For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, noninterest expense totaled $107.6 million, an increase of $17.1 million, or 18.9%, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Noninterest expense
(unaudited - dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve months ended December 31, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ change | | | % change | |
Compensation expense | | $ | 58,291 | | | $ | 51,061 | | | $ | 7,230 | | | | 14.2 | % |
Net occupancy and equipment | | | 16,480 | | | | 9,771 | | | | 6,709 | | | | 68.7 | % |
Contracted data processing | | | 2,242 | | | | 2,788 | | | | (546 | ) | | | -19.6 | % |
Taxes and assessments | | | 3,663 | | | | 2,772 | | | | 891 | | | | 32.1 | % |
Professional services | | | 4,952 | | | | 5,388 | | | | (436 | ) | | | -8.1 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 1,579 | | | | 1,296 | | | | 283 | | | | 21.8 | % |
ATM/Interchange expense | | | 2,420 | | | | 2,248 | | | | 172 | | | | 7.7 | % |
Marketing | | | 1,352 | | | | 1,513 | | | | (161 | ) | | | -10.6 | % |
Software maintenance expense | | | 4,167 | | | | 3,433 | | | | 734 | | | | 21.4 | % |
Other | | | 12,465 | | | | 10,223 | | | | 2,242 | | | | 21.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total noninterest expense | | $ | 107,611 | | | $ | 90,493 | | | $ | 17,118 | | | | 18.9 | % |
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Compensation expense increased primarily due to $6.2 million of expense related to the acquisition of CLF. Other increases related to salaries were a result of annual merit increases and add-to-staff positions as well as increases in employee insurance. The year-to-date average full time equivalent (FTE) employees were 531 at December 31, 2023, an increase of 50 FTEs over the same period in 2022.
The increase in occupancy and equipment expense is primarily due to a $6.1 million increase in equipment depreciation related to the acquisition of CLF.
Amortization of intangible assets increased $283 thousand in 2023 compared to 2022 related to the core deposit intangible associated with the acquisition of Comunibanc.
Software expense increased $734 thousand, primarily due to a $364 thousand increase attributable to the digital banking platform in 2023. Additionally, new software platforms, as well as other increases related to converting systems and regular increases in monthly software fees, led to an increase of $110 thousand.
The increase in other operating expense is primarily due to a $467 thousand increase in bad check loss expense, a $313 thousand provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and additional expenses related to CLF of $422 thousand. Business promotion, dues and subscriptions, travel & lodging and donations all increased as well.
The efficiency ratio was 65.2% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to 64.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The change in the efficiency ratio is primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by increases in net interest income and noninterest income.
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