Payroll taxes and employee benefits expense totaled $8.2 million, $7.9 million and $9.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in 2014 as compared to 2013 is primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in health insurance costs and a $0.1 million increase in the 401(k) plan match. The decrease in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to lower payroll taxes and health insurance costs due to the staffing decreases described above.
Occupancy expenses, net, totaled $8.9 million, $8.8 million and $10.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The slight increase in 2014 as compared to 2013 is primarily due to higher snow removal costs associated with a harsh Michigan winter in 2014. The decline in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to a reduction in the number of branch offices resulting from the Branch Sale and the closing or consolidation of certain locations during 2012.
Data processing expenses totaled $7.5 million, $8.0 million, and $8.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decline in 2014 as compared to 2013 and 2012 is due primarily to the impact of a new seven-year core data processing contract that we executed in March 2014. Under the terms of the new contract, we have reduced core data processing and interchange costs by approximately $1 million annually.
Loan and collection expenses primarily reflect costs related to the management and collection of non-performing loans and other problem credits. These expenses have declined significantly during the past two years primarily due to decreases in non-performing loans, new loan defaults and commercial watch credits. 2014, 2013 and 2012 also included $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of collection related costs at Mepco Finance Corporation (“Mepco”) primarily associated with the acquisition and management of collateral that related to receivables from vehicle service contract counterparties.
Furniture, fixtures and equipment expense declined by $0.2 million in 2014 from 2013 and declined by $0.3 million in 2013 from 2012. These declines are due primarily to our cost reduction initiatives, the Branch Sale, and the closing or consolidation of certain branch offices. A portion of these expense reductions were offset by additional depreciation expense related to the replacement of substantially all of our ATMs during 2013 to meet applicable Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Communications expense was relatively unchanged in 2014 and declined by $0.8 million in 2013, respectively, compared to each prior year. The 2013 decline primarily reflects the impact of the Branch Sale and branch closings or consolidations that occurred in 2012, decreases in mailing costs at Mepco associated with a reduction in the volume of payment plan receivables, and a decrease in telephone and data line expenses due to the renegotiation of some supplier contracts.
Advertising expense declined by $0.2 million in 2014 and was relatively unchanged in 2013, respectively, compared to each prior year. The 2014 decline was due to a reduction in direct mail costs.
Legal and professional fees totaled $2.0 million, $2.5 million, and $4.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The substantial reduction in these expenses during 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to lower costs at Mepco because of reduced litigation activities, and 2012 also included approximately $1.0 million of professional fees at the Bank associated with a consulting firm that was engaged to assist us in identifying and implementing revenue enhancement, expense reduction and process improvement initiatives.
FDIC deposit insurance expense totaled $1.6 million, $2.4 million, and $3.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decline in 2014 as compared to 2013 reflects a full-year reduction in the Bank’s risk based premium rate due to our improved financial metrics. The decline in 2013 as compared to 2012 principally reflects the decrease in total assets due primarily to the Branch Sale as well as a reduction in the Bank’s risk based premium rate in the fourth quarter of 2013 due to our improved financial metrics.
Interchange expense primarily represents fees paid to our core information systems processor and debit card licensor related to debit card and ATM transactions. The decrease in this expense in 2014 as compared to 2013 is primarily due to the impact of our new seven-year core data processing contract that we executed in March 2014. The decrease in this expense in 2013 as compared to 2012 was due primarily to the Branch Sale that resulted in reduced debit card and ATM transaction volumes.
Supplies expense has declined over the past two years consistent with our cost reduction initiatives and the smaller size of the organization resulting from the Branch Sale and the closing or consolidation of branches.