Employee benefits decreased $246,000, or 4.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, and increased $825,000, or 17.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease for the year ended 2016 over 2015 was primarily due to a decrease in 401(k) profit-sharing and pension expenses, and medical plan premiums, which was due to a change in the Company’s health insurance plan effective July 1 , 2016. The increase for the year ended 2015 over 2014 was primarily due to an increase in 401(k) profit-sharing and pension expenses.
FDIC insurance assessment decreased $300,000, or 34.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015, and decreased $66,000, or 7.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. In February 2011, the FDIC adopted a rule that requires large institutions to bear the burden of raising the reserve ratio form 1.15% to 1.35% in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act. The quarter after the reserve ratio reached 1.15%, lower assessment rates, surcharges, and new pricing for small intuitions under $10 billion became effective July 1, 2016 and appeared on the December 31, 2016 invoicing. Once the reserve ratio reaches 1.38%, small institutions, such as Hawthorn, will receive credits to offset their contribution to raising the reserve ratio to 1.35%.
Real estate foreclosure expense and (gains), net increased $593,000, or 265.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, and decreased $1.1 million, or 126.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
Net gains recognized on other real estate owned were $21,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to net gains of $671,000 and a net loss of $ 371,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Expenses to maintain foreclosed properties were $391,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $448,000 and $474,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Loan expenses increased $186,000, or 44.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015, and increased $120,000, or 39.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in 2016 over 2015 primarily related to new application product fees for a home equity promotion.
Other non-interest expense increased $46,000, or 1.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, and increased $271,000, or 9.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in 2015 over 2014 was primarily due to an impairment write-down on a building held for sale partially offset by the loss recorded due to employee fraud that management discovered during the third quarter 2014.
Comparing fourth quarter 2016 to third quarter 2016
Consolidated net income available to shareholders’ increased to $2.0 million for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $1.9 million for the third quarter 2016. Net interest income increased to $10.4 million for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $10.1 for the third quarter of 2016 with $1.2 billion in average interest earning assets for both periods.
A $450,000 provision for loan losses was required for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $300,000 for the third quarter of 2016. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter 2016 were $34,000, or 0.00% of average loans, compared to $222,000, or 0.02% of average loans for the third quarter 2016.
Non-interest income increased to $2.4 million for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2016. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in real estate servicing fees partially offset by a decrease in gain on sale of investment securities. Mortgage loan servicing fees earned on loans sold were $200,000 for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $233,000 for the third quarter 2016. Total net gains (losses) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets serviced were $160,000 for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $(237,000) for the third quarter 2016. The Company’s loans sold were $9.1 million for the fourth 2016 compared to $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2016.
Non-interest expense increased to $9.3 million for the fourth quarter 2016 compared to $9.1 million for the third quarter 2016. This increase primarily resulted from an increase in real estate foreclosure expense,