Service charges on customer deposit account income increased $0.3 million, or 6%, to $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase is primarily due to higher overdraft income, ATM fees, and analysis income during the comparable periods. This service charge income was relatively unchanged at $23.1 million for the year ending December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.
Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense increased by $2.6 million, or 12%, in the fourth quarter of 2023 relative to the fourth quarter of 2022, and increased by $7.9 million, or 9%, for the year ended 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022.
Salaries and Benefits were $1.4 million, or 12%, higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 and $3.9 million, or 8%, higher for the year ended 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. We had severance payments of $0.9 million due to a strategic reduction in force on 14 positions eliminated through efficiencies gained from operational reorganization and the deployment of new technologies, partially offset by a $0.5 million reduction in the bonus accrual. Overall full-time equivalent employees were 485 at December 31, 2023 as compared to 491 at December 31, 2022. The decrease in FTE was due to the reduction in force during the fourth quarter of 2023, as several management positions were eliminated due to operational efficiencies.
Occupancy expenses were $0.4 million higher for both the fourth quarter of 2023 and year-to-date as compared to the same periods in 2022. The primary reason for increase in the quarterly and year-to-date comparisons was a one-time payment of $0.2 million for home office stipends for staff that work remotely and regular rent escalations.
Other noninterest expense increased $0.8 million, or 12%, for the fourth quarter 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter in 2022, and increased $3.5 million, or 12%, for the year ended 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The variance for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily driven by higher FDIC assessment costs, increased marketing costs associated with a deposit acquisition campaign, higher travel costs due to our expanded remote work force, and elevated debit card losses. These increased expenses were partially offset by lower costs in core processing and internet banking costs. For the year-over-year comparison, the categories of increase were the same as with the quarterly comparison, along with a $2.0 million unfavorable variance in directors deferred compensation expense, linked to the changes in BOLI income, a $0.6 million increase in foreclosed asset costs related to the foreclosure and subsequent sale of one large loan relationship in the first quarter of 2023. Positive variances for the year-over-year comparison included a $0.2 million decrease in deposit statement costs and a $0.3 million decrease in miscellaneous losses due to restitution payments made to customers in 2022 who were charged nonsufficient funds fees on representments.
The Company's provision for income taxes was 23.8% of pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2023 relative to 21.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and 25.0% of pre-tax income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The increase in effective tax rate in the fourth quarter is due to tax credits and tax-exempt income representing a smaller percentage of total taxable income. The decline in tax-exempt income is due mostly to tax exempt municipal securities representing a smaller portion of total taxable securities.
Balance Sheet Summary
Balance sheet changes for the year ended December 31, 2023 include an increase in total assets of $121.2 million, or 3%, primarily as a result of a $67.5 million increase in investment securities, a $37.1 million increase in gross loans, a $19.8 million increase in other assets, net of a $5.6 million decrease in Bank owned premises and equipment.
The increase in investment securities of $68.2 million in 2023 consisted primarily of increases in AAA tranches of collateralized loan obligations of $72.3 million and in callable government agency securities for $51.6 million, partially offset by decreases in mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and state and municipal bonds.
Gross loan balances increased $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily a result of a $50.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse utilization, $18.8 million increase in commercial real estate,