Year to Date Earnings
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $8.7 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, compared to $10.3 million, or $1.32 per diluted share for the same period in 2019. Returns on average assets and common equity for the current period were 1.36% and 10.03%, respectively, compared to 1.90% and 13.86% for the same period of 2019. In 2020, we recorded an additional provision for credit losses totaling $3.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, based on qualitative factors reflective of the rapid decline in economic conditions due to the pandemic in the first six months of 2020, as well as recording our current quarter’s provision for loan losses at these elevated levels.
Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $2.3 million, or 9.1%, to $27.6 million, due to growth in average interest earning assets totaling $133.4 million, or 19.3%, to $825.3 million when compared to the same period in 2019. Our net interest margin decreased 42 basis points to 4.46% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 4.88% for the same period in 2019 primarily due to higher levels of interest earning cash balances coupled with accelerated prepayments in our available-for-sale securities portfolio due to the historically low interest rate environment. Further, declines in loan yields were primarily offset by rate reductions on interest bearing deposits as part of the Company’s overall asset/liability management strategy. Average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $88.3 million, or 17.7%, to $587.3 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, with growth concentrated in our commercial attorney and multifamily portfolios.
The provision for loan losses was $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a $3.5 million increase from the comparable period in 2019. The higher provision was due to loan growth and an increase in our economic and non-economic qualitative risk factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the overall economy.
Noninterest income increased $1.3 million, or 15.2%, to $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. Our merchant payment processing platform experienced strong growth that was partially offset by decreased income on ASP fees for off-balance sheet funds. Merchant processing income increased $1.5 million, or 19.2%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was due to the expansion of our sales channels through ISOs, increased number of merchants, payment processing volume increases and fee allocation arrangements as we continue to focus on prudently growing this source of stable fee income. Other noninterest income, consisting primarily of ASP fee income, declined by $221 thousand compared to the same period in 2019 due to significant reductions in short-term interest rates. Our ASP fee income is impacted by the volume and duration of off-balance sheet funds and short-term interest rates.
Noninterest expense increased $2.3 million, or 12.6%, to $20.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. This increase was primarily driven by increases in employee compensation and benefits, data processing costs, occupancy and equipment costs, professional and consulting fees, and certain other expenses offset by decreases in marketing and sales related costs. Employee compensation and benefits costs increased $1.6 million, or 14.8%, due to increases in the number of employees due to growth and our new digital platform, as well as the impact of year-end salary and stock-based compensation increases. Data processing costs increased $415 thousand, or 22.3% due to increased processing volume, primarily driven by our core banking platform, as well as additional costs related to certain technology implementations. Occupancy and equipment costs increased $336 thousand, or 24.0%, primarily due to amortization of internally developed software for our technology initiatives, precautionary office cleaning costs related to COVID-19 and additional office space to support growth. Professional and consulting fees increased $236 thousand, or 11.0%, driven by the expansion of our technology and marketing efforts tied to our new digital platform. Charitable donations increased $110 thousand in 2020, in an effort to assist the local community in responding to hardships brought on from the current crisis. Marketing and sales related costs decreased $530 thousand, or 53.4%, due to a freeze on travel and a transition to virtual attendance at industry conferences as well as other business development expenses impacted by the pandemic. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 55.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to 54.8% for the same period ended 2019 as we continue to strategically invest in our Company’s future. We believe this investment in technology, people and resources will significantly enhance our growth prospects in 2021 and beyond.
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended 2020 was approximately 26.5% as compared to approximately 27.0% for same period in 2019.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets, totaling $7.6 million, consisted of loans 90 days past due and still accruing totaling $5.8 million and several nonaccrual consumer loans totaling $1.8 million as of September 30, 2020. Loans 90 days past due were comprised of one multifamily loan serviced by a third party that is past maturity with loan payments held by Esquire Bank. Based on discussions with the servicer and the borrower, the loan should be extended and payments will be applied to bring this credit current in the fourth quarter of 2020. At September 30, 2020, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans, assets and the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming assets was 1.20%, 0.86% and 152%, respectively, including loans 90 days past due and still accruing. As of September 30, 2020, the allowance for loan losses was $11.6 million, or 1.82% of total loans, as compared to $6.7 million, or 1.26% of total loans at September