An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses, non-performing loans and classified loans is presented under “— Risk Management — Analysis of Non-performing and Classified Assets” and “— Risk Management — Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Loan Losses.”
Provision for Losses on Ground Rents. We recorded provisions for losses on ground rents of $12,000 and $8,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Non-interest Income. Total non-interest income increased by $64,000, or 53.8%, from $118,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 to $182,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in total non-interest income primarily was due to a $118,000 increase in gain on sale of real estate held for sale. This increase was offset, in part, by a $46,000, or 95.4%, decrease in increase in cash surrender value of life insurance due to the redemption of a policy following the death of a director emeritus.
Non-interest Expenses. Total non-interest expenses decreased by $87,000, or 4.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease primarily was attributable to a $97,000, or 8.1%, decrease in salaries and employee benefits, as we achieved expense reductions from the closing of three branch offices.
Income Tax Expense. We had an income tax expense of $60,000 and $25,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate for these periods was 38.6%.
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
Overview. We had a net loss of $926,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to a net loss of $161,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in our net loss in 2013 was primarily due to a $508,000 increase in our provision for loan losses, a $475,000 increase in non-interest expense and a $185,000 decrease in net interest income, offset in part by a $57,000 increase in non-interest income.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased by $185,000, or 4.6%, from $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in net interest income is primarily attributable to a 10 basis point decline in our interest rate spread, from 2.77% for the year ended December 31, 2012 to 2.67% for the year ended December 31, 2013, as we were unable to reduce our cost of funds to match the decrease in yields earned on our interest-earning assets. Also contributing to the decrease in net interest income were a modest decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets and a modest increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities.
Interest on loans receivable, net decreased by $427,000, or 8.1%, from $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to weak loan demand.
Interest on investment securities held-to-maturity decreased by $38,000, or 8.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, reflecting as a 37 basis point decrease in the average yield on investment securities held-to-maturity more than offset a 245,000, or 1.9%, increase in the average balance of investment securities held-to-maturity. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we reinvested proceeds from loan payments into investment securities held-to-maturity due to insufficient loan demand, and such securities had lower yields due to declining market interest rates in 2013 relative to 2012.
Interest on investment securities available-for-sale decreased by $16,000, or 44.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, reflecting a $388,000, or 42.0%, decrease in the average balance of investment securities available-for-sale.
Interest on certificates of deposit decreased by $261,000, or 22.0%, during the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a 33 basis point decrease in the average cost of certificates of deposit.
Average Balances and Yields. The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets, the total dollar amounts of interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the resulting annualized average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances have been calculated using monthly balances, and non-accrual loans