Catalyst Bancorp (CLST) CFO reports tax-related sale; holds 9,000 options

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Jacques L.J. Bourque, Chief Financial Officer and director of Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (CLST), reported insider transactions on Form 4. The filing shows a single sale of 131 shares of common stock on 09/01/2025 at $12.83 per share to satisfy a tax obligation related to a stock benefit plan. After the sale, Mr. Bourque directly owns 3,597 shares. He also holds 687.9343 shares indirectly in the Catalyst Bank 401(k) plan, 2,040.8886 shares indirectly via the ESOP, and two custodial positions of 100 shares each for Quinn and Levi Bourque.

Derivative holdings include two stock option grants exercisable for 5,000 shares at $13.30 (vesting 20% per year from 09/01/2023) and 4,000 shares at $12.08 (vesting 20% per year commencing 06/10/2026).

Positive

• Transparent disclosure of the tax-related sale and all beneficial ownership categories (direct, 401(k), ESOP, custodial).
• Retention of significant equity and option positions (3,597 direct shares plus 9,000 options outstanding) indicates ongoing alignment with shareholders.
• Options vesting schedules disclosed, clarifying future potential dilution and executive incentives.

Negative

• Disposition of shares (131 shares sold) reduces direct share ownership, though sale is stated as tax-related.
• Some shares remain unvested (800 unvested from a 2022 grant), which could delay full alignment until vesting completes.

Insights

Securities Analyst

TL;DR: Routine, tax-related insider sale with continued significant equity and option holdings; not a clearly material change to ownership.

The Form 4 documents a small disposition of 131 shares by the CFO to meet tax obligations from a stock benefit plan. Post-transaction direct ownership of 3,597 shares and meaningful indirect positions through the 401(k) and ESOP remain. The reporting person also holds two option grants totaling 9,000 underlying shares with staged vesting schedules. This pattern—sale to cover taxes and retention of substantial equity and options—generally signals routine administrative action rather than a vote of no confidence, and the transaction size is limited relative to total holdings disclosed here.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Disclosure is timely and follows Form 4 rules; sale is documented as tax-related and details on vesting and plan holdings are provided.

The filing clearly states the reason for the disposition (to meet tax obligations) and itemizes all beneficial ownership types: direct, indirect via 401(k) and ESOP, and custodial accounts. It also discloses option strike prices, exercisable amounts, and vesting commencement dates. From a governance perspective, the form provides transparent reporting of potential conflicts and insider liquidity events consistent with Section 16 requirements.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Bourque Jacques L.J.

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O CATALYST BANCORP INC

235 N COURT ST

(Street)

OPELOUSAS LA 70570

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. [ CLST ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
09/01/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	09/01/2025		F(1)		131	D	$12.83	3,597(2)	D
Common Stock								687.9343(3)	I	By 401(k) Plan
Common Stock								2,040.8886(4)	I	By ESOP
Common Stock								100	I	As Utma Custodian for Quinn Bourque
Common Stock								100	I	As Utma Custodian for Levi Bourque

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$13.3							(5)	09/01/2032	Common Stock	5,000		5,000	D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$12.08							(6)	06/10/2035	Common Stock	4,000		4,000	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Disposition solely to meet tax obligation for distribution from stock benefit plan.

2. Includes 800 shares granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2022 Recognition and Retention Plan and Trust Agreement that reflect the unvested portion of a grant amount originally covering 2,000 shares that commenced vesting 20% per year on September 1, 2023.

3. Includes shares acquired in the Catalyst Bank 401(k) Plan since the last filed Form 4, based on a report dated August 27, 2025.

4. Includes shares allocated to the reporting person's account in the ESOP since the last filed Form 4, as of December 31, 2024.

5. The options are vesting at a rate of 20% per year that commenced on September 1, 2023.

6. The options vest at a rate of 20% per year commencing on June 10, 2026.

	/s/ Jutta Codori by P.O.A. for Jacques L. J. Bourque	09/02/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
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FAQ

What did CLST insider Jacques Bourque report on Form 4?

The CFO reported a sale of 131 shares on 09/01/2025 at $12.83 per share to meet tax obligations and disclosed current direct and indirect holdings.

How many shares does Jacques Bourque own after the reported transaction?

After the sale, Mr. Bourque directly owns 3,597 shares, plus indirect holdings of 687.9343 shares (401(k)) and 2,040.8886 shares (ESOP), and two custodial accounts of 100 shares each.

What stock options does the reporting person hold?

He holds options for 5,000 shares at a $13.30 exercise price (vesting began 09/01/2023) and 4,000 shares at a $12.08 exercise price (vesting begins 06/10/2026).

Why were shares sold according to the filing?

The filing states the disposition was solely to meet tax obligations arising from a distribution from a stock benefit plan.

Are there unvested shares mentioned in the Form 4?

Yes. The report notes 800 unvested shares remaining from a 2022 Recognition and Retention Plan grant that vests 20% per year starting 09/01/2023.