Recent public news coverage for NSTS Bancorp is limited, with the most notable item being insider buying reported in January 2022.

• Insider buying activity involving NSTS was reported on January 20, 2022 [N1].

NSTS Bancorp benefits from its established community banking franchise with over 100 years of history through its subsidiary. Its focused lending strategy on residential mortgages in a diversified regional economy provides a stable revenue base. The company’s conservative credit risk management and low levels of non-performing loans support asset quality. Expansion of loan production offices in the Chicagoland area may enhance geographic reach. The ESOP and employee retention efforts contribute to operational stability and customer service continuity.

NSTS Bancorp operates in a highly competitive regional banking market with larger and better-capitalized competitors. Its relatively small size and limited geographic footprint may constrain growth opportunities. The company reported a net loss in the latest fiscal year, indicating challenges in profitability. Regulatory limitations on dividend payments and capital distributions may restrict financial flexibility. Economic downturns, changes in interest rates, or adverse real estate market conditions could negatively impact loan performance and margins. The company’s reliance on a limited number of loan types and regional economic conditions presents concentration risks.

NSTS Bancorp’s moat is primarily based on its long-standing community presence and deep customer relationships in Lake County, Illinois, and surrounding areas. Its focus on one- to four-family residential mortgage lending tailored to local market needs, combined with a conservative underwriting approach and diversified loan portfolio, supports its competitive position. However, the company faces significant competition from larger banks, credit unions, and non-depository financial institutions, which may limit its market share expansion. Its regulatory oversight and capital position as a smaller savings and loan holding company also influence its operational flexibility.

• Economic and Market Conditions: Adverse changes in general economic conditions, real estate values, and interest rate environments could impact loan demand, credit quality, and margins.
• Credit Risk and Loan Performance: Changes in loan delinquencies, charge-offs, and adequacy of allowance for credit losses could affect financial results.
• Regulatory and Compliance Risks: Changes in laws, regulations, capital requirements, and regulatory fees could impact operations and capital management.
• Competition: Significant competition from larger banks, credit unions, and non-depository financial institutions may limit growth and pricing power.
• Operational Risks: Risks include technology disruptions, cybersecurity incidents, and challenges in integrating any future acquisitions or new business initiatives.
• Liquidity and Funding Risks: Managing liquidity and accessing cost-effective funding sources, including deposit fluctuations, is critical to operations.
• Employee Retention and Management: The company’s success depends on attracting and retaining qualified employees and executive officers.

• NSTS Bancorp, Inc. is a Delaware corporation incorporated in September 2021 and is a savings and loan holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.
• NSTS Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for North Shore Trust and Savings, a federally-chartered stock savings institution established in 1921 and wholly owned by NSTS Bancorp.
• The company completed its conversion from mutual to stock form on January 18, 2022, and its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker NSTS.
• North Shore Trust and Savings operates primarily in Lake County, Illinois, and adjacent communities, with headquarters and main office in Waukegan, Illinois, two additional full-service branches in Waukegan and Lindenhurst, and three loan production offices in Chicago, Aurora, and Plainfield, Illinois.
• The company focuses on attracting deposits from the general public and using those funds to originate loans and purchase investments, primarily one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.
• As of December 31, 2025, the loan portfolio totaled approximately $129.5 million, with 91.3% consisting of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.
• Other loan types include multi-family residential, commercial real estate, construction loans, and consumer loans, with commercial real estate and construction loans each representing about 3% of the loan portfolio.
• The company derives income mainly from interest on loans and investment securities, gains on sale of mortgage loans, and fees related to loan origination and deposit services.
• North Shore Trust and Savings invests in bank owned life insurance (BOLI) to fund benefit plan obligations and generate non-taxable noninterest income.
• The company faces significant competition from credit unions, commercial banks, savings banks, mortgage companies, and non-depository financial institutions in its market area.
• NSTS Bancorp, Inc. does not own or lease property but pays North Shore Trust and Savings for use of premises and services; officers of NSTS Bancorp are also officers of the bank.
• As of December 31, 2025, NSTS Bancorp had $34.0 million in cash and cash equivalents.
• The company reported a net loss of $386,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, with basic EPS of -$0.08.
• Diluted EPS for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, was $0.01.
• The allowance for credit losses was approximately $1.1 million at December 31, 2025, with a loan portfolio non-performing loans ratio of 0.22%.
• The company’s business strategy focuses on enhancing products and services with emphasis on one- to four-family residential first mortgage loans and maintaining commercial and multi-family real estate loan holdings.
• The company’s market area includes Lake, Cook, and Will Counties in Illinois and Kenosha County in Wisconsin, with a diversified employment base.
• NSTS Bancorp, Inc. is authorized to pursue other business activities permitted by law, including acquisitions, but currently has no agreements to acquire other institutions.
• The company had 49 full-time equivalent employees as of December 31, 2025, with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) established for employees.
• The company is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
• NSTS Bancorp, Inc. is currently exempt from consolidated regulatory capital requirements as a savings and loan holding company with less than $3 billion in assets.
• The company’s liquidity is supported by deposits, loan repayments, investment maturities, and borrowings from sources such as the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, though no borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2025.
• The company offers various deposit accounts including checking, money market, savings, and time deposits, with 50.7% of deposits classified as core deposits at year-end 2025.
• The company’s loan underwriting includes conservative debt service coverage ratios and collateral evaluations, with no charge-offs reported for commercial real estate and multi-family loans in 2025.
• The company’s financial figures are summarized from the latest available SEC filings and are provided for informational purposes only — not financial advice.