Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense was $24.4 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $25.2 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $23.9 million for the third quarter of 2020. The decrease in noninterest expense of $825,000 between the third quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a $874,000 decrease in professional and director fees. Professional fees related to Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering, or BSA/AML, compliance matters decreased $1.2 million to $202,000 for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2021. This decrease in BSA/AML related professional fees during the third quarter of 2021 was partially offset by increases in consulting fees related to a loan review project.
The increase in noninterest expense of $514,000 for the third quarter of 2021, compared to the third quarter of 2020, was primarily due to a $668,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $164,000 increase in occupancy expense, a $104,000 increase in data processing and software, and a $126,000 increase in security and protection expense, partially offset by a $879,000 decrease in professional and director fees. Professional fees related to BSA/AML compliance matters decreased $1.3 million to $202,000 for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2020.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2021, $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. The effective tax rates were 16.81% for the third quarter of 2021, 18.70% for the second quarter of 2021 and 17.31% for the third quarter of 2020. The differences between the federal statutory rate of 21% and the effective tax rates were largely attributable to permanent differences primarily related to tax exempt interest income and bank-owned life insurance earnings.
Balance Sheet Highlights
Loans
Loans excluding loans held for sale were $2.6 billion at September 30, 2021, $2.7 billion at June 30, 2021 and $3.0 billion at September 30, 2020. The decrease from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021 and the decrease from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021 were both primarily due to larger loan paydowns than loan originations.
The decrease in loans was also impacted by the decrease in the Company’s PPP loans which were $100.8 million, net of deferred fees and unearned discounts, at September 30, 2021, $179.1 million at June 30, 2021 and $324.3 million at September 30, 2020. During the third quarter of 2021, no PPP loans were originated and payments totaling $80.6 million were received. During the second quarter of 2021, $20.4 million of PPP loans were originated and payments totaling $110.4 million were received.
In support of customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company offered relief through payment deferrals during 2020 and the first nine months of 2021. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 7 loans subject to such deferral arrangements with outstanding principal balances of $18.8 million and 9 loans on deferral arrangements with total outstanding principal balances of $20.5 million at June 30, 2021 and 41 loans on deferral arrangement with total outstanding principal balances totaling $82.4 million at September 30, 2020.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and equivalents increased $210.4 million from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021 and $621.2 million from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021. These increases are primarily due to loan payments received and net deposit inflows.
Securities
Securities were $359.5 million at September 30, 2021, $309.2 million at June 30, 2021 and $226.1 million at September 30, 2020. The increase in securities was primarily due to purchases out pacing maturities, call and paydowns.