As illustrated in the table above, the main contributors to the increase in net interest income were from loans, securitiesheld-to-maturity, securitiesavailable-for-sale, and interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Securitiesheld-to-maturity income increased primarily as a result of an increase in rates. Loan income increased primarily from an increase in volume and an overall increase in rates. Securitiesavailable-for-sale income increased from an increase in rates paid on the portfolio. The Company has a sizable floating rateavailable-for-sale portfolio. These securities reprice as interest rates rise. Interest-bearing deposits income increased primarily from an increase in rates. The increase in interest income was partially offset by an increase in interest expense. This was mainly the result of increased rates paid on money market, saving and NOW accounts, and time deposits. The Company has modestly raised interest rates on these products to remain competitive.
Provision for Loan Losses
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the loan loss provision was $0 compared to a provision of $450,000 for the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the loan loss provision was $900,000 compared to a provision of $1,340,000 for the same period last year. The loan loss provision decreased primarily as a result of net recoveries of $1,390,000 offset by changes in qualitative factors and loan growth. Further discussion relating to changes in portfolio composition is discussed in footnote number four.
Non-Interest Income and Expense
Other operating income for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 increased by $227,000 from the same period last year to $4,169,000. This was mainly attributable to an increase in lockbox fees of $157,000, an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $48,000, and an increase in gains on sales of investments of $58,000. Also, other income decreased by $36,000. Lockbox income increased as a result of an increase in customer accounts. Service charges on deposit accounts increased primarily as a result of an increase in customer activity. Other income decreased primarily as a result of a smaller increase in the cash surrender values of life insurance policies.
Other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased by $58,000 from the same period last year to $12,084,000. This was mainly attributable to a decrease in net gains on sales of loans of $370,000 and a decrease in lockbox fees of $63,000. This was partially offset by an increase in net gain on sales of securities of $255,000, an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $89,000, and an increase in other income of $31,000. Other income increased primarily as a result of an increase in wealth management fees, and merchant charge card fees. Also, service charges on deposit accounts increased primarily as a result of an increase in customer activity. Lockbox income decreased as a result of a decrease in customer accounts during the first six months of the year.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, operating expenses increased by $1,143,000 or 7.1% to $17,348,000, from the same period last year. This was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $637,000, an increase in other expenses of $425,000, an increase in occupancy expenses of $54,000, and an increase in FDIC assessments of $28,000. Equipment expenses remained relatively stable. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was mainly attributable to an increase in salaries associated with merit increases and increased bonus accruals. Other expenses increased primarily as a result of increases in marketing, postage and delivery, and contributions. FDIC assessments increased primarily as a result of increases in balances. Occupancy costs increased primarily as a result of increases in building maintenance costs.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, operating expenses increased by $1,381,000 or 2.7% to $52,508,000, from the same period last year. The increase in operating expenses for the period was mainly attributable to an increase of $1,234,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $229,000 in other expenses, and $110,000 in equipment expenses. This was partially offset by decreases in occupancy expense of $84,000 and FDIC assessments of $108,000. Salaries and employee benefits increased mainly as a result of merit increases. Equipment expenses increased mainly as a result of increased depreciation expense. Other expenses increased primarily as a result of increased consulting and software maintenance costs. FDIC assessments decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in the assessment rate. Occupancy costs decreased primarily as a result of decreased rent expense associated with a reduction in rent at certain locations.
Income Taxes
For the third quarter of 2018, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $444,000 on pretax income of $10,025,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 4.4%. For last year’s corresponding quarter, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $617,000 on pretax income of $8,640,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 7.1%. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily the result of an increase in tax exempt income, as well as a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 34% to 21% as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
For the first nine months of 2018, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $1,259,000 on pretax income of $27,547,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 4.6%. For last year’s corresponding quarter, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $1,313,000 on pretax
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