Exhibit 99.3



                                     PROXY

                           CENTURY BANCSHARES, INC.
                        1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                            Washington, D.C. 20004

          This Proxy Is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
      for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders on December 7, 2001
                         ____________________________

The undersigned stockholder of Century Bancshares, Inc. ("Century") hereby
makes, constitutes and appoints Joseph S. Bracewell and John R. Cope, and each
of them, as attorneys, agents and proxies with full power of substitution to
vote, as designated on the reverse, all of the shares of common stock of Century
held of record by the undersigned as of October ___, 2001 which the undersigned
would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Special Meeting of
Stockholders of Century to be held at 9:00 a.m. (local time) at the offices of
Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P., 2000 K Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C.
20006-1872, and at any adjournments thereof (the "Special Meeting"), with
respect to the proposals described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders both dated October ___, 2001, timely
receipt of which is acknowledged.


This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted
"FOR" Proposal 1.  This proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons
named herein with respect to all other matters that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.

1.   Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of June 14,
     2001 pursuant to which Century will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
     United Bankshares, Inc.

     For        Against       Abstain
     [_]        [_]           [_]

                    _______________________________________
                 In their discretion, the proxies are authorized
                 to vote upon such other business as may properly
                 come before the Special Meeting and any
                 adjournment thereof.

I plan to attend the Special Meeting.

Yes  [_]    No  [_]

                              Please date and sign exactly as name appears on
                              the certificates representing your shares of
                              common stock of Century.  When shares are held
                              jointly, each stockholder must sign.  When signing
                              as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or
                              guardian, please give full title as such.  If a
                              corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
                              president or other authorized officer.  If a
                              partnership, please sign in partnership name by
                              authorized person.

                              Dated:______________________, 2001

                              _____________________________________
                              (Print Name)

                              _____________________________________
                              (Stockholder's Signature)

                              _____________________________________
                              (Print Name)

                              _____________________________________
                              (Stockholder's Signature)


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.