Interest rates experienced a more dramatic fall during March of 2020 as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by the Federal Reserve to support the U.S. economy and markets, including historic reductions to the federal funds rate, all of which drove further declines in asset yields. As a result of a 29 basis points decrease in the yield on earning assets and an 11 basis points increase in the cost to fund earning assets, the Company’s net interest margin decreased to 3.65% for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to 4.05% for the first quarter of 2019.
The provision for loan losses increased to $115,000 in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of economic uncertainties associated with theCOVID-19 pandemic as compared to ($6,000) in the first quarter of 2019. The allowance for loan losses was $3,433,000 as of March 31, 2020, representing 0.89% of total loans outstanding. In comparison, the allowance for loan losses was $3,472,000 as of December 31, 2019, which was 0.88% of total loans outstanding.Non-performing loans to total loans increased slightly to 0.43% as of March 31, 2020, compared to 0.29% as ofyear-end 2019. Allowance coverage ofnon-performing loans was 207% as of the end of the quarter compared to 306% as ofyear-end 2019. Management views the allowance balance as being sufficient to offset potential future losses associated with problem loans.
Noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 increased $295,000, or 28%, to $1,340,000 from $1,045,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The increase was mainly due to a $90,000 increase in income derived from the Bank’s investment in Bankers Insurance, LLC, a $76,000 increase in investment and insurance sales commissions, a $36,000 increase in ATM and interchange fees, and a $22,000 increase in fees generated from sales of mortgage loans.
Noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 increased $989,000, or approximately 26%, to $4,822,000 from $3,833,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The increase is primarily attributed to $550,000 in merger related legal and consulting fees as previously stated. The Company also experienced a $268,000 increase in salaries and benefits and an $80,000 increase in occupancy expense, both associated with strategic growth initiatives referenced earlier.
Total assets as of March 31, 2020 were $502,817,000, up less than 1% from $500,530,000 as of December 31, 2019. The principal components of the Company’s assets as of March 31, 2020 were $385,644,000 in total loans, $41,917,000 in securities and $42,250,000 in cash and cash equivalents. During the first quarter of 2020, total loans decreased approximately 2%, or $7,876,000, from $393,520,000 as of December 31, 2019, while securities decreased approximately 7%, or $3,041,000, from $44,958,000. Consequently, cash and cash equivalents increased 28%, or $9,347,000, from $32,903,000 as of December 31, 2019.
Total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 were $457,538,000, up $2,453,000 or less than 1% from $455,085,000 as of December 31, 2019. Higher levels of deposits drove the increase in liabilities.
Total stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2020 was $45,279,000 and consisted primarily of $42,634,000 in retained earnings. In comparison, as of December 31, 2019 total stockholders’ equity was $45,445,000. Both the Company and Bank remain “well capitalized” per all regulatory definitions.
In other news, as previously announced on April 8, 2020, consummation of the strategic merger of Virginia Bank Bankshares, Inc. (“Virginia Bank”) with and into Pinnacle will be delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Pinnacle and