investment advisory fees was due to the disposition in January 2024 of the Bank’s assets relating to the Harbor West Wealth Management Group. As a result of the transaction, the Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased $3.2 million, or 12.1%, to $29.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $26.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $1.7 million in salaries and employee benefits, $800,000 in other operating expense, $475,000 in real estate owned expense, $286,000 in outside data processing expense, and $226,000 in occupancy expense, partially offset by decreases of $183,000 in equipment expense and $110,000 in advertising expense.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.6 million, or 11.8%, to $15.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $14.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefits expense in order to retain key personnel.
Other non-interest expense increased $800,000, or 11.3%, to $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due mainly to increases of $584,000 in regulatory fees, $244,000 in service contracts expenses, $57,000 in dues and subscription expenses, $53,000 in directors’ compensation, $48,000 in directors, officers, and employees expenses, $30,000 in audit and accounting fees, $28,000 in insurance expenses, $16,000 in office supplies, and $3,000 in expenses related to the hiring of personnel. These increases were offset by decreases of $205,000 in legal fees, $28,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest expenses, $22,000 in consulting expenses, and $8,000 in telephone expenses.
Regulatory fees increased $584,000, or 34.5%, to $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to an increase in our total assets. Service contracts expenses increased $244,000, or 23.4%, to $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to the increased cost to support the growth of the Company. Dues and subscriptions expenses increased $57,000, or 11.0%, to $574,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $517,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to a general increase in these expenses.
Directors’ compensation increased $53,000, or 8.0%, to $719,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $666,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to an increase in fees. Directors, officers, and employees expenses increased $48,000, or 25.2%, to $238,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $190,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to tuition payments for employees. Audit and accounting expenses increased $30,000, or 8.0%, to $406,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $376,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to the Company’s growth resulting in additional accounting services.
Insurance expenses increased $28,000, or 9.8%, to $318,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $290,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to a general increase in insurance premiums. Office supplies increased $16,000, or 11.9%, to $148,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $132,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to the growth of the Company. Recruiting expense increased $3,000, or 13.8%, to $30,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $27,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to the hiring of additional personnel in 2024.
Legal fees decreased $205,000, or 43.3%, to $269,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $474,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to reduced usage of attorney services in 2024. The decrease of $28,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest expense was mainly due to decreases of $52,000 in miscellaneous charge-offs and $23,000 in public company expenses, partially offset by increases of $43,000 in check and correspondence bank charges and $4,000 in miscellaneous expenses.
Consultant fees decreased $22,000, or 3.5%, to $590,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $612,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to less reliance on consultants in 2024. Telephone expenses decreased $8,000, or 1.6%, to $478,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $486,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to decreased usage in 2024.