[Form 4] Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Insider Trading Activity

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Joseph B. Zanco, President and CEO and a director of Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (CLST), reported a sale and multiple holdings on Form 4. On 09/01/2025 he disposed of 1,158 shares of common stock at $12.83 to satisfy tax obligations from a stock benefit distribution. After the sale he beneficially owns 32,870 shares directly. He also reports 15,000 shares held indirectly by spouse, 2,458.9121 shares in the Catalyst Bank 401(k) plan, 6,474.1176 shares in the ESOP and 22,009 shares in an IRA. He holds two option grants exercisable for 52,900 and 13,225 shares with exercise prices of $13.30 (expiring 09/01/2032) and $12.08 (expiring 06/10/2035), respectively, with stated vesting schedules. The Form 4 was signed by a P.O.A. on 09/02/2025.

Positive

• Substantial insider ownership: 32,870 shares directly plus significant indirect holdings (15,000 spouse; 2,458.9121 401(k); 6,474.1176 ESOP; 22,009 IRA).
• Long-term incentive alignment: Two option grants totaling 66,125 shares with multi-year vesting schedules, linking executive compensation to future performance.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: Insider sold a modest number of shares to cover taxes while retaining substantial equity and vested/unvested option exposure.

The sale of 1,158 shares at $12.83 was explicitly noted as a disposition to meet tax obligations, not a trading decision for liquidity. Post-transaction direct ownership of 32,870 shares plus indirect holdings and long-dated options indicates continued alignment with shareholder value. The two option grants create potential future dilution but are long-dated and subject to multi-year vesting schedules; their strike prices are near the reported sale price, which is informative for assessing exercise incentives over time.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Reporting person remains a significant insider-holder with structured compensation via time-based equity and retirement plan allocations.

The Form 4 documents that Zanco occupies both executive and board roles and that equity compensation is split across direct grants, retirement plans, an ESOP and spouse-held shares. The disposition was characterized as tax-related, and the filing was executed by a power of attorney, both common for routine insider reporting. Vesting schedules beginning in 2023 and 2026 provide clear timelines for future potential insider dilution and executive retention incentives.

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^*

Zanco Joseph B

(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)

X	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	PRESIDENT AND CEO

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)		1,158	D	$12.83	32,870(2)	D
Common Stock								15,000	I	By Spouse
Common Stock								2,458.9121(3)	I	By 401(k) Plan
Common Stock								6,474.1176(4)	I	By ESOP
Common Stock								22,009	I	By IRA

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	52,900		52,900	D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$12.08							(6)	06/10/2035	Common Stock	13,225		13,225	D

Explanation of Responses:

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

2. Includes 8,464 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 21,160 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. Joseph B. Zanco	09/02/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
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FAQ

What transaction did CLST insider Joseph B. Zanco report on Form 4?

He reported a disposition of 1,158 common shares on 09/01/2025 at a price of $12.83, described as to meet tax obligations.

How many CLST shares does Joseph B. Zanco beneficially own after the reported transaction?

He beneficially owns 32,870 shares directly after the reported sale, plus indirect holdings across spouse, 401(k), ESOP and IRA accounts.

What option awards does the Form 4 disclose for CLST insider Zanco?

Two stock options: 52,900 shares at $13.30 (expiring 09/01/2032, vesting 20%/yr from 09/01/2023) and 13,225 shares at $12.08 (expiring 06/10/2035, vesting 20%/yr commencing 06/10/2026).

Was the Form 4 filing signed by the reporting person?

The Form 4 was signed on behalf of Joseph B. Zanco by Jutta Codori under power of attorney on 09/02/2025.

Are there retirement or employee plan holdings reported for Zanco in CLST?

Yes. The filing shows 2,458.9121 shares in the Catalyst Bank 401(k) plan and 6,474.1176 shares allocated in the ESOP since the last Form 4, plus 22,009 shares in an IRA.