Net Interest Income and Margin:
Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was $13.3 million, an increase of $573,000 or 4%, over $12.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, and an increase of $3.2 million, or 31%, over $10.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily attributable to the growth of the loan portfolio combined with a reduction in the average cost of deposits. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, the increase in net interest income resulted from growth in earning assets and amortization of fees received on PPP loans offset, in part, by the decline in short-term interest rates and higher liquidity.
The Company’s net interest margin for the quarter was 2.94%, compared to 2.66% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 3.80% for the same period in 2020. The increase in margin compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to the growth of the loan portfolio combined with a reduction in the average cost of deposits. The decrease in margin from the same period last year was primarily the result of a decrease in short-term interest rates, partially offset by fees recognized on PPP loans.
Non-Interest Income:
The Company’s non-interest income for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020 was $921,000, $916,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. The decrease in noninterest income from the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in service charges and loan related fees.
Net interest income and non-interest income comprised total revenue of $14.3 million, $13.7 million, and $11.5 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.
Non-Interest Expense:
The Company’s non-interest expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020 was $10.1 million, $10.4 million, and $10.4 million, respectively. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily due to capitalized loan origination costs related to growth in the loan portfolio.
The Company’s efficiency ratio, the ratio of non-interest expense to revenues, was 70.70%, 76.15%, and 90.72% for the quarters ending March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.
Balance Sheet:
Total assets of $1.95 billion as of March 31, 2021, represented an increase of $41.8 million, or 2%, compared to $1.91 billion at December 31, 2020 and an increase of $740.1 million, or 61% compared to $1.21 billion at March 31, 2020.
Total loans increased by $101.2 million, or 7% to $1.47 billion at March 31, 2021, from $1.37 billion at December 31, 2021 and $501.4 million, or 52% compared to $968.9 million at March 31, 2020. Loan growth in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was centered in commercial loans and in commercial real estate loans of $24.5 million and $22.8 million, respectively, and an increase in SBA loans of $46.7 million due to additional net fundings of PPP loans.