As illustrated in the table above, the main contributors to the increase in net interest income for the three and
six-month
period was a decrease in rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The Company has decreased interest rates on these products as market rates have decreased. Securities
securities
interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and loan income decreased primarily from a decrease in rates paid on the portfolios. Securities
income decrease was offset, somewhat, by an increase in volume. Loan income increased for the three months ended June 30, 2021, primarily as a result of increased volume.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses decreased by $3,325,000 from $2,775,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to a credit of $550,000 for the same period in 2021. The provision for the first six months of 2020 was primarily a result of provisions related to the onset of the
COVID-19
pandemic. The credit provision for the first six months of 2021 was primarily attributable to a reduction in specific allocations to the allowance for loan losses and a reduction in the historical experience reserve allocation.
Further discussion relating to changes in portfolio composition is discussed in Note 4.
Non-Interest
Income and Expense
Other operating income for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 increased by $65,000 from the same period last year to $4,106,000. This was mainly attributable to an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $148,000 and an increase in lockbox fees of $42,000. This was offset, somewhat, by a decrease of $125,000 in other income. Service charges on deposit accounts increased mainly as a result of an increase in processing activities and an increase in debit card fees. Lockbox fees increased mainly as a result of increased customer activity. Other income decreased mainly as a result of a decrease in insurance gains on life insurance policies.
Other operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased by $42,000 from the same period last year to $8,309,000. This was mainly attributable to a decrease in other income of $220,000. This was offset, somewhat, by an increase of $108,000 in lockbox fees and $70,000 in service charges on deposit accounts. Service charges on deposit accounts increased mainly as a result of a increase in processing activities and an increase in debit card fees. Lockbox fees increased mainly as a result of increased customer activity. Other income decreased mainly as a result of a decrease in insurance gains on life insurance policies.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, operating expenses increased by $3,970,000, or 23.3%, to $21,012,000, from the same period last year. This was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $2,015,000, an increase of $135,000 in occupancy costs, an increase of $447,000 in FDIC assessments, and an increase of $1,404,000 in other expenses. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was mainly attributable to merit increases, lower bonus accruals during the same period in 2020 as a result of uncertainties from the
COVID-19
pandemic, decreased deferred origination cost credits, and increased employee benefits including health insurance costs. The increase in FDIC assessments was attributable to increased deposits and increased deposit assessment rates. The increase in occupancy costs was mainly attributable to an increase in building maintenance costs. Other expenses increased mainly as a result of expenses related to the previously announced merger, increases in
COVID-19
related expenses, and increases in charitable contributions.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, operating expenses increased by $6,668,000, or 18.9%, to $41,883,000, from the same period last year. This was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $2,894,000, an increase of $322,000 in occupancy costs, an increase of $81,000 in equipment expenses, an increase of $919,000 in FDIC assessments, and an increase of $2,452,000 in other expenses. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was mainly attributable to merit increases, lower bonus accruals during the same period in 2020 as a result of uncertainties from the
COVID-19
pandemic, decreased deferred origination cost credits, and increased employee benefits including health insurance costs. The increase in FDIC assessments was attributable to credits applied during the first quarter of 2020, increased deposits and increased deposit assessment rates. The increase in occupancy costs was mainly attributable to an increase in building maintenance. Other expenses increased mainly as a result of expenses related to the previously announced merger, increases in
COVID-19
related expenses, and increases in charitable contributions. Equipment expense increased mainly from an increase in depreciation expense.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $2,262,000 on pretax income of $13,085,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 17.3%. For last year’s corresponding quarter, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $1,061,000 on pretax income of $11,117,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 9.5%. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in taxable income relative to total income and nondeductible merger related expenses.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $3,941,000 on pretax income of $25,534,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 15.4%. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company’s income tax expense totaled $1,658,000 on pretax income of $21,380,000 resulting in an effective tax rate of 7.8%. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in taxable income relative to total income and nondeductible merger related expenses.