yield and the average yield on a taxable-equivalent basis(1) on interest-earning assets increased to 3.36% and 3.53% for 2022, respectively, from 3.19% and 3.36% for 2021, respectively, primarily due to higher market interest rates and a shift in the asset mix to loans from investment securities.
Interest income on loans was $6.0 million for 2022 compared to $5.2 million for 2021. The increase was due to an increase in average loans outstanding of $20.1 million, or 17.2%, to $136.8 million in 2022 from $116.7 million in 2021, partially offset by a decrease in the average yield and average yield on a taxable-equivalent basis(1) on loans receivable to 4.42% and 4.42% for 2022, respectively, from 4.50% and 4.50% for 2021, respectively.
Interest income on investment securities increased $416,000, or 17.9%, to $2.7 million for 2022 from $2.3 million for 2021, primarily due to a $14.7 million increase in the average balance of total investment securities to $119.4 million for 2022 from $104.7 million for 2021 and a six basis-point increase in the average taxable-equivalent yield on investment securities.
Interest income on interest-bearing deposits with banks increased $27,000, due primarily to an increase in the average yield to 0.48% for 2022 from 0.02% for 2021, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $6.4 million for 2022 from $16.3 million for 2021.
Total interest expense increased $467,000, or 71.7%, due to increases in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities and the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 0.56% for 2022 from 0.38% for 2021. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $25.3 million to $197.9 million for 2022 from $172.7 million for 2021, due primarily to increases in the average balance of total deposits and FHLB borrowings.
The Federal Reserve made aggressive rate actions during 2022, implementing multiple rate hikes in an effort to tame inflation that has reached its highest levels in decades. The FFTR was increased a total of 425 bps during 2022, beginning the year at a range of 0.00% to 0.25% and ending the year at a range of 4.25% to 4.50%. As a result, the Prime rate increased from 3.25% at the beginning of 2022 to 7.50% as of December 31, 2022, ending the year at its highest level since 2007.
Provision for Loan Losses. Based on an analysis of the factors described in “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses,” the Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $135,000 for 2022 compared to a recapture of the provision for loan losses of $120,000 for 2021. The recorded investment in non-performing loans decreased to $732,000, or 0.5% of total loans at December 31, 2022, compared to $753,000, or 1.1% of total loans at December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, net recoveries totaled $34,000 compared to net recoveries of $54,000 for 2021. The recorded investment in impaired loans decreased $108,000 or 7.0%, from $1.5 million at December 31, 2021 to $1.4 million at December 31, 2021.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $28,000, or 2.3%, to $1.2 million for 2022 as compared to $1.2 million for 2021. The nominal year-over-year increase in noninterest income was primarily due to increases of $82,000 in deposit account service charges, $36,000 gain in life insurance and $21,000 in ATM and debit card fee income, partially offset by $110,000 in brokered loan fees.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $244,000, or 3.7%, to $6.8 million for 2022 as compared to $6.6 million for 2021. The increase was due primarily to increases in data processing fees of $122,000, occupancy and equipment expenses of $52,000, marketing and business development expenses of $37,000, professional fees of $19,000, a $91,000 loss on disposal of premises and equipment and a $37,000 loss on the disposal of real estate held for sale, partially offset by decreases in compensation and benefits of $137,000.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $91,000 for 2022 compared to $67,000 for 2021 resulting from increases in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate for 2022 increased to 4.6% compared to 4.0% for 2021. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this report for additional information.