million at June 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.5 million from $39.6 million at December 31, 2020. The yield on SBA loans, which are generally floating and adjust quarterly to the Prime rate, was 6.31 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 6.93 percent in the prior year.
The guarantee rates on SBA 7(a) loans range from 50 percent to 90 percent, with the majority of the portfolio having a guarantee rate of 75 percent at origination. The guarantee rates are determined by the SBA and can vary from year to year depending on government funding and the goals of the SBA program. The carrying value of SBA loans held for sale represents the guaranteed portion to be sold into the secondary market. The carrying value of SBA loans held to maturity represents the unguaranteed portion, which is the Company’s portion of SBA loans originated, reduced by the guaranteed portion that is sold into the secondary market. Approximately $96.4 million and $98.9 million in SBA loans were sold but serviced by the Company at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are not included on the Company’s balance sheet. There is no relationship or correlation between the guarantee percentages and the level of charge-offs and recoveries on the Company’s SBA 7(a) loans. Charge-offs taken on SBA 7(a) loans effect the unguaranteed portion of the loan. SBA loans are underwritten to the same credit standards irrespective of the guarantee percentage.
The CARES Act provided assistance to small businesses through the establishment of the PPP. The PPP provided small businesses with funds to pay up to 24 weeks of payroll costs, including certain benefits. The funds are provided in the form of loans that may be fully or partially forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The payments on these loans were deferred for up to six months. Loans made after June 5, 2020, mature in five years, and loans made prior to June 5, 2020, mature in two years and can be extended to five years if the lender agrees. Forgiveness of the PPP loans is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Most small businesses with 500 or fewer employees were eligible. Applications for the PPP loans started on April 3, 2020 and the application period was extended through August 8, 2020. As an existing SBA 7(a) lender, the Company opted to participate in the program. Applications for PPP loans under the Economic Aid Act started on January 13, 2021 and were available until March 31, 2021.
Commercial loans are generally made in the Company’s marketplace for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. These loans amounted to $885.6 million at June 30, 2021, an increase of $45.8 million from year end 2020. The yield on commercial loans was 4.99 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 5.11 percent for the same period in 2020. The SBA 504 program, which consists of real estate backed commercial mortgages where the Company has the first mortgage and the SBA has the second mortgage on the property, is included in the Commercial loan portfolio. Generally, the Company has a 50 percent LTV ratio on SBA 504 program loans at origination.
Residential mortgage loans consist of loans secured by 1 to 4 family residential properties. These loans amounted to $422.2 million at June 30, 2021, a decrease of $45.4 million from year end 2020. Sales of mortgage loans totaled $183.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The yield on residential mortgages was 4.55 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 4.93 percent in the 2020 period. Residential mortgage loans maintained in portfolio are generally to individuals that do not qualify for conventional financing. In extending credit to this category of borrowers, the Bank considers other mitigating factors such as credit history, equity and liquid reserves of the borrower. As a result, the residential mortgage loan portfolio of the Bank includes adjustable rate mortgages with rates that exceed the rates on conventional fixed-rate mortgage loan products but which are not considered high priced mortgages.
Consumer loans consist of home equity loans and loans for the purpose of financing the purchase of consumer goods, home improvements, and other personal needs, and are generally secured by the personal property being purchased. These loans amounted to $64.6 million, a decrease of $1.5 million from year end 2020. The yield on consumer loans was 4.97 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 5.09 percent for the same period in 2020.
Residential construction loans consist of short-term loans for the purpose of funding the costs of building a home. These loans amounted to $99.9 million, an increase of $12.7 million from year end 2020. The yield on residential construction loans was 5.94 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 6.04 percent for the same period in 2020.