Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / United Community Banks

United Community Banks

ucbi · NASDAQ Financial Services
Claim this profile
Ticker ucbi
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
← All annual reports
FY2012 Annual Report · United Community Banks
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
2012 Annual Report

United Community Banks, Inc.

United Community Banks, Inc.
Financial Highlights

(in millions, except per share data)  

Core Earnings Summary 
Net interest revenue  
Core fee revenue  
Core operating expenses  
      Core earnings (pre-tax, pre-credit)  
Provision for loan losses  
Foreclosed property costs  
Bulk Loan Sale costs  
Reclassification of pension costs  
Severance costs  
Hedge ineffectiveness gains, net 
Securities gains, net  
Loss on prepayment of borrowings  
Provision for litigation settlement  
Gain on sale of low income housing tax credits  
Interest on federal tax refund  
Income tax (expense) benefit  
      Net income (loss)  
Preferred dividends and discount accretion  
      Net income (loss) available to common shareholders  

Per Common Share  
Diluted income (loss)  
Book value  
Tangible book value  

Performance Measures  
Net interest margin  
Allowance for loan losses to loans  
Tangible common equity to assets (year-end)  
Tier I risk-based capital ratio (year-end)  

As of Year-End  
Loans  
Investment securities  
Total assets  
Deposits  
Shareholders’ equity  

Common shares outstanding (thousands)  
Shareholders  
Employees  
Banking offices  

  2012 

  2011 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

229.1  
 53.5  
 166.1  
 116.5  
 (62.5) 
 (14.0) 
- 
 -    
 (2.3) 
 .7  
 7.1  
 (6.7) 
 (4.0) 
 .7  
 1.1  
 (2.7) 
 33.9  
 (12.2) 
21.7  

0.38  
 6.67  
 6.57  

 3.50  %  
 2.57  
 5.60  
 14.16  

4,175  
 2,079  
 6,802  
 5,952  
 581  

 57,741  
 15,000  
 1,590  
 105  

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

235.7 
 44.2 
 180.3 
 99.6 
 (251.0)
 (78.9)
(5.6)
 2.3 
 (1.1)
 5.0 
 .8 
 (.8)
 -   
 .7 
 -   
 2.3 
 (226.7)
 (11.9)
(238.6)

(5.97)
 6.62 
 6.47 

3.44  % 
 2.79 
 5.35 
 13.69 

4,110 
 2,120 
 6,983 
 6,098 
 575 

 57,561 
 16,900 
 1,754 
 106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

Dear Fellow Shareholders, 

Before reviewing 2012 and a promising outlook for 2013, I want to begin with 
this: The past 12 months have been among the most positive United Community 
Banks has experienced in years. We closed the year with our fifth consecutive 
profitable quarter, and our sixth out of the past seven, solidly on the path to our 
goal of sustained profitability.

You well know that the past five years have been uncharted territory for all banks, 
with no map or rulebook through the economic environment. However, United 
has a skilled, experienced and dedicated management team and board to lead 
the way. These men and women have been, and continue to be, our compass 
and true north.

In last year’s annual report I described our objectives in 2012. In this letter I will 
review our record toward accomplishing those objectives.

2011 ended on a good note with a profitable quarter, our second of the year after 
13 consecutive quarterly losses. The first quarter of 2012 followed suit with what 
would be the first of four profitable quarters, and the highest pre-tax, pre-credit 
earnings since the fourth quarter of 2009. Setting the stage for these results, and 
pivotal for this company, was the March 2011 execution of our capital transaction 
and problem asset disposition plan.

Our 2011 annual report outlined key areas of concentration for 2012: core deposit 
growth, loan growth, credit quality, margin, fee revenue, expense reductions, 
customer service and profitability. We have made significant progress.

CORE DEPOSIT GROWTH
After attracting an impressive $266 million in net new core transaction deposits 
in 2011, we set an ambitious goal to grow these deposits again in 2012, this time 
by 8 percent. As it turned out we exceeded this goal with growth of 11 percent, 
or $311 million, most of it in noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

United employees opened a record 37,072 new core deposit accounts and sold 
15,306 new services in 2012 as part of our highly successful United Express 
campaign. Over the past four years, United Express has provided a financial 
incentive to bring in new business, but we have found that the primary driving 
force for our bankers is not extra money but a point of pride. They want to help this 
company return to sustained success, in this case by providing a steady source 
of new core deposits. To be perfectly clear, they have delivered with growth of 
$1.1 billion over the past four years while adding thousands of new customers.

2

LOAN GROWTH
Despite a continued struggling economy in 2012, 

business lending continued to produce favorable 

results. We introduced a fixed-rate commercial 

we had positive annual loan growth for the first 

loan product that meets a customer need without 

time since 2007. In the first quarter we recorded 

exposing United to interest rate risk. Our back-

our first linked-quarter loan growth since 2008, 

to-back interest rate swap program enables us 

and in the third quarter we achieved our first 

to compete effectively with product offerings of 

12-month loan growth since the downward 

much larger financial institutions. We gained good 

economic cycle began in 2007.

traction with this product in 2012, adding to fee 

revenue.

Driving the growth were new loan products that 

further diversified the portfolio. These include 

In total, during the year we funded $505 million 

targeted new retail products that have enabled 

in new loans compared to $392 million in 2011. 

us to meet customer needs better and create 

Our continuing focus is on growing commercial 

a much more efficient delivery channel. Our 

business that results in new full-service 

service continues to be unmatched, and we have 

relationships. To support this effort, over the 

leveraged our high customer satisfaction scores 

past 18 months we have added 15 experienced 

to attract new customers to these products and 

lenders who are established within our existing 

services. 

and expanded metro markets. Additionally in late 

2012, we opened a commercial loan office in 

One of our new retail products is a home equity 

Greenville, South Carolina, expanding our reach 

line of credit (HELOC) that is allowing us to 

into this new and robust market.

achieve a more favorable balance in our overall 

loan mix. From its introduction in the summer of 

2012 through year-end, the product generated 

CREDIT QUALITY
A staunch commitment throughout the economic 

$100 million in new loan balances. It has brought 

downturn has been aggressive management of 

in new customers and deepened relationships 

our credit challenges. I am pleased to report that 

with existing customers who have strong credit 

our credit quality measures have significantly 

metrics. The success of these HELOC loans has 

improved, especially in the latter half of the year.

had a slight negative impact on our margin in 

the short term due to the introductory interest 

By year-end many of these measures were 

rate of 1 percent APR for the first year. The 
product has a floating rate that will reset to prime 

beginning to return to pre-downturn levels. Fourth 
quarter net charge-offs of $14.5 million were 

plus beginning in mid-2013 and help minimize 

at the lowest level since the second quarter 

exposure to rising rates in the future.

In January, 2013, we rolled out our 

of 2008. The inflow of new non-performing 

loans was $20.2 million, the lowest since this 

economic cycle began. Our year-end balance of 

‘SmarterMortgage’ product with competitive 

foreclosed property was $18.3 million, the lowest 

closing costs and low monthly payments. This is 

since the end of 2007. Past due loans were .65 

an attractive alternative for customers who want 

percent of total loans, well below our pre-credit 

their mortgage and servicing to remain with their 

cycle target of 1 percent. Clearly we are making 

local United bank.

important progress on the credit front.

On the commercial side, our focus on owner-

occupied commercial real estate and small 

3

MARGIN
Our net interest margin for the full year of 2012 

requiring that we be more efficient. Our steady 

focus on efficiency and expense reductions 

was 3.50 percent, slightly higher than 3.44 

resulted in a $14 million decrease in core 

percent in 2011. Growth in core transaction 

operating expenses during 2012, including an $8 

deposits has helped to lower funding costs, but 

million decline in core personnel costs.  

the unprecedented low interest rate environment 

shows no sign of changing near term, and will 

We also saw significant decreases in occupancy 

continue to create pricing headwinds and natural 

expenses and our FDIC insurance assessment.  

margin compression throughout 2013. We 

Occupancy expenses were down $1.34 million 

continue to see competitive pressures on loan 

reflecting our efforts to control our utilities 

pricing, as well as low reinvestment rates for our 

and insurance costs, lower property taxes as a 

securities portfolio.

result of challenging our assessments and lower 

depreciation charges. The lower FDIC insurance 

I will add that this rate environment has produced 

assessment reflects a lower assessment rate 

some good news: Our mortgage business has 

resulting from our improving credit and capital 

thrived and produced fee revenue growth that 

metrics as well as the FDIC’s change to an asset-

has offset most of the decrease in net interest 

based assessment in early 2011 that was more 

revenue.

favorable to United.

FEE REVENUE
We made great progress on the fee revenue side 

Among ongoing efficiency and cost reduction 

efforts, we closed two underperforming bank 

early in 2012, partially due to new service charges 

offices in the first quarter of 2013.

that allowed us to make low-balance deposit 

relationships profitable. Very little attrition resulted 

Lowering headcount is extremely painful. Such 

as most customers were able to avoid the fees by 

decisions are unquestionably the most difficult 

maintaining higher balances. We also renegotiated 

I have had to make in my career. While these 

our debit card and ATM service provider 

tough measures have been necessary, we have 

contracts, resulting in increased fee revenue that 

been very careful to conduct them in a caring and 

more than offset lower fees brought about by 

dignified way to soften the landing with fair and 

regulatory changes. Overall, deposit service fee 

appropriate severance packages. Bottom line, 

revenue increased $2.6 million during the year.

we have reduced core operating expense by $14 
million over the past year.

As mentioned above we saw solid growth in 

mortgage fees as a result of the record low 

interest rate environment and our bankers’ 

CUSTOMER SERVICE
In light of the challenges faced and changes 

outstanding efforts to grow market share. 

made, it is a testimony to our people that 

Refinancing activities also helped boost this 

customer satisfaction has not suffered one bit. 

source of fee revenue.

EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
The rising cost of doing business and the 

United Community Bank has been the bank of 

choice in our communities for more than 60 years 

and continues to be so today. We are blessed 

with dedicated bankers who are completely 

weak economy makes it a very challenging 

focused on the number one task: creating the 

environment for new growth opportunities, 

finest banking experience anywhere.

4

Our bankers remain as successful as ever at 

this task, earning customer satisfaction ratings 

LOOKING FORWARD
While we see more consistently profitable 

that consistently remain above 95 percent – 

times ahead, some obstacles still remain. The 

the highest in the industry. When asked to 

sluggish economy and record low interest 

support new promotions or incentives, there 

rate environment are expected to continue, 

they are again, stepping up to meet and exceed 

presenting loan growth challenges and net 

expectations. And I want to emphasize that I also 

interest margin pressures. We see margin 

am recognizing the many employees who do not 

compression continuing throughout 2013.

directly serve external customers, but provide 

critical support to internal customers – their fellow 

On the positive side, we expect a continuing 

employees – in ways that allow them to do their 

trend of improving credit metrics that should 

jobs so well. This is an incredible group of people.

translate into lower levels of charge-offs and 

PROFITABILITY
All of our 2012 initiatives were aimed at one 

overarching goal: improving profitability and the 

related provision expense. We also see, and 

are acting upon, opportunities to expand our 

mortgage and advisory service businesses. 

long-term value of your investment in United 

We believe we can overcome the challenges of 

Community Banks. This is an ongoing priority 

a slow economy and grow our loan portfolio in 

that drives everything we do. That is why a year 

the mid-single digit range. We can do this, in part, 

ago I made a pledge to you and to our Board of 

by continuing to add commercial lenders in key 

Directors to improve our quarterly core pre-tax, 

markets while also growing retail loans through 

pre-credit earnings on an annualized basis by $10 

our new product offerings. We will continue to 

million through fee revenue growth and expense 

reduce costs and increase efficiency, while being 

reductions. We set the fourth quarter of 2011 as 

careful to do so in ways that preserve our unique 

our base, and the fourth quarter of 2012 as our 

culture of superior service.

target. 

We have again set a goal for the coming year: to 

I am extremely pleased to report that we 

increase our annualized run rate of core pre-tax, 

achieved this $10 million goal for the fourth 

pre-credit earnings by $10 million, using the 

quarter of 2012. Our annualized run rate in 

fourth quarter of 2012 as our benchmark. We 

core operating expenses declined by $9 million 
compared to 2011, and our annualized core fee 

will focus on fee revenue, loan and core deposit 
growth and operating efficiency.

revenue run rate increased by over $12 million – a 

core earnings improvement of $21 million.

A question for 2013 is United’s plans for the 

$180 million in preferred stock issued to the 

Even though net margin compression offset 

U.S. Treasury in 2008. In March, 2013, the 

more than half of these earnings improvements, 

Treasury elected to remarket our stock to other 

we were able to meet our goal. These results 

investors as they have done in the past with 

are impressive by any measure and represent a 

many other banks. We believe this reflects our 

significant achievement for this banking team. 

positive progress through the credit cycle and our 

I cannot imagine a team anywhere rising to the 

sustained earnings over the past seven quarters. 

challenge and working harder to achieve goals 

The Treasury was able to remarket its investment 

than this one did in 2012.

under very favorable terms, and the institutional 

investors demonstrated their confidence by 

acquiring our stock.

5

This transaction is a win-win for both United and 

Over the past few years we have experienced a 

the Treasury. The Treasury was paid back, in fact, 

long and sometimes rocky ride with its share of 

more than their original investment when including 

detours. But in 2012 we made the critical turn 

dividends over the past four years. United is now 

that begins our ascent to sustained profitability 

free from the restrictions of the Troubled Asset 

and solid returns.

Relief Program (TARP), but retains the valuable 

regulatory capital. In the future when prudent, we 

Our employees have been inspiring along this 

will consider alternative solutions to repurchase 

journey. Your company could not and would 

or refinance in a manner that best serves our 

not have achieved the progress we have made 

common shareholders.

without these dedicated and talented people. 

Many others, maybe even understandably, would 

Before closing I want to make you aware of recent 

have thrown up their hands and surrendered to 

changes in our leadership.

the challenges we’ve experienced. Many would 

have quit or bided their time clinging to their 

On our management team, I am very pleased to 

jobs. Not the United family. Just when you think 

announce that Lynn Harton has joined United as 

they can’t give any more, they do. When you 

Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Guy Freeman 

think their spirit is surely going to break, it’s there 

who retired at the beginning of 2012. Lynn, a native 

stronger than ever, and they rally around United 

of North Carolina, brings 29 years of executive 

more vigorously than ever before.

banking experience. He already has made some very 

valuable and exciting contributions.  

I cannot thank these people enough. They are 

the heart of United Community Banks. Each 

On our holding company Board of Directors, I report 

management team member, each director 

with much regret the retirement of John D. Stephens, 

and each shareholder owes them a debt of 

who has been a valued member of the United 

gratitude. I certainly do. And, this management 

Community Banks Board since 2007. His 44 years of 

team is laser focused on creating value for our 

business and industrial experience have provided a 

shareholders. Because of them, I look forward 

most unique perspective and background that we will 

with optimism.

greatly miss. I know I speak for the entire Board and 

United family when I say, “Thank you so very much, 

John, for your guidance, wisdom and friendship all 
these many years.”

         Sincerely,

Additionally, Bob Head has decided to retire from the 

Board at the end of his current term. Bob was Chairman 

of the holding company Board from 1988 (when our 

  Jimmy Tallent

holding company was formed) to 2012. He also has 

served for 40 years on the Board of United Community 

Bank. Bob was at the helm through a period of much 

change, outstanding growth and great challenge, and 

he led our Board with valuable discernment, a steady 

hand and keen vision. There is no way I can adequately 

express my appreciation to Bob for his years of 

faithful service and outstanding leadership and we 

will continue to seek his advice and counsel.

 
6

Consolidated Statement of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)  

  2012 

  2011 

  2010

 $ 

217,140  

$   239,056  

$   277,904 

INTEREST REVENUE: 
  Loans, including fees 
  Investment securities: 
    Taxable 
    Tax exempt 
  Deposits in banks and short-term investments 
      Total interest revenue 
INTEREST EXPENSE: 
  Deposits: 
    NOW 
    Money market 
    Savings 
    Time 
      Total deposit interest expense 
  Short-term borrowings 
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
  Long-term debt 
      Total interest expense 
      Net interest revenue 
Provision for loan losses 
      Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses 
FEE REVENUE: 
  Service charges and fees 
  Mortgage loan and other related fees 
  Brokerage fees 
  Securities gains, net 
  Losses on prepayment of borrowings 
  Other 
      Total fee revenue 
         Total revenue 
OPERATING EXPENSES: 
  Salaries and employee benefits 
  Occupancy 
  Communications and equipment 
  FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges 
  Professional fees 
  Postage, printing and supplies 
  Advertising and public relations  
  Amortization of intangibles 
  Foreclosed property 
  Goodwill impairment 
  Loss on sale of nonperforming assets 
  Other 
      Total operating expenses 
      Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 
Income tax expense (benefit) 
      Net income (loss) from continuing operations 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 
Gain from sale of subsidiary, net of income taxes and selling costs 
      Net income (loss)  
Preferred stock dividends 
      Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 

 43,657  
956  
3,986  
   265,739  

2,049  
2,518  
150  
19,518  
24,235  
2,987  
907  
10,201  
38,330  
   227,409  
62,500  
   164,909  

31,670  
10,483  
3,082  
7,078  
(6,681) 
11,139  
56,771  
   221,680  

 55,251  
 1,009  
 2,321  
 297,637  

 3,998  
 5,456  
 234  
 39,151  
 48,839  
 4,250  
 2,042  
 10,544  
 65,675  
 231,962  
 251,000  
 (19,038) 

 29,110  
 5,419  
 2,986  
 842  
 (791) 
 12,342  
 49,908  
 30,870  

96,026  
14,304  
12,940  
10,097  
8,792  
3,899  
3,855  
2,917  
13,993  
-    
-    
19,951  
   186,774  
34,906  
1,050  
33,856  
-    
-    
33,856  
12,148  
21,708  

 $ 

 100,095  
 15,645  
 13,135  
 14,259  
 9,727  
 4,256  
 4,291  
 3,016  
 78,905  
 -    
 -    
 18,270  
 261,599  
   (230,729) 
 (3,983) 
   (226,746) 
 -    
 -    
   (226,746) 
 11,838  
$   (238,584) 

 58,821 
 1,137 
 3,260 
 341,122 

 6,966 
 7,552 
 331 
 66,883 
 81,732 
 4,235 
 3,355 
 10,749 
 100,071 
 241,051 
 223,000 
 18,051 

 30,127 
 7,019 
 2,662 
 2,552 
 (2,233)
 8,421 
 48,548 
 66,599 

 96,618 
 15,394 
 13,781 
 13,747 
 9,254 
 4,072 
 4,625 
 3,160 
 65,707 
 210,590 
 45,349 
 16,594 
 498,891 
   (432,292)
 71,217 
   (503,509)
 (101)
 1,266 
   (502,344)
 10,316 
$   (512,660)

$  

(27.15)
 (27.09)
 18,925 

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share - basic / diluted 
Income (loss) per common share - basic / diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic / diluted 

 $ 

.38  
.38  
57,857  

$  

(5.97) 
 (5.97) 
 39,943  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
     
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
7

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(in thousands, except per share data)  

ASSETS 
Cash and due from banks 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks 
Short-term investments 
      Cash and cash equivalents 

Securities available for sale 
Securities held to maturity (fair value $261,131 and $343,531) 
Mortgage loans held for sale 

Loans, net of unearned income 
    Less allowance for loan losses 
        Loans, net 

Assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC 
Premises and equipment, net 
Bank-owned life insurance 
Accrued interest receivable 
Goodwill and other intangible assets 
Foreclosed property 
Other assets 

 $  

2012 

66,536  
 124,613  
60,000  
 251,149  

 1,834,593  
 244,184  
 28,821  

 4,175,008  
(107,137) 
 4,067,871  

 47,467  
 168,920  
 81,867  
 18,659  
 5,510  
 18,264  
34,954  

$  

2011

53,807 
139,609 
185,000 
378,416 

1,790,047 
330,203 
23,881 

4,109,614 
(114,468)
3,995,146 

78,145 
175,088 
80,599 
20,693 
8,428 
32,859 
69,915 

            Total assets 

 $  

6,802,259  

$  

6,983,420 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Liabilities: 
   Deposits: 
      Demand 
      NOW 
      Money market 
      Savings 
      Time: 
          Less than $100,000 
          Greater than $100,000 
      Brokered 
            Total deposits 

  Short-term borrowings 
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
   Long-term debt 
   Unsettled securities purchases 
   Accrued expenses and other liabilities 

            Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies 

Shareholders’ equity: 
   Preferred stock, $1 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized: 
      Series A, $10 stated value, 21,700 shares issued and outstanding 
      Series B, $1,000 stated value, 180,000 shares issued and outstanding 
      Series D, $1,000 stated value, 16,613 shares issued and outstanding 
   Common stock, $1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 
        42,423,870 and 41,647,100 shares issued and outstanding 
   Common stock, non-voting $1 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 
        15,316,794 and 15,914,209 shares issued and outstanding 
   Common stock issuable, 133,238 and 93,681 shares 
   Capital surplus 
   Accumulated deficit 
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

            Total shareholders’ equity 

 $  

1,252,605  
 1,316,453  
 1,149,912  
 227,308  

 1,055,271  
 705,558  
245,033  
 5,952,140  

 52,574  
 40,125  
 124,805  
 -    
51,210  

   6,220,854  

 217  
 178,557  
 16,613  

 42,424  

 15,317  
 3,119  
 1,057,951  
 (709,153) 
(23,640) 

581,405  

$  

992,109 
1,509,896 
1,038,778 
199,007 

1,332,394 
847,152 
178,647 
6,097,983 

102,577 
40,625 
120,225 
10,325 
36,199 

6,407,934 

217 
177,092 
16,613 

 41,647 

15,914 
3,233 
1,054,940 
(730,861)
(3,309)

575,486 

            Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

 $   6,802,259  

$  

6,983,420 

 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
8

Selected Financial Data - Quarterly Core Summary

(in millions, except per share data; taxable equivalent)  

Q-4 

Q-3 

Q-2 

Q-1 

Q-4

2012

2011

CORE EARNINGS SUMMARY 
Net interest revenue 
Core fee revenue (1) 
  Core revenue (1) 

Core operating expenses (2) 

  Core earnings (pre-tax, pre-credit) (1)(2) 

Provision for loan losses 
Foreclosed property costs: 

  Write downs and losses from sales 
  Other expenses 

Reclassification of pension prior service cost and actuarial losses 
Severance costs 
Hedge ineffectiveness gains (losses), net 
Securities gains, net 
Loss on prepayment of borrowings 
Provision for litigation settlement 
Gain on sale of low income housing tax credits 
Interest on federal tax refund 
Income tax (expense) benefit 

  Net income 

Preferred dividends and discount accretion 

  Net income available to common shareholders 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES 
  Per common share: 
  Diluted earnings 
  Book value 
  Tangible book value (3) 

  Key performance ratios: 
  Net interest margin (4) 
  Return on assets (4) 
  Return on common equity (4)(5) 
  Tangible equity to assets (3) 
  Tangible common equity to assets (3) 

ASSET QUALITY* 
  Non-performing loans 
  Foreclosed properties 
    Total non-performing assets (NPAs) 

  Allowance for loan losses 
  Net charge-offs 

  Allowance for loan losses to loans 
  Net charge-offs to average loans (4) 
  NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties 
  NPAs to total assets 

AT PERIOD END 
  Loans* 

Investment securities 

  Total assets 
  Deposits 
  Shareholders’ equity 
  Common shares outstanding 

$  

$  

$  

$  

$  

$  

$  

$  

56.0  
14.6  
 70.6  
41.5  
 29.1  
 (14.0) 

 (3.2) 
 (1.4) 
 -    
 (.5) 
 .1  
 -    
 -    
 (4.0) 
 -    
 -    
(.8) 
 5.3  
3.1  
2.2  

.04  
 6.67  
 6.57  

57.4   $  
13.0  
70.4  
40.5  
29.9  
(15.5) 

(2.7) 
(1.0) 
-    
(.4) 
.6  
-    
-    
-    
-    
-    
(.3) 
10.6  
3.1  
7.5   $  

56.8   $  
12.8  
69.6  
41.3  
28.3  
(18.0) 

(.7) 
(1.1) 
-    
(1.2) 
(.2) 
6.5  
(6.2) 
-    
-    
-    
(.9) 
6.5  
3.0  
3.5   $  

58.9   $  
13.1  
72.0  
42.7  
29.3  
(15.0) 

(2.2) 
(1.6) 
-    
(.2) 
.1  
.6  
(.5) 
-    
.7  
1.1  
(.8) 
11.5  
3.0  
8.5   $  

59.1 
11.4 
70.5 
43.9 
26.6 
(14.0)

(6.9)
(2.4)
2.3 
-   
.3 
-   
-   
-   
.7 
-   
3.3 
9.9 
3.0 
6.9 

$  

.13  
6.75  
6.64  

$  

.06  
6.61  
6.48  

.15   $  
6.68  
6.54  

.12 
6.62 
6.47 

 3.44  %  
 .31  
 2.15  
 8.55  
 5.67  

 3.60  %  
.63  
7.43  
8.66  
5.73  

 3.43  %  
.37  
3.51  
8.24  
5.45  

$  

109.9  
18.3  
 128.2  

 107.1  
 14.5  

2.57  %  
 1.39  
 3.06  
 1.88  

$  

4,175  
 2,079  
 6,802  
 5,952  
 581  
 57.7  

$  

115.0  
27.0  
142.0  

107.6  
20.6  

2.60  %  
1.99  
3.41  
2.12  

$  

4,138  
2,025  
6,699  
5,823  
585  
57.7  

$  

115.4  
30.4  
145.8  

112.7  
18.9  

2.74  %  
1.85  
3.51  
2.16  

$  

4,119  
1,984  
6,737  
5,822  
576  
57.6  

 3.53  %  
.66  
8.78  
8.08  
5.33  

129.7   $  
31.9  
161.6  

113.6  
15.9  

2.75  %  
1.55  
3.88  
2.25  

4,128   $  
2,202  
7,174  
6,001  
580  
57.6  

 3.51  % 
.56 
7.40 
8.16 
5.38 

127.5 
32.8 
160.3 

114.5 
45.6 

2.79  % 
4.39 
3.87 
2.30 

4,110 
2,120 
6,983 
6,098 
575 
57.6

(1)  Excludes net securities gains and losses, losses from the prepayment of borrowings, gains from the sale of low income housing tax credits, hedge ineffectiveness gains and interest on a federal tax refund.  (2)  Excludes foreclosed 
property costs, reclassification of prior service cost and actuarial losses on Modified Retirement Plan to other comprehensive income, severance costs and a provision for litigation settlement.  (3)  Excluded the effect of acquisition-related 
intangible assets.  (4)  Annualized.  (5)  Net income available to common shareholders, which is net of preferred dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). 
* Excludes loans and foreclosed properties covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9

Corporate Information

Financial Information
Analysts and investors seeking financial 
information should contact:
Rex S. Schuette
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer
(706) 781-2265
rex_schuette@ucbi.com

This Annual Report contains forward-looking 
statements that involve risk and uncertainty 
and actual results could differ materially from 
the anticipated results or other expectations 
expressed in the forward-looking statements.  
A discussion of factors that could cause 
actual results to differ materially from those 
expressed in the forward-looking statements 
is included in the Annual Report on Form 
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.

This Annual Report also contains financial 
measures that were prepared on a basis 
different from accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States 
(“GAAP”).  References to operating 
earnings, pre-tax, pre-credit earnings and 
core earnings are non-GAAP financial 
measures.  Management has included such 
non-GAAP financial measures because 
such non-GAAP measures exclude certain 
non-recurring revenue and expense items 
and therefore provide a meaningful basis for 
analyzing financial trends. A reconciliation 
of these measures to financial measures 
determined using GAAP is included in the 
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stock Price

2012 

2011

  Average 
Daily 
 Volume 

Low  Close 

  Average 
Daily
Low  Close  Volume 

High 

Quarter  High 

1st 

2nd 

3rd 

4th 

$ 10.30   $ 6.37   $ 9.75  

 142,987 

$ 11.85 

$ 5.95   $ 11.65  

227,321 

9.77  

8.82  

9.49  

 7.76  

6.12  

8.01  

8.57  

8.39  

9.44  

145,132  

329,475  

202,871  

14.65  

11.33  

8.90  

9.80  

10.56  

139,741 

7.67  

6.22  

8.49  

6.99  

214,303 

202,024 

Account Consolidation
If you receive duplicate statements from 
United and wish to discontinue such 
mailings, or would like to consolidate your 
accounts, contact Shareholder Relations at 
(866) 270-5900 or investor_relations@ucbi.com.  
This will enable United to avoid unnecessary 
cost for duplication and mailing.

Shareholders seeking information on stock-
transfer requirements, lost certificates, 
dividends and other shareholder matters, 
should contact Shareholder Relations.

Transfer Agent and 
Registrant
IST Shareholder Services
433 S. Carlton Ave.
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(630) 480-0393

Independent 
Registered Public 
Accountants
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Atlanta, Georgia

Legal Counsel
Troutman Sanders LLP
Atlanta, Georgia

Equal Opportunity Employer
United Community Banks is an equal 
opportunity employer.  All matters regarding 
recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, 
benefits, promotions, transfers and other 
personnel policies will remain free from 
discriminatory practices.

United Community Banks, Inc. © 2013.

Board of Directors
W.C. Nelson, Jr.
Chairman
Owner, Nelson Tractor Co. 

Jimmy C. Tallent
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Robert H. Blalock
Owner, Blalock Insurance 
Agency, Inc.

Executive Officers
Jimmy C. Tallent
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

H. Lynn Harton
Chief Operating Officer

Clifford V. Brokaw
Managing Director
Corsair Capital 

L. Cathy Cox
President, Young Harris College

Steven J. Goldstein
Retired Chief Financial Officer, 
Federal Home Loan Bank of 
Atlanta

Robert L. Head, Jr.
Owner, Head Westgate

Thomas A. Richlovsky
Retired Chief Financial Officer 
and Treasurer 
National City Corporation

John D. Stephens
Partner, Stephens MDS, LP

Tim R. Wallis
President and 
Chief Executive Officer 
Wallis Printing Company

Rex S. Schuette
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer

David P. Shearrow
Executive Vice President
Chief Risk Officer

Bill M. Gilbert
Director of Banking

Tim Schools
Chief Strategy Officer

United Community Banks, Inc.
125 Highway 515 East  |  Blairsville, Georgia 30512
706.781.2265  |  866.270.7200  |  ucbi.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ucbi.com