How Does United Bank Company Work?

The company provides essential banking products such as checking and savings accounts, alongside a diverse range of loan options including personal, commercial, real estate, and construction loans. It also offers credit facilities to meet varied financial needs.

Beyond core banking, United Bank Company extends its value through treasury management, mortgage services, and credit card offerings. Furthermore, robust wealth management and trust services cater to clients seeking comprehensive financial planning and asset management.

United Bank Company's operations are distributed across more than 240 community bank offices, ensuring widespread accessibility. This physical presence is complemented by advanced online and mobile banking platforms, along with an extensive ATM network.

A key aspect of how United Bank Company functions is its disciplined growth strategy, often involving strategic acquisitions. The recent acquisition of Piedmont Bancorp, Inc. in January 2025, for example, added approximately $2.4 billion in assets and expanded its footprint in the Atlanta market.

United Bankshares, Inc. has a significant history of expansion, completing 34 acquisitions over the past 38 years. A notable recent event was the acquisition of Atlanta-based Piedmont Bancorp, Inc. on January 10, 2025, valued at approximately $267 million. This move integrated Piedmont's roughly $2.4 billion in assets, expanding United's presence into the Atlanta market.

The company has faced industry-wide economic uncertainties and regulatory hurdles. In the first quarter of 2025, merger-related expenses and provisions for credit losses from the Piedmont acquisition impacted earnings by approximately $0.17 per diluted share. Provisions for credit losses rose to $29.1 million in Q1 2025, up from $6.7 million in Q4 2024, primarily due to integration efforts.

United Bankshares' competitive edge is built on a strong brand reputation for community banking and personalized service, fostering customer loyalty. Its extensive network of over 240 branches provides a substantial physical footprint. The company has also been recognized for its trustworthiness, ranking highly among banks in America by Newsweek, including #1 in 2023 and #4 in 2024 & 2025.

The bank maintains a disciplined approach to risk management and expense control, reflected in an efficiency ratio of 53.03% in Q1 2025. A robust capital position is evident with an estimated risk-based capital ratio of 15.7% as of March 31, 2025. United Bank Company continues to adapt by leveraging its acquisition strategy for market expansion and integrating new technologies to enhance services.

United Bankshares holds a solid position as the 41st largest U.S. banking company by market cap, with $33 billion in assets as of Q1 2025. Its revenue growth of 4.64% in Q1 2025 outpaced competitors, and it boasts a strong net margin of 32.36%.

The company faces risks from interest rate fluctuations, inflation's impact on loan demand, and credit risk, with provisions for credit losses increasing due to an acquisition. Heightened competition and cybersecurity threats are also ongoing concerns.

United Bankshares is focused on integrating acquisitions to expand its market presence, particularly in Atlanta. The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit loan and deposit growth for the remainder of 2025, supported by strong loan pipelines.

Projected net interest income (non-FTE) is between $1.050 billion and $1.065 billion, assuming three rate cuts. Noninterest income is expected between $120 million and $130 million, with noninterest expenses ranging from $610 million to $625 million.