Loans
Total loans increased $153.1 million, or 8.1% annualized, to $7.7 billion at June 30, 2024. We generated quarterly loan fundings totaling $505.2 million, led by commercial loan fundings of $384.4 million. The average interest rate on the second quarter’s loan originations was 8.4%.
Asset Quality and Provision for Credit Losses
The Company recorded $2.8 million of provision expense for credit losses, compared to no provision expense in the prior quarter. The current quarter’s provision expense was driven by loan growth and higher reserve requirements from changes in the CECL model’s underlying economic forecast. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.22% of average total loans, compared to 0.00% in the prior quarter, driven by one previously reserved credit that was resolved during the quarter. Non-performing loans decreased 13 basis points to 0.34% of total loans at June 30, 2024, and non-performing assets decreased 17 basis points to 0.36% of total loans and OREO at June 30, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans totaled 1.25% at June 30, 2024, compared to 1.29% in the prior quarter.
Deposits
Average total deposits increased $160.9 million, or 7.9% annualized, to $8.4 billion during the second quarter 2024. The loan to deposit ratio totaled 92.2% at June 30, 2024. Average transaction deposits (defined as total deposits less time deposits) increased $135.6 million to $7.4 billion. The mix of transaction deposits to total deposits was 87.8% and 88.3% at June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income totaled $14.0 million, compared to $17.7 million during the first quarter. Included in the second quarter was $3.9 million of impairment related to venture capital investments classified as non-marketable securities. Included in the prior quarter was a $0.6 million gain from the sale of a banking center building. Excluding these items, non-interest income increased $0.9 million driven by our diversified sources of fee revenue including increases in SBA loan income, trust income, Cambr income and mortgage banking income.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased $0.2 million to $63.1 million during the second quarter. Salaries and benefits increased $0.4 million and occupancy and equipment increased $0.2 million. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in other non-interest expense of $0.4 million. The efficiency ratio totaled 64.6% for the second quarter, compared to 61.8% for the first quarter. The fully taxable equivalent efficiency ratio, excluding other intangible assets amortization, totaled 61.5% for the second quarter, compared to 58.8%.
Income tax expense totaled $5.6 million, compared to $7.5 million in the prior quarter, due to lower pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 17.7%, compared to 19.3% for the first quarter.
Capital
Capital ratios continue to be strong and in excess of federal bank regulatory agency “well capitalized” thresholds. The tier 1 leverage ratio totaled 10.20%, and the common equity tier 1 capital ratio totaled 12.41% at June 30, 2024. Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.2 billion at June 30, 2024, increasing $15.8 million, largely due to $15.4 million of growth in retained earnings.
Common book value per share increased $0.34 to $32.92 at June 30, 2024. Tangible common book value per share increased $0.42 to $23.74 as this quarter’s earnings outpaced the quarterly dividend.
Year-Over-Year Review
(All comparisons refer to the first six months of 2023, except as noted)
Net income totaled $57.5 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, compared to net income of $72.8 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2023. The decrease over the same period prior year was largely driven by lower net interest income, due to an increase in cost of funds outpacing the increase in interest income. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in our non-interest income discussed below. Fully taxable equivalent pre-provision net revenue totaled $76.8 million, compared to $96.7 million. The return