Total operating expenses totaled $62.6 million for the first nine months of 2021 compared to $53.4 million for the same period last year, an increase of $9.2 million or 17.3%. The increase was primarily attributable to a $3.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $5.3 million increase in other expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits increased for the first nine months of 2021 mainly as a result of 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. Other expenses increased for the first nine months of 2021 mainly as a result of merger related expenses, increased FDIC insurance expense as a result of increased deposits and assessment rates, and increased COVID-19 related expenses.
The Company’s effective tax rate increased from 9.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, to 15.7% for the same period in 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily the result of an increase in taxable income relative to total income and nondeductible merger related expenses.
At September 30, 2021, total stockholders’ equity was $403.0 million compared to $370.4 million at December 31, 2020. Total stockholders’ equity increased primarily as a result of an increase in earnings and a decrease in total accumulated other comprehensive loss, offset somewhat by dividends declared.
The Company’s leverage ratio stood at 6.31% at September 30, 2021, compared to 6.64% at December 31, 2020. The decrease in the leverage ratio was due to an increase in quarterly average assets, offset somewhat by an increase in total stockholders’ equity. Book value per share as of September 30, 2021, was $72.37 compared to $66.53 at December 31, 2020.
The Company’s allowance for loan losses was $34.8 million or 1.19% of loans outstanding at September 30, 2021, compared to $35.5 million or 1.18% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2020, and $33.4 million or 1.12% of loans outstanding at September 30, 2020. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding has remained relatively stable for the time periods presented. Nonperforming assets totaled $1.3 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $4.0 million at December 31, 2020, and $1.4 million at September 30, 2020.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had COVID-19 modifications of 2 loans aggregating $16.3 million, primarily consisting of short-term payment deferrals. Of these modifications, $16.3 million, or 100%, were performing in accordance with their modified terms.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) allows companies to delay Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL), including the current expected credit losses methodology for estimating allowances for credit losses. The Company elected to delay FASB ASU 2016-13. This ASU was delayed until the earlier of the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID–19 outbreak declared by the President on March 15, 2020, terminates or December 31, 2020, with an effective retrospective implementation date of January 1, 2020. On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed into law. The law changed the delayed implementation date to the earlier of the first day of the Company’s fiscal year that begins after the date on which the national emergency terminates or January 1, 2022.