Net Charge-offs
Net charge-offs were $1.6 million or 0.04% of total average LHFI on an annualized basis for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $4.6 million or 0.13% (annualized) for the first quarter of 2023, and $939,000 or 0.03% (annualized) for the second quarter of 2022.
Provision for Credit Losses
For the second quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $6.1 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $11.9 million in the prior quarter, and a provision for credit losses of $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2022. The provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2023 reflected a provision of $5.7 million for loan losses and a $349,000 provision for unfunded commitments.
NONINTEREST INCOME
Noninterest income increased $14.6 million to $24.2 million for the second quarter of 2023 from $9.6 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to $13.4 million of losses incurred on the sale of available for sale (“AFS”) securities in the prior quarter, driven by the Company’s balance sheet repositioning transactions, and that were not repeated during the second quarter. In addition, loan-related interest rate swap fees increased $877,000 from the prior quarter due to several new swap transactions, and other operating income increased $259,000 from the prior quarter primarily driven by an increase in loan syndication revenue. These increases in noninterest income were partially offset by a $405,000 decrease in mortgage banking income due to a decline in gain on sale margins.
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Noninterest expense decreased $2.6 million to $105.7 million for the second quarter of 2023 from $108.3 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted operating noninterest expense,(1) which excludes amortization of intangible assets ($2.2 million in the second quarter and $2.3 million in the first quarter), expenses incurred associated with our strategic cost savings initiatives principally composed of severance charges related to headcount reductions and charges for exiting leases ($3.9 million in the second quarter), and the legal reserve associated with an ongoing regulatory matter as previously disclosed ($5.0 million in the first quarter), decreased $1.5 million to $99.5 million for the second quarter of 2023 from $101.0 million in the prior quarter. The decrease in adjusted operating noninterest expense(1) was primarily due to a $1.8 million decrease included within other expenses, composed of OREO-related gains recognized in the current quarter and reduced branch closing costs as compared to the prior quarter, and a $1.4 million decrease in salaries and benefits expense, outside of severance charges related to headcount reductions in the quarter, primarily due to seasonal decreases in payroll related taxes and 401(k) contribution expenses. These decreases in adjusted operating noninterest expense(1) were partially offset by increases of $1.0 million in professional services expense related to the LIBOR transition and other strategic projects, $466,000 in marketing and advertising expense, and $424,000 in technology and data processing expense.
INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was 14.4% and 16.7%, respectively, and the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was 15.5% and 17.1%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rates is due to the increased proportion of tax-exempt income to pre-tax income for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the prior quarter and prior year, respectively.
BALANCE SHEET
At June 30, 2023, total assets were $20.6 billion, an increase of $499.0 million or approximately 10.0% (annualized)
from March 31, 2023, and an increase of $940.5 million or approximately 4.8% from June 30, 2022. Total assets increased from the prior quarter primarily due to a $482.7 million increase in LHFI (net of deferred fees and costs). Total assets increased from the prior year period primarily due to a $1.4 billion increase in LHFI (net of deferred fees and costs), partially offset by a $676.8 million decrease in investment securities due to the sale of $505.7 million in AFS securities as part of the Company’s balance sheet restructuring executed in the first quarter of 2023, as well as a decline in the market value of the AFS securities portfolio, due to the impact of market interest rate fluctuations.
At June 30, 2023, LHFI (net of deferred fees and costs) totaled $15.1 billion, an increase of $482.7 million or 13.3% (annualized) from $14.6 billion at March 31, 2023. Average LHFI (net of deferred fees and costs) totaled $14.7 billion at