Earning Assets, Sources of Funds and Net Interest Margin
Total average interest-earning assets increased $1.7 billion, or 24.1%, to $8.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $7.0 billion for the same period in 2018. Total average interest-earning assets increased $1.4 billion, or 20.0%, to $8.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $7.0 billion for the same period of 2018. Average loans have increased due to the Banc Ed acquisition and organic growth. Loans generally have notably higher yields compared to interest-bearing bank deposits and investment securities and our loan growth contributed to a positive effect on net interest margin.
Total average interest-bearing liabilities increased $1.3 billion, or 25.4%, to $6.5 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to $5.2 billion for the same period in 2018. Total average interest-bearing liabilities increased $1.1 billion, or 21.3%, to $6.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to $5.2 billion for the same period of 2018. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $255.5 million, or 17.1%, to $1.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $1.5 billion for the same period of 2018. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $188.0 million, or 12.6%, to $1.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $1.5 billion for the same period of 2018.
Interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $21.3 million, or 30.1%, to $92.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $70.9 million in the same period of 2018. Interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $37.1 million, or 26.5%, to $177.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $140.1 million in same period of 2018. The interest income increase related primarily to the increase in average loan balances. Interest expense increased during the three months ended June 30, 2019 by $8.0 million to $18.0 million, compared to $10.0 million in the same period of 2018. Interest expense increased during the six months ended June 30, 2019 by $15.1 million to $33.9 million, compared to $18.8 million in the same period of 2018. Funding costs have increased primarily due to resetting of time deposit rates to reflect market rate increases and additional borrowings in conjunction with the Banc Ed acquisition.
Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $13.3 million, or 21.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018. Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $22.0 million, or 18.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018.
Net interest margin, our net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets stated on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased to 3.43% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 3.50% for the same period of 2018, and decreased to 3.45% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 3.50% for the same period of 2018. Net of purchase accounting accretion and amortization,(1) the net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was 3.27%, a decrease from 3.33% for the same period in 2018, and was 3.29% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, a decrease from 3.32% for the same period of 2018.
The quarterly net interest margins were as follows:
| | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | |
First Quarter | | 3.46 | % | 3.51 | % |
Second Quarter | | 3.43 | % | 3.50 | % |
Third Quarter | | — | % | 3.41 | % |
Fourth Quarter | | — | % | 3.38 | % |
(1) | For a reconciliation of net interest margin net of purchase accounting accretion and amortization, a non-GAAP financial measure, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information” included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. |
The net interest spread, which represents the difference between the average rate earned on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.16% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to 3.30% in the same period of 2018, and was 3.17% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 3.32% for the same period of 2018, each on a tax-equivalent basis.