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
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/ Rate^(TE)		Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/ 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.

Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2026 First Quarter Results