Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2023 Fourth Quarter Results

OPELOUSAS, La., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLST) (the "Company"), the parent company for Catalyst Bank (the "Bank") (www.catalystbank.com), reported net income of $320,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023 which included a net pre-tax benefit of $371,000 due to a Bank Enterprise Award ("BEA") Program grant from the Community Development Financial Institution ("CDFI") Fund and a $92,000 loss on the sale of investment securities. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income totaled $602,000, compared to $180,000 for 2022. 

"We produced over $9 million of loan growth during the fourth quarter – our strongest quarter since becoming a public company," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. "This growth was fueled by the high level of responsiveness our bankers provide to our customers."

Loans

Loans totaled $144.9 million at December 31, 2023, up $9.2 million, or 7%, from September 30, 2023. The increase in total loans during the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to commercial construction and commercial real estate loans. Construction loan growth was largely driven by three separate projects involving the purchase and renovation of a hotel, the construction of a retail health care center, and the purchase and renovation of an industrial warehouse. A significant driver of commercial real estate loan growth was a loan to finance the purchase of a multi-tenant office building in Lafayette, Louisiana.

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














(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


Increase (Decrease)

Real estate loans













One- to four-family residential


$

83,623


$

83,973


$

(350)


-

%

Commercial real estate



21,478



19,113



2,365


12


Construction and land



13,857



6,622



7,235


109


Multi-family residential



3,373



3,424



(51)


(1)


Total real estate loans



122,331



113,132



9,199


8


Other loans













Commercial and industrial



19,984



19,634



350


2


Consumer



2,605



2,906



(301)


(10)


Total other loans



22,589



22,540



49


-


Total loans


$

144,920


$

135,672


$

9,248


7

%

Loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties accounted for 58% of total loans and commercial real estate loans accounted for 15% of total loans at December 31, 2023. Approximately 60% of our real estate loans have adjustable rates and, of our total real estate loans, approximately $60.7 million, or 50%, are scheduled to re-price or mature during the next 12 months. 

Our non-real estate loans primarily consist of commercial and industrial loans, which amounted to 14% of total loans at December 31, 2023. This segment of the portfolio largely consists of loans to local businesses involved in industrial manufacturing and equipment, communications, professional services, and oil and gas support services. Approximately 39% of our commercial and industrial loans have adjustable rates and, of total commercial and industrial loans, approximately $10.2 million, or 51%, are scheduled to re-price or mature during the next 12 months.

Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

At each of December 31 and September 30, 2023, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $2.1 million and the ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.76% and 0.82% at such dates, respectively. Non-performing loans ("NPLs") comprised 1.37% of total loans at December 31, 2023, and 1.54% of total loans at September 30, 2023. At December 31 and September 30, 2023, 95% and 96% of total NPLs, respectively, were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.

At December 31, 2023, the allowance for loan losses totaled $2.1 million, or 1.47% of total loans, compared to $2.0 million at September 30, 2023, or 1.50% of total loans. For the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, the provision for credit losses totaled $128,000, which was largely attributable to loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 that necessitated additional loan provisions according to the Bank's Current Expected Credit Losses model.

Net loan charge-offs totaled $63,000 during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to net recoveries of $17,000 for the third quarter of 2023. Net loan charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2023 were primarily attributable to one- to four-family residential loans.

Investment Securities

Total investment securities were $84.0 million, or 31% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. The Company's investment securities portfolio consists primarily of government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and debt obligations issued by the U.S. government and government agencies. The Company has not purchased investment securities since the fourth quarter of 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company sold two available-for-sale investment securities for a pre-tax loss of $92,000. Cash proceeds from the sales totaled $1.9 million.

At December 31, 2023, 86% of total investment securities, based on amortized cost, were classified as available-for-sale. Net unrealized losses on securities classified as available-for-sale totaled $9.2 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $12.8 million at September 30, 2023.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2023.  
















December 31, 2023

(Dollars in thousands)


Amortized Cost


Gross
Unrealized
Gains


Gross
Unrealized
Losses


Fair Value

Securities available-for-sale













Mortgage-backed securities


$

65,704


$

14


$

(8,206)


$

57,512

U.S. Government and agency obligations



7,999



-



(611)



7,388

Municipal obligations



5,998



7



(365)



5,640

Total available-for-sale


$

79,701


$

21


$

(9,182)


$

70,540

Securities held-to-maturity













U.S. Government and agency obligations


$

13,003


$

-


$

(2,210)


$

10,793

Municipal obligations



458



-



(24)



434

Total held-to-maturity


$

13,461


$

-


$

(2,234)


$

11,227

At December 31, 2023, the amortized cost and fair value of pledged investment securities totaled $61.9 million and $53.9 million, respectively. The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities pledged to secure uninsured public fund deposits totaled $49.3 million and $43.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. The remainder of the pledged investment securities at December 31, 2023 served as collateral for borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Deposits

Total deposits were $165.6 million at December 31, 2023, up $402,000, or less than 1%, from September 30, 2023. A $3.2 million decline in total public funds over the fourth quarter was offset by growth in consumer and commercial deposits that was largely driven by rate specials offered to depositors during the quarter.

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














(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


Increase (Decrease)

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits


$

28,183


$

33,222


$

(5,039)


(15)

%

Interest-bearing demand deposits



36,867



38,881



(2,014)


(5)


Money market



15,126



15,473



(347)


(2)


Savings



31,518



27,237



4,281


16


Certificates of deposit



53,928



50,407



3,521


7


Total deposits


$

165,622


$

165,220


$

402


-

%

At December 31, 2023, approximately 78% of our total public funds consisted of non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits from municipalities within our market. Total public fund deposits amounted to $23.3 million, or 14% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023, compared to $26.4 million, or 16% of total deposits, at September 30, 2023.

Our total uninsured deposits (that is deposits in excess of the FDIC's insurance limit), inclusive of public funds, were approximately $44.6 million at December 31, 2023 and $45.2 million at September 30, 2023. Total uninsured non-public funds deposits were approximately $26.3 million and $23.9 million at December 31 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The full amount of our public fund deposits in excess of the FDIC's insurance limit are secured by pledging investment securities.

Borrowings and Liquidity

Total borrowings at December 31, 2023 were $19.4 million, up $10.0 million from September 30, 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Bank began borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta through its Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP"). At December 31, 2023, the Bank had one $10.0 million BTFP loan outstanding with a contractual interest rate of 4.83% and a maturity date of December 24, 2024.

The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 88% and 82% as of December 31 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The table below summarizes our unused and available liquidity sources as of December 31, 2023.





(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas


$

48,467

Line of credit with primary correspondent bank



17,800

Federal Reserve's Bank Term Funding Program



1,434

Federal Reserve Discount Window



718

Unpledged available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value



25,385

Total unused and available liquidity


$

93,804

Pledged securities under the BTFP are valued at par when determining borrowing capacity. The total par value of unpledged investment securities eligible as collateral for advances under the BTFP was $16.5 million at December 31, 2023.

Capital and Share Repurchases

The Bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 53.60% and 56.23% at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $84.6 million, or 31.2% of total assets, and $82.2 million, or 31.9% of total assets, respectively.

The Company repurchased 86,964 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $11.24 during the fourth quarter of 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 528,674 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $11.94 through the completion of repurchases of 265,000 shares under its January 2023 Repurchase Plan and 252,000 under its April 2023 Repurchase Plan, and the repurchase of another 11,674 shares pursuant to a third repurchase plan announced in November (the "November 2023 Repurchase Plan"). At December 31, 2023, the Company had common shares outstanding of 4,761,326 and 228,326 of those shares were available for repurchase under the November 2023 Repurchase Plan.

Net Interest Income

The net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 3.14%, up one basis point compared to the prior quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 4.17%, up 26 basis points from the prior quarter, while the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 1.73%, up 35 basis points from the third quarter of 2023.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $2.0 million, down $12,000, or 1%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. Total interest income was up $134,000, or 5%, while total interest expense increased by $146,000, or 29%, in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 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



12/31/2023


9/30/2023

(Dollars in thousands)


Average
Balance


Interest


Average
Yield/ Rate


Average
Balance


Interest


Average
Yield/ Rate

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS



















Loans receivable(1)


$

140,757


$

2,066


5.82

%


$

134,851


$

1,852


5.45

%

Investment securities(TE)(2)



96,640



400


1.67




99,373



403


1.64


Other interest earning assets



11,276



137


4.83




16,915



214


5.02


Total interest-earning assets(TE)


$

248,673


$

2,603


4.17

%


$

251,139


$

2,469


3.91

%

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES



















Demand deposits, money market, and savings accounts


$

82,474


$

185


0.89

%


$

83,051


$

154


0.73

%

Certificates of deposit



51,707



344


2.64




50,526



274


2.15


Total interest-bearing deposits



134,181



529


1.56




133,577



428


1.27


Borrowings



13,016



114


3.50




9,306



69


2.93


Total interest-bearing liabilities


$

147,197


$

643


1.73

%


$

142,883


$

497


1.38

%

Net interest-earning assets


$

101,476








$

108,256







Net interest income; average interest rate spread(TE)





$

1,960


2.44

%





$

1,972


2.53

%

Net interest margin(TE)(3)








3.14

%








3.13

%



(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 fourth quarter of 2023 was $672,000, up $366,000, or a 120% increase from the third quarter of 2023. The Company received and recognized as income a $437,000 Bank Enterprise Award ("BEA") Program grant from the CDFI Fund during the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 also included the $92,000 loss on the sale of investment securities discussed previously. The securities were sold for a total of $1.9 million.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $2.1 million, up $41,000, or 2%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. Professional fees totaled $140,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023, up $40,000, or 40%, from the prior quarter. Professional fees associated with obtaining the BEA Program grant totaled $66,000 and were expensed in the fourth quarter of 2023.

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company is converting to a new core processing system and expects to incur approximately $500,000 (pre-tax) of data conversion and other associated costs. The core system conversion will significantly enhance our customer-facing and internal banking technology. The Company also estimates annualized savings of greater than $200,000 after completing the conversion.

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 $270.9 million in assets at December 31, 2023. Catalyst Bank, formerly St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank, has been in operation in the Acadiana region of south-central Louisiana for over 100 years. 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, 2022, 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. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION













(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)




(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


12/31/2022

ASSETS










Non-interest-bearing cash


$

3,654


$

3,497


$

5,092

Interest-bearing cash and due from banks



15,357



9,769



8,380

Total cash and cash equivalents



19,011



13,266



13,472

Investment securities:










Securities available-for-sale, at fair value



70,540



71,808



79,602

Securities held-to-maturity



13,461



13,464



13,475

Loans receivable, net of unearned income



144,920



135,672



133,607

Allowance for loan losses



(2,124)



(2,036)



(1,807)

Loans receivable, net



142,796



133,636



131,800

Accrued interest receivable



906



806



673

Foreclosed assets



60



37



320

Premises and equipment, net



6,072



6,160



6,303

Stock in correspondent banks, at cost



1,878



1,858



1,808

Bank-owned life insurance



14,026



13,917



13,617

Other assets



2,141



2,956



2,254

TOTAL ASSETS


$

270,891


$

257,908


$

263,324











LIABILITIES










Deposits:










Non-interest-bearing


$

28,183


$

33,222


$

33,657

Interest-bearing



137,439



131,998



131,437

Total deposits



165,622



165,220



165,094

Borrowings



19,378



9,333



9,198

Other liabilities



1,274



1,147



558

TOTAL LIABILITIES



186,274



175,700



174,850











SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY










Common stock



48



48



53

Additional paid-in capital



45,020



45,855



51,062

Unallocated common stock held by benefit plans



(6,221)



(6,274)



(6,307)

Retained earnings



53,007



52,687



52,740

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



(7,237)



(10,108)



(9,074)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



84,617



82,208



88,474

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


$

270,891


$

257,908


$

263,324

 

















CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)



















Three Months Ended


Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


12/31/2022


12/31/2023


12/31/2022

INTEREST INCOME
















Loans receivable, including fees


$

2,066


$

1,852


$

1,543


$

7,238


$

6,127

Investment securities



400



403



418



1,643



1,480

Other



137



214



145



780



407

Total interest income



2,603



2,469



2,106



9,661



8,014

INTEREST EXPENSE
















Deposits



529



428



130



1,541



402

Borrowings



114



69



76



319



281

Total interest expense



643



497



206



1,860



683

Net interest income



1,960



1,972



1,900



7,801



7,331

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses



128



-



-



128



(375)

Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses



1,832



1,972



1,900



7,673



7,706

NON-INTEREST INCOME
















Service charges on deposit accounts



201



190



189



774



731

Bank-owned life insurance



109



104



98



409



314

Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities



(92)



-



-



(92)



-

Gain (loss) on disposals and sales of fixed assets



-



-



-



-



(77)

Federal community development grant



437



-



-



437



171

Other



17



12



14



61



34

Total non-interest income



672



306



301



1,589



1,173

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
















Salaries and employee benefits



1,149



1,141



1,175



4,671



4,822

Occupancy and equipment



193



198



193



802



833

Data processing and communication



236



228



175



911



841

Professional fees



140



100



66



486



538

Directors' fees



118



116



117



463



302

ATM and debit card



63



68



61



250



245

Foreclosed assets, net



5



2



5



72



5

Advertising and marketing



23



25



53



100



240

Franchise and shares tax



10



19



(16)



81



115

Other



185



184



173



743



779

Total non-interest expense



2,122



2,081



2,002



8,579



8,720

Income before income tax expense (benefit)



382



197



199



683



159

Income tax expense (benefit)



62



27



28



81



(21)

NET INCOME


$

320


$

170


$

171


$

602


$

180

















Earnings per share:
















Basic


$

0.08


$

0.03


$

0.03


$

0.14


$

0.04

Diluted



0.08



0.03



0.03



0.14



0.04

 






















CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
























Three Months Ended


Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


12/31/2022


12/31/2023


12/31/2022

EARNINGS DATA





















Total interest income


$

2,603



$

2,469



$

2,106



$

9,661



$

8,014


Total interest expense



643




497




206




1,860




683


Net interest income



1,960




1,972




1,900




7,801




7,331


Provision for (reversal of) credit losses



128




-




-




128




(375)


Total non-interest income



672




306




301




1,589




1,173


Total non-interest expense



2,122




2,081




2,002




8,579




8,720


Income tax expense (benefit)



62




27




28




81




(21)


Net income


$

320



$

170



$

171



$

602



$

180























AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA





















Total loans


$

140,757



$

134,851



$

133,102



$

135,713



$

132,503


Total interest-earning assets



248,673




251,139




256,033




252,616




267,300


Total assets



261,657




265,057




270,121




266,655




282,931


Total interest-bearing deposits



134,181




133,577




139,134




136,321




147,266


Total interest-bearing liabilities



147,197




142,883




149,064




146,529




156,560


Total deposits



165,102




170,589




170,952




170,677




179,826


Total shareholders' equity



82,227




84,021




88,558




84,739




93,074























SELECTED RATIOS





















Return on average assets



0.49

%



0.25

%



0.25

%



0.23

%



0.06

%

Return on average equity



1.54




0.80




0.76




0.71




0.19


Efficiency ratio



80.61




91.34




90.99




91.36




102.55


Net interest margin(TE)



3.14




3.13




2.96




3.10




2.75


Average equity to average assets



31.43




31.70




32.78




31.78




32.90


Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio(1)



52.34




54.97




56.17










Tier 1 leverage capital ratio(1)



31.67




31.08




30.37










Total risk-based capital ratio(1)



53.60




56.23




57.42































NON-FINANCIAL DATA





















Total employees (full-time equivalent)



48




47




50










Common shares issued and outstanding, end of period



4,761,326




4,848,290




5,290,000











(1)     Capital ratios are preliminary end-of-period ratios for the Bank only and are subject to change.

 






















CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(continued)
























Three Months Ended


Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)


12/31/2023


9/30/2023


12/31/2022


12/31/2023


12/31/2022

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES





















Allowance for loan losses:





















Beginning balance


$

2,036



$

2,081



$

1,804



$

1,807



$

2,276


CECL adoption impact



-




-




-




209




-


Provision for (reversal of) loan losses



151




(62)




-




87




(375)


Charge-offs



(76)




(9)




(19)




(102)




(210)


Recoveries



13




26




22




123




116


Net (charge-offs) recoveries



(63)




17




3




21




(94)


Ending balance


$

2,124



$

2,036



$

1,807



$

2,124



$

1,807























Allowance for unfunded commitments:





















Beginning balance



280




218




-




-




-


CECL adoption impact



-




-




-




216




-


Provision for losses on unfunded commitments



(23)




62




-




41




-


Ending balance


$

257



$

280



$

-



$

257



$

-























Total allowance for credit losses, end of period


$

2,381



$

2,316



$

1,807



$

2,381



$

1,807


Total provision for (reversal of) credit losses



128




-




-




128




(375)























CREDIT QUALITY(1)





















Non-accruing loans


$

1,967



$

1,961



$

1,494










Accruing loans 90 days or more past due



24




127




191










Total non-performing loans



1,991




2,088




1,685










Foreclosed assets



60




37




320










Total non-performing assets


$

2,051



$

2,125



$

2,005































Total non-performing loans to total loans



1.37

%



1.54

%



1.26

%









Total non-performing assets to total assets



0.76




0.82




0.76











(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

SOURCE Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.