loss limit) and we experienced a significant rise in claims in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017. In 2018, we also increased the 401(k) employer match to 4% (from 3%) of an employee’s eligible compensation.
Occupancy expenses, net, totaled $9.0 million, $8.9 million and $8.1 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increases in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017 were primarily due to additional locations acquired in the Merger and a few additional loan production offices that were opened during 2017.
Data processing expenses totaled $8.9 million, $8.3 million, and $7.7 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to higher mobile banking activity and software costs for new applications in several departments. The increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to the Merger as well as higher mobile banking activity and software costs for new applications in several departments.
Furniture, fixtures and equipment expense totaled $4.1 million, $4.1 million, and $3.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increases in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017 were primarily due to the Merger.
Interchange expense, which totaled $3.2 million, $2.7 million, and $1.2 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, primarily represents fees paid to our core information systems processor and debit card licensor related to debit card and ATM transactions. The increases in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017 were due primarily to the impact of the implementation of ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. Prior to 2018, certain processing costs were being netted against interchange income. As described above, under ASU 2014-09 these costs are no longer being netted against interchange income but instead are being reported as part of interchange expense. Increased debit card transaction volumes in 2019 and 2018 also contributed to the rise in this expense as well as the addition of a fraud detection service in early 2019.
Communications expense totaled $2.9 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increases in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017 were primarily due to the Merger.
Loan and collection expenses reflect costs related to new lending activity as well as the management and collection of non-performing loans and other problem credits. These expenses totaled $2.7 million, $2.7 million and $2.2 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The reduced level of expense in 2017 primarily reflects a higher level of recoveries of previously incurred expenses related to the resolution and collection of non-performing or previously charged-off loans.
Advertising expense totaled $2.5 million, $2.2 million, and $1.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to increased outdoor advertising (billboards). The increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to increased outdoor advertising (billboards) as well as the Merger.
Legal and professional fees totaled $1.8 million, $1.8 million, and $1.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decreases in 2019 and 2018 as compared to 2017 were primarily due to lower consulting costs for certain deposit account programs.
The amortization of intangible assets primarily relates to the Merger (for 2019 and 2018) and branch acquisitions and the related amortization of the deposit customer relationship value, including core deposit value, which was acquired in connection with those transactions. We had remaining unamortized intangible assets of $5.3 million and $6.4 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively. See note #7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a schedule of future amortization of intangible assets.
FDIC deposit insurance expense totaled $0.7 million, $1.1 million, and $0.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to the use of our FDIC Small Bank Assessment Credit (the “Assessment Credit”) of approximately $0.7 million. We do not have any remaining Assessment Credit to apply against our 2020 FDIC deposit insurance expense. The increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to the Merger and growth in total assets.
Supplies expenses were relatively unchanged for all periods presented.
Credit card and bank service fees totaled $0.4 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The declines in 2019 and 2018 compared to 2017 were primarily due to the sale of our payment plan processing business in May 2017.