1.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in deposit and funding costs. Interest expense on deposit accounts increased $675,000, or 217.0%, to $986,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $311,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, due to an increase in the average deposit cost of 104 basis points, or 196.7%, from 0.53% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 1.56% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and an increase in average interest-bearing deposits of $16.2 million, or 6.8% from $236.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to $252.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, with the increase being in higher yielding certificates of deposit and money market deposits, offset by a decrease in lower cost interest-bearing transaction accounts. Part of the migration to higher yielding accounts results from a deposit retention strategy of offering a special higher interest rate CD and higher money market rates implemented during the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The speed of the market rate increases created a competitive deposit market quickly, especially after the four consecutive 75 basis point raises from June to November.
Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $382,000, or 265.3%, to $526,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $144,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was due primarily to the increase in the average balance of Federal Home Loan Bank advances of $32.7 million, or 120.0%, to $59.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $27.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and an increase in average yield of 140 basis points, or 66.0%, from 2.11% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 3.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in average advances was primarily to fund an investment strategy initiated in 2022 and to fund loans. At March 31, 2023, we have lengthened our short-term advances as they have matured and are holding onto any excess liquidity in interest bearing accounts. The Company believes this to be prudent given the uncertainty in the market, including consumer behavior and interest rates, and management concerns about regulatory response and public perceptions in light of recent large regional bank failures.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $323,000, or 13.0%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 due primarily to the increase in interest-earning assets of $46.7 million, or 13.5%, to 392.5 million at March 31, 2023 from $345.8 million at March 31, 2022, partially offset by a decrease in net interest rate spread of 22 basis points, or 8.6%, from 2.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 2.29% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net interest margin had a one basis point increase to 2.68% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Provision for Credit Losses. Based on management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, the provision for credit losses was $90,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $40,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $50,000, or 125.0%, primarily due to an increase in loans and leases and the adoption of ASC 326. See the CECL section in the financial statements for further explanation of the Bank’s transition to the new methodology.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income decreased $1.7 million, or 340.0%, to a loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from income of $453,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, due primarily to a $1.7 million loss on the sale of securities during the three months ended March 31, 2023. This was partially offset by two income items that were not in the quarter ended March 31, 2022. There was additional loan fee income from the wholesale lending program of $24,000 and rental income of $7,600 on two newly acquired buildings located adjacent to the current Bank premises that were purchased in January of 2023 for future expansion.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $395,000, or 18.2%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $2.2 million primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, data processing, contract services, and other expenses.
Salary and employee benefit expenses increased by $205,000, or 16.7%, to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, due to normal salary and benefits increases and an increase in compensation expense of $103,000 for stock awards and stock options awarded under the 2022 Equity Plan, which was approved by shareholders on August 31, 2022. The Equity Plan was not in existence during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Technology expenses increased $21,000, or 23.9%, to $109,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to higher costs. Other expenses increased $105,000, or 37.6%, primarily due to an increase of $53,000 in audit and accounting expenses, a $22,000 increase in insurance expenses and