United Community Banks (UCB) 10-Q 2009 Q1 Quarterly report

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, 2009

OR

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.)
63 Highway 515
Blairsville, Georgia	30512
Address of Principal	(Zip Code)
Executive Offices

(706) 781-2265
(Telephone Number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or15(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.

YESþ NOo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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).

YESo NOo

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 filero	Accelerated filerþ	Non-accelerated filero	Smaller Reporting Companyo
		(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).

YESo NOþ

Common stock, par value $1 per share: 48,505,082 shares
outstanding as of April 30, 2009

INDEX

PART I — Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008	2
Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2009 (unaudited), December 31, 2008 (audited) and March 31, 2008 (unaudited)	3
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008	4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008	5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	30
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	30
PART II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	31
Item 1A. Risk Factors	31
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	31
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	31
Item 5. Other Information	31
Item 6. Exhibits	31
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32

1

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)	2009			2008
Interest revenue:
Loans, including fees	$	81,880		$	109,266
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $319 and $394		20,752			19,022
Federal funds sold, commercial paper and deposits in banks		442			222
Total interest revenue		103,074			128,510
Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW		3,337			8,587
Money market		2,237			2,913
Savings		127			227
Time		36,053			38,884
Total deposit interest expense		41,754			50,611
Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings		553			4,318
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		1,074			5,745
Long-term debt		2,769			2,080
Total interest expense		46,150			62,754
Net interest revenue		56,924			65,756
Provision for loan losses		65,000			7,500
Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses		(8,076	)		58,256
Fee revenue:
Service charges and fees		7,034			7,813
Mortgage loan and other related fees		2,651			1,963
Consulting fees		1,021			1,807
Brokerage fees		689			1,093
Securities gains, net		303			—
Other		1,148			1,521
Total fee revenue		12,846			14,197
Total revenue		4,770			72,453
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		28,839			28,754
Communications and equipment		3,729			3,832
Occupancy		3,807			3,716
Advertising and public relations		1,109			1,351
Postage, printing and supplies		1,182			1,592
Professional fees		2,293			1,921
Foreclosed property		4,319			911
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		2,682			1,266
Amortization of intangibles		739			767
Other		3,870			3,419
Goodwill impairment		70,000			—
Severance costs		2,898			—
Total operating expenses		125,467			47,529
(Loss) income before income taxes		(120,697	)		24,924
Income tax (benefit) expense		(16,924	)		8,846
Net (loss) income		(103,773	)		16,078
Preferred stock dividends		2,554			4
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(106,327	)	$	16,074
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$	(2.20	)	$	.34
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share		(2.20	)		.34
Cash dividends per common share		—			.09
Stock dividends per common share (new shares issued per shares held)		1 for 130			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic		48,324			47,052
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted		48,324			47,272

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	2009			2008			2008
	(unaudited)			(audited)			(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	103,707		$	116,395		$	169,538
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		5,792			8,417			13,417
Federal funds sold, commercial paper and short-term investments		24,983			368,609			—
Cash and cash equivalents		134,482			493,421			182,955
Securities available for sale		1,719,033			1,617,187			1,508,402
Mortgage loans held for sale		43,161			20,334			28,451
Loans, net of unearned income		5,632,705			5,704,861			5,967,839
Less allowance for loan losses		143,990			122,271			89,848
Loans, net		5,488,715			5,582,590			5,877,991
Premises and equipment, net		178,980			179,160			180,746
Accrued interest receivable		45,514			46,088			59,585
Goodwill and other intangible assets		251,060			321,798			324,041
Other assets		279,964			260,187			224,084
Total assets	$	8,140,909		$	8,520,765		$	8,386,255
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand	$	665,447		$	654,036		$	690,028
NOW		1,284,791			1,543,385			1,523,942
Money market		500,261			466,750			431,623
Savings		177,001			170,275			187,911
Time:
Less than $100,000		1,911,627			1,953,235			1,535,742
Greater than $100,000		1,350,190			1,422,974			1,375,000
Brokered		727,171			792,969			431,523
Total deposits		6,616,488			7,003,624			6,175,769
Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings		158,690			108,411			532,896
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		260,125			235,321			615,324
Long-term debt		151,006			150,986			107,996
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		65,747			33,041			82,818
Total liabilities		7,252,056			7,531,383			7,514,803
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; Series A; $10 stated value; 25,800 shares issued and outstanding		258			258			258
Series B; $1,000 stated value; 180,000 shares issued and outstanding		173,480			173,180			—
Common stock, $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 48,809,301 shares issued		48,809			48,809			48,809
Common stock issuable; 161,807, 129,304 and 90,505 shares		3,270			2,908			2,410
Capital surplus		452,277			460,708			463,095
Retained earnings		158,201			265,405			359,248
Treasury stock; 322,603, 799,892 and 1,805,078 shares, at cost		(5,992	)		(16,465	)		(41,351	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		58,550			54,579			38,983
Total shareholders’ equity		888,853			989,382			871,452
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,140,909		$	8,520,765		$	8,386,255

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

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

																			Accumulated
	Series A		Series B				Common												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 (Loss)			Total
Balance, December 31, 2007	$	258	$	—	$	48,809	$	2,100		$	462,881		$	347,391		$	(43,798	)	$	14,261		$	831,902
Comprehensive income:
Net income														16,078									16,078
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains on available for sale securities, net of deferred tax expense and reclassification adjustment																				12,341			12,341
Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax expense																				12,381			12,381
Comprehensive income														16,078						24,722			40,800
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($.09 per share)														(4,217	)								(4,217	)
Exercise of stock options (60,271 shares)											(691	)					1,470						779
Common stock issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan and employee benefit plans (31,944 shares)											(266	)					769						503
Amortization of stock option and restricted stock awards											975												975
Vesting of restricted stock (7,912 shares issued, 3,125 shares deferred)								91			(282	)					191						—
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents								238															238
Shares issued from deferred compensation plan (716 shares)								(19	)		2						17						—
Tax benefit from options exercised											476												476
Dividends on Series A preferred stock ($.15 per share)														(4	)								(4	)
Balance, March 31, 2008	$	258	$	—	$	48,809	$	2,410		$	463,095		$	359,248		$	(41,351	)	$	38,983		$	871,452
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 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 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 options 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

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2009				2008
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(103,773	)		$	16,078
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		3,553				3,568
Provision for loan losses		65,000				7,500
Goodwill impairment charge		70,000				—
Stock based compensation		935				975
Gain on sale of securities available for sale		(303	)			—
Gain on sale of other assets		(23	)			(7	)
(Gain) loss on sale of other real estate owned		(217	)			336
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and accrued interest receivable		(9,332	)			7,005
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		49,552				(4,783	)
Mortgage loans held for sale		(22,827	)			(447	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		52,565				30,225
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		14,219				25,000
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available for sale		174,220				174,956
Purchases of securities available for sale		(297,645	)			(296,228	)
Net increase in loans		(9,878	)			(61,100	)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment		102				288
Purchases of premises and equipment		(2,843	)			(3,773	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		22,606				7,663
Net cash used by investing activities		(99,219	)			(153,194	)
Financing activities:
Net change in deposits		(386,319	)			99,818
Net change in federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings		50,279				(63,566	)
Repayments of other borrowings		—				(42,000	)
Proceeds from FHLB advances		80,000				300,000
Repayments of FHLB advances		(55,000	)			(205,000	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		—				779
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment and employee benefit plans		509				503
Cash dividends on common stock		—				(4,229	)
Cash dividends on preferred stock		(1,754	)			(4	)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(312,285	)			86,301
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(358,939	)	��		(36,668	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		493,421				219,623
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	134,482			$	182,955
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	$	51,207			$	65,789
Income taxes		(22,386	)			152

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

United Community Banks, Inc.

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 2008 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.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133(“SFAS 161”), amends and expands the disclosure requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities(“SFAS 133”) with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

As required by SFAS 133, United records all derivatives 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 under SFAS 133.

Note 2 — 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, 2009, approximately 1,412,000 additional awards could be granted under the plan. Through March 31, 2009, 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 2009.

						Weighted-
						Average
				Weighted-		Remaining		Aggregate
				Average		Contractual		Intrinisic
Options	Shares			Exercise Price		Term (Years)		Value ($000)
Outstanding at December 31, 2008		3,350,701		$	19.99
Stock dividend adjustment		25,620			—
Granted		5,000			6.04
Exercised		—			—
Forfeited		(11,948	)		17.46
Expired		(27,049	)		13.28
Outstanding at March 31, 2009		3,342,324			19.88		5.9	$	—
Exercisable at March 31, 2009		2,010,960			18.68		4.4		—

6

The weighted average fair value of stock options granted in the first three months of 2009 and 2008 was $2.54 and $3.33, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 to determine the expected life of options. The weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options are presented in the table below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009			2008
Expected volatility		40.68	%		23.42	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%		2.36	%
Expected life (in years)		6.25			6.25
Risk-free rate		1.83	%		3.21	%

United’s stock trading history began in March of 2002 when United listed on the Nasdaq National Market. For 2009, expected volatility was determined using United’s historical monthly volatility for the seventy five months ended December 31, 2008. Seventy five months was chosen to correspond to the expected life of 6.25 years. For 2008, expected volatility was determined using United’s historical monthly volatility over the period beginning in March of 2002 through the end of 2007. Compensation expense for stock options was $738,000 and $771,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Deferred tax benefits of $243,000 and $222,000, respectively, were included in the determination of income tax (benefit) expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. 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. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $275,000. No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009.

The table below presents the activity in restricted stock awards for the first three months of 2009.

				Weighted-
				Average Grant-
Restricted Stock	Shares			Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2008		89,498		$	24.17
Stock dividend adjustment		580			—
Granted		5,000			6.04
Vested		(18,143	)		28.10
Outstanding at March 31, 2009		76,935			21.88

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. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, compensation expense of $198,000 and $204,000, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock awards. The total intrinsic value of the restricted stock was $320,000 at March 31, 2009.

As of March 31, 2009, there was $6.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years. The aggregate grant date fair value of options and restricted stock awards that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2009, was $526 million.

Note 3 — Common Stock Issued / Common Stock Issuable

United provides a Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (DRIP) to its shareholders. Under the DRIP, shareholders of record can voluntarily reinvest all or a portion of their cash dividends into shares of United’s common stock, as well as purchase additional stock through the plan with cash. 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 (ESPP) 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, 2009 and 2008, United issued 99,604 and 31,944 shares, respectively, and increased capital by $509,000 and $503,000, respectively, through these programs.

7

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, 2009 and 2008, 161,807 and 90,505 shares, respectively, were issuable under the deferred compensation plan.

Note 4 — Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009			2008
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(106,327	)	$	16,074
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		48,324			47,052
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options and restricted stock		—			220
Warrants attached to trust preferred securities		—			—
Warrant granted with Series B preferred stock		—			—
Diluted		48,324			47,272
(Loss) earnings per common share:
Basic	$	(2.20	)	$	.34
Diluted	$	(2.20	)	$	.34

Note 5 — Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

On January 1, 2008, United adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements; accordingly, the standard does not require any new fair value measurements of reported balances.

SFAS No. 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

Fair Value Hierarchy

Level 1	Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that United has the ability to access.
Level 2	Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3	Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. United’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

8

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

Securities Available for Sale

Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Liabilities

Included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet are assets related to employee deferred compensation plans. The assets associated with these plans are invested in mutual funds and classified as Level 1. Deferred compensation liabilities, also classified as Level 1, are carried at the fair value of the obligation to the employee, which mirrors the fair value of the invested assets and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair value of loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. As such, United classifies loans subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2.

Loans

United does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with SFAS 114,Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, (SFAS 114). The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At March 31, 2009, substantially all of the total impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral. In accordance with SFAS 157, impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, United records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, United records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

Foreclosed Assets

Foreclosed assets are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to foreclosed assets. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, United records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, United records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 3.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and identified intangible assets are subject to impairment testing. United’s approach to testing goodwill for impairment is to compare the business unit’s carrying value to the implied fair value based on multiples of earnings and tangible book value for recently completed merger transactions. In the event the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, the asset is recorded at fair value as determined by the valuation model. As such, United classifies goodwill and other intangible assets subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 3.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Currently, United uses interest rate swaps and interest rate floors to manage its interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.

9

The fair values of interest rate options are determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates fell below the strike rate of the floors. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the floor are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. To comply with the provisions of SFAS No. 157, United incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, United has considered the effect of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although United has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2009, United has assessed the significance of the effect of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, United has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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, 2009, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.

(in thousands)

							Balance at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		March 31, 2009
Assets
Securities available for sale	$	—	$	1,719,033	$	—	$	1,719,033
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

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 in accordance with GAAP. 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, 2009, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.

(in thousands)

							Balance at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		March 31, 2009
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	148,786	$	148,786
Foreclosed assets		—		—		69,256		69,256
Goodwill		—		—		235,590		235,590
Total	$	—	$	—	$	453,632	$	453,632

Note 6 — Stock Dividend

During the first quarter of 2009, United declared a stock dividend at a rate of 1 new share for every 130 shares owned. The stock dividend has 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. The amount of $8,000 shown in the equity statement as a reduction of capital related to the stock dividend is the amount of cash paid to shareholders for fractional shares.

10

Note 7 — 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 the use of derivative financial instruments. 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, 2009, December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008.

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133(in thousands).

		Fair Value
Interest Rate	Balance Sheet	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
Products	Location	2009		2008		2008
Asset derivatives	Other assets	$	72,942	$	81,612	$	48,454

There were no derivatives classified as liabilities in the balance sheet at March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 or March 31, 2008.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

United’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to 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, 2009, United had 14 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $730 million and 5 interest rate floors with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

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 the first quarter of 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, 2009 and March 31, 2008 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 remaining nine months of 2009, United estimates that an additional $34.7 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest revenue.

United is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of fifty-two months, excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments.

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, 2009, 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.

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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 ended March 31, 2009, United recognized a loss of $1,013,000 related to changes in the fair value of the swaps that were offset by a gain of $1,114,000 related to changes in the fair value of the hedged items. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, United recognized net gains of $101,000 related to ineffectiveness of the hedging relationships. The table below presents the earnings impact of the changes in fair value of the swaps and the hedged items for the three months ended March 31, 2009(in thousands).

Income Statement	Gain (Loss) on			Gain (Loss) on
Classification	Derivative			Hedged Item
Other fee revenue	$	(1,013	)	$	1,114

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 Income Statement as of March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008.

Derivatives in SFAS 133 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 on	Income on Derivative					Income on Hedged Item
Derivative	March 31, 2009			March 31, 2008		March 31, 2009		March 31, 2008
Other fee revenue	$	(1,013	)	$	762	$	1,114	$	(756	)

Derivatives in SFAS 133 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships(in thousands).

Amount of Gain

Location of Gain

(Loss) Recognized

Amount of Gain

Location of Gain

Amount of Gain

(Loss) Recognized

in Income on

(Loss) Recognized

(Loss)

(Loss) Reclassified

in Income on

Derivative

in Other

Reclassified from

from Accumulated

Derivative

(Ineffective Portion

Comprehensive

Accumulated

Other

(Ineffective

and Amount

Income on

Other

Comprehensive

Portion and

Excluded from

Derivative

Comprehensive

Income into Income

Amount Excluded

Effectiveness

(Effective Portion)

Income into

(Effective Portion)

from

Testing)

March 31,

March 31,

Income (Effective

March 31,

March 31,

Effectiveness

March 31,

March 31,

2009

2008

Portion)

2009

2008

Testing)

2009

2008

Interest rate products

$

3,118

$

24,748

Interest revenue

$

10,990

$

4,483

Other fee revenue

$

—

$

—

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 the United fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution, it could be declared in default on its derivative obligations. 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 1 leverage ratio of 5.0%, a minimum tier 1 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.

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Note 8 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-4 (“FSP FAS 157-4”),Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This FSP emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. This accounting standard will be effective for United for the second quarter of 2009. United does not anticipate a significant impact on results of operations or financial position upon its adoption in the second quarter.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”),Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 amends FASB Statement No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB No. 28,Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This accounting standard will be effective for United for the second quarter of 2009. It will not have any impact on results of operations or financial position since it is for disclosure purposes only.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”),Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary-Impairments. The objective of an other-than-temporary impairment analysis under existing GAAP is to determine whether the holder of an investment in a debt or equity security for which changes in fair value are not regularly recognized in earnings (such as securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale) should recognize a loss in earnings when the investment is impaired. An investment is impaired if the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost basis. This FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This accounting standard will be effective for United for the second quarter of 2009. United does not anticipate a significant impact on results of operations or financial position upon its adoption in the second quarter.

Note 9 — Reclassifications

Certain 2008 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation.

Note 10 — Goodwill

A summary of the changes in goodwill for the three-months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 is presented below,(in thousands).

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009			2008
Beginning balance	$	305,590		$	306,086
Purchase adjustments		—			(496	)
Impairment		(70,000	)		—
Ending balance	$	235,590		$	305,590

During the first quarter of 2009, United updated its 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.

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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 regarding United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”), including, without limitation, statements relating to United’s expectations with respect to revenue, credit losses, levels of nonperforming assets, expenses, earnings and other measures of financial performance. Words such as “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “targets” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond United’s control). The following factors, among others, could cause United’s financial performance to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements:

• the condition of the banking system and financial markets;

• our limited ability to raise capital or maintain liquidity;

• our ability to pay dividends;

• our past operating results may not be indicative of future operating results;

• our business is subject to the success of the local economies in which we operate;

• our concentration of construction and land development loans is subject to unique risks that could adversely affect our earnings;

• we may face risks with respect to future expansion and acquisitions or mergers;

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

• if our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, earnings would decrease;

• competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers may adversely affect our profitability;

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

• business increases, productivity gains and other investments are lower than expected or do not occur as quickly as anticipated;

• competitive pressures among financial services companies increase significantly;

• the success of our business strategy;

• the strength of the United States economy in general;

• changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

• inflation or market conditions fluctuate;

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

• financial services laws and regulations change;

• technology changes and United fails to adapt to those changes;

• consumer spending and saving habits change;

• unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings occur; and

• United is unsuccessful at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

Additional information with respect to factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements may also be included in other reports that United files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. United cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. United does not intend to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q.

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Overview

The following discussion is intended to provide insight into the results of operations and financial condition of 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, 2009, United had total consolidated assets of $8.1 billion, total loans of $5.6 billion, total deposits of $6.6 billion and stockholders’ equity of $889 million.

United’s activities are primarily conducted by its wholly owned Georgia banking subsidiary (the “Bank”) and Brintech, Inc., a consulting firm providing professional services to the financial services industry. 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 metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”), the Gainesville MSA, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina, and east Tennessee.

United reported a net loss of $103.8 million for the first quarter of 2009, which included a non-recurring, non-cash charge of $70 million for goodwill impairment and severance costs of $2.9 million for a reduction in workforce. United’s net operating loss, which excludes the non-recurring goodwill impairment and severance charges was $32.0 million for the first quarter of 2009. This compared with net income of $16.1 million for the first quarter of 2008. Diluted operating loss per common share was $.71 for the first quarter of 2009, compared with diluted earnings per common share of $.34 for the first quarter of 2008. The goodwill impairment charge and severance costs in the first quarter of 2009 represented $1.45 and $.04, respectively, of the per share loss for the quarter of 2009 bringing the net loss per diluted share to $2.20. The first quarter of 2009 operating loss reflects the current recessionary economic environment and credit losses primarily resulting from the weak housing market.

Operating loss and operating loss 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. A reconciliation of these operating performance measures to GAAP performance measures is included in the financial highlights table on page 16.

Earnings decreased primarily as a result of the goodwill impairment charge, severance costs and a higher provision for loan losses related to the increase in charge-offs within the loan portfolio combined with margin compression due to an increase in non-performing assets, competitive deposit pricing and the ongoing effect of efforts to maintain liquidity. Although the margin was down from a year ago, it was up 38 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2008, reflecting improvement in loan and deposit pricing. Housing sales remain at low levels, leaving a surplus of finished housing and lot inventory in our markets, most notably in the Atlanta MSA. This decline in housing sales negatively affects both the cash flows of our residential construction and land development customers, and the demand for new land development loans.

Nonperforming assets, of $334.5 million, increased to 4.11% of total assets as of March 31, 2009, compared to 1.07 % as of March 31, 2008 and 2.94% as of December 31, 2008. This increase is a reflection of the continuing effects of declining home sales in the Atlanta MSA, which itself is indicative of the regional economic slowdown that is occurring in much of the Southeast.

Fee revenue decreased $1.4 million, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2008. With the exception of mortgage fees, all other fee revenue sources decreased from the first quarter of 2008. Mortgage fees were up $688,000, or 35%, reflecting higher refinancing activity resulting from the low interest rate environment. In terms of mortgage production, United closed 996 loans totaling $174 million in the first quarter of 2009 which set a new company record. The decrease in the other fee revenue categories primarily reflects the weak economy.

Operating expenses, excluding the $70 million goodwill impairment charge and $2.9 million in severance costs, increased $5.0 million, or 11%, from the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher expenses associated with and writedowns on foreclosed real estate properties and higher FDIC insurance premiums. Effective January 1, 2009, the FDIC raised deposit insurance rates on all insured depository institutions by seven basis points on the balance of insured deposits. United’s first quarter expenses do not contain any provision for the one-time special assessment that is currently proposed by the FDIC.

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, intangible assets and income taxes. In particular, United’s accounting policies related to allowance for loan losses, 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.

15

Table 1 — Financial Highlights
Selected Financial Information

																First
	2009			2008												Quarter
	First			Fourth			Third			Second			First			2009-2008
(in thousands, except per share data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Change
INCOME SUMMARY
Interest revenue	$	103,562		$	108,434		$	112,510		$	116,984		$	129,041
Interest expense		46,150			56,561			53,719			55,231			62,754
Net interest revenue		57,412			51,873			58,791			61,753			66,287			(13	)%
Provision for loan losses		65,000			85,000			76,000			15,500			7,500
Fee revenue		12,846			10,718			13,121			15,105			14,197			(10	)
Total revenue		5,258			(22,409	)		(4,088	)		61,358			72,984		NM
Operating expenses (1)		52,569			52,439			56,970			49,761			47,529			11
Operating (loss) income before taxes		(47,311	)		(74,848	)		(61,058	)		11,597			25,455		NM
Income tax (benefit) expense		(15,335	)		(28,101	)		(21,184	)		4,504			9,377
Net operating (loss) income (1)		(31,976	)		(46,747	)		(39,874	)		7,093			16,078		NM
Noncash goodwill impairment charge		70,000			—			—			—			—
Severance costs, net of tax benefit		1,797			—			—			—			—
Net (loss) income		(103,773	)		(46,747	)		(39,874	)		7,093			16,078		NM
Preferred dividends		2,554			712			4			4			4
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(106,327	)	$	(47,459	)	$	(39,878	)	$	7,089		$	16,074		NM
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Per common share:
Diluted operating (loss) earnings (1)	$	(.71	)	$	(.99	)	$	(.84	)	$	.15		$	.34		NM
Per share impact of goodwill impairment charge		(1.45	)		—			—			—			—
Per share impact of severance costs		(.04	)		—			—			—			—
Diluted (loss) earnings		(2.20	)		(.99	)		(.84	)		.15			.34		NM
Cash dividends declared		—			—			—			.09			.09
Stock dividends declared (5)		1 for 130			1 for 130			1 for 130			—			—
Book value		14.70			16.95			17.12			17.75			18.50			(21	)
Tangible book value (3)		9.65			10.39			10.48			11.03			11.76			(18	)
Key performance ratios:
Return on tangible equity (2)(3)		NM	%		NM	%		NM	%		5.86	%		13.16	%
Return on equity (2)(4)	NM			NM			NM				3.41			7.85
Return on assets (4)	NM			NM			NM				.34			.78
Net interest margin (4)		3.08			2.70			3.17			3.32			3.55
Operating efficiency ratio (3)		79.29			81.34			79.35			65.05			59.03
Equity to assets		11.64			10.08			10.28			10.33			10.30
Tangible equity to assets (3)		8.30			6.59			6.65			6.77			6.73
Tangible common equity to assets (3)		6.13			6.23			6.65			6.77			6.73
ASSET QUALITY
Net charge-offs	$	43,281		$	74,028		$	55,736		$	14,313		$	7,075
Non-performing loans (NPLs)		259,155			190,723			139,266			123,786			67,728
Foreclosed properties		75,383			59,768			38,438			28,378			22,136
Total non-performing assets (NPAs)		334,538			250,491			177,704			152,164			89,864
Allowance for loan losses		143,990			122,271			111,299			91,035			89,848
Allowance for loan losses to loans		2.56	%		2.14	%		1.91	%		1.53	%		1.51	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (4)		3.09			5.09			3.77			.97			.48
NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties		5.86			4.35			3.03			2.55			1.50
NPAs to total assets		4.11			2.94			2.20			1.84			1.07
AVERAGE BALANCES
Loans	$	5,675,054		$	5,784,139		$	5,889,168		$	5,933,143		$	5,958,296			(5	)
Investment securities		1,712,654			1,508,808			1,454,740			1,507,240			1,485,515			15
Earning assets		7,530,230			7,662,536			7,384,287			7,478,018			7,491,480			1
Total assets		8,312,648			8,449,097			8,146,880			8,295,748			8,305,621			—
Deposits		6,780,531			6,982,229			6,597,339			6,461,361			6,051,069			12
Shareholders’ equity		967,505			851,956			837,487			856,727			855,659			13
Common shares — basic		48,324			47,844			47,417			47,158			47,052
Common shares — diluted		48,324			47,844			47,417			47,249			47,272
AT PERIOD END
Loans	$	5,632,705		$	5,704,861		$	5,829,937		$	5,933,141		$	5,967,839			(6	)
Investment securities		1,719,033			1,617,187			1,400,827			1,430,588			1,508,402			14
Total assets		8,140,909			8,520,765			8,072,543			8,264,051			8,386,255			(3	)
Deposits		6,616,488			7,003,624			6,689,335			6,696,456			6,175,769			7
Shareholders’ equity		888,853			989,382			816,880			837,890			871,452			2
Common shares outstanding		48,487			48,009			47,596			47,096			47,004

(1)	Excludes the non-recurring goodwill impairment charge of $70 million and severance costs of $2.9 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2009.
(2)	Net income available to common shareholders, which excludes preferred stock dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
(3)	Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization.
(4)	Annualized.
(5)	Number of new shares issued for shares currently held.
NM	— Not meaningful.

16

Results of Operations

United reported a net loss of $103.8 million for the first quarter of 2009, which included a non-recurring, non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $70 million and severance costs of $2.9 million. This compared to net income of $16.1 million for the same period in 2008. The first quarter 2009 diluted loss per share was $2.20, of which $1.45 related to the goodwill impairment charge. This compared to diluted earnings per share of $.34 for the first quarter of 2008. The loss in the first quarter of 2009 reflects the continuing effect of the economic recession and the weak housing market.

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 total revenue. United actively manages this revenue source to provide optimal levels of revenue while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks. Net interest revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $57.4 million, down $8.9 million, or 13%, from last year but up $5.5 million from the fourth quarter of 2008. Average loans decreased $283 million, or 5%, from the first quarter last year. The decrease in the loan portfolio was a result of the slowdown in the housing market, particularly in the Atlanta MSA where period-end loans decreased $318 million from March 31, 2008. Much of the decrease was intentional as management sought to rebalance the loan portfolio by reducing the concentration of residential construction loans, particularly in the Atlanta MSA where the housing market has been under considerable stress. Period-end loans in north Georgia and North Carolina decreased $57 million and $8 million, respectively. In contrast, coastal Georgia increased $21 million, the Gainesville MSA increased $7 million and east Tennessee increased $20 million from the first quarter of 2008.

Average interest-earning assets for the first quarter 2009 increased $38.8 million, or 1%, over the same period in 2008. The increase in interest-earning assets, which was primarily in the investment securities portfolio and other short-term investments, was partially funded by interest-bearing sources. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $63.4 million from the first quarter of 2008 with the Series B preferred stock of $180 million, issued in the fourth quarter as part of the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program funding the balance sheet growth and replacing a portion of the borrowed funds. Dividends on the Series B preferred shares are not included in net income (loss) but are subtracted from net income (loss) in the determination of net income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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 defined as net interest revenue as a percent of average total interest-earning assets and takes into account the positive effect of investing non-interest-bearing deposits and capital.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the net interest spread was 2.74% and 3.15%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.08% and 3.55%, respectively. The compression of the spread and margin was primarily the result of a rise in non-performing assets and higher than normal deposit pricing resulting from competition for deposits due to liquidity pressures affecting the banking industry as a whole. The compression of the spread and margin was also due to the lowering of the prime interest rate initiated by actions of the Federal Reserve beginning in September 2007 and the resulting decrease in the repricing of our interest earning assets faster than our interest-bearing liabilities. Also contributing to the lower spread and net interest margin was a shift in earning-asset mix from loans to investment securities. These factors continued to compress the net interest margin and the net interest spread through most of the fourth quarter of 2008 leading to a net interest margin of 2.70% in the fourth quarter. Deposit pricing competition began to ease late in the fourth quarter and 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 the easing of deposit pricing competition and widening credit spreads in United’s loan portfolio led to the 38 basis point increase in the net interest margin from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009.

The average yield on interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2009 was 5.56%, compared with 6.92% in the first quarter of 2008. Loan yields were down 153 basis points compared with the first quarter of 2008, due to the effect of the Federal Reserve’s policy of lowering interest rates to stimulate the economy on United’s primarily prime-based loan portfolio and the higher level of non-performing loans.

The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the first quarter was 2.82% compared to 3.77% from the same period of 2008. Throughout much of early 2008, United was unable to reduce deposit rates commensurate with the rate declines in its loan portfolio. This trend became more visible in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 when industry liquidity pressures led to increased competition for deposits and did not allow United to reduce deposit rates to correspond with the Federal Reserve’s actions to lower interest rates. Late in the fourth quarter of 2008, liquidity pressures began to ease, allowing United to lower its deposit rates and still maintain its liquidity position.

17

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, 2009 and 2008.

Table 2 — Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended March 31,

	2009								2008
	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)	$	5,675,054		$	81,749		5.84	%	$	5,958,296		$	109,252		7.37	%
Taxable securities (3)		1,682,603			20,433		4.86			1,448,224			18,628		5.15
Tax-exempt securities (1)(3)		30,051			522		6.95			37,291			648		6.95
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		142,522			858		2.41			47,669			513		4.30
Total interest-earning assets		7,530,230			103,562		5.56			7,491,480			129,041		6.92
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(128,798	)							(92,025	)
Cash and due from banks		104,411								154,706
Premises and equipment		179,495								181,355
Other assets (3)		627,310								570,105
Total assets	$	8,312,648							$	8,305,621
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,358,149		$	3,337		1.00		$	1,462,116		$	8,587		2.36
Money market		477,325			2,237		1.90			439,049			2,913		2.67
Savings		172,708			127		.30			184,812			227		.49
Time less than $100,000		1,942,897			17,217		3.59			1,553,313			18,223		4.72
Time greater than $100,000		1,393,188			12,825		3.73			1,365,307			16,370		4.82
Brokered		786,171			6,011		3.10			374,402			4,291		4.61
Total interest-bearing deposits		6,130,438			41,754		2.76			5,378,999			50,611		3.78
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		150,517			553		1.49			551,812			4,318		3.15
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		204,941			1,074		2.13			661,498			5,745		3.49
Long-term debt		150,997			2,769		7.44			107,996			2,080		7.75
Total borrowed funds		506,455			4,396		3.52			1,321,306			12,143		3.70
Total interest-bearing liabilities		6,636,893			46,150		2.82			6,700,305			62,754		3.77
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		650,093								672,070
Other liabilities		58,157								77,587
Total liabilities		7,345,143								7,449,962
Shareholders’ equity		967,505								855,659
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,312,648							$	8,305,621
Net interest revenue				$	57,412							$	66,287
Net interest-rate spread							2.74	%							3.15	%
Net interest margin (4)							3.08	%							3.55	%

(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 $10.6 million in 2009 and $15.9 million in 2008 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.

18

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

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
	Compared to 2008
	Increase (decrease)
	Due to Changes in
	Volume			Rate			Total
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	(4,991	)	$	(22,512	)	$	(27,503	)
Taxable securities		2,889			(1,084	)		1,805
Tax-exempt securities		(126	)		—			(126	)
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		653			(308	)		345
Total interest-earning assets		(1,575	)		(23,904	)		(25,479	)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts		(572	)		(4,678	)		(5,250	)
Money market accounts		237			(913	)		(676	)
Savings deposits		(14	)		(86	)		(100	)
Time deposits less than $100,000		4,004			(5,010	)		(1,006	)
Time deposits greater than $100,000		328			(3,873	)		(3,545	)
Brokered deposits		3,513			(1,793	)		1,720
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,496			(16,353	)		(8,857	)
Federal funds purchased & other borrowings		(2,177	)		(1,588	)		(3,765	)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		(2,967	)		(1,704	)		(4,671	)
Long-term debt		793			(104	)		689
Total borrowed funds		(4,351	)		(3,396	)		(7,747	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3,145			(19,749	)		(16,604	)
Decrease in net interest revenue	$	(4,720	)	$	(4,155	)	$	(8,875	)

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $65.0 million for the first quarter of 2009, compared with $7.5 million for the same period in 2008. Net loan charge-offs as an annualized percentage of average outstanding loans for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were 3.09%, compared to .48% for the first quarter of 2008. As the housing market in United’s markets has struggled, most notably in the Atlanta 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 has affected the Southeast and resulted in higher credit losses and an increase in non-performing assets.

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 amount of provision recorded in the first quarter was the amount required such that the total allowance for loan losses reflects, in the estimation of management, the appropriate balance and is adequate to cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The increase in the allowance was a result of further credit deterioration within United’s loan portfolio. Although a majority of the losses have been within the residential construction and development portion of the portfolio in the Atlanta MSA, credit quality deterioration has been observed in other markets and loan categories. Additional discussion on loan quality and the allowance for loan losses is included in the Asset Quality section of this report.

19

Fee Revenue

Although United continues to focus on increasing fee revenue through new products and services, fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $12.8 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2008. The following table presents the components of fee revenue for the first quarters of 2009 and 2008.

Table 4 — Fee Revenue
(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009		2008		Change
Service charges and fees	$	7,034	$	7,813		(10	)%
Mortgage loan and related fees		2,651		1,963		35
Consulting fees		1,021		1,807		(43	)
Brokerage fees		689		1,093		(37	)
Securities gains, net		303		—
Other		1,148		1,521		(25	)
Total	$	12,846	$	14,197		(10	)

Service charges and fees of $7.0 million were down $779,000, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to lower overdraft fees.

Mortgage loans and related fees for the first quarter were up $688,000, or 35%, from the first quarter of 2008. The increase is due to a much higher level of refinancing activity as mortgage rates fell to historical lows. In the first quarter of 2009, United closed 996 loans totaling $174.3 million compared with 552 loans totaling $96.8 million in the first quarter of 2008. The first quarter 2009 origination activity was at a record level for United. Substantially all originated residential mortgages were sold into the secondary market including the right to service these loans.

Consulting fees decreased $786,000, or 43%, compared to the first three months of 2008. This decrease is a direct result of the current economic stress affecting the financial services industry which has limited sales of new consulting projects. During the first quarter, several consultants were engaged in United’s internal project to improve financial performance through revenue enhancement and cost savings initiatives. This project allowed United to maintain the consultants’ productivity while providing a valuable service to United, however, these services do not result in the recognition of consolidated consulting fee revenue for financial reporting purposes since the services were performed by a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Brokerage fees of $689,000 were down $404,000, or 37%, from the first quarter of 2008 due to the continuing weak market conditions.

Other fee revenue of $1.1 million decreased $373,000 or 25%, from the first quarter of 2008. This decline is due to lower revenue generated by United’s bank owned life insurance assets.

20

Operating Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, total operating expenses were $125.5 million, which included a $70 million charge for goodwill impairment and $2.9 million in severance costs relating to a reduction in force. Excluding those non-recurring charges, operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 were $52.6 million, an increase of $5.0 million, or 11%, compared with $47.5 million for the same period in 2008. The following table presents the components of operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Table 5 — Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009		2008		Change
Salaries and employee benefits	$	28,839	$	28,754		—	%
Communications and equipment		3,729		3,832		(3	)
Occupancy		3,807		3,716		2
Advertising and public relations		1,109		1,351		(18	)
Postage, printing and supplies		1,182		1,592		(26	)
Professional fees		2,293		1,921		19
Foreclosed property		4,319		911		374
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		2,682		1,266		112
Amortization of intangibles		739		767		(4	)
Goodwill impairment		70,000		—
Severance costs		2,898		—
Other		3,870		3,419		13
Total	$	125,467	$	47,529		164

Salaries and employee benefits for the first quarter 2009 totaled $28.8 million, unchanged from the same period of 2008. Although United reduced headcount in the first quarter of 2009 through a reduction in force, the positions were eliminated late in the quarter so the reduction in expense will occur in the second quarter and beyond. Through the reduction in force, United reduced headcount from 1,994 employees at December 31, 2008 to 1,851 at March 31, 2009.

Professional fees for the first quarter of 2009 of $2.3 million were up $372,000, or 19%, from the same period in 2008. The increase is primarily related to legal fees incurred in the loan workout process.

Foreclosed property expense of $4.3 million for the first quarter of 2009 was up $3.4 million from the first quarter of 2008 reflecting the increase in the number of foreclosed properties. 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.

FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges of $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2009 increased $1.4 million from the first quarter of 2008 reflecting the seven basis point increase in FDIC insurance premiums charged to all insured depository institutions beginning on January 1, 2009. United did not record any expense associated with the FDIC’s proposed special assessment during the first quarter.

Other expense of $3.9 million for the first three months of 2009 increased $451,000 from the first quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily due to a loss of $405,000 on an equity investment in a bank that failed during the first quarter.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefit for the first quarter 2009 was $16.9 million as compared with income tax expense of $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2008, representing an effective tax rate of 14.0% and 35.5%, respectively. The effective tax rates were lower than 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, the goodwill impairment charge and the change in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets as discussed below. Additional information regarding income taxes can be found in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements filed with United’s 2008 Form 10-K.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2009 reflects the tax treatment of the $70 million goodwill impairment charge. 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 $70 million charge. The first quarter 2009 effective tax rate also reflects a valuation allowance established for deferred tax assets. Management determined that it is more likely than not that approximately $2.3 million, net of Federal benefit, in state low income housing tax credits will expire unused due to their very short three year carry forward period.

21

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets at March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $8.1 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively. Average total assets for the first quarter of 2009 were $8.3 billion, unchanged from the first quarter of 2008.

Goodwill

United reviews its goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that goodwill has been impaired. United completed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of December 31, 2008. In completing the annual assessment, United engaged an international accounting firm to assist with the valuation. United’s year-end goodwill impairment assessment indicated that there was no goodwill impairment.

Since year-end, 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 which management believes reflects uncertainty about the economic cycle. Additionally, the stock prices of the peer group used as part of the valuation analysis in the year-end goodwill impairment assessment experienced similar declines. The current economic environment 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 and these other factors, management believed that goodwill should be re-assessed for impairment. United engaged the same international accounting firm to update their year-end valuation analysis, which included several commonly accepted valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flows analysis and several techniques involving comparisons to peer company valuations. The conclusion from the updated impairment analysis was that impairment was present and a $70 million charge to earnings was taken.

Because goodwill is an intangible asset that cannot be sold separately or otherwise disposed of, it is not recognized in determining capital adequacy for regulatory purposes. Therefore the goodwill impairment charge had no effect on United’s regulatory capital ratios.

Loans

The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio.

Table 6 — Loans Outstanding
(dollars in thousands)

	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2009			2008			2008
By Loan Type
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,778,691		$	1,626,966		$	1,526,282
Commercial construction		376,682			499,663			548,063
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		387,344			410,529			437,220
Total commercial		2,542,717			2,537,158			2,511,565
Residential construction		1,430,319			1,478,679			1,791,338
Residential mortgage		1,503,893			1,526,388			1,490,951
Installment		155,776			162,636			173,985
Total loans	$	5,632,705		$	5,704,861		$	5,967,839
As a percentage of total loans:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		32	%		29	%		26	%
Commercial construction		6			8			9
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		7			7			7
Total commercial		45			44			42
Residential construction		25			26			30
Residential mortgage		27			27			25
Installment		3			3			3
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%
By Geographic Location
Atlanta MSA	$	1,660,177		$	1,705,561		$	1,978,047
Gainesville MSA		421,420			420,169			414,743
North Georgia		2,013,458			2,040,082			2,070,551
Western North Carolina		808,127			809,863			816,389
Coastal Georgia		460,122			463,642			439,116
East Tennessee		269,401			265,544			248,993
Total loans	$	5,632,705		$	5,704,861		$	5,967,839

22

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, 2009, total loans were $5.6 billion, a decrease of $335 million, or 6%, from March 31, 2008. The rate of loan growth began to decline in the first quarter of 2007 and the balances have continued to decline through 2008 and into 2009. The decline in loan growth was due to deterioration in the residential construction and housing markets. This deterioration resulted in part in an oversupply of lot inventory 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 MSA although there has been some migration of deterioration into United’s other markets.

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 headingLoan Review and Non-performing Assetsin United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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 quarter-end. The amount each period 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 increase in the allowance for loan losses during the first quarter of 2009 was due to an increase in classified assets, deterioration in the collateral values leading to an expectation of higher charge-offs upon default, further weakening of the housing market, and the recessionary economic environment.

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

23

The following table presents a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Table 7 — Allowance for Loan Losses
(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2009			2008
Balance beginning of period	$	122,271		$	89,423
Provision for loan losses		65,000			7,500
Charge-offs:
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		1,208			324
Commercial (secured by real estate)		865			630
Commercial construction		54			—
Residential construction		37,967			4,808
Residential mortgage		3,111			1,073
Installment		926			667
Total loans charged-off		44,131			7,502
Recoveries:
Commercial (commercial and industrial)		335			20
Commercial (secured by real estate)		39			—
Commercial construction		—			—
Residential construction		205			143
Residential mortgage		127			62
Installment		144			202
Total recoveries		850			427
Net charge-offs		43,281			7,075
Balance end of period	$	143,990		$	89,848
Total loans:
At period-end	$	5,632,705		$	5,967,839
Average		5,675,054			5,958,296
Allowance as a percentage of period-end loans		2.56	%		1.51	%
As a percentage of average loans (annualized):
Net charge-offs		3.09			.48
Provision for loan losses		4.65			.51
Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans		56	*		133

* - Excluding impaired loans with no allocated reserve, the coverage ratio was 117% at March 31, 2009.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2009 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.

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Non-performing Assets

The table below summarizes non-performing assets.

Table 8 — Non-Performing Assets
(dollars in thousands)

	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
	2009			2008			2008
Non-accrual loans	$	259,155		$	190,723		$	67,728
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		—			—			—
Total non-performing loans		259,155			190,723			67,728
Other real estate owned (OREO)		75,383			59,768			22,136
Total non-performing assets	$	334,538		$	250,491		$	89,864
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans		4.60	%		3.34	%		1.13	%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO		5.86			4.35			1.50
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets		4.11			2.94			1.07

Non-performing loans totaled $259.2 million, compared with $190.7 million at December 31, 2008 and $67.7 million at March 31, 2008. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased substantially from March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2008 reflecting continued deterioration in United’s residential construction and development portfolio primarily in the Atlanta MSA. Non-performing assets, which include non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate, totaled $334.5 million at March 31, 2009, compared with $250.5 million at December 31, 2008 and $89.9 million at March 31, 2008. United’s position throughout the recession has been to actively and aggressively work to dispose of problem assets quickly. In the latter half of 2008, with the rising number of foreclosed properties saturating the market and driving prices down, United made a strategic decision to hold certain foreclosed properties that have strong prospects for a recovery in value upon market stabilization. By holding those properties, United expects to realize more value upon disposition, thereby maximizing returns to shareholders. The strategy to hold selected properties will result in elevated levels of nonperforming assets over the next few quarters.

United’s policy is to classify loans as non-accrual when, in the opinion of management, 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.

At March 31, 2009 and 2008 there were $200.9 million and $64.5 million, respectively, of loans classified as impaired under the definition outlined in SFAS No. 114Accounting By Creditors For Impairment of a Loan. Of these, $136.2 million and $8.0 million, respectively, did not have a specific reserve allocated. At March 31, 2009, $64.7 million had specific reserves allocated totaling $22.6 million. At March 31, 2008, $56.4 million had specific reserves allocated totaling $12.0 million. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $206.0 million and $38.8 million, respectively. There was no interest revenue recognized on loans while they were impaired for the first three months of 2009.

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 quarter-end increased $210.6 million from a year ago. The investment portfolio is used as a supplemental tool to stabilize interest rate sensitivity and increase net interest revenue. At March 31, 2009 and 2008, the securities portfolio represented approximately 21% and 18% 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 time period.

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Deposits

Total deposits as of March 31, 2009 were $6.6 billion, an increase of $441 million, or 7%, from March 31, 2008. Total non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts of $665 million decreased $25 million, or 4%, and NOW, money market and savings accounts of $2.0 billion decreased $181 million, or 8%. Management believes the decreases were primarily caused by seasonal timing, the slowdown in the local economy and the resultant increase in the use of funds by United’s customers because average balances per account have declined over the past year. Since December 31, 2008, United has seen increases in balances of non-interest bearing-demand, NOW (excluding public funds), money market and savings balances as a result of internal efforts to raise core deposits.

Total time deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of March 31, 2009 were $3.3 billion, an increase of $351 million, or 12%, from March 31, 2008. Time deposits less than $100,000 totaled $1.9 billion, an increase of $376 million, or 24%, from a year ago. Time deposits of $100,000 and greater totaled $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2009, a decrease of $25 million, or 2%, from March 31, 2008. 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. United also takes advantage of “brokered” time deposits, issued in certificates of less than $100,000, as an alternate source of cost-effective funding. Brokered time deposits as of March 31, 2009 were $727 million, compared with $432 million at March 31, 2008.

Wholesale Funding

The Bank is a shareholder in a Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta. Through this affiliation, FHLB secured advances totaled $260 million and $615 million as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This decline was the result of a successful CD program during the second quarter of 2008 and use of brokered deposits in order to keep collateral available for liquidity purposes. United anticipates continued use of this short- and long-term source of funds. FHLB advances outstanding at March 31, 2009 had both fixed and floating interest rates from 0% to 4.49%. Additional information regarding FHLB advances, is provided in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in United’s 2008 Form 10-K.

At March 31, 2009, United had $159 million in Federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings outstanding, compared to $533 million outstanding at March 31, 2008. 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.

Net interest revenue is 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”). ALCO meets regularly 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 interest rate simulation model. Such estimates are based upon a number of assumptions for each scenario, including maintaining current balance sheet levels, deposit repricing characteristics and the rate of prepayments. The simulation model measures the potential change in net interest revenue over a twelve-month period under multiple interest rate scenarios. The base scenario assumes rates remain flat over the next twelve months and is the scenario to which all others are compared to in order to measure the change in net interest revenue. A second commonly analyzed scenario is a most likely scenario that projects the most likely change in rates over the next twelve months 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.

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 flat-rate 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. Historically low rates on March 31, 2009 made use of the down 200 basis point scenario problematic. At March 31, 2009 United’s simulation model indicated that a 200 basis point increase in rates over the next twelve months would cause an approximate 3.2% decrease in net interest revenue and a 25 basis point decrease in rates over the next twelve months would cause an approximate .8% increase in net interest revenue. The shift to a liability sensitive position is primarily due to the inclusion of floors in most new floating rate loans which causes the balance sheet to be liability sensitive for the first 200 basis point increase in rates.

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 and capital effective means of modifying the repricing characteristics of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2009, United was a party to interest rate swap contracts under which it 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.

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The following table presents the interest rate derivative contracts outstanding.

Table 9 — Derivative Financial Instruments
As of March 31, 2009(dollars in thousands)

	Notional		Rate			Rate			Fair
Type/Maturity	Amount		Received			Paid			Value (5)
Fair Value Hedges:
LIBOR Swaps (Brokered CDs)
August 27, 2010(1)	$	50,000		4.30	%		1.60	%	$	1,596
September 22, 2010(2)		50,000		4.25			1.77			1,492
September 30, 2010(1)		95,000		4.25			1.60			3,095
Total Fair Value Hedges:		195,000		4.26			1.64			6,183
Cash Flow Hedges:
Prime Swaps (Prime Loans) (3)
May 4, 2009		30,000		8.29			3.25			150
June 9, 2010		100,000		5.82			3.25			2,894
June 11, 2010		25,000		8.26			3.25			1,456
June 13, 2011		25,000		6.72			3.25			1,605
December 12, 2011		25,000		6.86			3.25			1,913
January 2, 2012		100,000		6.71			3.25			7,277
March 12, 2012		50,000		6.87			3.25			4,028
March 27, 2012		50,000		6.76			3.25			3,896
March 27, 2012		50,000		6.72			3.25			3,705
January 31, 2013		50,000		6.26			3.25			3,355
May 6, 2013		50,000		7.21			3.25			5,324
July 22, 2013		100,000		6.88			3.25			9,295
July 25, 2013		50,000		6.92			3.25			4,880
July 25, 2013		25,000		6.91			3.25			2,477
Total:		730,000		6.77			3.25			52,255
Prime Floors (Prime Loans)(4)
May 1, 2009		25,000		8.75						148
November 1, 2009		75,000		8.75						2,483
February 4, 2010		100,000		8.75						4,702
August 1, 2010		50,000		8.75						3,579
August 4, 2010		50,000		8.75						3,592
Total:		300,000								14,504
Total Cash Flow Hedges:		1,030,000								66,759
Total Derivative Contracts	$	1,225,000							$	72,942

(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, 2009
(4)	Floor contracts receive cash payments equal to the floor rate less the prime rate
(5)	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, 2009, United had interest rate swap contracts with a total notional amount of $730 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of prime-based loans. United had interest rate floor contracts with a total notional of $300 million and a remaining unamortized premium balance of $2.4 million that were also designated as cash flow hedges of prime-based loans. United also had receive fixed, pay LIBOR swap contracts with a total notional of $195 million that were accounted for as fair value hedges of brokered deposits.

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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 Banks’ customers, both depositors and borrowers.

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 principal repayments and the maturities and sales of securities. Mortgage loans held for sale totaled $43 million at March 31, 2009, 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.

United had sufficient qualifying collateral to increase FHLB advances by $1.0 billion at March 31, 2009. United’s internal policy limits brokered deposits to 25% of total assets. At March 31, 2009, United had the capacity to increase brokered deposits by $1.3 billion and still remain within this limit. Also, United had sufficient qualifying assets pledged to the Federal Reserve under the Term Auction Facility, Term Investment Option and Discount Window to increase short-term borrowings by $471 million.

As disclosed in United’s consolidated statement of cash flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $52.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The net loss of $103.8 million for the quarter included non-cash expenses for provision for loan losses of $65 million and goodwill impairment of $70 million. Also included in cash provided from operating activities was a $49.6 million net increase in accrued expenses other liabilities that primarily related to a federal tax refund received in the first quarter and cash collateral received from counterparties to derivatives contracts. This was offset by a net increase in mortgage loans held for sale of $22.8 million and a net increase in other assets of $9.3 million. Net cash used by investing activities of $99.2 million consisted primarily of purchases of securities of $297.6 million, a net increase in loans of $9.9 million and purchases of premises and equipment of $2.8 million, which were partially offset by proceeds from sales of securities of $14.2 million, maturities and calls of investment securities of $174.2 million, and proceeds from sales of other real estate of $22.6 million. Net cash used by financing activities of $312.3 million consisted primarily of a net decrease of $386.3 million in deposits. This was offset by a $50.3 million increase in federal funds and other short-term borrowings and a net increase of $25 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

Capital Resources and Dividends

Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2009 was $888.9 million, a decrease of $100.5 million from December 31, 2008. The non-cash goodwill impairment charge accounted for $70 million of the decrease. Accumulated other comprehensive income is not included in the calculation of regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Excluding the change in the accumulated other comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity decreased $104.5 million from December 31, 2008. The decrease in equity is primarily due to the $103.8 million net loss for the first quarter which included the $70 million goodwill impairment charge. In order to preserve capital, United’s board of directors declared a 1 for 130 stock dividend during the first quarter of 2009 in lieu of a cash dividend on the outstanding common shares. United reported $2.6 million in dividends on Series A and Series B preferred stock. 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.

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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 2009 and 2008.

Table 10 — Stock Price Information

	2009								2008
							Avg Daily								Avg Daily
	High		Low		Close		Volume		High		Low		Close		Volume
First quarter	$	13.87	$	2.28	$	4.16		524,492	$	20.80	$	13.38	$	16.98		441,659
Second quarter										18.51		8.51		8.53		464,566
Third quarter										19.05		7.58		13.26		359,971
Fourth quarter										15.82		9.25		13.58		319,534

The following table presents the quarterly cash and stock dividends declared in 2009 and 2008 and the respective cash dividend payout ratios as a percentage of basic operating earnings per share.

Table 11 — Dividend Payout Information

2009

2008

Cash

Stock

Payout

Cash

Stock

Payout

Dividend

Dividend

Ratio

Dividend

Dividend

Ratio

First quarter

$

—

1 for 130

NA

$

.09

—

26

%

Second quarter

.09

—

60

Third quarter

—

1 for 130

NA

Fourth quarter

—

1 for 130

NA

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

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

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-adjusted 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. 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.

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.

29

The following table shows United’s capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, at March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Table 12 — Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)

	2009						2008
	Actual			Regulatory			Actual			Regulatory
	Amount			Minimum			Amount			Minimum
Tier I Leverage:
Amount	$	637,727		$	242,040		$	555,126		$	239,641
Ratio		7.90	%		3.00	%		6.95	%		3.00	%
Tier I Risk-Based:
Amount	$	637,727		$	234,473		$	555,126		$	252,806
Ratio		10.88	%		4.00	%		8.78	%		4.00	%
Total Risk-Based:
Amount	$	795,772		$	468,946		$	694,462		$	505,613
Ratio		13.58	%		8.00	%		10.99	%		8.00	%

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 Banks currently exceed the minimum ratios as defined by federal regulators. United monitors these ratios to ensure that United and the Banks remain above regulatory minimum 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 of March 31, 2009 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2009 is included in management’s discussion and analysis on page 26 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, 2009. 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.

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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, 2008.

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

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities — None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders — None

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.
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.

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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 7, 2009

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit
No.		Description
	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.
	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.

33