$660.2 million increase in average balances of such deposits, a 193-basis point increase in rates paid on CDs and an increase of $488.1 million in average balances of such deposits and a 133-basis point increase in rates paid on savings accounts and an increase of $41.8 million in average balances of such deposits. The increases in interest expenses on money market accounts, saving accounts and CDs were primarily due to price competition among banks and other financial institutions and the rising interest rate environment.
Provision for Credit Losses. We recorded a credit loss provision of $5.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a credit loss recovery of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The $5.2 million credit loss provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was primarily associated with increased provisioning for our pooled multifamily loan portfolio. The $3.6 million credit loss recovery for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily associated with a reduction in reserves on pooled Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) loans that were acquired as part of the Company’s 2021 merger of equals transaction.
Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income was $10.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $9.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest income increased $1.5 million from the three months ended March 31, 2023, reflecting an increase of $3.0 million from gain on sale of Bank’s premises, partially offset by a decrease of $2.7 million related to loan level derivative income.
Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $52.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $47.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest expense increased $5.0 million from the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to a $5.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits.
Non-interest expense was 1.52% and 1.41% of average assets during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $6.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to income tax expense of $13.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The reported effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 27.1%, and 26.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk were presented at December 31, 2023 in Item 7A of the Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024. The following is an update of the discussion provided therein.
General. The Company’s largest component of market risk remains interest rate risk. The Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we conducted zero transactions involving derivative instruments requiring bifurcation in order to hedge interest rate or market risk.
Interest Rate Risk Exposure Analysis
Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) Analysis. In accordance with agency regulatory guidelines, the Company simulates the impact of interest rate volatility upon EVE using several interest rate scenarios. EVE is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the value of any off-balance sheet items, such as derivatives, if applicable.
Traditionally, the fair value of fixed-rate instruments fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates thus result in decreases in the fair value of interest-earning assets, which could adversely affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the event they were to be sold, or, in the case of interest-earning assets classified as available-for-sale, reduce the Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity, if retained. The changes in the value of assets and liabilities due to fluctuations in interest rates measure the interest rate sensitivity of those assets and liabilities.