WASHINGTON & CHARLESTON, W.Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) (“United”), today reported record earnings for the second quarter of 2025 of $120.7 million, or $0.85 per diluted share. Second quarter of 2025 results produced annualized returns on average assets, average equity, and average tangible equity, a non-GAAP measure, of 1.49%, 9.05%, and 14.67%, respectively.
“I’m excited to announce that the second quarter of 2025 was the strongest earnings quarter in our Company’s long history,” stated Richard M. Adams, Jr., United’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our entry into the Atlanta market, along with excellent asset quality and strong expense control, drove our results in the quarter. I anticipate continued success in the second half of the year.”
As a result of the acquisition of Piedmont Bancorp, Inc. (“Piedmont”) on January 10, 2025, the second quarter and year of 2025 were impacted by increased levels of average balances, income, and expense. Earnings for the first quarter of 2025 were $84.3 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, and annualized returns on average assets, average equity, and average tangible equity were 1.06%, 6.47%, and 10.61%, respectively. The first quarter of 2025 was impacted by $30.0 million in pre-tax, or approximately $0.17 in after-tax earnings per diluted share, merger-related noninterest expenses and merger-related provision for credit losses. Earnings for the second quarter of 2024 were $96.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, and annualized returns on average assets, average equity, and average tangible equity were 1.32%, 7.99%, and 13.12%, respectively.
Second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2025
Earnings for the second quarter of 2025 were $120.7 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $84.3 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025.
Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 was a record $274.5 million, an increase of $14.5 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2025. Tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure which adjusts for the tax-favored status of income from certain loans and investments, for the second quarter of 2025 also increased $14.5 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2025. The second quarter of 2025 reflected a full three months of average earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities balances from the Piedmont acquisition. The increase in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was driven by increases in average loans from the Piedmont acquisition and organic loan growth, a higher yield on average net loans and loans held for sale, and an increase in acquired loan accretion income. These increases were partially offset by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits primarily due to the Piedmont acquisition. Average net loans and loans held for sale increased $511.1 million, or 2%, from the first quarter of 2025. The interest rate spread increased 12 basis points to 2.95% for the second quarter of 2025 driven by an increase in the yield on average net loans and loans held for sale of 13 basis points. Acquired loan accretion income was $11.8 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of $5.8 million from the first quarter of 2025 which contributed to an approximately 8 basis point increase in the interest rate spread and in the net interest margin. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $237.5 million, or 1%, from the first quarter of 2025. The net interest margin of 3.81% for the second quarter of 2025 was an increase of 12 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.69% for the first quarter of 2025.
The provision for credit losses was $5.9 million for the second quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses was $29.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, which included $18.7 million of provision recorded on purchased non-credit deteriorated (“non-PCD”) loans from Piedmont.
Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2025 was $31.5 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2025 driven by an increase in other noninterest income of $1.5 million.
Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 was $148.0 million, which included $1.3 million in merger-related expenses while noninterest expense was $153.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, which included $11.3 million in merger-related expenses. This decrease of $5.6 million in noninterest expense was driven by a $4.8 million decrease in other noninterest expense and a $748 thousand net benefit in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to $1.7 million of expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments for the first quarter of 2025, which included $4.1 million of merger expense related to the Piedmont acquisition. These decreases in noninterest expense were partially offset by an increase in employee compensation of $2.1 million. Other noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 included $961 thousand of merger-related expenses while the first quarter of 2025 included $6.0 million of merger-related expenses. The net benefit in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments for the second quarter of 2025 was primarily due to a decrease in the outstanding balance of loan commitments at period-end as compared to the first quarter of 2025. Employee compensation for the second quarter of 2025 increased from the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to higher employee incentives, stock-based compensation, and employee commissions driven by higher mortgage production. This increase in employee compensation was partially offset by lower merger-related employee compensation expenses of $310 thousand for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2025.
For the second quarter of 2025, income tax expense was $31.4 million as compared to $22.6 million for the first quarter of 2025. This increase of $8.8 million in income tax expense was driven by the impact of higher earnings partially offset by a lower effective tax rate. United’s effective tax rate was 20.6% and 21.2% for the second quarter of 2025 and first quarter of 2025, respectively.
Second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter of 2024
Earnings for the second quarter of 2025 were $120.7 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $96.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024.
Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 increased $48.8 million, or 22%, from the second quarter of 2024. Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $48.7 million, or 22%, from the second quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average earning assets, a lower average rate paid on deposits, a higher yield on average net loans and loans held for sale, an increase in acquired loan accretion income, and a decrease in average long-term borrowings. These increases were partially offset by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits. Average earning assets increased $2.9 billion, or 11%, from the second quarter of 2024 driven by increases in average net loans and loans held for sale of $2.3 billion and average short-term investments of $1.1 billion partially offset by a decrease in average investment securities of $485.3 million. The decrease in average investment securities was driven by sales of available for sale (“AFS”) investment securities during 2024. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased 33 basis points from the second quarter of 2024. The yield on average net loans and loans held for sale increased 14 basis points from the second quarter of 2024. Acquired loan accretion income was $11.8 million for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2024. Average long-term borrowings decreased $739.6 million from the second quarter of 2024. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $2.9 billion, or 17%, from the second quarter of 2024. The net interest margin of 3.81% for the second quarter of 2025 was an increase of 31 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.50% for the second quarter of 2024.
The provision for credit losses was $5.9 million for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2025 was $31.5 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 4%, from the second quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest income was driven by a $1.1 million increase in income from bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) and smaller increases in several other categories of noninterest income. These increases were partially offset by decreases in income from mortgage banking activities of $1.3 million and mortgage loan servicing income of $783 thousand. The increase in BOLI income was primarily due to the impact of higher market values of underlying investments, death benefits recognized in the second quarter of 2025, and policies obtained from the Piedmont acquisition. The decrease in income from mortgage banking activities was primarily due to lower mortgage loan origination and sale volume. The decrease in mortgage loan servicing income was due to sales of mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) during 2024. Additionally, as disclosed in the second quarter of 2024, net losses on investment securities of $218 thousand included a $6.9 million gain on the VISA share exchange partially offset by a $6.8 million loss on the sale of AFS investment securities.
Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 was $148.0 million, an increase of $13.2 million, or 10%, from the second quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest expense was driven by increases in employee compensation of $4.4 million, other noninterest expense of $3.5 million, and several other categories of noninterest expense mainly from the Piedmont acquisition. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in mortgage loan servicing expense of $1.0 million. The increase in employee compensation was primarily due to higher employee headcount from the acquisition, higher employee incentives, and $310 thousand in merger-related expenses recognized during the second quarter of 2025. The increase in other noninterest expense was primarily due to higher amounts of certain general operating expenses partially offset by lower merger-related expenses of $961 thousand for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to $1.3 million for the second quarter 2024. The decrease in mortgage loan servicing expense was driven by the aforementioned sale of MSRs.
For the second quarter of 2025, income tax expense was $31.4 million as compared to $18.9 million for the second quarter of 2024. This increase of $12.5 million in income tax expense was driven by higher earnings and the impact of discrete tax benefits recognized in the second quarter of 2024. United’s effective tax rate was 20.6% and 16.4% for the second quarter of 2025 and second quarter of 2024, respectively.
First half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024
Earnings for the first half of 2025 were $205.0 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $183.3 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, for the first half of 2024.
Net interest income for the first half of 2025 increased $86.4 million, or 19%, from the first half of 2024. Tax-equivalent net interest income for the first half of 2025 increased $86.2 million, or 19%, from the first half of 2024. The increase in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average earning assets, a lower average rate paid on deposits, a decrease in average long-term borrowings, a higher yield on average net loans and loans held for sale, and an increase in acquired loan accretion income. These increases were partially offset by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits and a decrease in average investment securities. Average earning assets increased $2.7 billion, or 10%, from the first half of 2024 driven by increases in average net loans and loans held for sale of $2.1 billion and average short-term investments of $1.2 billion partially offset by a decrease in average investment securities of $597.5 million. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits decreased 29 basis points from the first half of 2024. Average long-term borrowings decreased $842.6 million from the first half of 2024. The yield on average net loans and loans held for sale increased 10 basis points from the first half of 2024. Acquired loan accretion income was $17.7 million for the first half of 2025 as compared to $4.9 million for the first half of 2024. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $2.8 billion, or 17%, from the first half of 2024. The net interest margin of 3.75% for the first half of 2025 was an increase of 28 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.47% for the first half of 2024.
The provision for credit losses was $35.0 million for the first half of 2025, which included $18.7 million of provision recorded on non-PCD loans from Piedmont. The provision for credit losses was $11.5 million for the first half of 2024.
Noninterest income for the first half of 2025 was $61.0 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 2%, from the first half of 2024. The decrease in noninterest income was driven by decreases in income from mortgage banking activities of $4.1 million, mortgage loan servicing income of $1.6 million, and other noninterest income of $1.4 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in BOLI income of $2.0 million, net gains on investment securities of $946 thousand for the first half of 2025 as compared to net losses on investment securities of $317 thousand for the first half of 2024 and smaller increases in several other categories of noninterest income. The decrease in income from mortgage banking activities was primarily due to lower mortgage loan origination and sale volume in 2025. The decrease in mortgage loan servicing income was driven by the aforementioned sale of MSRs. The increase in BOLI income was primarily due to the impact of higher market values of underlying investments and death benefits recognized in 2025. Net gains on investment securities of $946 thousand for the first half of 2025 were primarily due to unrealized fair value gains on equity securities. Net losses on investment securities of $317 thousand for the first half of 2024 included the aforementioned gain on the VISA share exchange largely offset by the loss on the sale of AFS investment securities.
Noninterest expense for the first half of 2025 was $301.6 million, which included $12.6 million in merger-related expenses while noninterest expense was $275.5 million for the first half of 2024, which included $1.3 million in merger-related expenses. Other noninterest expense increased $11.1 million driven by $7.0 million in merger-related expenses recognized during the first half of 2025 as compared to $1.3 million for the first half of 2024 and higher amounts of certain general operating expenses. The expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $909 thousand for the first half of 2025 which included $4.1 million related to the Piedmont acquisition, as compared to a net benefit in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments of $4.0 million for the first half of 2024. Employee compensation increased $6.0 million to $123.8 million for the first half of 2025 and included $1.5 million in merger-related expenses, higher employee headcount mainly from the acquisition, and higher employee incentives partially offset by lower commissions driven by a decrease in mortgage production. Additionally, increases in several other categories of noninterest expense mainly from the acquisition were partially offset by decreases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance expense of $2.3 million and mortgage loan servicing expense of $2.0 million. FDIC insurance expense for the first half of 2024 included $2.1 million in expense for the FDIC’s special assessment.
For the first half of 2025, income tax expense was $54.0 million as compared to $40.3 million for the first half of 2024. The increase of $13.7 million was primarily due to higher earnings and the impact of discrete tax benefits recognized in the second quarter of 2024. United’s effective tax rate was 20.9% for the first half of 2025 and 18.0% for the first half of 2024.
Credit Quality
United’s asset quality continues to be sound. At June 30, 2025, non-performing loans (“NPLs”) were $68.3 million, or 0.28% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total non-performing assets (“NPAs”) were $74.6 million, including other real estate owned (“OREO”) of $6.3 million, or 0.23% of total assets at June 30, 2025. At March 31, 2025, NPLs were $69.8 million, or 0.29% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total NPAs were $71.3 million, including OREO of $1.5 million, or 0.22% of total assets at March 31, 2025. At December 31, 2024, NPLs were $73.4 million, or 0.34% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total NPAs were $73.7 million, including OREO of $327 thousand, or 0.25% of total assets at December 31, 2024.
As of June 30, 2025, the allowance for loan & lease losses was $308.0 million, or 1.28% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. At March 31, 2025, the allowance for loan & lease losses was $310.4 million, or 1.30% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. At December 31, 2024, the allowance for loan & lease losses was $271.8 million, or 1.25% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. During the first quarter of 2025, United recorded an allowance for loan & lease losses on acquired Piedmont non-PCD loans of $18.7 million and on acquired Piedmont purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans of $17.5 million.
Net charge-offs were $8.4 million, or 0.14% on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income for the second quarter of 2025. Net charge-offs were $8.0 million, or 0.14% on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income for the first quarter of 2025. Net charge-offs were $1.3 million, or 0.02% on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income for the second quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs were $16.4 million, or 0.14% on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income for the first half of 2025. Net charge-offs were $3.3 million, or 0.03% on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income for the first half of 2024.
Capital
United continues to be well-capitalized based upon regulatory guidelines. United’s estimated risk-based capital ratio is 15.8% at June 30, 2025, while estimated Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and leverage ratios are 13.4%, 13.4%, and 11.3%, respectively. 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%.
During the second quarter of 2025, United repurchased, under a previously announced stock repurchase plan, approximately 981 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $33.17. During the first half of 2025, United repurchased, under a previously announced stock repurchase plan, approximately 1.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $33.81. United did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during 2024.
About United Bankshares, Inc.
United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) is a financial services company with consolidated assets of approximately $33 billion as of June 30, 2025. United is the 39th largest banking company in the U.S. based on market capitalization. It is the parent company of United Bank, which comprises over 240 offices located across Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. For more information, visit ubsi-inc.com.
Cautionary Statements
The Company is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of its June 30, 2025 consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q. As a result, the Company will continue to evaluate the impact of any subsequent events on critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of June 30, 2025 and will adjust amounts preliminarily reported, if necessary.
Use of non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains certain financial measures that are not recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Generally, United has presented these “non-GAAP” financial measures because it believes that these measures provide meaningful additional information to assist in the evaluation of United’s results of operations or financial position. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how United’s management evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the banking industry.
Specifically, this press release contains certain references to financial measures identified as tax-equivalent (FTE) net interest income, average tangible equity, return on average tangible equity, and tangible book value per share. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures to be helpful in understanding United’s results of operations or financial position.
Net interest income is presented in this press release 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. 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%.
Tangible equity is calculated as GAAP total shareholders’ equity minus total intangible assets. Tangible equity can thus be considered the most conservative valuation of the company. Tangible equity is also presented on a per common share basis and considering net income, a return on average tangible equity. Management provides these amounts to facilitate the understanding of as well as to assess the quality and composition of United’s capital structure. By removing the effect of intangible assets that result from merger and acquisition activity, the “permanent” items of equity are presented. These measures, along with others, are used by management to analyze capital adequacy and performance.
Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as reconciliation to that comparable GAAP financial measure can be found in the attached financial information tables to this press release. Investors should recognize that United’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly titled measures at other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and United strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.
Contacts
W. Mark Tatterson
Chief Financial Officer
(800) 445-1347 ext. 8716
