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 through deposits from retail and commercial clients, as well as public units. In addition, we will utilize 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 September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024
The Company experienced balance sheet growth in the first three months of fiscal 2025, with total assets of $4.7 billion at September 30, 2024, reflecting an increase of $124.9 million, or 2.7%, as compared to June 30, 2024. Growth primarily reflected an increase in net loans receivable and cash equivalents and time deposits.
Cash equivalents were $75.3 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $14.4 million, or 23.7%, as compared to June 30, 2024. AFS securities were $420.2 million at September 30, 2024, down $7.7 million, or 1.8%, as compared to June 30, 2024, as the Company was less active in reinvesting principal payments received.
Loans, net of the ACL, were $3.9 billion at September 30, 2024, increasing by $114.8 million, or 3.0%, as compared to June 30, 2024. The Company noted growth in both the real estate and commercial portfolios. Real estate loan growth was primarily driven by drawn construction, 1-4 family residential, and owner occupied commercial real estate loan balances. This was somewhat offset by a decrease in loans secured by multi-family real estate. In the commercial portfolio, growth was driven by seasonal agricultural production loan draws and modest growth in commercial and industrial loan balances.
Loans anticipated to fund in the next 90 days totaled $168.0 million at September 30, 2024, as compared to $157.1 million at June 30, 2024, and $158.2 million at September 30, 2023.
Deposits were $4.0 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $97.1 million, or 2.5%, as compared to June 30, 2024. The deposit portfolio saw increases in certificates of deposit and savings accounts, as customers remained willing to move balances into high yield savings accounts and special rate time deposits during the higher rate environment. Public unit balances totaled $510.5 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $84.1 million compared to June 30, 2024, due to the Company losing the bid to retain a large local public unit depositor, and also experienced expected seasonal decreases in these accounts generally. Brokered deposits totaled $273.2 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $99.4 million compared to June 30, 2024. The Company increased brokered deposits in the quarter due to more attractive pricing for brokered certificates of deposits relative to local market rates and the need to fund seasonal loan demand. The average loan-to-deposit ratio for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was 98.5%, as compared to 96.3% for the linked quarter.
FHLB advances were $107.1 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $5.0 million, or 4.9%, from June 30, 2024, due to maturing advances which were not renewed. At both September 30 and June 30, 2024, the Company had no FHLB overnight borrowings at period end.
The Company’s stockholders’ equity was $505.6 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $16.9 million, or 3.5%, as compared to June 30, 2024. The increase was attributable primarily to earnings retained after cash dividends paid, in combination with a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive losses (AOCL) as the market value of the Company’s investments appreciated due to decreases in market interest rates. The AOCL decreased from $17.4 million at June 30, 2024, to $10.6 million at September 30, 2024. The Company does not hold any securities classified as held-to-maturity.