million at December 31, 2013. We did not purchase or sell any securities during 2014. The yield on our investment securities increased to 1.39% at December 31, 2014 from 1.36% at December 31, 2013 as a result of the pay downs and increased yields on securities during the period. Net unrealized losses on securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased $118,000 to an unrealized loss of $17,000 at December 31, 2014 compared to a unrealized loss of $135,000 at December 31, 2013, reflecting changes in interest rates during the period. At December 31, 2014, investment securities classified as available-for-sale consisted entirely of government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities, government-sponsored debentures, municipal securities, and U.S. government and agency securities with a focus on suitable government-sponsored securities to augment risk-based capital.
Real Estate Owned and Other Repossessed Assets. Real estate owned held for sale decreased $702,000, or 60.4% to $467,000 at December 31, 2014 from $1.2 million at December 31, 2013, as we sold $1.1 million of foreclosed properties and foreclosed on $387,000 of non-performing loans, recorded $5,000 valuation adjustments and $2,000 in net gains on sales. At December 31, 2014 our real estate owned included two commercial real estate properties, the largest of which was a commercial property with a carrying value of $207,000.
Deposits. Deposits decreased by $9.6 million, or 8.9%, to $98.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $108.1 million at December 31, 2013. Our core deposits increased $1.3 million, or 1.9%, to $71.6 million at December 31, 2014 from $70.3 million at December 31, 2013. Certificates of deposit decreased $10.9 million, or 28.9%, to $26.9 million at December 31, 2014 from $37.8 million at December 31, 2013. The decreases resulted primarily from management’s efforts to reduce our balance sheet in order to improve capital ratios and reduce interest expenses. The sale of our Decatur office, on January 24, 2014, resulted in a decrease of approximately $13.3 million in deposits, including $8.4 million in core deposits and $4.9 million in certificates of deposit.
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances. Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $10.0 million, or 100%, to $10.0 million at December 31, 2014 from $0 at December 31, 2013. We incurred $10.0 million in additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances in January, 2014 in order to fund the sale of our Decatur office.
Stock Conversion Proceeds Held in Escrow and Other Liabilities. Stock conversion proceeds held in escrow were $3.1 million on December 31, 2013. The Bank was accepting stock subscriptions over year end with the stock conversion occurring on January 16, 2014. Other liabilities which includes interest and accounts payable, customer escrow balances and accruals for items such as employee pension and insurance premiums were $548,000 on December 31, 2014 and $690,000 on December 31, 2013, a decrease of $142,000, or 20.6%.
Total Equity. Total equity increased $4.0 million, or 43.0%, to $13.3 million at December 31, 2014 from $9.3 million at December 31, 2013. The increase resulted from proceeds received from the stock conversion that was completed on January 16, 2014.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
General. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $816,000, compared to net loss of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to decreases in provision for loan losses, losses on real estate owned, professional fees and other expenses related to real estate owned, offset by an increase in income related to mortgage banking activities.
Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income decreased $195,000, or 4.5%, to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily the result of a $154,000 decrease in interest and fee income on loans receivable and an $18,000 decrease in interest on investment securities. The average balance of loans during the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $2.7 million to $ 88.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $85.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, while the average yield on loans decreased by 31 basis points to 4.37% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 4.68% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in yield on loans was due to the declining interest rate environment, our conversion of certain higher-yield, higher-risk loans to lower-yielding, lower risk loans, and an increase in payoffs of higher interest rate loans as customers refinanced loans at lower rates. The average balance of