Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2025 First Quarter Results

OPELOUSAS, La., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: "CLST") (the "Company"), the parent company for Catalyst Bank (the "Bank") (www.catalystbank.com), reported net income of $586,000 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $626,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024.

"Loan growth was muted to start the year as market turbulence caused some of our customers to delay projects," said Joe Zanco, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank. "On a brighter note, we were grateful to have received the 'Best Community Banks to Work For' Award at the ICBA's Live Conference in Nashville in March. Our employees continue to do a great job living our values of Truth, Humility, Impact, Now and Connection."

Loans

Loans totaled $166.1 million at March 31, 2025, down $1.0 million, or less than 1%, from December 31, 2024. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.

                         

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

Change

Real estate loans

                       

One- to four-family residential

 

$

82,025

 

$

81,097

 

$

928

 

1

%

Commercial real estate

   

22,103

   

22,108

   

(5)

 

-

 

Construction and land

   

32,038

   

32,941

   

(903)

 

(3)

 

Multi-family residential

   

2,530

   

2,570

   

(40)

 

(2)

 

Total real estate loans

   

138,696

   

138,716

   

(20)

 

-

 

Other loans

                       

Commercial and industrial

   

25,447

   

26,439

   

(992)

 

(4)

%

Consumer

   

1,934

   

1,921

   

13

 

1

 

Total other loans

   

27,381

   

28,360

   

(979)

 

(3)

 

Total loans

 

$

166,077

 

$

167,076

 

$

(999)

 

(1)

 

 

The following table presents certain major segments of our commercial real estate, construction and land, and commercial and industrial loan balances as of the dates indicated.

                         

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

Change

Commercial real estate

                       

Retail

 

$

3,723

 

$

4,005

 

$

(282)

 

(7)

%

Hospitality

   

3,342

   

3,460

   

(118)

 

(3)

 

Restaurants

   

1,070

   

1,091

   

(21)

 

(2)

 

Oilfield services

   

393

   

402

   

(9)

 

(2)

 

Other non-owner occupied

   

2,479

   

2,658

   

(179)

 

(7)

 

Other owner occupied

   

11,096

   

10,492

   

604

 

6

 

Total commercial real estate

 

$

22,103

 

$

22,108

 

$

(5)

 

-

 

Construction and land

                       

Multi-family residential

 

$

11,297

 

$

10,031

 

$

1,266

 

13

%

Health service facilities

   

8,626

   

7,139

   

1,487

 

21

 

Hospitality

   

2,716

   

2,716

   

-

 

-

 

Retail

   

6,077

   

5,106

   

971

 

19

 

Other commercial construction and land

   

1,791

   

4,364

   

(2,573)

 

(59)

 

Consumer residential construction and land

   

1,531

   

3,585

   

(2,054)

 

(57)

 

Total construction and land

 

$

32,038

 

$

32,941

 

$

(903)

 

(3)

 

Commercial and industrial

                       

Oilfield services

 

$

8,474

 

$

14,823

 

$

(6,349)

 

(43)

%

Industrial equipment

   

8,285

   

2,831

   

5,454

 

193

 

Professional services

   

3,119

   

3,127

   

(8)

 

(0)

 

Other commercial and industrial

   

5,569

   

5,658

   

(89)

 

(2)

 

Total commercial and industrial loans

 

$

25,447

 

$

26,439

 

$

(992)

 

(4)

 

 

Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

At March 31, 2025, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $1.7 million, down $103,000, or 6%, from $1.8 million at December 31, 2024 primarily due to a decline in foreclosed assets. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.63% and 0.66% at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Non-performing loans ("NPLs") comprised 0.99% and 0.98% of total loans at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 98% of total NPLs were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.

At both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $2.5 million, or 1.51% of total loans. The provision for credit losses was zero for the first quarter of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2024. Net loan charge-offs totaled $39,000 during the first quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $2,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024. Net loan charge-offs during the first quarter of 2025 were primarily related to residential mortgage loans and overdrawn deposit accounts.

Deposits

Total deposits were $180.6 million at March 31, 2025, down $5.1 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2024. Total deposits averaged $177.1 million during the first quarter of 2025, compared to $171.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2024. The fluctuations in total deposits were mainly due to public funds. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's deposits as of the dates indicated.

                         

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

Change

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

 

$

26,093

 

$

28,281

 

$

(2,188)

 

(8)

%

Interest-bearing demand deposits

   

42,737

   

48,334

   

(5,597)

 

(12)

 

Money market

   

9,737

   

10,729

   

(992)

 

(9)

 

Savings

   

42,542

   

37,639

   

4,903

 

13

 

Certificates of deposit

   

59,489

   

60,691

   

(1,202)

 

(2)

 

Total deposits

 

$

180,598

 

$

185,674

 

$

(5,076)

 

(3)

 

 

The ratio of the Company's total loans to total deposits was 92% at March 31, 2025, compared to 90% at December 31, 2024.

Total public fund deposits amounted to $29.8 million, or 17% of total deposits, at March 31, 2025, compared to $35.6 million, or 19% of total deposits, at December 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, approximately 80% of our total public fund deposits consisted of non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits from municipalities within our market.

Capital and Share Repurchases

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, consolidated shareholders' equity totaled $80.6 million, or 29.7% of total assets, and $80.2 million, or 29.0% of total assets, respectively.

The Company repurchased 72,949 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $11.86 during the first quarter of 2025, compared to 120,977 shares at an average cost per share of $11.70 during the fourth quarter of 2024. Under the Company's November 2024 Repurchase Plan, 114,201 shares of the Company's common stock were available for repurchase at March 31, 2025. Since the announcement of our first share repurchase plan on January 26, 2023 and through March 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,084,799 shares of its common stock, or approximately 21% of the common shares originally issued, at an average cost per share of $11.93. At March 31, 2025, the Company had common shares outstanding of 4,205,201.

Net Interest Income

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2025 was 3.89%, down three basis points compared to the prior quarter. For the first quarter of 2025, the average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.54%, down three basis points from the prior quarter, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.56%, down one basis point from the fourth quarter of 2024.

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $2.4 million, down $107,000, or 4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Total interest income was down $137,000, or 4%, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decline in income on residential mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans, and interest-earning cash. Total interest expense decreased $30,000, or 3%, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank's $20.0 million BTFP advance was paid off, which led to a decline in interest expense on borrowings of $112,000 for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The decline in interest expense on borrowings was partially offset by an increase in interest expense on deposits that was largely driven by an increase in the cost of public fund deposits.

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

   

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Rate(TE)

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Rate(TE)

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS

                                   

Loans receivable(1)

 

$

166,145

 

$

2,738

 

6.68

%

 

$

167,187

 

$

2,814

 

6.70

%

Investment securities(2)

   

46,960

   

275

 

2.35

     

47,764

   

273

 

2.30

 

Other interest earning assets

   

33,585

   

361

 

4.36

     

36,107

   

424

 

4.66

 

Total interest-earning assets

 

$

246,690

 

$

3,374

 

5.54

   

$

251,058

 

$

3,511

 

5.57

 

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

                                   

Demand deposits, money market, and
savings accounts

 

$

94,133

 

$

483

 

2.08

%

 

$

85,118

 

$

394

 

1.84

%

Certificates of deposit

   

55,846

   

458

 

3.32

     

57,031

   

465

 

3.24

 

Total interest-bearing deposits

   

149,979

   

941

 

2.54

     

142,149

   

859

 

2.40

 

Borrowings

   

9,573

   

68

 

2.85

     

18,663

   

180

 

3.85

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

159,552

 

$

1,009

 

2.56

   

$

160,812

 

$

1,039

 

2.57

 

Net interest-earning assets

 

$

87,138

             

$

90,246

           

Net interest income; average interest rate
spread

       

$

2,365

 

2.98

%

       

$

2,472

 

3.00

%

Net interest margin(3)

             

3.89

               

3.92

 
   

(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 first quarter of 2025 totaled $553,000, up $216,000, or 64%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 included insurance proceeds of $216,000 for fire and flood damages related to foreclosed properties.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $2.2 million, up $160,000, or 8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Foreclosed assets expense for the first quarter of 2025 included net losses of $88,000 on the sale of foreclosed properties.

Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, up $18,000, or 1%, from the prior quarter primarily due to an increase in the cost of employee benefits for 2025.

Advertising and marketing expense totaled $39,000 for the first quarter of 2025, up $22,000, or 129%, from the prior quarter largely driven by an increase in business development activity during the first quarter of 2025.

Other non-interest expense totaled $207,000 for the first quarter of 2025, up $19,000, or 10%, from the prior quarter primarily due to an increase in loan collection 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 $271.6 million in assets at March 31, 2025. 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, 2024, 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)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

3/31/2024

ASSETS

                 

Non-interest-bearing cash

 

$

4,128

 

$

4,076

 

$

3,118

Interest-bearing cash and due from banks

   

36,190

   

40,219

   

72,893

Total cash and cash equivalents

   

40,318

   

44,295

   

76,011

Investment securities:

                 

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

   

29,840

   

28,712

   

25,534

Securities held-to-maturity

   

13,445

   

13,447

   

13,457

Loans receivable, net of unearned income

   

166,077

   

167,076

   

143,491

Allowance for credit losses

   

(2,500)

   

(2,522)

   

(2,068)

Loans receivable, net

   

163,577

   

164,554

   

141,423

Accrued interest receivable

   

866

   

851

   

733

Foreclosed assets

   

77

   

194

   

237

Premises and equipment, net

   

6,049

   

6,085

   

5,995

Stock in correspondent banks, at cost

   

809

   

1,961

   

1,898

Bank-owned life insurance

   

14,607

   

14,489

   

14,139

Other assets

   

2,060

   

2,109

   

2,622

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

271,648

 

$

276,697

 

$

282,049

                   

LIABILITIES

                 

Deposits:

                 

Non-interest-bearing

 

$

26,093

 

$

28,281

 

$

28,836

Interest-bearing

   

154,505

   

157,393

   

140,801

Total deposits

   

180,598

   

185,674

   

169,637

Borrowings

   

9,603

   

9,558

   

29,423

Other liabilities

   

856

   

1,261

   

1,736

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   

191,057

   

196,493

   

200,796

                   

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                 

Common stock

   

42

   

43

   

46

Additional paid-in capital

   

38,844

   

39,561

   

42,711

Unallocated common stock held by benefit plans

   

(5,649)

   

(5,702)

   

(6,169)

Retained earnings

   

50,446

   

49,860

   

48,260

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   

(3,092)

   

(3,558)

   

(3,595)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

80,591

   

80,204

   

81,253

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

271,648

 

$

276,697

 

$

282,049

 

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

                   
   

Three Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

3/31/2024

INTEREST INCOME

                 

Loans receivable, including fees

 

$

2,738

 

$

2,814

 

$

2,214

Investment securities

   

275

   

273

   

325

Cash and due from banks

   

341

   

401

   

594

Other

   

20

   

23

   

22

Total interest income

   

3,374

   

3,511

   

3,155

INTEREST EXPENSE

                 

Deposits

   

941

   

859

   

769

Borrowings

   

68

   

180

   

293

Total interest expense

   

1,009

   

1,039

   

1,062

Net interest income

   

2,365

   

2,472

   

2,093

Provision for credit losses

   

-

   

-

   

95

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

   

2,365

   

2,472

   

1,998

NON-INTEREST INCOME

                 

Service charges on deposit accounts

   

197

   

201

   

203

Bank-owned life insurance

   

118

   

119

   

113

Loss on sales of investment securities

   

-

   

-

   

(5,507)

Other income on foreclosed assets

   

216

   

-

   

-

Gain (loss) on disposals and sales of fixed assets

   

-

   

-

   

11

Other

   

22

   

17

   

17

Total non-interest income (loss)

   

553

   

337

   

(5,163)

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

                 

Salaries and employee benefits

   

1,245

   

1,227

   

1,260

Occupancy and equipment

   

199

   

193

   

196

Data processing and communication

   

182

   

179

   

794

Professional fees

   

101

   

94

   

107

Directors' fees

   

114

   

116

   

115

ATM and debit card

   

22

   

17

   

69

Foreclosed assets, net

   

89

   

7

   

8

Advertising and marketing

   

39

   

17

   

38

Other

   

207

   

188

   

204

Total non-interest expense

   

2,198

   

2,038

   

2,791

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

   

720

   

771

   

(5,956)

Income tax expense (benefit)

   

134

   

145

   

(1,267)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

586

 

$

626

 

$

(4,689)

                   

Earnings (loss) per share:

                 

Basic

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.16

 

$

(1.15)

Diluted

   

0.16

   

0.16

   

(1.15)

 

                         

CATALYST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                         
   

Three Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

3/31/2024

EARNINGS DATA

                       

Total interest income

 

$

3,374

   

$

3,511

   

$

3,155

 

Total interest expense

   

1,009

     

1,039

     

1,062

 

Net interest income

   

2,365

     

2,472

     

2,093

 

Provision for credit losses

   

-

     

-

     

95

 

Total non-interest income (loss)

   

553

     

337

     

(5,163)

 

Total non-interest expense

   

2,198

     

2,038

     

2,791

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   

134

     

145

     

(1,267)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

586

   

$

626

   

$

(4,689)

 
                         

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA

                       

Total loans

 

$

166,145

   

$

167,187

   

$

144,428

 

Total interest-earning assets

   

246,690

     

251,058

     

269,835

 

Total assets

   

268,232

     

272,443

     

286,708

 

Total interest-bearing deposits

   

149,979

     

142,149

     

146,201

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

   

159,552

     

160,812

     

174,192

 

Total deposits

   

177,106

     

170,991

     

174,656

 

Total shareholders' equity

   

80,426

     

80,988

     

82,667

 
                         

SELECTED RATIOS

                       

Return on average assets

   

0.89

%

   

0.91

%

   

(6.58)

%

Return on average equity

   

2.96

     

3.08

     

(22.81)

 

Efficiency ratio

   

75.31

     

72.54

     

(90.93)

 

Net interest margin(TE)

   

3.89

     

3.92

     

3.12

 

Average equity to average assets

   

29.98

     

29.73

     

28.83

 

Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio(1)

   

46.95

     

45.81

     

52.09

 

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio(1)

   

29.45

     

28.73

     

26.84

 

Total risk-based capital ratio(1)

   

48.20

     

47.06

     

53.34

 
                         

NON-FINANCIAL DATA

                       

Total employees (full-time equivalent)

   

49

     

49

     

47

 

Common shares issued and outstanding, end of period

   

4,205,201

     

4,278,150

     

4,558,329

 
   

(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

(Dollars in thousands)

 

3/31/2025

 

12/31/2024

 

3/31/2024

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

                       

Loans:

                       

Beginning balance

 

$

2,522

   

$

2,414

   

$

2,124

 

Provision for credit losses

   

17

     

110

     

42

 

Charge-offs

   

(53)

     

(28)

     

(123)

 

Recoveries

   

14

     

26

     

25

 

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

   

(39)

     

(2)

     

(98)

 

Ending balance

 

$

2,500

   

$

2,522

   

$

2,068

 
                         

Unfunded commitments:

                       

Beginning balance

 

$

121

   

$

231

   

$

257

 

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on
unfunded commitments

   

(17)

     

(110)

     

53

 

Ending balance

 

$

104

   

$

121

   

$

310

 
                         

Total provision for credit losses

 

$

-

   

$

-

   

$

95

 
                         

CREDIT QUALITY(1)

                       

Non-accruing loans

 

$

1,554

   

$

1,567

   

$

1,453

 

Accruing loans 90 days or more past due

   

91

     

64

     

29

 

Total non-performing loans

   

1,645

     

1,631

     

1,482

 

Foreclosed assets

   

77

     

194

     

237

 

Total non-performing assets

 

$

1,722

   

$

1,825

   

$

1,719

 
                         

Total non-performing loans to total loans

   

0.99

%

   

0.98

%

   

1.03

%

Total non-performing assets to total assets

   

0.63

     

0.66

     

0.61

 
   

(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.