The net interest margin increased 27 basis points, from 1.50% for the prior year period to 1.77% for the current year period, due primarily to the leverage strategy being in place during the prior year period but not in the current year period. The leverage strategy negatively impacted the net interest margin for the prior year period by 16 basis points. The remaining improvement in the net interest margin absent the leverage strategy was due to higher yields on securities and loans which outpaced the increase in the cost of deposits, largely in retail certificates of deposit.