Occupancy and equipment expense increased $275 thousand, or 13.4%, over the period due largely to the expansion of our physical office footprint into Maryland with 8 mortgage loan production offices having opened since early 2020. Professional fees were up $319 thousand, or 22.2%, over the period due to largely to a one-time consent fees related to the change in accountants early in 2021, not in 2020. This is combined with an increase in consulting fees as the bank continues to invest in various company-wide technology focused projects. Advertising and promotion expenses were up $493 thousand, or 40.6%, over the same period due to the improvements to the economy and a pull back on COVID-19 related restrictions that has allowed bank employees to spend more time in business development and community outreach capacity.
Balance Sheet Summary
As of June 30, 2021, total assets were $1.7 billion, a decrease of $11.2 million from December 31, 2020. Total assets increased $129.9 million, or 8.2%, from June 30, 2020 primarily due to strong loan growth.
Total loans, net of allowance, grew $76.0 million, or 6.0%, to $1.3 billion as of June 30, 2021, from $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2020. There was growth in several commercial categories from December 31, 2020, as we continue to expand our presence in the Philadelphia market region. Commercial real estate loans increased $44.2 million, or 8.8%, small business loans increased $25.8 million, or 51.7%, and lease financings increased $35.4 million, or 107.2%, as our Meridian Equipment Finance (“MEF”) leasing team continued their strong growth pattern after starting up in early 2020. Residential mortgage loans held for sale decreased $95.5 million, or 41.7%, to $133.7 million as of June 30, 2021, while PPP loans decreased $13.7 million, or 6.9%, over this period.
Deposits were $1.4 billion as of June 30, 2021, up $171.9 million, or 13.9%, from December 31, 2020. Non-interest bearing deposits increased $58.0 million, or 28.4%, from December 31, 2020. Interest-bearing checking accounts increased $51.4 million, or 24.9%, from December 31, 2020, while money market accounts/savings accounts increased $59.0 million, or 10.3% since December 31, 2020. Increases in core deposits were driven from loan customers as part of new business and municipal relationships and also as a result of the PPP loan process. Certificates of deposits increased $3.6 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2020.
Consolidated stockholders’ equity of the Corporation was $152.9 million, or 8.9% of total assets as of June 30, 2021, as compared to $141.6 million, or 8.2% of total assets as of December 31, 2020. The change in stockholders’ equity is the result of year-to-date net income of $18.4 million, partially offset by dividends of $7.8 million paid during the first six months of 2021. As of June 30, 2021, the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.97% for the Corporation and 11.28% for the Bank, the Tier 1 risk-based capital and common equity ratios were 10.16% for the Corporation and 12.80% for the Bank, and total risk-based capital was 14.23% for the Corporation and 14.18% for the Bank. Quarter-end numbers show a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (a non-GAAP measure) of 8.71% for the Corporation and 10.92% for the Bank. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is included in the Appendix. Tangible book value per share was $24.06 as of June 30, 2021, compared with $22.55 as of March 31, 2021.
Asset Quality Summary
Asset quality remains strong despite the pressures that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses and the economy locally and nationally. COVID-19 loan modifications provided to borrowers amounted to $29.0 million as of June 30, 2021, up slightly from $28.8 million as of March 31, 2021. Meridian realized net charge-offs of 0.01% of total average loans for the quarter ending June 30, 2021, slightly up from the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Total non-performing assets, including loans and other real estate property, were $8.2 million as of June 30, 2021, compared to $8.6 million as of March 31, 2021. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets as of June 30, 2021 was 0.48% compared to 0.49% as of March 31, 2021. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment, excluding loans at fair value and PPP loans (a non-GAAP measure), was 1.58% as of June 30, 2021 and 1.65% as of March 31, 2021. PPP loans are excluded from calculation of this ratio as they are guaranteed by the SBA and therefore we have not provided for in the allowance for loan losses. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is included in the Appendix.