period, and 1.72% and 19.16% for the six months ended March 31, 2022, versus 0.84% and 8.95%, respectively, for the prior year period.
Total non-accrual loans at March 31, 2022 were $10.5 million, or 0.81% of total loans, compared to $7.0 million, or 0.56% of total loans at September 30, 2021 and $9.4 million, or 1.22% of total loans, at March 31, 2021. Management believes all of the Company’s non-accrual loans at March 31, 2022 are well collateralized and no specific reserves have been taken with regard to these loans. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 94%, 122% and 87% at March 31, 2022, September 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively.
The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 54.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 versus 69.4% a year ago. The significant improvement in the operating efficiency ratio was due to a $6.9 million increase in net interest income and $2.0 million increase in non-interest income (primarily gain on sale of loans held-for-sale) partially offset by a $3.6 million increase in operating expenses (primarily compensation and benefits).
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates - To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Critical accounting estimates are accounting estimates where (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and (b) the impact of the estimate on financial condition or operating performance is material.
The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis.
Financial Condition – Total assets of the Company were $1.5 billion at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021. Total loans at March 31, 2022 were $1.3 billion, compared to total loans of $1.2 billion at September 30, 2021. Total deposits were $1.2 billion at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021. Total borrowings at March 31, 2022 were $100.4 million, including $37.9 million of outstanding FHLB advances.
For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company’s loan portfolio, net of sales, grew by $40.6 million to $1.3 billion. At March 31, 2022, the residential loan portfolio amounted to $424.5 million, or 32.9% of total loans. Commercial real estate loans, including multi-family loans and construction and land development loans, totaled $792.0 million or 61.4% of total loans at March 31, 2022. Commercial loans, including PPP loans, totaled $72.5 million or 5.6% of total loans.
Total deposits were $1.2 billion at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021. Core deposit balances, which consist of demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits, represented 76.7% and 67.6% of total deposits at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. At those dates, demand deposit balances represented 16.0% and 16.4% of total deposits. Beginning in late 2020, we began a municipal deposit program. The program is based upon relationships of our management team, rather than bid based transactions. At March 31, 2022, total municipal deposits were $405.0 million, representing 19 separate governmental clients, compared to $350.5 million at September 30, 2021, representing 18 separate governmental clients. The average rate on the municipal deposit portfolio was 0.18% at March 31, 2022.
Borrowings at March 31, 2022 were $75.8 million, including $37.9 million in PPPLF funding, versus $159.6 million at September 30, 2021. At March 31, 2022, the Company had $37.9 million of outstanding FHLB advances as compared to $42.0 million at September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2021, the Company’s borrowings from the PPPLF were $117.7 million, and have declined as PPP loans are forgiven by the SBA.
Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity management is defined as both the Company’s and the Bank’s ability to meet their financial obligations on a continuous basis without material loss or disruption of normal operations. These