Nonperforming loans were $469,000 at December 31, 2024, compared to $178,000 at March 31, 2024. Included in the $469,000 of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024, was a $301,000 of SBA and USDA government guaranteed loan. The Company expects to receive all principal and interest on this SBA and USDA loan since the Company purchased the guaranteed portion of the loan which is backed by government guaranteed interest certificates.
The ratio of the ACL for loans to nonperforming loans was 3273.35% at December 31, 2024 compared to 8631.46% at March 31, 2024. See “Asset Quality” above for additional information related to asset quality that management considers in determining the appropriate level of the ACL.
Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $285,000 and $801,000 to $3.3 million and $10.5 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $3.1 million and $9.7 million for the same periods in the prior year. The increase for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year was primarily due to approximately $583,000 in other non-interest income related to a legal expense recovery from settled litigation in the prior year. In addition, asset management fees income increased by $177,000 and $514,000 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to new client relationships and continued positive equity market performance during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024. Other changes in non-interest income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year included a decrease of $41,000 and $315,000 in fees and service charges, respectively. The decrease in fees and service charges for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024 primarily resulted from a decrease in employee retention credit income of $18,000 and $186,000 and a decrease in interchange income of $41,000 and $108,000, respectively.
Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $603,000 and $2.2 million to $11.2 million and $32.8 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $10.6 million and $30.6 million for the same periods in the prior year, respectively. Salaries and employee benefits increased $380,000 and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to increases in compensation expense, bonus expense, and recruiting expense. Occupancy and depreciation expense increased by $173,000 and $757,000 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to increases in computer software, depreciation, repair and maintenance expenses as the Company continues to update and modernize branch locations. Additionally, a one-time lease termination fee was incurred in September 2024 as a result of the Company purchasing its Orchards branch location. Other changes in non-interest expense were increases of $76,000 and $262,000 in professional fees for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to increases in consulting expense. Offsetting these fluctuations was a decrease in other non-interest expense of $56,000 and $257,000 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to excess accrued expenses related to litigation recognized in the prior year and an increase in fraud recoveries, partially offset by additional accruals for business and occupation taxes. For further information regarding the litigation, see “Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies.”
Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $343,000 and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $377,000 and $1.9 million for the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in the provision for income taxes was due to lower pre-tax income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024, was 21.8% and 21.4%, respectively, compared to 20.6% and 21.9% for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2023, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 is due to lower pretax income. At December 31, 2024, management deemed that a valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax asset was not necessary. At December 31, 2024, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $9.5 million compared to $9.8 million at March 31, 2024.