0000729986 ubsi:SeriesOfIndividuallySubsidiariesMember 2023-01-01 2023-09-30
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
to
Commission File Number:
002-86947
United Bankshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
West Virginia
55-0641179
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
300 United Center
500 Virginia Street
, East
Charleston, West Virginia
25301
(Address of principal executive offices)
Zip Code
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (304)
424-8716
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share
UBSI
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    
Yes  
    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    
Yes
    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Act).    Yes  ☐    
No
As of
October
 31, 2023
, the registrant had
134,933,015
shares of common stock, $2.50 par value per share, outstanding.


UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022

4

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

7

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

8

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

10

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

57

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

79

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

81

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

83

Item 1A. Risk Factors

83

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

83

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

84

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

84

Item 5. Other Information

84

Item 6. Exhibits

84

Signatures

86

2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
The September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, consolidated balance sheets of United Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“United” or the “Company”), consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the notes to consolidated financial statements appear on the following pages.
3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands, except par value)
  
September 30
  
December 31
 
   
2023
  
2022
 
Assets
   
Cash and due from banks  $269,502  $294,155 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   913,397   881,418 
Federal funds sold   1,155   1,079 
         
Total cash and cash equivalents   1,184,054   1,176,652 
Securities available for sale at estimated fair value (amortized cost-$4,241,930 at September 30, 2023 and $5,011,729 at December 31, 2022, allowance for credit losses of $0 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)   3,749,357   4,541,925 
Securities held to maturity, net of allowance for credit losses of $18 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (estimated fair value-$1,020 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)   1,002   1,002 
Equity securities at estimated fair value   8,548   7,629 
Other investment securities   307,392   322,048 
Loans held for sale measured using fair value option   59,614   56,879 
Loans and leases   21,114,975   20,580,163 
Less: Unearned income   (17,092  (21,997
         
Loans and leases, net of unearned income   21,097,883   20,558,166 
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses   (254,886  (234,746
         
Net loans and leases   20,842,997   20,323,420 
Bank premises and equipment   191,661   199,161 
Operating lease
right-of-use
assets
   80,259   71,144 
Goodwill   1,888,889   1,888,889 
Mortgage servicing rights   4,616   21,022 
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”)   485,386   480,184 
Accrued interest receivable   106,771   94,890 
Other assets   314,248   304,535 
         
TOTAL ASSETS  $29,224,794  $29,489,380 
         
Liabilities
   
Deposits:   
Noninterest-bearing  $6,253,343  $7,199,678 
Interest-bearing   16,423,511   15,103,488 
         
Total deposits   22,676,854   22,303,166 
Borrowings:   
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   188,274   160,698 
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings   1,110,559   1,910,775 
Other long-term borrowings   278,211   286,881 
Reserve for lending-related commitments   43,766   46,189 
Operating lease liabilities   84,569   75,749 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   193,683   189,729 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES   24,575,916   24,973,187 
Shareholders’ Equity
   
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value;
Authorized-50,000,000
shares, none issued
   0   0 
Common stock, $2.50 par value;
Authorized-200,000,000
shares;
issued-142,241,408
and 142,011,560 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, including 7,308,393 and 7,266,438 shares in treasury at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
   355,604   355,029 
Surplus   3,178,533   3,168,874 
Retained earnings   1,716,295   1,575,426 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (349,456  (332,732
Treasury stock, at cost   (252,098  (250,404
         
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   4,648,878   4,516,193 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $29,224,794  $29,489,380 
         
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements.
4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30
  
September 30
 
   
2023
  
2022
  
2023
  
2022
 
Interest income
     
Interest and fees on loans  $308,199  $225,501  $882,453  $602,503 
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments   11,810   6,834   35,499   14,004 
Interest and dividends on securities:     
Taxable   35,730   29,149   108,710   71,212 
Tax-exempt
   1,171   2,199   5,483   6,530 
                 
Total interest income   356,910   263,683   1,032,145   694,249 
Interest expense
     
Interest on deposits   108,793   17,660   268,962   35,972 
Interest on short-term borrowings   1,805   493   4,451   911 
Interest on long-term borrowings   17,859   4,908   68,498   10,339 
                 
Total interest expense   128,457   23,061   341,911   47,222 
                 
Net interest income   228,453   240,622   690,234   647,027 
Provision for credit losses   5,948   7,671   24,278   2,454 
                 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses   222,505   232,951   665,956   644,573 
Other income
     
Fees from trust services   4,514   4,384   13,810   12,805 
Fees from brokerage services   4,433   4,016   12,551   12,683 
Fees from deposit services   9,282   10,069   27,969   31,047 
Bankcard fees and merchant discounts   1,676   1,857   5,090   4,907 
Other service charges, commissions, and fees   850   918   2,937   2,462 
Income from bank-owned life insurance   2,562   1,472   6,475   7,786 
Income from mortgage banking activities   7,556   6,422   21,847   38,070 
Mortgage loan servicing income   846   2,302   12,963   7,017 
Net investment securities (losses) gains   (181  (206  (7,922  725 
Other income   2,123   1,515   5,863   4,880 
                 
Total other income   33,661   32,749   101,583   122,382 
Other expense
     
Employee compensation   59,064   59,618   172,980   184,871 
Employee benefits   12,926   10,750   38,597   35,648 
Net occupancy expense   11,494   11,281   34,736   33,674 
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense   185   1,708   1,167   1,936 
Net losses (gains) on the sales of OREO properties   93   125   66   (362
Equipment expense   7,170   7,807   22,192   22,452 
Data processing expense   7,405   7,614   22,134   22,534 
Mortgage loan servicing expense and impairment   1,051   1,847   4,634   5,273 
Bankcard processing expense   559   509   1,617   1,421 
FDIC insurance expense   4,598   3,063   13,755   8,740 
Other expense   30,685   32,874   96,059   101,358 
                 
Total other expense   135,230   137,196   407,937   417,545 
                 
Income before income taxes   120,936   128,504   359,602   349,410 
Income taxes   24,779   25,919   72,679   69,548 
                 
Net income  $96,157  $102,585  $286,923  $279,862 
                 
5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - continued
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
  
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30
   
September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Earnings per common share:        
Basic  $0.71   $0.76   $2.13   $2.07 
                    
Diluted  $0.71   $0.76   $2.12   $2.06 
                    
Average outstanding shares:        
Basic   134,685,041    134,182,248    134,493,059    134,947,674 
Diluted   134,887,776    134,553,565    134,733,055    135,251,299 
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements
6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30
  
September 30
 
   
2023
  
2022
  
2023
  
2022
 
Net income  $96,157  $102,585  $286,923  $279,862 
Change in net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
(“AFS”) securities, net of tax
   (42,026  (117,950  (17,464  (387,770
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge, net of tax   2,645   12,287   (1,068  38,357 
Change in pension plan assets, net of tax   603   716   1,808   1,997 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  $57,379  $(2,362 $270,199  $(67,554
                 
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements
7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                     
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Common Stock
         
Accumulated
Other
     
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Par
Value
   
Surplus
  
Retained
Earnings
  
Comprehensive
Loss
  
Treasury
Stock
  
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2023   142,011,560   $355,029   $3,168,874  $1,575,426  $(332,732 $(250,404 $4,516,193 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income   0    0    0   98,307   0   0   98,307 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax   0    0    0   0   38,602   0   38,602 
             
Total comprehensive income, net of tax           136,909 
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    2,713   0   0   0   2,713 
Stock grant forfeiture (1,506 shares)   0    0    58   0   0   (58  0 
Purchase of treasury stock (33,551 shares)   0    0    0   0   0   (1,374  (1,374
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0   (48,720  0   0   (48,720
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (226,486 shares)   226,486    566    250   0   0   0   816 
                               
Balance at March 31, 2023   142,238,046    355,595    3,171,895   1,625,013   (294,130  (251,836  4,606,537 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income   0    0    0   92,459   0   0   92,459 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   0    0    0   0   (16,548  0   (16,548
             
Total comprehensive income, net of tax           75,911 
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    3,295   0   0   0   3,295 
Purchase of treasury stock (60 shares)   0    0    0   0   0   (1  (1
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0   (48,628  0   0   (48,628
Stock grant forfeiture (4,445 shares)   0    0    172   0   0   (172  0 
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (2,812 shares)   2,812    7    (78  0   0   0   (71
                               
Balance at June 30, 2023   142,240,858    355,602    3,175,284   1,668,844   (310,678  (252,009  4,637,043 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income   0    0    0   96,157   0   0   96,157 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   0    0    0   0   (38,778  0   (38,778
             
Total comprehensive income, net of tax           57,379 
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    3,148   0   0   0   3,148 
Purchase of treasury stock (232 shares)   0    0    0   0   0   (7  (7
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0   (48,706  0   0   (48,706
Stock grant forfeiture (2,161 shares)   0    0    82   0   0   (82  0 
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (550 shares)   550    2    19   0   0   0   21 
                               
Balance at September 30, 2023   142,241,408   $355,604   $3,178,533  $1,716,295  $(349,456 $(252,098 $4,648,878 
                               
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements.
8
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                      
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
 
   
Common Stock
          
Accumulated
Other
     
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Par
Value
   
Surplus
   
Retained
Earnings
  
Comprehensive
Loss
  
Treasury
Stock
  
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2022   141,360,266   $353,402   $3,149,955   $1,390,777  $(4,888 $(170,618 $4,718,628 
Comprehensive income:           
Net income   0    0    0    81,664   0   0   81,664 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   0    0    0    0   (136,804  0   (136,804
              
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax            (55,140
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    2,061    0   0   0   2,061 
Stock grant forfeiture (6,212 shares)   0    0    223    0   0   (223  0 
Purchase of treasury stock (740,873 shares)   0    0    0    0   0   (26,061  (26,061
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0    (49,266  0   0   (49,266
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (422,766 shares)   422,766    1,056    3,862    0   0   0   4,918 
                                
Balance at March 31, 2022   141,783,032    354,458    3,156,101    1,423,175   (141,692  (196,902  4,595,140 
Comprehensive income:           
Net income   0    0    0    95,613   0   0   95,613 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   0    0    0    0   (105,665  0   (105,665
              
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax            (10,052
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    2,543    0   0   0   2,543 
Purchase of treasury stock (1,548,767 shares)   0    0    0    0   0   (53,391  (53,391
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0    (48,544  0   0   (48,544
Stock grant forfeiture (2,445 shares)   0    0    88    0   0   (88  0 
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (63,419 shares)   63,419    158    1,196    0   0   0   1,354 
                                
Balance at June 30, 2022   141,846,451    354,616    3,159,928    1,470,244   (247,357  (250,381  4,487,050 
Comprehensive income:           
Net income   0    0    0    102,585   0   0   102,585 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   0    0    0    0   (104,947  0   (104,947
              
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax            (2,362
Stock based compensation expense   0    0    2,462    0   0   0   2,462 
Purchase of treasury stock (214 shares)   0    0    0    0   0   (7  (7
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)   0    0    0    (48,564  0   0   (48,564
Stock grant forfeiture (207 shares)   0    0    8    0   0   (8  0 
Net issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans (51,422 shares)   51,422    129    1,378    0   0   0   1,507 
                                
Balance at September 30, 2022   141,897,873   $354,745   $3,163,776   $1,524,265  $(352,304 $(250,396 $4,440,086 
                                
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements.
9

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in thousands)
    
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
   
2023
  
2022
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES  $272,661  $623,773 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale   181,732   305 
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available for sale   680,429   447,719 
Purchases of securities available for sale   (107,818  (1,572,476
Proceeds from sales of equity securities   216   6,586 
Purchases of equity securities   (1,398  (2,136
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of other investment securities   145,258   4,439 
Purchases of other investment securities   (140,332  (40,951
Redemption of bank-owned life insurance policies   2,182   11,947 
Purchases of bank premises and equipment   (8,480  (11,855
Proceeds from sales of bank premises and equipment   2,508   890 
Proceeds from sales of mortgage servicing rights   23,450   0 
Proceeds from the sales of OREO properties   2,530   3,625 
Net change in loans   (491,656  (1,666,737
         
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES   288,621   (2,818,644
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   
Cash dividends paid   (146,006  (144,479
Acquisition of treasury stock   (1,382  (79,459
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   1,576   7,912 
Repayment of long-term Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   (1,900,000  (20,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   1,100,000   500,000 
Redemption of subordinated debt   (10,250  0 
Changes in:   
Deposits   374,606   (484,558
Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings   27,576   13,632 
         
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES   (553,880  (206,952
         
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   7,402   (2,401,823
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   1,176,652   3,758,170 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $1,184,054  $1,356,347 
         
Supplemental information   
Noncash investing activities:   
Transfers of loans to OREO  $4,878  $1,131 
Transfers of loans to bank premises and equipment   0   4,541 
Acquisition of subsidiaries and purchase price adjustments:   
Assets acquired, net of cash   0   (345
Liabilities assumed   0   2,050 
Goodwill   0   2,395 
See notes to consolidated unaudited financial statements
.
10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
UNITED BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of United Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“United” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles for interim financial information generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with the instructions for Form
10-Q
and Article 10 of Regulation
S-X.
Accordingly, the financial statements do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statements presented as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 and for the three-month and nine-month periods then ended have not been audited. The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in United’s 2022 Annual Report on Form
10-K,
which includes descriptions of significant accounting policies, should be read in conjunction with these interim financial statements. In the opinion of management, any adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been made. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.
The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of United and its wholly owned subsidiaries. United operates in two business segments: community banking and mortgage banking. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Information is presented in these notes to the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements with dollars expressed in thousands, except per share or unless otherwise noted.
New Accounting Standards
In October 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2023-06,
“Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative,” which adopts certain disclosure requirements referred by the SEC. For entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosure requirements and for entities required to file or furnish financial statements with or to the SEC in preparation for the sale of or for purposes of issuing securities that are not subject to contractual restrictions on transfer, the effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation
S-X
or Regulation
S-K
becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. For all other entities, the amendments will be effective two years later. The adoption of
ASU 2023-06
is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations but could change certain disclosures in United’s SEC filings.
In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU
2023-05,
“Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic
805-60).”
ASU
2023-05
requires a joint venture to apply a new basis of accounting at its formation date by valuing the net assets contributed at fair value for both business and asset transactions. The value of the net assets in total is then allocated to individual assets and liabilities by applying Topic 805 with certain exceptions. ASU
2023-05
requires certain disclosures to aid the user of the financial statements in understanding the implications of the joint venture formation. ASU
2023-05
is effective for joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. The adoption of
ASU 2023-05
is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2023-03,
“Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation
S-X:
Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock.” ASU
2023-03
amends the ASC for SEC updates pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120; SEC Staff
11

Announcement at the March 24, 2022 Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Meeting; and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation
S-X:
Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock. These updates were immediately effective and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2023, the FASB issued Accounting ASU
2023-02,
“Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.” ASU
2023-02
permits reporting entities to elect to account for their tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The amendments in this ASU apply to all reporting entities that hold tax equity investments that meet the conditions for and elect to account for them using the proportional amortization method or an investment in a low income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”) structure through a limited liability entity that is not accounted for using the proportional amortization method and to which certain LIHTC-specific guidance removed from Subtopic
323-740
has been applied. Additionally, the disclosure requirements apply to investments that generate income tax credits and other income tax benefits from a tax credit program for which the entity has elected to apply the proportional amortization method (including investments within that elected program that do not meet the conditions to apply the proportional amortization method). ASU
2023-02
will be effective for United on January 1, 2024 though early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update must be applied on either a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis except for LIHTC investments not accounted for using the proportional amortization method. The adoption of
ASU 2023-02
is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU
2022-06,
“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848.” ASU
2022-06
extends the period of time financial statement preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance. In 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-04
to provide temporary, optional expedients related to the accounting for contract modifications and hedging transactions as a result of the global markets’ anticipated transition away from the use of LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. At the time ASU
2020-04
was issued, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) had established the intent that it would no longer be necessary to persuade, or compel, banks to submit to LIBOR after December 31, 2021. As a result, the sunset provision was set for December 31, 2022; 12 months after the expected cessation date of all currencies and tenors of LIBOR. In March 2021, the FCA announced that the intended cessation date of LIBOR in the United States would be June 30, 2023, which has now taken effect as intended. Accordingly, ASU
2022-06
defers the expiration date of ASU 848 to December 31, 2024. United implemented a comprehensive project plan to execute the transition of its LIBOR-based financial instruments to alternative reference rates. United utilized the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and Prime as the preferred alternatives to LIBOR.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022
-
03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.”
ASU 2022-03
clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value.
ASU 2022-03
also clarifies that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction and requires certain new disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions.
ASU 2022-03
will be effective for United on January 1, 2024 though early adoption is permitted. The adoption of
ASU 2022-03
is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2022-02,
“Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures”. ASU
2022-02
updates the requirements for accounting for credit losses under ASC 326, eliminates the accounting guidance on troubled debt restructurings for creditors in ASC
310-40,
and enhances creditors’ disclosure requirements related to loan refinancings and restructurings for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. ASU
2022-02
also amends the guidance on “vintage disclosures” to require disclosure of gross write-offs by year of origination. ASU
No. 2022-02
was effective for public business entities that have adopted Topic 326 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendment was permitted. ASU
No. 2022-02
was adopted by United prospectively for the period beginning January 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, ASU
No. 2022-02
did affect the Company’s disclosures. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4, “Credit Quality,” in this Form
10-Q.
12

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2022-01,
“Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Fair Value Hedging – Portfolio Layer Method”. ASU
2022-01
further aligns risk management objectives with hedge accounting results on the application of the
last-of-layer
method, which was first introduced in ASU
No. 2017-12.
The enhanced guidance further improves the
last-of-layer
concepts to expand to nonprepayable financial assets and allows more flexibility in the derivative structures used to hedge the interest rate risk. ASU
2022-01
also provides guidance on the relationship between the portfolio layer method requirements and other areas of GAAP. ASU
No. 2022-01
is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted if an entity has adopted ASU
2017-12
for the corresponding period. ASU
No. 2022-01
was adopted by United on January 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2021-08,
“Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers”. ASU
2021-08
amends ASC 805 to add contract assets and contract liabilities to the list of exceptions to the recognition and measurement principles that apply to business combinations and to require that an entity acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. As a result of these amendments, it is expected that an acquirer will generally recognize and measure acquired contract assets and contract liabilities in a manner consistent with how the acquiree recognized and measured them in its preacquisition financial statements. ASU
No. 2021-08
is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted. ASU
No. 2021-08
was adopted by United on January 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Securities Available for Sale
Securities held for indefinite periods of time are classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair value. The amortized cost, estimated fair values, and allowance for credit losses of securities available for sale are summarized as follows.
   
September 30, 2023
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Allowance
For Credit
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair

Value
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies
  $493,144   $8   $12,994   $0   $480,158 
State and political subdivisions   615,840    7    116,685    0    499,162 
Residential mortgage-backed securities          
Agency   1,255,364    1    223,841    0    1,031,524 
Non-agency
   101,514    0    11,578    0    89,936 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities          
Agency   516,345    11    70,526    0    445,830 
Asset-backed securities   888,959    26    13,257    0    875,728 
Single issue trust preferred securities   16,371    0    1,634    0    14,737 
Other corporate securities   354,393    0    42,111    0    312,282 
                         
Total  $4,241,930   $53   $492,626   $0   $3,749,357 
                         
13

   
December 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Allowance
For Credit
Losses
   
Estimated

Fair
Value
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies
  $548,407   $12   $18,927   $0   $529,492 
State and political subdivisions   820,167    36    110,673    0    709,530 
Residential mortgage-backed securities          
Agency   1,369,471    4    194,531    0    1,174,944 
Non-agency
   121,336    66    9,429    0    111,973 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities          
Agency   627,768    8    65,223    0    562,553 
Asset-backed securities   943,813    0    32,202    0    911,611 
Single issue trust preferred securities   17,342    88    1,146    0    16,284 
Other corporate securities   563,425    44    37,931    0    525,538 
                         
Total  $5,011,729   $258   $470,062   $0   $4,541,925 
                         
United excludes accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of
available-for-sale
debt securities and reports accrued interest separately in “Accrued interest receivable” in the consolidated balance sheets.
Available-for-sale
debt securities are placed on
non-accrual
status when we no longer expect to receive all contractual amounts due, which is generally at 90 days past due. Accrued interest receivable is reversed against interest income when a security is placed on
non-accrual
status. Accordingly, United does not currently recognize an allowance for credit loss against accrued interest receivable on
available-for-sale
debt securities. The table above excludes accrued interest receivable of $21,320 and $23,955 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, that is recorded in “Accrued interest receivable.”
The following is a summary of securities available for sale which were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair

Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
September 30, 2023
            
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies
  $4,349   $15   $471,913   $12,979   $476,262   $12,994 
State and political subdivisions   6,410    360    484,444    116,325    490,854    116,685 
Residential mortgage-backed securities            
Agency   11,545    518    1,019,892    223,323    1,031,437    223,841 
Non-agency
   8,791    247    81,145    11,331    89,936    11,578 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities            
Agency   0    0    443,373    70,526    443,373    70,526 
Asset-backed securities   16,019    146    843,717    13,111    859,736    13,257 
Single issue trust preferred securities   2,840    260    11,897    1,374    14,737    1,634 
Other corporate securities   0    0    304,575    42,111    304,575    42,111 
                              
Total  $49,954   $1,546   $3,660,956   $491,080   $3,710,910   $492,626 
                              
14

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Fair

Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair

Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair

Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
December 31, 2022
            
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies  $473,025   $13,628   $48,793   $5,299   $521,818   $18,927 
State and political subdivisions   496,328    63,019    192,234    47,654    688,562    110,673 
Residential mortgage-backed securities            
Agency   623,587    70,744    550,135    123,787    1,173,722    194,531 
Non-agency
   58,839    2,083    42,901    7,346    101,740    9,429 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities            
Agency   396,380    27,469    163,226    37,754    559,606    65,223 
Asset-backed securities   425,482    14,134    486,129    18,068    911,611    32,202 
Single issue trust preferred securities   0    0    13,109    1,146    13,109    1,146 
Other corporate securities   195,425    18,064    261,170    19,867    456,595    37,931 
                              
Total  $2,669,066   $209,141   $1,757,697   $260,921   $4,426,763   $470,062 
                              
The following table shows the proceeds from maturities, sales and calls of available for sale securities and the gross realized gains and losses on sales and calls of those securities that have been included in earnings as a result of any sales and calls. Gains or losses on sales and calls of available for sale securities were recognized by the specific identification method.
   
Three Months Ended

September 30
   
Nine Months Ended

September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Proceeds from sales and calls  $199,096   $145,482   $862,161   $448,024 
Gross realized gains   0    2    0    2 
Gross realized losses   0    0    7,659    0 
At September 30, 2023, gross unrealized losses on available for sale securities were $492,626 on 1,123 securities of a total portfolio of 1,148 available for sale securities. Securities with the most significant gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of agency residential mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and other corporate securities.
In determining whether or not a security is impaired, management considered the severity of the loss in conjunction with United’s positive intent and the more likely than not ability to hold these securities to recovery of their cost basis or maturity. Generally, the significant amount of gross unrealized losses on available for sale securities at September 30, 2023 was the result of rising interest rates.
State and political subdivisions
United’s state and political subdivisions portfolio relates to securities issued by various municipalities located throughout the United States. The total amortized cost of available for sale state and political subdivision securities was $615,840 at September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 48% of the portfolio was supported by the general obligation of the issuing municipality, which allows for the securities to be repaid by any means available to the municipality. The majority of the portfolio was rated AA or higher, and no securities within the portfolio were rated below investment grade as of September 30, 2023. In addition to monitoring the credit ratings of these securities, management also evaluates the financial performance of the underlying issuers on an ongoing basis. Based upon management’s analysis and judgment, it was determined that none of the state and political subdivision securities had credit losses at September 30, 2023.
15

Mortgage-backed securities
The fair value of
mortgage-backed
securities is affected by changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds. When interest rates decline, prepayment speeds generally accelerate due to homeowners refinancing their mortgages at lower interest rates. This may result in the proceeds being reinvested at lower interest rates. Rising interest rates may decrease the assumed prepayment speed. Slower prepayment speeds may extend the maturity of the security beyond its estimated maturity. Therefore, investors may not be able to invest at current higher market rates due to the extended expected maturity of the security. United had a net unrealized loss of $305,933 on
mortgage-backed
securities September 30, 2023. Below is a detailed discussion of mortgage-backed securities by type.
United’s agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio relates to securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. The total amortized cost of available for sale agency mortgage-backed securities was $1,771,709 at September 30, 2023. Of the $1,771,709 amount, $516,345 was related to agency commercial mortgage-backed securities and $1,255,364 was related to agency residential mortgage-backed securities. Each of the agency mortgage-backed securities provides a guarantee of full and timely payments of principal and interest by the issuing agency. Based upon management’s analysis and judgment, it was determined that none of the agency mortgage-backed securities had credit losses at September 30, 2023.
United’s
non-agency
residential mortgage-backed securities portfolio relates to securities of various private label issuers. The total amortized cost of available for sale
non-agency
residential mortgage-backed securities was $101,514 at September 30, 2023. Of the $101,514, 100% was rated AAA. Based upon management’s analysis and judgment, it was determined that none of the
non-agency
residential mortgage-backed securities had credit losses at September 30, 2023.
Asset-backed securities
As of September 30, 2023, United’s asset-backed securities portfolio had a total amortized cost balance of $888,959. 100% of the portfolio was investment grade rated as of September 30, 2023. Approximately 25% of the portfolio relates to securities that are backed by Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”) student loan collateral which includes a minimum of a 97% government repayment guaranty, as well as additional credit support and subordination in excess of the government guaranteed portion. Approximately 75% of the portfolio relates to collateralized loan obligation securities that are all AAA rated. Upon reviewing this portfolio as of September 30, 2023, it was determined that none of the asset-backed securities had credit losses.
Single issue trust preferred securities
The majority of United’s single issue trust preferred portfolio consists of obligations from large cap banks (i.e. banks with market capitalization in excess of $10 billion). All single issue trust preferred securities are currently receiving interest payments. The amortized cost of available for sale single issue trust preferred securities as of September 30, 2023 consisted of $7,473 in investment grade bonds, $3,100 in split rated bonds, and $5,798 in unrated bonds. Management reviews each issuer’s current and projected earnings trends, asset quality, capitalization levels, and other key factors. Upon completing the review for the third quarter of 2023, it was determined that none of the single issue trust preferred securities had credit losses.
Other corporate securities
As of September 30, 2023, United’s other corporate securities portfolio had a total amortized cost balance of $354,393. The majority of the portfolio consisted of debt issuances of corporations representing a variety of industries, including financial institutions. Of the $354,393, 98% had at least one rating above investment grade, none were below investment grade rated, and 2% were unrated. For other corporate securities, management has evaluated the near-term prospects of the investment in relation to the severity of any unrealized loss. Based upon management’s analysis and judgment, it was determined that none of the other corporate securities had credit losses at September 30, 2023.
16

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 by contractual maturity are shown as follows. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without penalties.
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated
Fair

Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated
Fair

Value
 
Due in one year or less  $462,220   $455,584   $384,921   $380,575 
Due after one year through five years   475,853    435,582    856,743    817,881 
Due after five years through ten years   871,549    739,345    981,983    858,819 
Due after ten years   2,432,308    2,118,846    2,788,082    2,484,650 
                    
Total  $4,241,930   $3,749,357 �� $5,011,729   $4,541,925 
                    
Equity securities at fair value
Equity securities consist mainly of mutual funds of Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) qualified investments and equity securities within a rabbi trust for the payment of benefits under a deferred compensation plan for certain key officers of United and its subsidiaries. The fair value of United’s equity securities was $8,548 at September 30, 2023 and $7,629 at December 31, 2022.
   
Three Months Ended

September 30
   
Nine Months Ended

September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold  $0   $0   $0   $0 
Unrealized gains recognized during the period on equity securities still held at period end   0    19    82    44 
Unrealized losses recognized during the period on equity securities still held at period end   (181   (226   (345   (684
                    
Net losses recognized during the period  $(181  $(207  $(263  $(640
                    
Other investment securities
During the third quarter of 2023, United evaluated all of its cost method investments to determine if certain events or changes in circumstances during the third quarter of 2023 had a significant adverse effect on the recorded value of any of its cost method securities. United determined that there was no individual security that experienced an adverse event during the third quarter. There were no other events or changes in circumstances during the third quarter which would have an adverse effect on the recorded fair value of its cost method securities.
The carrying value of securities pledged to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law, approximated $2,327,103 and $2,412,820 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
3. LOANS AND LEASES
Major classes of loans and leases are as follows:
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural:    
Owner-occupied commercial real estate  $1,680,510   $1,724,927 
Nonowner-occupied commercial real estate   6,645,589    6,286,974 
Other commercial   3,527,319    3,612,568 
          
Total commercial, financial & agricultural   11,853,418    11,624,469 
Residential real estate   5,016,829    4,662,911 
Construction & land development   3,104,682    2,926,971 
17

   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
Consumer:    
Bankcard   9,122    9,273 
Other consumer   1,130,924    1,356,539 
Less: Unearned income   (17,092   (21,997
          
Total gross loans  $21,097,883   $20,558,166 
          
The table above does not include loans held for sale of $59,614 and $56,879 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Loans held for sale consist of single-family residential real estate loans originated for sale in the secondary market.
United’s subsidiary bank has made loans to the directors and officers of United and its subsidiaries, and to their affiliates. The aggregate dollar amount of these loans was $68,552 and $24,901 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
4. CREDIT QUALITY
Management monitors the credit quality of its loans and leases on an ongoing basis. Measurement of delinquency and past due status are based on the contractual terms of each loan. United considers a loan to be past due when it is 30 days or more past its contractual payment due date.
For all loan classes, past due loans and leases are reviewed on a monthly basis to identify loans and leases for nonaccrual status. Generally, when collection in full of the principal and interest is jeopardized, the loan is placed on nonaccrual status. The accrual of interest income on commercial and most consumer loans generally is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 to 120 days past due as to principal or interest. However, regardless of delinquency status, if a loan is fully secured and in the process of collection and resolution of collection is expected in the near term (generally less than 90 days), then the loan will not be placed on nonaccrual status. When interest accruals are discontinued, unpaid interest recognized in income in the current year is reversed, and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged to the allowance for credit losses. United’s method of income recognition for loans and leases that are classified as nonaccrual is to recognize interest income on a cash basis or apply the cash receipt to principal when the ultimate collectibility of principal is in doubt. Nonaccrual loans and leases will not normally be returned to accrual status unless all past due principal and interest has been paid and the borrower has evidenced their ability to meet the contractual provisions of the note.
The following table sets forth United’s age analysis of its past due loans and leases, segregated by class of loans and leases:
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans and Leases
As of September 30, 2023
 
   
30-89 Days

Past Due
   
90 Days or
more Past
Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current &
Other
   
Total

Financing
Receivables
   
90 Days or
More Past

Due &
Accruing
 
Commercial real estate:            
Owner-occupied  $5,779   $7,197   $12,976   $1,667,534   $1,680,510   $0 
Nonowner-occupied   11,971    6,853    18,824    6,626,765    6,645,589    0 
Other commercial   4,613    2,206    6,819    3,520,500    3,527,319    288 
Residential real estate   27,013    14,758    41,771    4,975,058    5,016,829    7,340 
Construction & land development   666    6,591    7,257    3,097,425    3,104,682    6,065 
Consumer:            
Bankcard   32    105    137    8,985    9,122    105 
Other consumer   31,898    5,029    36,927    1,093,997    1,130,924    4,485 
                              
Total  $81,972   $42,739   $124,711   $20,990,264   $21,114,975   $18,283 
                              
18

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans and Leases
As of December 31, 2022
 
   
30-89 Days

Past Due
   
90 Days or
more Past
Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current &
Other
   
Total

Financing
Receivables
   
90 Days or
More Past
Due &
Accruing
 
Commercial real estate:            
Owner-occupied  $5,643   $12,368   $18,011   $1,706,916   $1,724,927   $4,023 
Nonowner-occupied   9,996    8,916    18,912    6,268,062    6,286,974    0 
Other commercial   13,466    5,338    18,804    3,593,764    3,612,568    2,946 
Residential real estate   25,315    17,735    43,050    4,619,861    4,662,911    7,342 
Construction & land development   3,060    475    3,535    2,923,436    2,926,971    0 
Consumer:            
Bankcard   63    109    172    9,101    9,273    109 
Other consumer   33,993    4,570    38,563    1,317,976    1,356,539    4,220 
                              
Total  $91,536   $49,511   $141,047   $20,439,116   $20,580,163   $18,640 
                              
The following table sets forth United’s nonaccrual loans and leases, segregated by class of loans and leases:
   
At September 30, 2023
   
At December 31, 2022
 
   
Nonaccruals
   
With No Related
Allowance for
Credit Losses
   
Nonaccruals
   
With No Related
Allowance for
Credit Losses
 
Commercial Real Estate:        
Owner-occupied  $7,197   $7,197   $8,345   $8,345 
Nonowner-occupied   6,853    6,853    8,916    8,916 
Other Commercial   1,918    1,265    2,392    2,392 
Residential Real Estate   7,418    6,649    10,393    8,564 
Construction   526    526    475    475 
Consumer:        
Bankcard   0    0    0    0 
Other consumer   544    544    350    350 
                    
Total  $24,456   $23,034   $30,871   $29,042 
                    
Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans was insignificant during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
In some cases, United will modify a loan to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty by providing multiple types of concessions such as a term extension, principal forgiveness, an interest rate reduction or a combination thereof. The following table presents the amortized cost of loans and leases to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty modified on or after January 1, 2023, the date United adopted ASU
2022-02,
through September 30, 2023, by class of financing receivable and by type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans and leases that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also represented as follows. No loans were modified for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Amortized Cost Basis of Loan Modifications Made to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Term
Extension
   
Interest Rate
Reduction
   
% of Total Class of
Financing Receivable
 
Commercial real estate:      
Owner-occupied  $494   $0    0.03
Nonowner-occupied   0    1,755    0.03
Other commercial   21    0    0.00
Residential real estate   511    0    0.01
Construction & land development   0    0    0.00
Consumer:      
Bankcard   0    0    0.00
Other consumer   0    0    0.00
               
Total  $1,026   $1,755    0.01
               
19

As of September 30, 2023, United did not have any commitments to lend additional funds on the above loans modified due to the debtors experiencing financial difficulty.
United’s estimate of future credit losses uses a lifetime methodology, derived from modeled loan performance based on the extensive historical experience of loans with similar risk characteristics, adjusted to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The historical loss experience used in United’s credit loss models includes the impact of loan modifications provided to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, and also includes the impact of projected loss severities as a result of loan defaults.
United closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table presents an aging analysis of loans and leases to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty modified on or after January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023, presented by class of financing receivable:
Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis)
As of September 30, 2023
 
   
Current
   
30-89 Days

Past Due
   
90+ Days
Past Due
 
Commercial real estate:      
Owner-occupied  $494   $0   $0 
Nonowner-occupied   1,755    0    0 
Other commercial   21    0    0 
Residential real estate   511    0    0 
Construction & land development   0    0    0 
Consumer:      
Bankcard   0    0    0 
Other consumer   0    0    0 
               
Total  $2,781   $0   $0 
               
The following table presents the financial effect of loan and lease modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. No loans were modified for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
   
For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023
 
   
Weighted-
Average
Interest Rate
Reduction
  
Weighted
Average Term
Extension

(in years)
 
Commercial Real Estate:   
Owner-occupied   0.00  1.0 
Nonowner-occupied   1.50  0 
Other Commercial   0.00  1.0 
Residential Real Estate   0.00  4.6 
Construction & land development   0.00  0 
Consumer:   
Bankcard   0.00  0 
Other consumer   0.00  0 
         
Total   1.50  6.6 
20

No loan or lease modifications completed on or after January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023 to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty had a payment default during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
United elected the practical expedient to measure expected credit losses on collateral dependent loans and leases based on the difference between the loan’s amortized cost and the collateral’s fair value, adjusted for selling costs. The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans and leases in which repayment is expected to be derived substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, by class of loans and leases as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
   
Collateral Dependent Loans and Leases
 
   
At September 30, 2023
 
   
Residential
Property
   
Business
Assets
   
Land
   
Commercial
Property
   
Other
   
Total
 
Commercial real estate:           
Owner-occupied  $32   $0   $0   $10,048   $8,567   $18,647 
Nonowner-occupied   7,247    0    0    10,138    2,649    20,034 
Other commercial   0    1,776    0    0    261    2,037 
Residential real estate   11,289    0    0    0    0    11,289 
Construction & land development   1,104    0    1,212    0    839    3,155 
Consumer:            
Bankcard   0    0    0    0    0    0 
Other consumer   0    0    0    0    0    0 
                              
Total  $19,672   $1,776   $1,212   $20,186   $12,316   $55,162 
                              
   
Collateral Dependent Loans and Leases
 
   
At December 31, 2022
 
   
Residential
Property
   
Business
Assets
   
Land
   
Commercial
Property
   
Other
   
Total
 
Commercial real estate:           
Owner-occupied  $46   $22   $0   $15,718   $9,635   $25,421 
Nonowner-occupied   3,245    0    0    2,784    7,619    13,648 
Other commercial   0    5,444    0    0    140    5,584 
Residential real estate   11,858    0    0    0    0    11,858 
Construction & land development   14    0    1,312    0    738    2,064 
Consumer:            
Bankcard   0    0    0    0    0    0 
Other consumer   0    0    0    0    0    0 
                              
Total  $15,163   $5,466   $1,312   $18,502   $18,132   $58,575 
                              
United categorizes loans and leases into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, underlying collateral (if any), public information and current economic trends, among other factors.
United uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Pass
Special Mention
Substandard
Doubtful
For United’s loans with a corporate credit exposure, United analyzes loans individually to classify the loans as to credit risk. Review and analysis of criticized (special mention-rated loans in the amount of $1,000 or greater) and classified (substandard-rated and worse in the amount of $500 and greater) loans is completed once per quarter. Review of notes with committed exposure of $3,000 or greater is completed at least annually. For loans with a consumer credit exposure, United internally assigns a grade based upon an individual loan’s delinquency status. United reviews and updates, as necessary, these grades on a quarterly basis.
21

Special mention loans, with a corporate credit exposure, have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends (declining revenues or margins) or an ill proportioned balance sheet (e.g., increasing inventory without an increase in sales, high leverage, tight liquidity). Adverse economic or market conditions, such as interest rate increases or the entry of a new competitor, may also support a special mention rating. Nonfinancial reasons for rating a credit exposure special mention include management problems, pending litigation, an ineffective loan agreement or other material structural weakness, and any other significant deviation from prudent lending practices. For loans with a consumer credit exposure, loans that are past due
30-89
days are generally considered special mention.
A substandard loan with a corporate credit exposure is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt by the borrower. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. They require more intensive supervision by management. Substandard loans are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity, or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. For some substandard loans, the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt and thus, placed on nonaccrual. For loans with a consumer credit exposure, loans that are 90 days or more past due or that have been placed on nonaccrual are considered substandard.
A loan with corporate credit exposure is classified as doubtful if it has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable. A doubtful loan has a high probability of total or substantial loss, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the loan, its classification as loss is deferred. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity or capital, and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. Pending events can include mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, capital injections, the perfection of liens on additional collateral, the valuation of collateral, and refinancing. Generally, there are not any loans with a consumer credit exposure that are classified as doubtful. Usually, they are
charged-off
prior to such a classification.
Based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans and leases as well as charge-offs and recoveries by class of loans is as follows:
Commercial Real Estate – Owner-occupied
   
Term Loans

Origination Year
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                 
Pass  $100,156   $317,749   $255,607   $265,673   $112,845   $536,499  $31,316   $310   $1,620,155 
Special Mention   0    277    0    0    2,485    19,416   0    0    22,178 
Substandard   0    141    284    490    446    36,151   285    131    37,928 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    249   0    0    249 
                                            
Total  $100,156   $318,167   $255,891   $266,163   $115,776   $592,315  $31,601   $441   $1,680,510 
                                            
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    (735  0    0    (735
Current-period recoveries   0    11    0    0    0    115   0    0    126 
                                            
Current-period net recoveries
(charge-offs)
  $0   $11   $0   $0   $0   $(620 $0   $0   $(609
                                            
22
   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans and leases

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                 
Pass  $339,765   $276,667   $284,091   $122,582   $112,126   $504,485  $32,465   $350   $1,672,531 
Special Mention   0    0    0    496    1,158    5,358   920    0    7,932 
Substandard   143    936    522    417    642    41,301   0    233    44,194 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    270   0    0    270 
                                            
Total  $339,908   $277,603   $284,613   $123,495   $113,926   $551,414  $33,385   $583   $1,724,927 
                                            
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    (68  0    0    (68
Current-period recoveries   0    0    0    0    0    489   0    0    489 
                                            
Current-period net recoveries  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $421  $0   $0   $421 
                                            
Commercial Real Estate – Nonowner-occupied
   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                 
Pass  $385,910   $1,402,411   $1,595,745   $678,114   $699,574   $1,382,941  $239,903   $113   $6,384,711 
Special Mention   0    468    2,391    26,837    44,221    105,466   22,295    0    201,678 
Substandard   0    0    0    4,695    3,505    51,000   0    0    59,200 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0   0    0    0 
                                            
Total  $385,910   $1,402,879   $1,598,136   $709,646   $747,300   $1,539,407  $262,198   $113   $6,645,589 
                                            
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    (24  0    0    (24
Current-period recoveries   0    0    0    0    0    1,222   0    0    1,222 
                                            
Current-period net recoveries  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $1,198  $0   $0   $1,198 
                                            
   
Term Loans
   
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans and leases

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                  
Pass  $1,415,465   $1,399,023   $739,474   $687,755   $341,367   $1,297,076   $183,779   $135   $6,064,074 
Special Mention   557    2,401    6,852    84,781    980    23,137    0    0    118,708 
Substandard   0    0    673    34,079    17,180    51,897    363    0    104,192 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
                                             
Total  $1,416,022   $1,401,424   $746,999   $806,615   $359,527   $1,372,110   $184,142   $135   $6,286,974 
                                             
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
Current-period recoveries   0    0    0    0    0    234    0    0    234 
                                             
Current-period net recoveries  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $234   $0   $0   $234 
                                             
Other commercial
   
Term Loans and leases
  
Revolving loans
and leases
amortized cost
basis
  
Revolving

loans and leases

converted to
term loans
  
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
2023
  
2022
  
2021
  
2020
   
2019
  
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:           
Pass  $447,978  $621,912  $494,493  $264,532   $203,947  $512,545  $891,306  $18  $3,436,731 
Special Mention   222   5,921   614   2,039    1,758   6,474   16,413   21   33,462 
Substandard   5   16,220   489   813    1,124   12,660   25,815   0   57,126 
Doubtful   0   0   0   0    0   0   0   0   0 
                                      
Total  $448,205  $644,053  $495,596  $267,384   $206,829  $531,679  $933,534  $39  $3,527,319 
                                      
Current-period charge-offs   (88  (110  (96  0    (13  (517  (144  (78  (1,046
Current-period recoveries   0   0   0   0    16   1,429   5   0   1,450 
                                      
Current-period net (charge-offs) recoveries  $(88 $(110 $(96 $0   $3  $912  $(139 $(78 $404 
                                      
23

   
Term Loans and leases
  
Revolving loans
and leases
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans and leases

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
   
2021
  
2020
  
2019
  
2018
  
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:             
Pass  $749,919   $581,588  $398,682  $230,209  $75,577  $426,406  $1,033,459   $1,596   $3,497,436 
Special Mention   14,244    3,652   331   2,115   936   2,799   35,997    38    60,112 
Substandard   4,023    432   29   871   5,603   6,182   37,778    42    54,960 
Doubtful   0    0   0   0   0   60   0    0    60 
                                        
Total  $768,186   $585,672  $399,042  $233,195  $82,116  $435,447  $1,107,234   $1,676   $3,612,568 
                                        
Current-period charge-offs   0    (364  (202  (211  (2,490  (1,041  0    0    (4,308
Current-period recoveries   0    0   84   17   705   4,561   0    0    5,367 
                                        
Current-period net (charge-offs) recoveries  $0   $(364 $(118 $(194 $(1,785 $3,520  $0   $0   $1,059 
                                        
Residential Real Estate
   
Term Loans
   
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
  
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                 
Pass  $513,860   $1,595,629   $855,363   $452,584   $269,229  $886,968   $415,370   $2,614   $4,991,617 
Special Mention   0    0    0    0    138   3,747    1,737    0    5,622 
Substandard   0    0    396    643    468   16,867    1,125    91    19,590 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0   0    0    0    0 
                                            
Total  $513,860   $1,595,629   $855,759   $453,227   $269,835  $907,582   $418,232   $2,705   $5,016,829 
                                            
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    (705  0    0    0    (705
Current-period recoveries   0    0    6    0    481   1    0    0    488 
                                            
Current-period net recoveries
(charge-offs)
  $0   $0   $6   $0   $(224 $1   $0   $0   $(217
                                            
   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
   
2021
  
2020
   
2019
   
2018
  
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:               
Pass  $1,525,762   $847,177  $492,628   $291,334   $245,158  $791,366  $439,800   $2,683   $4,635,908 
Special Mention   0    0   0    0    11   4,418   1,888    0    6,317 
Substandard   0    1,448   68    445    866   17,001   858    0    20,686 
Doubtful   0    0   0    0    0   0   0    0    0 
                                          
Total  $1,525,762   $848,625  $492,696   $291,779   $246,035  $812,785  $442,546   $2,683   $4,662,911 
                                          
Current-period charge-offs   0    (809  0    0    (284  (453  0    0    (1,546
Current-period recoveries   0    1   0    0    16   1,483   7    0    1,507 
                                          
Current-period net (charge-offs) recoveries  $0   $(808 $0   $0   $(268 $1,030  $7   $0   $(39
                                          
Construction and Land Development
   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                 
Pass  $452,792   $1,179,421   $886,179   $199,609   $39,350   $70,169  $252,301   $0   $3,079,821 
Special Mention   0    2,680    0    9,911    3,398    263   0    0    16,252 
Substandard   0    1,244    2,422    2,471    0    2,272   200    0    8,609 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0   0    0    0 
                                            
Total  $452,792   $1,183,345   $888,601   $211,991   $42,748   $72,704  $252,501   $0   $3,104,682 
                                            
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    (14  0    0    (14
Current-period recoveries   0    0    0    0    0    80   0    0    80 
                                            
Current-period net recoveries  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $66  $0   $0   $66 
                                            
24

   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                                            
Pass  $806,442   $1,109,601   $389,751   $133,711   $117,934   $109,320  $252,604   $0   $2,919,363 
Special Mention   0    0    65    3,421    0    1,447   0    0    4,933 
Substandard   0    219    0    13    0    2,443   0    0    2,675 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0   0    0    0 
                                             
Total  $806,442   $1,109,820   $389,816   $137,145   $117,934   $113,210  $252,604   $0   $2,926,971 
                                             
Current-period charge-offs   0    0    0    0    0    (2  0    0    (2
Current-period recoveries   0    0    0    0    0    1,414   0    0    1,414 
                                             
Current-period net recoveries  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $1,412  $0   $0   $1,412 
                                             
Bankcard
   
Term Loans
   
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
  
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
    2023    
   
    2022    
   
    2021    
   
    2020    
   
    2019    
   
    Prior    
 
Internal Risk Grade:
                 
Pass
                 
Special Mention
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $8,985  $0   $8,985 
Substandard
   0    0    0    0    0    0    32   0    32 
Doubtful
   0    0    0    0    0    0    105   0    105 
Total
   0    0    0    0    0    0    0   0    0 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $9,122  $0   $9,122 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period charge-offs
   0    0    0    0    0    0    (216  0    (216
Current-period recoveries
   0    0    0    0    0    0    22   0    22 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period net charge-offs
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $(194 $0   $(194
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
Term Loans
   
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
  
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
    2022    
   
    2021    
   
    2020    
   
    2019    
   
    2018    
   
    Prior    
 
Internal Risk Grade:
                                            
Pass
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $9,101  $0   $9,101 
Special Mention
   0    0    0    0    0    0    63   0    63 
Substandard
   0    0    0    0    0    0    109   0    109 
Doubtful
   0    0    0    0    0    0    0   0    0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $9,273  $0   $9,273 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period charge-offs
   0    0    0    0    0    0    (355  0    (355
Current-period recoveries
   0    0    0    0    0    0    9   0    9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period net charge-offs
  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $(346 $0   $(346
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Other Consumer
   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of September 30, 2023
  
    2023    
  
    2022    
  
    2021    
  
    2020    
  
    2019    
  
    Prior    
 
Internal Risk Grade:
                                       
Pass
  $162,933  $474,296  $231,602  $118,372  $76,728  $27,335  $2,732   $0   $1,093,998 
Special Mention
   173   13,842   11,214   4,034   1,770   838   26    0    31,897 
Substandard
   0   2,116   1,806   844   141   121   1    0    5,029 
Doubtful
   0   0   0   0   0   0   0    0    0 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  $163,106  $490,254  $244,622  $123,250  $78,639  $28,294  $2,759   $0   $1,130,924 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period charge-offs
   (9  (2,204  (1,999  (690  (272  (132  0    0    (5,306
Current-period recoveries
   0   155   104   40   43   178   0    0    520 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Current-period net (charge-offs) recoveries
  $(9 $(2,049 $(1,895 $(650 $(229 $46  $0   $0   $(4,786
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
25

   
Term Loans
  
Revolving loans
amortized cost
basis
   
Revolving

loans

converted to
term loans
   
Total
 
   
Origination Year
 
As of December 31, 2022
  
2022
  
2021
  
2020
  
2019
  
2018
  
Prior
 
Internal Risk Grade:                                       
Pass  $626,666  $319,719  $176,423  $128,176  $55,147  $9,202  $2,644   $0   $1,317,977 
Special Mention   9,891   13,449   5,769   3,075   1,295   464   50    0    33,993 
Substandard   1,144   2,214   927   167   89   28   0    0    4,569 
Doubtful   0   0   0   0   0   0   0    0    0 
                                        
Total  $637,701  $335,382  $183,119  $131,418  $56,531  $9,694  $2,694   $0   $1,356,539 
                                        
Current-period charge-offs   (394  (1,435  (851  (331  (162  (198  0    0    (3,371
Current-period recoveries   12   102   61   87   60   207   0    0    529 
                                        
Current-period net (charge- offs)
recoveries
  $(382 $(1,333 $(790 $(244 $(102 $9  $0   $0   $(2,842
                                        
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, other real estate owned (“OREO”) included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $3,181 and $2,052, respectively. OREO consists of real estate acquired in foreclosure or other settlement of loans. Such assets are carried at the lower of the investment in the assets or the fair value of the assets less estimated selling costs. Any adjustment to the fair value at the date of transfer is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent valuation adjustments as well as any costs relating to operating, holding or disposing of the property are recorded in other expense in the period incurred. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the recorded investment of consumer
mortgage
loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process was $708 and $1,309, respectively.
5. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of the expected credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost to present the net amount expected to be collected as of the balance sheet date. Such allowance is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the asset (contractual term). Assets are charged off when United determines that such financial assets are deemed uncollectible or based on regulatory requirements, whichever is earlier. Charge-offs are recognized as a deduction from the allowance for credit losses. Expected recoveries of amounts previously
charged-off,
not to exceed the aggregate of the amount previously
charged-off,
are included in determining the necessary reserve at the balance sheet date.
United made a policy election to present the accrued interest receivable balance separately in its consolidated balance sheets from the amortized cost of a loan. Accrued interest receivable was $83,160 and $70,332 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, related to loans and leases that are included separately in “Accrued interest receivable” in the consolidated balance sheets. For all classes of loans and leases receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest received on nonaccrual loans and leases, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal.
The following table represents the accrued interest receivable as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
   
Accrued Interest Receivable
 
   
At September 30, 2023
   
At December 31, 2022
 
Commercial Real Estate:          
Owner-occupied  $4,648   $4,855 
Nonowner-occupied   25,422    19,801 
Other Commercial   13,164    10,904 
Residential Real Estate   19,625    16,117 
Construction   17,444    15,195 
Consumer:          
Bankcard   0    0 
Other consumer   2,857    3,460 
           
Total  $83,160   $70,332 
           
26

The following table represents the accrued interest receivables written off by reversing interest income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
   
Accrued Interest Receivables Written Off
by Reversing Interest Income
 
   
Three Months Ended

September 30
   
Nine Months Ended

September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Commercial real estate:        
Owner-occupied  $0   $2   $16   $8 
Nonowner-occupied   3    2    3    2 
Other commercial   4    52    32    75 
Residential real estate   59    8    204    83 
Construction & land development   0    0    2    0 
Consumer:        
Bankcard   0    0    0    0 
Other consumer   78    98    260    221 
                    
Total  $144   $162   $517   $389 
                    
United estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level or term as well as reasonable and supportable forecast adjustments for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values or other relevant factors. A reversion to historical loss data occurs via a straight-line method during the year following the
one-year
reasonable and supportable forecast period.
United pools its loans and leases based on similar risk characteristics in estimating expected credit losses. United has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the allowance for credit losses using the following methods:
Method: Probability of Default/Loss Given Default (PD/LGD)
Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied
Commercial Real Estate Nonowner-Occupied
Commercial Other
Method: Cohort
Residential Real Estate
Construction & Land Development
Consumer
Bankcard
Risk characteristics of commercial real estate owner-occupied loans and commercial other loans and leases are similar in that they are normally dependent upon the borrower’s internal cash flow from operations to service debt. Commercial real estate nonowner-occupied loans differ in that cash flow to service debt is normally dependent on external income from third parties for use of the real estate such as rents, leases and room rates. Residential real estate loans are dependent upon individual borrowers who are affected by changes in general economic conditions, demand for housing and resulting residential real estate valuation. Construction and land development loans are impacted mainly by demand whether for new residential housing or for retail, industrial, office and other types of commercial construction within a given area. Consumer loan pool risk characteristics are influenced by general, regional and local economic conditions.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not also included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the
27

operation or sale of the collateral but may also include other
non-performing
loans, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. These individually evaluated loans are removed from their respective pools and typically represent collateral dependent loans.
Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans and leases, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications unless management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancelable by United.
At the acquisition date, an initial allowance for expected credit losses for
non-PCD
loans is estimated and recorded as credit loss expense. The subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for all acquired loans is the same as the subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for originated loans. For allowance for credit losses under ASC Topic 326 calculation purposes, United includes its acquired loans and leases in their relevant pool unless they meet the criteria for specific review.
United maintains an allowance for loan losses and a reserve for lending-related commitments such as unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. The reserve for lending-related commitments of $43,766 and $46,189 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, is separately classified on the balance sheet and is included in other liabilities. The combined allowance for loan losses and reserve for lending-related commitments is considered the allowance for credit losses.
United’s allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2023 increased $20,140 or 8.58% from December 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses was due mainly to increased reserves for several loan segments including nonowner-occupied commercial real estate, residential real estate, and construction and land development driven primarily by loan growth in those particular segments as well as reserves for uncertainty surrounding collateral values for dependent loans and current and future economic and business conditions.
The third quarter of 2023 qualitative adjustments include analyses of the following:
Current conditions
– United considered the impact of inflation, rising
interest rates, the banking regulatory environment and geopolitical conflict when making determinations related to factor adjustments for the external environment. United also considered portfolio trends related to economic and business conditions, collateral values for dependent loans; past due, nonaccrual and graded loans and leases; and concentrations of credit.
Reasonable and supportable forecasts
– The forecast is determined on a
portfolio-by-portfolio
basis based on projections of real GDP and the unemployment rate. The reasonable and supportable forecast selection is subjective in nature and requires more judgment compared to the other components of the allowance. Assumptions for the economic variables were the following:
The forecast for real GDP in 2023 improved in the third quarter, from a projection of 1.00% for 2023 in the second quarter to 2.10% for 2023 in the third quarter and improvement in 2024, from a projection of 1.10% for 2024 in the second quarter to 1.50% for 2024 in the third quarter. The unemployment rate improved for 2023 between second and third quarter, 4.10% to 3.80%, and in 2024 with improvement from 4.50% to 4.10%. The forecast for 2025 remained consistent at 1.80% for GDP while the unemployment rate reflected a similar decrease to 2024, from 4.50% to 4.10%.
Greater risk of loss is probable in the office portfolio due to continued hybrid and remote work that may be exacerbated by future economic conditions and in the commercial other and construction portfolios due to weakened economic conditions.
Reversion to historical loss data occurs via a straight-line method during the year following the
one-year
reasonable and supportable forecast period.
28

A progression of the allowance for loan and lease losses, by portfolio segment, for the periods indicated is summarized as follows:
   
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Carrying Amount of Loans and Leases

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Other
Commercial
  
Residential
Real
Estate
  
Construction &
Land
Development
   
Bankcard
  
Other
Consumer
  
Total
 
  
Owner-
occupied
  
Nonowner-
occupied
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:
           
Beginning balance  $11,987  $48,939   $80,216  $41,425  $53,258   $567  $14,329  $250,721 
Charge-offs   (38  0    (313  (619  0    (45  (1,821  (2,836
Recoveries   8   465    306   73   31    6   163   1,052 
Provision   528   2,533    (5,576  3,088   5,104    35   237   5,949 
                                   
Ending balance  $12,485  $51,937   $74,633  $43,967  $58,393   $563  $12,908  $254,886 
                                   
   
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Carrying Amount of Loans and Leases

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Commercial Real
Estate
  
Other
Commercial
  
Residential
Real
Estate
  
Construction &
Land
Development
  
Bankcard
  
Other
Consumer
  
Total
 
  
Owner-
occupied
  
Nonowner-
occupied
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:
         
Beginning balance  $13,945  $38,543  $79,706  $36,227  $48,390  $561  $17,374  $234,746 
Charge-offs   (735  (24  (1,046  (705  (14  (216  (5,306  (8,046
Recoveries   126   1,222   1,450   488   80   22   520   3,908 
Provision   (851  12,196   (5,477  7,957   9,937   196   320   24,278 
                                 
Ending balance  $12,485  $51,937  $74,633  $43,967  $58,393  $563  $12,908  $254,886 
                                 
   
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Carrying Amount of Loans and Leases

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
 
   
Commercial Real
Estate
  
Other
Commercial
  
Residential
Real
Estate
  
Construction &
Land
Development
  
Bankcard
  
Other
Consumer
  
Total
 
  
Owner-
occupied
  
Nonowner-
occupied
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:
         
Beginning balance  $14,443  $42,156  $78,432  $26,404  $39,395  $317  $14,869  $216,016 
Charge-offs   (68  0   (4,308  (1,546  (2  (355  (3,371  (9,650
Recoveries   489   234   5,367   1,507   1,414   9   529   9,549 
Provision   (919  (3,847  215   9,862   7,583   590   5,347   18,831 
                                 
Ending balance  $13,945  $38,543  $79,706  $36,227  $48,390  $561  $17,374  $234,746 
                                 
29

6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following is a summary of intangible assets subject to amortization and those not subject to amortization:
   
September 30, 2023
 
   
Community Banking
  
Mortgage Banking
   
Total
 
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortized intangible assets:           
Core deposit intangible assets  $105,165   ($91,381 $0   $0   $105,165   ($91,381
                             
Non-amortized
intangible assets:
           
George Mason trade name  $0    $1,080     $1,080   
Crescent trade name   0     196      196   
                    
Total  $0    $1,276     $1,276   
                    
Goodwill not subject to amortization  $1,883,574    $5,315     $1,888,889   
                    
   
December 31, 2022
 
   
Community Banking
  
Mortgage Banking
   
Total
 
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortized intangible assets:           
Core deposit intangible assets  $105,165   ($87,544 $0   $0   $105,165   ($87,544
                             
Non-amortized
intangible assets:
           
George Mason trade name  $0    $1,080     $1,080   
Crescent trade name   0     196      196   
                    
Total  $0    $1,276     $1,276   
                    
Goodwill not subject to amortization  $1,883,574    $5,315     $1,888,889   
                    
United incurred amortization expense of $1,279 and $3,837 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $1,379 and $4,137 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
The following table sets forth the anticipated amortization expense for intangible assets for the years subsequent to 2022:
Year
  
Amount
 
2023  $5,116 
2024   3,639 
2025   3,282 
2026   2,758 
2027   1,152 
2028 and thereafter   1,674 
30

7. MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS
Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The value of mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) is included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company initially measures servicing assets and liabilities retained related to the sale of residential loans at fair value, if practicable. For subsequent measurement purposes, the Company measures servicing assets and liabilities based on the lower of cost or market using the amortization method. MSRs are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. The amortization of the MSRs is analyzed periodically and is adjusted to reflect changes in prepayment rates and other estimates.
The Company evaluates potential impairment of MSRs based on the difference between the carrying amount and current estimated fair value of the servicing rights. In determining impairment, the Company aggregates all servicing rights and stratifies them into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics. If impairment exists, a valuation allowance is established for any excess of amortized cost over the current estimated fair value by a charge to income. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.
Service fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing mortgage loans under servicing agreements with the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) and certain private investors. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal balance of the loans serviced and are recorded in noninterest income. Amortization of MSRs and mortgage servicing costs are charged to expense when incurred.
The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others were approximately $1,216,805 at September 30, 2023 and $3,381,485 at December 31, 2022.
The estimated fair value of the mortgage servicing rights was $14,652 and $41,880 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The estimated fair value of servicing rights at September 30, 2023 was determined using a net servicing fee of 0.25%, average discount rates ranging from 10.50% to 11.01% with a weighted average discount rate of 10.60%, average constant prepayment rates (“CPR”) ranging from 4.59% to 9.11% with a weighted average prepayment rate of 5.41%, depending upon the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a delinquency rate, including loans on forbearance of 3.14%. The estimated fair value of servicing rights at December 31, 2022 was determined using a net servicing fee of 0.25%, average discount rates ranging from 10.50% to 10.74% with a weighted average discount rate of 10.62%, average CPR ranging from 5.66% to 7.62% with a weighted average prepayment rate of 6.30%, depending upon the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a delinquency rate, including loans on forbearance of 2.19%. Please refer to Note 13 in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning the fair value of MSRs.
The following presents the activity in mortgage servicing rights, including their valuation allowance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
   
Three Months Ended

September 30
   
Nine Months Ended

September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
MSRs beginning balance  $ 4,627   $ 22,593   $21,022   $ 24,027 
Amount sold   0    0    (15,001   0 
Amount capitalized   231    251    526    1,361 
Amount amortized   (242   (936   (1,931   (3,480
                    
MSRs ending balance  $4,616   $21,908   $4,616   $21,908 
                    
MSRs valuation allowance beginning balance  $0   $0   $0   $(883) 
Aggregate additions charged and recoveries credited to operations   0    0    0    883 
MSRs impairment   0    0    0    0 
                    
MSRs valuation allowance ending balance  $0   $0   $0   $0 
                    
MSRs, net of valuation allowance  $4,616   $21,908   $4,616   $21,908 
                    
31

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, United recognized a net gain of $8,306 on the sale of MSRs. The Company did not record any temporary impairments on MSRs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The estimated amortization expense is based on current information regarding future loan payments and prepayments. Amortization expense could change in future periods based on changes in the volume of prepayments and economic factors.
8. LEASES
United determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. United and certain subsidiaries have entered into various noncancelable-operating leases for branch and loan production offices as well as operating facilities. Operating leases are included in operating lease
right-of-use
(“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Presently, United does not have any finance leases.
United’s operating leases are subject to renewal options under various terms. United’s operating leases have remaining terms of 1 to 15 years, some of which include options to extend leases generally for periods of 5 years. United rents or subleases certain real estate to third parties. Our sublease portfolio generally consists of operating leases to other organizations for former branch offices.
ROU assets represent United’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent United’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of United’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that United will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
       
Three Months
Ended
   
Three Months
Ended
 
   
Classification
   
September 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
 
Operating lease cost   Net occupancy expense   $5,252   $5,315 
Sublease income   Net occupancy expense    (62   (60
            
Net lease cost    $5,190   $5,255 
            
       
Nine Months
Ended
   
Nine Months
Ended
 
   
Classification
   
September 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
 
Operating lease cost   Net occupancy expense   $ 15,987   $ 15,696 
Sublease income   Net occupancy expense    (183   (268
            
Net lease cost    $15,804   $15,428 
            
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
   
Classification
  
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
Operating lease
right-of-use
assets
  
Operating lease right-of-use assets
  $ 80,259   $ 71,144 
Operating lease liabilities  Operating lease liabilities  $84,569   $75,749 
32

Other information related to leases was as follows:
September 30, 2023
Weighted-average remaining lease term:
Operating leases7.09 years
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases2.77
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2023
   
September 30, 2022
 
Cash paid for amounts in the measurement of lease liabilities:    
Operating cash flows from operating leases  $5,340   $5,351 
ROU assets obtained in the exchange for lease liabilities   3,968    3,440 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2023
   
September 30, 2022
 
Cash paid for amounts in the measurement of lease liabilities:    
Operating cash flows from operating leases  $ 16,282   $ 15,847 
ROU assets obtained in the exchange for lease liabilities   22,333    7,563 
Maturities of lease liabilities by year and in the aggregate, under operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more, for years subsequent to December 31, 2022, consists of the following as of September 30, 2023:
Year
  
Amount
 
2023  $4,979 
2024   16,950 
2025   13,756 
2026   12,540 
2027   10,667 
Thereafter   34,658 
     
Total lease payments   93,550 
Less: imputed interest   (8,981
     
Total  $ 84,569 
     
9. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, short-term borrowings were as follows:
   
As of

September 30, 2023
   
As of

December 31, 2022
 
Federal funds purchased  $0   $0 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   188,274    160,698 
          
Total short-term borrowings  $ 188,274   $ 160,698 
          
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase have not been a significant source of funds for the company. The securities sold under agreements to repurchase were accounted for as collateralized financial transactions. They were recorded at the amounts at which the securities were acquired or sold plus accrued interest.
United has various unused lines of credit available from certain of its correspondent banks in the aggregate amount of $230,000. These lines of credit, which bear interest at prevailing market rates, permit United to borrow funds in the overnight market, and are renewable annually subject to certain conditions.
United has a $20,000 line of credit with an unrelated financial institution to provide for general liquidity needs. The line is an unsecured, revolving line of credit. The line is renewable on a 360 day basis and carries an indexed, floating-rate of interest. The line requires compliance with various financial and nonfinancial covenants. At September 30, 2023, United had no outstanding balance under this credit.
33

10. LONG-TERM BORROWINGS
United’s subsidiary bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). Membership in the FHLB makes available short-term and long-term borrowings from collateralized advances. All FHLB borrowings are collateralized by a mix of single-family residential mortgage loans, commercial loans and investment securities. At September 30, 2023, United had an unused borrowing amount of approximately $7,304,090 available subject to delivery of collateral after certain trigger points. Advances may be called by the FHLB or redeemed by United based on predefined factors and penalties.
At September 30, 2023, $1,110,559 of FHLB advances with a weighted-average contractual interest rate of 5.43% and a weighted-average effective interest rate of 3.15% are scheduled to mature within the next two years. The weighted-average effective rate considers the effect of any interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges outstanding at September 30, 2023 to manage interest rate risk on its long-term debt.
The scheduled maturities of these FHLB borrowings are as follows:
Year
  
Amount
 
2023  $ 1,100,000 
2024   0 
2025   10,559 
2026   0 
2027 and thereafter   0 
     
Total  $1,110,559 
     
At September 30, 2023, United had a total of twenty statutory business trusts that were formed for the purpose of issuing or participating in pools of trust preferred capital securities (“Capital Securities”) with the proceeds invested in junior subordinated debt securities (“Debentures”) of United. The Debentures, which are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future senior indebtedness and certain other financial obligations of United, are the sole assets of the trusts and United’s payment under the Debentures is the sole source of revenue for the trusts. United assumed $10,000 in aggregate principal amount of
fixed-to-floating
rate subordinated notes in the Carolina Financial Corporation acquisition. During the first quarter of 2023, United redeemed these
fixed-to-floating
rate subordinated notes. At December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance of the subordinated notes was $9,892. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance of the Debentures was $278,211 and $276,989, respectively, and was included in the category of long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets entitled “Other long-term borrowings.” The Capital Securities are not included as a component of shareholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. United fully and unconditionally guarantees each individual trust’s obligations under the Capital Securities.
Under the provisions of the subordinated debt, United has the right to defer payment of interest on the subordinated debt at any time, or from time to time, for periods not exceeding five years. If interest payments on the subordinated debt are deferred, the dividends on the Capital Securities are also deferred. Interest on the subordinated debt is cumulative.
In accordance with the fully-phased in “Basel III Capital Rules” as published by United’s primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve, United is unable to consider the Capital Securities as Tier 1 capital, but rather the Capital Securities are included as a component of United’s Tier 2 capital. United can include the Capital Securities in its Tier 2 capital on a permanent basis.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Lending-related Commitments
United is a party to financial instruments with
off-balance-sheet
risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to alter its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include loan commitments, standby letters of credit, and interest rate swap agreements. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements.
34

United’s maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the financial instrument for the loan commitments and standby letters of credit is the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. United uses the same policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for
on-balance
sheet instruments. Collateral may be obtained, if deemed necessary, based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily, and historically do not, represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon the extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. United had approximately $7,064,910 and $7,250,155 of loan commitments outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, approximately 40% of which contractually expire within one year. Excluded in the September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 amounts above are commitments to extend credit of $475,571 and $719,841 respectively, related to mortgage loan funding commitments of United’s mortgage banking segment which are of a short-term nature.
Commercial and standby letters of credit are agreements used by United’s customers as a means of improving their credit standing in their dealings with others. Under these agreements, United guarantees certain financial commitments of its customers. A commercial letter of credit is issued specifically to facilitate trade or commerce. Typically, under the terms of a commercial letter of credit, a commitment is drawn upon when the underlying transaction is consummated as intended between the customer and a third party. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, United had $16,326 of commercial letters of credit outstanding. A standby letter of credit is generally contingent upon the failure of a customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third party. United has issued standby letters of credit of $155,516 and $147,511 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, United has determined that substantially all of its letters of credit are renewed on an annual basis and the fees associated with these letters of credit are immaterial.
Mortgage Banking
United’s mortgage banking segment provides for its estimated exposure to repurchase loans previously sold to investors for which borrowers failed to provide full and accurate information on their loan application or for which appraisals have not been acceptable or where the loan was not underwritten in accordance with the loan program specified by the loan investor, and for other exposure to its investors related to loan sales activities. United evaluates the merits of each claim and estimates its reserve based on actual and expected claims received and considers the historical amounts paid to settle such claims. United’s mortgage banking segment reserve was immaterial as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
United has derivative counter-party risk that may arise from the possible inability of United’s mortgage banking segment’s third party investors to meet the terms of their forward sales contracts. United’s mortgage banking segment works with third-party investors that are generally well-capitalized, are investment grade and exhibit strong financial performance to mitigate this risk. United does not expect any third-party investor to fail to meet its obligation.
Legal Proceedings
United and its subsidiaries are currently involved in various legal proceedings in the normal course of business. On at least a quarterly basis, United assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with all pending or threatened claims and litigation, utilizing the most recent information available. On a
matter-by-matter
basis, an accrual for loss is established for those matters which United believes it is probable that a loss may be incurred and that the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Once established, each accrual is adjusted as appropriate to reflect any subsequent developments. Accordingly, management’s estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be more or less than the current estimate. For matters where a loss is not probable, or the amount of the loss cannot be estimated, no accrual is established.
35

Management is vigorously pursuing all its legal and factual defenses and, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that all such litigation will be resolved with no material effect on United’s financial statements.
Regulatory Matters
A variety of consumer products, including mortgage and deposit products, and certain fees and charges related to such products, have come under increased regulatory scrutiny. It is possible that regulatory authorities could bring enforcement actions, including civil money penalties, or take other actions against United in regard to these consumer products. United could also determine of its own accord, or be required by regulators, to refund or otherwise make remediation payments to customers in connection with these products. It is not possible at this time for management to assess the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss related to such matters.
12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
United uses derivative instruments to help aid against adverse price changes or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets or liabilities and on future cash flows. These derivatives may consist of interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars, futures, forward contracts, written and purchased options. United also executes derivative instruments with its commercial banking customers to facilitate its risk management strategies.
Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.
Fair value hedges may be eligible for offset on the consolidated balance sheets because they are subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. United has elected not to offset the assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on the consolidated financial statements.
During 2020, United entered into two interest rate swap derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. The notional amount of these cash flow hedge derivatives totaled $500,000. The derivatives are intended to hedge the changes in cash flows associated with floating rate FHLB borrowings. As of September 30, 2023, United has determined that no forecasted transactions related to its cash flow hedges resulted in gains or losses pertaining to cash flow hedge reclassification from AOCI to income because the forecasted transactions became probable of not occurring. United estimates that $23,922 will be reclassified from AOCI as a decrease to interest expense over the next
12-months
following September 30, 2023 related to the cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2023, the maximum length of time over which forecasted transactions are hedged is seven years.
At inception of a hedge relationship, United formally documents the hedged item, the particular risk management objective, the nature of the risk being hedged, the derivative being used, how effectiveness of the hedge will be assessed and how the ineffectiveness of the hedge will be measured. United also assesses hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis using regression analysis. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured by using the change in fair value method. The change in fair value method compares the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative to the change in the fair value of the hedged exposure, attributable to changes in the benchmark rate.
United is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act clearing requirement for eligible derivatives. United has executed and cleared eligible derivatives through the London Clearing House (“LCH”). Variation margin at the LCH is distinguished as
settled-to-market
and settled daily based on the prior day value, rather than
collateralized-to-market.
The daily settlement of the derivative exposure does not change or reset the contractual terms of the instrument. The total notional amount of interest rate swap derivatives designated as cash flow hedges cleared through the LCH include $500,000 for asset derivatives as of September 30, 2023. Balances related to LCH are presented as a single unit of account with the fair value of the designated cash flow interest rate swap asset being reduced by variation margin posted by (with) the applicable counterparty and reported in the following table on a net basis. The related fair value on a net basis approximates zero.
36

United through its mortgage banking subsidiaries enters into interest rate lock commitments to finance residential mortgage loans with its customers. These commitments, which contain fixed expiration dates, offer the borrower an interest rate guarantee provided the loan meets underwriting guidelines and closes within the timeframe established by United. Interest rate risk arises on these commitments and subsequently closed loans if interest rates change between the time of the interest rate lock and the delivery of the loan to the investor. Market risk on interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held for sale is managed using corresponding forward mortgage loan sales contracts. United is a party to these forward mortgage loan sales contracts to sell loans with servicing either released or retained and short sales of mortgage-backed securities. When the interest rate is locked with the borrower, the rate lock commitment, forward sale agreement, and mortgage-backed security position are undesignated derivatives and marked to fair value through earnings. The fair value of the rate lock derivative is measured using valuations from investors for loans with similar characteristics as well as considering the probability of the loan closing (i.e. the “pull-through” rate) with some adjusted for the Company’s actual sales experience versus the investor’s indicated pricing. Fair values of TBA mortgage-backed securities are measured using valuations from investors for mortgage-backed securities with similar characteristics. Income from mortgage banking activities includes the gain recognized for the period presented and associated elements of fair value.
The following tables disclose the derivative instruments’ location on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and the notional amount and fair value of those instruments at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
   
Asset Derivatives
 
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
   
Balance

Sheet

Location
   
Notional

Amount
   
Fair

Value
   
Balance

Sheet

Location
   
Notional

Amount
   
Fair

Value
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
            
Fair Value Hedges:
            
Interest rate swap contracts
(hedging commercial loans)
   Other assets   $51,733   $ 4,816    Other assets   $55,073   $ 4,038 
                        
Total Fair Value Hedges
    $51,733   $4,816     $55,073   $4,038 
Cash Flow Hedges:
            
Interest rate swap contracts
(hedging FHLB borrowings)
   Other assets   $500,000   $0    Other assets   $500,000   $0 
                        
Total Cash Flow Hedges
    $ 500,000   $0     $ 500,000   $0 
                        
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
    $551,733   $4,816     $555,073   $4,038 
                        
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
            
Forward loan sales commitments   Other assets   $2,193   $13    Other assets   $15,475   $220 
TBA mortgage-backed securities   Other assets    110,578    1,433    Other assets    22,649    146 
Interest rate lock commitments   Other assets    111,710    1,584    Other assets    73,412    1,146 
                        
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    $224,481   $3,030     $111,536   $1,512 
                        
Total asset derivatives    $776,214   $7,846     $666,609   $5,550 
                        
   
Liability Derivatives
 
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
   
Balance

Sheet

Location
   
Notional

Amount
   
Fair

Value
   
Balance

Sheet

Location
   
Notional

Amount
   
Fair

Value
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
            
Forward loan sales commitments   Other liabilities   $8,401   $13    Other liabilities   $0   $0 
TBA mortgage-backed securities   Other liabilities    0    0    Other liabilities    63,000    213 
Interest rate lock commitments   Other liabilities    74,207    315    Other liabilities    48,949    348 
                        
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    $82,608   $ 328     $ 111,949   $ 561 
                        
Total liability derivatives    $ 82,608   $328     $111,949   $561 
                        
37

The following table represents the carrying amount of the hedged assets/(liabilities) and the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged assets/(liabilities) that are designated as a fair value accounting relationship as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Derivatives in Fair Value
Hedging Relationships
  
Location in the Statement of
Condition
  
September 30, 2023
 
  
Carrying Amount of
the Hedged

Assets/(Liabilities)
   
Cumulative Amount
of Fair Value Hedging
Adjustment Included
in the Carrying
Amount of the Hedged

Assets/(Liabilities)
   
Cumulative Amount of
Fair Value Hedging
Adjustment Remaining for
any Hedged Assets/
(Liabilities) for which
Hedge Accounting has
been Discontinued
 
Interest rate swaps  Loans, net of unearned income  $ 52,390   $ (3,870)   $ 0 
Derivatives in Fair Value
Hedging Relationships
  
Location in the Statement of
Condition
  
December 31, 2022
 
  
Carrying Amount of
the Hedged

Assets/(Liabilities)
   
Cumulative Amount
of Fair Value Hedging
Adjustment Included
in the Carrying
Amount of the Hedged
Assets/(Liabilities)
   
Cumulative Amount of
Fair Value Hedging
Adjustment Remaining for
any Hedged Assets/
(Liabilities) for which
Hedge Accounting has
been Discontinued
 
Interest rate swaps  Loans, net of unearned income  $55,770   $ (3,069)   $0 
Derivative contracts involve the risk of dealing with both bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Credit risk arises from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. United’s exposure is limited to the replacement value of the contracts rather than the notional amount of the contract. The Company’s agreements generally contain provisions that limit the unsecured exposure up to an agreed upon threshold. Additionally, the Company attempts to minimize credit risk through certain approval processes established by management.
The effect of United’s derivative financial instruments on its unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are presented as follows:
      
Three Months Ended
 
   
Income Statement
Location
  
September 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
 
Derivatives in hedging relationships
      
Cash flow Hedges:
      
Interest rate swap contracts
  
Interest on long-term
borrowings
  $ 6,243   $2,422 
Fair Value Hedges:
      
Interest rate swap contracts  Interest and fees on loans  $27   $40 
            
Total derivatives in hedging relationships
    $6,270   $2,462 
            
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
      
Forward loan sales commitments  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities  $(64)   $(345) 
TBA mortgage-backed securities  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities   573    4,245 
Interest rate lock commitments  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities   14    (2,838
            
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    $523   $1,062 
            
Total derivatives
    $6,793   $3,524 
            
38
      
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Income Statement
Location
  
September 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
 
Derivatives in hedging relationships
             
Cash flow Hedges:
             
Interest rate swap contracts  Interest on long-term borrowings  $ 17,186   $2,343 
Fair Value Hedges:
             
Interest rate swap contracts  Interest and fees on loans  $(24)   $(997) 
              
Total derivatives in hedging relationships
     $17,162   $1,346 
              
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
             
Forward loan sales commitments  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities  $(221)   $(670) 
TBA mortgage-backed securities  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities   1,500    5,352 
Interest rate lock commitments  Income from Mortgage Banking Activities   438    (8,175
              
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
     $1,717   $ (3,493) 
              
Total derivatives
     $18,879   $(2,147) 
              
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, changes in the fair value of certain interest rate swaps attributed to hedge ineffectiveness were recorded, but not significant to United’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
United determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which also clarifies that fair value of certain assets and liabilities is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect United’s market assumptions.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy based on these two types of inputs are as follows:
Level 1—  Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2—  Valuation is based on observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in less active markets, and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions can be derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data in the market.
Level 3—  Valuation is based on model-based techniques that use one or more significant inputs or assumptions that are unobservable in the market.
When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, United looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, United looks to market observable data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2. Nevertheless, certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and United must use alternative valuation techniques using unobservable inputs to determine a fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. For assets and liabilities that are
not
actively traded, the fair value measurement is based primarily upon estimates that require significant judgment. Therefore, the results may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there are inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement.
39

In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the following describes the valuation techniques used by United to measure certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the financial statements.
Securities available for sale and equity securities
: Securities available for sale and equity securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (“Level 1”). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data. Using a market approach valuation methodology, third party vendors compile prices based on observable market inputs, which include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, and “To Be Announced” prices (“Level 2”). Management internally reviews the fair values provided by third party vendors on a monthly basis. Management also performs a quarterly price testing analysis at the individual security level which compares the pricing provided by the third party vendors to an independent pricing source’s valuation of the same securities. Variances that are deemed to be material are reviewed by management. Additionally, to further assess the reliability of the information received from third party vendors, management obtains documentation from third party vendors related to the sources, methodologies, and inputs utilized in valuing securities classified as Level 2. Management analyzes this information to ensure the underlying assumptions appear reasonable. Management also obtains an independent service auditor’s report from third party vendors to provide reasonable assurance that appropriate controls are in place over the valuation process. Upon completing its review of the pricing from third party vendors at September 30, 2023, management determined that the prices provided by its third party pricing sources were reasonable and in line with management’s expectations for the market values of these securities. Therefore, prices obtained from third party vendors that did not reflect forced liquidation or distressed sales were not adjusted materially by management at September 30, 2023. Management utilizes a number of factors to determine if a market is inactive, all of which may require a significant level of judgment. Factors that management considers include: a significant widening of the
bid-ask
spread, a considerable decline in the volume and level of trading activity in the instrument, a significant variance in prices among market participants, and a significant reduction in the level of observable inputs. Any securities available for sale not valued based upon quoted market prices or third party pricing models that consider observable market data are considered Level 3. Currently, United does not have any
available-for-sale
securities considered as Level 3.
Loans held for sale
: For residential mortgage loans sold in the mortgage banking segment, the loans closed are recorded at fair value using the fair value option which is measured using valuations from investors for loans with similar characteristics (“Level 2”) with some adjusted for the Company’s actual sales experience versus the investor’s indicated pricing (“Level 3”). The unobservable input for Level 3 valuations is the Company’s historical sales prices. For September 30, 2023, the range of historical sales prices increased the investor’s indicated pricing by a range of 0.05% to 0.77% with a weighted average increase of 0.31%.
Derivatives
: United utilizes interest rate swaps to hedge exposure to interest rate risk and variability of cash flows associated to changes in the underlying interest rate of the hedged item. These hedging interest rate swaps are classified as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. United utilizes third-party vendors for derivative valuation purposes. These vendors determine the appropriate fair value based on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the interest rate swaps using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves (“Level 2”). Valuation adjustments to derivative fair values for liquidity and credit risk are also taken into consideration, as well as the likelihood of default by United and derivative counterparties, the net counterparty exposure and the remaining maturities of the positions. Values obtained from third party vendors are typically not adjusted by management. Management internally reviews the derivative values provided by third party vendors on a quarterly basis. All derivative values are tested for reasonableness by management utilizing a net present value calculation.
For a fair value hedge, the fair value of the interest rate swap is recognized on the balance sheet as either a freestanding asset or liability with a corresponding adjustment to the hedged financial instrument. Subsequent adjustments due to changes in the fair value of a derivative that qualifies as a fair value hedge are offset in current period earnings either in interest income or interest expense depending on the nature of the hedged financial instrument. For a cash flow hedge, the fair value of the interest rate swap is recognized on the balance sheet as either a freestanding asset or liability with a
40

corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity, net of tax. Subsequent adjustments due to changes in the fair value of a derivative that qualifies as a cash flow hedge are offset to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax and reclassified into earnings in the same line associated with the forecasted transaction when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.
The Company records its interest rate lock commitments and forward loan sales commitments at fair value determined as the amount that would be required to settle each of these derivative financial instruments at the balance sheet date. In the normal course of business, United’s mortgage banking subsidiaries enter into contractual interest rate lock commitments to extend credit to borrowers with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers
“lock-in”
a specified interest rate within the timeframes established by the mortgage companies. All borrowers are evaluated for credit worthiness prior to the extension of the commitment. Interest rate risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the interest rate lock by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to the investor. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, United’s mortgage banking subsidiaries enter into either a forward sales contract to sell loans to investors or a TBA mortgage-backed security. Fair values of TBA mortgage-backed securities are measured using valuations from investors for mortgage-backed securities with similar characteristics (“Level 2”). The forward sales contracts lock in an interest rate and price for the sale of loans similar to the specific rate lock commitments. These valuations fall into a Level 2 category. The interest rate lock commitments are recorded at fair value which is measured using valuations from investors for loans with similar characteristics as well as considering the probability of the loan closing (i.e. the “pull-through” rate)(“Level 2”) with some adjusted for the Company’s actual sales experience versus the investor’s indicated pricing (“Level 3”). The unobservable input for Level 3 valuations is the Company’s historical sales prices. For September 30, 2023, the range of historical sales prices increased the investor’s indicated pricing by a range of 0.05% to 0.77% with a weighted average increase of 0.31%.
For interest rate swap derivatives that are not designated in a hedge relationship within the mortgage banking segment, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in income from mortgage banking activities in the same period as the change in the fair value. Unrealized gains and losses due to changes in the fair value of other derivative financial instruments not in hedge relationships are included in noninterest income and noninterest expense, respectively.
The following tables present the balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
       
Fair Value at September 30, 2023 Using
 
Description
  
Balance as of

September 30,

2023
   
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
Assets        
Available for sale debt securities:        
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies  $480,158   $0   $480,158   $0 
State and political subdivisions   499,162    0    499,162    0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities        
Agency   1,031,524    0    1,031,524    0 
Non-agency
   89,936    0    89,936    0 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities Agency   445,830    0    445,830    0 
Asset-backed securities   875,728    0    875,728    0 
Single issue trust preferred securities   14,737    0    14,737    0 
Other corporate securities   312,282    5,206    307,076    0 
                    
Total available for sale securities   3,749,357    5,206    3,744,151    0 
Equity securities:        
Financial services industry   167    167    0    0 
Equity mutual funds (1)   3,403    3,403    0    0 
Fixed income mutual funds   4,978    4,978    0    0 
                    
Total equity securities   8,548    8,548    0    0 
41

       
Fair Value at September 30, 2023 Using
 
Description
  
Balance as of

September 30,

2023
   
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
Loans held for sale   59,614    0    7,948    51,666 
Derivative financial assets:        
Interest rate swap contracts   4,816    0    4,816    0 
Forward sales commitments   13    0    13    0 
TBA mortgage-backed securities   1,433    0    132    1,301 
Interest rate lock commitments   1,584    0    418    1,166 
                    
Total derivative financial assets   7,846    0    5,379    2,467 
Liabilities        
Derivative financial liabilities:        
Forward sales commitments   13    0    0    13 
Interest rate lock commitments   315    0    0    315 
                    
Total derivative financial liabilities   328    0    0    328 
       
Fair Value at December 31, 2022 Using
 
Description
  
Balance as of

December 31,

2022
   
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
Assets        
Available for sale debt securities:        
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies
  $529,492   $0   $529,492   $0 
State and political subdivisions   709,530    0    709,530    0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities        
Agency   1,174,944    0    1,174,944    0 
Non-agency
   111,973    0    111,973    0 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities        
Agency   562,553    0    562,553    0 
Asset-backed securities   911,611    0    911,611    0 
Single issue trust preferred securities   16,284    0    16,284    0 
Other corporate securities   525,538    5,367    520,171    0 
                    
Total available for sale securities   4,541,925    5,367    4,536,558    0 
Equity securities:        
Financial services industry   270    270    0    0 
Equity mutual funds (1)   2,221    2,221    0    0 
Fixed income mutual funds   5,138    5,138    0    0 
                    
Total equity securities   7,629    7,629    0    0 
Loans held for sale   56,879    0    12,008    44,871 
Derivative financial assets:        
Interest rate swap contracts   4,038    0    4,038    0 
Forward sales commitments   220    0    214    6 
TBA mortgage-backed securities   146    0    120    26 
Interest rate lock commitments   1,146    0    302    844 
                    
Total derivative financial assets   5,550    0    4,674    876 
Liabilities        
Derivative financial liabilities:        
TBA mortgage-backed securities   213    0    0    213 
Interest rate lock commitments   348    0    0    348 
                    
Total derivative financial liabilities   561    0    0    561 
(1)The equity mutual funds are within a rabbi trust for the payment of benefits under a deferred compensation plan for certain key officers of United and its subsidiaries.
42
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following tables present additional information about financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 on a recurring basis and for which United has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value. The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at the reporting date are recorded in Income from mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
   
Loans held for sale
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $44,871   $464,109 
Originations   878,526    2,360,908 
Sales   (896,109   (2,673,795
Transfers to portfolio loans   0    (154,699
Total gains during the period recognized in earnings   24,378    48,348 
          
Balance, end of period  $51,666   $44,871 
          
The amount of total (losses) gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $(139  $(9,852
   
Derivative financial assets

TBA securities
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $26   $61 
Transfers other   1,275    (35
          
Balance, end of period  $1,301   $26 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $1,301   $26 
   
Derivative financial assets

Forward sales commitments
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $6   $0 
Transfers other   (6   6 
          
Balance, end of period  $0   $6 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $0   $6 
   
Derivative financial assets

Interest rate lock commitments
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $844   $9,444 
Transfers other   322    (8,600
          
Balance, end of period  $1,166   $844 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $1,166   $844 
43

   
Derivative financial liabilities

Forward sales commitments
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $0   $36 
Transfers other   13    (36
          
Balance, end of period  $13   $0 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $13   $0 
   
Derivative financial liabilities

TBA securities
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $213   $470 
Transfers other   (213   (257
          
Balance, end of period  $0   $213 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $0   $213 
   
Derivative financial liabilities

Interest rate lock commitments
 
   
September 30,

2023
   
December 31,
2022
 
Balance, beginning of period  $348   $25 
Transfers other   (33   323 
          
Balance, end of period  $315   $348 
          
The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at reporting date  $315   $348 
Fair Value Option
The following table reflects the change in fair value included in earnings of financial instruments for which the fair value option has been elected:
Description
  
Three Months Ended

September 30, 2023
   
Three Months Ended

September 30, 2022
 
Income from mortgage banking activities  $(469  $(2,662
Description
  
Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023
   
Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2022
 
Income from mortgage banking activities  $(112  $(12,800
No loans held for sale were past due or on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
44

The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate fair value and the remaining contractual principal outstanding for financial instruments for which the fair value option has been elected:
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
Description
  
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Fair
Value
   
Fair Value
Over/(Under)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Fair
Value
   
Fair Value
Over/(Under)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Loans held for sale  $59,017   $59,614   $597   $56,170   $56,879   $709 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain financial assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of
lower-of-cost-or-market
accounting or write-downs of individual assets.
The following describes the valuation techniques used by United to measure certain financial assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the financial statements.
Individually assessed loans
: In the determination of the allowance for loan losses, loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not also included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. Fair value is measured using a market approach based on the value of the collateral securing the loans. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. The vast majority of the collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed appraiser outside of the Company using comparable property sales (“Level 2”). However, if the collateral is a house or building in the process of construction or if an appraisal of the real estate property is over two years old, then the fair value is considered Level 3. The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable business’ financial statements if not considered significant using observable market data. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivables collateral are based on financial statement balances or aging reports (“Level 3”). For individually assessed loans, a specific reserve is established through the allowance for loan losses, if necessary, by estimating the fair value of the underlying collateral on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for credit losses expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
OREO
: OREO consists of real estate acquired in foreclosure or other settlement of loans. Such assets are carried on the balance sheet at the lower of the investment in the assets or the fair value of the assets less estimated selling costs. Fair value is determined by one of two market approach methods depending on whether the property has been vacated and an appraisal can be conducted. If the property has yet to be vacated and thus an appraisal cannot be performed, a Brokers Price Opinion (i.e. BPO), is obtained. A BPO represents a best estimate valuation performed by a realtor based on knowledge of current property values and a visual examination of the exterior condition of the property. Once the property is subsequently vacated, a formal appraisal is obtained and the recorded asset value appropriately adjusted. On the other hand, if the OREO property has been vacated and an appraisal can be conducted, the fair value of the property is determined based upon the appraisal using a market approach. An authorized independent appraiser conducts appraisals for United. Appraisals for property other than ongoing construction are based on consideration of comparable property sales (“Level 2”). In contrast, valuation of ongoing construction assets requires some degree of professional judgment. In conducting an appraisal for ongoing construction property, the appraiser develops two appraised amounts: an “as is” appraised value and a “completed” value. Based on professional judgment and their knowledge of the particular situation, management determines the appropriate fair value to be utilized for such property (“Level 3”). As a matter of policy, valuations are reviewed at least annually and appraisals are generally updated on a
bi-annual
basis with values lowered as necessary.
45

Intangible Assets
: For United, intangible assets consist of goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or sooner if indicators of impairment exist. United may elect to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether or not it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If United elects to bypass this qualitative analysis, or concludes via qualitative analysis that it is
more-likely-than-not
that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, United may use either a market or income quantitative approach to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge would be recorded for the difference, not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. At each reporting date, the Company considers potential indicators of impairment. United performed its annual goodwill impairment test on the Company’s reporting units as of September 30, 2023. The goodwill impairment test did not identify any goodwill impairment. In subsequent periods, economic uncertainty and volatility and the performance of the Company’s stock as well as possible other impairment indicators could cause us to perform a goodwill impairment test which could result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period if the carrying value of goodwill was found to exceed fair value. Core deposit intangibles relate to the estimated value of the deposit base of acquired institutions. Management reviews core deposit intangible assets on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators of impairment exist, and evaluates changes in facts and circumstances that may indicate impairment in the carrying value. No other fair value measurement of intangible assets was made during the first nine months of 2023 and 2022.
Mortgage Servicing Rights:
A mortgage servicing right asset represents the amount by which the present value of the estimated future net cash flows to be received from servicing loans are expected to more than adequately compensate the Company for performing the servicing. The Company initially measures servicing assets and liabilities retained related to the sale of residential loans held for sale (“mortgage servicing rights”) at fair value. For subsequent measurement purposes, the Company measures servicing assets and liabilities using the amortization method on a quarterly basis. The quarterly determination of fair value of servicing rights is provided by a third party and is estimated using a present value cash flow model. The most important assumptions used in the valuation model are the anticipated rate of the loan prepayments and discount rates. Although some assumptions in determining fair value are based on standards used by market participants, some are based on unobservable inputs and therefore are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The unobservable inputs for Level 3 valuations are market discount rates, anticipated prepayment speeds, projected delinquency rates, and ancillary fee income net of servicing costs. For the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, refer to Note 7 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company did not record any temporary impairment of mortgage servicing rights in the third quarter and first nine months of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The following table summarizes United’s financial assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the period:
Description
  
Balance as of

September 30, 2023
   
Fair Value at September 30, 2023
   
YTD Gains
(Losses)
 
  
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
Assets          
Individually assessed loans  $15,228   $0   $13,856   $1,372   $(470
OREO   3,181    0    3,181    0    (67
Description
  
Balance as of

December 31, 2022
   
Fair Value at December 31, 2022
   
YTD Gains

(Losses)
 
  
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
Assets          
Individually assessed loans  $6,125   $0   $1,801   $4,324   $327 
OREO   2,052    0    2,013    39    (96
46

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by United in estimating its fair value disclosures for other financial instruments:
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair values.
Securities held to maturity and other securities
: The estimated fair values of securities held to maturity are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data. Third party vendors compile prices from various sources and may determine the fair value of identical or similar securities by using pricing models that consider observable market data. Any securities held to maturity, not valued based upon the methods above, are valued based on a discounted cash flow methodology using appropriately adjusted discount rates reflecting nonperformance and liquidity risks. Other securities consist mainly of shares of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock that do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at cost.
Loans and leases
: The fair values of certain mortgage loans (e.g.,
one-to-four
family residential), credit card loans, and other consumer loans are based on quoted market prices of similar loans sold in conjunction with securitization transactions, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics. The fair values of other loans and leases (e.g., commercial real estate and rental property mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans, financial institution loans and agricultural loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market interest rates currently being offered for loans and leases with similar terms to borrowers of similar creditworthiness, which include adjustments for liquidity concerns. For acquired PCD loans, fair value is assumed to equal United’s carrying value, which represents the present value of expected future principal and interest cash flows, as adjusted for any Allowance for Credit Losses recorded for these loans.
Deposits
: The fair values of demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, regular savings and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values of fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
Short-term Borrowings:
The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements and any other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.
Long-term Borrowings:
The fair values of United’s Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings and trust preferred securities are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on United’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
47

Summary of Fair Values for All Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values of United’s financial instruments are summarized below:
           
Fair Value Measurements
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)
 
September 30, 2023
          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,184,054   $1,184,054   $0   $1,184,054   $0 
Securities available for sale   3,749,357    3,749,357    5,206    3,744,151    0 
Securities held to maturity   1,002    1,020    0    0    1,020 
Equity securities   8,548    8,548    8,548    0    0 
Other securities   307,392    292,022    0    0    292,022 
Loans held for sale   59,614    59,614    0    7,948    51,666 
Net loans   20,842,997    19,627,516    0    0    19,627,516 
Derivative financial assets   7,846    7,846    0    5,379    2,467 
Mortgage servicing rights   4,616    14,652    0    0    14,652 
Deposits   22,676,854    22,630,946    0    22,630,946    0 
Short-term borrowings   188,274    188,274    0    188,274    0 
Long-term borrowings   1,388,770    1,359,575    0    1,359,575    0 
Derivative financial liabilities   328    328    0    0    328 
December 31, 2022
          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,176,652   $1,176,652   $0   $1,176,652   $0 
Securities available for sale   4,541,925    4,541,925    5,367    4,536,558    0 
Securities held to maturity   1,002    1,020    0    0    1,020 
Equity securities   7,629    7,629    7,629    0    0 
Other securities   322,048    305,946    0    0    305,946 
Loans held for sale   56,879    56,879    0    12,008    44,871 
Net loans   20,323,420    19,030,221    0    0    19,030,221 
Derivative financial assets   5,550    5,550    0    4,674    876 
Mortgage servicing rights   21,022    41,880    0    0    41,880 
Deposits   22,303,186    22,249,061    0    22,249,061    0 
Short-term borrowings   160,698    160,698    0    160,698    0 
Long-term borrowings   2,197,656    2,161,108    0    2,161,108    0 
Derivative financial liabilities   561    561    0    0    561 
14. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
On May 12, 2020, United’s shareholders approved the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2020 LTI Plan”). The 2020 LTI Plan became effective May 13, 2020. An award granted under the 2020 LTI Plan may consist of any
non-qualified
stock options or incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or other-stock-based award. These awards all relate to the common stock of United. The maximum number of shares of United common stock which may be issued under the 2020 LTI Plan is 2,300,000. The 2020 LTI Plan will be administered by a board committee appointed by United’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) shall administer the 2020 LTI Plan. The maximum number of options and stock appreciation rights, in the aggregate, which may be awarded to any individual key employee during any calendar year is 100,000. The maximum number of options and stock appreciation rights, in the aggregate, which may be awarded to any
non-employee
director during any calendar year is 10,000 or, if such Award is payable in cash, the Fair Market Value equivalent thereof. The maximum number of shares of restricted stock or shares subject to a restricted stock units award that may be granted during any calendar year is 225,000 shares to any individual key employee and 10,000 shares to any individual
non-employee
director. Subject to certain change in control provisions, the 2020 LTI Plan provides that all awards of will vest as the Committee determines in the award agreement, provided that
48
no awards will vest sooner than 1/3 per year over the first three anniversaries of the award. United adopted a clawback policy that applies to named executive officers and other executive officers and permits the Committee to cancel certain awards and to recoup gains realized from previous awards should United be required to prepare an accounting restatement due to materially inaccurate performance metrics. A Form
S-8
was filed on May 29, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register all the shares which were available for the 2020 LTI Plan. The 2020 LTI Plan replaces the 2016 LTI Plan.
Compensation expense of $3,148 and $9,156 related to all share-based grants and awards under United’s Long-Term Incentive Plans was incurred for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, as compared to the compensation expense of $2,462 and $7,066 related to all share-based grants and awards under United’s Long-Term Incentive Plans incurred for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. Compensation expense was included in employee compensation in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.
Stock Options
United currently has options outstanding from various option plans other than the 2020 LTI Plan (the “Prior Plans”); however, no common shares of United stock are available for grants under the Prior Plans as these plans have expired. Awards outstanding under the Prior Plans will remain in effect in accordance with their respective terms. The maximum term for options granted under the plans is ten (10) years.
A summary of activity under United’s stock option plans as of September 30, 2023, and the changes during the first nine months of 2023 are presented below:
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
           
Weighted Average
 
   
Shares
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Yrs.)
   
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2023   1,501,212             $34.64 
Exercised   (59,123             27.76 
Forfeited or expired   (17,570             26.52 
                     
Outstanding at September 30, 2023   1,424,519   $1,148,155    3.8   $35.03 
                     
Exercisable at September 30, 2023   1,367,993   $1,148,155    3.7   $35.13 
                     
The following table summarizes the status of United’s nonvested stock option awards during the first nine months of 2023:
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average Grant

Date Fair Value

Per Share
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2023   170,892   $6.16 
Vested   (114,053   6.41 
Forfeited or expired   (313   5.65 
           
Nonvested at September 30, 2023   56,526   $5.65 
           
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 59,123 and 370,995 shares, respectively, were issued in connection with stock option exercises. All shares issued in connection with stock option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were issued from authorized and unissued stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised under the Plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $767 and $5,095 respectively.
As of September 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock option awards was $130 with a weighted-average expense recognition period of 0.4 years.
49

Restricted Stock
Under the 2020 LTI Plan, United may award restricted common shares to key employees and
non-employee
directors. Restricted shares granted to participants will vest no sooner than 1/3 per year over the first three anniversaries of the award. Unless determined by the Committee or the Board and provided in the award agreement, recipients of restricted shares do not pay any consideration to United for the shares, have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant and receive all dividends with respect to such shares, whether or not the shares have vested. Presently, these nonvested participating securities have an immaterial impact on diluted earnings per share. As of September 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards was $8,309 with a weighted-average expense recognition period of 1.0 years.
The following summarizes the changes to United’s nonvested restricted common shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average

Grant Date Fair Value

Per Share
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2023   373,220   $35.43 
Granted   150,732    40.98 
Vested   (180,971   35.62 
Forfeited   (8,112   38.48 
           
Nonvested at September 30, 2023   334,869   $37.75 
           
Restricted Stock Units
Under the 2020 LTI Plan, United may grant restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to key employees. These awards help align the interests of these employees with the interests of the shareholders of United by providing economic value directly related to the performance of the Company. These RSU grants could be time-vested RSUs, performance-vested RSUs, or a combination of both. Currently, time-vested RSUs vest ratably over three years from the date of grant. Performance-vested RSUs cliff-vest after assessment of the Company’s performance over a period of three years. The number of performance-vested RSUs that vest is determined by two metrics measured relative to peers: Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (“ROATCE”) and Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”). Based on ASC Topic 718, the ROATCE comparison is considered a performance condition while the TSR comparison is considered a market condition. There will be no payout of the performance-vested awards if the threshold performance is not achieved. United communicates the specific threshold, target, and maximum performance-vested RSU awards and performance targets to the applicable key employees at the beginning of a performance period. Dividends are accrued but not paid in respect to the awards until the RSUs vest. The holder does not have the right to vote the shares during the time and performance periods. The value of the time-vested RSUs and the performance-vested, based on the performance condition, RSUs awarded is established as the fair market value of the stock at the time of the grant. The value of the performance-vested, based on the market condition, RSUs awarded is estimated through the use of a Monte Carlo valuation model as of the grant date. The Company recognizes expense on the RSUs in accordance with ASC Topic 718.
The following table summarizes the status of United’s nonvested RSUs during the first nine months of 2023:
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average

Grant Date Fair Value

Per Share
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2023   266,159   $35.45 
Granted   177,368    40.40 
Vested   (37,912   36.64 
Forfeited or expired   (42,113   37.19 
           
Nonvested at September 30, 2023   363,502   $37.53 
           
As of September 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units was $8,192 with a weighted-average expense recognition period of 1.4 years.
50

15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
United has a defined benefit retirement plan covering qualified employees hired prior to October 1, 2007. Pension benefits are based on years of service and the average of the employee’s highest five consecutive plan years of basic compensation paid during the ten plan years preceding the date of determination. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future. No discretionary contributions were made during the first nine months of 2023 and 2022.
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2022 are unrecognized actuarial losses of $38,530 ($29,553 net of tax) that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost.
Net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 included the following components:
   
Three Months Ended

September 30
  
Nine Months Ended

September 30
 
   
2023
  
2022
  
2023
  
2022
 
Service cost  $471  $583  $1,399  $1,996 
Interest cost   1,774   1,301   5,266   3,731 
Expected return on plan assets   (2,961  (3,258  (8,787  (9,680
Recognized net actuarial loss   792   1,070   2,350   2,726 
                 
Net periodic pension cost  $76  $(304)  $228  $(1,227
                 
Weighted-average assumptions:
     
Discount rate   5.25  3.08  5.25  3.08
Expected return on assets   7.25  6.25  7.25  6.25
Rate of compensation increase (prior to age 40)   5.00  5.00  5.00  5.00
Rate of compensation increase (ages
40-54)
   4.00  4.00  4.00  4.00
Rate of compensation increase (otherwise)   3.50  3.50  3.50  3.50
16. INCOME TAXES
United records a liability for uncertain income tax positions based on a recognition threshold of
more-likely-than-not,
and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements.
As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the total amount of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions was $815 and $807, respectively. United accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.
United is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and certain State Taxing authorities for the years ended December 31, 2019 through 2021.
United’s effective tax rate was 20.49% and 20.21% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, as compared to 20.17% and 19.90% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively.
51

17. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The components of total comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
September 30
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Net Income
  
$
96,157
 
  
$
102,585
 
  
$
286,923
 
  
$
279,862
 
Available for sale (“AFS”) securities:        
Change in net unrealized loss on AFS securities arising during the period   (54,793   (153,779   (30,428   (505,565
Related income tax effect   12,767    35,831    7,090    117,797 
Net reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income   0    (2   7,659    (2
Related income tax expense   0    0    (1,785   0 
                    
Net effect of AFS securities on other comprehensive income
  
 
(42,026
  
 
(117,950
  
 
(17,464
  
 
(387,770
                    
Cash flow hedge derivatives:        
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge before reclassification to interest expense   9,692    18,442    15,794    52,352 
Related income tax effect   (2,258   (4,297   (3,680   (12,198
Net reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income   (6,243   (2,422   (17,186   (2,343
Related income tax effect   1,454    564    4,004    546 
                    
Net effect of cash flow hedge derivatives on other comprehensive income
  
 
2,645
 
  
 
12,287
 
  
 
(1,068
  
 
38,357
 
                    
Pension plan:        
Recognized net actuarial loss   792    1,070    2,350    2,726 
Related income tax benefit   (189   (354   (542   (729
                    
Net effect of change in pension plan asset on other comprehensive income
  
 
603
 
  
 
716
 
  
 
1,808
 
  
 
1,997
 
                    
Total change in other comprehensive income
  
 
(38,778
  
 
(104,947
  
 
(16,724
  
 
(347,416
                    
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
  
$
57,379
 
  
$
(2,362)
 
  
$
270,199
 
  
$
(67,554
                    
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are as follows:
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) by Component
(1)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Unrealized
Gains/Losses
on AFS
Securities
   
Unrealized
Gains/Losses
on Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Defined
Benefit
Pension

Items
   
Total
 
Balance at January 1, 2023  $(360,340  $53,014   $(25,406  $(332,732
Other comprehensive income before reclassification   (23,338   12,114    0    (11,224
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income   5,874    (13,182   1,808    (5,500
                    
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (17,464   (1,068   1,808    (16,724
                    
Balance at September 30, 2023  $(377,804  $51,946   $(23,598  $(349,456
                    
(1)   All amounts are
net-of-tax.
    
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Details about AOCI Components
  
Amount
Reclassified
from AOCI
   
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where
Net Income is Presented
Available for sale (“AFS”) securities:    
Net reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income  $7,659   Net investment securities (losses) gains
       
   7,659   Total before tax
Related income tax effect   (1,785  Tax expense
       
   5,874   Net of tax
52
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Details about AOCI Components
  
Amount
Reclassified
from AOCI
  
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where
Net Income is Presented
Cash flow hedge:   
Net reclassification adjustment for
gains included in net income
  $(17,186 Interest expense
      
   (17,186 Total before tax
Related income tax effect   4,004  Tax expense
      
   (13,182 Net of tax
      
Pension plan:   
Recognized net actuarial loss   2,350 (1)  Employee benefits
      
   2,350  Total before tax
Related income tax effect   (542 Tax expense
      
   1,808  Net of tax
      
Total reclassifications for the period  $(5,500 
      
(1)This AOCI component is included in the computation of changes in plan assets (see Note 16, Employee Benefit Plans)
18. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic earnings per share with that of diluted earnings per share is presented as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30
   
September 30
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Distributed earnings allocated to common stock  $48,456   $48,333   $145,360   $145,678 
Undistributed earnings allocated to common stock   47,474    53,979    140,867    133,442 
                    
Net earnings allocated to common shareholders  $95,930   $102,312   $286,227   $279,120 
                    
Average common shares outstanding   134,685,041    134,182,248    134,493,059    134,947,674 
Equivalents from stock options   202,735    371,317    239,996    303,625 
                    
Average diluted shares outstanding   134,887,776    134,553,565    134,733,055    135,251,299 
                    
Earnings per basic common share  $0.71   $0.76   $2.13   $2.07 
Earnings per diluted common share  $0.71   $0.76   $2.12   $2.06 
Antidilutive stock options and restricted stock outstanding of 1,413,862 and 1,411,484 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, were excluded from the earnings per diluted common share calculation as compared to 678,879 and 1,117,428 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
19. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities that either have a total equity investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest (i.e., ability to make significant decisions, through voting rights, right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, and obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity). VIEs can be structured as corporations, trusts, partnerships, or other legal entities. United’s business practices include relationships with certain VIEs. For United, the business purpose of these relationships primarily consists of funding activities in the form of issuing trust preferred securities.
53

United currently sponsors twenty statutory business trusts that were created for the purpose of raising funds that originally qualified for Tier I regulatory capital. As previously discussed, these trusts now are considered Tier II regulatory capital. These trusts, of which several were acquired through bank acquisitions, issued or participated in pools of trust preferred capital securities to third-party investors with the proceeds invested in junior subordinated debt securities of United. The Company, through a small capital contribution, owns 100% of the voting equity shares of each trust. The assets, liabilities, operations, and cash flows of each trust are solely related to the issuance, administration, and repayment of the preferred equity securities held by third-party investors. United fully and unconditionally guarantees the obligations of each trust and is obligated to redeem the junior subordinated debentures upon maturity.
United does not consolidate these trusts as it is not the primary beneficiary of these entities because United’s wholly owned and indirect wholly owned statutory trust subsidiaries do not have a controlling financial interest in the VIEs. A controlling financial interest is present when an enterprise has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, United’s investment (maximum exposure to loss) in these trusts were $11,635 and $11,277, respectively.
Information related to United’s statutory trusts is presented in the table below:
Description
  
Issuance Date
  
Amount of Capital
Securities Issued
   
Stated Interest Rate
(1)
  
Maturity Date
United Statutory Trust III  December 17, 2003  $20,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.85%  December 17, 2033
United Statutory Trust IV  December 19, 2003  $25,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.85%  January 23, 2034
United Statutory Trust V  July 12, 2007  $50,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.55%  October 1, 2037
United Statutory Trust VI  September 20, 2007  $30,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.30%  December 15, 2037
Premier Statutory Trust II  September 25, 2003  $6,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 3.10%  October 8, 2033
Premier Statutory Trust III  May 16, 2005  $8,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.74%  June 15, 2035
Premier Statutory Trust IV  June 20, 2006  $14,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.55%  September 23, 2036
Premier Statutory Trust V  December 14, 2006  $10,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.61%  March 1, 2037
Centra Statutory Trust I  September 20, 2004  $10,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.29%  September 20, 2034
Centra Statutory Trust II  June 15, 2006  $10,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.65%  July 7, 2036
VCBI Capital Trust II  December 19, 2002  $15,000   6-month CME Term SOFR + 3.30%  December 19, 2032
VCBI Capital Trust III  December 20, 2005  $25,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.42%  February 23, 2036
Cardinal Statutory Trust I  July 27, 2004  $20,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.40%  September 15, 2034
UFBC Capital Trust I  December 30, 2004  $5,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.10%  March 15, 2035
Carolina Financial Capital Trust I  December 19, 2002  $5,000   Prime + 0.50%  December 31, 2032
Carolina Financial Capital Trust II  November 5, 2003  $10,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 3.05%  January 7, 2034
Greer Capital Trust I  October 12, 2004  $6,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.20%  October 18, 2034
Greer Capital Trust II  December 28, 2006  $5,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 1.73%  January 30, 2037
First South Preferred Trust I  September 26, 2003  $10,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 2.95%  September 30, 2033
BOE Statutory Trust I  December 12, 2003  $4,000   3-month CME Term SOFR + 3.00%  December 12, 2033
(1)
The
3-month
CME Term SOFR rates have a spread adjustment of 0.26161% and the
6-month
CME Term SOFR rate has a spread adjustment of 0.42826%.
United, through its banking subsidiary, also makes limited partner equity investments in various low income housing and community development partnerships sponsored by independent third-parties. United invests in these partnerships to either realize tax credits on its consolidated federal income tax return or for purposes of earning a return on its investment. These partnerships are considered VIEs as the limited partners lack a controlling financial interest in the entities through their inability to make decisions that have a significant effect on the operations and success of the partnerships. United’s limited partner interests in these entities is immaterial; however, these partnerships are not consolidated as United is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, United’s investment (maximum exposure to loss) in these low income housing and community development partnerships were $84,701 and $75,021, respectively, while related unfunded commitments were $56,382 and $77,143, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, United expects to recover its remaining investments through the use of the tax credits that are generated by the investments.
54

20. SEGMENT INFORMATION
United operates in two business segments: community banking and mortgage banking. Through its community banking segment, United offers a full range of products and services through various delivery channels. In particular, the community banking segment includes both commercial and consumer lending and provides customers with such products as commercial loans, real estate loans, business financing and consumer loans. In addition, this segment provides customers with several choices of deposit products including demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit as well as investment and financial advisory services to businesses and individuals, including financial planning, retirement/estate planning, and investment management. The mortgage banking segment engages primarily in the origination and acquisition of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market though United’s mortgage banking subsidiaries, George Mason and Crescent. Crescent may retain servicing rights on their mortgage loans sold. At certain times, Crescent may purchase or sell rights to service loans from third parties. These rights, which are known as mortgage servicing rights, provide the owner with the contractual right to receive a stream of cash flows in exchange for performing specified mortgage servicing functions.
The community banking segment provides the mortgage banking segment (George Mason and Crescent) with short-term funds to originate mortgage loans through a warehouse line of credit and charges the mortgage banking segment interest based on a Fed Funds target rate. These transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process.
The Company does not have any operating segments other than those reported. The “Other” category consists of financial information not directly attributable to a specific segment, including interest income from investments and net securities gains or losses of parent companies and their
non-banking
subsidiaries, interest expense related to subordinated notes of unconsolidated subsidiaries as well as the elimination of
non-segment
related intercompany transactions such as management fees. The “Other” represents an overhead function rather than an operating segment.
Information about the reportable segments and reconciliation of this information to the consolidated financial statements at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
   
At and For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Community
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
  
Other
  
Intersegment

Eliminations
  
Consolidated
 
Net interest income  $230,339   $2,558  $(5,951 $1,507  $228,453 
Provision for credit losses   5,948    0   0   0   5,948 
Other income   24,583    10,871   1,179   (2,972  33,661 
Other expense   121,316    14,119   1,260   (1,465  135,230 
Income taxes   26,142    (141  (1,222  0   24,779 
                      
Net income (loss)  $101,516   $(549)  $(4,810 $0  $96,157 
                      
Total assets (liabilities)  $28,866,805   $389,689  $68,948  $(100,648 $29,224,794 
Average assets (liabilities)   28,729,947    401,702   63,175   (118,903  29,075,921 
   
At and For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
 
   
Community
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
  
Other
  
Intersegment

Eliminations
  
Consolidated
 
Net interest income  $239,543   $2,758  $(3,709 $2,030  $240,622 
Provision for credit losses   7,671    0   0   0   7,671 
Other income   23,777    13,749   532   (5,309  32,749 
Other expense   119,569    20,662   244   (3,279  137,196 
Income taxes   27,422    (820  (683  0   25,919 
                      
Net income (loss)  $108,658   $(3,335 $(2,738 $0  $102,585 
                      
Total assets (liabilities)  $28,730,918   $427,239  $46,243  $(155,925 $29,048,475 
Average assets (liabilities)   28,495,611    402,793   32,590   (96,559  28,834,435 
55

   
At and For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 
   
Community
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
  
Other
  
Intersegment

Eliminations
  
Consolidated
 
Net interest income  $695,911   $6,835  $(16,828 $4,316  $690,234 
Provision for credit losses   24,278    0   0   0   24,278 
Other income   66,368    41,678   1,958   (8,421  101,583 
Other expense   364,378    44,910   2,754   (4,105  407,937 
Income taxes   75,522    705   (3,548  0   72,679 
                      
Net income (loss)  $298,101   $2,898  $(14,076 $0  $286,923 
                      
Total assets (liabilities)  $28,866,805   $389,689  $68,948  $(100,648 $29,224,794 
Average assets (liabilities)   29,001,264    409,882   55,809   (127,074  29,339,881 
   
At and For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
 
   
Community
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
  
Other
  
Intersegment

Eliminations
  
Consolidated
 
Net interest income  $640,817   $7,945  $(8,496 $6,761  $647,027 
Provision for credit losses   2,454    0   0   0   2,454 
Other income   75,577    58,614   2,693   (14,502  122,382 
Other expense   353,357    71,886   43   (7,741  417,545 
Income taxes   71,758    (1,048  (1,162  0   69,548 
                      
Net income (loss)  $288,825   $(4,279)  $(4,684 $0  $279,862 
                      
Total assets (liabilities)  $28,730,918   $427,239  $46,243  $(155,925 $29,048,475 
Average assets (liabilities)   28,717,609    454,202   32,784   (143,027  29,061,568 
56


Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Congress passed the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 to encourage corporations to provide investors with information about the company’s anticipated future financial performance, goals, and strategies. The act provides a safe haven for such disclosure; in other words, protection from unwarranted litigation if actual results are not the same as management expectations.

United desires to provide its shareholders with sound information about past performance and future trends. Consequently, any forward-looking statements contained in this report, in a report incorporated by reference to this report, or made by management of United in this report, in any other reports and filings, in press releases and in oral statements, involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words “expect,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and estimates, which although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect, such as statements about the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon these estimates and statements. United cannot assure that any of these statements, estimates, or beliefs will be realized and actual results may differ from those contemplated in these “forward-looking statements.” United undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

United Bank (the “Bank”), the wholly-owned bank subsidiary of United, recently received a Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) Performance Evaluation from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the “FRB”) with a rating of “Satisfactory.” The individual components of the CRA exam were a “High Satisfactory” rating for the Lending Test, an “Outstanding” rating for the Investment Test and a “High Satisfactory” rating for the Service Test.

57


POSSIBLE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (“FDIC”) SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

On May 11, 2023, the FDIC released a proposed rule that would impose special assessments to recover the losses to the deposit insurance fund (“DIF”) resulting from the FDIC’s use, in March 2023, of the systemic risk exception to the least-cost resolution test under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act in connection with the receiverships of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The FDIC stated that it currently estimates those assessed losses to total $15.8 billion and that the amount of the special assessments would be adjusted as the loss estimate changes. Under the proposed rule, the assessment base would be an insured depository institution’s (“IDI”) estimated uninsured deposits, as reported in the IDI’s December 31, 2022 Call Report, excluding the first $5 billion in estimated uninsured deposits. The special assessments would be collected at an annual rate of approximately 12.5 basis points per year (3.13 basis points per quarter) over eight quarters in 2024 and 2025, with the first assessment period beginning January 1, 2024 (with the first assessment payment due by June 28, 2024). Under the proposed rule, the estimated loss pursuant to the systemic risk determination would be periodically adjusted, and the FDIC would retain the ability to cease collection early, extend the special assessment collection period and impose a final shortfall special assessment on a one-time basis. In its December 31, 2022 Call Report, United Bank, United’s only IDI, reported estimated uninsured deposits of approximately $9.5 billion. United expects the special assessments would be tax deductible. Although the proposal could be changed and the timing of accounting recognition is still under consideration, if the assessments, as proposed, were recorded as an expense in a single quarter, United estimates that expense would be approximately $11 million.

TRANSITION FROM THE LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE (LIBOR)

As disclosed in the “Transition From The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)” section within the MD&A of United’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as a result of the efforts led by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, the publication of the one-week and two-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings were discontinued on December 31, 2021. Subsequently, publication of the remaining overnight, one-month, three-month, six-month, and twelve-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings were discontinued on June 30, 2023. United implemented a comprehensive project plan to execute the transition of its LIBOR-based financial instruments to alternative reference rates. United utilized the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and Prime as the preferred alternatives to LIBOR.

INTRODUCTION

The following discussion and analysis presents the significant changes in financial condition and the results of operations of United and its subsidiaries for the periods indicated below. This discussion and the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of United Bankshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. Management has evaluated all significant events and transactions that occurred after September 30, 2023, but prior to the date these financial statements were issued, for potential recognition or disclosure required in these financial statements.

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this document.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This discussion and analysis contains certain financial measures that are not recognized under GAAP. Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP must also disclose, along with each “non-GAAP” financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure.

Generally, United has presented a non-GAAP financial measure because it believes that this measure provides meaningful additional information to assist in the evaluation of United’s results of operations or financial position. Presentation of a non-GAAP financial measure is consistent with how United’s management evaluates its performance internally and this non-GAAP financial measure is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the banking industry. Specifically, this discussion contains certain references to financial measures identified as tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and return on average tangible equity. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures to be helpful in understanding United’s results of operations or financial position.

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Net interest income is presented in this discussion on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of income from certain loans and investments. Although this is a non-GAAP measure, United’s management believes this measure is more widely used within the financial services industry and provides better comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. United uses this measure to monitor net interest income performance and to manage its balance sheet composition.

Average tangible equity is calculated as GAAP total shareholders’ equity minus total intangible assets. Tangible equity can thus be considered a more conservative valuation of the company. When considering net income, a return on average tangible equity can be calculated. Management provides a return on average equity to facilitate the understanding of as well as to assess the quality and composition of United’s capital structure. This measure, along with others, is used by management to analyze capital adequacy and performance.

However, this non-GAAP information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Where the non-GAAP financial measure is used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as reconciliation to that comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure, can be found within this discussion and analysis. Investors should recognize that United’s presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure might not be comparable to a similarly titled measure at other companies.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting and reporting policies of United conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions and judgments, which are reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the financial statement notes and in this financial review, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses, the calculation of the income tax provision, and the use of fair value measurements to account for certain financial instruments to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective or complex judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

United’s critical accounting policies involving the significant judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2023 were unchanged from the policies disclosed in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 within the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

FINANCIAL CONDITION

United’s total assets as of September 30, 2023 were $29.22 billion, which was a decrease of $264.59 million or less than 1% from December 31, 2022. This decrease was mainly due to a $806.31 million or 16.55% decrease in investment securities and a $16.41 million or 78.04% decrease in mortgage servicing rights. These decreases in assets were offset by a $539.72 million or 2.63% increase in portfolio loans, an $11.88 million or 12.52% increase in interest receivable, a $2.74 million or 4.81% increase in loans held for sale and a $7.40 million or less than 1% increase in cash and cash equivalents. Total liabilities decreased $397.27 million or 1.59% from year-end 2022. This decrease was due to a $781.31 million or 33.13% decrease in borrowings. Partially offsetting this decrease in liabilities was a $373.69 million or 1.68% increase in deposits and a $8.82 million or 11.64% increase in operating lease liability. Shareholders’ equity increased $132.69 million or 2.94%.

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The following discussion explains in more detail the changes in financial condition by major category.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2023 increased $7.40 million or less than 1% from year-end 2022. In particular, interest-bearing deposits with other banks increased $31.98 million or 3.63% while cash and due from banks decreased $24.65 million or 8.38%. Federal funds sold increased $76 thousand or 7.04%. During the first nine months of 2023, net cash of $272.66 million and $288.62 million were provided by operating and investing activities, respectively, while net cash of $553.88 million was used in financing activities. See the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for data on cash and cash equivalents provided and used in operating, investing and financing activities for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022.

Securities

Total investment securities at September 30, 2023 decreased $806.31 million or 16.55%. Securities available for sale decreased $792.57 million or 17.45%. This change in securities available for sale reflects $107.82 million in purchases, $869.82 million in sales, maturities and calls of securities and a decrease of $22.77 million in market value. The majority of the sales activity was related to state and political subdivision securities. Equity securities were $8.55 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $919 thousand or 12.05% due mainly to net purchases. Other investment securities decreased $14.66 million or 4.55% from year-end 2022 due to a $25.17 million decrease in FHLB stock partially offset by a $9.68 million increase in investment tax credits.

The following table summarizes the changes in the available for sale securities since year-end 2022:

(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   December 31
2022
   $ Change   % Change 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies

  $480,158   $529,492   $(49,334   (9.32%) 

State and political subdivisions

   499,162    709,530    (210,368   (29.65%) 

Mortgage-backed securities

   1,567,290    1,849,470    (282,180   (15.26%) 

Asset-backed securities

   875,728    911,611    (35,883   (3.94%) 

Single issue trust preferred securities

   14,737    16,284    (1,547   (9.50%) 

Other corporate securities

   312,282    525,538    (213,256   (40.58%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available for sale securities, at fair value

  $3,749,357   $4,541,925   $(792,568   (17.45%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the held to maturity securities since year-end 2022:

(Dollars in thousands) September 30
2023
  December 31
2022
  $ Change  % Change 

State and political subdivisions

 $982(1)  $982(1)  $0   0.00

Other corporate securities

  20   20   0   0.00
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total held to maturity securities, at amortized cost

 $1,002  $1,002  $0   0.00
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

net of allowance for credit losses of $18 thousand.

At September 30, 2023, gross unrealized losses on available for sale securities were $492.63 million. Securities with the most significant gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of agency residential mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and other corporate securities.

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As of September 30, 2023, United’s available for sale mortgage-backed securities had an amortized cost of $1.87 billion, with an estimated fair value of $1.57 billion. The portfolio consisted primarily of $1.26 billion in agency residential mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $1.03 billion, $101.51 million in non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities with an estimated fair value of $89.94 million, and $516.35 million in commercial agency mortgage-backed securities with an estimated fair value of $445.83 million.

As of September 30, 2023, United’s available for sale state and political subdivisions securities had an amortized cost of $615.84 million, with an estimated fair value of $499.16 million. The portfolio relates to securities issued by various municipalities located throughout the United States, and no securities within the portfolio were rated below investment grade as of September 30, 2023.

As of September 30, 2023, United’s available for sale corporate securities had an amortized cost of $1.26 billion, with an estimated fair value of $1.20 billion. The portfolio consisted of $16.37 million in single issue trust preferred securities with an estimated fair value of $14.74 million. Of the $14.74 million, $6.87 million or 46.62% were investment grade; $2.84 million or 19.27% were split rated; and $5.03 million or 34.11% were unrated. The two largest exposures accounted for 80.73% of the $14.74 million. These included Truist Bank at $6.87 million and Emigrant Bank at $5.03 million. All single issue trust preferred securities are currently receiving full scheduled principal and interest payments. In addition to the single issue trust preferred securities, the Company held positions in various other corporate securities, including asset-backed securities with an amortized cost of $888.96 million and a fair value of $875.73 million and other corporate securities, with an amortized cost of $354.39 million and a fair value of $312.28 million.

During the third quarter of 2023, United did not recognize any credit losses on its available for sale investment securities. Management does not believe that any individual security with an unrealized loss as of September 30, 2023 is impaired. United believes the decline in value resulted from changes in market interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity, not a deterioration of credit. Based on a review of each of the securities in the available for sale investment portfolio, management concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that it would be able to realize the cost basis investment and appropriate interest payments on such securities. United has the intent and the ability to hold these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature. As of September 30, 2023, there was no allowance for credit losses related to the Company’s available for sale securities. However, United acknowledges that any securities in an unrealized loss position may be sold in future periods in response to significant, unanticipated changes in asset/liability management decisions, unanticipated future market movements or business plan changes.

Further information regarding the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities, including remaining maturities as well as a more detailed discussion of management’s impairment analysis, is presented in Note 2 to the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale were $59.61 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $2.74 million or 4.81% from year-end 2022. Loan originations in the secondary market exceeded sales during the first nine months of 2023. Loan originations for the first nine months of 2023 were $635.58 million while loans sales were $632.85 million.

Portfolio Loans

Loans, net of unearned income, increased $539.72 million or 2.63%. Since year-end 2022, commercial, financial and agricultural loans increased $228.95 million or 1.97% as a result of a $314.20 million or 3.92% increase in commercial real estate loans which was partially offset by a $85.25 million or 2.36% decrease in commercial loans (not secured by real estate). Construction and land development loans increased $177.71 million or 6.07% and residential real estate loans increased $353.92 million or 7.59%, while consumer loans decreased $225.77 million or 16.53% due to a decrease in indirect automobile financing.

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The following table summarizes the changes in the major loan classes since year-end 2022:

(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   December 31
2022
   $ Change   % Change 

Loans held for sale

  $59,614   $56,879   $2,735    4.81
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commercial, financial, and agricultural:

        

Owner-occupied commercial real estate

   1,680,510   $1,724,927   $(44,417   (2.58%) 

Nonowner-occupied commercial real estate

   6,645,589    6,286,974    358,615    5.70

Other commercial loans

   3,527,319    3,612,568    (85,249   (2.36%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total commercial, financial, and agricultural

  $11,853,418   $11,624,469   $228,949    1.97

Residential real estate

   5,016,829    4,662,911    353,918    7.59

Construction & land development

   3,104,682    2,926,971    177,711    6.07

Consumer:

        

Bankcard

   9,122    9,273    (151   (1.63%) 

Other consumer

   1,130,924    1,356,539    (225,615   (16.63%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Loans and leases

  $21,114,975   $20,580,163   $534,812    2.60

Less: Unearned income

   (17,092   (21,997   4,905    (22.30%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Loans and leases, net of unearned income

  $21,097,883   $20,558,166   $539,717    2.63
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For a further discussion of loans see Note 4 to the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Assets

Other assets increased $9.71 million or 3.19% from year-end 2022. Income taxes receivable increased $13.78 million due to timing differences, other real estate owned properties (“OREO”) increased $1.18 million and the pension asset increased $2.13 million. In addition, deferred tax assets increased $2.79 million due to the decrease in the fair value of available-for-sale securities, while derivative assets increased $2.43 million due to a net increase in fair value. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in dealer reserve of $7.59 million due to a decrease in indirect automobile financing and core deposit intangibles of $3.84 million due to amortization.

Deposits

Deposits represent United’s primary source of funding. Total deposits at September 30, 2023 increased $373.69 million or 1.68%. In terms of composition, noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $946.34 million or 13.14% while interest-bearing deposits increased $1.32 billion or 8.74% from December 31, 2022.

Noninterest-bearing deposits consist of demand deposit and noninterest bearing money market (“MMDA”) account balances. The $946.34 million decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits was due mainly to a $751.66 million or 13.90% decrease in commercial noninterest-bearing deposits, a $131.56 million or 8.81% decrease in personal noninterest-bearing deposits, and a $3.04 million or 1.60% decrease in public noninterest-bearing deposits.

Interest-bearing deposits consist of interest-bearing transaction accounts, regular savings, interest-bearing MMDA, and time deposit account balances. Interest-bearing transaction accounts increased $228.51 million or 4.47% since year-end 2022 as the result of an increase of $712.49 million in commercial interest-bearing transaction accounts and an increase of $17.09 million in public funds interest-bearing transaction accounts. These increases were offset by a $501.07 million decrease in personal interest-bearing transaction accounts. Regular savings accounts decreased $282.83 million or 16.85% mainly as a result of a $260.26 million decrease in personal savings accounts and a $24.83 million decrease in commercial savings accounts. Interest-bearing MMDAs increased $85.33 million or 1.35%. In particular, personal interest-bearing MMDAs decreased $349.43 million while commercial interest-bearing MMDAs increased $412.53 million. Public funds interest-bearing MMDAs increased $22.22 million.

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Time deposits under $100,000 increased $194.70 million or 23.07% from year-end 2022. This increase in time deposits under $100,000 was the result of a $199.58 million increase in fixed rate Certificates of Deposits (“CDs”) under $100,000, and a $3.09 million increase in Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) under $100,000. CDs under $100,000 obtained through the use of deposit listing services decreased $4.14 million.

Since year-end 2022, time deposits over $100,000 increased $1.09 billion or 93.94% as brokered certificates of deposits increased $332.38 million, fixed rate CDs increased $681.82 million, and CDARS over $100,000 increased $81.18 million.

The table below summarizes the changes by deposit category since year-end 2022:

(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   December 31
2022
   $ Change   % Change 

Noninterest-bearing accounts

  $6,253,343   $7,199,678   $(946,335   (13.14%) 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

   5,345,479    5,116,966    228,513    4.47

Regular savings

   1,395,469    1,678,302    (282,833   (16.85%) 

Interest-bearing money market accounts

   6,384,729    6,299,404    85,325    1.35

Time deposits under $100,000

   1,038,653    843,950    194,703    23.07

Time deposits over $100,000 (1)

   2,259,181    1,164,866    1,094,315    93.94
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

  $22,676,854   $22,303,166   $373,688    1.68
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Includes time deposits of $250,000 or more of $798,942 and $454,477 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Borrowings

Total borrowings at September 30, 2023 decreased $781.31 million or 33.13% since year-end 2022. During the first nine months of 2023, short-term borrowings increased $27.58 million or 17.16% due to an increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Long-term borrowings decreased $808.89 million or 36.81% from year-end 2022 due to net repayments of $800.22 million in long-term FHLB advances and the redemption of $9.89 million in subordinated debt during the first nine months of 2023.

The table below summarizes the change in the borrowing categories since year-end 2022:

(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   December 31
2022
   $ Change   % Change 

Short-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  $188,274   $160,698   $27,576    17.16

Long-term FHLB advances

   1,110,559    1,910,775    (800,216   (41.88%) 

Subordinated debt

   0    9,892    (9,892   (100.00%) 

Issuances of trust preferred capital securities

   278,211    276,989    1,222    0.44
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total borrowings

  $1,577,044   $2,358,354   $(781,310   (33.13%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For a further discussion of borrowings see Notes 9 and 10 to the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities at September 30, 2023 increased $3.95 million or 2.08% from year-end 2022. In particular, interest payable increased $11.63 million due to an increase in CDs and brokered deposits as well as rising interest rates, and mortgage escrow liabilities increased $7.48 million due to a growth in mortgage loans since year-end 2022. Mostly offsetting these increases was a decrease of $4.95 million in incentives payable due to payments and decreases of $2.72 million and $1.73 million in income tax payable and business franchise taxes, respectively, due to timing differences.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2023 was $4.65 billion, which was an increase of $132.69 million or 2.94% from year-end 2022.

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Retained earnings increased $140.87 million or 8.94% from year-end 2022. Earnings net of dividends for the first nine months of 2023 were $140.87 million.

Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased $16.72 million or 5.03% from year-end 2022 due to a decrease of $17.46 million in the fair value of United’s available for sale investment portfolio, net of deferred income taxes. In addition, the fair value of cash flow hedges, net of deferred income taxes decreased $1.07 million. The after-tax amortization of the pension net actuarial loss was $1.81 million for the first nine months of 2023.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Below is a summary of United’s consolidated results of operations for the time periods presented:

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)  September
2023
   September
2022
   June
2023
   September
2023
   September
2022
 

Interest income

  $356,910   $263,683   $345,932   $1,032,145   $694,249 

Interest expense

   128,457    23,061    118,471    341,911    47,222 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

   228,453    240,622    227,461    690,234    647,027 

Provision for credit losses

   5,948    7,671    11,440    24,278    2,454 

Noninterest income

   33,661    32,749    35,178    101,583    122,382 

Noninterest expense

   135,230    137,196    135,288    407,937    417,545 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   120,936    128,504    115,911    359,602    349,410 

Income taxes

   24,779    25,919    23,452    72,679    69,548 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  $96,157   $102,585   $92,459   $286,923   $279,862 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the third quarter of 2023 was $96.16 million or $0.71 per diluted share, as compared to $102.59 million or $0.76 per diluted share for the prior year third quarter. Net income for the second quarter of 2023 was $92.46 million or $0.68 per diluted share. Net income for the first nine months of 2023 was $286.92 million or $2.12 per diluted share compared to $279.86 million or $2.06 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2022.

For the third quarter of 2023, United’s annualized return on average assets was 1.31% and return on average shareholders’ equity was 8.14% as compared to 1.41% and 8.96% for the third quarter of 2022. United’s annualized return on average assets was 1.26% and return on average shareholders’ equity was 7.96% for the second quarter of 2023. United’s annualized return on average assets for the first nine months of 2023 was 1.31% and return on average shareholders’ equity was 8.27% as compared to 1.29% and 8.07% for the first nine months of 2022. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, United’s annualized return on average tangible equity was 13.71% and 14.03%, respectively, as compared to 15.46% and 13.73% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. United’s annualized return on average tangible equity was 13.47% for the second quarter of 2023.

   Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30,
2023
  September 30,
2022
  June 30,
2023
  September 30,
2023
  September 30,
2022
 

Return on Average Tangible Equity:

      

(a) Net Income (GAAP)

  $96,157  $102,585  $92,459  $286,923  $279,862 

(b) Number of Days

   92   92   91   273   273 

Average Total Shareholders’ Equity (GAAP)

  $4,687,124  $4,542,100  $4,659,094  $4,639,322  $4,635,858 

Less: Average Total Intangibles

   (1,904,769  (1,910,054  (1,906,053  (1,906,042  (1,910,957
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(c) Average Tangible Equity (non-GAAP)

  $2,782,355  $2,632,046  $2,753,041  $2,733,280  $2,724,901 

Return on Average Tangible Equity (non-GAAP)
[(a) / (b)] x 365/ (c)

   13.71  15.46  13.47  14.03  13.73

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Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $228.45 million, which was a decrease of $12.17 million, or 5.06%, from the third quarter of 2022. The decrease of $12.17 million in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $93.23 million while total interest expense increased $105.40 million from the third quarter of 2022. Net interest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $690.23 million, an increase of $43.21 million or 6.68% from the first nine months of 2022. The increase of $43.21 million in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $337.90 million while total interest expense increased $294.69 million from the first nine months of 2022. Generally, interest income increased in 2023 due to the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, organic loan growth and a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets while interest expense increased mainly due to higher funding costs as a result of the rising market interest rates on higher interest-bearing balances. Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was relatively flat from the second quarter of 2023, increasing $992 thousand or less than 1%. The slight increase of $992 thousand in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $10.98 million while total interest expense increased $9.99 million from the second quarter of 2023.

The provision for credit losses was $5.95 million and $24.28 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, while the provision for credit losses was $7.67 million and $2.45 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022. The lower amount of provision expense for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022 was mainly due to the impact of reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions. The higher amount of provision expense for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022 was mainly due to an increase in qualitative adjustments and the impact of reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions. The provision for credit losses was $11.44 million for the second quarter of 2023. The lower amount of provision expense for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2023 was mainly due to a decrease in qualitative adjustments and the impact of reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions, partially offset by additional provision expense due to loan growth.

For the third quarter of 2023, noninterest income was $33.66 million, which was an increase of $912 thousand or 2.78% from the third quarter of 2022. This increase was primarily due to increases in income from mortgage banking activities and income from bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) partially offset by a decrease in mortgage loan servicing income. Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $101.58 million which was a decrease of $20.80 million or 17.00% from the first nine months of 2022. These decreases in noninterest income were due mainly to lower income from mortgage banking activities as well as net losses on the sales of securities partially offset by an increase in mortgage loans servicing income mainly driven by the gain on sale of mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) in 2023. Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $1.52 million, or 4.31%, from the second quarter of 2023. This decrease in noninterest income for the linked-quarter was primarily due to a net gain on the sale of MSRs in the second quarter of 2023.

For the third quarter of 2023, noninterest expense decreased $1.97 million or 1.43% from the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to decreases in other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense, mortgage loan servicing expense and certain general operating expenses within other noninterest expenses partially offset by increases in employee benefits and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance expense. For the first nine months of 2023, noninterest expense decreased $9.61 million or 2.30% from the first nine months of 2022 driven by decreases in employee compensation and in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments partially offset by increases in FDIC insurance expense and certain general operating expenses within other noninterest expense. Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 was flat from the second quarter of 2023, decreasing $58 thousand or less than 1% due mainly to a decrease in the expense for reserve for unfunded loan commitments partially offset by higher amounts of certain general operating expenses within other noninterest expense.

Income taxes for the third quarter of 2023 were $24.78 million as compared to $25.92 million for the third quarter of 2022. Income tax expense was $23.45 million for the second quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, income tax expense was $72.68 million and $69.55 million, respectively. For the quarters ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, United’s effective tax rate was 20.49% and 20.23%, respectively. For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, United’s effective tax rate was 20.17%. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 was 20.21% and 19.90%, respectively.

65


Business Segments

United operates in two business segments: community banking and mortgage banking.

Community Banking

Net income attributable to the community banking segment for the third quarter of 2023 was $101.52 million compared to net income of $108.66 million for the third quarter of 2022. The lower net income within the community banking segment for the third quarter of 2023 was due primarily to a decrease in net interest income due to net interest margin compression. Net income attributable to the community banking segment for the first nine months of 2023 was $298.10 million compared to net income of $288.83 million for the first nine months of 2022. The higher net income within the community banking segment for the first nine months of 2023 was due primarily to increased net interest income due to higher interest rates. On a linked quarter basis, net income attributable to the community banking segment for the third quarter of 2023 increased $9.62 million from the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to a decrease in the provision for credit losses and higher noninterest income.

Net interest income of $230.34 million for the third quarter of 2023 was a decrease of $9.20 million or 3.84% from $239.54 million for the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to net interest margin compression as funding costs rose faster than the average yield on earning assets. Net interest income increased $55.09 million to $695.91 million for the first nine months of 2023, compared to $640.82 million for the same period of 2022. Generally, net interest income for the first nine months of 2023 increased from the first nine months of 2022 due mainly to the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, organic loan growth and a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets. On a linked quarter basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 increased $1.03 million from the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets and lower average balances of long-term borrowings.

The provision for credit losses was $5.95 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a provision for credit losses of $7.67 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was mainly due to an improvement in the reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions. The provision for credit losses was $24.28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a provision for credit losses of $2.45 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in the provision for credit losses was mainly due to a change in qualitative factors and loan growth. The provision for credit losses was $11.44 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Noninterest income increased $806 thousand for the third quarter of 2023 to $24.58 million as compared to $23.78 million for the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to an increase in the income from BOLI. Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2023 decreased $9.21 million to $66.37 million for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to $75.58 million for the first nine months of 2022. This decrease from the first nine months of 2022 was due mainly to net losses on the sales of AFS investment securities and declines in fees from deposit services and income from bank-owned life insurance. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 increased $6.97 million from the second quarter of 2023 due to a net loss of $7.24 million on the sale of AFS investment securities in the second quarter of 2023.

Noninterest expense was $121.32 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $119.57 million for the same period of 2022. Noninterest expense was $364.38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $353.36 million for the same period of 2022. These increases in noninterest expense for the first nine months of 2023 were primarily attributable to an increase in FDIC expense due to a higher assessment rate. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 increased $1.04 million from the second quarter of 2023 due mainly to a lower expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments within other expense.

66


Mortgage Banking

The mortgage banking segment reported a net loss of $549 thousand and net income of $2.90 million for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2023, respectively, as compared to net losses of $3.34 million and $4.28 million for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2022. The mortgage banking segment reported a net income of $5.13 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Noninterest income, which consists mainly of realized and unrealized gains associated with the fair value of commitments and loans held for sale, was $10.87 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $13.75 million for the third quarter of 2022. Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $41.68 million as compared to $58.61 million for the first nine months of 2022. These decreases in noninterest income from 2022 were due mainly to decreased sales of mortgage loans in the secondary market primarily as a result of a rising interest rate environment. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $9.08 million from the second quarter of 2023. This decrease in noninterest income for the linked-quarter was primarily due to the previously mentioned net gain on the sale of MSRs in the second quarter of 2023 as well as decreased sales of mortgage loans in the secondary market.

Noninterest expense was $14.12 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $6.54 million from $20.66 million for the third quarter of 2022. Noninterest expense for the first nine months of 2023 was $44.91 million, a decrease of $26.98 million from the first nine months of 2022. Noninterest expense consists mainly of salaries, commissions and benefits of mortgage segment employees. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $1.59 million from the second quarter of 2023. The decreases mentioned above were due mainly to lower employee commissions and incentives related to the decreased mortgage banking production.

The following discussion explains in more detail the consolidated results of operations by major category.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the primary component of United’s earnings. It is the difference between interest income from earning assets and interest expense incurred to fund these assets. Net interest income is impacted by changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in market interest rates. Such changes, and their impact on net interest income in 2023 and 2022, are presented below.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $228.45 million, which was a decrease of $12.17 million or 5.06% from the third quarter of 2022. The $12.17 million decrease in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $93.23 million while total interest expense increased $105.40 million from the third quarter of 2022. Net interest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $690.23 million, which was an increase of $43.21 million or 6.68% from the first nine months of 2022. The $43.21 million increase in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $337.90 million while total interest expense increased $294.69 million from the first nine months of 2022. On a linked-quarter basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was flat from the second quarter of 2023, increasing $992 thousand or less than 1%. The $992 thousand increase in net interest income occurred because total interest income increased $10.98 million while total interest expense increased $9.99 million from the second quarter of 2023.

For the purpose of this remaining discussion, net interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis to provide a comparison among all types of interest earning assets. The tax-equivalent basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of income from certain loans and investments. Although this is a non-GAAP measure, United’s management believes this measure is more widely used within the financial services industry and provides better comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. United uses this measure to monitor net interest income performance and to manage its balance sheet composition.

67


Tax-equivalent net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $229.32 million, an increase of $12.41 million or 5.13% from the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to higher interest expense driven by deposit rate repricing, higher average balances and cost of long-term borrowings, lower acquired loan accretion income and lower income from Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan fees. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, organic loan growth and a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets. The average cost of funds increased 231 basis points from the third quarter of 2022 to 2.87% primarily due to increases in the yield on average interest-bearing deposits of 224 basis points and in the yield on average long-term borrowings of 227 basis points. Average long-term borrowings increased $695.82 million from the third quarter of 2022. Acquired loan accretion income decreased $1.74 million from the third quarter of 2022 to $2.33 million. Net PPP loan fee income decreased $1.50 million from the third quarter of 2022. The yield on average earning assets increased 138 basis points from the third quarter of 2022 to 5.52%. Average earning assets for the third quarter of 2023 increased $329.70 million, or 1.30%, from the third quarter of 2022 due to a $1.28 billion increase in average net loans partially offset by an $882.68 million decrease in average investment securities. The net interest margin of 3.54% for the third quarter of 2023 was a decrease of 24 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.78% for the third quarter of 2022.

Tax-equivalent net interest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $693.38 million, an increase of $43.04 million or 6.62% from the first nine months of 2022. The increase in tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, organic loan growth and a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets. These increases were partially offset by higher interest expense primarily driven by deposit rate repricing, higher average balances and cost of long-term borrowings, lower income from PPP loan fees and lower acquired loan accretion income. The yield on average earning assets increased 169 basis points from the first nine months of 2022 to 5.32%. Average earning assets for the first nine months of 2023 increased $317.29 million, or 1.23%, from the first nine months of 2022 due to a $1.69 billion increase in average net loans partially offset by a $959.90 million decrease in average short-term investments and a $411.08 million decrease in average investment securities. The average cost of funds increased 218 basis points from the first nine months of 2022 to 2.56% primarily due to increases in the yield on average interest-bearing deposits of 200 basis points and in the yield on average long-term borrowings of 272 basis points. Average long-term borrowings increased $1.26 billion from the first nine months of 2022. Net PPP loan fee income decreased $8.85 million from the first nine months of 2022. Acquired loan accretion income was $8.52 million and $13.60 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of $5.08 million. The net interest margin of 3.56% for the first nine months of 2023 was an increase of 18 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.38% for the first nine months of 2022.

On a linked-quarter basis, tax-equivalent net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was relatively flat from the second quarter of 2023, increasing $717 thousand or less than 1%. Net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 benefited from the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets and lower average balances of long-term borrowings. Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was higher interest expense primarily driven by the impact of deposit rate repricing and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits. The yield on average earning assets increased 19 basis points from the second quarter of 2023 to 5.52%. Average net loans increased $245.61 million from the second quarter of 2023 and the yield on average net loans and loans held for sale increased 14 basis points to 5.92% for the third quarter of 2023. Average investment securities decreased $456.79 million from the second quarter of 2023 and average short-term investments decreased $141.85 million from the second quarter of 2023. Average long-term borrowings decreased $716.72 million from the second quarter of 2023. The yield on average interest-bearing deposits increased 33 basis points to 2.70% and average interest-bearing deposits increased $473.53 million from the second quarter of 2023. The net interest margin of 3.54% for the third quarter of 2023 was an increase of 3 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.51% for the second quarter of 2023.

68


United’s tax-equivalent net interest income also includes the impact of acquisition accounting fair value adjustments. The following table provides the discount/premium and net accretion impact to tax-equivalent net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

   Three Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   September 30
2022
   June 30
2023
 

Loan accretion

  $2,325   $4,065   $3,077 

Certificates of deposit

   253    552    309 

Long-term borrowings

   (332   (348   (335
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $2,246   $4,269   $3,051 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Nine Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   September 30
2022
 

Loan accretion

  $8,521   $13,602 

Certificates of deposit

   918    2,328 

Long-term borrowings

   (1,020   85 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax-equivalent net interest income

  $8,419   $16,015 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following tables reconcile the difference between net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

   Three Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   September 30
2022
   June 30
2023
 

Net interest income, GAAP basis

  $228,453   $240,622   $227,461 

Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)

   869    1,105    1,144 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax-equivalent net interest income

  $229,322   $241,727   $228,605 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Nine Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30
2023
   September 30
2022
 

Net interest income, GAAP basis

  $690,234   $647,027 

Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)

   3,148    3,318 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax-equivalent net interest income

  $693,382   $650,345 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

The tax-equivalent adjustment combines amounts of interest income on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and the three months ended June 30, 2023. All interest income on loans and investment securities was subject to state income taxes.

69


The following table shows the unaudited consolidated daily average balance of major categories of assets and liabilities for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the interest and rate earned or paid on such amount. The interest income and yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Interest income on all loans and investment securities was subject to state income taxes.

   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
 

ASSETS

         

Earning Assets:

         

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investments

  $852,224  $11,810    5.50 $918,691  $6,834    2.95

Investment Securities:

         

Taxable

   3,994,073   35,730    3.58  4,687,528   29,149    2.49

Tax-exempt

   211,178   1,482    2.81  400,400   2,783    2.78
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Securities

   4,205,251   37,212    3.54  5,087,928   31,932    2.51

Loans, net of unearned income (2)(3)

   20,961,313   308,757    5.85  19,645,486   226,022    4.57

Allowance for loan losses

   (250,810     (213,824   
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

Net loans

   20,710,503     5.92  19,431,662     4.62
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earning assets

   25,767,978  $357,779    5.52  25,438,281  $264,788    4.14
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets

   3,307,943      3,396,154    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL ASSETS

  $29,075,921     $28,834,435    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

LIABILITIES

         

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

         

Interest-bearing deposits

  $15,993,991  $108,793    2.70 $15,308,177  $17,660    0.46

Short-term borrowings

   188,945   1,805    3.79  137,985   493    1.42

Long-term borrowings

   1,590,763   17,859    4.45  894,940   4,908    2.18
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   17,773,699   128,457    2.87  16,341,102   23,061    0.56
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

   6,337,052      7,664,032    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   278,046      287,201    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   24,388,797      24,292,335    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   4,687,124      4,542,100    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $29,075,921     $28,834,435    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

NET INTEREST INCOME

   $229,322     $241,727   
   

 

 

     

 

 

   

INTEREST RATE SPREAD

      2.65     3.58

NET INTEREST MARGIN

      3.54     3.78

(1)

The interest income and the yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(3)

Loans held for sale and leases are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

70


The following table shows the unaudited consolidated daily average balance of major categories of assets and liabilities for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively, with the interest and rate earned or paid on such amount. The interest income and yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Interest income on all loans and investment securities was subject to state income taxes.

   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
 

ASSETS

         

Earning Assets:

         

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investments

  $852,224  $11,810    5.50 $994,072  $12,706    5.13

Investment Securities:

         

Taxable

   3,994,073   35,730    3.58  4,274,123   36,721    3.44

Tax-exempt

   211,178   1,482    2.81  387,918   2,718    2.80
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Securities

   4,205,251   37,212    3.54  4,662,041   39,439    3.38

Loans, net of unearned income (2)(3)

   20,961,313   308,757    5.85  20,705,509   294,931    5.71

Allowance for loan losses

   (250,810     (240,611   
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

Net loans

   20,710,503     5.92  20,464,898     5.78
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earning assets

   25,767,978  $357,779    5.52  26,121,011  $347,076    5.33
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets

   3,307,943      3,317,801    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL ASSETS

  $29,075,921     $29,438,812    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

LIABILITIES

         

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

         

Interest-bearing deposits

  $15,993,991  $108,793    2.70 $15,520,461  $91,577    2.37

Short-term borrowings

   188,945   1,805    3.79  177,315   1,489    3.37

Long-term borrowings

   1,590,763   17,859    4.45  2,307,485   25,405    4.42
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   17,773,699   128,457    2.87  18,005,261   118,471    2.64
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

   6,337,052      6,500,259    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   278,046      274,198    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   24,388,797      24,779,718    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   4,687,124      4,659,094    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $29,075,921     $29,438,812    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

NET INTEREST INCOME

   $229,322     $228,605   
   

 

 

     

 

 

   

INTEREST RATE SPREAD

      2.65     2.69

NET INTEREST MARGIN

      3.54     3.51

(1)

The interest income and the yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(3)

Loans held for sale and leases are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

71


The following table shows the unaudited consolidated daily average balance of major categories of assets and liabilities for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the interest and rate earned or paid on such amount. The interest income and yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Interest income on all loans and investment securities was subject to state income taxes.

   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
  Average
Balance
  Interest
(1)
   Avg. Rate
(1)
 

ASSETS

         

Earning Assets:

         

Federal funds sold and securities repurchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investments

  $927,255  $35,499    5.12 $1,887,158  $14,004    0.99

Investment Securities:

         

Taxable

   4,222,849   108,710    3.43  4,540,767   71,212    2.09

Tax-exempt

   328,276   6,940    2.82  421,440   8,266    2.62
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Securities

   4,551,125   115,650    3.39  4,962,207   79,478    2.14

Loans, net of unearned income (2)(3)

   20,784,493   884,144    5.69  19,068,898   604,085    4.23

Allowance for loan losses

   (242,135     (214,813   
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

Net loans

   20,542,358     5.75  18,854,085     4.28
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earning assets

   26,020,738  $1,035,293    5.32  25,703,450  $697,567    3.63
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets

   3,319,143      3,358,118    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL ASSETS

  $29,339,881     $29,061,568    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

LIABILITIES

         

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

         

Interest-bearing deposits

  $15,569,985  $268,962    2.31 $15,599,135  $35,972    0.31

Short-term borrowings

   177,707   4,451    3.35  136,014   911    0.90

Long-term borrowings

   2,102,386   68,498    4.36  841,693   10,339    1.64
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   17,850,078   341,911    2.56  16,576,842   47,222    0.38
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing deposits

   6,576,063      7,573,667    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   274,418      275,201    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   24,700,559      24,425,710    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   4,639,322      4,635,858    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $29,339,881     $29,061,568    
  

 

 

     

 

 

    

NET INTEREST INCOME

   $693,382     $650,345   
   

 

 

     

 

 

   

INTEREST RATE SPREAD

      2.76     3.25

NET INTEREST MARGIN

      3.56     3.38

(1)

The interest income and the yields on federally nontaxable loans and investment securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(3)

Loans held for sale and leases are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

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Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses was $5.95 million and $24.28 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, as compared to provision for credit losses was $7.67 million and $2.45 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. On a linked-quarter basis, the provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2023 was $11.44 million. United’s provision for credit losses relates to its portfolio of loans and leases, held-to-maturity securities and interest receivable on loans which are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the provision for loan and lease losses was $5.95 million as compared to a provision for loan and lease losses of $7.67 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The lower amount of provision expense for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022 was mainly due to less severe negative implications of the reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. The provision for loan and lease losses for the first nine months of 2023 was $24.28 million as compared to $2.46 million for the first nine months of 2022. The higher amount of provision expense for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022 was mainly due to an increase in qualitative adjustments pertaining to economic and business conditions, collateral values for dependent loans, loan trends, and the reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions. Net charge-offs were $1.78 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to net charge-offs of $1.79 million for the third quarter of 2022. Net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2023 were $4.14 million as compared to net recoveries of $1.13 million for the first nine months of 2022. The higher amount of net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to first nine months of 2022 was primarily due to an increase in charge-offs in 2023 for the consumer loan segment as well as a lower amount of recoveries in 2023 of previously charged-off amounts for the other commercial loan segment. On a linked-quarter basis, the provision for loan and lease losses for the second quarter of 2023 was $11.44 million while net charge-offs were $1.21 million. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases, net of unearned income were 0.03% both for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 compared to net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of average loans and leases, net of unearned income of 0.04% and (0.01%) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases, net of unearned income for the second quarter of 2023 were 0.02%.

The following table shows a summary of United’s nonperforming assets including nonperforming loans and other real estate owned (“OREO”) at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(In thousands)  September 30
2023
   December 31
2022
 

Nonaccrual loans

  $24,456   $23,685 

Loans past due 90 days of more

   18,283    15,565 

Restructured loans (1)

   n/a    19,388 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming loans

  $42,739   $58,638 

Other real estate owned

   3,181    2,052 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming assets

  $45,920   $60,690 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

(1)

On January 1, 2023, United adopted ASU 2022-02, “Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” prospectively which eliminated the accounting guidance on troubled debt restructurings and enhanced creditors’ disclosure requirements related to loan refinancings and restructurings for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. After the adoption of ASU 2022-02, United no longer considers accruing restructured loans that are fewer than 90 days past due as nonperforming loans or nonperforming assets. Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets at December 31, 2022 included $9,127 of restructured loans that were on accruing status and fewer than 90 days past due but classified as nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets. Restructured loans that are on nonaccrual or 90-day past due are included in the above nonperforming loan and nonperforming asset categories at September 30, 2023.

Restructured loans with an aggregate balance of $7,186 at December 31, 2022 were on nonaccrual status, but are not included in “Nonaccrual loans” above. Restructured loans with an aggregate balance of $3,075 at December 31, 2022 were 90 days past due, but not included in “Loans past due 90 days or more” above.

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United maintains an allowance for loan and lease losses and a reserve for lending-related commitments. The combined allowance for loan losses and reserve for lending-related commitments is considered the allowance for credit losses. At September 30, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $298.65 million as compared to $280.94 million at December 31, 2022.

At September 30, 2023, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $254.89 million as compared to $234.75 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses was due mainly to increased reserves for several loan segments including nonowner-occupied commercial real estate, residential real estate, and construction and land development. As a percentage of loans and leases, net of unearned income, the allowance for loan losses was 1.21% at September 30, 2023 and 1.14% at December 31, 2022. The ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans and leases or coverage ratio was 596.38% and 400.33% at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The increase in this ratio was due mainly to a decline in nonperforming loans.

United continues to evaluate risks which may impact its loan and lease portfolios. Reserves are initially determined based on losses identified from the PD/LGD and Cohort models which utilize the Company’s historical information. Then, any qualitative adjustments are applied to account for the Company’s view of current conditions, the future and other factors.

The third quarter of 2023 qualitative adjustments include analyses of the following:

Current conditions – United considered the impact of inflation, risinginterest rates, the banking regulatory environment and geopolitical conflict when making determinations related to factor adjustments for the external environment. United also considered portfolio trends related to economic and business conditions, collateral values for dependent loans; past due, nonaccrual and graded loans and leases; and concentrations of credit.

Reasonable and supportable forecasts – The forecast is determined on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis based on projections of real GDP and the unemployment rate. The reasonable and supportable forecast selection is subjective in nature and requires more judgment compared to the other components of the allowance. Assumptions for the economic variables were the following:

The forecast for real GDP in 2023 improved in the third quarter, from a projection of 1.00% for 2023 in the second quarter to 2.10% for 2023 in the third quarter and improvement in 2024, from a projection of 1.10% for 2024 in the second quarter to 1.50% for 2024 in the third quarter. The unemployment rate improved for 2023 between second and third quarter, 4.10% to 3.80%, and in 2024 with improvement from 4.50% to 4.10%. The forecast for 2025 remained consistent at 1.80% for GDP while the unemployment rate reflected a similar decrease to 2024, from 4.50% to 4.10%.

Greater risk of loss is probable in the office portfolio due to continued hybrid and remote work that may be exacerbated by future economic conditions and in the commercial other and construction portfolios due to weakened economic conditions.

Reversion to historical loss data occurs via a straight-line method during the year following the one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period.

United’s review of the allowance for loan and lease losses at September 30, 2023 produced increased reserves in three of the four loan categories as compared to December 31, 2022. The allowance related to the commercial, financial & agricultural loan pool increased $6.86 million due to increased outstanding balances and increased reasonable and supportable forecast adjustment particularly as it pertains to office loans. The residential real estate reserve increased $7.74 million due to increased outstanding balances and increased risk of loss for past due, nonaccrual and graded loans and concentrations of credit. The real estate construction and development loan pool reserve increased $10.00 million due to increased risk of loss for collateral value for dependent loans and increased reasonable and supportable forecast adjustment. The consumer loan pool reserve decreased $4.47 million primarily due to a decrease in outstanding balances.

An allowance is established for estimated lifetime losses for loans that are individually assessed. Nonperforming commercial loans and leases are regularly reviewed to identify expected credit losses. A loan is individually assessed for expected credit losses when the loan does not share similar characteristics with other loans in the portfolio. Measuring

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expected credit losses of a loan requires judgment and estimates, and the eventual outcomes may differ from those estimates. Expected credit losses are measured based upon the present value of expected future cash flows from the loan discounted at the loan’s effective rate or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. When the selected measure is less than the recorded investment in the loan, an expected credit loss has occurred. The allowance for loans and leases that were individually assessed was $1.94 million at September 30, 2023 and $1.27 million at December 31, 2022. In comparison to the prior year-end, this element of the allowance increased $663 thousand due to newly identified loans requiring individual assessment of loss and reduced collateral values.

Management believes that the allowance for credit losses of $298.65 million at September 30, 2023 is adequate to provide for expected losses on existing loans and lending-related commitments based on information currently available. United’s loan administration policies are focused on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio in terms of loan approval and credit quality. The commercial loan portfolio is monitored for possible concentrations of credit in one or more industries. Management has lending limits as a percentage of capital per type of credit concentration in an effort to ensure adequate diversification within the portfolio. Most of United’s commercial loans are secured by real estate located in West Virginia, southeastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. It is the opinion of management that these commercial loans do not pose any unusual risks and that adequate consideration has been given to these loans in establishing the allowance for credit losses.

The provision for credit losses related to held to maturity securities for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 was immaterial. The allowance for credit losses related to held to maturity securities was $18 thousand as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. There was no provision for credit losses recorded on available for sale investment securities for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 and no allowance for credit losses on available for sale investment securities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Management is not aware of any potential problem loans or leases, trends or uncertainties, which it reasonably expects, will materially impact future operating results, liquidity, or capital resources which have not been disclosed. Additionally, management has disclosed all known material credits, which cause management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the loan repayment schedules.

Other Income

Other income consists of all revenues, which are not included in interest and fee income related to earning assets. Noninterest income has been and will continue to be an important factor for improving United’s profitability. Recognizing the importance, management continues to evaluate areas where noninterest income can be enhanced.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $33.66 million, an increase of $912 thousand or 2.78% from the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to increases in income from mortgage banking activities and income BOLI partially offset by a decrease in mortgage loan servicing income. Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2023 was $101.58 million, a decrease of $20.80 million or 17.00% from the first nine months of 2022 due mainly to net losses recognized on the sales of AFS investment securities and a decrease in income from mortgage banking activities partially offset by a net gain on the sale of MSRs during the second quarter of 2023 within mortgage loan servicing income.

For the first nine months of 2023, net losses on investment securities were $7.92 million as compared to net gains on investment securities of $725 thousand for the first nine months of 2022. The net losses in 2023 were mainly due to a net loss of $7.24 million on the sale of approximately $187 million of AFS investment securities in the second quarter of 2023.

Income from mortgage banking activities totaled $7.56 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $6.42 million for the same period of 2022, an increase of $1.13 million or 17.66%. The increase in income from mortgage banking activities was mainly due to a higher quarter-end valuation of our mortgage derivatives and mortgage loans held for sale. For the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, income from mortgage banking activities was $21.85 million and $38.07 million, respectively. The decrease of $16.22 million or 42.61% for the first nine months of 2023 was due mainly to decreased loan sales driven by the rising rate environment and a lower margin on loans sold. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, mortgage loan sales were $217.63 million and $275.83 million, respectively. For the nine months ended

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September 30, 2023 and 2022, mortgage loan sales were $632.85 million and $2.06 billion, respectively. Mortgage loans originated for sale were $185.95 million and $635.58 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively, as compared to $265.21 million and $1.72 billion for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively.

Fees from deposit services for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 decreased $787 thousand or 7.82% and $3.08 million or 9.91%, respectively, from the third quarter and first nine months of 2022. These decreases were due mainly to lower income from overdraft fees primarily as a result of implemented changes to United’s overdraft policy during the third quarter of 2022.

Income from BOLI for the third quarter of 2023 increased $1.09 million or 74.05% from the third quarter of 2022 due to the recognition of $530 thousand in death benefits and an increase in the cash surrender value of policies in the third quarter of 2023. Income from BOLI for the first nine months of 2023 decreased $1.31 million or 16.84% from the first nine months of 2022. For the first nine months of 2023, United recognized death benefits from BOLI of $571 thousand as compared to $3.33 million for the first nine months of 2022.

For the first nine months of 2023, fees from trust services increased $1.01 million or 7.85% from the first nine months of 2022 due to an increase in assets under management.

Mortgage loan servicing income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $1.46 million or 63.25% from the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in mortgage loan servicing income was mainly driven by lower MSR balances as a result of the sale of MSRs in the second quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2023, mortgage loan servicing income increased $5.95 million or 84.74% from the first nine months of 2022. This increase was due mainly to a net gain of $8.15 million United recognized during the second quarter of 2023 on the sale of MSRs with an aggregate unpaid principal balance approximately $2 billion partially offset by less income on the lower MSR balances.

On a linked-quarter basis, noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $1.52 million, or 4.31%, from the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily due to a decrease in mortgage loan servicing income of $9.00 million partially offset by lower net losses on investment securities of $7.16 million. As previously mentioned, during the second quarter of 2023, United sold MSRs at a net gain of $8.15 million. The remaining decrease in mortgage loan servicing income from the second quarter of 2023 was due to lower MSR balances in the third quarter of 2023 as a result of the sale. Additionally, as previously mentioned, United sold approximately $187 million of AFS investment securities at a loss of $7.24 million during the second quarter of 2023.

Other Expenses

Just as management continues to evaluate areas where noninterest income can be enhanced, it strives to improve the efficiency of its operations to reduce costs. Other expenses include all items of expense other than interest expense, the provision for credit losses, and income taxes. Noninterest expense was $135.23 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $1.97 million or 1.43% from the same period in 2022. For the first nine months of 2023, noninterest expense was $407.94 million, which was a decrease of $9.61 million or 2.30% from the first nine months of 2022.

Employee compensation for the first nine months of 2023 decreased $11.89 million or 6.43% from the first nine months of 2022. The decrease for 2023 was due mainly to lower employee commissions related to a decline in mortgage banking production and lower employee incentives.

Employee benefits expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 increased $2.18 million or 20.24% and $2.95 million or 8.27%, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2022. This increase was primarily due to higher amounts of expense for postretirement benefits.

Net occupancy expense for the first nine months of 2023 increased $1.06 million or 3.15% as compared to the first nine months of 2022. This increase was primarily due to higher amounts of building rental, depreciation and maintenance expense.

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OREO expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 decreased $1.52 million or 89.17% and $769 thousand or 39.72% from the first nine months of 2022. These decreases were due to a decline in the fair value of OREO properties.

Equipment expense for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $637 thousand or 8.16% as compared to the third quarter of 2022. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in maintenance expense and depreciation.

FDIC expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 increased $1.54 million or 50.11% and $5.02 million or 57.38%, respectively, due a higher assessment rate.

Other expense for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $2.19 million or 6.66% from the third quarter of 2022. Within other expenses, consulting and legal expenses decreased $4.00 million due to a loss contingency accrual of $5.00 million in the third quarter of 2022. Partially offsetting this decrease were increases in advertising expense as well as business franchise taxes. For the first nine months of 2023, other expense decreased $5.30 million or 5.23% from the first nine months of 2022. Within other expenses, the most significant decrease for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the same time period in 2022 was in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments of $10.68 million. Additionally,    consulting and legal expenses decreased $2.62 million due to a previously mentioned loss contingency accrual in the third quarter of 2022. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in business franchise taxes and advertising expense.

On a linked-quarter basis, noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 was flat from the second quarter of 2023, decreasing $58 thousand, or less than 1%. The slight decrease in noninterest expense from the second quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments of $981 thousand within other expense mainly driven by a decrease in the outstanding balance of loan commitments at quarter-end. In addition, equipment expense for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $856 thousand or 10.67% from the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower maintenance expense. These decreases in noninterest expense were partially offset by increases of $690 thousand in employee benefits expense due mainly to higher post-retirement expense and $562 thousand in employee compensation expense due primarily to increased salaries expense.

Income Taxes

For the third quarter of 2023, income tax expense was $24.78 million as compared to $25.92 million in the third quarter of 2022. This decrease of $1.14 million was due to lower earnings partially offset by a slightly higher effective tax rate. For the first nine months of 2023, income tax expense was $72.68 million as compared to $69.55 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $3.13 million. On a linked-quarter basis, income tax expense increased $1.33 million from the second quarter of 2023. These increases were due to increased earnings and a higher effective tax rate. United’s effective tax rate was 20.49% for the third quarter of 2023, 20.17% for the third quarter of 2022 and 20.23% for the second quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, United’s effective tax rate was 20.21% and 19.90%, respectively. For further details related to income taxes, see Note 16 of the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this document.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In the opinion of management, United maintains liquidity that is sufficient to satisfy its depositors’ requirements and the credit needs of its customers. Like all banks, United depends upon its ability to renew maturing deposits and other liabilities on a daily basis and to acquire new funds in a variety of markets. A significant source of funds available to United is “core deposits”. Core deposits include certain demand deposits, statement and special savings and NOW accounts. These deposits are relatively stable, and they are the lowest cost source of funds available to United. Short-term borrowings have also been a significant source of funds. These include federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as well as advances from the FHLB. Repurchase agreements represent funds which are obtained as the result of a competitive bidding process.

Liquid assets are cash and those items readily convertible to cash. All banks must maintain sufficient balances of cash and near-cash items to meet the day-to-day demands of customers and United’s cash needs. Other than cash and due from banks, the available for sale securities portfolio and maturing loans are the primary sources of liquidity.

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The goal of liquidity management is to ensure the ability to access funding which enables United to efficiently satisfy the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers and meet United’s cash needs. Liquidity is managed by monitoring funds’ availability from a number of primary sources. Substantial funding is available from cash and cash equivalents, unused short-term borrowing and a geographically dispersed network of branches providing access to a diversified and substantial retail deposit market.

Short-term needs can be met through a wide array of outside sources such as correspondent and downstream correspondent federal funds and utilization of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances and the Federal Reserve Bank’s (“FRB”) Discount Window or its newly established Bank Term Funding program during the first quarter of 2023.

Other sources of liquidity available to United to provide long-term as well as short-term funding alternatives, in addition to FHLB advances and FRB programs, are long-term certificates of deposit, lines of credit, borrowings that are secured by bank premises or stock of United’s subsidiaries and issuances of trust preferred securities. In the normal course of business, United through its Asset Liability Committee evaluates these as well as other alternative funding strategies that may be utilized to meet short-term and long-term funding needs.

During the first nine months of 2023, United decreased its interest-bearing deposit balance at the FRB by $18.11 million to $788.72 million. The change in the balance at the FRB was mostly the result of the net repayment of $800.00 million in FHLB advances and loan growth of $491.66 million partially offset by net sales, maturities, and paydowns in the available for sale debt securities portfolio of $762.02 million and an increase in total deposits of $373.69 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash of $272.66 million was provided by operating activities due mainly to net income of $286.92 million. Net cash of $288.62 million was provided by investing activities which was primarily due to $758.09 million of net proceeds from the sales of investment securities over purchases partially offset by portfolio loan growth of $491.66 million. During the first nine months of 2023, net cash of $553.88 million was used in financing activities due primarily to the net repayment of $800.00 million in FHLB advances, cash dividends paid of $146.01 million and cash paid of $10.25 million to redeem subordinated debt partially offset by growth in deposits of $374.61 million and an increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $27.58 million. The net effect of the cash flow activities was an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $7.40 million for the first nine months of 2023.

At September 30, 2023, United had an unused borrowing amount at the FHLB of approximately $7.30 billion subject to delivery of collateral after certain trigger points and $3.17 billion without the delivery of additional collateral. United has various unused lines of credit available from certain of its correspondent banks in the aggregate amount of $230 million, all of which was available at September 30, 2023. United also has a $20 million unsecured, revolving line of credit with an unrelated financial institution to provide for general liquidity needs, all of which was available at September 30, 2023. At September 30, 2023, United’s borrowing capacity for the FRB Discount Window was $2.72 billion. United did not have any borrowings from the FRB’s Discount Window, or its new Bank Term Funding Program, during the first nine months of 2023.

United anticipates it can meet its obligations over the next 12 months and has no material commitments for capital expenditures. United also has lines of credit available. See Notes 9 and 10 to the accompanying unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more details regarding the amounts available to United under lines of credit.

The Asset Liability Committee monitors liquidity to ascertain that a liquidity position within certain prescribed parameters is maintained. No changes are anticipated in the policies of United’s Asset Liability Committee.

United’s capital position is financially sound. United seeks to maintain a proper relationship between capital and total assets to support growth and sustain earnings. United has historically generated attractive returns on shareholders’ equity. United is well-capitalized based upon regulatory guidelines. United’s risk-based capital ratio is 15.22% at September 30, 2023 while its Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and leverage ratios are 12.99%, 12.99% and 11.32%, respectively.

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The September 30, 2023 ratios reflects United’s election of a five-year transition provision, allowed by the Federal Reserve Board and other federal banking agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to delay for two years the full impact of CECL on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. The regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized financial institution are a risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%, a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.0% and a leverage ratio of 5.0%.

Total shareholders’ equity was $4.65 billion at September 30, 2023, which was an increase of $132.69 million or 2.94% from December 31, 2022. This increase is primarily due to an increase of $140.87 million in retained earnings (net income less dividends declared).

United’s equity to assets ratio was 15.91% at September 30, 2023 as compared to 15.31% at December 31, 2022. The primary capital ratio, capital and reserves to total assets and reserves, was 16.76% at September 30, 2023 as compared to 16.11% at December 31, 2022. United’s average equity to average asset ratio was 16.12% for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to 15.75% the third quarter of 2022. United’s average equity to average asset ratio was 15.81% for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to 15.95% for the first nine months of 2022. All of these financial measurements reflect a financially sound position.

During the third quarter of 2023, United’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per share. Cash dividends were $1.08 per common share for the first nine months of 2023. Total cash dividends declared were $48.71 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $146.05 million for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to $48.56 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $146.37 million for the first nine months of 2022.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The objective of United’s Asset Liability Management function is to maintain consistent growth in net interest income within United’s policy guidelines. This objective is accomplished through the management of balance sheet liquidity and interest rate risk exposures due to changes in economic conditions, interest rate levels and customer preferences.

Interest Rate Risk

Management considers interest rate risk to be United’s most significant market risk. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in United’s net interest income as a result of changes in interest rates. United’s earnings are largely dependent on the effective management of interest rate risk.

Management of interest rate risk focuses on maintaining consistent growth in net interest income within Board-approved policy limits. United’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”), which includes senior management representatives and reports to the Board of Directors, monitors and manages interest rate risk to maintain an acceptable level of change to net interest income as a result of changes in interest rates. Policy established for interest rate risk is stated in terms of the change in net interest income over a one-year and two-year horizon given an immediate and sustained increase or decrease in interest rates. The current limits approved by the Board of Directors are structured on a staged basis with each stage requiring specific actions.

United employs a variety of measurement techniques to identify and manage its exposure to changing interest rates. One such technique utilizes an earnings simulation model to analyze the sensitivity of net interest income to movements in interest rates. The model is based on actual cash flows and repricing characteristics for on and off-balance sheet instruments and incorporates market-based assumptions regarding the impact of changing interest rates on the prepayment rate of certain assets and liabilities. The model also includes executive management projections for activity levels in product lines offered by United. Assumptions based on the historical behavior of deposit rates and balances in relation to changes in interest rates are also incorporated into the model. Rate scenarios could involve parallel or nonparallel shifts in the yield curve, depending on historical, current, and expected conditions, as well as the need to capture any material effects of explicit or embedded options. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and management’s strategies.

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Interest sensitive assets and liabilities are defined as those assets or liabilities that mature or are repriced within a designated time frame. The principal function of managing interest rate risk is to maintain an appropriate relationship between those assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changing market interest rates. The difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities for specified periods of time is known as the “GAP.” Earnings-simulation analysis captures not only the potential of these interest sensitive assets and liabilities to mature or reprice, but also the probability that they will do so. Moreover, earnings-simulation analysis considers the relative sensitivities of these balance sheet items and projects their behavior over an extended period of time. United closely monitors the sensitivity of its assets and liabilities on an on-going basis and projects the effect of various interest rate changes on its net interest margin.

The following table shows United’s estimated earnings sensitivity profile as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Change in Interest Rates

(basis points)

  Percentage Change in Net Interest Income 
  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 

+200

   (5.98%)   (6.83%) 

+100

   (2.87%)   (3.00%) 

-100

   4.00  2.12

-200

   6.83  2.16

At September 30, 2023, given an immediate, sustained 100 basis point upward shock to the yield curve used in the simulation model, net interest income for United is estimated to decrease by 2.87% over one year as compared to a decrease by 3.00% at December 31, 2022. A 200 basis point immediate, sustained upward shock in the yield curve would decrease net interest income by an estimated 5.98% over one year as of September 30, 2023 as compared to a decrease of 6.83% as of December 31, 2022. A 100 basis point immediate, sustained downward shock in the yield curve would increase net interest income by an estimated 4.00% over one year as of September 30, 2023 as compared to an increase of 2.12%, over one year as of December 31, 2022. A 200 basis point immediate, sustained downward shock in the yield curve would increase net interest income by an estimated 6.83% over one year as of September 30, 2023 as compared to an increase of 2.16% over one year as of December 31, 2022.

In addition to the one year earnings sensitivity analysis, a two-year analysis is also performed. Compared to the one year analysis, United is projected to show improved performance in year two within the upward rate shock scenarios. Given an immediate, sustained 100 basis point upward shock to the yield curve used in the simulation model, net interest income for United is estimated to decrease by 0.07% in year two as of September 30, 2023. A 200 basis point immediate, sustained upward shock in the yield curve would decrease net interest income by an estimated 0.78% in year two as of September 30, 2023. A 100 basis point immediate, sustained downward shock in the yield curve would increase net interest income by an estimated 0.79% in year two as of September 30, 2023. A 200 basis point immediate, sustained downward shock in the yield curve would increase net interest income by an estimated 0.04% in year two as of September 30, 2023.

This analysis does not include the potential increased refinancing activities, which should lessen the negative impact on net income from falling rates. While it is unlikely market rates would immediately move 100 or 200 basis points upward or downward on a sustained basis, this is another tool used by management and the Board of Directors to gauge interest rate risk. All of these estimated changes in net interest income are and were within the policy guidelines established by the Board of Directors.

To further aid in interest rate management, United’s subsidiary bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The use of FHLB advances provides United with a low risk means of matching maturities of earning assets and interest-bearing funds to achieve a desired interest rate spread over the life of the earning assets. In addition, United uses credit with large regional banks and trust preferred securities to provide funding.

As part of its interest rate risk management strategy, United may use derivative instruments to protect against adverse price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets or liabilities and on future cash flows. These derivatives commonly consist of interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars, futures, forward contracts, written and purchased options. Interest rate swaps obligate two parties to exchange one or more payments generally calculated with reference to a fixed or variable rate of interest applied to the notional amount. United accounts for its derivative activities in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

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Extension Risk

A key feature of most mortgage loans is the ability of the borrower to repay principal earlier than scheduled. This is called a prepayment. Prepayments arise primarily due to sale of the underlying property, refinancing, or foreclosure. In general, declining interest rates tend to increase prepayments, and rising interest rates tend to slow prepayments. Like other fixed-income securities, when interest rates rise, the value of mortgage- related securities generally declines. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of mortgage-related securities and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If interest rates rise, United’s holdings of mortgage-related securities may experience reduced returns if the borrowers of the underlying mortgages pay off their mortgages later than anticipated. This is generally referred to as extension risk.

At September 30, 2023, United’s mortgage related securities portfolio had an amortized cost of $1.9 billion, of which approximately $812 million or 43% were fixed rate collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). These fixed rate CMOs consisted primarily of planned amortization class (“PACs”), sequential-pay and accretion directed (“VADMs”) bonds having an average life of approximately 5.9 years and a weighted average yield of 2.11%, under current projected prepayment assumptions. These securities are expected to have moderate extension risk in a rising rate environment. Current models show that an immediate, sustained upward shock of 300 basis points the average life of these securities would only extend to 6.9 years. The projected price decline of the fixed rate CMO portfolio in rates up 300 basis points would be 16%, or less than the price decline of a 7- year treasury note. By comparison, the price decline of a 30-year 5.5% current coupon mortgage backed security (MBS) in rates higher by 300 basis points would be approximately 12.2%.

United had approximately $494.9 million in fixed rate Commercial mortgage backed Securities (“CMBS”) with a projected yield of 2.02% and a projected average life of 5 years on September 30, 2023. This portfolio consisted primarily of Freddie Mac Multifamily K securities and Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) securities with a weighted average maturity (“WAM”) of 8.4 years.

United had approximately $24.7 million in 15-year mortgage backed securities with a projected yield of 2.01% and a projected average life of 4.8 years as of September 30, 2023. This portfolio consisted of seasoned 15-year mortgage paper with a weighted average loan age (“WALA”) of 3.8 years and a WAM of 11.4 years.

United had approximately $332.1 million in 20-year mortgage backed securities with a projected yield of 1.83% and a projected average life of 7.2 years on September 30, 2023. This portfolio consisted of seasoned 20-year mortgage paper with a WALA of 2.6 years and a WAM of 17.3 years.

United had approximately $159.4 million in 30-year mortgage backed securities with a projected yield of 2.63% and a projected average life of 8.2 years on September 30, 2023. This portfolio consisted of seasoned 30-year mortgage paper with a WALA of 4.2 years and a WAM of 24 years.

The remaining 3% of the mortgage related securities portfolio on September 30, 2023, included floating rate CMO, CMBS and mortgage backed securities.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2023, an evaluation was performed under the supervision of and with the participation of United’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of United’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, United’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that United’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023 were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

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Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

United’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that United’s disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and fraud. While United’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objective, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in United’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, or in other factors that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect United’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

United and its subsidiaries are currently involved in various legal proceedings in the normal course of business. Management is vigorously pursuing all its legal and factual defenses and, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that all such litigation will be resolved with no material effect on United’s financial position.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, please refer to United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for disclosures with respect to United’s risk factors which could materially affect United’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing United. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to United or that United currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect United’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There have been no United equity securities sales during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that were not registered. The table below includes certain information regarding United’s purchase of its common shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2023:

Period

  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

(1) (2)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans (3)
   Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans (3)
 

7/01 – 7/31/2023

   7   $31.73    0    4,371,239 

8/01 – 8/31/2023

   5   $28.32    0    4,371,239 

9/01 – 9/30/2023

   220   $28.17    0    4,371,239 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   232   $28.28    0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

(1)

Includes shares exchanged in connection with the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock under United’s long-term incentive plans. Shares are purchased pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and not pursuant to a publicly announced stock repurchase plan. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023 –220 shares at an average price of $28.17 were exchanged by participants in United’s long-term incentive plans.

(2)

Includes shares purchased in open market transactions by United for a rabbi trust to provide payment of benefits under a deferred compensation plan for certain key officers of United and its subsidiaries. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the following shares were purchased for the deferred compensation plan: July – 7 shares at an average price of $31.73 and August – 5 shares at an average price of $28.32.

(3)

In May of 2022, United’s Board of Directors approved a repurchase plan to repurchase up to 4,750,000 shares of United’s common stock on the open market (the “2022 Plan”). The timing, price and quantity of purchases under the plan are at the discretion of management and the plan may be discontinued, suspended or restarted at any time depending on the facts and circumstances. The 2022 Plan replaces a repurchase plan approved by United’s Board of Directors in October of 2019.

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Item 3.
DEFAULTS
UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
(a)None.
(b)No changes were made to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to United’s Board of Directors.
(c)
United’s directors and executive officers may from time to time enter into plans or other arrangements for the purchase or sale of United’s shares that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule
10b5-1(c)
or may represent a
non-Rule
10b5-1
trading arrangement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, none of our directors or executive officers adopted, modified or terminated any “Rule
10b5-1
trading arrangement” or any
“non-Rule
10b5-1
trading arrangement”, as each term is defined in Rule 408(e) of Regulation
S-K.
Item 6. EXHIBITS
Index to exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation
S-K
Exhibit
No.
Description
    2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 17, 2019, by and between United Bankshares, Inc. and Carolina Financial Corporation (incorporated into this filing by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K dated November 17, 2019 and filed November 18, 2019 for United Bankshares, Inc., File No. 002-86947)
    2.2
    3.1Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated into this filing by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2017 and filed May 9, 2017 for United Bankshares, Inc., File No.002-86947)
    3.2Restated Bylaws (incorporated into this filing by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on March 20, 2020 for United Bankshares, Inc., File No.002-86947)
    4.1Description of Registrant’s Securities (incorporated into this filing by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2019 and filed March 2, 2020 for United Bankshares, Inc., File No.002-86947)
  31.1Certification as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

UNITED BANKSHARES, INC.

                      (Registrant)

Date: November 9, 2023/s/ Richard M. Adams, Jr.
Richard M. Adams, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 9, 2023/s/ W. Mark Tatterson
W. Mark Tatterson, Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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