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United Community Banks, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings

Further Margin Expansion Drove Revenue Growth

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) (United) today announced net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 of $86.5 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income of $126.3 million. Diluted earnings per share of $0.70 for the quarter represented an increase of $0.09 from the fourth quarter a year ago and was flat to the third quarter. For the year of 2025, net income was $328 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income was $471 million compared with $252 million and $374 million, respectively, for 2024. Diluted earnings per share of $2.62 for 2025 increased $0.58 from $2.04 for 2024, driven by growth in revenue and the absence of a one-time loss on the sale of United’s manufactured housing loan portfolio.

On an operating basis, United’s diluted earnings per share of $0.71 increased 13% from the year-ago quarter. Strong revenue growth and positive operating leverage drove the year-over-year results. For the full year of 2025, diluted operating earnings per share were $2.71, an increase of $0.41, or 18%, from the $2.30 reported in 2024.

United’s return on assets was 1.21%, or 1.22% on an operating basis, up from 1.06% and 1.08%, respectively for the fourth quarter of 2024. Return on common equity was 9.5% and return on tangible common equity on an operating basis was 13.3%. On a pre-tax, pre-provision basis, operating return on assets was 1.78% for the quarter. At year-end, tangible common equity to tangible assets was 9.92%, up 21 basis points from the third quarter.

Chairman and CEO Lynn Harton stated, “The fourth quarter marks a great ending to a rewarding year. Our teams delivered healthy loan growth for all of 2025, leading to improvement in our earning asset mix. That improvement, combined with our focus on deposit pricing, drove a 36 basis points expansion in our net interest margin year over year, with four basis points of improvement coming in the fourth quarter. All our key performance metrics improved significantly when compared to 2024. Believing this performance will continue, we took the opportunity to repurchase one million common shares at an average price of $29.84 per share and redeem $35 million of senior debt in the fourth quarter.

Harton continued, “United is well-positioned for another great year in 2026. Economic conditions in our markets remain strong and our team continues to execute well in all our lines of business. I want to congratulate and thank them for outstanding results.”

Net charge-offs were $16.4 million or 0.34% annualized of average loans, compared with 0.21% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.16% for the third quarter. Nonperforming assets were 0.33% of total assets, improved slightly from 0.35% for the third quarter. Provision for credit losses was $13.7 million for the fourth quarter, up from $11.4 million a year ago and $7.9 million for the third quarter. As of December 31, the allowance for credit losses represents 1.16% of loans, down slightly from 1.19% at September 30, reflecting the release of the remaining Hurricane Helene reserve.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights:

  • EPS of $0.70 was up $0.09 on a GAAP basis compared to fourth quarter 2024, and EPS of $0.71 was up $0.08, or 13%, on an operating basis
  • Net income of $86.5 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income of $126.3 million, up $10.7 million and $18.5 million, respectively, from a year ago
  • Total revenue of $278.4 million improved $27.5 million, or 11%, from a year ago
  • Net interest margin of 3.62% increased by 36 basis points from a year ago and 4 basis points from the third quarter on a lower cost of funds and improving asset mix
  • Provision for credit losses was $13.7 million, up $2.3 million from a year ago and up $5.8 million from the third quarter; allowance for credit losses coverage down slightly to 1.16% of total loans; net charge-offs were $16.4 million, or 0.34% of average loans, annualized
  • Noninterest expenses were up $1.2 million compared to the third quarter on a GAAP basis and up $4.0 million on an operating basis, primarily driven by performance-based incentives
  • Efficiency ratio of 54.4% on a GAAP basis, or 54.2% on an operating basis, improved from a year ago
  • Strong loan production led to loan growth of $209 million, up 4.4% annualized, from the third quarter
  • Mortgage closings of $261 million compared to $246 million in fourth quarter 2024; mortgage rate locks of $319 million compared to $285 million in fourth quarter 2024
  • Customer deposits were down $242 million from the third quarter
  • Return on assets of 1.21%, or 1.22% on an operating basis
  • Return on common equity and return on tangible common equity on an operating basis were 9.5% and 13.3%, respectively
  • Maintained strong capital ratios with preliminary Common Equity Tier 1 of 13.4%
  • Quarterly common dividend of $0.25 per share declared during the quarter, up 4% year-over-year
  • Repurchased 1.0 million shares of common stock in the fourth quarter at an average price of $29.84 per share

2025 Financial Highlights:

  • Net income of $328 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income of $471 million
  • GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.62, increased 28% compared to $2.04 for 2024
  • Operating diluted earnings per share of $2.71, increased 18% compared to $2.30 for 2024
  • Total revenue of $1.06 billion, increased 12% over $952 million in 2024
  • Book value per share and tangible book value per share increased 8% and 11% respectively over 2024
  • Return on assets of 1.17%, or 1.20% on an operating basis
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets of 1.72% on an operating basis
  • Return on common equity of 9.12% compared with 7.07% for 2024
  • Return on tangible common equity - operating of 13.3% compared with 11.4% for 2024

Conference Call
United will hold a conference call on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the contents of this press release and to share business highlights for the quarter. Participants can pre-register for the conference call by navigating to https://dpregister.com/sreg/10205112/1008d91b050. Those without internet access or unable to pre-register may dial in by calling 1-844-676-1337. The conference call also will be webcast and can be accessed by selecting “Events and Presentations” under “News and Events” within the Investor Relations section of the company's website, ucbi.com.

 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Selected Financial Information
(in thousands, except per share data)
    2025
  2024
  Fourth Quarter 2025-2024 Change
  For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,   YTD 2025-2024 Change
    Fourth Quarter   Third Quarter   Second Quarter   First Quarter   Fourth Quarter     2025
  2024
 
INCOME SUMMARY                                    
Interest revenue   $ 346,367     $ 353,850     $ 347,365     $ 335,357     $ 344,962         $ 1,382,939     $ 1,377,741      
Interest expense     108,441       120,221       121,834       123,336       134,629           473,832       550,373      
Net interest revenue     237,926       233,629       225,531       212,021       210,333     13 %     909,107       827,368     10 %
Noninterest income     40,462       43,219       34,708       35,656       40,522           154,045       124,756     23  
Total revenue     278,388       276,848       260,239       247,677       250,855     11       1,063,152       952,124     12  
Provision for credit losses     13,662       7,907       11,818       15,419       11,389     20       48,806       50,951     (4 )
Noninterest expenses     152,048       150,868       147,919       141,099       143,056     6       591,934       578,167     2  
Income before income tax expense     112,678       118,073       100,502       91,159       96,410           422,412       323,006      
Income tax expense     26,223       26,579       21,769       19,746       20,606           94,317       70,609      
Net income     86,455       91,494       78,733       71,413       75,804     14       328,095       252,397     30  
Non-operating items     606       3,468       4,833       1,297       2,203           10,204       40,268      
Income tax benefit of non-operating items     (133 )     (751 )     (1,047 )     (281 )     (471 )         (2,212 )     (8,702 )    
Net income - operating(1)   $ 86,928     $ 94,211     $ 82,519     $ 72,429     $ 77,536     12     $ 336,087     $ 283,963     18  
                                     
Pre-tax pre-provision income(5)   $ 126,340     $ 125,980     $ 112,320     $ 106,578     $ 107,799     17     $ 471,218     $ 373,957     26  
PERFORMANCE MEASURES                                    
Per common share:                                    
Diluted net income - GAAP   $ 0.70     $ 0.70     $ 0.63     $ 0.58     $ 0.61     15     $ 2.62     $ 2.04     28  
Diluted net income - operating(1)     0.71       0.75       0.66       0.59       0.63     13       2.71       2.30     18  
Common stock cash dividends declared     0.25       0.25       0.24       0.24       0.24     4       0.98       0.94     4  
Book value     30.17       29.44       28.89       28.42       27.87     8       30.17       27.87     8  
Tangible book value(3)     22.24       21.59       21.00       20.58       20.00     11       22.24       20.00     11  
Key performance ratios:                                    
Return on common equity - GAAP(2)(4)     9.48 %     9.20 %     8.45 %     7.89 %     8.40 %         9.12 %     7.07 %    
Return on common equity - operating(1)(2)(4)     9.53       9.83       8.87       8.01       8.60           9.44       7.97      
Return on tangible common equity - operating(1)(2)(3)(4)     13.31       13.56       12.34       11.21       12.12           13.34       11.42      
Return on assets - GAAP(4)     1.21       1.29       1.11       1.02       1.06           1.17       0.90      
Return on assets - operating(1)(4)     1.22       1.33       1.16       1.04       1.08           1.20       1.02      
Return on assets -pre-tax pre-provision, excluding non-operating items(1)(4)(5)     1.78       1.83       1.66       1.55       1.55           1.72       1.49      
Net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent)(4)     3.62       3.58       3.50       3.36       3.26           3.52       3.29      
Efficiency ratio - GAAP     54.40       54.30       56.69       56.74       56.05           55.46       60.24      
Efficiency ratio - operating(1)     54.19       53.05       54.84       56.22       55.18           54.51       57.15      
Equity to total assets     12.99       12.78       12.86       12.56       12.38           12.99       12.38      
Tangible common equity to tangible assets(3)     9.92       9.71       9.45       9.18       8.97           9.92       8.97      
ASSET QUALITY                                    
Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”)   $ 93,498     $ 97,916     $ 83,959     $ 93,290     $ 115,635     (19 )   $ 93,498     $ 115,635     (19 )
ACL, loans     210,429       215,791       216,500       211,974       206,998     2       210,429       206,998     2  
ACL, total     225,520       228,276       228,045       223,201       217,389     4       225,520       217,389     4  
Net charge-offs     16,418       7,676       8,225       9,607       9,517           41,926       57,690      
ACL, loans to loans     1.09 %     1.13 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.14 %         1.09 %     1.14 %    
ACL, total to loans     1.16       1.19       1.21       1.21       1.20           1.16       1.20      
Net charge-offs to average loans(4)     0.34       0.16       0.18       0.21       0.21           0.22       0.32      
NPAs to total assets     0.33       0.35       0.30       0.33       0.42           0.33       0.42      
AT PERIOD END ($ in millions)                                    
Loans   $ 19,384     $ 19,175     $ 18,921     $ 18,425     $ 18,176     7     $ 19,384     $ 18,176     7  
Investment securities     5,988       6,163       6,382       6,661       6,804     (12 )     5,988       6,804     (12 )
Total assets     28,003       28,143       28,086       27,874       27,720     1       28,003       27,720     1  
Deposits     23,798       24,021       23,963       23,762       23,461     1       23,798       23,461     1  
Shareholders’ equity     3,639       3,597       3,613       3,501       3,432     6       3,639       3,432     6  
Common shares outstanding (thousands)     120,598       121,553       121,431       119,514       119,364     1       120,598       119,364     1  
                                                                     

(1) Excludes non-operating items as detailed on Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation. (2) Net income less preferred stock dividends, divided by average common equity. (3) Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization. (4) Annualized. (5) Excludes income tax expense and provision for credit losses.

 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Financial Highlights
Loan Portfolio Composition at Period-End
(in millions)
  2025
  2024
  Linked Quarter Change
  Year over Year Change
  Fourth Quarter   Third Quarter   Second Quarter   First Quarter   Fourth Quarter    
LOANS BY CATEGORY                          
Owner occupied commercial RE $ 3,852   $ 3,678   $ 3,563   $ 3,419   $ 3,398   $ 174     $ 454  
Income producing commercial RE   4,883     4,534     4,548     4,416     4,361     349       522  
Commercial & industrial   2,696     2,593     2,516     2,506     2,428     103       268  
Commercial construction and land   1,245     1,734     1,752     1,681     1,656     (489 )     (411 )
Equipment financing   1,848     1,808     1,778     1,723     1,663     40       185  
Total commercial   14,524     14,347     14,157     13,745     13,506     177       1,018  
Residential mortgage   3,157     3,198     3,210     3,218     3,232     (41 )     (75 )
Home equity lines of credit   1,319     1,252     1,180     1,099     1,065     67       254  
Residential construction and land   191     178     174     171     178     13       13  
Consumer   188     192     191     183     188     (4 )      
Other   5     8     9     9     7     (3 )     (2 )
Total loans $ 19,384   $ 19,175   $ 18,921   $ 18,425   $ 18,176   $ 209     $ 1,208  
                           
LOANS BY STATE                          
Georgia $ 4,635   $ 4,584   $ 4,551   $ 4,484   $ 4,447   $ 51     $ 188  
South Carolina   2,971     2,926     2,872     2,821     2,815     45       156  
North Carolina   2,712     2,676     2,626     2,666     2,644     36       68  
Tennessee   1,913     1,902     1,881     1,880     1,799     11       114  
Florida   3,102     3,040     2,966     2,572     2,527     62       575  
Alabama   1,050     1,054     1,016     1,009     996     (4 )     54  
Commercial Banking Solutions   3,001     2,993     3,009     2,993     2,948     8       53  
Total loans $ 19,384   $ 19,175   $ 18,921   $ 18,425   $ 18,176   $ 209     $ 1,208  
                                             


 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Financial Highlights
Credit Quality
(in thousands)
    2025
    Fourth Quarter   Third Quarter   Second Quarter
NONACCRUAL LOANS            
Owner occupied RE   $ 10,199   $ 10,275   $ 8,207
Income producing RE     11,488     10,884     14,624
Commercial & industrial     18,294     25,754     15,422
Commercial construction and land     984     3,198     1,368
Equipment financing     10,383     9,716     11,731
Total commercial     51,348     59,827     51,352
Residential mortgage     32,423     28,978     22,597
Home equity     5,247     5,234     4,093
Residential construction and land     1,079     1,241     1,203
Consumer     1,001     1,163     1,207
Total nonaccrual loans     91,098     96,443     80,452
OREO and repossessed assets     2,400     1,473     3,507
Total NPAs   $ 93,498   $ 97,916   $ 83,959


    2025
    Fourth Quarter   Third Quarter   Second Quarter
(in thousands)   Net Charge-Offs   Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans(1)   Net Charge-Offs   Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans(1)   Net Charge-Offs   Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans(1)
NET CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES) BY CATEGORY                        
Owner occupied RE   $ 1,610     0.17 %   $ 2,497     0.28 %   $ 470     0.05 %
Income producing RE     (116 )   (0.01 )     (106 )   (0.01 )     933     0.08  
Commercial & industrial     7,557     1.15       (1,132 )   (0.18 )     1,027     0.16  
Commercial construction and land     1,484     0.35       491     0.11       89     0.02  
Equipment financing     5,092     1.12       5,487     1.23       4,963     1.16  
Total commercial     15,627     0.43       7,237     0.20       7,482     0.22  
Residential mortgage     126     0.02       (259 )   (0.03 )     313     0.04  
Home equity     (94 )   (0.03 )     19     0.01       (72 )   (0.03 )
Residential construction and land     16     0.03       12     0.03       (9 )   (0.02 )
Consumer     743     1.55       667     1.39       511     1.11  
Total   $ 16,418     0.34     $ 7,676     0.16     $ 8,225     0.18  
                         
(1)Annualized.                        
                         


 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)


    December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
ASSETS        
Cash and due from banks   $ 202,586     $ 296,161  
Interest-bearing deposits in banks     193,168       223,712  
Cash and cash equivalents     395,754       519,873  
Debt securities available-for-sale     3,750,863       4,436,291  
Debt securities held-to-maturity (fair value $1,918,426 and $1,944,126, respectively)     2,237,356       2,368,107  
Loans held for sale     39,381       57,534  
Loans and leases held for investment     19,384,317       18,175,980  
Less allowance for credit losses - loans and leases     (210,429 )     (206,998 )
Loans and leases, net     19,173,888       17,968,982  
Premises and equipment, net     393,714       394,264  
Bank owned life insurance     364,184       346,234  
Accrued interest receivable     83,557       85,616  
Net deferred tax asset     75,861       96,982  
Derivative financial instruments     35,313       46,883  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     967,882       956,643  
Other assets     484,801       442,849  
Total assets   $ 28,002,554     $ 27,720,258  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Liabilities:        
Deposits:        
Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 6,252,252     $ 6,211,182  
NOW and interest-bearing demand     5,969,864       6,141,342  
Money market     6,696,530       6,398,144  
Savings     1,085,331       1,100,591  
Time     3,619,189       3,441,424  
Brokered     175,264       168,292  
Total deposits     23,798,430       23,460,975  
Short-term borrowings     85,000       195,000  
Long-term debt     120,400       254,152  
Derivative financial instruments     52,997       77,834  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     307,041       300,170  
Total liabilities     24,363,868       24,288,131  
Shareholders' equity:        
Preferred stock, $1 par value: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 3,662 shares Series I issued and outstanding, respectively; $25,000 per share liquidation preference           88,266  
Common stock, $1 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 120,598,266 and 119,364,110 shares issued and outstanding, respectively     120,598       119,364  
Capital surplus     2,754,399       2,723,278  
Retained earnings     914,261       714,138  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (150,572 )     (212,919 )
Total shareholders’ equity     3,638,686       3,432,127  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 28,002,554     $ 27,720,258  
                 


 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)


    Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    2025
  2024
    2025
  2024
Interest revenue:                
Loans, including fees   $ 293,008   $ 280,325     $ 1,153,277   $ 1,147,477  
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $1,660, $1,701, $6,690 and $6,834     48,585     57,127       216,500     206,623  
Deposits in banks and short-term investments     4,774     7,510       13,162     23,641  
Total interest revenue     346,367     344,962       1,382,939     1,377,741  
Interest expense:                
Deposits:                
NOW and interest-bearing demand     31,871     42,012       141,267     175,534  
Money market     44,103     53,859       193,908     214,742  
Savings     486     652       3,208     2,717  
Time     30,747     34,601       125,369     142,526  
Deposits     107,207     131,124       463,752     535,519  
Short-term borrowings     18     44       1,233     131  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances               433      
Long-term debt     1,216     3,461       8,414     14,723  
Total interest expense     108,441     134,629       473,832     550,373  
Net interest revenue     237,926     210,333       909,107     827,368  
Noninterest income:                
Service charges and fees     10,674     10,622       41,731     40,994  
Mortgage loan gains and related fees     6,483     9,737       25,073     27,567  
Wealth management fees     5,248     4,658       18,870     23,695  
Net (losses) gains from sale of other loans     2,147     1,583       7,923     (21,284 )
Other lending and loan servicing fees     4,322     3,346       16,412     14,396  
Securities gains (losses), net     11     (3,316 )     352     (3,316 )
Other     11,577     13,892       43,684     42,704  
Total noninterest income     40,462     40,522       154,045     124,756  
Total revenue     278,388     250,855       1,063,152     952,124  
Provision for credit losses     13,662     11,389       48,806     50,951  
Noninterest expenses:                
Salaries and employee benefits     92,520     85,707       354,451     340,043  
Occupancy     11,602     10,840       44,968     44,306  
Communications and equipment     14,276     12,715       55,244     49,249  
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges     4,754     3,942       18,987     20,978  
Professional fees     6,773     6,268       24,595     24,732  
Lending and loan servicing expense     2,014     2,311       8,759     8,379  
Outside services - electronic banking     3,565     3,540       13,441     13,703  
Postage, printing and supplies     2,859     2,491       10,650     9,867  
Advertising and public relations     2,790     2,145       9,605     8,546  
Amortization of intangibles     3,188     3,387       13,079     14,596  
Merger-related and other charges     606     2,203       10,204     8,623  
Other     7,101     7,507       27,951     35,145  
Total noninterest expenses     152,048     143,056       591,934     578,167  
Net income before income taxes     112,678     96,410       422,412     323,006  
Income tax expense     26,223     20,606       94,317     70,609  
Net income   $ 86,455   $ 75,804     $ 328,095   $ 252,397  
Preferred stock dividends and deemed dividend at redemption         1,574       7,994     6,293  
Earnings allocated to participating securities     565     503       1,918     1,478  
Net income available to common shareholders   $ 85,890   $ 73,727     $ 318,183   $ 244,626  
Net income per common share:                
Basic   $ 0.71   $ 0.61     $ 2.62   $ 2.04  
Diluted     0.70     0.61       2.62     2.04  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic     121,672     119,924       121,309     119,783  
Diluted     121,831     120,111       121,437     119,900  
                             


 
Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))


    2025
  2024
    Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate   Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate
Assets:                        
Interest-earning assets:                        
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE)(1)(2)   $ 19,203,306     $ 292,907   6.05 %   $ 17,934,730     $ 279,938   6.21 %
Taxable securities(3)     5,979,298       46,925   3.14       6,722,655       55,426   3.30  
Tax-exempt securities (FTE)(1)(3)     349,292       2,221   2.54       359,569       2,276   2.53  
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets     657,723       5,413   3.27       812,962       8,396   4.11  
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)     26,189,619       347,466   5.27       25,829,916       346,036   5.33  
                         
Noninterest-earning assets:                        
Allowance for loan losses     (217,185 )             (208,788 )        
Cash and due from banks     205,643               228,601          
Premises and equipment     395,523               398,794          
Other assets(3)     1,743,478               1,606,297          
Total assets   $ 28,317,078             $ 27,854,820          
                         
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Interest-bearing deposits:                        
NOW and interest-bearing demand   $ 6,086,189       31,871   2.08     $ 6,313,325       42,012   2.65  
Money market     6,957,989       44,103   2.51       6,474,284       53,859   3.31  
Savings     1,084,178       486   0.18       1,105,572       652   0.23  
Time     3,653,500       30,272   3.29       3,472,161       34,030   3.90  
Brokered time deposits     50,571       475   3.73       50,406       571   4.51  
Total interest-bearing deposits     17,832,427       107,207   2.39       17,415,748       131,124   3.00  
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings     1,413       18   5.05       3,859       44   4.54  
Long-term debt     137,067       1,216   3.52       303,523       3,461   4.54  
Total borrowed funds     138,480       1,234   3.54       307,382       3,505   4.54  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     17,970,907       108,441   2.39       17,723,130       134,629   3.02  
                         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                        
Noninterest-bearing deposits     6,393,693               6,275,493          
Other liabilities     332,836               454,891          
Total liabilities     24,697,436               24,453,514          
Shareholders’ equity     3,619,642               3,401,306          
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 28,317,078             $ 27,854,820          
                         
Net interest revenue (FTE)       $ 239,025           $ 211,407    
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)           2.88 %           2.31 %
Net interest margin (FTE)(4)           3.62 %           3.26 %
                             

(1)   Interest revenue on tax-exempt securities and loans includes a taxable-equivalent adjustment to reflect comparable interest on taxable securities and loans. The FTE adjustment totaled $1.10 million and $1.07 million, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The tax rate used to calculate the adjustment was 25%, reflecting the statutory federal income tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state income tax rate.
(2)   Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)   Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities, including those related to the transfer from AFS to HTM, have been reclassified to other assets. Pretax unrealized losses of $195 million in 2025 and $261 million in 2024 are included in other assets for purposes of this presentation.
(4)   Net interest margin is taxable equivalent net interest revenue divided by average interest-earning assets.

 
Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))


    2025
  2024
    Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate   Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate
Assets:                        
Interest-earning assets:                        
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE)(1)(2)   $ 18,776,288     $ 1,152,585   6.14 %   $ 18,124,179     $ 1,146,440   6.33 %
Taxable securities(3)     6,354,276       209,810   3.30       6,172,942       199,789   3.24  
Tax-exempt securities (FTE)(1)(3)     352,899       8,951   2.54       362,655       9,152   2.52  
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets     481,507       15,701   3.26       623,426       26,652   4.28  
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)     25,964,970       1,387,047   5.34       25,283,202       1,382,033   5.47  
                         
Non-interest-earning assets:                        
Allowance for loan losses     (217,084 )             (212,968 )        
Cash and due from banks     208,922               215,411          
Premises and equipment     396,923               394,127          
Other assets(3)     1,664,206               1,611,405          
Total assets   $ 28,017,937             $ 27,291,177          
                         
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Interest-bearing deposits:                        
NOW and interest-bearing demand   $ 6,023,746       141,267   2.35     $ 6,014,052       175,534   2.92  
Money market     6,775,187       193,908   2.86       6,188,579       214,742   3.47  
Savings     1,120,753       3,208   0.29       1,146,305       2,717   0.24  
Time     3,572,941       123,301   3.45       3,519,461       140,229   3.98  
Brokered time deposits     50,509       2,068   4.09       50,359       2,297   4.56  
Total interest-bearing deposits     17,543,136       463,752   2.64       16,918,756       535,519   3.17  
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings     22,693       1,233   5.43       2,468       131   5.31  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances     9,592       433   4.51       4          
Long-term debt     195,686       8,414   4.30       319,163       14,723   4.61  
Total borrowed funds     227,971       10,080   4.42       321,635       14,854   4.62  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     17,771,107       473,832   2.67       17,240,391       550,373   3.19  
                         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                        
Noninterest-bearing deposits     6,327,200               6,299,019          
Other liabilities     345,832               409,547          
Total liabilities     24,444,139               23,948,957          
Shareholders’ equity     3,573,798               3,342,220          
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 28,017,937             $ 27,291,177          
                         
Net interest revenue (FTE)       $ 913,215           $ 831,660    
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)           2.68 %           2.27 %
Net interest margin (FTE)(4)           3.52 %           3.29 %
                             

(1)   Interest revenue on tax-exempt securities and loans includes a taxable-equivalent adjustment to reflect comparable interest on taxable securities and loans. The FTE adjustment totaled $4.11 million and $4.29 million, respectively, for 2025 and 2024. The tax rate used to calculate the adjustment was 25%, reflecting the statutory federal income tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state income tax rate.
(2)   Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)   Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities, including those related to the transfer from AFS to HTM, have been reclassified to other assets. Pretax unrealized losses of $232 million in 2025 and $306 million in 2024 are included in other assets for purposes of this presentation.
(4)   Net interest margin is taxable equivalent net-interest revenue divided by average interest-earning assets.

 
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information
(in thousands, except per share data)
    2025
  2024
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
    Fourth
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  First
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
  2025
  2024
Noninterest income reconciliation                            
Noninterest income (GAAP)   $ 40,462     $ 43,219     $ 34,708     $ 35,656     $ 40,522     $ 154,045     $ 124,756  
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         27,209  
Gain on lease termination                                         (2,400 )
Noninterest income - operating   $ 40,462     $ 43,219     $ 34,708     $ 35,656     $ 40,522     $ 154,045     $ 149,565  
                             
Noninterest expense reconciliation                            
Noninterest expenses (GAAP)   $ 152,048     $ 150,868     $ 147,919     $ 141,099     $ 143,056     $ 591,934     $ 578,167  
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         (5,100 )
FDIC special assessment                                         (1,736 )
Merger-related and other charges     (606 )     (3,468 )     (4,833 )     (1,297 )     (2,203 )     (10,204 )     (8,623 )
Noninterest expenses - operating   $ 151,442     $ 147,400     $ 143,086     $ 139,802     $ 140,853     $ 581,730     $ 562,708  
                             
Net income to operating income reconciliation                            
Net income (GAAP)   $ 86,455     $ 91,494     $ 78,733     $ 71,413     $ 75,804     $ 328,095     $ 252,397  
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         27,209  
Gain on lease termination                                         (2,400 )
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         5,100  
FDIC special assessment                                         1,736  
Merger-related and other charges     606       3,468       4,833       1,297       2,203       10,204       8,623  
Income tax benefit of non-operating items     (133 )     (751 )     (1,047 )     (281 )     (471 )     (2,212 )     (8,702 )
Net income - operating   $ 86,928     $ 94,211     $ 82,519     $ 72,429     $ 77,536     $ 336,087     $ 283,963  
                             
Net income to pre-tax pre-provision income reconciliation                            
Net income (GAAP)   $ 86,455     $ 91,494     $ 78,733     $ 71,413     $ 75,804     $ 328,095     $ 252,397  
Income tax expense     26,223       26,579       21,769       19,746       20,606       94,317       70,609  
Provision for credit losses     13,662       7,907       11,818       15,419       11,389       48,806       50,951  
Pre-tax pre-provision income   $ 126,340     $ 125,980     $ 112,320     $ 106,578     $ 107,799     $ 471,218     $ 373,957  
                             
Diluted income per common share reconciliation                            
Diluted income per common share (GAAP)   $ 0.70     $ 0.70     $ 0.63     $ 0.58     $ 0.61     $ 2.62     $ 2.04  
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         0.18  
Gain on lease termination                                         (0.02 )
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         0.03  
FDIC special assessment                                         0.01  
Merger-related and other charges     0.01       0.02       0.03       0.01       0.02       0.06       0.06  
Deemed dividend on preferred stock redemption           0.03                         0.03        
Diluted income per common share - operating   $ 0.71     $ 0.75     $ 0.66     $ 0.59     $ 0.63     $ 2.71     $ 2.30  
                             
Book value per common share reconciliation                            
Book value per common share (GAAP)   $ 30.17     $ 29.44     $ 28.89     $ 28.42     $ 27.87     $ 30.17     $ 27.87  
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles     (7.93 )     (7.85 )     (7.89 )     (7.84 )     (7.87 )     (7.93 )     (7.87 )
Tangible book value per common share   $ 22.24     $ 21.59     $ 21.00     $ 20.58     $ 20.00     $ 22.24     $ 20.00  
                             
Return on tangible common equity reconciliation                            
Return on common equity (GAAP)     9.48 %     9.20 %     8.45 %     7.89 %     8.40 %     9.12 %     7.07 %
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         0.61  
Gain on lease termination                                         (0.05 )
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         0.11  
FDIC special assessment                                         0.04  
Merger-related and other charges     0.05       0.29       0.42       0.12       0.20       0.23       0.19  
Deemed dividend on preferred stock redemption           0.34                         0.09        
Return on common equity - operating     9.53       9.83       8.87       8.01       8.60       9.44       7.97  
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles     3.78       3.73       3.47       3.20       3.52       3.90       3.45  
Return on tangible common equity - operating     13.31 %     13.56 %     12.34 %     11.21 %     12.12 %     13.34 %     11.42 %
                             
Return on assets reconciliation                            
Return on assets (GAAP)     1.21 %     1.29 %     1.11 %     1.02 %     1.06 %     1.17 %     0.90 %
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         0.08  
Gain on lease termination                                         (0.01 )
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         0.02  
FDIC special assessment                                         0.01  
Merger-related and other charges     0.01       0.04       0.05       0.02       0.02       0.03       0.02  
Return on assets - operating     1.22 %     1.33 %     1.16 %     1.04 %     1.08 %     1.20 %     1.02 %
                             
Return on assets to return on assets- pre-tax pre-provision reconciliation                            
Return on assets (GAAP)     1.21 %     1.29 %     1.11 %     1.02 %     1.06 %     1.17 %     0.90 %
Income tax expense     0.37       0.38       0.31       0.29       0.30       0.34       0.26  
Provision for credit losses     0.19       0.11       0.17       0.23       0.16       0.17       0.19  
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         0.09  
Gain on lease termination                                         (0.01 )
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         0.02  
FDIC special assessment                                         0.01  
Merger-related and other charges     0.01       0.05       0.07       0.01       0.03       0.04       0.03  
Return on assets - pre-tax pre-provision, excluding non-operating items     1.78 %     1.83 %     1.66 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.72 %     1.49 %
                             
Efficiency ratio reconciliation                            
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)     54.40 %     54.30 %     56.69 %     56.74 %     56.05 %     55.46 %     60.24 %
Loss on sale of manufactured housing loans                                         (1.63 )
Gain on lease termination                                         0.15  
Loss on sale of FinTrust, including goodwill impairment                                         (0.53 )
FDIC special assessment                                         (0.18 )
Merger-related and other charges     (0.21 )     (1.25 )     (1.85 )     (0.52 )     (0.87 )     (0.95 )     (0.90 )
Efficiency ratio - operating     54.19 %     53.05 %     54.84 %     56.22 %     55.18 %     54.51 %     57.15 %
                             
Tangible common equity to tangible assets reconciliation                            
Equity to total assets (GAAP)     12.99 %     12.78 %     12.86 %     12.56 %     12.38 %     12.99 %     12.38 %
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles     (3.07 )     (3.07 )     (3.10 )     (3.06 )     (3.09 )     (3.07 )     (3.09 )
Effect of preferred equity                 (0.31 )     (0.32 )     (0.32 )           (0.32 )
Tangible common equity to tangible assets     9.92 %     9.71 %     9.45 %     9.18 %     8.97 %     9.92 %     8.97 %
                                                         

About United Community Banks, Inc.
United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) is the financial holding company for United Community, a top 100 U.S. financial institution committed to building stronger communities and improving the financial health and well-being of its customers. United Community offers a full range of banking, mortgage and wealth management services. As of December 31, 2025, United Community Banks, Inc. had $28.0 billion in assets and operated 199 offices across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The company also manages a nationally recognized SBA lending franchise and a national equipment finance subsidiary, extending its reach to businesses across the country. United Community is an 11-time winner of J.D. Power’s award for highest customer satisfaction among consumer banks in the Southeast and was named the most trusted bank in the region in 2025. United Community has also been recognized eight consecutive years by American Banker as one of the “Best Banks to Work For.” In commercial banking, United Community earned five 2025 Greenwich Best Brand awards, including national honors for middle market satisfaction. Forbes has consistently named United Community among the World’s Best and America’s Best Banks. Learn more at ucbi.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release, including the accompanying financial statement tables, contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. This financial information includes certain operating performance measures, which exclude merger-related and other charges that are not considered part of recurring operations, such as “noninterest income – operating”, “noninterest expense - operating”, “operating net income,” “pre-tax, pre-provision income,” “operating net income per diluted common share,” “operating earnings per share,” “tangible book value per common share,” “operating return on common equity,” “operating return on tangible common equity,” “operating return on assets,” “return on assets - pre-tax, pre-provision - operating,” “return on assets - pre-tax, pre-provision,” “operating efficiency ratio,” and “tangible common equity to tangible assets.” These non-GAAP measures are included because United believes they may provide useful supplemental information for evaluating United’s underlying performance trends. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to or substitute for, measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP measures that may be presented by other companies. To the extent applicable, reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP are included with the accompanying financial statement tables.

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In general, forward-looking statements usually may be identified through use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to general competitive, economic, political, regulatory and market conditions. Further information regarding additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be found in the cautionary language included under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other documents subsequently filed by United with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Many of these factors are beyond United’s ability to control or predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, shareholders and investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this communication, and United undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for United to predict their occurrence or how they will affect United.

United qualifies all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

For more information:
Jefferson Harralson
Chief Financial Officer
(864) 240-6208
Jefferson_Harralson@ucbi.com


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