United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) (“United”), today reported earnings for the first quarter of 2023 of $98.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $99.8 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Earnings for the first quarter of 2022 were $81.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted share.

First quarter of 2023 results produced annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity, a non-GAAP measure, of 1.35%, 8.72% and 14.97%, respectively, compared to annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity of 1.36%, 8.80% and 15.28%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.13%, 6.96% and 11.63%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2022.

“Consistency, conservatism, and trust were the leading themes for UBSI in the first quarter,” stated Richard M. Adams, Jr., United’s Chief Executive Officer. “We continued to deliver strong financial performance, highlighted by a Return on Average Assets of 1.35%, a net interest margin of 3.63%, and an efficiency ratio of 51.46%. Our capital levels remain among the strongest in the industry, our asset quality metrics reflect our conservative underwriting, and our liquidity levels have us well-positioned to meet the challenges of the current environment.”

Adams further stated, “And as for trust, United was named during the first quarter by Newsweek magazine as the most trusted banking company in the nation. Trust is critical to the success of any organization, and this is especially true in banking. We are honored to receive this recognition, and appreciate the level of trust we have earned with our stakeholders.”

First quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2023 decreased $15.1 million, or 6%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. 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 first quarter of 2023 also decreased $15.1 million, or 6%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to higher interest expense driven by deposit rate repricing and higher average balances of long-term borrowings as well as lower acquired loan accretion income. This decrease in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was partially offset by higher interest income on earning assets driven by rising market interest rates and a change in the asset mix to higher earning assets. The interest rate spread for the first quarter of 2023 decreased 47 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2022 to 2.93% due to an 80 basis point increase in the average cost of funds partially offset by a 33 basis point increase in the yield on earning assets. The average yield on interest-bearing deposits increased 67 basis points to 1.83% from the fourth quarter of 2022. Average long-term borrowings increased $890.1 million, or 58%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. Acquired loan accretion income decreased $1.6 million to $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2023. The average yield on net loans and loans held for sale increased 37 basis points to 5.55% from the fourth quarter of 2022. An increase in average earning assets of $435.4 million, or 2%, from the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven by an increase in average net loans and loans held for sale of $327.9 million and an increase of $200.0 million in average short-term investments partially offset by a decrease of $92.5 million in average investment securities. The net interest margin of 3.63% for the first quarter of 2023 was a decrease of 24 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.87% for the fourth quarter of 2022.

The provision for credit losses was $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to $16.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in the allowance for loan & lease losses mainly due to a change in qualitative factors and the impact of reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2023 increased $1.9 million, or 6%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in noninterest income was primarily due to an increase of $1.8 million in income from mortgage banking activities mainly due to a higher quarter end loan pipeline valuation.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2023 was flat from the fourth quarter of 2022, decreasing $123 thousand, or less than 1%. The decrease in noninterest expense was primarily driven by a decrease in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments of $3.9 million and a decrease in employee compensation of $2.1 million. These decreases were partially offset by increases in employee benefits of $3.1 million, other noninterest expense of $1.6 million and FDIC insurance expense of $1.3 million. The decrease in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was driven by a decrease in the outstanding balance of loan commitments at quarter end. The decrease in employee compensation was primarily driven by lower employee commissions related to mortgage banking production and lower employee incentives. The increase in employee benefits was due to a combination of higher Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and postretirement plan costs. Other noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2022 included a $3.9 million partial recovery of a prior accrual that related to a litigation matter with a former commercial customer which was settled during the fourth quarter. The increase in FDIC insurance expense was primarily due to a higher assessment rate.

For the first quarter of 2023, income tax expense was $24.4 million as compared to $26.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease of $2.2 million was due to a lower effective tax rate and lower earnings. United’s effective tax rate was 19.9% and 21.1% for the first quarter of 2023 and fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.

First quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022

Earnings for the first quarter of 2023 were $98.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $81.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022.

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2023 increased $42.8 million, or 22%, from the first quarter of 2022. Tax-equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2023 also increased $42.8 million, or 22%, from the first quarter of 2022. The increase in net interest income and 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 and higher average balances of long-term borrowings as well as lower income from Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan fees and acquired loan accretion. The interest rate spread for the first quarter of 2023 increased 4 basis points from the first quarter of 2022 to 2.93% due to a 194 basis point increase in the average yield on earning assets mostly offset by a 190 basis point increase in the average cost of funds. Average earning assets for the first quarter of 2023 increased $125.3 million, or less than 1%, from the first quarter of 2022 due to a $2.1 billion increase in average net loans and loans held for sale mostly offset by a $2.1 billion decrease in average short-term investments. The average yield on interest-bearing deposits increased 161 basis points to 1.83% from the first quarter of 2022. Average long-term borrowings increased $1.6 billion, or 195.8%, from the first quarter of 2022. Net PPP loan fee income was $210 thousand and $4.1 million for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of $3.9 million. Acquired loan accretion income was $3.1 million and $4.1 million for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of $1.0 million. The net interest margin of 3.63% for the first quarter of 2023 was an increase of 64 basis points from the net interest margin of 2.99% for the first quarter of 2022.

The provision for credit losses was $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to a net benefit of $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2022. The provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in the allowance for loan & lease losses mainly due to a change in qualitative factors and the impact of reasonable and supportable forecasts of future macroeconomic conditions.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2023 was $32.7 million, which was a decrease of $13.3 million, or 29%, from the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in noninterest income was driven by a $12.8 million decrease in income from mortgage banking activities mainly due to lower mortgage loan origination and sale volume and a lower margin on loans sold in the secondary market.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2023 was $137.4 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 1%, from the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to decreases of $7.2 million in employee compensation and $2.6 million in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments partially offset by an increase of $4.6 million in other noninterest expense and an increase of $1.9 million in FDIC expense. The decrease in employee compensation was primarily due to lower employee commissions and incentives related to mortgage banking production as well as a lower employee headcount. The increase in other noninterest expense was primarily driven by higher amounts of certain general operating expenses. The increase in FDIC insurance expense was primarily due to a higher assessment rate.

For the first quarter of 2023, income tax expense was $24.4 million as compared to $20.1 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase of $4.4 million was primarily due to higher earnings and a slightly higher effective tax rate. United’s effective tax rate was 19.9% for the first quarter of 2023 and 19.8% for the first quarter of 2022.

Credit Quality

United’s asset quality continues to be sound. At March 31, 2023, non-performing loans were $42.4 million, or 0.21% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total non-performing assets were $46.5 million, including other real estate owned (“OREO”) of $4.1 million, or 0.15% of total assets at March 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022, non-performing loans were $58.6 million, or 0.29% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total non-performing assets were $60.7 million, including OREO of $2.1 million, or 0.21% of total assets at December 31, 2022.

On January 1, 2023, United adopted ASU 2022-02, “Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” 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 non-performing loans or non-performing assets. December 31, 2022 non-performing loans and non-performing assets included $9.1 million of troubled debt restructurings that were on accruing status and fewer than 90 days past due but classified as non-performing loans and non-performing assets. Restructured loans that are on non-accrual or 90-day past due are included in the respective non-performing loan and non-performing asset categories at March 31, 2023. Refer to our first quarter 2023 Form 10-Q for additional information related to our adoption of this ASU.

As of March 31, 2023, the allowance for loan & lease losses was $240.5 million, or 1.17% of loans & leases, net of unearned income, as compared to $234.7 million, or 1.14% of loans & leases, net of unearned income, at December 31, 2022. Net charge-offs were $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to net recoveries of $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2022. Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income were 0.02% and (0.04)% for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net charge-offs were $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Capital

United continues to be well-capitalized based upon regulatory guidelines. United’s estimated risk-based capital ratio is 14.7% at March 31, 2023, while estimated Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and leverage ratios are 12.5%, 12.5% and 10.8%, respectively. The March 31, 2023 ratios reflect 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%.

During the first quarter of 2022, United repurchased, under a previously announced stock repurchase plan, approximately 711 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $35.15. United did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the first quarter of 2023.

About United Bankshares, Inc.

As of March 31, 2023, United had consolidated assets of approximately $30.2 billion. United is the parent company of United Bank which comprises nearly 250 offices in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. United’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the quotation symbol "UBSI".

Cautionary Statements

The Company is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of its March 31, 2023 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 March 31, 2023 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this report, we have made various statements regarding current expectations or forecasts of future events, which speak only as of the date the statements are made. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are also made from time-to-time in press releases and in oral statements made by the officers of the Company. 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. 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.” The following factors, among others, could cause the actual results of United’s operations to differ materially from its expectations: the uncertainty as to the extent of the duration, scope and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on United, its colleagues, the communities United serves, and the domestic and global economy; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policies, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets, interest rate, securities market and monetary supply fluctuations; increasing rates of inflation and slower growth rates; reform of LIBOR; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those involving the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and CFPB; the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on United’s funding costs and net interest margin; future provisions for credit losses on loans and debt securities; changes in nonperforming assets; competition; and changes in legislation or regulatory requirements. For more information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from United’s expectations, refer to its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at www.sec.gov. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and United undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. You are advised to consult further disclosures United may make on related subjects in our filings with the SEC.