Table of Contents Noninterest Expense  — Noninterest expense decreased $1.64 million or 0.87% in 2020 over 2019 following a $2.54 million or 1.36% increase in 2019 from 2018. The following table shows noninterest expense for the most recent three years ended December 31. Total salaries and employee benefits increased $4.46 million or 4.59% in 2020 from 2019, following a $3.24 million or 3.45% increase in 2019 from 2018. Employee salaries increased $4.71 million or 6.03% in 2020 from 2019 compared to an increase of $1.00 million or 1.29% in 2019 from 2018. The increase in 2020 was mainly a result of higher base salaries due to normal merit increases, a rise in commission compensation primarily in our residential mortgage area as well as a one-time special award made to most employees at the end of 2020 as recognition for the dedication they have shown in serving our clients and embracing their role as essential workers. The increase in 2019 was mainly a result of higher base salaries due to normal merit increases and a slight increase in full-time equivalent employees offset by a decrease in incentive compensation due to fewer vestings of share-based compensation arrangements. Employee benefits decreased $0.25 million or 1.31% in 2020 from 2019, compared to a $2.25 million or 13.38% increase in 2019 from 2018. During 2020, group insurance costs decreased as a result of overall lower health insurance claims experience offset by higher company contributions to employee retirement accounts. In 2019, group insurance costs increased as a result of overall higher health insurance claims experience, administrative expenses and stop loss premiums and higher company contributions to employee retirement accounts. Occupancy expense declined $0.25 million or 2.39% in 2020 from 2019, compared to an increase of $0.49 million or 4.85% in 2019 from 2018. The reduced expense in 2020 was primarily the result of lower repair expenses offset by increased building depreciation. The higher expense in 2019 was primarily the result of the Company leasing office space in its former headquarters building which sold during the first quarter of 2019 offset by reduced snow removal costs and lower utility expenses compared to 2018. Furniture and equipment expense, including depreciation, grew by $0.87 million or 3.52% in 2020 from 2019 compared to an increase of $1.38 million or 5.90% in 2019 from 2018. The higher expense in 2020 was primarily due to computer processing charges and increased software maintenance expense offset by a reduction in equipment depreciation. The higher expense in 2019 was primarily due to increased software maintenance costs. Depreciation on equipment owned under operating leases decreased $4.93 million or 19.60% in 2020 from 2019, following a $1.12 million or 4.27% decrease in 2019 from 2018. In 2020 and 2019, depreciation on equipment owned under operating leases correlated with the change in equipment rental income. Professional fees declined $0.64 million or 9.13% in 2020 from 2019, compared to a $0.73 million or 9.48% decrease in 2019 from 2018. The lower expense in 2020 was primarily due to reduced utilization of consulting services offset by an increase in board of directors fees. The lower expense in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to reduced utilization of consulting services as 2018 projects were completed. Supplies and communications expense decreased $0.89 million or 13.81% in 2020 from 2019, and increased $0.13 million or 2.12% in 2019 from 2018. The decline during 2020 was due to lower printing costs, telephone line and equipment expenses and postage fees. The increase in 2019 resulted primarily from higher printing costs were offset by lower telephone service expenses. 29 (Dollars in thousands)  2020 2019 2018 Noninterest expense: Salaries and employee benefits $ 101,556 $ 97,098  $ 93,857  Net occupancy 10,276 10,528  10,041  Furniture and equipment 25,688 24,815  23,433  Depreciation — leased equipment 20,203 25,128  26,248  Professional fees 6,317 6,952  7,680  Supplies and communications 5,563 6,454  6,320  FDIC and other insurance 2,606 1,795  2,923  Business development and marketing 4,157 6,303  6,112  Loan and lease collection and repossession 3,099 3,402  3,375  Other 7,902 6,534  6,478  Total noninterest expense $ 187,367 $ 189,009  $ 186,467 