Intangible amortization also increased due to the Citizens merger adding an additional $1.2 million in intangible amortization expense. Increased deposit insurance premiums were primarily due to the increase in the assessment base following the Citizens merger as well as the FDIC’s increased base assessment rates effective January 2023. Charges related to merger and acquisition activities were immaterial in the current period, as compared to charges in the year ago period totaling $777,000 reflected in data processing, legal and professional fees.
We expect, over time, to continue to grow our assets through the origination and occasional purchase of loans, and purchases of investment securities. The primary funding for this asset growth is expected to come from retail deposits, brokered funding, and short- and long-term FHLB borrowings. We have grown and intend to continue to grow deposits by offering desirable deposit products for our current customers and by attracting new depository relationships. We will also continue to explore strategic expansion opportunities in market areas that we believe will be attractive to our business model.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31 and June 30, 2023
The Company experienced balance sheet growth in the first six months of fiscal 2024, with total assets of $4.6 billion at December 31, 2023, reflecting an increase of $283.3 million, or 6.5%, as compared to June 30, 2023. Growth primarily reflected an increase in cash equivalents and net loans receivable.
Cash and cash equivalents were a combined $217.1 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $161.9 million, or 293.1%, as compared to June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily the result of strong deposit generation that outpaced loan growth during the period. AFS securities were $417.4 million at December 31, 2023, down $148,000, or roughly unchanged as compared to June 30, 2023.
Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses (ACL), were $3.7 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $110.7 million, or 3.1%, as compared to June 30, 2023. Gross loans increased by $113.0 million, while the ACL attributable to outstanding loan balances increased $2.3 million, or 4.7%, as compared to June 30, 2023. The increase in loan balances was attributable to growth in drawn construction loan balances, residential real estate loans, commercial loans, and commercial real estate loans. Our residential real estate loans, which are comprised of single-family and multi-family loans, increased due to increased single-family owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate loans, which was partially offset by paydowns in loans secured by multi-family property. Commercial loan balances increased as the Company experienced growth in agriculture lines and commercial and industrial loans. Commercial real estate loan balances increased primarily from an increase in loans secured by non-owner occupied properties, partially offset by a decrease in loans secured by owner-occupied properties.
Loans anticipated to fund in the next 90 days totaled $140.5 million at December 31, 2023, as compared to $134.8 million at June 30, 2023, and $121.6 million at December 31, 2022.
Deposits were $4.0 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $269.4 million, or 7.2%, as compared to June 30, 2023. The deposit portfolio saw year-to-date increases in certificates of deposit and savings accounts, as customers remained willing to move balances into time deposits in the higher rate environment, and responded to special rates offered during the quarter. Public unit balances totaled $594.1 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $15.6 million compared to June 30, 2023, and as compared to $524.0 million at December 31, 2022. Brokered deposits totaled $200.5 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $40.9 million as compared to June 30, 2023. Compared to December 31, 2022, brokered deposits increased $91.3 million. The average loan-to-deposit ratio for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 94.1%, as compared to 97.8% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
FHLB advances were $113.0 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $20.5 million, or 15.3%, as compared to June 30, 2023, as the Company utilized deposit growth to repay maturing FHLB advances and all overnight borrowings.
The Company’s stockholders’ equity was $470.2 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $24.1 million, or 5.4%, as compared to June 30, 2023. The increase was attributable primarily to earnings retained after cash dividends paid, in combination with a $3.1 million reduction in accumulated other comprehensive losses (“AOCL”) as the market value of