Stilwell Group Increases Stake in Catalyst Bancorp to 8.6% and Intends to Seek Board Representation

Joseph Stilwell and the Stilwell Group (collectively, the \"Group\") filed a second amendment to their Schedule 13D on April 13, 2026, regarding their holdings in Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. (CLST). The Group reported beneficial ownership of 348,590 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 8.6% of the class. This reflects an increase in their position, specifically through open-market purchases of 87,473 shares by Stilwell Activist Investments and 1,108 shares by Stilwell Activist Fund since their last report. The filing highlights the Group's intent to seek board representation at Catalyst Bancorp. Their primary purpose for the investment is to profit from market appreciation by asserting shareholder rights, as they believe the issuer's current market price does not adequately reflect asset value. The Group has a long history of activist positions in 79 other companies since 2000, often leading to sales, mergers, or board changes. The purchases were funded through working capital and margin account loans. No other members of the Group reported transactions within the past sixty days.