robust capital position, spotless asset quality and ample liquidity. We continued cultivating clients and prospects, while some of our competitors chose to scale back or cease lending. Our underwriting remained steadfast and we booked loans where we could earn an appropriate return. We believe providing an unmatched customer experience, regardless of the economic cycle, differentiates us from our peers. While we were unable to produce a fifth consecutive year of record earnings, we de-risked the balance sheet with our July restructuring and increased our net interest margin and core earnings. We look forward to 2024 and having the balance sheet to capitalize on new opportunities and driving long-term shareholder value.”
Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Credit Quality
Total assets were $2.24 billion at December 31, 2023, $2.30 billion at September 30, 2023 and $2.35 billion at December 31, 2022.
Total loans, net of unearned income, increased $70.5 million or 3.9% to $1.86 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.79 billion at December 31, 2022 and increased $39.8 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 or 8.7% annualized from $1.82 billion at September 30, 2023. Detail on the loan growth can be seen in the attached tables.
The carrying value of the Company’s fixed income securities portfolio was $265.5 million at December 31, 2023, $265.4 million at September 30, 2023 and $457.0 million at December 31, 2022. The reduction in the portfolio resulted primarily from the Restructuring. As of December 31, 2023, 96.1% of our bond portfolio was covered by the implied guarantee of the United States government or one of its agencies. At December 31, 2023, nearly 61.0% of the fixed income portfolio was invested in amortizing bonds, which provides the Company with a source of steady cash flow. At December 31, 2023, the fixed income portfolio had an estimated weighted average life of 4.3 years. The available-for-sale portfolio comprised approximately 64.0% of the fixed income securities portfolio and had a weighted average life of 3.0 years at December 31, 2023. The held-to-maturity portfolio comprised approximately 36.0% of the fixed income securities portfolio and had a weighted average life of 6.7 years at December 31, 2023. The Company did not purchase any fixed income securities during the three or twelve month periods ended December 31, 2023.
The Company’s balance sheet remains highly liquid. The Company’s liquidity position, defined as the sum of cash, unencumbered securities and available secured borrowing capacity, totaled $638.9 million as of December 31, 2023 compared to $763.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and represented 28.5% and 32.5% of total assets, respectively. In addition to available secured borrowing capacity, the Bank had available federal funds lines of $100.0 million at December 31, 2023.
Total deposits were $1.91 billion at December 31, 2023, $1.98 billion at September 30, 2023 and $2.06 billion at December 31, 2022. Total deposits decreased $75.0 million or 3.8% when compared to September 30, 2023. Detail on the deposit activity can be seen in the attached tables. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $634.1 million of deposits that were not insured or not collateralized by securities compared to $614.0 million at September 30, 2023. Deposits that were not insured or not collateralized by securities represented only 33.3% of total deposits at December 31, 2023 compared to 31.0% at September 30, 2023.
The Company obtained a $54.0 million advance from the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) on May 15, 2023 to secure lower funding costs relative to wholesale deposits. The BTFP advance has a term of one year, bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.80% and can be prepaid without penalty prior to maturity. Total borrowings as of December 31, 2023 consisted of subordinated debt totaling $24.7 million, the BTFP advance totaling $54.0 million, and federal funds purchased totaling $10 million. The Company did not have any Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) advances outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
Shareholders’ equity increased $17.1 million or 8.0% to $229.9 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $212.8 million at December 31, 2022. Book value per share was $16.25 as of December 31, 2023 compared to $15.09 as of December 31, 2022, an increase of 7.7%. The year-over-year change in book value per share was primarily due to the Company’s earnings over the previous twelve months and decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by increased share count from shareholder option exercises and restricted share award issuances and dividends paid. The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss was primarily attributable to the sale of certain available-for-sale investment securities in the July 2023 Restructuring and decreases in unrealized losses on our available-for-sale investment portfolio due to market value changes. Book value per share increased from $15.61 as of September 30, 2023 or 16.3% annualized.