Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $1.7 million to $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $6.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was a result of a $3.8 million increase in interest expense, partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in interest and dividend income. Our interest rate spread decreased 122 basis points to 1.78% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.00% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and our net interest margin decreased by 106 basis points to 2.07% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.13% for the three months ended December 31, 2022. A $74.5 million, or 9.6%, increase in the average balance of interest earning assets was offset by a $75.6 million, or 11.0% increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities.
Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $2.1 million, or 26.2%, to $10.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $8.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest and dividend income was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in interest income on loans. The increase in interest on loans resulted from a 68 basis point, or 14.4%, increase in the average yield on loans to 5.41% from 4.73%, and a $85.4 million, or 15.3%, increase in the average balance of loans to $644.0 million from $558.5 million. The increase in interest income on securities resulted from a 13 basis point, or 4.8%, increase in the average yield on securities to 2.87% from 2.74%, partially offset by a $10.0 million, or 4.9%, decrease in the average balance of securities to $194.0 million from $204.0 million.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $3.8 million, or 183.4%, to $5.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to an 185 basis point, or 154.7%, increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.05% from 1.20%, and a $75.6 million, or 11.0%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $765.0 million from $689.4 million.
Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased by $2.9 million, or 200.5%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to an increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.73% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from 0.94% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a $19.0 million, or 3.1%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $634.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $615.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
Interest expense on borrowings increased $887,000, or 143.5%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $618,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to an increase in the average balance of borrowings to $130.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $73.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a 126 basis point increase in the average cost of such borrowings to 4.62% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 3.36% for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
Provision (Credit) for Credit Losses. We establish provisions for credit losses, which are charged to operations in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level we consider necessary to absorb probable credit losses inherent in our loan portfolio. We recorded a provision for credit losses on loans for $437,000 and a credit for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures for $(73,000) for a total provision for credit losses of $364,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to a provision for credit losses on loans of $142,000 and a credit for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures of $(41,000) for a total provision for credit losses of $101,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, net recoveries of $48,000 were recorded, while during the three months ended December 31, 2022, net recoveries of $1,000 were recorded.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $47,000, or 5.4%, to $915,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from $868,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net realized gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale securities, partially offset by a decrease in mortgage banking income, net, and a decrease in brokerage commissions. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, net realized gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale securities increased $183,000 to $0, mortgage banking income, net, decreased $95,000 to $(48,000), and brokerage commissions decreased $44,000 to $157,000, from the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale securities was the result of securities sold at a loss in the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in mortgage banking income, net, was a result of a decrease in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights and a decrease in loan servicing fees in the three months ended December 31, 2023, and the decrease in brokerage commissions was the result of a decrease in the amount of renewal commissions and management fees.
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