Edgar Filing: UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS INC

10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2010


o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from to

Commission file number 0-21656

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Georgia		58-1807304

(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


125 Highway 515 East
Blairsville, Georgia		30512

Address of Principal Executive Offices		(Zip Code)

(706) 781-2265

(Telephone Number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer þ	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller Reporting Company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

YES o NO þ

Common stock, par value $1 per share: 94,224,234 shares
outstanding as of April 30, 2010

INDEX


PART I — Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009			2

Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2010 (unaudited), December 31, 2009 (audited) and March 31, 2009 (unaudited)			3

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009			4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009			5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			21

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			43

Item 4. Controls and Procedures			43

PART II — Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings			44

Item 1A. Risk Factors			44

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			44

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			44

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)			44

Item 5. Other Information			44

Item 6. Exhibits			44

Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32

Part I — Financial Information

Item 1 — Financial Statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2010			2009
Interest revenue:
Loans, including fees	$	72,215		$	81,880
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $311 and $319		16,203			20,752
Federal funds sold, commercial paper and deposits in banks		938			442

Total interest revenue		89,356			103,074


Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW		1,854			3,337
Money market		1,757			2,237
Savings		84			127
Time		20,198			36,053

Total deposit interest expense		23,893			41,754
Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings		1,038			553
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		977			1,074
Long-term debt		2,662			2,769

Total interest expense		28,570			46,150

Net interest revenue		60,786			56,924
Provision for loan losses		75,000			65,000

Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses		(14,214	)		(8,076	)


Fee revenue:
Service charges and fees		7,447			7,034
Mortgage loan and other related fees		1,479			2,651
Brokerage fees		567			689
Securities gains, net		61			303
Other		2,112			1,146

Total fee revenue		11,666			11,823

Total revenue		(2,548	)		3,747


Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		24,360			27,313
Communications and equipment		3,273			3,646
Occupancy		3,814			3,769
Advertising and public relations		1,043			1,044
Postage, printing and supplies		1,225			1,175
Professional fees		1,943			3,281
Foreclosed preoperty		10,813			4,319
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		3,626			2,682
Amortization of intangibles		802			739
Other		3,921			3,820
Goodwill impairment		—			70,000
Severance costs		—			2,898

Total operating expenses		54,820			124,686

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		(57,368	)		(120,939	)
Income tax benefit		(22,910	)		(17,010	)

Net loss from continuing operations		(34,458	)		(103,929	)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(101	)		156
Gain from sale of subsidiary, net of income taxes and selling costs		1,266			—

Net loss		(33,293	)		(103,773	)
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		2,572			2,554

Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(35,865	)	$	(106,327	)


Loss from continuing operations per common share — Basic	$	(.39	)	$	(2.20	)
Loss from continuing operations per common share — Diluted		(.39	)		(2.20	)
Loss per common share — Basic		(.38	)		(2.20	)
Loss per common share — Diluted		(.38	)		(2.20	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic		94,390			48,324
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted		94,390			48,324

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheet


	March 31,			December 31,		March 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	2010			2009		2009
	(unaudited)			(audited)		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	105,613		$	126,265	$	103,707
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		99,893			120,382		5,792
Federal funds sold, commercial paper and short-term investments		183,049			129,720		24,983

Cash and cash equivalents		388,555			376,367		134,482

Securities available for sale		1,526,589			1,530,047		1,719,033
Mortgage loans held for sale		21,998			30,226		43,161
Loans, net of unearned income (including $69,655 held for sale at March 31, 2010)		4,992,045			5,151,476		5,632,705
Less allowance for loan losses		173,934			155,602		143,990

Loans, net		4,818,111			4,995,874		5,488,715

Assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC		169,287			185,938		—
Premises and equipment, net		181,217			182,038		178,980
Accrued interest receivable		30,492			33,867		45,514
Goodwill and other intangible assets		224,394			225,196		251,060
Foreclosed property		136,275			120,770		75,383
Other assets		340,100			319,591		235,335

Total assets	$	7,837,018		$	7,999,914	$	8,171,663


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand	$	740,727		$	707,826	$	665,447
NOW		1,344,973			1,335,790		1,284,791
Money market		729,283			713,901		500,261
Savings		186,699			177,427		177,001
Time:
Less than $100,000		1,643,059			1,746,511		1,911,627
Greater than $100,000		1,132,034			1,187,499		1,350,190
Brokered		710,813			758,880		727,171

Total deposits		6,487,588			6,627,834		6,616,488

Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings		102,480			101,389		158,690
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		114,303			114,501		260,125
Long-term debt		150,086			150,066		151,006
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		56,666			43,803		96,501

Total liabilities		6,911,123			7,037,593		7,282,810


Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
Series A; $10 stated value; 21,700, 21,700 and 25,800 shares issued and outstanding		217			217		258
Series B; $1,000 stated value; 180,000 shares issued and outstanding		174,727			174,408		173,480
Common stock, $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
94,175,857, 94,045,603 and 48,809,301 shares issued		94,176			94,046		48,809
Common stock issuable; 262,002, 221,906 and 161,807 shares		4,127			3,597		3,270
Capital surplus		622,803			622,034		452,277
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings		(15,481	)		20,384		158,201
Treasury stock; 322,603 shares, at cost		—			—		(5,992	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		45,326			47,635		58,550

Total shareholders’ equity		925,895			962,321		888,853

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,837,018		$	7,999,914	$	8,171,663

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,


													(Accumulated						Accumulated
	Series A		Series B				Common						Deficit)						Other
	Preferred		Preferred		Common		Stock			Capital			Retained			Treasury			Comprehensive
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	Stock		Stock		Stock		Issuable			Surplus			Earnings			Stock			Income			Total

Balance, December 31, 2008	$	258	$	173,180	$	48,809	$	2,908		$	460,708		$	265,405		$	(16,465	)	$	54,579		$	989,382
Comprehensive income:
Net loss														(103,773	)								(103,773	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available for sale securities, net of deferred tax expense and reclassification adjustment																				8,231			8,231
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefit																				(4,260	)		(4,260	)

Comprehensive income (loss)														(103,773	)					3,971			(99,802	)
Stock dividends declared on common stock (367,081 shares)											(6,932	)		(877	)		7,801						(8	)
Common stock issued to dividend Reinvestment plan and employee benefit plans (99,604 shares)											(1,895	)					2,404						509
Amortization of stock option and restricted stock											935												935
Vesting of restricted stock (6,268 shares issued, 11,875 shares deferred)								358			(518	)					160						—
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents								121															121
Shares issued from deferred compensation plan (4,336 shares)								(117	)		9						108						—
Tax on option exercise and restricted stock vesting											(30	)											(30	)
Dividends on Series A preferred stock ($.15 per share)														(4	)								(4	)
Dividends on Series B preferred stock (5%)				300										(2,550	)								(2,250	)

Balance, March 31, 2009	$	258	$	173,480	$	48,809	$	3,270		$	452,277		$	158,201		$	(5,992	)	$	58,550		$	888,853


Balance, December 31, 2009	$	217	$	174,408	$	94,046	$	3,597		$	622,034		$	20,384		$	—		$	47,635		$	962,321
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss														(33,293	)								(33,293	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available for sale securities, net of deferred tax expense and reclassification adjustment																				783			783
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefit																				(3,092	)		(3,092	)

Comprehensive loss														(33,293	)					(2,309	)		(35,602	)
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and employee benefit plans (125,021 shares)						124					387												511
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock awards											832												832
Vesting of restricted stock (5,233 shares issued, 18,550 shares deferred)						6		444			(450	)											—
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents								86															86
Dividends on Series A preferred stock ($.15 per share)														(3	)								(3	)
Dividends on Series B preferred stock (5%)				319										(2,569	)								(2,250	)

Balance, March 31, 2010	$	217	$	174,727	$	94,176	$	4,127		$	622,803		$	(15,481	)	$	—		$	45,326		$	925,895

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2010			2009
Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(33,293	)	$	(103,773	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		3,814			3,553
Provision for loan losses		75,000			65,000
Goodwill impairment charge		—			70,000
Stock based compensation		832			935
Securities gains, net		(61	)		(303	)
Net gains on sales of other assets		(3	)		(23	)
Net losses and write downs on sales other real estate owned		8,097			1,580
Gain from sale of subsidiary		(2,110	)		—
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and accrued interest receivable		(11,554	)		28,881
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(4,956	)		9,138
Mortgage loans held for sale		8,228			(22,827	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		43,994			52,161


Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		40,817			14,219
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available for sale		200,578			174,220
Purchases of securities available for sale		(219,354	)		(297,645	)
Net decrease (increase) in loans		65,889			(7,677	)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment		8			102
Purchases of premises and equipment		(2,024	)		(2,843	)
Net cash received from sale of subsidiary		290			—
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		21,692			20,809

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		107,896			(98,815	)


Financing activities:
Net change in deposits		(139,051	)		(386,319	)
Net change in federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings		1,091			50,279
Proceeds from FHLB advances		—			80,000
Repayments of FHLB advances		—			(55,000	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment and employee benefit plans		511			509
Cash dividends on preferred stock		(2,253	)		(1,754	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(139,702	)		(312,285	)


Net change in cash and cash equivalents		12,188			(358,939	)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		376,367			493,421


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	388,555		$	134,482


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	$	33,283		$	51,207
Income taxes		767			(22,386	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 — Accounting Policies

The accounting and financial reporting policies of United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”) and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general banking industry practices. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. A more detailed description of United’s accounting policies is included in the 2009 annual report filed on Form 10-K.

In management’s opinion, all accounting adjustments necessary to accurately reflect the financial position and results of operations on the accompanying financial statements have been made. These adjustments are normal and recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair and accurate presentation. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any other interim periods.

United records all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether United has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. United may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or United elects not to apply hedge accounting.

Foreclosed property is initially recorded at fair value, less cost to sell. If the fair value, less cost to sell at the time of foreclosure, is less than the loan balance, the deficiency is charged against the allowance for loan losses. If the fair value, less cost to sell, of the foreclosed property decreases during the holding period, a valuation allowance is established with a charge to operating expenses. When the foreclosed property is sold, a gain or loss is recognized on the sale for the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the property. Financed sales of foreclosed property are accounted for in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 360, Subtopic 20, Real Estate Sales.

Note 2 — Accounting Standards Updates

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events: Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements (“ASC No. 2010-09”). ASU No. 2010-09 removes some contradictions between the requirements of GAAP and the filing rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). SEC filers are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued, and they are no longer required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This guidance was effective upon issuance except for the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors, and it is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-10, Consolidation: Amendments for Certain Investment Funds (“ASU No. 2010-10”). ASU No. 2010-10 indefinitely defers the effective date for certain investment funds, the amendments made to FASB ASC 810-10 related to variable interest entities by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 167, however this deferral does not apply to the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 167. ASU No. 2010-10 also clarifies that (1) interests of related parties must be considered in determining whether fees paid to decision makers or service providers constitute a variable interest, and (2) a quantitative calculation should not be the only basis on which such determination is made. This guidance is effective as of the beginning of the first annual period beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within that first annual reporting period. It is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In March 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging: Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives (“ASU No. 2010-11”). ASU No. 2010-11 clarifies the type of embedded credit derivative that is exempt from embedded derivative bifurcation requirements, by resolving a potential ambiguity about the breadth of the embedded credit derivative scope exception with regard to some types of contracts, such as collateralized debt obligations (“CDO’s”) and synthetic CDO’s. The scope exception will no longer apply to some contracts that contain an embedded credit derivative feature that transfers credit risk. The ASU is effective for fiscal quarters beginning after June 15, 2010, and is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-12, Accounting for Certain Tax Effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts (“ASU No. 2010-12”). ASU No. 2010-12 formally incorporates the SEC’s position concerning accounting for specific provisions of the two health care reform acts that were enacted on different dates as one. This guidance allows companies with reporting period-end dates between March 23, 2010 and March 30, 2010 to avoid accounting for the enactment of the two health care laws that affect the measurement of the same deferred tax asset in two separate periods. This guidance was effective upon issuance and is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-13, Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades (“ASU No. 2010-13”). ASU No. 2010-13 clarifies that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of an entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. It is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-14, Accounting for Extractive Activities — Oil & Gas (“ASU No. 2010-14”). ASU No. 2010-14 incorporates updated text changes to Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification that became effective on January 1, 2010. This guidance is not applicable to United.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-15, How Investments Held through Separate Accounts Affect an Insurer’s Consolidation Analysis of Those Investments (“ASU No. 2010-15”). ASU No. 2010-15 provides guidance concerning consolidation by an insurance entity of (1) separate account interests held for the benefit of policy holders, and (2) an investment in which a separate account holds a controlling financial interest. In addition, ASU No. 2010-15 amends FASB guidance so that an insurer is not required to consolidate an investment in which a separate account holds a controlling financial interest if the investment is not consolidated in the separate account’s standalone financial statements. The revised guidance, which should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented, is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within such years) beginning after December 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. This ASU has no impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-16, Accruals for Casino Jackpot Liabilities (“ASU No. 2010-16”). ASU No. 2010-16 amends FASB guidance to require additional information to be disclosed principally in respect of level 3 fair value measurements and transfers to and from Level 1 and Level 2 measurements; in addition, enhanced disclosure is required concerning inputs and valuation techniques used to determine Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is generally effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009; however, the requirements to disclose separately purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 (and for interim periods within such years). ASU No. 2010-16 is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-17, Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU No. 2010-17”). ASU No. 2010-17 provides guidance on defining a milestone and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research and development transactions. Research or development arrangements frequently include payment provisions whereby a portion or all of the consideration is contingent upon milestone events such as successful completion of phases in a drug study or achieving a specific result from the research or development efforts. An entity often recognizes these milestone payments as revenue in their entirety upon achieving the related milestone, commonly referred to as the milestone method. The amendments in this ASU are effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Because United is not involved in research and development arrangements, ASU No. 2010-17 will have no impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-18, Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset (“ASU No. 2010-18”). ASU No. 2010-18 provides guidance on the accounting for loan modifications when the loan is part of a pool of loans accounted for as a single asset such as acquired loans that have evidence of credit deterioration upon acquisition that are accounted for under the guidance in ASC 310-30. ASU No. 2010-18 addresses diversity in practice on whether a loan that is part of a pool of loans accounted for as a single asset should be removed from that pool upon a modification that would constitute a troubled debt restructuring or remain in the pool after modification. ASU No. 2010-18 clarifies that modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under ASC 310-30 do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. An entity will continue to be required to consider whether the pool of assets in which the loan is included is impaired if the expected cash flows for the pool change. The amendments in this update do not require any additional disclosures and are effective for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under ASC 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. ASU 2010-18 is not expected to have a material impact on United’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3 — Mergers and Acquisitions

On June 19, 2009, United Community Bank (“UCB” or the “Bank”) purchased substantially all the assets and assumed substantially all the liabilities of Southern Community Bank (“SCB”) from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as Receiver of SCB. SCB operated five commercial banking branches on the south side of Atlanta in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Locust Grove and Newnan, Georgia. The FDIC took SCB under receivership upon SCB’s closure by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance at the close of business June 19, 2009. UCB submitted a bid for the acquisition of SCB with the FDIC and the FDIC accepted the bid on June 16, 2009. The transaction resulted in a cash payment of $31 million from the FDIC to UCB. Further, UCB and the FDIC entered loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on loans and foreclosed loan collateral existing at June 19, 2009. Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC will absorb 80 percent of losses and share 80 percent of loss recoveries on the first $109 million of losses and, absorb 95 percent of losses and share in 95 percent of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $109 million. The term for loss sharing on 1-4 Family loans is ten years, while the term for loss sharing on all other loans is five years.

Under the loss sharing agreement, the portion of the losses expected to be indemnified by FDIC is considered an indemnification asset in accordance with ASC 805. The indemnification asset, referred to as “estimated loss reimbursement from the FDIC” is included in the balance of “Assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The indemnification asset was recognized at fair value, which was estimated at the acquisition date based on the terms of the loss sharing agreement. The indemnification asset is expected to be collected over a four-year average life. No valuation allowance was required.

Loans, foreclosed property and the estimated FDIC reimbursement resulting from the loss share agreements with the FDIC are reported as “assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC” in the consolidated balance sheet.

The table below shows the components of covered assets at March 31, 2010 (in thousands).


	Purchased		Other
	Impaired		Purchased
(in thousands)	Loans		Loans		Other		Total

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	—	$	39,725	$	—	$	39,725
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		1		7,044		—		7,045
Construction and land development		5,310		16,713		—		22,023
Residential mortgage		127		10,004		—		10,131
Installment		3		622		—		625

Total covered loans		5,441		74,108		—		79,549
Covered forclosed property		—		—		32,012		32,012
Estimated loss reimbursement from the FDIC		—		—		57,726		57,726

Total covered assets	$	5,441	$	74,108	$	89,738	$	169,287

Covered loans are initially recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected results in a provision for loan losses charged to earnings and an increase in the estimated FDIC reimbursement. Covered foreclosed property is initially recorded at its estimated fair value.

On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required payments receivable for all ASC 310-30 loans acquired was $70.8 million, the cash flows expected to be collected were $24.5 million including interest, and the estimated fair value of the loans was $23.6 million. These amounts were determined based upon the estimated remaining life of the underlying loans, which include the effects of estimated prepayments. A majority of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral, because the expected cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of the underlying collateral and the timing and amount of the cash flows could not be reasonably estimated. Certain amounts related to the ASC 310-30 loans are preliminary estimates and adjustments in future quarters may occur up to one year from the date of acquisition.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4 — Securities Available for Sale

The cost basis, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of securities available for sale at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 are presented below (in thousands):


			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
As of March 31, 2010
U.S. Government agencies	$	306,916	$	553	$	891	$	306,578
State and political subdivisions		63,175		1,450		81		64,544
Mortgage-backed securities⁽¹⁾		1,101,456		41,754		1,031		1,142,179
Other		13,006		290		8		13,288

Total	$	1,484,553	$	44,047	$	2,011	$	1,526,589


As of December 31, 2009
U.S. Government agencies	$	248,425	$	214	$	2,173	$	246,466
State and political subdivisions		62,046		1,371		124		63,293
Mortgage-backed securities⁽¹⁾		1,156,035		43,007		1,820		1,197,222
Other		22,701		382		17		23,066

Total	$	1,489,207	$	44,974	$	4,134	$	1,530,047


As of March 31, 2009
U.S. Government agencies	$	163,326	$	1,424	$	276	$	164,474
State and political subdivisions		40,342		648		436		40,554
Mortgage-backed securities⁽¹⁾		1,460,328		35,963		6,113		1,490,178
Other		24,283		50		506		23,827

Total	$	1,688,279	$	38,085	$	7,331	$	1,719,033


⁽¹⁾		All are residential type mortgage-backed securities

The following table summarizes securities in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 (in thousands):


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
	Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss
As of March 31, 2010
U.S. Government agencies	$	138,233	$	891	$	—	$	—	$	138,233	$	891
State and political subdivisions		2,035		15		3,191		66		5,226		81
Mortgage-backed securities		20,382		151		34,358		880		54,740		1,031
Other		—		—		500		8		500		8

Total unrealized loss position	$	160,650	$	1,057	$	38,049	$	954	$	198,699	$	2,011


As of December 31, 2009
U.S. Government agencies	$	151,838	$	2,173	$	—	$	—	$	151,838	$	2,173
State and political subdivisions		2,348		47		2,792		77		5,140		124
Mortgage-backed securities		84,024		838		22,358		982		106,382		1,820
Other		—		—		493		17		493		17

Total unrealized loss position	$	238,210	$	3,058	$	25,643	$	1,076	$	263,853	$	4,134


As of March 31, 2009
U.S. Government agencies	$	29,924	$	276	$	—	$	—	$	29,924	$	276
State and political subdivisions		5,634		133		4,224		303		9,858		436
Mortgage-backed securities		61,364		530		163,145		5,583		224,509		6,113
Other		13,840		474		484		32		14,324		506

Total unrealized loss position	$	110,762	$	1,413	$	167,853	$	5,918	$	278,615	$	7,331

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, among other factors. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and industry analyst’s reports. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, United recorded impairment losses of $950,000 on investments in financial institutions that showed evidence of other-than-temporary impairment.

At March 31, 2010, there were $199 million in available for sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position. United does not intend to sell nor believes it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position prior to the recovery of its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses and March 31, 2010 and 2009 were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates.

The amortized cost and fair value of the investment securities at March 31, 2010, by contractual maturity, are presented in the following table (in thousands).


	Amortized Cost		Fair Value

U.S. Government agencies:
Within 1 year	$	9,995	$	10,009
1 to 5 years		21,146		21,175
5 to 10 years		250,873		250,884
More than 10 years		24,902		24,510

		306,916		306,578


State and political subdivisions:
Within 1 year		18,138		18,263
1 to 5 years		15,959		16,484
5 to 10 years		20,003		20,593
More than 10 years		9,075		9,204

		63,175		64,544


Other:
Within 1 year		7,638		7,815
1 to 5 years		2,053		2,158
5 to 10 years		50		50
More than 10 years		3,265		3,265

		13,006		13,288


Total securities other than mortgage-backed securities:
Within 1 year		35,771		36,087
1 to 5 years		39,158		39,817
5 to 10 years		270,926		271,527
More than 10 years		37,242		36,979

Mortgage-backed securities		1,101,456		1,142,179


	$	1,484,553	$	1,526,589

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers and borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Securities with a carrying value of $1.5 billion, $1.5 billion, and $1.4 billion were pledged to secure public deposits, FHLB advances and other secured borrowings at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.

Realized gains and losses are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of the securities sold.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes securities sales activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009
Proceeds from sales	$	40,817	$	14,219


Gross gains on sales	$	1,260	$	305
Gross losses on sales		249		2
Impairment losses		950		—


Net gains on sales of securities	$	61	$	303


Income tax expense attributable to sales	$	24	$	118

Note 5 — Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Major classifications of loans March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
	2010		2009		2009

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,765,204	$	1,779,398	$	1,778,691
Commercial construction		357,188		362,566		376,682
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		380,331		390,520		387,344

Total commercial		2,502,723		2,532,484		2,542,717
Residential construction		960,372		1,050,065		1,430,319
Residential mortgage		1,390,270		1,427,198		1,503,893
Installment		138,680		141,729		155,776

Total loans		4,992,045		5,151,476		5,632,705
Less allowance for loan losses		173,934		155,602		143,990

Loans, net	$	4,818,111	$	4,995,874	$	5,488,715

The Bank makes loans and extensions of credit to individuals and a variety of firms and corporations located primarily in counties in north Georgia, the Atlanta, Georgia MSA, the Gainesville, Georgia MSA, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina and east Tennessee. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by improved and unimproved real estate and is dependent upon the real estate market.

At March 31, 2010, United had $215 million of loans classified as impaired. Of that amount, $56.5 million had specific reserves of $6.8 million allocated and the remaining $159 million did not have specific reserves allocated because they had either been written down to net realizable value ($114 million in charge-offs) or had sufficient collateral so that no allowance was required. At December 31, 2009, United had $198 million of loans classified as impaired. Of that amount, $16.1 million had specific reserves of $3 million allocated and the remaining $182 million did not have specific reserves allocated because they had either been written down to net realizable value ($115 million in charge-offs) or had sufficient collateral so that no allowance was required. At March 31, 2009, United had $201 million of loans classified as impaired. Of that amount, $64.7 million had specific reserves allocated of $22.6 million and $136 million did not have specific reserves allocated. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $211 million and $206 million, respectively. There was no interest revenue recognized on loans while they were impaired for the first three months of 2010 or 2009.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009
Balance beginning of period	$	155,602	$	122,271
Provision for loan losses		75,000		65,000
Charge-offs:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		2,936		865
Commercial construction		2,211		54
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		4,554		1,208
Residential construction		44,190		37,967
Residential mortgage		4,640		3,111
Installment		1,129		926

Total loans charged-off		59,660		44,131

Recoveries:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		972		39
Commercial construction		5		—
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		444		335
Residential construction		1,090		205
Residential mortgage		89		127
Installment		392		144

Total recoveries		2,992		850

Net charge-offs		56,668		43,281

Balance end of period	$	173,934	$	143,990

At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, loans with a carrying value of $1.6 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.9 billion were pledged as collateral to secure FHLB advances and other contingent funding sources.

Note 6 — Goodwill

A summary of the changes in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is presented below, (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009

Beginning balance	$	210,590	$	305,590
Purchase adjustments		—		—
Impairment		—		(70,000	)

Ending balance	$	210,590	$	235,590

United performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment during the fourth quarter of each year, or more often if events warrant an interim assessment. During the first quarter of 2010, no events occurred that would lead management to believe that goodwill impairment might exist. During the first quarter of 2009, United updated its 2008 annual goodwill impairment assessment as a result of its stock price falling significantly below tangible book value. As a result of the updated assessment, goodwill was found to be impaired and was written down to its estimated fair value. The impairment charge of $70 million was recognized as an expense in the first quarter 2009 consolidated statement of income.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7 — Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except per share data):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(35,865	)	$	(106,327	)


Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		94,390			48,324
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options		—			—
Warrants attached to trust preferred securities		—			—
Warrant granted with Series B preferred stock		—			—

Diluted		94,390			48,324


Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	(.38	)	$	(2.20	)

Diluted	$	(.38	)	$	(2.20	)

There is no dilution from dilutive securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, due to the anti-dilutive effect of the net loss for those periods.

Note 8 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

United is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. United principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. United manages interest rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its investment securities portfolio and debt funding and through the use of interest rate derivatives. Specifically, United enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. United’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of United’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to United’s loans and wholesale borrowings.

The table below presents the fair value of United’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009.

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815 (in thousands).

Fair Value

Interest Rate

Balance Sheet

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

Products

Location

2010

2009

Asset derivatives

Other assets

6,113

10,692

72,942

As of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, United did not have any derivatives in a net liability position.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

United’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to net interest revenue and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, United primarily uses interest rate swaps and floors as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. For United’s variable-rate loans, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for United making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate floors designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates fall below the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium. As of March 31, 2010, United had two interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $50 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2010 and 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing prime-based, variable-rate loans. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2010 $522,000 in hedge ineffectiveness was recognized in other fee revenue and during the three months ended March 31, 2009 no hedge ineffectiveness was recognized on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest revenue as interest payments are received on United’s prime-based, variable-rate loans. During the next twelve months, United estimates that an additional $15 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest revenue.

Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

United is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its fixed rate obligations due to changes in LIBOR, a benchmark interest rate. United uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in fair value on these instruments attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for United making variable rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. As of March 31, 2010, United had three interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $195 million that were designated as fair value hedges of interest rate risk.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. United includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related derivatives. During the three months March 31, 2010 and 2009, United recognized net (losses)/gains of $88,000 and $101,000, respectively, related to ineffectiveness of the fair value hedging relationships. United also recognized a net reduction of interest expense of $1.4 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to United’s fair value hedges, which includes net settlements on the derivatives.

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement

The tables below present the effect of United’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships (in thousands).


Location of Gain (Loss)	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in						Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Recognized in Income	Income on Derivative						Income on Hedged Item
on Derivative	March 31, 2010			March 31, 2009			March 31, 2010		March 31, 2009

Three Months Ended March 31,
Other fee revenue	$	(1,195	)	$	(1,013	)	$	1,283	$	1,114

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (in thousands).

Amount of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Other

Comprehensive Income on

Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other

Derivative (Effective Portion)

Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion)

March 31,

Where

March 31,

2010

2009

Reported

2010

2009

Three Months Ended March 31,

Interest rate products

1,475

3,118

Interest revenue

6,534

10,990

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

United manages its credit exposure on derivatives transactions by entering into a bi-lateral credit support agreement with each counterparty. The credit support agreements require collateralization of exposures beyond specified minimum threshold amounts. The details of these agreements, including the minimum thresholds, vary by counterparty.

United’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties contain a provision where if either party defaults on any of its indebtedness, then it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. The agreements with derivatives counterparties also include provisions that if not met, could result in United being declared in default. United has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if United fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution, the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and United would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements. United has an agreement with one counterparty that contains a provision where if United fails to maintain a minimum shareholders’ equity of $300 million, it could be declared in default on its derivative obligations. An agreement with another counterparty contains a provision where if United fails to maintain a minimum Tier I leverage ratio of 5.0%, a minimum Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0%, and a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 10%, it could be declared in default on its derivative obligations. In addition, United has agreements with its derivative counterparties that require United’s debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. If United’s credit rating is reduced below investment grade, then a termination event is deemed to have occurred and the non-affected counterparty shall have the right, but not the obligation, to terminate all affected transactions under the agreement.

Note 9 — Stock-Based Compensation

United has an equity compensation plan that allows for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards (also referred to as “nonvested stock” awards), stock awards, performance share awards or stock appreciation rights. Options granted under the plan can have an exercise price no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The general terms of the plan include a vesting period (usually four years) with an exercisable period not to exceed ten years. Certain option and restricted stock awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan). As of March 31, 2010, approximately 1,017,000 additional awards could be granted under the plan. Through March 31, 2010, only incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards and units had been granted under the plan.

The following table shows stock option activity for the first three months of 2010.


						Weighted
						-Average
				Weighted-		Remaining		Aggregate
				Average Exercise		Contractual		Intrinisic
Options	Shares			Price		Term (Years)		Value ($000)

Outstanding at December 31, 2009		3,663,453		$	18.30
Granted		6,000			4.31
Exercised		—			—
Forfeited		(19,245	)		15.35
Expired		(37,770	)		10.80

Outstanding at March 31, 2010		3,612,438			18.37		5.4	$	1


Exercisable at March 31, 2010		2,431,001			19.30		4.1		—

The weighted average fair value of stock options granted in the first three months of 2010 and 2009 was $2.40 and $2.54, respectively. The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Because United’s option plan has not been in place long enough to gather sufficient information about exercise patterns to establish an expected life, United uses the formula provided by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (ASC 718-10-S99) to determine the expected life of options.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options are presented in the table below.


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009

Expected volatility		55.00	%		40.68	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%
Expected life (in years)		6.25			6.25
Risk-free rate		3.12	%		1.83	%

United’s stock trading history began in March of 2002 when United listed on the Nasdaq National Market. For 2010 and 2009 expected volatility was determined using United’s historical monthly volatility for the seventy-five months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Seventy-five months was chosen to correspond to the expected life of 6.25 years. Compensation expense for stock options was $662,000 and $738,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Deferred tax benefits of $266,000 and $243,000, respectively, were included in the determination of income tax benefit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The amount of compensation expense for both periods was determined based on the fair value of the options at the time of grant, multiplied by the number of options granted that were expected to vest, which was then amortized over the vesting period. The forfeiture rate for options is estimated to be approximately 3% per year. No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2009.

The table below presents the activity in restricted stock awards for the first three months of 2010.


				Weighted-
				Average Grant-
Restricted Stock	Shares			Date Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2009		167,559		$	12.86
Granted		20			3.48
Vested		(23,783	)		22.30
Cancelled		—			—

Outstanding at March 31, 2010		143,796			11.29

Compensation expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of restricted stock awards at the time of grant, which is equal to the value of United’s common stock on the date of grant. The value of restricted stock grants that are expected to vest is amortized into expense over the vesting period. Compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of income for restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $170,000 and $198,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value of the restricted stock was $634,000 at March 31, 2010.

As of March 31, 2010, there was $4.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The aggregate grant date fair value of options and restricted stock awards that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2010, was $546,000.

Note 10 — Common Stock Issued / Common Stock Issuable

United sponsors a Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) that allows participants who already own United’s common stock to purchase additional shares directly from the company. The DRIP also allows participants to automatically reinvest their quarterly dividends in additional shares of common stock without a commission. United’s 401(k) retirement plan regularly purchases shares of United’s common stock directly from United. In addition, United has an Employee Stock Purchase Program that allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a 5% discount, with no commission charges. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, United issued 125,021 and 99,604 shares, respectively, and increased capital by $511,000 and $509,000, respectively, through these programs.

United offers its common stock as an investment option in its deferred compensation plan. The common stock component of the deferred compensation plan is accounted for as an equity instrument and is reflected in the consolidated financial statements as common stock issuable. At March 31, 2010 and 2009, 262,002 and 161,807 shares, respectively, were issuable under the deferred compensation plan.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Late in the third quarter of 2009, United completed a sale of 44,505,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $5.00 per share. The net proceeds of $211 million, after deducting the underwriters’ fees and expenses will be used for general corporate purposes. As a result of the stock sale, and pursuant to the terms of the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with United’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 1,099,542 shares. The warrant has an exercise price of $12.28 and expires on the tenth anniversary of the date of issuance.

Note 11 — Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents United’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).


(in thousands)
March 31, 2010	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies	$	—	$	296,578	$	10,000	$	306,578
State and political subdivisions		—		64,544		—		64,544
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,115,153		27,026		1,142,179
Other		—		12,238		1,050		13,288
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,420		—		—		3,420
Derivative financial instruments		—		6,113		—		6,113


Total	$	3,420	$	1,494,626	$	38,076	$	1,536,122


Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,420	$	—	$	—	$	3,420


Total liabilities	$	3,420	$	—	$	—	$	3,420


(in thousands)
December 31, 2009	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies	$	—	$	226,466	$	20,000	$	246,466
State and political subdivisions		—		63,293		—		63,293
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,180,330		16,892		1,197,222
Other		—		21,066		2,000		23,066
Deferred compensation plan assets		4,818		—		—		4,818
Derivative financial instruments		—		10,692		—		10,692


Total	$	4,818	$	1,501,847	$	38,892	$	1,545,557


Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	4,818	$	—	$	—	$	4,818


Total liabilities	$	4,818	$	—	$	—	$	4,818

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(in thousands)
March 31, 2009	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies	$	—	$	164,474	$	—	$	164,474
State and political subdivisions		—		40,554		—		40,554
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,490,178		—		1,490,178
Other		—		23,827		—		23,827
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,467		—		—		3,467
Derivative financial instruments		—		72,942		—		72,942


Total	$	3,467	$	1,791,975	$	—	$	1,795,442


Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,467	$	—	$	—	$	3,467


Total liabilities	$	3,467	$	—	$	—	$	3,467

The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs that are classified as level 3 values (in thousands):


	Securities
	Available for Sale
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	38,892
Amounts included in earnings		(11	)
Impairment charges		(950	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, settlements, maturities, paydowns, net		145


Balance at March 31, 2010	$	38,076

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

United may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. The table below presents United’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
March 31, 2010
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	175,166	$	175,166
Foreclosed properties		—		—		93,060		93,060


Total	$	—	$	—	$	268,226	$	268,226


December 31, 2009
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	153,038	$	153,038
Foreclosed properties		—		—		81,213		81,213


Total	$	—	$	—	$	234,251	$	234,251


March 31, 2009
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	148,786	$	148,786
Foreclosed properties		—		—		69,256		69,256
Goodwill		—		—		235,590		235,590


Total	$	—	$	—	$	453,632	$	453,632

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

For financial instruments that have quoted market prices, those quotes are used to determine fair value. Financial instruments that have no defined maturity, have a remaining maturity of 180 days or less, or reprice frequently to a market rate, are assumed to have a fair value that approximates reported book value, after taking into consideration any applicable credit risk. If no market quotes are available, financial instruments are valued by discounting the expected cash flows using an estimated current market interest rate for the financial instrument. For off-balance sheet derivative instruments, fair value is estimated as the amount that United would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at the reporting date, taking into account the current unrealized gains or losses on open contracts.

The short maturity of United’s assets and liabilities results in having a significant number of financial instruments whose fair value equals or closely approximates carrying value. Such financial instruments are reported in the following balance sheet captions: cash and cash equivalents, mortgage loans held for sale, federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings. The fair value of securities available for sale equals the balance sheet value. As of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 the fair value of interest rate contracts used for balance sheet management was an asset of approximately $6.1 million, $10.7 million and $72.9 million, respectively.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect the premium or discount on any particular financial instrument that could result from the sale of United’s entire holdings. Because no ready market exists for a significant portion of United’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on many judgments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include the mortgage banking operation, brokerage network, deferred income taxes, premises and equipment and goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

Off-balance sheet instruments (commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit) are generally short-term and at variable rates. Therefore, both the carrying amount and the estimated fair value associated with these instruments are immaterial.

The carrying amount and fair values for other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in United’s balance sheet at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):


	March 31, 2010				December 31, 2009				March 31, 2009
	Carrying				Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Loans, net	$	4,818,111	$	4,477,941	$	4,995,874	$	4,529,755	$	5,488,715	$	5,231,278

Liabilities:
Deposits		6,487,588		6,513,488		6,627,834		6,660,196		6,616,488		6,680,764
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		114,303		120,422		114,501		119,945		260,125		266,958
Long-term debt		150,086		119,400		150,066		111,561		151,006		85,387

Note 12 — Stock Dividend

During the first quarter of 2009, United declared a quarterly stock dividend at a rate of 1 new share for every 130 shares owned. The stock dividends have been reflected in the financial statements as an issuance of stock with no proceeds rather than a stock split and therefore prior period numbers of shares outstanding have not been adjusted. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the amount of $8,000 shown in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity as a reduction of capital related to the stock dividend is the amount of cash paid to shareholders for fractional shares. No stock dividends were declared or paid during the first quarter of 2010.

Note 13 — Reclassifications

Certain 2009 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14 — Subsequent Events

On April 1, 2010, United entered into a securities purchase agreement with Fletcher International, Ltd. and the Bank entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement with Fletcher International, Inc. and certain affiliates thereof. Under the terms of the agreements, the Bank sold $103 million in non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans and foreclosed properties to Fletcher’s affiliates with an aggregate sales price equal to the Bank’s carrying value. The non-performing assets sale transaction closed on April 30, 2010. The consideration for the sale consisted of $20.6 million in cash and a loan for $82.4 million. As part of the agreement, Fletcher received a warrant to acquire 7,058,824 shares of United’s common stock at a price of $4.25 per share. In accordance with the terms of the securities purchase agreement, Fletcher has the right during the next two years to purchase up to $65 million in United’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock pays a dividend equal to the lesser of LIBOR plus 4% or 8%. If the transaction with Fletcher is not approved by shareholders, the dividend will be equal to the lesser of LIBOR plus 8% or 12%. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible by Fletcher into common stock at $5.25 per share. If Fletcher has not purchased all of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock by May 26, 2011, it must pay United 5% of the commitment amount not purchased by such date, and it must pay United an additional 5% of the commitment amount not purchased by May 26, 2012. In addition, Fletcher will receive an additional warrant to purchase $35 million in common stock at $6.02 per share (5,813,953 shares) when it purchases the last $35 million of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.

Note 15 — Discontinued Operations

On March 31, 2010, United completed the sale of its consulting subsidiary, Brintech, Inc. (“Brintech”). The sales price was $2.9 million with United covering certain costs related to the sale transaction resulting in a net, pre-tax gain of $2.1 million. As a result of the sale, Brintech is presented in the consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation with all revenue and expenses related to the sold operations deconsolidated from the Consolidated Statement of Income for all periods presented. The net results of operations from Brintech are reported on a separate line on the Consolidated Statement of Income titled “(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes.” The gain from the sale, net of income taxes and selling costs, is presented on a separate line titled “Gain from sale of subsidiary, net of income taxes and selling costs.”

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, about United and its subsidiaries. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “projects”, “plans”, “goal”, “targets”, “potential”, “estimates”, “pro forma”, “seeks”, “intends”, or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include discussions of strategy, financial projections, guidance and estimates (including their underlying assumptions), statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of various transactions, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of United and its subsidiaries. We caution our shareholders and other readers not to place undue reliance on such statements.

Our businesses and operations are and will be subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Consequently, actual results and experience may materially differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as well as the following:

	•		the condition of the banking system and financial markets;

	•		our ability to become profitable;

	•		the results of our most recent internal credit stress test may not accurately predict the impact on our financial condition if the economy was to continue to deteriorate;

	•		our ability to raise capital consistent with our capital plan;

	•		our ability to maintain liquidity or access other sources of funding;

	•		changes in the cost and availability of funding;

	•		the success of the local economies in which we operate;

	•		our concentrations of residential and commercial construction and development loans and commercial real estate loans are subject to unique risks that could adversely affect our earnings;

	•		changes in prevailing interest rates may negatively affect our net income and the value of our assets;

	•		the accounting and reporting policies of United;

	•		if our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses;

	•		we may be subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent conduct of our loan customers, third party service providers or employees;

	•		the adverse effects on future earnings resulting from non-cash charges for goodwill impairment;

	•		our ability to fully realize our deferred tax asset balances;

	•		competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers;

	•		the United States Department of Treasury may change the terms of our Series B Preferred Stock;

	•		risks with respect to future expansion and acquisitions;

	•		conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets deteriorate;

	•		financial services laws and regulations change;

	•		the failure of other financial institutions;

	•		a special assessment that may be imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) on all FDIC-insured institutions in the future, similar to the assessment in 2009 that decreased our earnings; and

	•		unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings, board resolutions, informal memorandums of understanding or formal enforcement actions imposed by regulators that occur, or any such proceedings or enforcement actions that is more severe than we anticipate.

All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf made after the date of this prospectus supplement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the risk factors and cautionary statements contained in and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus supplement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

The following discussion is intended to provide insight into the results of operations and financial condition of United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”) and its subsidiaries and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.

United is a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 that was incorporated under the laws of the state of Georgia in 1987 and commenced operations in 1988. At March 31, 2010, United had total consolidated assets of $7.84 billion, total loans of $4.99 billion, excluding the loans acquired from Southern Community Bank (“SCB”) that are covered by loss sharing agreements, total deposits of $6.49 billion and stockholders’ equity of $926 million.

United’s activities are primarily conducted by its wholly owned Georgia banking subsidiary (the “Bank”). The Bank operations are conducted under a community bank model that operates 27 “community banks” with local bank presidents and boards in north Georgia, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia metropolitan statistical area (the “Atlanta, Georgia MSA”), the Gainesville, Georgia MSA, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina, and east Tennessee. On March 31, 2010, United sold Brintech, Inc., (“Brintech”) a consulting services firm for the financial services industry resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.1 million, net of selling costs. The income statements for all periods presented reflect Brintech as a discontinued operation with revenue, expenses and income taxes related to Brintech removed from revenue, expenses, income taxes and loss from continuing operations. The balance sheet and cash flow statement have not been adjusted to reflect Brintech as a discontinued operation as Brintech’s assets and contribution to cash flows were not material.

Operating loss from continuing operations and operating loss from continuing operations per diluted share are non-GAAP performance measures. United’s management believes that operating performance is useful in analyzing the company’s financial performance trends since it excludes items that are non-recurring in nature and therefore most of the discussion in this section will refer to operating performance measures. A reconciliation of these operating performance measures to GAAP performance measures is included in the table on page 26.

United reported a net loss from continuing operations of $34.5 million for the first quarter of 2010. This compared to a loss from continuing operations of $104 million and a net operating loss from continuing operations of $32.1 million for the first quarter of 2009. The net operating loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2009 excluded a $70 million goodwill impairment charge and severance costs of $2.9 million. Diluted loss from continuing operations per common share was $.39 for the first quarter of 2010, compared with a diluted operating loss from continuing operations per common share of $.72 for the first quarter of 2009. The goodwill impairment charge and severance costs represented $1.45 and $.03 of loss per share for the first quarter of 2009, increasing the net loss from continuing operations per diluted share to $2.20. The first quarter of 2010 loss reflects the continuing recessionary economic environment and credit and foreclosed property losses primarily resulting from the weak residential construction and housing market.

United’s approach to managing through the challenging economic cycle has been to aggressively deal with its credit problems and dispose of troubled assets quickly, taking losses as necessary. As a result, United’s provision for loan losses was $75 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $65 million for the same period in 2009. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2010 were $56.7 million, compared to $43.3 million for the first quarter of 2009. As of March 31, 2010, United’s allowance for loan losses of $174 million was 3.48% of loans, compared to $144 million, or 2.56% of total loans at March 31, 2009. Nonperforming assets of $417 million, which excludes assets of SCB that are covered by the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, increased to 5.32% of total assets as of March 31, 2010, compared to 4.81% as of December 31, 2009, and 4.09% as of March 31, 2009. This increase was primarily the reflection of the continuing effects of the weak economy and some slowing of demand for foreclosed properties.

Taxable equivalent net interest revenue was $61.3 million for the first quarter of 2010, compared to $57.4 million for the same period of 2009. The increase in net interest revenue was the result of the 41 basis point increase in the net interest margin, which increased from 3.08% for the first quarter of 2009 to 3.49% for the first quarter of 2010. The margin improvement results from management’s ongoing efforts to manage loan and deposit pricing. The increase in the net interest margin more than offset the effect on net interest revenue of the $445 million decrease in interest-earning assets.

Operating fee revenue decreased $157,000, or 1%, from the first quarter of 2009 primarily due to a $1.2 million decrease in mortgage fees as refinancing activity continued to slow from the record levels of 2009. Net securities gains were $242,000 lower in the first quarter of 2010 than the same period in 2009. Included in the 2010 net securities gains is a $950,000 impairment loss on a bank trust preferred securities investment. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in service charges and fees on deposit accounts and an increase in earnings on bank owned life insurance and income resulting from hedge ineffectiveness that are included in other fee revenue.

Despite a $3 million decrease in staff costs and a $1.3 million decrease in professional fees, operating expenses increased $3 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2009 due to higher foreclosed property costs and FDIC insurance charges. Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 excluded the $70 million goodwill impairment charge and severance costs of $2.9 million. Foreclosed property expense was up $6.5 million from a year ago primarily due to write downs and losses on sales of foreclosed properties. For the first quarter of 2010, United recognized $8.1 million in losses and write downs on foreclosed properties compared with $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. Staff costs were down from a year ago primarily due to the staff reduction that occurred at the end of the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in professional fees reflects the completion in the first quarter of 2009 of a project to improve United’s financial performance. Consulting costs associated with that project are included in the first quarter professional fees expense. Legal fees were also down from a year ago.

Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of United are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The more critical accounting and reporting policies include United’s accounting for the allowance for loan losses, fair value measurements, intangible assets and income taxes. In particular, United’s accounting policies related to allowance for loan losses, fair value measurements, intangibles and income taxes involve the use of estimates and require significant judgment to be made by management. Different assumptions in the application of these policies could result in material changes in United’s consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. See “Asset Quality and Risk Elements” herein for additional discussion of United’s accounting methodologies related to the allowance.

Mergers and Acquisitions

On June 19, 2009, the Bank acquired the banking operations of SCB from the FDIC. The Bank acquired $378 million of assets and assumed $367 million of liabilities. The Bank and the FDIC entered loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on loans and foreclosed loan collateral existing at June 19, 2009. Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC will absorb 80% of losses and share in 80% of loss recoveries on the first $109 million of losses, and absorb 95% of losses and share in 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $109 million. The term for loss sharing on 1 to 4 family loans is ten years, while the term for loss sharing on all other loans is five years. The SCB acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). United recorded a gain totaling $11.4 million in the second quarter of 2009 resulting from the acquisition, which is a component of fee revenue on the consolidated statement of income. The amount of the gain is equal to the amount by which the fair value of assets purchased exceeded the fair value of liabilities assumed. See Note 3 of the Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the acquisition.

The results of operations of SCB are included in the consolidated statement of income from the acquisition date of June 19, 2009.

GAAP Reconciliation and Explanation

This Form 10-Q contains non-GAAP financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include, among others the following: operating revenue, operating expense, operating (loss) income from continuing operations, operating (loss) income, operating earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share, operating earnings (loss) per share, operating earnings (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share and operating earnings (loss) per diluted share. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes they are useful for evaluating our operations and performance over periods of time, as well as in managing and evaluating our business and in discussions about our operations and performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide users of our financial information with a meaningful measure for assessing our financial results and credit trends, as well as comparison to financial results for prior periods. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled financial measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these operating performance measures to GAAP performance measures is included in on the table on page 26.

Discontinued Operations

Effective March 31, 2010, United sold its investment in Brintech. As a result, the operations of Brintech are being accounted for as a discontinued operation. All revenue, including the gain from the sale, expenses and income taxes relating to Brintech have been deconsolidated from the income statement and are presented on one line titled “(Loss) income from discontinued operations” for all periods presented. Because Brintech’s assets, liabilities and cash flows were not material to the consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows, no such adjustments have been made to those financial statements.

Transaction with Fletcher International

On April 1, 2010, the Bank entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Fletcher International Inc. and certain affiliates thereof (collectively, the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, Fletcher International Inc. made a $10 million deposit (the “Deposit”) and the Bank subsequently sold to the Purchasers certain non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans and other real estate owned (collectively, the “Purchased Assets”) with an aggregate purchase price equal to Bank’s carrying value of $103 million. The asset purchase and sale transaction closed on April 30, 2010 (the “Asset Sale”). In connection with the Asset Sale, the Bank loaned to the Purchasers 80% of the purchase price to acquire the Purchased Assets, with the remaining 20% paid in cash by such Purchasers. The Purchasers were required to have at least 17.5% of the carrying value of the Purchased Assets, up front in cash and securities, to pre-fund the estimated three years’ worth of interest, principal amortization and other carry costs related to such assets.

Also on April 1, 2010, United and Fletcher International, Ltd. (“Fletcher”) entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Fletcher agrees to purchase from United, and United agrees to issue and sell to Fletcher, 65,000 shares of United’s Series C convertible preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $65 million. Fletcher is required to purchase the Convertible Preferred Stock by May 26, 2012, subject to limited extensions upon certain events specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Sale”). The Convertible Preferred Stock will initially bear interest at a rate equal to the lesser of 12% per annum and LIBOR + 8% per annum. If at United’s annual shareholders meeting, Shareholder Approval (as defined below) is received, the interest rate on the Convertible Preferred Stock will be reduced to bear interest at a rate equal to the lesser of 8% and LIBOR + 4% per annum. If all conditions precedent to Fletcher’s obligations to purchase the Convertible Preferred Stock have been satisfied and Fletcher has not purchased all of the Convertible Preferred Stock by May 26, 2011, it must pay United 5% of the commitment amount not purchased by such date, and it must pay United an additional 5% of the commitment amount not purchased by May 26, 2012.

The Securities Purchase Agreement provides that United shall not affect any conversion or redemption of the Convertible Preferred Stock, and Fletcher shall not have the right to convert or redeem any portion of the Convertible Preferred Stock, into Common Stock to the extent such conversion or redemption would result in aggregate issuances to Fletcher of in excess of 9.75% of the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding after giving effect to such conversion or redemption.

The Convertible Preferred Stock is redeemable by Fletcher at any time into common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”), or Junior Preferred Stock, at $5.25 per share of Common Stock or one-hundredth of a share of Junior Preferred Stock (equal to 12,380,952 shares of Common Stock). After May 26, 2015, United will have the option to convert all of the then outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock or Junior Preferred Stock if United’s stock price exceeds $12.04.

Concurrently with payment of the Deposit under the Asset Purchase Agreement by Fletcher International Inc., Fletcher received a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase non-voting Common Stock Equivalent Junior Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of United (“Junior Preferred Stock”). The warrant amount was initially equal $15 million at the time the Asset Purchase Agreement was entered into on April 1, 2010. On April 30, 2010, the warrant amount was increased to $30 million upon the completion of the Asset Sale. The warrant may be increased on a dollar for dollar basis by the aggregate dollar amount of the Convertible Preferred Stock purchased under the Securities Purchase Agreement in excess of $30 million. The warrant exercise price for the first $30 million of the warrant amount is $4.25 for each one-hundredth of a share of Junior Preferred Stock (equal to 7,058,824 shares of Common Stock). The warrant price for the warrant amount in excess of $30 million shall be $6.02 for each one-hundredth of a share of Junior Preferred Stock (equal to 5,813,953 shares of Common Stock). The Warrant may only be exercised via cashless exercise and is exercisable for nine years following its issuance, subject to limited extension upon certain events specified in the Warrant.

The descriptions of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Securities Purchase Agreement and Warrant above are summaries and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, which are incorporated by reference to Exhibits 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, respectively, of United’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2010.

Results of Operations

United reported a net operating loss from continuing operations of $34.5 million for the first quarter of 2010. This compared to a net operating loss from continuing operations of $32.1 million for the same period in 2009. The 2009 net operating loss from continuing operations excludes a non-cash charge of $70 million for goodwill impairment and non-recurring severance costs of $2.9 million. Including the goodwill impairment and severance charges, the net loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2009 was $104 million. For the first quarter 2010, diluted operating loss from continuing operations per share was $.39. This compared to diluted operating loss from continuing operations per share of $.72 for the first quarter of 2009. The diluted operating loss from continuing operations per share for the first quarter of 2009 excludes the goodwill impairment charge and severance costs, representing $1.45 and $.03 per share, respectively. Including the goodwill impairment and severance charges, the first quarter 2009 net loss from continuing operations per diluted share was $2.20. The net operating losses in 2010 and 2009 reflect higher provisions for loan losses related to the continuing effect of the economic recession and the weak residential construction and housing markets.

Table 1 — Financial Highlights
Selected Financial Information


																First
	2010			2009												Quarter
(in thousands, except per share	First			Fourth			Third			Second			First			2010-2009
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Change
INCOME SUMMARY
Interest revenue	$	89,849		$	97,481		$	101,181		$	102,737		$	103,562
Interest expense		28,570			33,552			38,177			41,855			46,150

Net interest revenue		61,279			63,929			63,004			60,882			57,412			7	%
Provision for loan losses		75,000			90,000			95,000			60,000			65,000
Operating fee revenue⁽¹⁾		11,666			14,447			13,389			11,305			11,823			(1	)

Total operating revenue ⁽¹⁾		(2,055	)		(11,624	)		(18,607	)		12,187			4,235			(149	)
Operating expenses⁽²⁾		54,820			60,126			51,426			53,710			51,788			6

Operating loss from continuing operations before taxes		(56,875	)		(71,750	)		(70,033	)		(41,523	)		(47,553	)		(20	)
Operating income tax benefit		(22,417	)		(31,687	)		(26,252	)		(18,394	)		(15,421	)

Net operating loss from continuing operations⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		(34,458	)		(40,063	)		(43,781	)		(23,129	)		(32,132	)		(7	)
Gain from acquisition, net of tax expense		—			—			—			7,062			—
Noncash goodwill impairment charges		—			—			(25,000	)		—			(70,000	)
Severance costs, net of tax benefit		—			—			—			—			(1,797	)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		(101	)		228			63			66			156
Gain from sale of subsidiary		1,266			—			—			—			—

Net loss		(33,293	)		(39,835	)		(68,718	)		(16,001	)		(103,773	)		68
Preferred dividends and discount accretion		2,572			2,567			2,562			2,559			2,554

Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(35,865	)	$	(42,402	)	$	(71,280	)	$	(18,560	)	$	(106,327	)

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Per common share:
Diluted operating loss from continuing operations⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	(.39	)	$	(.45	)	$	(.93	)	$	(.53	)	$	(.72	)		46
Diluted loss from continuing operations		(.39	)		(.45	)		(1.43	)		(.38	)		(2.20	)		82
Diluted loss		(.38	)		(.45	)		(1.43	)		(.38	)		(2.20	)		83
Stock dividends declared⁽⁶⁾		—			—		1 for 130			1 for 130			1 for 130
Book value		7.95			8.36			8.85			13.87			14.70			(46	)
Tangible book value⁽⁴⁾		5.62			6.02			6.50			8.85			9.65			(42	)
Key performance ratios:
Return on equity⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾		(20.10	)%		(22.08	)%		(45.52	)%		(11.42	)%		(58.28	)%
Return on assets⁽⁵⁾		(1.70	)		(1.91	)		(3.32	)		(.78	)		(5.03	)
Net interest margin⁽⁵⁾		3.49			3.40			3.39			3.28			3.08
Operating efficiency ratio from continuing operations⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		75.22			78.74			68.35			73.68			75.13
Equity to assets		11.90			11.94			10.27			10.71			11.56
Tangible equity to assets⁽⁴⁾		9.39			9.53			7.55			7.96			8.24
Tangible common equity to assets⁽⁴⁾		7.13			7.37			5.36			5.77			6.09
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets⁽⁴⁾		10.03			10.39			10.67			7.49			8.03
ASSET QUALITY *
Non-performing loans	$	280,802		$	264,092		$	304,381		$	287,848		$	259,155
Foreclosed properties		136,275			120,770			110,610			104,754			75,383

Total non-performing assets (NPAs)		417,077			384,862			414,991			392,602			334,538
Allowance for loan losses		173,934			155,602			150,187			145,678			143,990
Net charge-offs		56,668			84,585			90,491			58,312			43,281
Allowance for loan losses to loans		3.48	%		3.02	%		2.80	%		2.64	%		2.56	%
Net charge-offs to average loans⁽⁵⁾		4.51			6.37			6.57			4.18			3.09
NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties		8.13			7.30			7.58			6.99			5.86
NPAs to total assets		5.32			4.81			4.91			4.63			4.09
AVERAGE BALANCES
Loans	$	5,172,847		$	5,357,150		$	5,565,498		$	5,597,259		$	5,675,054			(9	)
Investment securities		1,517,696			1,528,805			1,615,499			1,771,482			1,712,654			(11	)
Earning assets		7,084,891			7,486,790			7,400,539			7,442,178			7,530,230			(6	)
Total assets		7,946,303			8,286,544			8,208,199			8,212,140			8,372,281			(5	)
Deposits		6,570,016			6,835,052			6,689,948			6,544,537			6,780,531			(3	)
Shareholders’ equity		945,426			989,279			843,130			879,210			967,505			(2	)
Common shares — basic		94,390			94,219			49,771			48,794			48,324
Common shares — diluted		94,390			94,219			49,771			48,794			48,324
AT PERIOD END
Loans *	$	4,992,045		$	5,151,476		$	5,362,689		$	5,513,087		$	5,632,705			(11	)
Investment securities		1,526,589			1,530,047			1,532,514			1,816,787			1,719,033			(11	)
Total assets		7,837,018			7,999,914			8,443,617			8,477,355			8,171,663			(4	)
Deposits		6,487,588			6,627,834			6,821,306			6,848,760			6,616,488			(2	)
Shareholders’ equity		925,895			962,321			1,006,638			855,272			888,853			4
Common shares outstanding		94,176			94,046			93,901			48,933			48,487


(1)		Excludes the gain from acquisition of $11.4 million, net of income tax expense of $4.3 million in the second quarter of 2009 and revenue generated by discontinued operations in all periods presented.

(2)		Excludes the goodwill impairment charges of $25 million and $70 million in the third and first quarters of 2009, respectively, severance costs of $2.9 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 and expenses relating to discontinued operations for all periods presented.

(3)		Net loss available to common shareholders, which is net of preferred stock dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

(4)		Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization.

(5)		Annualized.

(6)		Number of new shares issued for shares currently held.

*		Excludes loans and foreclosed properties covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

Table 1 Continued — Operating Earnings to GAAP Earnings Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information


	2010			2009
(in thousands, except per share	First			Fourth			Third			Second			First
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter

Interest revenue reconciliation
Interest revenue — taxable equivalent	$	89,849		$	97,481		$	101,181		$	102,737		$	103,562
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(493	)		(601	)		(580	)		(463	)		(488	)

Interest revenue (GAAP)	$	89,356		$	96,880		$	100,601		$	102,274		$	103,074


Net interest revenue reconciliation
Net interest revenue — taxable equivalent	$	61,279		$	63,929		$	63,004		$	60,882		$	57,412
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(493	)		(601	)		(580	)		(463	)		(488	)

Net interest revenue (GAAP)	$	60,786		$	63,328		$	62,424		$	60,419		$	56,924


Fee revenue reconciliation
Operating fee revenue	$	11,666		$	14,447		$	13,389		$	11,305		$	11,823
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			11,390			—

Fee revenue (GAAP)	$	11,666		$	14,447		$	13,389		$	22,695		$	11,823


Total revenue reconciliation
Total operating revenue	$	(2,055	)	$	(11,624	)	$	(18,607	)	$	12,187		$	4,235
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(493	)		(601	)		(580	)		(463	)		(488	)
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			11,390			—

Total revenue (GAAP)	$	(2,548	)	$	(12,225	)	$	(19,187	)	$	23,114		$	3,747


Expense reconciliation
Operating expense	$	54,820		$	60,126		$	51,426		$	53,710		$	51,788
Noncash goodwill impairment charge		—			—			25,000			—			70,000
Severance costs		—			—			—			—			2,898

Operating expense (GAAP)	$	54,820		$	60,126		$	76,426		$	53,710		$	124,686


Loss from continuing operations before taxes reconciliation
Operating loss from continuing operations before taxes	$	(56,875	)	$	(71,750	)	$	(70,033	)	$	(41,523	)	$	(47,553	)
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(493	)		(601	)		(580	)		(463	)		(488	)
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			11,390			—
Noncash goodwill impairment charge		—			—			(25,000	)		—			(70,000	)
Severance costs		—			—			—			—			(2,898	)

Loss from continuing operations before taxes (GAAP)	$	(57,368	)	$	(72,351	)	$	(95,613	)	$	(30,596	)	$	(120,939	)


Income tax benefit reconciliation
Operating income tax benefit	$	(22,417	)	$	(31,687	)	$	(26,252	)	$	(18,394	)	$	(15,421	)
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(493	)		(601	)		(580	)		(463	)		(488	)
Gain from acquisition, tax expense		—			—			—			4,328			—
Severance costs, tax benefit		—			—			—			—			(1,101	)

Income tax benefit (GAAP)	$	(22,910	)	$	(32,288	)	$	(26,832	)	$	(14,529	)	$	(17,010	)


Diluted loss from continuing operations per common share reconciliation
Diluted operating loss from continuing operations per common share	$	(.39	)	$	(.45	)	$	(.93	)	$	(.53	)	$	(.72	)
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			.15			—
Noncash goodwill impairment charge		—			—			(.50	)		—			(1.45	)
Severance costs		—			—			—			—			(.03	)

Diluted loss from continuing operations per common share (GAAP)	$	(.39	)	$	(.45	)	$	(1.43	)	$	(.38	)	$	(2.20	)


Book value per common share reconciliation
Tangible book value per common share	$	5.62		$	6.02		$	6.50		$	8.85		$	9.65
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		2.33			2.34			2.35			5.02			5.05

Book value per common share (GAAP)	$	7.95		$	8.36		$	8.85		$	13.87		$	14.70


Efficiency ratio from continuing operations reconciliation
Operating efficiency ratio from continuing operations		75.22	%		78.74	%		68.35	%		73.68	%		75.13	%
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			(9.96	)		—
Noncash goodwill impairment charge		—			—			33.22			—			101.55
Severance costs		—			—			—			—			4.20

Efficiency ratio from continuing operations (GAAP)		75.22	%		78.74	%		101.57	%		63.72	%		180.88	%


Average equity to assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to assets		7.13	%		7.37	%		5.36	%		5.77	%		6.09	%
Effect of preferred equity		2.26			2.16			2.19			2.19			2.15

Tangible equity to assets		9.39			9.53			7.55			7.96			8.24
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		2.51			2.41			2.72			2.75			3.32

Equity to assets (GAAP)		11.90	%		11.94	%		10.27	%		10.71	%		11.56	%


Actual tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets		10.03	%		10.39	%		10.67	%		7.49	%		8.03	%
Effect of other comprehensive income		(.85	)		(.87	)		(.90	)		(.72	)		(1.00	)
Effect of deferred tax limitation		(1.75	)		(1.27	)		(.58	)		(.22	)		—
Effect of trust preferred		1.00			.97			.92			.90			.89
Effect of preferred equity		3.29			3.19			3.04			2.99			2.96

Tier I capital ratio (Regulatory)		11.72	%		12.41	%		13.15	%		10.44	%		10.88	%

Table 2 — Income Statement Trend — Continuing Operations Basis
Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)


	Revised for Discontinued Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)	1Q10			4Q09			3Q09			2Q09			1Q09
Interest revenue:
Loans, including fees	$	72,215		$	78,064		$	80,874		$	81,691		$	81,880
Investment securities, including tax exempt		16,203			17,313			18,820			20,485			20,752
Federal funds sold, commercial paper and deposits in banks		938			1,503			907			98			442

Total interest revenue		89,356			96,880			100,601			102,274			103,074


Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW		1,854			2,315			2,528			2,843			3,337
Money market		1,757			2,328			2,711			2,269			2,237
Savings		84			105			130			121			127
Time		20,198			24,026			28,183			32,064			36,053

Total deposit interest expense		23,893			28,774			33,552			37,297			41,754
Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings		1,038			1,081			613			595			553
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		977			1,045			1,300			1,203			1,074
Long-term debt		2,662			2,652			2,712			2,760			2,769

Total interest expense		28,570			33,552			38,177			41,855			46,150

Net interest revenue		60,786			63,328			62,424			60,419			56,924
Provision for loan losses		75,000			90,000			95,000			60,000			65,000

Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses		(14,214	)		(26,672	)		(32,576	)		419			(8,076	)


Fee revenue:
Service charges and fees		7,447			8,257			8,138			7,557			7,034
Mortgage loan and other related fees		1,479			1,651			1,832			2,825			2,651
Brokerage fees		567			443			456			497			689
Securities gains (losses), net		61			2,015			1,149			(711	)		303
Gain from acquisition		—			—			—			11,390			—
Other		2,112			2,081			1,814			1,137			1,146

Total fee revenue		11,666			14,447			13,389			22,695			11,823

Total revenue		(2,548	)		(12,225	)		(19,187	)		23,114			3,747


Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		24,360			24,061			23,889			26,305			27,313
Communications and equipment		3,273			3,819			3,640			3,571			3,646
Occupancy		3,814			4,003			4,063			3,818			3,769
Advertising and public relations		1,043			958			823			1,125			1,044
Postage, printing and supplies		1,225			1,307			1,270			1,288			1,175
Professional fees		1,943			2,646			2,358			3,195			3,281
Foreclosed preoperty		10,813			14,391			7,918			5,737			4,319
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		3,626			3,711			2,801			6,810			2,682
Amortization of intangibles		802			813			813			739			739
Other		3,921			4,417			3,851			1,122			3,820
Goodwill impairment		—			—			25,000			—			70,000
Severance costs		—			—			—			—			2,898

Total operating expenses		54,820			60,126			76,426			53,710			124,686

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		(57,368	)		(72,351	)		(95,613	)		(30,596	)		(120,939	)
Income tax benefit		(22,910	)		(32,288	)		(26,832	)		(14,529	)		(17,010	)

Net loss from continuing operations		(34,458	)		(40,063	)		(68,781	)		(16,067	)		(103,929	)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(101	)		228			63			66			156
Gain from sale of subsidiary, net of income taxes and selling costs		1,266			—			—			—			—

Net loss		(33,293	)		(39,835	)		(68,718	)		(16,001	)		(103,773	)
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		2,572			2,567			2,562			2,559			2,554

Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(35,865	)	$	(42,402	)	$	(71,280	)	$	(18,560	)	$	(106,327	)


Loss from continuing operations per common share — Basic / Diluted	$	(.39	)	$	(.45	)	$	(1.43	)	$	(.38	)	$	(2.20	)
Loss per common share — Basic / Diluted		(.38	)		(.45	)		(1.43	)		(.38	)		(2.20	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic / Diluted		94,390			94,219			49,771			48,794			48,324

Net Interest Revenue (Taxable Equivalent)

Net interest revenue (the difference between the interest earned on assets and the interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds) is the single largest component of United’s revenue. United actively manages this revenue source to provide an optimal level of revenue while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks. Net interest revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $61.3 million, up $3.9 million, or 7%, from the first quarter of 2009. The increase in net interest revenue for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 was due to improvement in the net interest margin, resulting from management’s focus on improving earnings performance. The margin had been on a downward trend leading up to the first quarter of 2009 as a result of many factors including the decrease in the prime rate, intensely competitive deposit pricing, efforts to build liquidity and a higher level of non-performing assets. United intensified its focus on loan pricing to ensure that it was being adequately compensated for the credit risk it was taking. Much of the improvement in loan pricing was due to United’s ability to negotiate floors (minimum interest rates) into its floating rate loans. This loan spread improvement, combined with the effect of eased competition on deposit pricing, led to a steady improving trend in the net interest margin from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2010. The improved net interest margin more than offset the reduction in net interest revenue caused by the $445 million decrease in average interest-earning assets.

Average loans decreased $502 million, or 9%, from the first quarter of last year. The decrease in the loan portfolio was a result of the slowdown in the housing market, particularly in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA where period-end loans decreased $256 million from March 31, 2009. Weak lending conditions have migrated to United’s other markets resulting in a $200 million decrease in loans in north Georgia from the March 31, 2009. The decrease was also due to loan charge-offs, foreclosure activity and management’s efforts to rebalance the loan portfolio by reducing the concentration of residential construction loans. Period-end loans in United’s other markets of western North Carolina, the Gainesville, Georgia MSA, coastal Georgia and east Tennessee decreased $52 million, $49 million, $72 million and $11 million, respectively, also a result of weak lending conditions.

Average interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $445 million, or 6%, from the same period in 2009. Decreases of $502 million in loans and $195 million in the investment securities portfolio were partially offset by a $252 million increase in federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets. Loan demand has been weak due to the poor economy and management’s efforts to reduce United’s exposure to residential construction loans. The increase in federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets is due to purchases of short-term commercial paper and bank certificates of deposit in an effort to temporarily invest excess liquidity. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $419 million from the first quarter of 2009 due to the rolling off of high-cost deposits as funding needs decreased. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 5.13%, down from 5.56% for the same period of 2009, reflecting the effect of lower short-term interest rates on United’s prime-based loans as well as increased levels of non-performing loans.

The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the first quarter of 2010 was 1.86% compared to 2.82% for the same period of 2009, reflecting the effect of falling rates on United’s floating rate liabilities and United’s ability to reduce deposit pricing. Also contributing to the lower overall rate on interest-bearing liabilities was a shift in the mix of deposits away from more expensive time deposits toward lower-rate transaction deposits. United’s shrinking balance sheet also required less use of more expensive wholesale borrowings.

The banking industry uses two ratios to measure relative profitability of net interest revenue. The net interest spread measures the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The interest rate spread eliminates the effect of non-interest-bearing deposits and gives a direct perspective on the effect of market interest rate movements. The net interest margin is an indication of the profitability of a company’s investments, and is defined as net interest revenue as a percent of average total interest-earning assets which includes the positive effect of funding a portion of interest earning assets with customers’ non-interest-bearing deposits and with stockholders’ equity.

For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the net interest spread was 3.27% and 2.74%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.49% and 3.08%, respectively. The improved net interest margin for the quarter reflects management’s focus on improving earnings performance. The margin had been on a downward trend leading up to the first quarter of 2009 as a result of a rise in non-performing assets and higher than normal deposit pricing resulting from competition for deposits. The intense competition occurred due to liquidity pressures affecting the banking industry as a whole in the second half of 2008. Although deposit pricing competition began to ease late in the fourth quarter of 2008, its effects continued to be felt in the first quarter of 2009. At the same time, United intensified its focus on loan pricing to ensure that it was being adequately compensated for the credit risk it was taking. The combined effect of easing deposit pricing and widening credit spreads in United’s loan portfolio led to the 41 basis point increase in the net interest margin from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010.

The following table shows the relationship between interest revenue and expense, and the average amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Table 3 — Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended March 31,


	2010								2009
	Average					Avg.			Average					Avg.
(dollars in thousands, taxable equivalent)	Balance			Interest		Rate			Balance			Interest		Rate
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, net of unearned income⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	5,172,847		$	72,219		5.66	%	$	5,675,054		$	81,749		5.84	%
Taxable securities ⁽³⁾		1,487,646			15,892		4.27			1,682,603			20,433		4.86
Tax-exempt securities⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾		30,050			509		6.78			30,051			522		6.95
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		394,348			1,229		1.25			142,522			858		2.41


Total interest-earning assets		7,084,891			89,849		5.13			7,530,230			103,562		5.56

Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(187,288	)							(128,798	)
Cash and due from banks		104,545								104,411
Premises and equipment		181,927								179,495
Other assets ⁽³⁾		762,228								686,943

Total assets	$	7,946,303							$	8,372,281


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,361,696		$	1,854		.55		$	1,358,149		$	3,337		1.00
Money market		723,470			1,757		.98			477,325			2,237		1.90
Savings		180,448			84		.19			172,708			127		.30
Time less than $100,000		1,692,652			8,891		2.13			1,942,897			17,217		3.59
Time greater than $100,000		1,155,776			6,770		2.38			1,393,188			12,825		3.73
Brokered		736,999			4,537		2.50			786,171			6,011		3.10

Total interest-bearing deposits		5,851,041			23,893		1.66			6,130,438			41,754		2.76


Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		102,058			1,038		4.12			150,517			553		1.49
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		114,388			977		3.46			204,941			1,074		2.13
Long-term debt		150,078			2,662		7.19			150,997			2,769		7.44

Total borrowed funds		366,524			4,677		5.18			506,455			4,396		3.52


Total interest-bearing liabilities		6,217,565			28,570		1.86			6,636,893			46,150		2.82

Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		718,975								650,093
Other liabilities		64,337								117,790

Total liabilities		7,000,877								7,404,776
Shareholders’ equity		945,426								967,505

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,946,303							$	8,372,281


Net interest revenue				$	61,279							$	57,412

Net interest-rate spread							3.27	%							2.74	%


Net interest margin⁽⁴⁾							3.49	%							3.08	%


(1)		Interest revenue on tax-exempt securities and loans has been increased to reflect comparable interest on taxable securities and loans. The rate used was 39%, 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 where the accrual of interest has been discontinued.

(3)		Securities available for sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized gains of $43.2 million and $10.6 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, 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.

The following table shows the relative effect on net interest revenue for changes in the average outstanding amounts (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the rates earned and paid on such assets and liabilities (rate). Variances resulting from a combination of changes in rate and volume are allocated in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each category.

Table 4 — Change in Interest Revenue and Expense on a Taxable Equivalent Basis
(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
	Compared to 2009
	Increase (decrease)
	Due to Changes in
	Volume			Rate			Total
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	(7,069	)	$	(2,461	)	$	(9,530	)
Taxable securities		(2,228	)		(2,313	)		(4,541	)
Tax-exempt securities		—			(13	)		(13	)
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		942			(571	)		371

Total interest-earning assets		(8,355	)		(5,358	)		(13,713	)


Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts		9			(1,492	)		(1,483	)
Money market accounts		867			(1,347	)		(480	)
Savings deposits		6			(49	)		(43	)
Time deposits less than $100,000		(2,001	)		(6,325	)		(8,326	)
Time deposits greater than $100,000		(1,932	)		(4,123	)		(6,055	)
Brokered deposits		(358	)		(1,116	)		(1,474	)

Total interest-bearing deposits		(3,409	)		(14,452	)		(17,861	)

Federal funds purchased & other borrowings		(227	)		712			485
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		(598	)		501			(97	)
Long-term debt		(17	)		(90	)		(107	)

Total borrowed funds		(842	)		1,123			281

Total interest-bearing liabilities		(4,251	)		(13,329	)		(17,580	)


Increase in net interest revenue	$	(4,104	)	$	7,971		$	3,867

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio and corresponding analysis of the allowance for loan losses at quarter-end. The provision for loan losses was $75 million for the first quarter of 2010, compared to $65 million for the same period in 2009. The amount of provision recorded in the first quarter of 2010 was the amount required such that the total allowance for loan losses reflected, in the estimation of management, the amount of inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The increases in the provision and the allowance for loan losses compared to a year ago were due to an increase in substandard loans, deterioration in the collateral values leading to an expectation of higher charge-offs upon default, further weakening of the residential construction and housing markets, and the recessionary economic environment. The ratio of net loan charge-offs to average outstanding loans for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 4.51% compared to 3.09% for the first quarter of 2009.

As the residential construction and housing markets have struggled, most notably in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA, it has been difficult for many builders and developers to obtain cash flow from selling lots and houses needed to service debt. This deterioration of the residential construction and housing market was the primary factor that resulted in higher credit losses and an increase in non-performing assets. Although a majority of the losses have been within the residential construction and development portion of the portfolio in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA, credit quality deterioration has migrated to other markets and loan categories. Additional discussion on credit quality and the allowance for loan losses is included in the Asset Quality and Risk Elements section of this report on page 34.

Fee Revenue

Fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $11.7 million, a decrease of $157,000, or 1%, from the same period of 2009.

The following table presents the components of fee revenue for the first quarters of 2010 and 2009. The table is presented to reflect Brintech as a discontinued operation and therefore consulting fees previously recognized by Brintech and reflected in fee revenue as well as the gain resulting from the sale are not included in the table.

Table 5 — Fee Revenue
(dollars in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009		Change

Service charges and fees	$	7,447	$	7,034		6	%
Mortgage loan and related fees		1,479		2,651		(44	)
Brokerage fees		567		689		(18	)
Securities gains, net		61		303
Other		2,112		1,146		84

Total fee revenue	$	11,666	$	11,823		(1	)

Service charges and fees of $7.4 million were up $413,000, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily related to an increase in ATM and debit card usage fees.

Mortgage loans and related fees of $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, were down $1.2 million, or 44%, from the same period in 2009. In 2009, refinancing activity reached record levels due to historically low interest rates. In the first quarter of 2010, United closed 412 loans totaling $65 million compared to 996 loans totaling $174 million in the first quarter of 2009. Substantially all originated residential mortgages were sold into the secondary market including the right to service these loans.

For the first quarter of 2010, brokerage fees were $567,000, a decrease of $122,000, or 18%, from the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in brokerage fees was due to continued weak market conditions.

United incurred net securities gains of $61,000 and $303,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The net gains for the first quarter of 2010 included $950,000 in impairment charges on trust preferred securities investments in a bank whose financial condition had deteriorated.

Other fee revenue of $2.1 million increased $966,000, or 84%, from the first quarter of 2009. The increase was due to hedge ineffectiveness on terminated cash flow hedging positions that resulted in the accelerated recognition of approximately $522,000 in deferred gains in the first quarter of 2010 and higher earnings of $100,000 and $320,000, respectively, on deferred compensation plan assets and Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) assets. In the second half of 2008 and through the first quarter of 2009, United’s BOLI assets were held in money market funds that yielded nominal earnings on the cash surrender value due to a dispute with the carrier that was settled early in the second quarter of 2009.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses before non-recurring items for the three months ended March 31, 2010, totaled $54.8 million, up $3.0 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher foreclosed property expenses. Non-recurring charges for the first quarter of 2009 included $70 million for goodwill impairment and $2.9 million in severance costs. Including those non-recurring charges, operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 were $125 million.

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $24.4 million, down $3.0 million, or 11%, from the same period of 2009. The decrease is directly related to the reduction in force at the end of the first quarter of 2009. Headcount, excluding Brintech employees totaled 1,814 at March 31, 2009, down from 1,956 at December 31, 2008 reflecting the reduction in force initiated at the end of the first quarter. This reduction in workforce was partially offset by the addition of 39 employees resulting from the second quarter 2009 acquisition of SCB.

Communications and equipment expense of $3.3 million for the first quarter of 2010 was down $373,000, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2009 mostly due to a reduction in depreciation and maintenance charges.

The following table presents the components of operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The table is presented to reflect Brintech as a discontinued operation, and accordingly, operating expenses associated with Brintech have been excluded from the table below for all periods presented.

Table 6 — Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009		Change

Salaries and employee benefits	$	24,360	$	27,313		(11	)%
Communications and equipment		3,273		3,646		(10	)
Occupancy		3,814		3,769		1
Advertising and public relations		1,043		1,044		—
Postage, printing and supplies		1,225		1,175		4
Professional fees		1,943		3,281		(41	)
Foreclosed property		10,813		4,319		150
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		3,626		2,682		35
Amortization of intangibles		802		739		9
Other		3,921		3,820		3

Operating expenses, excluding non-recurring items		54,820		51,788		6
Goodwill impairment		—		70,000
Severance costs		—		2,898

Total operating expenses	$	54,820	$	124,686		(56	)

Professional fees for the first quarter of 2010 of $1.9 million were down $1.3 million, or 41%, from the same period in 2009. During the first quarter of 2009, United was engaged in a project to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating expenses. Consulting services related to that project were performed by Brintech, a wholly-owned subsidiary at the time. Since the table above is presented with Brintech as a discontinued operation, the fees charged by Brintech for those services are no longer eliminated in the Consolidated Statement of Income and are therefore reflected in the balance of professional fees for the first quarter of 2009. The consulting fees relating to the efficiency project in the first quarter of 2009 account for approximately $1 million of the decrease in professional fees. The remainder of the decrease is due to lower legal fees.

Foreclosed property expense of $10.8 million for the first quarter of 2010 was up $6.5 million from the first quarter of 2009. Foreclosed property expenses have remained elevated throughout the weak economic cycle. This expense category includes legal fees, property taxes, marketing costs, utility services, maintenance and repair charges as well as realized losses and write downs associated with foreclosed properties. Realized losses and write-downs were $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $1.8 million for the same period of 2009.

FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges totaled $3.6 million for the first three months of 2010, an increase of $944,000 million, or 35%, from the first quarter of 2009, reflecting an increase in FDIC insurance premiums.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefit for the first quarter 2010 was $22.9 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2009, representing an effective tax rate of 39.9% and 14.1%, respectively. The effective tax rates were different from the statutory tax rates primarily due to interest revenue on certain investment securities and loans that are exempt from income taxes, tax exempt fee revenue, tax credits received on affordable housing investments, goodwill impairment charges and the change in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets as discussed below.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2009 reflects the tax treatment of the $70 million goodwill impairment charges. Since the majority of United’s goodwill originated from acquisitions that were treated as tax-free exchanges, no goodwill was recognized for tax reporting purposes and therefore no tax deduction is allowed for the impairment charge. Likewise, no tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements relating to the goodwill impairment charges. The first quarter of 2009 effective tax rate also reflects a valuation allowance established for deferred tax assets. In the first quarter of 2009, management determined that it was more likely than not that approximately $2.3 million, net of Federal benefit, in prior year state low income housing tax credits would expire unused due to their very short three year carry forward period. Absent the goodwill impairment charges and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, United’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2009 would have been approximately 38%. There were no unusual tax items in the first quarter of 2010 and the effective tax rate of 40% is the expected effective tax rate for the remainder of the year.

At March 31, 2010, United had net deferred tax assets of $94.5 million, including a valuation allowance of $3.9 million related to state tax credits that are expected to expire unused. Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes, requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. United’s management considers both positive and negative evidence and analyzes changes in near-term market conditions as well as other factors which may impact future operating results. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. At March 31, 2010, United’s management believes that it is more likely than not that, with the exception of those state tax credits that are expected to expire unused due to relatively short carryforward periods of three to five years, it will be able to realize its deferred tax benefits through its ability to carry losses forward to future profitable years. Despite recent losses and the challenging economic environment, United has a history of strong earnings, is well-capitalized, and has cautiously optimistic expectations regarding future taxable income. The deferred tax assets are analyzed quarterly for changes affecting realizability, and there can be no guarantee that a valuation allowance will not be necessary in future periods.

Additional information regarding income taxes can be found in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements filed with United’s 2009 Form 10-K.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets at March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $7.84 billion and $8.17 billion, respectively. Average total assets for the first quarter of 2010 were $7.95 billion, down $426 million, or 5%, from $8.37 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

Loans

The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio.

Table 7 — Loans Outstanding (excludes loans covered by loss share agreement)
(dollars in thousands)


	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2010			2009			2009
By Loan Type
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,765,204		$	1,779,398		$	1,778,691
Commercial construction		357,188			362,566			376,682
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		380,331			390,520			387,344

Total commercial		2,502,723			2,532,484			2,542,717
Residential construction		960,372			1,050,065			1,430,319
Residential mortgage		1,390,270			1,427,198			1,503,893
Installment		138,680			141,729			155,776

Total loans	$	4,992,045		$	5,151,476		$	5,632,705


As a percentage of total loans:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		35	%		34	%		32	%
Commercial construction		7			7			6
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		8			8			7

Total commercial		50			49			45
Residential construction		19			20			25
Residential mortgage		28			28			27
Installment		3			3			3

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%


By Geographic Location
Atlanta MSA	$	1,404,247		$	1,435,223		$	1,660,177
Gainesville MSA		372,064			389,766			421,420
North Georgia		1,813,774			1,883,880			2,013,458
Western North Carolina		755,674			771,709			808,127
Coastal Georgia		388,245			405,689			460,122
East Tennessee		258,041			265,209			269,401

Total loans	$	4,992,045		$	5,151,476		$	5,632,705

Substantially all of United’s loans are to customers located in the immediate market areas of its community banks in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. At March 31, 2010, total loans, excluding loans acquired from SCB that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, were $4.99 billion, a decrease of $641 million, or 11%, from March 31, 2009. The rate of loan growth began to decline in the first quarter of 2007 and the balances have continued to decline through 2008, 2009 and into 2010. The decrease in the loan portfolio began with deterioration in the residential construction and housing markets. This deterioration resulted in part in an oversupply of lot inventory, houses and land within United’s markets, which further slowed construction activities and acquisition and development projects. To date, the decline in the housing market has been most severe in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA although there has been migration of deterioration into United’s other markets. The resulting recession that began in the housing market led to high rates of unemployment that resulted in stress in other segments of United’s loan portfolio.

Asset Quality and Risk Elements

United manages asset quality and controls credit risk through review and oversight of the loan portfolio as well as adherence to policies designed to promote sound underwriting and loan monitoring practices. United’s credit administration function is responsible for monitoring asset quality, establishing credit policies and procedures and enforcing the consistent application of these policies and procedures among all of the community banks. Additional information on the credit administration function is included in Item 1 under the heading Loan Review and Non-performing Assets in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

United classifies performing loans as substandard loans when there is a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment by the borrower and there is a distinct possibility that United could sustain some loss if the deficiency is not corrected. The table below presents performing substandard loans for the last five quarters.

Table 8 — Performing Substandard Loans
(dollars in thousands)


	March 31,		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	2010		2009		2009		2009		2009

Commercial (sec. by RE)	$	151,573	$	123,738	$	93,454	$	69,657	$	65,211
Commercial construction		75,304		51,696		50,888		36,316		31,733
Commercial & industrial		35,474		33,976		34,491		11,814		14,931

Total commercial		262,351		209,410		178,833		117,787		111,875
Residential construction		153,799		196,909		207,711		148,094		138,353
Residential mortgage		80,812		79,579		83,504		71,959		62,374
Installment		3,922		3,554		3,199		3,466		3,222

Total	$	500,884	$	489,452	$	473,247	$	341,306	$	315,824

At March 31, 2010, performing substandard loans totaled $501 million and increased $11.4 million from the prior quarter-end, and $185 million from a year ago. Residential construction loans, particularly in Atlanta, have represented the largest proportion of both performing substandard and nonperforming loans. However, the balance of performing substandard residential construction loans has been declining since the third quarter of 2009 as problems in that portfolio segment are being resolved. The increase in substandard residential mortgages is primarily related to rising unemployment rates. The increase in substandard commercial loans reflects the recessionary economic environment.

United classifies loans as non-accrual substandard loans (or “non-performing loans”) when the principal and interest on a loan is not likely to be repaid in accordance with the loan terms or when the loan becomes 90 days past due and is not well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is classified on non-accrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current interest revenue. Payments received on a non-accrual loan are applied to reduce outstanding principal.

Reviews of substandard performing and non-performing loans, past due loans and larger credits, are conducted on a regular basis with management during the quarter and are designed to identify risk migration and potential charges to the allowance for loan losses. These reviews are performed by the responsible lending officers and the loan review department and also consider such factors as the financial strength of borrowers, the value of the applicable collateral, past loan loss experience, anticipated loan losses, changes in risk profile, prevailing economic conditions and other factors. United also uses external loan review in addition to United’s internal loan review and to ensure the independence of the loan review process.

The following table presents a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Table 9 — Allowance for Loan Losses
(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
Balance beginning of period	$	155,602		$	122,271
Provision for loan losses		75,000			65,000
Charge-offs:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		2,936			865
Commercial construction		2,211			54
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		4,554			1,208
Residential construction		44,190			37,967
Residential mortgage		4,640			3,111
Installment		1,129			926

Total loans charged-off		59,660			44,131

Recoveries:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		972			39
Commercial construction		5			—
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		444			335
Residential construction		1,090			205
Residential mortgage		89			127
Installment		392			144

Total recoveries		2,992			850

Net charge-offs		56,668			43,281


Balance end of period	$	173,934		$	143,990


Total loans: *
At period-end	$	4,992,045		$	5,632,705
Average		5,091,474			5,675,054

Allowance as a percentage of period-end loans		3.48	%		2.56	%

As a percentage of average loans:
Net charge-offs		4.51			3.09
Provision for loan losses		5.97			4.65

Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans **		62			56


*		Excludes loans covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

**		Excluding impaired loans with no allocated reserve, the coverage ratio was 142% and 117% at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Excluding loans with no allocated reserve and those loans subsequently sold to affiliates of Fletcher International, Inc. under the asset sale agreement announced April 1, 2010, the pro forma coverage ratio was 196% at March 31, 2010.

The provision for loan losses charged to earnings was based upon management’s judgment of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The amount each quarter is dependent upon many factors, including growth and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, net charge-offs, delinquencies, management’s assessment of loan portfolio quality, the value of collateral, and other macro-economic factors and trends. The evaluation of these factors is performed quarterly by management through an analysis of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses. The increases in the provision and the allowance for loan losses compared to a year ago were due to increasing trends in substandard loans, deterioration in the collateral values leading to an expectation of higher charge-offs upon default, further weakening of the residential construction and housing markets, and the recessionary economic environment.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2010 reflects the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This assessment involves uncertainty and judgment; therefore, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses cannot be determined with precision and may be subject to change in future periods. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Bank, may require adjustments to the provision for loan losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions. See the “Critical Accounting Policies” section in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on the allowance for loan losses.

Non-performing Assets

The table below summarizes non-performing assets, excluding assets covered by the loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. These assets have been excluded from non-performing assets as the loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC and purchase price adjustments to reflect credit losses effectively eliminate the likelihood of recognizing any losses on the covered assets.

Table 10 — Non-Performing Assets
(dollars in thousands)


	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2010			2009			2009
Non-accrual loans	$	280,802		$	264,092		$	259,155
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		—			—			—


Total non-performing loans		280,802			264,092			259,155
Foreclosed properties (OREO)		136,275			120,770			75,383


Total non-performing assets	$	417,077		$	384,862		$	334,538


Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans		5.62	%		5.13	%		4.60	%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO		8.13			7.30			5.86
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets		5.32			4.81			4.09

Excluded from the table above at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $70.7 million and $60.4 million in loans with terms that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). At March 31, 2010, $6.1 million of the TDRs were not performing in accordance with their modified terms and were included in non-accrual loans. The remaining TDRs with an aggregate balance of $64.6 million at March 31, 2010 were performing according to their modified terms and are therefore not considered non-performing assets. At December 31, 2009, $7.0 million of the TDRs were not performing in accordance with their modified terms and were included in non-accrual loans. The remaining TDRs of $53.4 million at December 31, 2009 were performing in accordance with their modified terms and are therefore not considered to be non-performing assets. There were no TDRs reported as of March 31, 2009.

At March 31, 2010, non-performing loans, which include non-accrual loans and accruing loans past due over 90 days, totaled $281 million, compared to $264 million at December 31, 2009 and $259 million at March 31, 2009. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased substantially from December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 reflecting continued deterioration in United’s residential construction and development portfolio primarily in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA and deterioration in other loan types and markets. Non-performing assets, which include non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate, totaled $417 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $385 million at December 31, 2009 and $335 million at March 31, 2009. United’s position throughout the recession has been to actively and aggressively work to dispose of problem assets quickly.

The following table summarizes non-performing assets by category and market. As with Tables 7, 8 and 10, assets covered by the loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC, related to the acquisition of SCB, are excluded from this table.

Table 11 — Nonperforming Assets by Quarter
(in thousands)


	March 31, 2010⁽¹⁾						December 31, 2009⁽¹⁾						March 31, 2009
	Nonaccrual		Foreclosed		Total		Nonaccrual		Foreclosed		Total		Nonaccrual		Foreclosed		Total
	Loans		Properties		NPAs		Loans		Properties		NPAs		Loans		Properties		NPAs
BY CATEGORY
Commercial (sec. by RE)	$	45,918	$	21,597	$	67,515	$	37,040	$	15,842	$	52,882	$	18,188	$	3,811	$	21,999
Commercial construction		23,556		14,285		37,841		19,976		9,761		29,737		6,449		2,948		9,397
Commercial & industrial		3,610		—		3,610		3,946		—		3,946		12,066		—		12,066

Total commercial		73,084		35,882		108,966		60,962		25,603		86,565		36,703		6,759		43,462
Residential construction		147,326		74,220		221,546		142,332		76,519		218,851		187,656		58,327		245,983
Residential mortgage		57,920		26,173		84,093		58,767		18,648		77,415		33,148		10,297		43,445
Consumer / installment		2,472		—		2,472		2,031		—		2,031		1,648		—		1,648

Total NPAs	$	280,802	$	136,275	$	417,077	$	264,092	$	120,770	$	384,862	$	259,155	$	75,383	$	334,538


BY MARKET
Atlanta MSA	$	81,914	$	36,951	$	118,865	$	106,536	$	41,125	$	147,661	$	131,020	$	48,574	$	179,594
Gainesville MSA		17,058		3,192		20,250		5,074		2,614		7,688		17,448		694		18,142
North Georgia		109,280		63,128		172,408		87,598		53,072		140,670		66,875		20,811		87,686
Western North Carolina		31,353		8,588		39,941		29,610		5,096		34,706		21,240		3,067		24,307
Coastal Georgia		33,438		21,871		55,309		26,871		17,150		44,021		15,699		1,286		16,985
East Tennessee		7,759		2,545		10,304		8,403		1,713		10,116		6,873		951		7,824

Total NPAs	$	280,802	$	136,275	$	417,077	$	264,092	$	120,770	$	384,862	$	259,155	$	75,383	$	334,538


(1)		Excludes non-performing loans and foreclosed properties covered by the loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC, related to the acquisition of SCB.

Non-performing assets in the residential construction category were $222 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $246 million at March 31, 2009, a decrease of $24 million, or 10%. While residential construction non-performing assets have begun to decrease, other categories of non-performing assets have experienced significant increases, with commercial non-performing assets of $109 million at March 31, 2010, up $66 million over the prior year, and residential non-performing assets of $84 million, up $41 million from March 31, 2009. As described previously, the majority of the non-performing assets had been concentrated in the Atlanta, Georgia MSA, however, Atlanta non-performing assets have been declining, down $61 million from March 31, 2009. At the same time, credit problems have migrated beyond Atlanta and are having a greater impact on United’s other markets. United’s north Georgia and coastal Georgia markets have seen significant increases. Non-performing assets in the north Georgia market at March 31, 2010 were $172 million, compared to $87.7 million at the end of the first quarter of 2009. United’s coastal Georgia market’s non-performing assets were up $38 million from March 31, 2009.

At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 there were $215 million, $198 million and $201 million, respectively, of loans classified as impaired. Included in impaired loans at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, were $159 million, $182 million, and $136 million, respectively, that did not require specific reserves or had previously been charged down to net realizable value. The remaining balance of impaired loans at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and March 31, 2009, of $56.5 million, $16.1 million and $64.7 million, respectively, had specific reserves that totaled $6.8 million, $3.0 million, and $22.6 million, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled $211 million and $206 million, respectively. There was no interest revenue recognized on loans while they were impaired for the first three months of 2010 or 2009.

The table below summarizes activity in non-performing assets by quarter. Assets covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC, related to the acquisition of SCB, are not included in this table.

Table 12 — Activity in Nonperforming Assets by Quarter
(in thousands)


	First Quarter 2010⁽¹⁾									Fourth Quarter 2009⁽¹⁾									First Quarter 2009
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs

Beginning Balance	$	264,092		$	120,770		$	384,862		$	304,381		$	110,610		$	414,991		$	190,723		$	59,768		$	250,491
Loans placed on non-accrual		139,030			—			139,030			174,898			—			174,898			175,759			—			175,759
Payments received		(5,733	)		—			(5,733	)		(26,935	)		—			(26,935	)		(24,778	)		—			(24,778	)
Loan charge-offs		(58,897	)		—			(58,897	)		(88,427	)		—			(88,427	)		(43,807	)		—			(43,807	)
Foreclosures		(49,233	)		49,233			—			(79,983	)		79,983			—			(38,742	)		38,742			—
Capitalized costs		—			320			320			—			981			981			—			1,452			1,452
Note / property sales		(8,457	)		(25,951	)		(34,408	)		(19,842	)		(61,228	)		(81,070	)		—			(22,999	)		(22,999	)
Write downs		—			(4,579	)		(4,579	)		—			(2,209	)		(2,209	)		—			(2,151	)		(2,151	)
Net gains (losses) on sales		—			(3,518	)		(3,518	)		—			(7,367	)		(7,367	)		—			571			571

Ending Balance	$	280,802		$	136,275		$	417,077		$	264,092		$	120,770		$	384,862		$	259,155		$	75,383		$	334,538


(1)		Excludes non-performing loans and foreclosed properties covered by the loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC, related to the acquisition of SCB.

Foreclosed property is initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell. If the fair value, less costs to sell at the time of foreclosure, is less than the loan balance, the deficiency is charged against the allowance for loan losses. If the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, of the foreclosed property decreases during the holding period, a valuation allowance is established with a charge to foreclosed property costs. When the foreclosed property is sold, a gain or loss is recognized on the sale for the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the property. Financed sales of OREO are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 360, Subtopic 20, Real Estate Sales. For the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, United transferred $49.2 million and $38.7 million, respectively, of loans into foreclosed property. During the same periods, proceeds from sales of foreclosed properties were $26.0 million and $23.0 million, which includes $4.3 million and $2.2 million of sales that were financed by United, respectively.

Investment Securities

The composition of the investment securities portfolio reflects United’s investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity while providing a relatively stable source of revenue. The investment securities portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as required collateral for certain deposits. Total investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2010 decreased $192 million from March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the securities portfolio represented approximately 19%, 19% and 21% of total assets, respectively.

The investment securities portfolio primarily consists of U.S. Government sponsored agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government agency securities, and municipal securities. Mortgage-backed securities rely on the underlying pools of mortgage loans to provide a cash flow of principal and interest. The actual maturities of these securities will differ from contractual maturities because loans underlying the securities can prepay. Decreases in interest rates will generally cause an acceleration of prepayment levels. In a declining interest rate environment, United may not be able to reinvest the proceeds from these prepayments in assets that have comparable yields. In a rising rate environment, the opposite occurs. Prepayments tend to slow and the weighted average life extends. This is referred to as extension risk which can lead to lower levels of liquidity due to the delay of cash receipts and can result in the holding of a below market yielding asset for a longer period of time.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

United’s goodwill represents the premium paid for acquired companies above the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including separately identifiable intangible assets. United evaluates its goodwill annually, or more frequently if necessary, to determine if any impairment exists. United performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of December 31, 2009. United engaged the services of a national third party valuation expert who employed commonly used valuation techniques including an earnings approach that considered discounted future expected cash earnings and two market approaches. The annual goodwill impairment test performed as of December 31, 2009, did not result in the recognition of any goodwill impairment.

Conditions in the first quarter of 2010 did not lead management to believe that further impairment existed at the time. During the first quarter of 2009, United’s stock price fell from $13.58 at December 31, 2008 to a low of $2.28 in the first quarter and ended the first quarter of 2009 at $4.16. Management believed this fall in stock price reflected uncertainty about the economic cycle. Additionally, the stock prices of the peer group used as part of the valuation analysis in the December 31, 2008 goodwill impairment assessment experienced similar declines. The ongoing economic recession has resulted in lower earnings with higher credit costs and those costs have been reflected in the income statement as well as valuation adjustments to the loan balances through increases to the level of the allowance for loan losses. With the stock price trading at a significant discount to book value and tangible book value, in addition to these other factors, management believed that goodwill should be re-assessed for impairment in the first quarter of 2009. As a result of this assessment, United recognized a goodwill impairment charge to earnings in the amount of $70 million during the first quarter of 2009.

United will perform its annual goodwill impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of 2010 and will perform interim testing if conditions indicate that further impairment may be present. Events and conditions that could lead to further goodwill impairment include, among other things, changes in the long-term risk free interest rate or any of the risk premium assumptions used to compile the discount rate for the discounted cash flows valuation method used in Step 1, changes in stock price valuations for United or the selected peer group of banks used to determine United’s value under the guideline public companies method or further deterioration in United’s financial performance or outlook for future financial performance.

Other intangible assets, primarily core deposit intangibles representing the value of United’s acquired deposit base, are amortizing intangible assets that are required to be tested for impairment only when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. There were no events or circumstances that led management to believe that any impairment exists in United’s other intangible assets.

Deposits

Total deposits as of March 31, 2010 were $6.49 billion, a decrease of $129 million, or 2%, from March 31, 2009. Total non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts of $741 million increased $75.3 million, or 11%, and NOW, money market and savings accounts of $2.26 billion increased $299 million, or 15%. The increase was primarily in money market deposits as customers sought higher yields without the time commitment of certificates of deposit.

Total time deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of March 31, 2010 were $2.78 billion, down $487 million from March 31, 2009. Time deposits less than $100,000 totaled $1.64 billion, a decrease of $269 million, or 14%, from a year ago. Time deposits $100,000 or greater totaled $1.13 billion as of March 31, 2010, a decrease of $218 million, or 16%, from March 31, 2009. During the second quarter of 2008, United made a decision to actively pursue time deposits by offering a 15-month certificate of deposit at an attractive rate, in order to increase liquidity. The program was successful in adding over $400 million of customer deposits. Most of those certificates of deposit matured in the third quarter of 2009 and United did not offer a special rate upon their maturity. Approximately half of the certificates of deposit that were part of the 15-month special renewed at standard rates in effect at the time of renewal. The other half left the bank, accounting for a large part of the decline in the balance of certificates of deposit from a year ago. United lowered its rates on non-special certificates during 2009, allowing balances to decline as United’s funding needs have declined due to weak loan demand. Brokered deposits as of March 31, 2010 were $711 million, compared to $727 million at March 31, 2009.

Wholesale Funding

The Bank is a shareholder in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta. Through this affiliation, FHLB secured advances totaled $114 million and $260 million as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. United anticipates continued use of this short- and long-term source of funds. FHLB advances outstanding at March 31, 2010 had fixed interest rates to 4.49%. Additional information regarding FHLB advances, is provided in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in United’s 2009 Form 10-K.

At March 31, 2010, United had $102 million in Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings outstanding, compared to $159 million outstanding at March 31, 2009. United takes advantage of these additional sources of liquidity when rates are favorable compared to other forms of short-term borrowings, such as FHLB advances and brokered deposits.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

The absolute level and volatility of interest rates can have a significant effect on United’s profitability. The objective of interest rate risk management is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changing interest rates, in order to achieve United’s overall financial goals. Based on economic conditions, asset quality and various other considerations, management establishes tolerance ranges for interest rate sensitivity and manages within these ranges.

United’s net interest revenue, and the fair value of its financial instruments, are influenced by changes in the level of interest rates. United manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by the Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”). The ALCO meets periodically and has responsibility for approving asset/liability management policies, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or earnings, and reviewing United’s interest rate sensitivity.

One of the tools management uses to estimate the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changes in interest rates is an asset/liability simulation model. Resulting estimates are based upon a number of assumptions for each scenario, including the level of balance sheet growth, loan and deposit repricing characteristics and the rate of prepayments. The ALCO regularly reviews the assumptions for accuracy based on historical data and future expectations, however, actual net interest revenue may differ from model results. The primary objective of the simulation model is to measure the potential change in net interest revenue over time using multiple interest rate scenarios. The base scenario assumes rates remain flat and is the scenario to which all others are compared to in order to measure the change in net interest revenue. Policy limits are based on gradually rising and falling rate scenarios, which are compared to this base scenario. Another commonly analyzed scenario is a most-likely scenario that projects the expected change in rates based on the slope of the yield curve. Other scenarios analyzed may include rate shocks, narrowing or widening spreads, and yield curve steepening or flattening. While policy scenarios focus on a twelve-month time frame, longer time horizons are also modeled.

United’s policy is based on the 12-month impact on net interest revenue of interest rate ramps that increase 200 basis points and decrease 200 basis points from the base scenario. In the ramp scenarios, rates change 25 basis points per month over the initial eight months. The policy limits the change in net interest revenue over the next 12 months to a 10% decrease in either scenario. The policy ramp and base scenarios assume a static balance sheet. Historically low rates on March 31, 2010 made use of the down 200 basis point scenario problematic. At March 31, 2010, United’s simulation model indicated that a 200 basis point increase in rates would cause an approximate .65% increase in net interest revenue over the next twelve months and a 25 basis point decrease in would cause an approximate .77% increase in net interest revenue over the next twelve months. At March 31, 2009, United’s simulation model indicated that a 200 basis point increase in rates would cause an approximate 3.2% decrease in net interest revenue over the next twelve months and a 25 basis point decrease in rates would cause an approximate .8% increase in net interest revenue over the next twelve months.

In order to manage its interest rate sensitivity, United uses off-balance sheet contracts that are considered derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments can be a cost-effective and capital-effective means of modifying the repricing characteristics of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities. These contracts consist of interest rate swaps under which United pays a variable rate and receives a fixed rate, and interest rate floor contracts in which United pays a premium to a counterparty who agrees to pay United the difference between a variable rate and a strike rate if the variable rate falls below the strike rate.

The following table presents the interest rate derivative contracts outstanding.

Table 13 — Derivative Financial Instruments
As of March 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands)


			Rate
	Notional		Received /
Type/Maturity	Amount		Floor Rate			Rate Paid			Fair Value⁽⁴⁾
Fair Value Hedges:
LIBOR Swaps (Brokered CDs)
August 27, 2010⁽¹⁾	$	50,000		4.30	%		1.32	%	$	587
September 22, 2010⁽²⁾		50,000		4.25			1.48			636
September 30, 2010⁽¹⁾		95,000		4.25			1.32			1,342

Total Fair Value Hedges		195,000		4.26			1.36			2,565

Cash Flow Hedges:
Prime Swaps (Prime Loans)⁽³⁾
July 22, 2013		25,000		6.88			3.25			1,757
July 25, 2013		25,000		6.91			3.25			1,791

Total Cash Flow Hedges		50,000		6.90			3.25			3,548

Total Derivative Contracts	$	245,000							$	6,113


(1)		Rate Paid equals 1-Month LIBOR plus 1.075

(2)		Rate Paid equals 1-Month LIBOR plus 1.2435

(3)		Rate Paid equals Prime rate as of March 31, 2010

(4)		Excludes accrued interest

United’s derivative financial instruments are classified as either cash flow or fair value hedges. The change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. Fair value hedges recognize currently in earnings both the effect of the change in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument and the offsetting effect of the change in fair value of the hedged asset or liability associated with the particular risk of that asset or liability being hedged. At March 31, 2010, United had interest rate swap contracts in which United receives a fixed rate and pays a floating rate based on the prime interest rate with a total notional amount of $50 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of prime-based loans. At March 31, 2010, United had receive fixed, pay LIBOR swap contracts with a total notional amount of $195 million that were accounted for as fair value hedges of brokered deposits.

From time to time, United will terminate swap or floor positions when conditions change and the position is no longer necessary to manage United’s overall sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In those situations where the terminated swap or floor was in an effective hedging relationship at the time of termination and the hedging relationship is expected to remain effective throughout the original term of the swap or floor, the resulting gain or loss at the time of termination is amortized over the remaining life of the original contract. For swap contracts, the gain or loss is amortized over the remaining original contract term using the straight line method of amortization. For floor contracts, the gain or loss is amortized over the remaining original contract term based on the original floorlet schedule. At March 31, 2010, United had $27.5 million in gains from terminated derivative positions included in Other Comprehensive Income that will be amortized into earnings over their remaining original contract terms.

United’s policy requires all derivative financial instruments be used only for asset/liability management through the hedging of specific transactions or positions, and not for trading or speculative purposes. Management believes that the risk associated with using derivative financial instruments to mitigate interest rate risk sensitivity is minimal and should not have any material unintended effect on the financial condition or results of operations. In order to mitigate potential credit risk, from time to time United may require the counterparties to derivative contracts to pledge securities as collateral to cover the net exposure.

Liquidity Management

The objective of liquidity management is to ensure that sufficient funding is available, at reasonable cost, to meet the ongoing operational cash needs and to take advantage of revenue producing opportunities as they arise. While the desired level of liquidity will vary depending upon a variety of factors, it is the primary goal of United to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity in all expected economic environments. Liquidity is defined as the ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management involves maintaining United’s ability to meet the daily cash flow requirements of the Bank’s customers, both depositors and borrowers. In addition, because United is a separate entity and apart from the Bank, it must provide for its own liquidity. United is responsible for the payment of dividends declared for its common and preferred shareholders, and interest and principal on any outstanding debt or trust preferred securities.

Two key objectives of asset/liability management are to provide for adequate liquidity in order to meet the needs of customers and to maintain an optimal balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities to optimize net interest revenue. Daily monitoring of the sources and uses of funds is necessary to maintain a position that meets both requirements.

The asset portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity primarily through loan sales and repayments and the maturities and sales of securities, as well as the ability to use these as collateral for borrowings on a secured basis. We also maintain excess funds in short-term interest-bearing assets that provide additional liquidity. Mortgage loans held for sale totaled $22.0 million at March 31, 2010, and typically turn over every 45 days as the closed loans are sold to investors in the secondary market.

The liability section of the balance sheet provides liquidity through interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit accounts. Federal funds purchased, Federal Reserve short-term borrowings, FHLB advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are additional sources of liquidity and represent United’s incremental borrowing capacity. These sources of liquidity are generally short-term in nature and are used as necessary to fund asset growth and meet other short-term liquidity needs.

Substantially all of United’s liquidity is obtained from subsidiary service fees and dividends from the Bank, which is limited by applicable law.

At March 31, 2010, United had sufficient qualifying collateral to increase FHLB advances by $791 million and Federal Reserve discount window capacity of $328 million. United’s internal policy limits brokered deposits to 25% of total assets. At March 31, 2010, United had the capacity to increase brokered deposits by $1.2 billion and still remain within this limit. In addition to these wholesale sources, United has the ability to attract retail deposits at any time by competing more aggressively on pricing.

As disclosed in United’s consolidated statement of cash flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $43.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The net loss of $33.3 million for the three-month period included non-cash expenses for provision for loan losses of $75 million. Net cash provided by investing activities of $108 million consisted primarily of cash received from sales, maturities and calls of securities of $241 million that was partially reinvested in the securities portfolio through $219 million in securities purchases, a net decrease in loans of $65.9 million and net proceeds from the sale of other real estate of $21.7 million. Net cash used by financing activities of $140 million consisted primarily of a net decrease of $139 million in deposits. In the opinion of management, United’s liquidity position at March 31, 2010, is sufficient to meet its expected cash flow requirements.

Capital Resources and Dividends

Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2010 was $926 million, a decrease of $36.4 million from December 31, 2009. Accumulated other comprehensive income, which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and the unrealized gains and losses on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, is excluded in the calculation of regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Excluding the change in the accumulated other comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity decreased $34.1 million from December 31, 2009. United paid $2.3 million in dividends on Series A and Series B preferred stock in the first three months of 2010. United recognizes that cash dividends are an important component of shareholder value, and therefore, intends to provide for cash dividends when earnings, capital levels and other factors permit.

United’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “UCBI”. Below is a quarterly schedule of high, low and closing stock prices and average daily volume for 2010 and 2009.

Table 14 — Stock Price Information


	2010								2009
							Avg Daily								Avg Daily
	High		Low		Close		Volume		High		Low		Close		Volume
First quarter	$	5.00	$	3.21	$	4.41		882,923	$	13.87	$	2.28	$	4.16		524,492
Second quarter										9.30		4.01		5.99		244,037
Third quarter										8.00		4.80		5.00		525,369
Fourth quarter										5.33		3.07		3.39		1,041,113

The following table presents the quarterly cash and stock dividends declared in 2010 and 2009 and the respective cash dividend payout ratios as a percentage of basic operating earnings per share.

Table 15 — Dividend Payout Information

2010

2009

Cash

Stock

Payout

Cash

Stock

Payout

Dividend

Ratio

Dividend

Ratio

First quarter

—

1 for 130

Second quarter

—

1 for 130

Third quarter

—

1 for 130

Fourth quarter

—


(1)		Cash dividends are presented as the dollar amount declared per share.

(2)		Stock dividends are presented as the number of new shares issued for shares already owned.

(3)		The payout ratio is presented for cash dividends only.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has issued guidelines for the implementation of risk-based capital requirements by U.S. banks and bank holding companies. These risk-based capital guidelines take into consideration risk factors, as defined by regulators, associated with various categories of assets, both on and off-balance sheet. Under the guidelines, capital strength is measured in two tiers that are used in conjunction with risk-weighted assets to determine the risk-based capital ratios. The guidelines require an 8% total risk-based capital ratio, of which 4% must be Tier I capital. However, to be considered well-capitalized under the guidelines, a 10% total risk-based capital ratio is required, of which 6% must be Tier I capital.

Under the risk-based capital guidelines, assets and credit equivalent amounts of derivatives and off-balance sheet items are assigned to one of several broad risk categories according to the obligor, or, if relevant, the guarantor or the nature of the collateral. The aggregate dollar amount in each risk category is then multiplied by the risk weight associated with the category. The resulting weighted values from each of the risk categories are added together, and generally this sum is the company’s total risk weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets for purposes of United’s capital ratios are calculated under these guidelines.

A minimum leverage ratio is required in addition to the risk-based capital standards and is defined as Tier I capital divided by average assets adjusted for goodwill and deposit-based intangibles. Although a minimum leverage ratio of 3% is required for the highest-rated bank holding companies which are not undertaking significant expansion programs, the Federal Reserve Board requires a bank holding company to maintain a leverage ratio greater than 3% if it is experiencing or anticipating significant growth or is operating with less than well-diversified risks in the opinion of the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board uses the leverage and risk-based capital ratios to assess capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies.

The following table shows United’s capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, at March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Table 16 — Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)


	Regulatory						United Community Banks, Inc.
	Guidelines						(Consolidated)						United Community Bank
				Well			As of March 31,						As of March 31,
	Minimum			Capitalized			2010			2009			2010			2009

Risk-based ratios:
Tier I capital		4.0	%		6.0	%		11.72	%		10.88	%		12.52	%		11.23	%
Total capital		8.0			10.0			14.45			13.58			14.37			13.01
Leverage ratio		3.0			5.0			8.15			7.90			8.65			7.90

Tier I capital							$	622,287		$	637,727		$	664,163		$	660,233
Total capital								767,099			795,772			761,777			764,578

United’s Tier I capital excludes other comprehensive income, and consists of stockholders’ equity and qualifying capital securities, less goodwill and deposit-based intangibles. Tier II capital components include supplemental capital items such as a qualifying allowance for loan losses and qualifying subordinated debt. Tier I capital plus Tier II capital components is referred to as Total Risk-Based capital.

The capital ratios of United and the Bank currently exceed the minimum ratios as defined by federal regulators. United monitors these ratios to ensure that United and the Bank remain above the regulatory well capitalized guidelines.

Effect of Inflation and Changing Prices

A bank’s asset and liability structure is substantially different from that of an industrial firm in that primarily all assets and liabilities of a bank are monetary in nature with relatively little investment in fixed assets or inventories. Inflation has an important effect on the growth of total assets and the resulting need to increase equity capital at higher than normal rates in order to maintain an appropriate equity to assets ratio.

United’s management believes the effect of inflation on financial results depends on United’s ability to react to changes in interest rates, and by such reaction, reduce the inflationary effect on performance. United has an asset/liability management program to manage interest rate sensitivity. In addition, periodic reviews of banking services and products are conducted to adjust pricing in view of current and expected costs.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in United’s quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as March 31, 2010 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2010 is included in management’s discussion and analysis on page 39 of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

United’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, supervised and participated in an evaluation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010. Based on, and as of the date of that evaluation, United’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective in accumulating and communicating information to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures of that information under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that the disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports that are filed or submitted by United under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There were no significant changes in the internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of operations, United and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, there is no pending or threatened proceeding in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of United.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in United’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds — None

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities — None

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

Item 5. Other Information — None

Item 6. Exhibits


	3.1			Restated Articles of Incorporation of United Community Banks, Inc., (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, File No. 0-21656, filed with the Commission on August 14, 2001).

	3.2			Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of United Community Banks, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-118893, filed with the Commission on September 9, 2004).

	3.3			Amended and Restated Bylaws of United Community Banks, Inc., dated September 12, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 1997, File No. 0-21656, filed with the Commission on March 27, 1998).

	4.1			See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 for provisions of the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, which define the rights of the Shareholders.

	4.2			Form of Warrant to be granted by United Community Banks, Inc. to Fletcher International, Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.3 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s periodic report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2010, File No. 0-2156, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2010).

	4.3			Certificate of Designation of the Common Stock Equivalent Junior Preferred Stock, dated March 31, 2010. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s periodic report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2010, File No. 0-2156, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2010).

	4.4			Form of Certificate of Rights and Preferences to the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s periodic report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2010, File No. 0-2156, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2010).

	10.1			Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 1, 2010 by and among United Community Bank and Fletcher International, Inc., and certain affiliates thereof who may become parties thereto as purchasers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s periodic report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2010, File No. 0-2156, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2010).

Item 6. Exhibits, continued


	10.2			Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 1, 2010 between United Community Banks, Inc. and Fletcher International, Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to United Community Banks, Inc.’s periodic report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2010, File No. 0-2156, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2010).

	31.1			Certification by Jimmy C. Tallent, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Community Banks, Inc., as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	31.2			Certification by Rex S. Schuette, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Community Banks, Inc., as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32			Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Signatures

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


	UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
	*/s/ Jimmy C. Tallent*
	Jimmy C. Tallent
	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

	*/s/ Rex S. Schuette*
	Rex S. Schuette
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

	*/s/ Alan H. Kumler*
	Alan H. Kumler
	Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) Date: May 5, 2010