CLST appoints BDO as independent auditor after HORNE resignation

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Catalyst Bancorp (CLST) reported a change in independent auditor. After the partners and professional staff of HORNE LLP joined BDO USA, P.C., HORNE resigned as auditor on October 31, 2025. With Audit Committee approval, the Company appointed BDO on November 5, 2025.

The Company stated there were no disagreements with HORNE on accounting principles, disclosures, or audit scope during the period from March 28, 2025 through October 31, 2025, and HORNE did not issue reports on the Company’s financial statements.

Insights

Accounting and Governance Analyst

Auditor change from HORNE to BDO due to firm combination; no disagreements or reportable events disclosed. Governance-neutral, execution risk is timing of FY2025 audit.

Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. reported an auditor transition after HORNE’s partners and staff joined BDO USA, P.C. on October 31, 2025. HORNE resigned the same day, and the Audit Committee approved BDO as the independent auditor on November 5, 2025. The filing states no disagreements with HORNE on accounting principles, disclosures, or audit scope, and no reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v). HORNE had not issued any reports on the Company’s financial statements.

The Company also disclosed that it did not consult BDO on accounting or audit opinions during the last two fiscal years prior to engagement, supporting independence. The required Item 304 letter from HORNE (Exhibit 16.1, dated November 1, 2025) accompanies this change, which aligns with SEC process. This appears to be a firm-level transaction-driven change rather than a Company-specific dispute.

Key watch items: timely completion of the FY2025 audit under BDO and any future disclosure on audit timing. Given no disagreements or reportable events, this looks governance-neutral. Monitor the next periodic report for BDO’s first audit opinion timing and any commentary on internal controls for the period ended December 31, 2025.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)	October 31, 2025

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Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Louisiana	001-40893	86-2411762
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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235 N. Court Street, Opelousas, Louisiana	70570
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code	(337) 948-3033

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Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

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☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ​

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title of each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	CLST	Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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ITEM 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

On October 31, 2025, the partners and professional staff of HORNE LLP (“HORNE”), which was engaged as the independent registered public accounting firm of the registrant, Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), joined BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”). As a result of this transaction, HORNE resigned as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm on October 31, 2025. On November 5, 2025, following the resignation of HORNE, the Company, through and with the approval of its Audit Committee, appointed BDO as its independent registered public accounting firm.

As previously reported on Form 8-K, HORNE was approved as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm on November 20, 2024 for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. As a result of their resignation, HORNE has not issued reports on the financial statements of the Company.

During the period beginning on March 28, 2025 and through October 31, 2025, there were no disagreements between the Company and HORNE on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of HORNE, would have caused HORNE to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its audit reports on the Company’s financial statements. During the period beginning on March 28, 2025 and through October 31, 2025, HORNE did not advise the Company of any of the matters specified in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Company provided HORNE with a copy of this report on Form 8-K in accordance with Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and requested that HORNE furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements and, if it does not agree, the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the letter from HORNE is filed as Exhibit 16.1 hereto.

During the Company’s two most recently completed fiscal years and through the date of engagement of BDO, neither the Company nor anyone on behalf of the Company consulted with BDO regarding (a) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements as to which the Company received a written report or oral advice that was an important factor in reaching a decision on any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (b) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event as defined in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v), respectively, of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibits are included herein:

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Exhibit Number	​	Description
16.1	​	Letter from HORNE LLP, dated November 1, 2025
104	​	Cover Page Interactive Data File. Embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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​	​	​	CATALYST BANCORP, INC.
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Date:	November 6, 2025	​	By:	/s/ Joseph B. Zanco
​	​	​	​	Joseph B. Zanco
​	​	​	​	President and Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What did CLST announce in this 8-K?

The Company disclosed that HORNE LLP resigned as auditor on October 31, 2025, and BDO USA, P.C. was appointed on November 5, 2025 with Audit Committee approval.

Were there any disagreements with the former auditor HORNE?

No. The Company reported no disagreements with HORNE on accounting principles, disclosures, or audit scope during March 28, 2025–October 31, 2025.

Did HORNE issue any audit reports for CLST?

No. HORNE did not issue reports on the Company’s financial statements.

Did CLST consult with BDO before engagement?

No. The Company stated it did not consult with BDO on accounting or audit opinions on matters cited in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) prior to engagement.

Is there supporting correspondence from HORNE?

Yes. A letter from HORNE dated November 1, 2025 is filed as Exhibit 16.1.

What SEC item covers this change in auditor for CLST?

This change is disclosed under Item 4.01 (Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant).