Interest expense increased $6.2 million to $17.4 million, or 2.02% as a percentage of average deposits, for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $11.2 million, or 1.43% as a percentage of average deposits, for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was almost equally due to increases in rate and average balance of interest bearing liabilities. Interest expense, as an annualized percentage of average total finance receivables, increased 52 basis points to 1.84% for the year ended December 31, 2018, from 1.32% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The average balance of deposits was $785.6 million and $777.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, average term securitizations outstanding were $75.2 million at a weighted average coupon of 3.75%. There were no outstanding borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, MBB, serves as our primary funding source. MBB raises time deposits through a variety of sources including: directly from customers, through the use ofon-line listing services, and through the use of deposit brokers. At December 31, 2018, brokered certificates of deposit represented approximately 56.3% of total deposits, while approximately 40.4% of total deposits were obtained from direct channels, and 3.3% were in the brokered MMDA Product.
Insurance premiums written and earned.Insurance premiums written and earned increased $0.9 million to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to an increase in the number of contracts enrolled in the insurance program as well as higher average ticket size
Other income. Other income increased $3.7 million to $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Other income primarily includes various administrative transaction fees and fees received from referral of leases to third parties, and gain on sale of leases and servicing fee income, recognized as earned. Selected major components of other income for the year ended December 31, 2018 included $0.8 million of referral income, $2.1 million of insurance policy fees, and $9.0 million gain on the sale of leases and servicing fee income. In comparison, selected major components of other income for the year ended December 31, 2017 included $2.5 million of referral income, $1.8 million of insurance policy fees, and $3.7 million gain on the sale of leases and servicing fee income. Gain on sale of leases and servicing fee income and referral fee income increases are due to the Company’s expanded capital markets activities and capabilities.
Salaries and benefits expense.Salaries and benefits expense increased $2.2 million, or 5.9%, to $39.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $37.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to an increase in total personnel and increased compensation related to increased origination volume. Salaries and benefits expense, as a percentage of average total finance receivables, was 4.21% for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared with 4.44% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Total personnel was 341 at December 31, 2018 compared to 330 at December 31, 2017.
General and administrative expense.General and administrative expense decreased $3.4 million, or 12.0%, to $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $28.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily related to the provision for customer restitution recorded in 2017. General and administrative expense as a percentage of average total finance receivables was 2.64% for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to 3.34% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Selected major components of general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 included $3.7 million of premises and occupancy expense, $1.7 million of audit and tax compliance expense, $3.8 million of data processing expense, $1.9 million of marketing expense, $1.1 million of FDIC insurance fees and $1.6 million of insurance related expenses. In comparison, selected major components of general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 included $3.5 million of premises and occupancy expense, $1.6 million of audit and tax compliance expense, $3.3 million of data processing expense, $1.8 million
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