The Corporation will continue its safe and sound banking practices, but the continuing impact of the 2023 crisis and further extent on the Corporation’s operations and financial results for the remainder of 2024 is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
On November 13, 2023, First Financial Corporation, an Indiana corporation ("FFC"), First Financial Bank, National Association, a national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of FFC (“First Financial Bank”), and SimplyBank., a Tennessee-chartered commercial bank (“SimplyBank”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Merger Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, FFC will form an interim national banking association as a wholly-owned subsidiary, which will merge with and into SimplyBank, with SimplyBank as the surviving entity (the "Interim Merger"). Immediately following the Interim Merger, SimplyBank will merge with and into First Financial Bank, with First Financial Bank as the surviving entity (the "Bank Merger," and together with the Interim Merger, the "Transactions").
The primary components of income and expense affecting net income are discussed in the following analysis.
Net Interest Income
The Corporation’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans and other investments and the interest paid for deposits and other sources of funds. Net interest income decreased $5.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $38.9 million from $44.3 million in the same period in 2023. The net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is 3.53% compared to 3.96% for the same period in 2023, a 10.83% decrease.
The increase in yields on net loans and leases of 49 basis points is the primary contributor to the improved yield on average earning assets for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was due to market conditions as a result of Federal Reserve interest rate increases. Comparing the three months ended March 31, 2024 to the three months ended March 31, 2023, the effective rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits increased 101 basis points, due to rate competition in the market. For the same period discussed above, interest paid on other borrowings increased 148 basis points due to higher borrowing rates.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $9.4 million unchanged from the first quarter 2023.
Non-Interest Expenses
The Corporation’s non-interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $33.4 million compared to $32.3 million for the same period in 2023.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Corporation’s provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $1.8 million, unchanged from the first quarter of 2023. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2024 were $1.5 million compared to net charge-offs of $2.0 million for the same period of 2023. Based on management’s analysis of the current portfolio, an evaluation that includes consideration of changes in CECL model assumptions of credit quality, economic conditions, and loan composition, management believes the allowance is adequate. In the first quarter 2024, no significant changes were made.
Income Tax Expense
The Corporation’s effective income tax rate for the first three months of 2024 was 16.79% compared to 18.42% for the same period in 2023. Pretax income for the first three months in 2023 was significantly higher than pretax income for first three months in 2024. Since our permanent differences remained similar, income was the driving factor for the decrease in effective tax rate.
Non-performing Loans
Non-performing loans consist of (1) non-accrual loans on which the ultimate collectability of the full amount of interest is uncertain, and (2) loans past due ninety days or more as to principal or interest. Non-performing loans decreased to $24.3 million at March 31,