 2025, landscaping and utilities expenses were down driven by cooler temperatures during the last three months of the year.

Foreclosed assets expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $17,000, up $10,000 from the prior quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company incurred a loss of $14,000 on the sale of foreclosed real estate. The third quarter of 2025 included a $4,000 write-down on foreclosed assets.

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 $282.9 million in assets at December 31, 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)

















(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



12/31/2024



ASSETS





















Non-interest-bearing cash



$

4,132



$

4,515



$

4,076



Interest-bearing cash and due from banks





21,073





32,756





40,219



Total cash and cash equivalents





25,205





37,271





44,295



Investment securities:





















Securities available-for-sale, at fair value





50,467





44,853





28,712



Securities held-to-maturity





14,917





14,945





13,447



Loans receivable, net of unearned income





170,210





164,767





167,076



Allowance for credit losses





(2,367)





(2,397)





(2,522)



Loans receivable, net





167,843





162,370





164,554



Accrued interest receivable





907





861





851



Foreclosed assets





34





76





194



Premises and equipment, net





5,850





5,954





6,085



Stock in correspondent banks, at cost





1,139





939





1,961



Bank-owned life insurance





14,983





14,849





14,489



Other assets





1,582





1,716





2,109



TOTAL ASSETS



$

282,927



$

283,834



$

276,697

























LIABILITIES





















Deposits:





















Non-interest-bearing



$

29,991



$

27,617



$

28,281



Interest-bearing





155,283





158,755





157,393



Total deposits





185,274





186,372





185,674



Borrowings





14,732





14,693





9,558



Other liabilities





1,196





1,184





1,261



TOTAL LIABILITIES





201,202





202,249





196,493

























SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





















Common stock





41





41





43



Additional paid-in capital





37,363





37,997





39,561



Unallocated common stock held by benefit plans





(5,182)





(5,260)





(5,702)



Retained earnings





51,912





51,456





49,860



Accumulated other comprehensive loss





(2,409)





(2,649)





(3,558)



TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





81,725





81,585





80,204



TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



$

282,927



$

283,834



$

276,697



 

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)





































Three Months Ended



Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



12/31/2024



12/31/2025



12/31/2024

INTEREST INCOME































Loans receivable, including fees



$

2,815



$

2,816



$

2,814



$

11,161



$

10,128

Investment securities





511





345





273





1,425





1,063

Cash and due from banks





215





345





401





1,254





2,585

Other





7





7





23





56





86

Total interest income





3,548





3,513





3,511





13,896





13,862

INTEREST EXPENSE































Deposits





942





983





859





3,791





3,229

Borrowings





99





80





180





315





1,088

Total interest expense





1,041





1,063





1,039





4,106





4,317

Net interest income





2,507





2,450





2,472





9,790





9,545

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses





96





(36)





-





60





531

Net interest income after provision for

(reversal of) credit losses





2,411





2,486





2,472





9,730





9,014

NON-INTEREST INCOME (LOSS)































Service charges on deposit accounts





210





172





201





781





798

Bank-owned life insurance





134





123





119





494





463

Loss on sales of investment securities





-





-





-





-





(5,507)

Other income on foreclosed assets





-





-





-





216





-

Gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets





-





(1)





-





(1)





6

Federal community development grant





-





-





-





-





280

Other





18





21





17





84





120

Total non-interest income (loss)





362





315





337





1,574





(3,840)

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE































Salaries and employee benefits





1,334





1,312





1,227





5,153





4,830

Occupancy and equipment





196





220





193





823





765

Data processing and communication





181





179





179





718





1,349

Professional fees





98





91





94





404





469

Directors' fees





123





123





116





477





461

ATM and debit card





28





24





17





103





141

Foreclosed assets, net





17





7





7





131





74

Advertising and marketing





37





35





17





131





129

Other





208





211





188





860





939

Total non-interest expense





2,222





2,202





2,038





8,800





9,157

Income (loss) before income tax expense

(benefit)





551





599





771





2,504





(3,983)

Income tax expense (benefit)





95





110





145





452





(894)

NET INCOME (LOSS)



$

456



$

489



$

626



$

2,052



$

(3,089)

































Earnings (loss) per share:































Basic



$

0.13



$

0.13



$

0.16



$

0.56



$

(0.78)

Diluted





0.13





0.13





0.16





0.56





(0.78)

 

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(Unaudited)















































Three Months Ended



Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



12/31/2024



12/31/2025



12/31/2024

EARNINGS DATA









































Total interest income



$

3,548





$

3,513





$

3,511





$

13,896





$

13,862



Total interest expense





1,041







1,063







1,039







4,106







4,317



Net interest income





2,507







2,450







2,472







9,790







9,545



Provision for (reversal of) credit losses





96







(36)







-







60







531



Total non-interest income (loss)





362







315







337







1,574







(3,840)



Total non-interest expense





2,222







2,202







2,038







8,800







9,157



Income tax expense (benefit)





95







110







145







452







(894)



Net income (loss)



$

456





$

489





$

626





$

2,052





$

(3,089)













































AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA









































Total loans



$

167,335





$

167,032





$

167,187





$

167,038





$

155,867



Total interest-earning assets





255,254







251,004







251,058







250,546







261,654



Total assets





277,546







272,987







272,443







272,415







281,817



Total interest-bearing deposits





152,387







150,421







142,149







150,480







143,250



Total interest-bearing liabilities





165,271







161,120







160,812







161,183







169,643



Total deposits





181,537







179,825







170,991







179,486







172,092



Total shareholders' equity





81,739







81,136







80,988







80,982







81,480













































SELECTED RATIOS









































Return on average assets





0.65

%





0.71

%





0.91

%





0.75

%





(1.10)

%

Return on average equity





2.22







2.39







3.08







2.53







(3.79)



Efficiency ratio





77.40







79.67







72.54







77.43







160.51



Net interest margin(TE)





3.91







3.88







3.92







3.92







3.65



Average equity to average assets





29.45







29.72







29.73







29.73







28.91



Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio(1)





42.45







43.95







45.81



















Tier 1 leverage capital ratio(1)





27.36







27.58







28.73



















Total risk-based capital ratio(1)





43.71







45.20







47.07





























































NON-FINANCIAL DATA









































Total employees (full-time equivalent)





49







49







49



















Common shares issued and outstanding,

end of period





4,074,911







4,129,604







4,278,150





















(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



Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)



12/31/2025



9/30/2025



12/31/2024



12/31/2025



12/31/2024

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES









































Loans:









































Beginning balance



$

2,397





$

2,431





$

2,414





$

2,522





$

2,124



Provision for (reversal of) credit losses





12







(32)







110







(30)







667



Charge-offs





(60)







(37)







(28)







(213)







(392)



Recoveries





18







35







26







88







123



Net charge-offs





(42)







(2)







(2)







(125)







(269)



Ending balance



$

2,367





$

2,397





$

2,522





$

2,367





$

2,522













































Unfunded commitments:









































Beginning balance



$

127





$

131





$

231







121







257



Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

on unfunded commitments





84







(4)







(110)







90







(136)



Ending balance



$

211





$

127





$

121





$

211





$

121













































Total provision for (reversal of) credit losses



$

96





$

(36)





$

-





$

60





$

531













































CREDIT QUALITY(1)









































Non-accruing loans



$

2,248





$

1,459





$

1,567



















Accruing loans 90 days or more past due





395







364







64



















Total non-performing loans





2,643







1,823







1,631



















Foreclosed assets





34







76







194



















Total non-performing assets



$

2,677





$

1,899





$

1,825





























































Total non-performing loans to total loans





1.55

%





1.11

%





0.98

%

















Total non-performing assets to total assets





0.95







0.67







0.66





















(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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