Exhibit 99.5


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration has been signed by me in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Know all men that I constitute and appoint Richard M. Adams and Steven E. Wilson
and each of them my true and lawful attorney in fact and agent with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the
registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I
might do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys in
fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     I also hereby consent to the reference to my name in United Bankshares,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 and any amendment thereto.



                                               /s/ W. Gaston Caperton
                                               -----------------------------
                                                    W. Gaston Caperton, III



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration has been signed by me in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Know all men that I constitute and appoint Richard M. Adams and Steven E. Wilson
and each of them my true and lawful attorney in fact and agent with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the
registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I
might do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys in
fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     I also hereby consent to the reference to my name in United Bankshares,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 and any amendment thereto.



                                               /s/ James W. Word, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------
                                                      James W. Word, Jr.



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration has been signed by me in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Know all men that I constitute and appoint Richard M. Adams and Steven E. Wilson
and each of them my true and lawful attorney in fact and agent with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the
registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I
might do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys in
fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     I also hereby consent to the reference to my name in United Bankshares,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 and any amendment thereto.



                                               /s/ G. Ogden Nutting
                                               ---------------------------
                                                      G. Ogden Nutting