Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2026 Third Quarter Results

The acquisition expanded loans and deposits, while the quarter brought higher merger expenses and a lower net interest margin.

Rhea-AI Summary

Catalyst Bancorp (CLST) reported third-quarter 2026 net income of $978,000, an 87% increase from the second quarter. Diluted earnings per share rose to $0.27 from $0.14. The company completed its Lakeside acquisition on July 14, paying $41.1 million in cash, or $19.58 per share. After-tax merger expenses totaled $883,000, versus $101,000 in the prior quarter.

Loans reached $383.5 million and deposits reached $475.5 million at September 30, largely reflecting the acquisition. Net interest income rose 99% sequentially to $5.2 million, while net interest margin fell 13 basis points to 3.73%. Non-performing loans increased 91% to $4.4 million, primarily because of an acquired commercial real estate loan. Shareholders' equity was $82.0 million, or 13.0% of assets, versus 28.5% in June. Catalyst expects most anticipated merger savings after its planned November systems conversion.

12 points · 1 major

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1 major · 9 points

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Major pointLakeside acquisition completed July 14, adding $379.5 million in assets at acquisition.
• Moderate pointThird-quarter net income rose 87% sequentially to $978,000; diluted EPS increased to $0.27 from $0.14.
• Moderate pointNet interest income rose 99% from the second quarter to $5.2 million.
• Moderate pointTotal loans increased 136% from June 30 to $383.5 million at September 30.
• Moderate pointTotal deposits increased 142% from June 30 to $475.5 million, primarily reflecting Lakeside.

7 minor points

• Minor pointNon-GAAP net income excluding merger expenses totaled $1.9 million, or $0.51 diluted EPS, for the third quarter.
• Minor pointThird-quarter non-GAAP returns were 1.24% on average assets and 11.05% on average tangible common equity.
• Minor pointOriginated loans grew 3% from June 30 to $168.129 million at September 30.
• Minor pointCredit-loss provision reversal of $261,000 in the third quarter compared with $104,000 in the second quarter.
• Minor pointNet loan recoveries totaled $8,000 in the third quarter, versus $1,000 in second-quarter net charge-offs.
• Minor pointInvestment securities increased 84.8% from June 30 to $123.9 million at September 30.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Anticipated merger savings were partly realized at closing; Catalyst expects most after the planned November systems conversion.

Negative

• Major pointLakeside cash consideration totaled $41.1 million, or $19.58 per share. 59% of market cap
• Moderate pointAfter-tax merger expenses increased to $883,000 in the third quarter from $101,000 in the second quarter. 1.3% of market cap
• Moderate pointNon-performing loans rose 91% from June 30 to $4.4 million, primarily reflecting an acquired loan.
• Moderate pointShareholders' equity declined to $82.0 million from $82.5 million; equity-to-assets fell to 13.0% from 28.5%.
• Minor pointNet interest margin declined 13 basis points sequentially to 3.73%, reflecting asset mix and acquired borrowings.

4 minor points

• Minor pointAcquired troubled commercial real estate loan had $2.0 million net amortized cost and a $969,000 specific allowance.
• Minor pointAcquired loans declined after acquisition, primarily through commercial real estate and one- to four-family residential pay-downs.
• Minor pointApproximately 65% of originated commercial and industrial loans involve borrowers primarily serving the oil and gas industry.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Most anticipated merger savings remain dependent on the planned November systems conversion.

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OPELOUSAS, La., Oct. 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 $978,000, or $0.27 per diluted common share ("diluted EPS"), for the third quarter of 2026, up $454,000, or 87%, compared to net income of $524,000, or $0.14 diluted EPS, for the second quarter of 2026.

Quarterly Highlights

• On July 14, 2026, the Company completed the acquisition of Lakeside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Lakeside Bank (collectively referred to as "Lakeside"). At acquisition, Lakeside had total assets of $379.5 million, including loans of $226.8 million, and deposits of $284.2 million. Lakeside's shareholders received $19.58 per share in cash, or $41.1 million in aggregate.

• Net income for 2026 includes certain expenses related to Lakeside's merger with and into the Company and the Bank. These expenses are referred to as "merger-related expenses" and totaled $883,000, after-tax, for the third quarter of 2026, compared to $101,000, after-tax, for the second quarter of 2026.

• Excluding merger-related expenses, non-GAAP net income totaled $1.9 million, or $0.51 non-GAAP diluted EPS, non-GAAP return on average assets was 1.24% and non-GAAP return on average tangible common equity was 11.05% for the third quarter of 2026. See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" below.

• The Company recorded a $261,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2026, compared to a $104,000 reversal for the second quarter of 2026. The reversals were primarily related to a decline in construction and land loans during both periods and improvements in originated classified commercial real estate loans during the second quarter of 2026.

From the CEO

"Significant economic momentum is building across Louisiana, highlighted most recently by the announcement of SpaceX's plan to invest $100 billion to build its largest launch facility in Vermilion Parish," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank. "Given our acquisition of Lakeside, we now flank the largest capital investment in Louisiana history on both sides.  Our team is focused on ensuring we play a key role in helping local businesses grow as the economy in the south central and southwest regions of our state is transformed by this and other economic development wins."

"Our progress integrating Lakeside has gone even better than expected to date," continued Zanco.  "As illustrated by our third quarter performance, with only two and a half months of combined operations and a systems conversion to come, our profitability has increased substantially.  Following our November systems conversion, we'll see further cost savings as we consolidate back-office operations."

The Company remains committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with its shareholders throughout the year. As part of this commitment, the Company is taking a proactive approach to shareholder engagement, creating opportunities for ongoing dialogue beyond the annual meeting and proxy season. These conversations provide an opportunity to better understand shareholder perspectives, address questions and ensure investors have a clear understanding of the Company's strategy, priorities and long-term objectives. The Company believes that meaningful, year-round engagement is an important component of sound corporate governance and its commitment to building long-term shareholder value.

Acquisition of Lakeside Bancshares, Inc.

On July 14, 2026, the Company completed the acquisition of Lakeside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Lakeside Bank. Since then, our team has been working very effectively to integrate Lakeside into Catalyst.  While some anticipated cost savings were realized upon the closing of the merger, the majority of anticipated savings are expected to be achieved following our planned November systems conversion. We are pleased with the progress of the Lakeside integration and the performance of our Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana markets to date.

Deploying capital via mergers and acquisitions has always been part of our capital planning. In fact, we have built our leadership team with bankers who have had meaningful success growing earnings and franchise value through acquisitions.  That said, our approach to potential merger opportunities is highly cautious given the risks and effort required to successfully integrate a deal. We have maintained a disciplined approach to evaluating growth opportunities over the past five years, pursuing only those that we believe offer an appropriate balance of risk and return and enhance long-term shareholder value.

As it relates to the Lakeside acquisition, we ran extensive modeling to determine the financial impact of the transaction and if acquiring the company was more or less advantageous to long-term shareholder value versus simply repurchasing our shares.  Our modeling reveals a compelling case for investing our capital, time and energy into acquiring Lakeside.

Loans

Loans totaled $383.5 million at September 30, 2026, up $220.7 million, or 136%, from June 30, 2026. As of the acquisition date, Lakeside had total loans of $226.8 million. Since acquisition, acquired loan balances declined primarily due to pay-downs on commercial real estate and one- to four-family residential loans.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated. Loans are further segmented as either originated or acquired and presented in total. Originated loans were underwritten and funded by the Company, while acquired loans were obtained through the Lakeside acquisition and were recorded at their estimated fair value plus the estimated allowance for credit losses. The acquired loan balances reflect unpaid principal net of estimated interest rate fair value discounts and premiums.

(Dollars in thousands)		9/30/2026			6/30/2026			Change
Originated loans
Real estate
One- to four-family residential		$	76,777		$	76,699		$	78		-	%
Commercial real estate			47,147			37,426			9,721		26
Construction and land			9,049			15,943			(6,894)		(43)
Multi-family residential			4,759			4,724			35		1
Total real estate loans			137,732			134,792			2,940		2
Other
Commercial and industrial			28,232			26,256			1,976		8	%
Consumer			2,165			1,737			428		25
Total other loans			30,397			27,993			2,404		9
Total originated loans		$	168,129		$	162,785		$	5,344		3
Acquired loans
Real estate
One- to four-family residential		$	43,116		$	-		$	43,116		-	%
Commercial real estate			118,483			-			118,483		-
Construction and land			13,340			-			13,340		-
Multi-family residential			18,247			-			18,247		-
Total real estate loans			193,186			-			193,186		-
Other
Commercial and industrial			18,756			-			18,756		-	%
Consumer			3,462			-			3,462		-
Total other loans			22,218			-			22,218		-
Total acquired loans		$	215,404		$	-		$	215,404		-
Total loans
Real estate
One- to four-family residential		$	119,893		$	76,699		$	43,194		56	%
Commercial real estate			165,630			37,426			128,204		343
Construction and land			22,389			15,943			6,446		40
Multi-family residential			23,006			4,724			18,282		387
Total real estate loans			330,918			134,792			196,126		146
Other
Commercial and industrial			46,988			26,256			20,732		79	%
Consumer			5,627			1,737			3,890		224
Total other loans			52,615			27,993			24,622		88
Total loans		$	383,533		$	162,785		$	220,748		136

During the third quarter of 2026, originated construction loans decreased primarily due to the conversion of a $4.8 million hospital construction loan to an amortizing commercial real estate loan and the payoff of a $4.8 million originated multi-family construction loan. These decreases were partially offset by advances on existing construction loans.

Excluding the impact of the hospital construction loan conversion, growth in originated commercial real estate loans during the third quarter of 2026 was driven primarily by $2.7 million of loan production from our new lending team in Southwest Louisiana and $2.2 million of net loan growth from our Acadiana market. 

Growth in originated commercial and industrial loans was concentrated in the Acadiana market during the third quarter of 2026. Approximately 65% of the originated commercial and industrial loan portfolio is attributable to borrowers who primarily provide services to the oil and gas industry, which largely includes equipment rentals and manufacturing.

Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

At September 30, 2026, non-performing loans ("NPLs") totaled $4.4 million, up $2.1 million, or 91%, compared to NPLs of $2.3 million at June 30, 2026. The increase in NPLs was primarily driven by a purchased credit deteriorated commercial real estate loan acquired through the Lakeside acquisition. At September 30, 2026, the loan's net amortized cost totaled $2.0 million and the specific allowance for credit losses totaled $969,000.

At September 30, 2026, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $5.6 million, or 1.47% of total loans, compared to $2.2 million, or 1.34% of total loans, at June 30, 2026. As of the closing date of the Lakeside acquisition, the Company recorded a $3.6 million addition to the allowance for credit losses on loans, of which $969,000 was attributable to loans acquired with credit deterioration. The Company applied the gross-up approach to all acquired loans, which resulted in no impact to earnings and the recognition of the acquired loans at their estimated fair value plus the estimated allowance for credit losses.

The Company recorded a $261,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2026, compared to a $104,000 reversal for the second quarter of 2026. The reversal of expected credit losses in the third quarter of 2026 was largely driven by the decline in originated construction and land loan balances discussed previously. Similarly, the reversal of expected credit losses in the second quarter of 2026 was largely driven by a decline in construction and land loan balances as a result of a $5.0 million construction loan converting to an amortizing commercial real estate loan and a decline in the amount of classified commercial real estate loans during the second quarter of 2026.

Net loan recoveries totaled $8,000 during the third quarter of 2026, compared to net loan charge-offs of $1,000 during the second quarter of 2026.

Investment Securities

Total investment securities were $123.9 million, or 19.6% of total assets, at September 30, 2026, up $56.9 million, or 84.8%, compared to June 30, 2026. The Company acquired investment securities with an estimated fair value of $115.9 million as a result of the Lakeside acquisition and subsequently sold $56.0 million of the acquired portfolio on the acquisition date. A portion of the sales proceeds were redeployed into fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities. The securities remaining from the Lakeside acquisition and securities subsequently purchased during the third quarter of 2026 were classified as available-for-sale, totaled $59.5 million, and had a weighted average yield of 4.63% as of September 30, 2026.

Deposits

Total deposits were $475.5 million at September 30, 2026, up $279.2 million, or 142%, from June 30, 2026 primarily due to the impact of the Lakeside acquisition. The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 81% and 83% at September 30 and June 30, 2026, respectively.

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

(Dollars in thousands)		9/30/2026			6/30/2026			Change
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits		$	89,292		$	35,346		$	53,946		153	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits			98,377			32,667			65,710		201
Money market			50,933			9,248			41,685		451
Savings			81,306			64,386			16,920		26
Certificates of deposit			155,638			54,742			100,896		184
Total deposits		$	475,546		$	196,389		$	279,157		142

At September 30, 2026, the weighted average term to maturity for total certificates of deposit was approximately five months. Total public fund deposits were $76.0 million, or 16% of total deposits, at September 30, 2026, compared to $27.4 million, or 14% of total deposits, at June 30, 2026. The increase in public funds was also primarily due to the Lakeside acquisition.

Capital and Share Repurchases

At September 30, 2026, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $82.0 million, or 13.0% of total assets, compared to $82.5 million, or 28.5% of total assets at June 30, 2026. The decline in the ratio of total equity to total assets was mainly due to the increase in the Company's total assets as a result of the Lakeside acquisition.

Share repurchases have played, and are likely to continue to play, a key role in our capital planning.  Since the announcement of our first share repurchase plan on January 26, 2023 and through September 30, 2026, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,261,549 shares of its common stock, or 24% of the common shares originally issued, at an average cost per share of $12.22.

The Company repurchased 5,640 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $17.96 during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 24,206 shares at an average cost per share of $16.20 during the second quarter of 2026. During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company announced its sixth share repurchase plan (the "November 2025 Repurchase Plan"), under which it may purchase up to 205,000 shares, representing approximately 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock. At September 30, 2026, an additional 142,451 shares of the Company's common stock were available for repurchase under the November 2025 Repurchase Plan.

Net Interest Income

The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2026 was 3.73%, down 13 basis points compared to the prior quarter primarily driven by a shift in the mix of our interest-earning assets and acquired borrowings as a result of the Lakeside acquisition. Net interest income for the third quarter of 2026 was $5.2 million, up $2.6 million, or 99%, compared to the second quarter of 2026. Net interest income for the third quarter of 2026 included net accretion of estimated interest rate fair value marks of $298,000 on acquired loans, $144,000 on acquired certificates of deposit, and $50,000 on acquired borrowings.  

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
		9/30/2026									6/30/2026
(Dollars in thousands)		Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/ Rate(TE)			Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/ Rate(TE)
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans receivable(1)		$	355,106		$	5,914		6.61	%		$	163,650		$	2,686		6.58	%
Investment securities(2)			124,034			1,182		3.83				69,732			567		3.28
Other interest-earning assets			70,342			636		3.59				36,157			331		3.67
Total interest-earning assets		$	549,482		$	7,732		5.59			$	269,539		$	3,584		5.34
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Demand deposits, money market, and savings accounts		$	209,184		$	810		1.54	%		$	106,757		$	512		1.92	%
Certificates of deposit			149,164			1,114		2.96				56,097			407		2.91
Total interest-bearing deposits			358,348			1,924		2.13				162,854			919		2.26
Borrowings			67,463			656		3.89				9,773			74		3.02
Total interest-bearing liabilities		$	425,811		$	2,580		2.41			$	172,627		$	993		2.31
Net interest-earning assets		$	123,671								$	96,912
Net interest income; average interest rate spread					$	5,152		3.18	%					$	2,591		3.03	%
Net interest margin(3)								3.73									3.86

 

(1)	Includes non-accrual loans during the respective periods. Calculated net of deferred fees and discounts and loans in-process.
(2)	Average investment securities do 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 2026 totaled $658,000, up $297,000, or 82%, compared to the second quarter of 2026 mainly due to the impact of the Lakeside acquisition.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2026 totaled $4.8 million, up $2.4 million, or 101%, compared to the second quarter of 2026 largely due to the impact of the Lakeside acquisition and merger-related expenses. Merger-related expenses are primarily concentrated in data processing and communication expenses and professional fees.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2026 totaled $321,000, up $169,000, or 111%, compared to the second quarter of 2026 largely due to an increase in earnings. The Company's effective tax rate was 24.7% for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 22.5% for the second quarter of 2026.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2026 was mainly due to the tax impact of non-deductible merger-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 $631.2 million in assets at September 30, 2026. Founded in 1922 as St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank, Catalyst Bank has served the Acadiana region of south-central Louisiana for more than a century and recently expanded into southwest Louisiana through the acquisition of Lakeside Bank. Catalyst Bank offers commercial and retail banking products with a focus on fueling business and improving lives in the communities we serve. 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. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the integration of Lakeside, the timing and expected benefits of the planned systems conversion, anticipated cost savings and other benefits of the acquisition, future profitability and capital deployments, and the potential effects of announced economic development projects in the Company's markets. 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 expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include difficulties or delays in integrating Lakeside and completing the systems conversion; the failure to realize anticipated cost savings or other acquisition benefits, or delays in realizing them; integration costs exceeding expectations; disruptions of relationships with customers, employees, or vendors; diversion of management time to integration matters; delays, changes or cancellations affecting announced economic development projects or their anticipated benefits to the Company's markets; and other factors described under "Forward-Looking Statements," "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.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. intends to file with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and associated WHITE proxy card in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's 2027 Annual Meeting. Details concerning the nominees of the Company's Board of Directors for election at the 2027 Annual Meeting will be included in the proxy statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CATALYST BANCORP, INC., ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO AND ANY DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN) AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2027 ANNUAL MEETING BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders of Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., may obtain copies of the proxy statement and other documents that are filed or will be filed by the Company with the SEC, free of charge, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., with the SEC will also be available, free of charge, on the Company's website at https://catalystbank.investorroom.com or by writing to Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., at 235 N. Court Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570. Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., includes website addresses in this press release for reference only. The information contained or referenced on the Company's website and other websites mentioned in this press release are not a part of this press release and are not deemed incorporated by reference into this press release or any other public filing made with the SEC.

CONTACTS

Media and Investor Contact:
Joe Zanco
(337) 948-3033

Proxy Solicitor:
Laurel Hill Advisory Group, L.L.C.
Joe Moran / John J. DePinto, Jr.
Shareholders may call toll-free: 844-304-2265
Banks and Brokers may call collect: 516-933-3100
Email: CLST@laurelhill.com

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in respect of the 2027 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company's directors and executive officers and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2026, and the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on April 14, 2026, including under "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." To the extent holdings of such participants in the Company's securities have changed since the amounts described in the proxy statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in any proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in any proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC, if and when they become available.

CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
		(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)		9/30/2026			6/30/2026			12/31/2025			9/30/2025
ASSETS
Non-interest-bearing cash		$	9,655		$	4,973		$	4,132		$	4,515
Interest-bearing cash and due from banks			66,017			32,009			21,073			32,756
Total cash and cash equivalents			75,672			36,982			25,205			37,271
Investment securities:
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value			103,084			46,218			50,467			44,853
Securities held-to-maturity			20,841			20,844			14,917			14,945
Loans receivable, net of unearned income			383,533			162,785			170,210			164,767
Allowance for credit losses			(5,643)			(2,185)			(2,367)			(2,397)
Loans receivable, net			377,890			160,600			167,843			162,370
Accrued interest receivable			2,143			876			907			861
Foreclosed assets			-			5			34			76
Premises and equipment, net			15,157			5,648			5,850			5,954
Stock in correspondent banks, at cost			4,564			1,976			1,139			939
Bank-owned life insurance			17,700			15,252			14,983			14,849
Goodwill			6,170			-			-			-
Core deposit intangible			5,307			-			-			-
Other assets			2,698			1,612			1,582			1,716
TOTAL ASSETS		$	631,226		$	290,013		$	282,927		$	283,834
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing		$	89,292		$	35,346		$	29,991		$	27,617
Interest-bearing			386,254			161,043			155,283			158,755
Total deposits			475,546			196,389			185,274			186,372
Borrowings			69,963			9,786			14,732			14,693
Other liabilities			3,764			1,308			1,196			1,184
TOTAL LIABILITIES			549,273			207,483			201,202			202,249
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock			41			40			41			41
Additional paid-in capital			37,129			37,051			37,363			37,997
Unallocated common stock held by benefit plans			(4,670)			(5,008)			(5,182)			(5,260)
Retained earnings			53,972			52,994			51,912			51,456
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(4,519)			(2,547)			(2,409)			(2,649)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY			81,953			82,530			81,725			81,585
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	631,226		$	290,013		$	282,927		$	283,834

 

CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		9/30/2026			6/30/2026			9/30/2025			9/30/2026			9/30/2025
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable, including fees		$	5,914		$	2,686		$	2,816		$	11,349		$	8,346
Investment securities			1,182			567			345			2,271			914
Cash and due from banks			585			309			345			1,184			1,039
Other earning assets			51			22			7			82			49
Total interest income			7,732			3,584			3,513			14,886			10,348
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			1,924			919			983			3,782			2,849
Borrowings			656			74			80			816			216
Total interest expense			2,580			993			1,063			4,598			3,065
Net interest income			5,152			2,591			2,450			10,288			7,283
Reversal of credit losses			(261)			(104)			(36)			(435)			(36)
Net interest income after reversal of credit losses			5,413			2,695			2,486			10,723			7,319
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts			437			204			172			843			571
Bank-owned life insurance			153			135			123			422			360
Loss on sale of fixed assets			-			-			(1)			-			(1)
Other			68			22			21			106			66
Total non-interest income			658			361			315			1,371			996
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits			2,198			1,343			1,312			4,862			3,819
Occupancy and equipment			321			208			220			738			627
Data processing and communication			682			183			179			1,045			537
Professional fees			601			175			91			961			306
Amortization of core deposit intangible			216			-			-			216			-
Directors' fees			133			124			123			378			354
Foreclosed assets, net			2			11			7			13			(102)
Advertising and marketing			125			47			35			205			94
Other			494			289			235			1,017			727
Total non-interest expense			4,772			2,380			2,202			9,435			6,362
Income before income tax expense			1,299			676			599			2,659			1,953
Income tax expense			321			152			110			599			357
NET INCOME		$	978		$	524		$	489		$	2,060		$	1,596
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.27		$	0.15		$	0.13		$	0.57		$	0.43
Diluted			0.27			0.14			0.13			0.56			0.43

 

CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		9/30/2026				6/30/2026				9/30/2025				9/30/2026				9/30/2025
EARNINGS DATA
Total interest income		$	7,732			$	3,584			$	3,513			$	14,886			$	10,348
Total interest expense			2,580				993				1,063				4,598				3,065
Net interest income			5,152				2,591				2,450				10,288				7,283
Reversal of credit losses			(261)				(104)				(36)				(435)				(36)
Total non-interest income			658				361				315				1,371				996
Total non-interest expense			4,772				2,380				2,202				9,435				6,362
Income tax expense			321				152				110				599				357
Net income		$	978			$	524			$	489			$	2,060			$	1,596
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total loans		$	355,106			$	163,650			$	167,032			$	229,784			$	166,938
Total interest-earning assets			549,482				269,539				251,004				363,976				248,959
Total assets			594,214				292,262				272,987				394,180				270,686
Total interest-bearing deposits			358,348				162,854				150,421				229,523				149,837
Total interest-bearing liabilities			425,811				172,627				161,120				259,178				159,805
Total deposits			440,059				198,754				179,825				279,877				178,795
Total shareholders' equity			82,950				82,339				81,136				82,479				80,727
SELECTED RATIOS
Return on average assets			0.65	%			0.72	%			0.71	%			0.70	%			0.79	%
Return on average equity			4.68				2.55				2.39				3.34				2.64
Efficiency ratio			82.13				80.64				79.67				80.92				76.85
Net interest margin(TE)			3.73				3.86				3.88				3.78				3.92
Average equity to average assets			13.96				28.17				29.72				20.92				29.82
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio(1)			14.97				43.37				43.95
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio(1)			10.64				26.55				27.58
Total risk-based capital ratio(1)			16.22				44.62				45.20
NON-FINANCIAL DATA
Total employees (full-time equivalent)			83				49				49
Common shares issued and outstanding, end of period			4,045,908				4,034,091				4,129,604

 

(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												Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		9/30/2026				6/30/2026				9/30/2025				9/30/2026				9/30/2025
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Loans:
Beginning balance		$	2,185			$	2,295			$	2,431			$	2,367			$	2,522
ACL on purchased loans at acquisition			3,639				-				-				3,639				-
Reversal of credit losses			(189)				(109)				(32)				(333)				(42)
Charge-offs			(16)				(18)				(37)				(83)				(153)
Recoveries			24				17				35				53				70
Net recoveries (charge-offs)			8				(1)				(2)				(30)				(83)
Ending balance		$	5,643			$	2,185			$	2,397			$	5,643			$	2,397
Unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	181			$	176			$	131			$	211			$	121
ACL on purchased commitments at acquisition			64				-				-				64				-
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on unfunded commitments			(72)				5				(4)				(102)				6
Ending balance		$	173			$	181			$	127			$	173			$	127
Total reversal of credit losses		$	(261)			$	(104)			$	(36)			$	(435)			$	(36)
CREDIT QUALITY(1)
Non-accruing loans		$	4,051			$	2,175			$	1,459
Accruing loans 90 days or more past due			377				147				364
Total non-performing loans			4,428				2,322				1,823
Foreclosed assets			-				5				76
Total non-performing assets		$	4,428			$	2,327			$	1,899
Total non-performing loans to total loans			1.15	%			1.43	%			1.11	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets			0.70				0.80				0.67

 

(1)	Credit quality data and ratios are as of the end of each period presented.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

This news release contains financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental tools to evaluate the Company's operating performance and trends. The non-GAAP financial information presented herein excludes merger-related expenses, the amortization of acquired intangible assets, and intangible assets.

Management uses these measures to evaluate operating performance and believes they help investors compare results across periods affected by merger-related expenses and assess earnings relative to the Company's tangible equity base. Management also believes these adjustments are useful to investors because they remove the impact of items that are not considered indicative of the Company's core operating performance and that may vary significantly from period to period. Accordingly, management believes that presenting financial results excluding these items enhances investors' ability to evaluate the Company's underlying operating results, compare performance across reporting periods, and assess performance relative to peers.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures included herein to their most directly comparable GAAP measures is presented below.

		Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		9/30/2026				6/30/2026				9/30/2025
Non-GAAP Reconciliation
Reported net income		$	978			$	524			$	489
Lakeside merger-related expenses			1,003				87				-
Income tax expense impact of Lakeside merger-related expenses			(120)				14				-
Non-GAAP net income		$	1,861			$	625			$	489
Core deposit intangible amortization			216				-				-
Income tax expense impact of core deposit intangible amortization			(45)				-				-
Non-GAAP tangible net income		$	2,032			$	625			$	489
Reported earnings per share - diluted		$	0.27			$	0.14			$	0.13
Lakeside merger-related expenses, net tax			0.24				0.03				-
Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted		$	0.51			$	0.17			$	0.13
Total shareholders' equity		$	81,953			$	82,530			$	81,585
Intangible assets			(11,477)				-				-
Non-GAAP tangible shareholders' equity		$	70,476			$	82,530			$	81,585
Return on average assets			0.65	%			0.72	%			0.71	%
Lakeside merger-related expenses, net tax			0.59				0.14				-
Non-GAAP return on average assets			1.24	%			0.86	%			0.71	%
Return on average equity			4.68	%			2.55	%			2.39	%
Lakeside merger-related expenses, net tax			4.22				0.50				-
Intangible assets			2.15				-				-
Non-GAAP return on average tangible common equity(1)			11.05	%			3.05	%			2.39	%

 

(1)

Non-GAAP return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by dividing annualized net income available to common shareholders, adjusted to exclude merger-related expenses and the amortization of intangible assets, by average tangible common equity. Tangible common equity is defined as total common shareholders' equity, less goodwill and other intangible assets.

For more information:
Joe Zanco, President and CEO
(337) 948-3033

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SOURCE Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What were Catalyst Bancorp's third-quarter 2026 earnings?

Catalyst reported $978,000 in net income, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared with $524,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the second quarter. Excluding merger-related expenses, third-quarter non-GAAP net income totaled $1.9 million, or $0.51 per diluted share.

How much did Catalyst Bancorp pay for Lakeside?

Catalyst paid $41.1 million in cash, or $19.58 per share, to Lakeside shareholders when the acquisition closed on July 14, 2026. At acquisition, Lakeside had $379.5 million in assets, including $226.8 million in loans, and $284.2 million in deposits.

How did Catalyst Bancorp's loan-loss allowance change after acquiring Lakeside?

The allowance for credit losses on loans reached $5.6 million, or 1.47% of total loans, at September 30, versus $2.2 million, or 1.34%, at June 30. Catalyst recorded a $3.6 million allowance addition at acquisition. Its accounting approach added the estimated allowance to acquired loans' estimated fair value without affecting earnings.

How many shares remained under Catalyst Bancorp's repurchase plan?

At September 30, 2026, 142,451 shares remained available for repurchase under the November 2025 Repurchase Plan. The plan permits purchases of up to 205,000 shares. During the third quarter, Catalyst repurchased 5,640 shares at an average cost of $17.96 per share.