Year-over-year net income at West Springfield-based United Financial Bancorp, parent company of United Bank, rose more than 17 percent in the first quarter – largely on the strength of falling interest expense and rising non-interest income.

The company reported net income of almost $2.85 million in the first quarter, compared to almost $2.43 million during the same period last year.

In the quarter, the holding company recorded total interest expense, including deposits, short-term borrowing and long-term debt, of approximately $3.87 million – down more than 21 percent from roughly $4.93 million last year.

Non-interest income totaled $2.57 million, compared to $2.15 million last year. Fee income on depositors accounts rose almost 9 percent to more than $1.4 million in the first quarter, from $1.29 million last year.

The company’s assets also improved over the year. As a result, the provision for loan losses fell to $650,000 in the first quarter, from $808,000 last year.