Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2025 Third Quarter Results
Financial Performance: Catalyst Bancorp reported a net income of $489,000 for Q3 2025, a slight decrease from $521,000 in Q2 2025, with total loans decreasing by 2% to $164.8 million.
Loan Portfolio Composition: The company's loan portfolio saw a decline in real estate loans, particularly in one-to-four-family residential and construction loans, while commercial and industrial loans experienced a slight increase.
Deposit Growth: Total deposits rose by 2% to $186.4 million, attributed to successful high-yield account promotions that attracted new customers and deepened existing relationships.
Credit Quality and Expenses: Non-performing assets increased to $1.9 million, with a slight rise in the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans, while non-interest expenses rose by 1% to $2.2 million, primarily due to increased salaries and employee benefits.
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- Q1 Earnings Report: Catalyst Bancorp reported a GAAP EPS of $0.15 for Q1, indicating stable profitability despite a modest performance, which may positively influence investor confidence moving forward.
- Interest Income Growth: Total interest income increased by $22,000, or 1%, in Q1 compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to higher income from cash and due from banks, reflecting effective liquidity management by the company.
- Acquisition Deal: Catalyst Bancorp announced a $41 million all-cash acquisition of Lakeside, which is expected to enhance the company's market share and operational integration capabilities, driving future growth potential.
- Strategic Implications: This acquisition not only strengthens Catalyst Bancorp's asset base but also has the potential to enhance its competitive position in the financial market by expanding its customer base and improving service capabilities.
- Net Income Growth: Catalyst Bancorp reported a net income of $558,000 for Q1 2026, translating to a diluted EPS of $0.15, which is an increase from $456,000 and $0.13 in Q4 2025, indicating improved profitability and growth potential in Southwest Louisiana.
- Loan Portfolio Changes: As of March 31, 2026, total loans amounted to $163.7 million, down $6.5 million from December 31, 2025, primarily due to an 18% decrease in commercial and industrial loans, highlighting challenges in loan management that could impact revenue streams.
- Deposit Growth: Total deposits reached $195.4 million as of March 31, 2026, up $10.1 million or 5% from December 31, 2025, reflecting the company's success in attracting customer deposits, which enhances liquidity and supports future loan growth.
- Stable Credit Quality: As of March 31, 2026, non-performing assets totaled $2.7 million, representing 0.94% of total assets, nearly unchanged from 0.95% at December 31, 2025, demonstrating effective credit risk management despite fluctuations in the loan portfolio.
- Acquisition Agreement: Catalyst Bancorp has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lakeside Bancshares in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $41.1 million, with shareholders receiving $19.58 per share, thereby strengthening its market presence in southwest Louisiana.
- Significant Merger Benefits: The merger will result in Catalyst being the surviving bank, with combined assets projected to reach about $627.3 million by the end of 2025, including $399.9 million in loans and $470.0 million in deposits, significantly expanding its customer base and market reach.
- Enhanced Earnings Potential: Catalyst expects the acquisition to be more than 180 percent accretive to earnings per share within three years, primarily driven by cost savings, indicating a strong financial growth trajectory post-merger.
- Regulatory and Shareholder Approval: The deal has been unanimously approved by both companies' boards and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth.
- Acquisition Overview: Catalyst Bancorp will acquire Lakeside Bancshares in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $41.1 million, with Lakeside shareholders receiving $19.58 per share, merging both banks into a stronger financial entity.
- Asset Growth: The acquisition is expected to increase Catalyst's total assets to over $627 million, with $400 million in loans and $470 million in deposits, significantly enhancing the company's market competitiveness and operational scale.
- Earnings Potential Boost: The transaction is projected to be over 180% accretive to earnings per share (EPS) and positively impact tangible book value within three years, indicating a substantial enhancement in the company's profitability.
- Robust Capital Structure: No additional capital is required for this transaction, and post-merger capital ratios are expected to remain strong, ensuring Catalyst's financial health in future operations.
- Merger Agreement Signed: Catalyst Bancorp and Lakeside Bancshares have signed a definitive merger agreement, with Catalyst acquiring Lakeside in an all-cash transaction valued at $41.1 million, or $19.58 per share, expected to close in Q3 2026.
- Asset Size Doubling: Post-merger, Catalyst's assets will increase from $282.9 million to approximately $627.3 million, with total loans reaching $399.9 million and deposits at $470 million, significantly enhancing the company's market competitiveness.
- Profitability Enhancement: Catalyst anticipates that the merger will be over 180% accretive to earnings per share and accretive to tangible book value per share within three years, indicating strong profitability potential and future growth prospects.
- Experienced Management Team: Catalyst's leadership team possesses extensive merger experience, enabling them to quickly attract new customers in Southwest Louisiana, thereby driving regional economic growth and further solidifying market position.
- Merger Agreement Signed: Catalyst Bancorp and Lakeside Bancshares have signed a definitive merger agreement, under which Catalyst will acquire Lakeside in an all-cash transaction valued at $41.1 million, or $19.58 per share, expected to close in Q3 2026.
- Asset Size Doubling: Post-merger, Catalyst's assets will increase from $282.9 million to approximately $627.3 million, with total loans reaching $399.9 million and deposits at $470.0 million, significantly enhancing the company's market competitiveness.
- Profitability Enhancement: Catalyst anticipates that the merger will be over 180% accretive to earnings per share and accretive to tangible book value per share within three years, indicating substantial financial returns from the merger.
- Management Confidence: Both Catalyst and Lakeside's management teams express that this merger will enhance customer base and service capabilities, driving regional economic growth, reflecting strong confidence in future development.










