SEC Filing | United Community Banks, Inc.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2013

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 001-35095

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia		58-1807304
(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

125 Highway 515 East
Blairsville, Georgia		30512
Address of Principal Executive Offices		(Zip Code)

(706) 781-2265

(Telephone Number)

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

YES x NO o

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).

YES x NO o

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

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer x

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

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

YES o NO x

Common stock, par value $1 per share 45,230,240 shares voting and 14,189,006 shares non-voting outstanding as of October 31, 2013.

INDEX


PART I - Financial Information

	Item 1.	Financial Statements.

		Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	3

		Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	4

		Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012	5

		Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	6

		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	7

		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	38

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	61

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	61

PART II - Other Information

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	62
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	62
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	62
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	62
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	62
	Item 5.	Other Information.	62
	Item 6.	Exhibits.	63

Part I – Financial Information

Item 1 – Financial Statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2013		2012			2013			2012

Interest revenue:
Loans, including fees	$	50,114	$	53,868		$	151,776		$	163,805
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $202, $225, $624 and $737		9,872		10,706			29,518			34,772
Deposits in banks and short-term investments		1,007		985			2,793			3,093
Total interest revenue		60,993		65,559			184,087			201,670

Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW		413		447			1,286			1,587
Money market		545		599			1,641			1,901
Savings		37		37			109			112
Time		2,486		4,612			8,636			15,844
Total deposit interest expense		3,481		5,695			11,672			19,444
Short-term borrowings		525		514			1,563			2,463
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		16		26			65			882
Long-term debt		3,003		2,372			8,331			7,119
Total interest expense		7,025		8,607			21,631			29,908
Net interest revenue		53,968		56,952			162,456			171,762
Provision for loan losses		3,000		15,500			62,500			48,500
Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses		50,968		41,452			99,956			123,262

Fee revenue:
Service charges and fees		8,456		7,696			23,831			23,295
Mortgage loan and other related fees		2,554		2,800			8,212			7,221
Brokerage fees		1,274		709			3,104			2,331
Securities gains, net		-		-			116			7,047
Loss from prepayment of debt		-		-			-			(6,681	)
Other		1,860		2,559			8,019			8,797
Total fee revenue		14,144		13,764			43,282			42,010
Total revenue		65,112		55,216			143,238			165,272

Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		23,090		22,918			71,416			72,440
Communications and equipment		3,305		3,254			9,819			9,620
Occupancy		3,379		3,539			10,195			10,849
Advertising and public relations		962		934			2,937			2,868
Postage, printing and supplies		644		954			2,401			2,849
Professional fees		2,650		2,180			7,515			6,107
Foreclosed property		194		3,706			7,678			9,382
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		2,405		2,537			7,415			7,592
Amortization of intangibles		427		728			1,623			2,190
Other		3,041		4,033			11,691			12,151
Total operating expenses		40,097		44,783			132,690			136,048
Net income before income taxes		25,015		10,433			10,548			29,224
Income tax expense (benefit)		9,515		(135	)		(246,681	)		629
Net income		15,500		10,568			257,229			28,595
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		3,059		3,041			9,166			9,103
Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,441	$	7,527		$	248,063		$	19,492

Earnings per common share
Basic	$	.21	$	.13		$	4.24		$	.34
Diluted		.21		.13			4.24			.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		59,100		57,880			58,443			57,826
Diluted		59,202		57,880			58,444			57,826

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(in thousands)	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013	Before- tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before- tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount

Net (loss) income	$	25,015		$	(9,515	)	$	15,500		$	10,548		$	246,681		$	257,229
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period		(13,215	)		4,971			(8,244	)		(26,932	)		10,148			(16,784	)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		-			-			-			(116	)		45			(71	)
Adjustment of valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and release of valuation allowance		-			-			-			-			(2,950	)		(2,950	)
Net unrealized gains (losses)		(13,215	)		4,971			(8,244	)		(27,048	)		7,243			(19,805	)
Amortization of gains included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity		(214	)		82			(132	)		(804	)		309			(495	)
Adjustment of valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from the amortization of gains included in net income (loss) on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity and release of valuation allowance		-			-			-			-			1,293			1,293
Net unrealized losses		(214	)		82			(132	)		(804	)		1,602			798
Amounts reclassified into net income on cash flow hedges		(58	)		23			(35	)		(902	)		351			(551	)
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges		(3,369	)		1,321			(2,048	)		8,733			(3,386	)		5,347
Adjustment of valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from unrealized gains and losses and amortization of gains included in net income on cash flow hedges and release of valuation allowance		-			-			-						13,698			13,698
Net unrealized losses		(3,427	)		1,344			(2,083	)		7,831			10,663			18,494
Net actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plan		-			-			-			(415	)		161			(254	)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan		133			(52	)		81			398			(155	)		243
Net defined benefit pension plan activity		133			(52	)		81			(17	)		6			(11	)

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(16,723	)		6,345			(10,378	)		(20,038	)		19,514			(524	)

Comprehensive income	$	8,292		$	(3,170	)	$	5,122		$	(9,490	)	$	266,195		$	256,705

2012

Net income	$	10,433		$	135		$	10,568		$	29,224		$	(629	)	$	28,595
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period		5,813			(2,139	)		3,674			6,737			(2,415	)		4,322
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		-			-			-			(7,047	)		2,631			(4,416	)
Valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities		-			2,139			2,139			-			(216	)		(216	)
Net unrealized gains (losses)		5,813			-			5,813			(310	)		-			(310	)
Amortization of gains included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity		(499	)		189			(310	)		(1,312	)		497			(815	)
Valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from the amortization of gains included in net income (loss) on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity		-			(189	)		(189	)		-			(497	)		(497	)
Net unrealized losses		(499	)		-			(499	)		(1,312	)		-			(1,312	)
Amortization of gains included in net income on terminated derivative financial instruments that were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges		(763	)		297			(466	)		(3,077	)		1,197			(1,880	)
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges		(3,943	)		1,534			(2,409	)		(8,798	)		3,422			(5,376	)
Valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from unrealized gains and losses and amortization of gains included in net income on cash flow hedges		-			(1,831	)		(1,831	)		-			(4,619	)		(4,619	)
Net unrealized losses		(4,706	)		-			(4,706	)		(11,875	)		-			(11,875	)
Net actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plan		-			-			-			-			-			-
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan		154			(60	)		94			462			(180	)		282
Valuation allowance for the change in deferred taxes arising from reclassification of unamortized prior service cost and actuarial losses and amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses		-			60			60			-			180			180
Net defined benefit pension plan activity		154			-			154			462			-			462

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		762			-			762			(13,035	)		-			(13,035	)

Comprehensive income	$	11,195		$	135		$	11,330		$	16,189		$	(629	)	$	15,560

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	2013			2012			2012

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	70,986		$	66,536		$	57,270
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		131,147			124,613			119,355
Short-term investments		62,000			60,000			45,000
Cash and cash equivalents		264,133			251,149			221,625
Securities available for sale		1,963,424			1,834,593			1,761,994
Securities held to maturity (fair value $214,651, $261,131 and $281,336)		205,613			244,184			262,648
Mortgage loans held for sale		11,987			28,821			30,571
Loans, net of unearned income		4,267,067			4,175,008			4,137,845
Less allowance for loan losses		(80,372	)		(107,137	)		(107,642	)
Loans, net		4,186,695			4,067,871			4,030,203
Assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC		31,207			47,467			53,070
Premises and equipment, net		165,993			168,920			170,532
Bank owned life insurance		80,537			81,867			81,574
Accrued interest receivable		18,199			18,659			19,133
Other intangible assets		3,888			5,510			6,237
Foreclosed property		4,467			18,264			26,958
Net deferred tax asset		269,784			-			-
Other assets		37,366			34,954			34,690
Total assets	$	7,243,293		$	6,802,259		$	6,699,235
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand	$	1,418,782		$	1,252,605		$	1,210,703
NOW		1,279,134			1,316,453			1,184,341
Money market		1,197,495			1,149,912			1,126,312
Savings		249,044			227,308			222,431
Time:
Less than $100,000		925,089			1,055,271			1,123,672
Greater than $100,000		624,019			705,558			731,766
Brokered		419,344			245,033			223,474
Total deposits		6,112,907			5,952,140			5,822,699
Short-term borrowings		53,769			52,574			53,243
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		125			40,125			50,125
Long-term debt		129,865			124,805			120,285
Unsettled securities purchases		11,610			-			24,319
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		82,800			51,210			43,309
Total liabilities		6,391,076			6,220,854			6,113,980
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
Series A; $10 stated value; 21,700 shares issued and outstanding		217			217			217
Series B; $1,000 stated value; 180,000 shares issued and outstanding		179,714			178,557			178,183
Series D; $1,000 stated value; 16,613 shares issued and outstanding		16,613			16,613			16,613
Common stock, $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
45,222,839, 42,423,870 and 42,393,319 shares issued and outstanding		45,223			42,424			42,393
Common stock, non-voting, $1 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
14,189,006, 15,316,794 and 15,316,794 shares issued and outstanding		14,189			15,317			15,317
Common stock issuable; 242,262, 133,238 and 129,270 shares		3,979			3,119			3,247
Capital surplus		1,077,536			1,057,951			1,056,998
Accumulated deficit		(461,090	)		(709,153	)		(711,369	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(24,164	)		(23,640	)		(16,344	)
Total shareholders' equity		852,217			581,405			585,255
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	7,243,293		$	6,802,259		$	6,699,235

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

																					Accumulated
	Preferred Stock								Non-Voting			Common									Other
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	Series		Series		Series		Common		Common			Stock			Capital			Accumulated			Comprehensive
(in thousands, except share and per share data)		A		B		D	Stock		Stock			Issuable			Surplus			Deficit			Income (Loss)			Total
Balance, December 31, 2011	$	217	$	177,092	$	16,613	$	41,647	$	15,914		$	3,233		$	1,054,940		$	(730,861	)	$	(3,309	)	$	575,486
Net income																			28,595						28,595
Other comprehensive loss																						(13,035	)		(13,035	)
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and employee benefit plans (87,086 shares)								86								616									702
Conversion of non-voting common stock to voting common stock (597,415 shares)								597		(597	)														-
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock awards																1,412									1,412
Vesting of restricted stock (59,081 shares issued, 36,673 shares deferred)								60					155			(257	)								(42	)
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents													149												149
Shares issued from deferred compensation plan (2,637 shares)								3					(290	)		287									-
Preferred stock dividends:
Series A																			(9	)					(9	)
Series B				1,091															(7,841	)					(6,750	)
Series D																			(1,253	)					(1,253	)
Balance, September 30, 2012	$	217	$	178,183	$	16,613	$	42,393	$	15,317		$	3,247		$	1,056,998		$	(711,369	)	$	(16,344	)	$	585,255
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	217	$	178,557	$	16,613	$	42,424	$	15,317		$	3,119		$	1,057,951		$	(709,153	)	$	(23,640	)	$	581,405
Net income																			257,229						257,229
Other comprehensive income																						(524	)		(524	)
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and to employee benefit plans (49,830 shares)								50								532									582
Conversion of non-voting common stock to voting (1,127,788 shares)								1,128		(1,128	)														-
Warrant exercise (1,551,126 shares)								1,551								17,838									19,389
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock awards																2,168									2,168
Vesting of restricted stock, net of shares surrendered to cover payroll taxes (51,995 shares issued, 115,664 shares deferred)								52					1,693			(1,900	)								(155	)
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents													132												132
Shares issued from deferred compensation plan (18,230 shares)								18					(965	)		947									-
Preferred stock dividends:
Series A																			(9	)					(9	)
Series B				1,157															(7,907	)					(6,750	)
Series D																			(1,250	)					(1,250	)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	217	$	179,714	$	16,613	$	45,223	$	14,189		$	3,979		$	1,077,536		$	(461,090	)	$	(24,164	)	$	852,217

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
(in thousands)	2013			2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$	257,229		$	28,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		20,847			24,478
Provision for loan losses		62,500			48,500
Stock based compensation		2,168			1,412
Deferred income tax benefit		(250,054	)		-
Securities gains, net		(116	)		(7,047	)
Losses and write downs on sales of other real estate owned		5,141			5,687
Loss on prepayment of borrowings		-			6,681
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and accrued interest receivable		16,225			40,708
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		31,562			(3,108	)
Mortgage loans held for sale		16,834			(6,690	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		162,336			139,216

Investing activities:
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
Proceeds from maturities and calls		45,578			65,040
Purchases		(8,481	)		-
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Proceeds from sales		20,751			371,103
Proceeds from maturities and calls		399,304			492,768
Purchases		(574,020	)		(818,048	)
Net increase in loans		(288,514	)		(104,806	)
Proceeds from note sales		91,913			-
Collections from FDIC under loss sharing agreements		5,121			7,301
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment		3,550			667
Purchases of premises and equipment		(7,533	)		(3,231	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		24,049			22,309
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(288,282	)		33,103

Financing activities:
Net change in deposits		160,767			(275,284	)
Net change in short-term borrowings		1,195			(53,814	)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances		650,000			1,629,000
Settlement of Federal Home Loan Bank advances		(690,000	)		(1,621,701	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior debt		40,000			-
Repayment of subordinated debentures		(35,000	)		-
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment and employee benefit plans		582			702
Proceeds from warrant exercise		19,389			-
Cash dividends on preferred stock		(8,003	)		(8,013	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		138,930			(329,110	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		12,984			(156,791	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		251,149			378,416
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	264,133		$	221,625

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	$	26,517		$	32,668
Income taxes		2,361			(27,103	)
Unsettled securities purchases		11,610			24,319
Transfers of loans to foreclosed property		18,460			26,854

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 – Accounting Policies

The accounting and financial reporting policies of United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”) and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general banking industry practices. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. A more detailed description of United’s accounting policies is included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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.

Note 2 –Accounting Standards Updates and Recently Adopted Standards

In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU limits the scope of the new balance sheet offsetting disclosures to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending transactions to the extent that they are (1) offset in the financial statements or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting agreement. The disclosure requirements were effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. This guidance did not have a material impact on United’s financial position or results of operations, and resulted in additional disclosures.

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this update require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and by the respective line items of net income. The standard was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. This guidance did not have a material impact on United’s financial position or results of operations, and resulted in additional disclosures.

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-10, Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in this update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting in addition to UST and LIBOR. The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The standard is effective prospectively for qualifying new or re-designated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. This guidance did not have a material impact on United’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward exists. This ASU provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Since United has both unrecognized tax benefits and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, this ASU could have an impact on United’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures; however, United does not expect the impact to be material to United’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

Note 3 – Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

United enters into reverse repurchase agreements in order to invest short-term funds. In addition, United enters into repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with the same counterparty in transactions commonly referred to as collateral swaps that are subject to master netting agreements under which the balances are netted in the balance sheet.

United also enters into derivative transactions that are subject to master netting arrangements; however there were no offsetting positions with the same counterparty at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 or September 30, 2012.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table presents a summary of amounts outstanding under master netting agreements as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the					in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Net Asset		Financial		Collateral
September 30, 2013	Assets			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Received		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	405,000		$	(350,000	)	$	55,000	$	-	$	-	$	55,000
Derivatives		8,092			-			8,092		-		-		8,092
Total	$	413,092		$	(350,000	)	$	63,092	$	-	$	-	$	63,092
Weighted average interest rate of reverse repurchase agreements		1.13	%

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the			Net		in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Liability		Financial		Collateral
	Liabilities			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Pledged		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	350,000		$	(350,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Derivatives		37,269			-			37,269		-		25,579		11,690
Total	$	387,269		$	(350,000	)	$	37,269	$	-	$	25,579	$	11,690
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.28	%

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the					in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Net Asset		Financial		Collateral
December 31, 2012	Assets			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Received		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	325,000		$	(265,000	)	$	60,000	$	-	$	-	$	60,000
Securities lending transactions		50,000			(50,000	)		-		-		-		-
Derivatives		658			-			658		-		-		658
Total	$	375,658		$	(315,000	)	$	60,658	$	-	$	-	$	60,658
Weighted average interest rate of reverse repurchase agreements		1.18	%

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the			Net		in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Liability		Financial		Collateral
	Liabilities			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Pledged		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	265,000		$	(265,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Securities lending transactions		50,000			(50,000	)		-		-		-		-
Derivatives		12,543			-			12,543		-		11,493		1,050
Total	$	327,543		$	(315,000	)	$	12,543	$	-	$	11,493	$	1,050
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.43	%

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the					in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Net Asset		Financial		Collateral
September 30, 2012	Assets			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Received		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	270,000		$	(225,000	)	$	45,000	$	-	$	-	$	45,000
Securities lending transactions		100,000			(100,000	)		-		-		-		-
Derivatives		778			-			778		-		-		778
Total	$	370,778		$	(325,000	)	$	45,778	$	-	$	-	$	45,778
Weighted average interest rate of reverse repurchase agreements		1.19	%

				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the			Net		in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Liability		Financial		Collateral
	Liabilities			Sheet			Balance		Instruments		Pledged		Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	225,000		$	(225,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Securities lending transactions		100,000			(100,000	)		-		-		-		-
Derivatives		10,363			-			10,363		-		11,126		(763	)
Total	$	335,363		$	(325,000	)	$	10,363	$	-	$	11,126	$	(763	)
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.41	%

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4 – Securities

Realized gains and losses are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. The following table summarizes securities sales activity for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Proceeds from sales	$	5,000	$	-	$	20,751	$	371,103
Gross gains on sales	$	-	$	-	$	116	$	7,047
Gross losses on sales		-		-		-		-
Net gains on sales of securities	$	-	$	-	$	116	$	7,047
Income tax expense attributable to sales	$	-	$	-	$	45	$	2,631

Securities with a carrying value of $1.34 billion, $1.40 billion, and $1.28 billion were pledged to secure public deposits and other secured borrowings at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Substantial borrowing capacity remains available under borrowing arrangements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) with currently pledged securities.

Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them until maturity. Securities held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands).

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
As of September 30, 2013	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
State and political subdivisions	$	51,745	$	2,723	$	53	$	54,415
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		153,868		6,767		399		160,236
Total	$	205,613	$	9,490	$	452	$	214,651
As of December 31, 2012
State and political subdivisions	$	51,780	$	5,486	$	-	$	57,266
Mortgage-backed securities(1)		192,404		11,461		-		203,865
Total	$	244,184	$	16,947	$	-	$	261,131

As of September 30, 2012
State and political subdivisions	$	51,790	$	5,795	$	-	$	57,585
Mortgage-backed securities(1)		210,858		12,893		-		223,751
Total	$	262,648	$	18,688	$	-	$	281,336

(1)All are residential type mortgage-backed securities

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

The cost basis, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 are presented below (in thousands).

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
As of September 30, 2013	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
State and political subdivisions	$	22,781	$	893	$	150	$	23,524
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		1,390,280		14,469		21,432		1,383,317
Corporate bonds		255,391		936		9,376		246,951
Asset-backed securities		306,961		1,836		1,559		307,238
Other		2,394		-		-		2,394
Total	$	1,977,807	$	18,134	$	32,517	$	1,963,424

As of December 31, 2012

State and political subdivisions	$	27,717	$	1,354	$	19	$	29,052
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		1,408,042		22,552		2,092		1,428,502
Corporate bonds		169,783		1,052		7,173		163,662
Asset-backed securities		209,411		1,894		749		210,556
Other		2,821		-		-		2,821
Total	$	1,817,774	$	26,852	$	10,033	$	1,834,593

As of September 30, 2012

State and political subdivisions	$	27,403	$	1,478	$	3	$	28,878
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		1,356,002		27,689		751		1,382,940
Corporate bonds		148,315		450		5,613		143,152
Asset-backed securities		204,522		713		806		204,429
Other		2,595		-		-		2,595
Total	$	1,738,837	$	30,330	$	7,173	$	1,761,994

(1) All are residential type mortgage-backed securities

The following table summarizes held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 (thousands). As of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, there were no held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position.

	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
As of September 30, 2013	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss

State and political subdivisions	$	4,825	$	53	$	-	$	-	$	4,825	$	53
Mortgage-backed securities		8,009		399		-		-		8,009		399
Total unrealized loss position	$	12,834	$	452	$	-	$	-	$	12,834	$	452

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).

	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
As of September 30, 2013	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss

State and political subdivisions	$	4,533	$	148	$	10	$	2	$	4,543	$	150
Mortgage-backed securities		533,681		17,958		100,534		3,474		634,215		21,432
Corporate bonds		115,511		6,463		53,042		2,913		168,553		9,376
Asset-backed securities		79,015		869		56,181		690		135,196		1,559
Total unrealized loss position	$	732,740	$	25,438	$	209,767	$	7,079	$	942,507	$	32,517

As of December 31, 2012

State and political subdivisions	$	3,674	$	17	$	10	$	2	$	3,684	$	19
Mortgage-backed securities		326,485		2,092		-		-		326,485		2,092
Corporate bonds		21,248		136		93,903		7,037		115,151		7,173
Asset-backed securities		82,188		749		-		-		82,188		749
Total unrealized loss position	$	433,595	$	2,994	$	93,913	$	7,039	$	527,508	$	10,033

As of September 30, 2012

State and political subdivisions	$	-	$	-	$	12	$	3	$	12	$	3
Mortgage-backed securities		105,296		741		17,059		10		122,355		751
Corporate bonds		4,893		10		113,590		5,603		118,483		5,613
Asset-backed securities		90,766		806		-		-		90,766		806
Total unrealized loss position	$	200,955	$	1,557	$	130,661	$	5,616	$	331,616	$	7,173

At September 30, 2013, there were 133 available-for-sale securities and seven held-to-maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position. United does not intend to sell nor believes it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position prior to the recovery of their amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, however the unrealized losses in corporate bonds also reflect downgrades in the underlying securities ratings since the time of acquisition. The bonds remain above investment grade and have recovered much of their initial market value loss. Therefore, United does not consider them to be impaired.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, among other factors. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and industry analysts’ reports. No impairment charges were recognized during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are presented in the following table (in thousands).

	Available-for-Sale				Held-to-Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value

State and political subdivisions:
Within 1 year	$	2,832	$	2,876	$	-	$	-
1 to 5 years		16,485		17,144		12,472		13,267
5 to 10 years		2,616		2,616		25,062		26,322
More than 10 years		848		888		14,211		14,826
		22,781		23,524		51,745		54,415

Corporate bonds:
1 to 5 years		38,245		38,388		-		-
5 to 10 years		206,377		198,370		-		-
More than 10 years		10,769		10,193		-		-
		255,391		246,951		-		-

Asset-backed securities:
1 to 5 years		72,616		72,188		-		-
5 to 10 years		145,680		146,029		-		-
More than 10 years		88,665		89,021		-		-
		306,961		307,238		-		-

Other:
More than 10 years		2,394		2,394		-		-
		2,394		2,394		-		-

Total securities other than mortgage-backed securities:
Within 1 year		2,832		2,876		-		-
1 to 5 years		127,346		127,720		12,472		13,267
5 to 10 years		354,673		347,015		25,062		26,322
More than 10 years		102,676		102,496		14,211		14,826

Mortgage-backed securities		1,390,280		1,383,317		153,868		160,236

	$	1,977,807	$	1,963,424	$	205,613	$	214,651

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

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Major classifications of loans as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, are summarized as follows (in thousands).

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2013			2012			2012

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,742,771		$	1,813,365		$	1,819,155
Commercial & industrial		457,414			458,246			459,997
Commercial construction		137,146			154,769			160,765
Total commercial		2,337,331			2,426,380			2,439,917
Residential mortgage		1,309,295			1,214,203			1,174,236
Residential construction		317,789			381,677			388,742
Consumer installment		302,652			152,748			134,950

Total loans		4,267,067			4,175,008			4,137,845

Less allowance for loan losses		(80,372	)		(107,137	)		(107,642	)

Loans, net	$	4,186,695		$	4,067,871		$	4,030,203

United’s wholly-owned Georgia banking subsidiary, United Community Bank (the “Bank”) makes loans and extends credit to individuals and a variety of firms and corporations located primarily in counties in north Georgia, the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan statistical area, the Gainesville, Georgia metropolitan statistical area, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina, east and central Tennessee and the Greenville, South Carolina metropolitan statistical area. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its loan portfolio is collateralized by improved and unimproved real estate and is dependent upon the real estate market. Home equity lines of credit are included in the residential mortgage category and are primarily responsible for the growth in that loan class compared to prior periods. Indirect auto loans are included in the consumer installment category above and contributed to the significant growth in that class of loans.

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Balance beginning of period	$	81,845	$	112,705	$	107,137	$	114,468
Provision for loan losses		3,000		15,500		62,500		48,500
Charge-offs:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		1,928		8,445		34,122		16,791
Commercial & industrial		826		343		18,581		1,987
Commercial construction		134		3,198		6,484		3,650
Residential mortgage		1,306		3,575		10,380		13,356
Residential construction		1,096		6,231		22,608		21,706
Consumer installment		419		442		1,691		1,603
Total loans charged-off		5,709		22,234		93,866		59,093
Recoveries:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		71		271		1,556		571
Commercial & industrial		690		602		1,368		802
Commercial construction		1		8		60		38
Residential mortgage		231		48		649		592
Residential construction		24		555		57		1,153
Consumer installment		219		187		911		611
Total recoveries		1,236		1,671		4,601		3,767
Net charge-offs		4,473		20,563		89,265		55,326

Balance end of period	$	80,372	$	107,642	$	80,372	$	107,642

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

During the second quarter of 2013, United executed a plan to accelerate the disposition of classified assets including performing classified loans, nonperforming loans and foreclosed properties. The purpose of the accelerated classified asset disposition plan was to resolve legacy credit problems remaining from the recent financial crisis and to accelerate the improvement of United’s credit measures toward pre-crisis levels. The classified asset sales included individual note and foreclosed property sales and a large bulk sale of classified assets to a single investor. The bulk sale included performing and nonperforming classified loans and foreclosed properties. The assets were divided into four separate pools that were bid for separately by potential buyers. A single purchaser was the high bidder for each of the four pools. The table below shows the allocation among impaired loans, loans that were not considered impaired and foreclosed properties, including United’s recorded investment in those assets, the sales proceeds and the resulting net charge-offs of assets sold in the bulk sale transaction (in thousands).

	Recorded Investment		Net Sales Proceeds		Net Charge-Off
Loans considered impaired	$	96,829	$	56,298	$	(40,531	)
Loans not considered impaired		25,687		15,227		(10,460	)
Foreclosed properties		8,398		5,933		(2,465	)
Total assets sold	$	130,914	$	77,458	$	(53,456	)

The loans considered impaired in the table above were assigned specific reserves of $6.86 million in the most recent analysis of the allowance for loan losses prior to the sale. Because the assets were sold at liquidation prices in a bulk transaction with no recourse, the sales price was generally lower than the appraised value of the foreclosed properties and loan collateral. Although the classified asset sales increased charge-offs during the second quarter of 2013, they accomplished management’s goal of moving classified asset levels toward the pre-crisis range.

United considers all loans that are on nonaccrual with a balance of $500,000 or greater and all troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) to be impaired. In addition, United reviews all accruing substandard loans greater than $2 million to determine if the loan is impaired. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current events and circumstances, it is probable that all amounts due, according to the contractual terms of the loan, will not be collected. All TDRs are considered impaired regardless of accrual status. Impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. A specific reserve is established for impaired loans for the amount of calculated impairment. Interest payments received on impaired nonaccrual loans are applied as a reduction of the outstanding principal balance. For impaired loans not on nonaccrual status, interest is accrued according to the terms of the loan agreement. Loans are evaluated for impairment quarterly and specific reserves are established in the allowance for loan losses for any measured impairment.

Each quarter, United’s management prepares an analysis of the allowance for loan losses to determine the appropriate balance that measures and quantifies the amount of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is comprised of specific reserves which are determined as described above, general reserves which are determined based on historical loss experience as adjusted for current trends and economic conditions and an unallocated portion. United uses eight quarters of historical loss experience weighted toward the most recent quarters to determine the loss factors to be used. Eight quarters has been determined to be an appropriate time period as it is recent enough to be relevant to current conditions and covers a length of time sufficient to minimize distortions caused by nonrecurring and unusual activity that might otherwise influence a shorter time period. The weighted average is calculated by multiplying each quarter’s annualized historical net charge-off rate by 1 through 8, with 8 representing the most recent quarter and 1 representing the oldest quarter. United uses annualized charge-off rates under the broad assumption that losses inherent in the loan portfolio will generally be resolved within twelve months. Problem loans that are not resolved within twelve months are often larger loans that are more complex in nature requiring more time to either rehabilitate or work out of the bank. These credits are subject to impairment testing and specific reserves.

The weighted loss factor results for each quarter are added together and divided by 36 (the sum of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) to arrive at the weighted average historical loss factor for each category of loans. United calculates loss factors for each major category of loans (commercial real estate, commercial & industrial, commercial construction, residential construction and consumer installment) except residential mortgage real estate loans which are further divided into home equity first lien, home equity junior lien and all other residential mortgage real estate loans and a loss factor is calculated for each category.

Management carefully reviews the resulting loss factors for each category of the loan portfolio and evaluates whether qualitative adjustments are necessary to take into consideration recent credit trends such as increases or decreases in past due, nonaccrual, criticized and classified loans, acceleration or delays in timing of recognition of losses that may render the use of annualized charge-off rates to be inappropriate, and other macro environmental factors such as changes in unemployment rates, lease vacancy rates and trends in property values and absorption rates.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

To validate the results, management closely monitors the loan portfolio to determine the range of potential losses based upon probability of default and losses upon default for each major loan category. The potential range of losses resulting from this analysis is compared to the resulting loss factors for each major loan category to validate the loss factors and determine if qualitative adjustments are necessary. United’s management believes that its method of determining the balance of the allowance for loan losses provides a reasonable and reliable basis for measuring and reporting losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date.

The following table presents the balance and activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment based on the impairment method as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Commercial (Secured by Real Estate)			Commercial & Industrial			Commercial Construction			Residential Mortgage			Residential Construction			Consumer Installment			Unallocated			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	27,847		$	5,537		$	8,389		$	26,642		$	26,662		$	2,747		$	9,313		$	107,137
Charge-offs		(34,122	)		(18,581	)		(6,484	)		(10,380	)		(22,608	)		(1,691	)		-			(93,866	)
Recoveries		1,556			1,368			60			649			57			911			-			4,601
Provision		28,854			19,608			1,853			3,791			10,231			450			(2,287	)		62,500
Ending balance	$	24,135		$	7,932		$	3,818		$	20,702		$	14,342		$	2,417		$	7,026		$	80,372
Ending allowance attributable to loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,975		$	546		$	150		$	2,008		$	662		$	11		$	-		$	5,352
Collectively evaluated for impairment		22,160			7,386			3,668			18,694			13,680			2,406			7,026			75,020
Total ending allowance balance	$	24,135		$	7,932		$	3,818		$	20,702		$	14,342		$	2,417		$	7,026		$	80,372
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	54,463		$	4,105		$	13,478		$	18,970		$	14,121		$	204		$	-		$	105,341
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,688,308			453,309			123,668			1,290,325			303,668			302,448			-			4,161,726
Total loans	$	1,742,771		$	457,414		$	137,146		$	1,309,295		$	317,789		$	302,652		$	-		$	4,267,067

December 31, 2012
Allowance for loan losses:
Ending allowance attributable to loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	6,106		$	490		$	2,239		$	2,165		$	625		$	19		$	-		$	11,644
Collectively evaluated for impairment		21,741			5,047			6,150			24,477			26,037			2,728			9,313			95,493
Total ending allowance balance	$	27,847		$	5,537		$	8,389		$	26,642		$	26,662		$	2,747		$	9,313		$	107,137
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	104,409		$	51,501		$	40,168		$	22,247		$	34,055		$	430		$	-		$	252,810
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,708,956			406,745			114,601			1,191,956			347,622			152,318			-			3,922,198
Total loans	$	1,813,365		$	458,246		$	154,769		$	1,214,203		$	381,677		$	152,748		$	-		$	4,175,008
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Beginning balance	$	31,644		$	5,681		$	6,097		$	29,076		$	30,379		$	2,124		$	9,467		$	114,468
Charge-offs		(16,791	)		(1,987	)		(3,650	)		(13,356	)		(21,706	)		(1,603	)		-			(59,093	)
Recoveries		571			802			38			592			1,153			611			-			3,767
Provision		11,351			362			6,101			11,163			18,233			1,738			(448	)		48,500
Ending balance	$	26,775		$	4,858		$	8,586		$	27,475		$	28,059		$	2,870		$	9,019		$	107,642
Ending allowance attributable to loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	6,692		$	725		$	2,289		$	1,856		$	1,270		$	21		$	-		$	12,853
Collectively evaluated for impairment		20,083			4,133			6,297			25,619			26,789			2,849			9,019			94,789
Total ending allowance balance	$	26,775		$	4,858		$	8,586		$	27,475		$	28,059		$	2,870		$	9,019		$	107,642
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	119,023		$	53,531		$	42,249		$	21,678		$	31,576		$	498		$	-		$	268,555
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,700,132			406,466			118,516			1,152,558			357,166			134,452			-			3,869,290
Total loans	$	1,819,155		$	459,997		$	160,765		$	1,174,236		$	388,742		$	134,950		$	-		$	4,137,845

When a loan officer determines that a loan is uncollectible, he or she is responsible for recommending to the local bank president that the loan be charged off. Full or partial charge-offs may also be recommended by the Collections Department, the Special Assets Department and the Foreclosure / OREO department. Nonaccrual real estate loans that are collateral dependent are generally charged down to 80% of the appraised value of the underlying collateral at the time they are placed on nonaccrual status.

A committee consisting of the Chief Risk Officer, Senior Risk Officer and the Senior Credit Officers meets monthly to review charge-offs that have occurred during the previous month. The 10 largest charge-offs are reported quarterly to the Board of Directors.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Generally, closed-end retail loans (installment and residential mortgage loans) past due 90 cumulative days are charged-off unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection (within the next 90 days). Open-end (revolving) retail loans which are past due 90 cumulative days from their contractual due date are generally charged-off.

At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, loans with a carrying value of $1.94 billion, $1.90 billion and $1.78 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure FHLB advances and other contingent funding sources.

The average balances of impaired loans and income recognized on impaired loans while they were considered impaired is presented below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).

	2013						2012
Three Months Ended September 30,	Average Balance		Interest Revenue Recognized During Impairment		Cash Basis Interest Revenue Received		Average Balance		Interest Revenue Recognized During Impairment		Cash Basis Interest Revenue Received
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	55,303	$	1,336	$	1,461	$	124,681	$	1,218	$	1,311
Commercial & industrial		4,189		114		104		43,764		141		611
Commercial construction		13,501		244		246		43,488		238		255
Total commercial		72,993		1,694		1,811		211,933		1,597		2,177
Residential mortgage		19,070		436		446		22,920		254		274
Residential construction		14,136		346		307		40,653		252		473
Consumer installment		214		7		7		454		7		8
Total	$	106,413	$	2,483	$	2,571	$	275,960	$	2,110	$	2,932

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	76,060	$	2,913	$	3,126	$	121,223	$	3,883	$	4,128
Commercial & industrial		8,821		333		803		47,263		450		1,921
Commercial construction		14,620		509		593		40,202		722		1,016
Total commercial		99,501		3,755		4,522		208,688		5,055		7,065
Residential mortgage		19,906		882		862		23,547		734		832
Residential construction		14,219		850		882		48,679		989		1,422
Consumer installment		228		17		17		393		20		21
Total	$	133,854	$	5,504	$	6,283	$	281,307	$	6,798	$	9,340

The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).

	September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012						September 30, 2012
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance for Loan Losses Allocated		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance for Loan Losses Allocated		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance for Loan Losses Allocated
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	25,066	$	20,384	$	-	$	74,066	$	62,609	$	-	$	85,137	$	77,801	$	-
Commercial & industrial		235		235		-		74,572		49,572		-		76,247		51,247		-
Commercial construction		1,127		1,127		-		23,938		17,305		-		17,739		16,656		-
Total commercial		26,428		21,746		-		172,576		129,486		-		179,123		145,704		-
Residential mortgage		4,768		3,729		-		10,336		8,383		-		11,091		8,746		-
Residential construction		9,101		7,364		-		35,439		19,093		-		32,228		19,601		-
Consumer installment		-		-		-		-		-		-		62		62		-
Total with no related allowance recorded		40,297		32,839		-		218,351		156,962		-		222,504		174,113		-

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		36,183		34,079		1,975		44,395		41,800		6,106		44,590		41,222		6,692
Commercial & industrial		4,002		3,870		546		2,170		1,929		490		2,321		2,284		725
Commercial construction		12,430		12,351		150		23,746		22,863		2,239		26,476		25,593		2,289
Total commercial		52,615		50,300		2,671		70,311		66,592		8,835		73,387		69,099		9,706
Residential mortgage		15,598		15,241		2,008		14,267		13,864		2,165		13,410		12,932		1,856
Residential construction		7,257		6,757		662		15,412		14,962		625		13,105		11,975		1,270
Consumer installment		214		204		11		441		430		19		444		436		21
Total with an allowance recorded		75,684		72,502		5,352		100,431		95,848		11,644		100,346		94,442		12,853
Total	$	115,981	$	105,341	$	5,352	$	318,782	$	252,810	$	11,644	$	322,850	$	268,555	$	12,853

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

There were no loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 or September 30, 2012. Nonaccrual loans include both homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually evaluated impaired loans. United’s policy is to place loans on nonaccrual status 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 nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current interest revenue. Principal and interest payments received on a nonaccrual loan are applied to reduce outstanding principal.

The following table presents the recorded investment (unpaid principal less amounts charged-off) in nonaccrual loans by loan class as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2102 (in thousands).

	Nonaccrual Loans
	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	8,015		$	22,148		$	25,896
Commercial & industrial		609			31,817			32,678
Commercial construction		343			23,843			18,590
Total commercial		8,967			77,808			77,164
Residential mortgage		12,504			12,589			13,996
Residential construction		4,097			18,702			22,935
Consumer installment		520			795			906
Total	$	26,088		$	109,894		$	115,001

Balance as a percentage of unpaid principal		61.6	%		69.5	%		68.8	%

The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 by class of loans (in thousands).

	Loans Past Due								Loans Not
As of September 30, 2013	30 - 59 Days		60 - 89 Days		> 90 Days		Total		Past Due		Total

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	2,026	$	1,283	$	2,429	$	5,738	$	1,737,033	$	1,742,771
Commercial & industrial		763		191		93		1,047		456,367		457,414
Commercial construction		16		-		235		251		136,895		137,146
Total commercial		2,805		1,474		2,757		7,036		2,330,295		2,337,331
Residential mortgage		8,849		3,077		4,652		16,578		1,292,717		1,309,295
Residential construction		3,705		418		924		5,047		312,742		317,789
Consumer installment		853		103		149		1,105		301,547		302,652
Total loans	$	16,212	$	5,072	$	8,482	$	29,766	$	4,237,301	$	4,267,067

As of December 31, 2012
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	8,106	$	3,232	$	7,476	$	18,814	$	1,794,551	$	1,813,365
Commercial & industrial		1,565		429		867		2,861		455,385		458,246
Commercial construction		2,216		-		4,490		6,706		148,063		154,769
Total commercial		11,887		3,661		12,833		28,381		2,397,999		2,426,380
Residential mortgage		12,292		2,426		4,848		19,566		1,194,637		1,214,203
Residential construction		2,233		1,934		5,159		9,326		372,351		381,677
Consumer installment		1,320		245		289		1,854		150,894		152,748
Total loans	$	27,732	$	8,266	$	23,129	$	59,127	$	4,115,881	$	4,175,008

As of September 30, 2012
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	5,395	$	5,210	$	11,103	$	21,708	$	1,797,447	$	1,819,155
Commercial & industrial		1,499		295		696		2,490		457,507		459,997
Commercial construction		213		880		3,838		4,931		155,834		160,765
Total commercial		7,107		6,385		15,637		29,129		2,410,788		2,439,917
Residential mortgage		11,771		4,798		5,556		22,125		1,152,111		1,174,236
Residential construction		4,318		2,319		11,054		17,691		371,051		388,742
Consumer installment		1,269		219		394		1,882		133,068		134,950
Total loans	$	24,465	$	13,721	$	32,641	$	70,827	$	4,067,018	$	4,137,845

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, $4.72 million, $9.50 million and $10.8 million of specific reserves were allocated to customers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs. United committed to lend additional amounts totaling up to $3,000, $689,000 and $377,000 as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively, to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as TDRs.

The modification of the terms of the TDRs included one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan or an extension of the amortization period that would not otherwise be considered in the current market for new debt with similar risk characteristics; a permanent reduction of the principal amount; a restructuring of the borrower’s debt into an A/B note structure where the A note would fall within the borrower’s ability to pay and the remainder would be included in the B note, or a mandated bankruptcy restructuring.

The following table presents additional information on TDRs including the number of loan contracts restructured and the pre- and post-modification recorded investment as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012						September 30, 2012
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment

Commercial (sec by RE)		77	$	47,963	$	43,163		96	$	80,261	$	75,340		101	$	84,672	$	79,645
Commercial & industrial		34		3,051		2,919		32		7,492		7,250		30		7,237		7,199
Commercial construction		12		12,904		12,825		25		37,537		33,809		25		37,832		35,866
Total commercial		123		63,918		58,907		153		125,290		116,399		156		129,741		122,710
Residential mortgage		120		19,032		17,929		117		20,323		19,296		114		18,226		17,487
Residential construction		55		12,360		10,290		67		25,822		23,786		73		28,629		24,772
Consumer installment		36		214		204		51		1,292		1,282		50		1,371		1,363
Total loans		334	$	95,524	$	87,330		388	$	172,727	$	160,763		393	$	177,967	$	166,332

Loans modified under the terms of a TDR during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the table below. In addition, the following table presents loans modified under the terms of a TDR that became 90 days or more delinquent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 that were initially restructured within one year prior to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands).


New Troubled Debt Restructurings for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Modified Within the Previous Twelve Months that Have Subsequently Defaulted During the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment

Commercial (secured by real estate)		1	$	1,841	$	741	$	-	$	-
Commercial & industrial		1		68		68		-		-
Commercial construction		-		-		-		-		-
Total commercial		2		1,909		809		-		-
Residential mortgage		16		2,365		2,207		1		533
Residential construction		3		727		727		1		414
Consumer installment		1		7		7		2		9
Total loans		22	$	5,008	$	3,750		4	$	956

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


New Troubled Debt Restructurings for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Modified Within the Previous Twelve Months that Have Subsequently Defaulted During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment

Commercial (secured by real estate)		18	$	11,932	$	10,832	$	1	$	432
Commercial & industrial		10		883		777		1		35
Commercial construction		-		-		-		2		1,454
Total commercial		28		12,815		11,609		4		1,921
Residential mortgage		29		5,129		4,827		3		641
Residential construction		10		1,850		1,721		3		531
Consumer installment		5		28		28		5		29
Total loans		72	$	19,822	$	18,185		15	$	3,122

New Troubled Debt Restructurings for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Modified Within the Previous Twelve Months that Have Subsequently Defaulted During the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment

Commercial (secured by real estate)		13	$	7,914	$	7,836	$	3	$	324
Commercial & industrial		3		162		162		-		-
Commercial construction		6		5,531		5,451		-		-
Total commercial		22		13,607		13,449		3		324
Residential mortgage		15		2,252		2,102		2		47
Residential construction		12		6,569		6,188		10		2,953
Consumer installment		7		44		43		1		2
Total loans		56	$	22,472	$	21,782		16	$	3,326

New Troubled Debt Restructurings for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Modified Within the Previous Twelve Months that Have Subsequently Defaulted During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Number of Contracts		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment

Commercial (secured by real estate)		47	$	30,828	$	29,305	$	6	$	2,631
Commercial & industrial		20		3,484		3,484		2		48
Commercial construction		20		34,014		33,934		2		4,174
Total commercial		87		68,326		66,723		10		6,853
Residential mortgage		59		12,819		12,487		6		447
Residential construction		46		17,958		15,738		14		4,550
Consumer installment		22		314		308		2		8
Total loans		214	$	99,417	$	95,256		32	$	11,858

Collateral dependent TDRs that subsequently default and are placed on nonaccrual are charged down to the fair value of the collateral consistent with United’s policy for nonaccrual loans. Impairment on TDRs that are not collateral dependent continues to be measured on discounted cash flows regardless of whether the loan has subsequently defaulted.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows (in thousands).


					Substandard				Doubtful /
As of September 30, 2013	Pass		Watch		Performing		Nonaccrual		Loss		Not Rated		Total
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,603,863	$	55,351	$	75,542	$	8,015	$	-	$	-	$	1,742,771
Commercial & industrial		435,635		10,062		10,342		609		-		766		457,414
Commercial construction		109,332		10,560		16,911		343		-		-		137,146
Total commercial		2,148,830		75,973		102,795		8,967		-		766		2,337,331
Residential mortgage		1,215,149		28,470		53,172		12,504		-		-		1,309,295
Residential construction		283,197		14,943		15,552		4,097		-		-		317,789
Consumer installment		298,823		1,162		2,147		520		-		-		302,652
Total loans	$	3,945,999	$	120,548	$	173,666	$	26,088	$	-	$	766	$	4,267,067

As of December 31, 2012

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,592,677	$	80,997	$	117,543	$	22,148	$	-	$	-	$	1,813,365
Commercial & industrial		401,606		5,404		18,477		31,817		-		942		458,246
Commercial construction		104,296		7,345		19,285		23,843		-		-		154,769
Total commercial		2,098,579		93,746		155,305		77,808		-		942		2,426,380
Residential mortgage		1,102,746		33,689		65,179		12,589		-		-		1,214,203
Residential construction		292,264		32,907		37,804		18,702		-		-		381,677
Consumer installment		147,214		1,086		3,653		795		-		-		152,748
Total loans	$	3,640,803	$	161,428	$	261,941	$	109,894	$	-	$	942	$	4,175,008

As of September 30, 2012

Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,591,321	$	75,606	$	126,332	$	25,896	$	-	$	-	$	1,819,155
Commercial & industrial		403,460		4,179		18,740		32,678		-		940		459,997
Commercial construction		108,909		6,086		27,180		18,590		-		-		160,765
Total commercial		2,103,690		85,871		172,252		77,164		-		940		2,439,917
Residential mortgage		1,051,402		36,640		72,198		13,996		-		-		1,174,236
Residential construction		292,002		38,635		35,170		22,935		-		-		388,742
Consumer installment		130,277		881		2,886		906		-		-		134,950
Total loans	$	3,577,371	$	162,027	$	282,506	$	115,001	$	-	$	940	$	4,137,845

Risk Ratings

United categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current industry and economic trends, among other factors. United analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed on a continuous basis. United uses the following definitions for its risk ratings:

Watch. Loans in this category are presently protected from apparent loss; however, weaknesses exist that could cause future impairment, including the deterioration of financial ratios, past due status and questionable management capabilities. These loans require more than the ordinary amount of supervision. Collateral values generally afford adequate coverage, but may not be immediately marketable.

Substandard. These loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged. Specific and well-defined weaknesses exist that may include poor liquidity and deterioration of financial ratios. The loan may be past due and related deposit accounts experiencing overdrafts. There is the distinct possibility that United will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected. If possible, immediate corrective action is taken.

Doubtful. Specific weaknesses characterized as Substandard that are severe enough to make collection in full highly questionable and improbable. There is no reliable secondary source of full repayment.

Loss. Loans categorized as Loss have the same characteristics as Doubtful; however, probability of loss is certain. Loans classified as Loss are charged-off. Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans. Loans listed as not rated are generally deposit account overdrafts that have not been assigned a grade.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6 – Foreclosed Property

Major classifications of foreclosed properties at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands).

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2013			2012			2012

Commercial real estate	$	1,130		$	6,368		$	9,613
Commercial construction		376			2,204			3,121
Total commercial		1,506			8,572			12,734
Residential mortgage		2,420			5,192			6,509
Residential construction		1,981			11,454			19,043
Total foreclosed property		5,907			25,218			38,286
Less valuation allowance		(1,440	)		(6,954	)		(11,328	)
Foreclosed property, net	$	4,467		$	18,264		$	26,958

Balance as a percentage of original loan unpaid principal		41.5	%		39.7	%		36.4	%

In the second quarter of 2013, United completed the accelerated sales of classified assets including performing and nonperforming classified loans and foreclosed properties. The classified asset sales resulted in a much lower balance of foreclosed property costs at September 30, 2013 and elevated losses from sales for the first nine months of 2013.

Activity in the valuation allowance for foreclosed property for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is presented in the following table (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012

Balance at beginning of period	$	3,602		$	11,872		$	6,954		$	18,982
Additions charged to expense		329			2,394			2,739			5,513
Disposals		(2,491	)		(2,938	)		(8,253	)		(13,167	)
Balance at end of period	$	1,440		$	11,328		$	1,440		$	11,328

Expenses related to foreclosed assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is presented in the following table (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2013			2012		2013		2012

Net loss on sales	$	513		$	350	$	3,563	$	174
Provision for unrealized losses		329			2,394		2,739		5,513
Operating expenses		(648	)		962		1,376		3,695
Total foreclosed property expense	$	194		$	3,706	$	7,678	$	9,382

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7 – Long-term Debt

Long term debt at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012		September 30, 2012		Issue Date		Stated Maturity Date		Earliest Call Date		Interest Rate

2013 senior debentures	$	40,000	$	-	$	-		2013		2018		2015		6.000	%
2012 senior debentures		35,000		35,000		-		2012		2017		2017		9.000
Total senior debentures		75,000		35,000		-
2002 subordinated debentures		-		-		30,500		2002		2012		2012		6.750	%
2003 subordinated debentures		-		35,000		35,000		2003		2015		2010		7.500
Total subordinated debentures		-		35,000		65,500
United Community Capital Trust		21,650		21,650		21,650		1998		2028		2008		8.125	%
United Community Statutory Trust I		5,155		5,155		5,155		2000		2030		2010		10.600
United Community Capital Trust II		10,309		10,309		10,309		2000		2030		2010		11.295
Southern Bancorp Capital Trust I		4,382		4,382		4,382		2004		2034		2009	Prime + 1.00
United Community Statutory Trust II		12,131		12,077		12,059		2008		2038		2013		9.000
United Community Statutory Trust III		1,238		1,232		1,230		2008		2038		2013	Prime + 3.00
Total trust preferred securities		54,865		54,805		54,785
Total long-term debt	$	129,865	$	124,805	$	120,285

Interest is paid semiannually for all senior debentures, subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities.

Senior Debentures

The 2013 senior debentures are redeemable on or after August 13, 2015 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest, and they will mature on August 13, 2018. The 2012 senior debentures are not redeemable and will mature on October 15, 2017.

Subordinated Debentures

The 2003 subordinated debentures were redeemed on September 30, 2013 at a redemption price equal to $35 million (100% of the principal amount) plus all accrued and unpaid interest as of such date. At redemption, the applicable interest rate on the 2003 subordinated debentures was 7.50%. The 2002 subordinated debentures were retired upon maturity in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Trust Preferred Securities

Trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital under risk based capital guidelines, subject to certain limitations. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity, or upon earlier redemption at a premium as provided in the indentures.

The trust preferred securities issued under United Community Statutory Trust II and United Community Statutory Trust III had attached warrants that allowed the holder to redeem the trust preferred securities in exchange for common stock at the exercise price of $100 per share. The warrants expired unexercised on October 31, 2013.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8 – Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the details regarding amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented

Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities:
	$	-		$	116		Securities gains, net
		-			(45	)	Tax (expense) or benefit
	$	-		$	71		Net of tax

Amortization of gains included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held to maturity:
	$	214		$	803		Investment securities interest revenue
		(83	)		(310	)	Tax (expense) or benefit
	$	131		$	493		Net of tax

Gains included in net income on derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges:
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	$	10		$	850		Loan interest revenue
Ineffective portion of interest rate contracts		48			52		Other fee revenue
		58			902		Total before tax
		(23	)		(351	)	Tax (expense) or benefit
	$	35		$	551		Net of tax

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan
Prior service cost	$	(91	)	$	(273	)	Salaries and employee benefits expense
Actuarial losses		(42	)		(126	)	Salaries and employee benefits expense
		(133	)		(399	)	Total before tax
		52			155		Tax (expense) or benefit
	$	(81	)	$	(244	)	Net of tax

Total reclassifications for the period	$	85		$	871		Net of tax

Amounts shown above in parentheses reduce earnings

Note 9 – Earnings Per Share

United is required to report on the face of the consolidated statement of income, earnings per common share with and without the dilutive effects of potential common stock issuances from instruments such as options, convertible securities and warrants. Basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period while the effects of potential common shares outstanding during the period are included in diluted earnings per common share.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, United accrued dividends on preferred stock, including accretion of discounts, as shown in the following table (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30				September 30
	2013		2012		2013		2012

Series A - 6% fixed	$	3	$	3	$	9	$	9
Series B - 5% fixed until December 6, 2013, 9% thereafter		2,641		2,619		7,907		7,841
Series D - LIBOR plus 9.6875%, resets quarterly		415		419		1,250		1,253
Total preferred stock dividends	$	3,059	$	3,041	$	9,166	$	9,103

All preferred stock dividends are payable quarterly.
Series B preferred stock was issued at a discount. Dividend amounts shown include discount accretion for each period.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The preferred stock dividends were subtracted from net income in order to arrive at net income available to common shareholders. There were no dilutive securities outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012

Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,441	$	7,527	$	248,063	$	19,492


Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		59,100		57,880		58,443		57,826
Effect of dilutive securities
Convertible securities		-		-		-		-
Stock options		1		-		1		-
Warrants		101		-		-		-
Diluted		59,202		57,880		58,444		57,826

Income per common share:
Basic	$	.21	$	.13	$	4.24	$	.34
Diluted	$	.21	$	.13	$	4.24	$	.34

At September 30, 2013, United had the following potentially dilutive stock options and warrants outstanding: a warrant to purchase 219,909 common shares at $61.40 per share issued originally to the U.S. Treasury in conjunction with the issuance of United’s fixed rate cumulative preferred perpetual stock, Series B; 371,449 common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options granted to employees with a weighted average exercise price of $98.54; 1,073,259 shares issuable upon completion of vesting of restricted stock awards; and warrants to purchase common stock equivalent junior preferred stock that would be convertible into 1,411,765 common shares exercisable at $21.25 per share granted to Fletcher International Ltd. (“Fletcher”) in connection with a 2010 asset purchase and sale agreement.

Note 10 – 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 wholesale funding and through 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, wholesale borrowings and deposits.

In conjunction with the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance, United made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The table below presents the fair value of United’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).

Derivatives accounted for as hedges under ASC 815


		Fair Value
Interest Rate	Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,		September 30,
Products	Location	2013		2012		2012

Asset derivatives	Other assets	$	6,289	$	23	$	182

Liability derivatives	Other liabilities	$	35,451	$	11,900	$	9,758

Derivatives not accounted for as hedges under ASC 815


		Fair Value
Interest Rate	Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,		September 30,
Products	Location		2013		2012		2012

Asset derivatives	Other assets	$	1,803	$	635	$	596

Liability derivatives	Other liabilities	$	1,818	$	643	$	605

Derivative contracts that are not accounted for as hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, are between United and certain commercial loan customers with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back swap program.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

United’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to net interest revenue and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, United primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. At September 30, 2013, United’s interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the payment of fixed-rate amounts to a counterparty in exchange for United receiving variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. United’s current cash flow hedges are for the purpose of converting variable rate deposits and wholesale borrowings to a fixed rate to protect United in a rising rate environment. The swaps are forward starting and do not become effective until 2014 and 2015. United had three swap contracts outstanding with a total notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of future issuances of three-month brokered deposits or other LIBOR based floating rate wholesale borrowings and three swap contracts outstanding with a total notional amount of $375 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of indexed money market accounts at September 30, 2013. At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, United had three swap contracts outstanding with a notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of future issuances of three-month brokered deposits or other LIBOR based floating-rate wholesale borrowings and two swap contracts outstanding with a total notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of indexed money market accounts.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as, 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. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense when the swaps become effective in 2014 as interest payments are made on United’s LIBOR based variable-rate wholesale borrowings and indexed deposit accounts. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, United accelerated the reclassification of $48,000 and $53,000, respectively, in gains from terminated positions, as the forecasted transactions are no longer expected to occur. For the same periods in 2012, those amounts were gains of $114,000 and $238,000, respectively. At September 30, 2013, there were no remaining unamortized balances from terminated positions. United’s forward starting active cash flow hedges of floating rate liabilities will begin to become effective over the next twelve months. United recognized $33,000 in hedge ineffectiveness losses on active cash flow hedges in the third quarter of 2013. No such hedge ineffectiveness gains or losses were recognized on active cash flow hedges in 2012. United expects that $2.24 million will be reclassified as an increase to deposit interest expense over the next twelve months related to these cash flow hedges.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

United is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its fixed rate investments and obligations due to changes in interest rates. United uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in fair value on these instruments attributable to changes in interest rates. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate obligations 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. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate investments involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for United making fixed rate payments over the life of the instrument without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. At September 30, 2013, United had 27 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $387 million that were designated as fair value hedges of interest rate risk. Eight of the interest rate swaps outstanding at September 30, 2013 with an aggregate notional amount of $86 million were receive-variable / pay-fixed swaps that were used for the purpose of hedging changes in the fair value of fixed rate corporate bonds resulting from changes in interest rates. The other 19 were pay-variable / receive-fixed swaps hedging changes in the fair value of fixed rate brokered time deposits resulting from changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2012, United had 9 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $122 million that were designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate brokered time deposits.

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2013, United recognized net gains of $38,000 and $241,000, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, United recognized net gains of $766,000 and $577,000, respectively, related to ineffectiveness of the fair value hedging relationships. United also recognized a net reduction of interest expense of $2.47 million and $4.73 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and a net reduction of interest expense of $745,000 and $1.57 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 related to United’s fair value hedges of brokered time deposits, which includes net settlements on the derivatives. United recognized a $516,000 and $811,000 reduction of interest revenue on securities during the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 related to United’s fair value hedges of corporate bonds.

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

The tables below present the effect of United’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships (in thousands).

Location of Gain (Loss)	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in					Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Recognized in Income	Income on Derivative					Income on Hedged Item
on Derivative	2013			2012		2013		2012

Three Months Ended September 30,
Other fee revenue	$	(2,740	)	$	922	$	2,778	$	(156	)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Other fee revenue	$	(15,796	)	$	1,745	$	16,037	$	(1,168	)

In most cases, the estate of deceased brokered certificate of deposit holders may put the certificate of deposit back to the issuing bank at par upon the death of the holder. When these death puts occur, a gain or loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and the par amount of the deposits put back. The change in the fair value of brokered time deposits that are being hedged in fair value hedging relationships reported in the table above includes gains and losses from death puts and such gains and losses are included in the amount of reported ineffectiveness gains or losses.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (in thousands).

	Amount of Gain (Loss)
	Recognized in Other
	Comprehensive Income							Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated					Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
		on Derivative						Other Comprehensive Income into Income					Derivative
		(Effective Portion)						(Effective Portion)					(Ineffective Portion)
		2013			2012			Location	2013		2012		Location	2013			2012

Three Months Ended September 30,

								Interest revenue	$	10	$	649
								Other fee revenue		48		114
Interest rate products		$	(3,507	)	$	(3,943	)	Total	$	58	$	763	Other fee revenue	$	(33	)	$	-

Nine Months Ended September 30,

								Interest revenue	$	851	$	2,839
								Other fee revenue		53		238
Interest rate products		$	8,595		$	(8,798	)	Total	$	904	$	3,077	Other fee revenue	$	46		$	-

Other Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedges (in thousands).


Location of Gain (Loss)	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Recognized in Income	Income on Customer Derivatives
on Derivative	2013		2012

Three Months Ended September 30,
Other fee revenue	$	442	$	278

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Other fee revenue	$	1,182	$	346

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

United manages its credit exposure on derivatives transactions by entering into a bilateral 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. As of September 30, 2013, collateral totaling $25.6 million was pledged toward derivatives in a liability position.

United’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties contain a provision where if either party defaults on any of its indebtedness, then it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. The agreements with derivatives counterparties also include provisions that if not met, could result in United being declared in default. United has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if United fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution or is subject to a prompt corrective action directive, the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and United would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.

Change in Valuation Methodology

As of January 1, 2013, United changed its valuation methodology for over-the-counter derivatives to discount cash flows based on Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) rates. Fully collateralized trades are discounted using OIS with no additional economic adjustments to arrive at fair value. Uncollateralized or partially collateralized trades are also discounted at OIS, but include appropriate economic adjustments for funding costs (i.e. LIBOR-OIS basis adjustment to approximate uncollateralized cost of funds) and credit risk. United changed its methodology to better align its inputs, assumptions and pricing methodologies with those used in its principal market by most dealers and major market participants. The changes in valuation methodology are applied prospectively as a change in accounting estimate and are not material to United’s financial position or results of operations.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11 – Stock-Based Compensation

United has an equity compensation plan that allows for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit 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 and restricted stock unit awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan). As of September 30, 2013, 537,000 additional awards could be granted under the plan. Through September 30, 2013, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, base salary stock grants and performance share awards have been granted under the plan.

The following table shows stock option activity for the first nine months of 2013.

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

Outstanding at December 31, 2012		482,528		$	97.73
Granted		5,000			15.09
Forfeited		(935	)		30.23
Expired		(115,144	)		92.09
Outstanding at September 30, 2013		371,449			98.54		3.4	$	38

Exercisable at September 30, 2013		361,249			100.95		3.2		19

The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Key assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted to employees during the first nine months of 2013 are shown below.

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013
Expected volatility		30.00	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%
Expected life (in years)		6.25
Risk-free rate		2.01	%

No stock options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Most of United’s outstanding stock options were granted prior to the economic downturn during which time United’s stock price decreased sharply. The lower stock price has rendered most of United’s outstanding options severely out of the money and potentially worthless to the grantee. Therefore, historical exercise patterns do not provide a reasonable basis for determining the expected life of new option grants. United therefore uses the formula provided by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 to determine the expected life of options.

Compensation expense relating to stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a reduction of expense of $56,000 due to the reversal of previously recognized expense on grants that did not vest. Compensation expense relating to stock options of $190,000 was included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. 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 new options issued is estimated to be approximately 3% per year. No options were exercised during the first nine months of 2013 or 2012.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The table below presents the activity in restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards for the first nine months of 2013.

				Weighted-
				Average Grant-
Restricted Stock	Shares			Date Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2012		485,584		$	10.72
Granted		795,833			14.69
Excercised		(190,366	)		13.32
Cancelled		(17,792	)		9.30
Outstanding at September 30, 2013		1,073,259			13.23

Vested at September 30, 2013		22,462			10.11

Compensation expense for restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit 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 and restricted stock unit grants that are expected to vest is amortized into expense over the vesting period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, compensation expense of $2.01 million and $1.18 million, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $118,000 was recognized in other operating expense for restricted stock units granted to members of United’s board of directors. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock and restricted stock units was $16.1 million at September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, there was $12.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.7 years. The aggregate grant date fair value of options and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was $2.40 million.

Note 12 – Common and Preferred Stock Issued / Common Stock Issuable

United sponsors a Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) that allows participants who already own United’s common stock to purchase additional shares directly from United. The DRIP also allows participants to automatically reinvest their quarterly dividends in additional shares of common stock without a commission. The DRIP is currently suspended.

United’s 401(k) retirement plan regularly purchases shares of United’s common stock directly from United. In addition, United has an Employee Stock Purchase Program that allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a 5% discount, with no commission charges. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, United issued 49,830 and 87,086 shares, respectively, and increased capital by $582,000 and $702,000, respectively, through these programs.

United offers its common stock as an investment option in its deferred compensation plan. The common stock component of the deferred compensation plan is accounted for as an equity instrument and is reflected in the consolidated financial statements as common stock issuable. The deferred compensation plan does not allow for diversification once an election is made to invest in United stock and settlement must be accomplished in shares at the time the deferral period is completed. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, 242,262 and 129,270 shares, respectively, were issuable under the deferred compensation plan.

Note 13 – Income Taxes

The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was an expense of $9.52 million and a benefit of $247 million, respectively. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 represents an effective tax rate of 38%. Included in income tax expense for the third quarter of 2013 was a $1.00 million partial impairment charge on United’s net deferred tax asset resulting from a reduction in the state income tax rate in North Carolina. During the third quarter, the State of North Carolina adopted legislation to reduce its corporate income tax rate from the current 6.90% to 6.00% effective January 1, 2014 and to 5.00% effective January 1, 2015. Because the lower statutory tax rate reduces the rate at which United’s North Carolina net operating loss carryforwards will be recovered, United recognized a partial impairment charge on that component of its net deferred tax asset. Partially offsetting the $1.00 million charge was the release of a $400,000 previously established reserve for an uncertain tax position related to a tax return whose statute expired during the third quarter and is therefore no longer subject to audit. The income tax benefit for the first nine months of 2013 reflects the valuation allowance reversal in the second quarter.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was $4.61 million, $270 million and $272 million, respectively, at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012. Management assesses the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets at each reporting period. The determination of whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is appropriate is subject to considerable judgment and requires an evaluation of all the positive and negative evidence.

In the second quarter of 2013, United reversed $272 million of its valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset. United established a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset in 2010 due to the realization of significant losses and uncertainty about United’s future earnings forecasts.

United evaluated the need for a valuation allowance again at September 30, 2013. Based on the assessment of all the positive and negative evidence, management concluded that it is more likely than not that nearly all of the net deferred tax asset will be realized based upon future taxable income. The remaining valuation allowance of $4.61 million is related to specific state income tax credits that have short carryforward periods and are expected to expire unused. The positive evidence considered by management in arriving at the conclusion that a full valuation allowance is not necessary included six consecutive profitable quarters beginning with the fourth quarter of 2011, United’s strong pre-crisis earnings history and growth in pre-tax, pre-credit earnings, which demonstrate demand for United’s products and services, and United’s significant improvement in credit measures, which improve both the sustainability of profitability and management’s ability to forecast future credit losses. The negative evidence considered by management included the fact that United remains in a three-year cumulative loss position and its current informal memorandums of understanding with the banking regulatory agencies.

United expects to realize $270 million in net deferred tax assets well in advance of the statutory carryforward period. At September 30, 2013, $47.7 million of existing deferred tax assets were not related to net operating losses or credits and therefore, have no expiration date. Approximately $190 million of the remaining deferred tax assets relate to federal net operating losses which will expire in annual installments beginning in 2029. Additionally, $26.0 million of the deferred tax assets relate to state net operating losses which will expire in annual installments beginning in 2023. Tax credit carryforwards at September 30, 2013 include federal alternative minimum tax credits totaling $3.0 million which have an unlimited carryforward period. Other federal and state tax credits at September 30, 2013 total $7.39 million and will expire beginning in 2013.

The valuation allowance could fluctuate in future periods based on the assessment of the positive and negative evidence. Management's conclusion at September 30, 2013 that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets of $270 million will be realized is based upon management's estimate of future taxable income. Management's estimate of future taxable income is based on internal forecasts which consider historical performance, various internal estimates and assumptions, as well as certain external data all of which management believes to be reasonable although inherently subject to significant judgment. If actual results differ significantly from the current estimates of future taxable income, even if caused by adverse macro-economic conditions, the valuation allowance may need to be increased for some or all of the deferred tax asset. Such an increase to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on United’s financial condition and results of operations.

United is subject to income taxation in the United States and various state jurisdictions. United’s federal and state income tax returns are filed on a consolidated basis. Currently, no years for which United filed a federal income tax return are under examination by the IRS, and there are no state tax examinations currently in progress. United is no longer subject to income tax examinations from state and local income tax authorities for years before 2009. Although United is unable to determine the ultimate outcome of future examinations, United believes that the liability recorded for uncertain tax positions is appropriate.

At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $4.45 million, $5.07 million and $5.61 million, respectively.

Note 14 – Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

Fair value measurements are 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, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820 (“ASC 820”) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, 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).

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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.

The following is a description of the 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.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. Generally, book value approximates fair value.

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 based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, except that as a practical expedient, a creditor may measure impairment based on a loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if repayment of the loan is dependent upon the sale of the underlying collateral. 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. In accordance with ASC 820, 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, less cost to sell, 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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

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.

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 ASC 820, 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 September 30, 2013, United had 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 September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).

September 30, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	-		23,524	$	-	$	23,524
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,383,317		-		1,383,317
Corporate bonds		-		246,601		350		246,951
Asset-backed securities		-		307,238		-		307,238
Other		-		2,394		-		2,394
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,203		-		-		3,203
Derivative financial instruments		-		8,092		-		8,092
Total assets	$	3,203	$	1,971,166	$	350	$	1,974,719

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,203	$	-	$	-	$	3,203
Brokered certificates of deposit		-		273,282		-		273,282
Derivative financial instruments		-		37,269		-		37,269
Total liabilities	$	3,203	$	310,551	$	-	$	313,754

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities available for sale
State and political subdivisions	$	-	$	29,052	$	-	$	29,052
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,428,502		-		1,428,502
Corporate bonds		-		163,312		350		163,662
Asset-backed securities		-		210,556		-		210,556
Other		-		2,821		-		2,821
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,101		-		-		3,101
Derivative financial instruments		-		658		-		658
Total assets	$	3,101	$	1,834,901	$	350	$	1,838,352

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,101	$	-	$	-	$	3,101
Brokered certificates of deposit		-		154,641		-		154,641
Derivative financial instruments		-		12,543		-		12,543
Total liabilities	$	3,101	$	167,184	$	-	$	170,285

September 30, 2012	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	-	$	28,878	$	-	$	28,878
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,382,940		-		1,382,940
Corporate bonds		-		142,802		350		143,152
Asset-backed securities		-		204,429		-		204,429
Other		-		2,595		-		2,595
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,072		-		-		3,072
Derivative financial instruments		-		778		-		778
Total assets	$	3,072	$	1,762,422	$	350	$	1,765,844

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,072	$	-	$	-	$	3,072
Brokered certificates of deposit		-		122,211		-		122,211
Derivative financial instruments		-		10,363		-		10,363
Total liabilities	$	3,072	$	132,574	$	-	$	135,646

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

	Securities Available for Sale				Securities Available for Sale
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
Securities Available for Sale	2013		2012		2013		2012

Balance at beginning of period	$	350	$	350	$	350	$	350
Amounts included in earnings		-		-		-		-
Paydowns		-		-		-		-

Balance at end of period	$	350	$	350	$	350	$	350

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

United has two securities that have Level 3 valuations. They are trust preferred securities in community banks that have shown deteriorating financial condition during the financial crisis, and both are currently deferring interest payments. Since both investments are not actively traded, there is no recent trade activity upon which to assess value. The values assigned to the investments are based on sales price estimates from brokers. Both investments have a par amount of $1 million. One was considered impaired in 2010 and was written down to $50,000 with a $950,000 impairment charge to earnings. The other is carried at its original cost basis of $1 million with a $700,000 negative mark to fair value through other comprehensive income. United does not consider this investment to be other than temporarily impaired, as the community bank was recapitalized by a private equity investment that management believes will result in full payment at maturity.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

United may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. The table below presents United’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).

September 30, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Loans	$	-	$	-	$	76,393	$	76,393
Foreclosed properties		-		-		3,898		3,898

Total	$	-	$	-	$	80,291	$	80,291

December 31, 2012
Assets
Loans	$	-	$	-	$	165,751	$	165,751
Foreclosed properties		-		-		14,788		14,788

Total	$	-	$	-	$	180,539	$	180,539

September 30, 2012
Assets
Loans	$	-	$	-	$	172,909	$	172,909
Foreclosed properties		-		-		20,369		20,369

Total	$	-	$	-	$	193,278	$	193,278

Loans that are reported above as being measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are generally impaired loans that have either been partially charged off or have specific reserves assigned to them. Nonaccrual impaired loans that are collateral dependent are generally written down to 80% of appraised value which considers the estimated costs to sell. Specific reserves are established for impaired loans based on appraised value of collateral or discounted cash flows. Foreclosed properties that are included above as measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are those properties that resulted from a loan that had been charged down or have been written down subsequent to foreclosure. Foreclosed properties are generally recorded at the lower of 80% of appraised value or 90% of the asking price which considers the estimated cost to sell.

Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

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

The short maturity of United’s assets and liabilities results in having a significant number of financial instruments whose fair value equals or closely approximates carrying value. Such financial instruments are reported in the following balance sheet captions: cash and cash equivalents, mortgage loans held for sale and short-term borrowings. The fair value of securities available-for-sale equals the balance sheet value. Due to the short-term settlement of accrued interest receivable and payable, the carrying amount closely approximates fair value.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include the mortgage banking operation, brokerage network, deferred income taxes, premises and equipment and goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates. Off-balance sheet instruments (commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit) are generally short-term and at variable rates. Therefore, both the carrying amount and the estimated fair value associated with these instruments are immaterial.

The carrying amount and fair values for other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in United’s balance sheet at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands).

	Carrying		Fair Value Level
September 30, 2013	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	205,613	$	-	$	214,651	$	-	$	214,651
Loans, net		4,186,695		-		-		4,095,666		4,095,666
Mortgage loans held for sale		11,987		-		11,979		-		11,979

Liabilities:
Deposits		6,112,907		-		6,117,769		-		6,117,769
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		125		-		125		-		125
Long-term debt		129,865		-		-		129,197		129,197

December 31, 2012
Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	244,184	$	-	$	261,131	$	-	$	261,131
Loans, net		4,067,871		-		-		3,957,669		3,957,669
Mortgage loans held for sale		28,821		-		29,693		-		29,693

Liabilities:
Deposits		5,952,140		-		5,988,743		-		5,988,743
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		40,125		-		40,125		-		40,125
Long-term debt		124,805		-		-		118,626		118,626

September 30, 2012
Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	262,648	$	-	$	281,336	$	-	$	281,336
Loans, net		4,030,203		-		-		3,954,607		3,954,607
Mortgage loans held for sale		30,571		-		31,350		-		31,350

Liabilities:
Deposits		5,822,699		-		5,848,540		-		5,848,540
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		50,125		-		50,125		-		50,125
Long-term debt		120,285		-		-		113,624		113,624

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies

United and the Bank are parties to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of their customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments. The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. United uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it uses for underwriting on-balance sheet instruments. In most cases, collateral or other security is required to support financial instruments with credit risk.

The following table summarizes, as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, the contractual amount of off-balance sheet instruments (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012		September 30, 2012
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit	$	677,891	$	313,798	$	483,844
Letters of credit		9,818		13,683		13,416

United, in the normal course of business, is subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these lawsuits, or the range of any possible loss, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising from these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on United’s financial position or results of operations.

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

Forward-looking Statements

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

Our businesses and operations are and will be subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Consequently, actual results and experiences may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experiences to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, as well as the following factors:

●	our ability to maintain profitability;

●	our ability to fully realize our deferred tax asset balances, including net operating loss carry-forwards;

●	the condition of the banking system and financial markets;

●	our ability to raise capital as may be necessary;

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

●	changes in the cost and availability of funding;

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

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

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

●	the accounting and reporting policies of United;

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

●	losses due to fraudulent and negligent conduct of our loan customers, third party service providers or employees;

●	competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers;

●	risks with respect to future expansion and acquisitions;

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

●	the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations and other changes in financial services laws and regulations;

●	the failure of other financial institutions;

●	a special assessment that may be imposed by the FDIC on all FDIC-insured institutions in the future;

●	the costs and effects of litigation, examinations, investigations, or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto, including possible dilution;

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

●	the risk that we may be required to increase the valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset in future periods;

●	the risk that we could have an “ownership change” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which could impair our ability to timely and fully realize our deferred tax asset balance; and

●	the risk that we could be subject to changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our income tax provision.

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 (the “SEC”). 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.

Overview

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

United is a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of 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 September 30, 2013, United had total consolidated assets of $7.24 billion and total loans of $4.27 billion (excluding the loans acquired from Southern Community Bank (“SCB”) that are covered by loss sharing agreements). United also had total deposits of $6.11 billion and shareholders’ equity of $852 million.

United’s activities are primarily conducted by its wholly-owned Georgia banking subsidiary, United Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank’s operations are conducted under a community bank model that operates 27 “community banks” with local bank presidents and boards in north Georgia, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia metropolitan statistical area, the Gainesville, Georgia metropolitan statistical area, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina, east Tennessee and the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, South Carolina metropolitan statistical area.

Included in management’s discussion and analysis are certain non-GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”)) performance measures. United’s management believes that non-GAAP performance measures are useful in analyzing United’s financial performance trends and therefore this section will refer to non-GAAP performance measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP performance measures to GAAP performance measures is included in the table on page 42.

United reported net income of $15.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. This compared to net income of $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2012. Diluted earnings per common share was $.21 for the third quarter of 2013, compared to diluted earnings per common share of $.13 for the third quarter of 2012.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, United reported net income of $257 million. This compared to net income of $28.6 million for the first nine months of 2012. Diluted earnings per common share was $4.24 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to diluted earnings per common share of $.34 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Year-to-date 2013 earnings were significantly impacted by the reversal of the valuation allowance on United’s net deferred tax asset and the sales of classified assets, including a large bulk sale transaction that took place in the second quarter. The effects of these two events on the income statement were significant increases in the provision for loan losses and foreclosed property expense from the classified asset sales and the recognition of a tax benefit in the income tax line from the valuation allowance reversal.

Taxable equivalent net interest revenue was $54.3 million for the third quarter of 2013, compared to $57.4 million for the same period of 2012. The decrease in net interest revenue was primarily the result of continued lower yields on the loan and securities portfolios, which were due to loan pricing competition and reinvestment of maturing securities proceeds at record low rates as well as United’s efforts to purchase floating rate securities to minimize exposure to rising interest rates. In addition, lower loan yields reflected low introductory rates on new retail loan offerings. Net interest margin decreased from 3.60% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to 3.26% for the same period in 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, taxable equivalent net interest revenue was $164 million, compared to $173 million for the same period of 2012. Net interest margin decreased from 3.52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 3.32% for the same period in 2013.

United’s provision for loan losses was $3.00 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $15.5 million for the same period in 2012. Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2013 were $4.47 million, compared to $20.6 million for the third quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, United’s provision for loan losses was $62.5 million, compared to $48.5 million for the same period of 2012. The sales of approximately $151 million in classified loans in the second quarter of 2013 resulted in a $53.5 million increase in net charge-offs as well as the $30.5 million increase in the provision for loan losses during the second quarter of 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, United’s allowance for loan losses was $80.4 million, or 1.88% of loans, compared to $108 million, or 2.60% of loans, at September 30, 2012. Nonperforming assets of $30.6 million, which excludes assets that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, decreased to .42% of total assets at September 30, 2013 from 2.12% as of September 30, 2012, mostly due to the second quarter 2013 classified asset sales. During the third quarter of 2013, $9.96 million in loans were placed on nonaccrual compared with $30.5 million in the third quarter of 2012.

Fee revenue of $14.1 million increased $380,000, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2012, and for the first nine months of 2013, totaled $43.3 million, an increase of $1.27 million, or 3%, from the first nine months of 2012. The quarterly increase was due primarily to an increase in debit card and interchange fees and an increase in brokerage fees. In addition, other fee revenue included an increase of $164,000 related to customer derivative fees from our commercial loan swap program. These increases were offset by a $689,000 decrease in hedge ineffectiveness gains. The year-to-date increase in fee revenue resulted primarily from mortgage loan and related fees and brokerage fees.

For the third quarter of 2013, operating expenses of $40.1 million were down $4.69 million from the third quarter of 2012. The decrease was primarily related to a decrease of $3.51 million in foreclosed property expense, driven by decreased volume due to the classified asset sales in the second quarter of 2013. In addition, lower workout and collection costs resulted in lower other expense for the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Professional fees increased $470,000 from the third quarter of 2012, due to consulting services related to corporate initiatives to increase revenue and improve operating efficiency. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating expenses of $133 million were down $3.36 million from the same period of 2012, mainly due to the same factors that contributed to the quarterly decrease. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $1.02 million, or 1%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to lower headcount. Management continues its efforts to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency.

Recent Developments

On August 12, 2013, Elm Ridge Offshore Master Fund, Ltd. and Elm Ridge Value Partners, L.P. (collectively, the “Elm Ridge Parties”) elected to exercise warrants to purchase an aggregate 1,551,126 shares of United’s common stock at the exercise price of $12.50 per share. United recognized net proceeds of approximately $19.4 million as a result of the exercise.

On August 12, 2013, upon completion of a public offering, United issued $34.6 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.00% Senior Notes due August 13, 2018 (the “Senior Notes”). On August 16, 2013, United completed an add-on public offering and issued an additional $5.42 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. As a result of these issuances, $40 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes is issued and outstanding. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on February 13 and August 13, with the first such payment due on February 13, 2014. The 6.00% interest rate on the Senior Notes was determined by an auction process held before the original issuance. United may elect to redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date on or after August 13, 2015 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest. The proceeds from the Senior Note issuances were used to redeem $35 million aggregate principal amount of United’s Subordinated Step-Up Notes due September 30, 2015 (the “Subordinated Notes”) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of the redemption date, the interest rate on the Subordinated Notes was 7.50%.

Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of United are in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The more critical accounting and reporting policies include United’s accounting for the allowance for loan losses, fair value measurements, and income taxes which involve the use of estimates and require significant judgments 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 for loan losses.

GAAP Reconciliation and Explanation

This Form 10-Q contains non-GAAP financial measures, which are performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include, among others the following: taxable equivalent interest revenue, taxable equivalent net interest revenue, tangible book value per share, tangible equity to assets, tangible common equity to assets and tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes they are useful for evaluating our operations and performance over periods of time, as well as in managing and evaluating our business and in discussions about our operations and performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide users of our financial information with a meaningful measure for assessing our financial results and credit trends, as well as comparison to financial results for prior periods. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled financial measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these operating performance measures to GAAP performance measures is included in on the table on page 42.

Table 1 - Financial Highlights

Selected Financial Information

																Third			For the Nine
	2013									2012						Quarter			Months Ended						YTD
(in thousands, except per share	Third			Second			First			Fourth			Third			2013-2012			September 30,						2013-2012
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Change			2013			2012			Change
INCOME SUMMARY
Interest revenue	$	61,363		$	61,693		$	62,134		$	64,450		$	65,978					$	185,190		$	202,979
Interest expense		7,025			7,131			7,475			8,422			8,607						21,631			29,908
Net interest revenue		54,338			54,562			54,659			56,028			57,371			(5	) %		163,559			173,071			(5	) %
Provision for loan losses		3,000			48,500			11,000			14,000			15,500						62,500			48,500
Fee revenue		14,144			16,312			12,826			14,761			13,764			3			43,282			42,010			3
Total revenue		65,482			22,374			56,485			56,789			55,635						144,341			166,581
Operating expenses		40,097			48,823			43,770			50,726			44,783			(10	)		132,690			136,048			(2	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		25,385			(26,449	)		12,715			6,063			10,852			134			11,651			30,533			(62	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		9,885			(256,413	)		950			802			284						(245,578	)		1,938
Net income		15,500			229,964			11,765			5,261			10,568			47			257,229			28,595			800
Preferred dividends and discount accretion		3,059			3,055			3,052			3,045			3,041						9,166			9,103
Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,441		$	226,909		$	8,713		$	2,216		$	7,527			65		$	248,063		$	19,492			1,173

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Per common share:
Diluted income	$	.21		$	3.90		$	.15		$	.04		$	.13			62		$	4.24		$	.34			1,147
Book value		10.99			10.90			6.85			6.67			6.75			63			10.99			6.75			63
Tangible book value (2)		10.95			10.82			6.76			6.57			6.64			65			10.95			6.64			65

Key performance ratios:
Return on equity (1)(3)		7.38	%		197.22	%		8.51	%		2.15	%		7.43	%					64.29	%		6.57	%
Return on assets (3)		.86			13.34			.70			.31			.63						4.93			.53
Net interest margin (3)		3.26			3.31			3.38			3.44			3.60						3.32			3.52
Efficiency ratio		58.55			68.89			64.97			71.69			62.95						64.19			63.36
Equity to assets		11.80			11.57	(4)		8.60			8.63			8.75						9.91			8.42
Tangible equity to assets (2)		11.76			11.53	(4)		8.53			8.55			8.66						9.85			8.32
Tangible common equity to assets (2)		9.02			8.79	(4)		5.66			5.67			5.73						7.04			5.50
Tangible common equity to risk- weighted assets (2)		13.34			13.16			8.45			8.26			8.44						13.34			8.44

ASSET QUALITY *
Non-performing loans	$	26,088		$	27,864		$	96,006		$	109,894		$	115,001					$	26,088		$	115,001
Foreclosed properties		4,467			3,936			16,734			18,264			26,958						4,467			26,958
Total non-performing assets (NPAs)		30,555			31,800			112,740			128,158			141,959						30,555			141,959
Allowance for loan losses		80,372			81,845			105,753			107,137			107,642						80,372			107,642
Net charge-offs		4,473			72,408			12,384			14,505			20,563						89,265			55,326
Allowance for loan losses to loans		1.88	%		1.95	%		2.52	%		2.57	%		2.60	%					1.88	%		2.60	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (3)		.42			6.87			1.21			1.39			1.99						2.84			1.80
NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties		.72			.76			2.68			3.06			3.41						.72			3.41
NPAs to total assets		.42			.44			1.65			1.88			2.12						.42			2.12

AVERAGE BALANCES ($ in millions)
Loans	$	4,250		$	4,253		$	4,197		$	4,191		$	4,147			2		$	4,234		$	4,157			2
Investment securities		2,178			2,161			2,141			2,088			1,971			11			2,160			2,089			3
Earning assets		6,615			6,608			6,547			6,482			6,346			4			6,590			6,569			-
Total assets		7,170			6,915			6,834			6,778			6,648			8			6,974			6,894			1
Deposits		5,987			5,983			5,946			5,873			5,789			3			5,972			5,890			1
Shareholders’ equity		846			636			588			585			582			45			691			580			19
Common shares - basic (thousands)		59,100			58,141			58,081			57,971			57,880						58,443			57,826
Common shares - diluted (thousands)		59,202			58,141			58,081			57,971			57,880						58,444			57,826

AT PERIOD END ($ in millions)
Loans *	$	4,267		$	4,189		$	4,194		$	4,175		$	4,138			3		$	4,267		$	4,138			3
Investment securities		2,169			2,152			2,141			2,079			2,025			7			2,169			2,025			7
Total assets		7,243			7,163			6,849			6,802			6,699			8			7,243			6,699			8
Deposits		6,113			6,012			6,026			5,952			5,823			5			6,113			5,823			5
Shareholders’ equity		852			829			592			581			585			46			852			585			46
Common shares outstanding (thousands)		59,412			57,831			57,767			57,741			57,710						59,412			57,710

(1) Net income available to common shareholders, which is net of preferred stock dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (2) Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization. (3) Annualized. (4) Calculated as of period-end.

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

Table 1 Continued - Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information
	2013									2012						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share	Third			Second			First			Fourth			Third			For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2013			2012

Interest revenue reconciliation
Interest revenue - taxable equivalent	$	61,363		$	61,693		$	62,134		$	64,450		$	65,978		$	185,190		$	202,979
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(370	)		(368	)		(365	)		(381	)		(419	)		(1,103	)		(1,309	)
Interest revenue (GAAP)	$	60,993		$	61,325		$	61,769		$	64,069		$	65,559		$	184,087		$	201,670

Net interest revenue reconciliation
Net interest revenue - taxable equivalent	$	54,338		$	54,562		$	54,659		$	56,028		$	57,371		$	163,559		$	173,071
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(370	)		(368	)		(365	)		(381	)		(419	)		(1,103	)		(1,309	)
Net interest revenue (GAAP)	$	53,968		$	54,194		$	54,294		$	55,647		$	56,952		$	162,456		$	171,762

Total revenue reconciliation
Total operating revenue	$	65,482		$	22,374		$	56,485		$	56,789		$	55,635		$	144,341		$	166,581
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(370	)		(368	)		(365	)		(381	)		(419	)		(1,103	)		(1,309	)
Total revenue (GAAP)	$	65,112		$	22,006		$	56,120		$	56,408		$	55,216		$	143,238		$	165,272

Income (loss) before taxes reconciliation
Income (loss) before taxes	$	25,385		$	(26,449	)	$	12,715		$	6,063		$	10,852		$	11,651		$	30,533
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(370	)		(368	)		(365	)		(381	)		(419	)		(1,103	)		(1,309	)
Income (loss) before taxes (GAAP)	$	25,015		$	(26,817	)	$	12,350		$	5,682		$	10,433		$	10,548		$	29,224

Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,885		$	(256,413	)	$	950		$	802		$	284		$	(245,578	)	$	1,938
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(370	)		(368	)		(365	)		(381	)		(419	)		(1,103	)		(1,309	)
Income tax expense (benefit) (GAAP)	$	9,515		$	(256,781	)	$	585		$	421		$	(135	)	$	(246,681	)	$	629

Book value per common share reconciliation
Tangible book value per common share	$	10.95		$	10.82		$	6.76		$	6.57		$	6.64		$	10.95		$	6.64
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		.04			.08			.09			.10			.11			.04			.11
Book value per common share (GAAP)	$	10.99		$	10.90		$	6.85		$	6.67		$	6.75		$	10.99		$	6.75

Average equity to assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to assets		9.02	%		8.79	%		5.66	%		5.67	%		5.73	%		7.04	%		5.50	%
Effect of preferred equity		2.74			2.74			2.87			2.88			2.93			2.81			2.82
Tangible equity to assets		11.76			11.53			8.53			8.55			8.66			9.85			8.32
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		.04			.04			.07			.08			.09			.06			.10
Equity to assets (GAAP)		11.80	%		11.57	%		8.60	%		8.63	%		8.75	%		9.91	%		8.42	%

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets		13.34	%		13.16	%		8.45	%		8.26	%		8.44	%		13.34	%		8.44	%
Effect of other comprehensive income		.49			.29			.49			.51			.36			.49			.36
Effect of deferred tax limitation		(4.72	)		(4.99	)		-			-			-			(4.72	)		-
Effect of trust preferred		1.09			1.11			1.15			1.15			1.17			1.09			1.17
Effect of preferred equity		4.01			4.11			4.22			4.24			4.29			4.01			4.29
Tier I capital ratio (Regulatory)		14.21	%		13.68	%		14.31	%		14.16	%		14.26	%		14.21	%		14.26	%

Results of Operations

United reported net income of $15.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. This compared to net income of $10.6 million for the same period in 2012. For the third quarter of 2013, diluted earnings per common share was $.21 compared to $.13 for the third quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, United reported net income of $257 million compared to net income of $28.6 million for the same period in 2012. Diluted earnings per common share was $4.24 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to diluted earnings per common share of $.34 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Net income and earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are elevated by the recognition of substantial tax benefits with the reversal of United’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The effect of the tax benefit on net income was partially offset by higher net charge-offs resulting from the accelerated disposition of classified assets in the second quarter of 2013.

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. Taxable equivalent net interest revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $54.3 million, down $3.03 million, or 5%, from the third quarter of 2012. The decrease in net interest revenue for the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012 was mostly due to lower yields on loan and securities portfolios. United continues to focus on loan and deposit pricing in an effort to maintain a steady level of net interest revenue.

While average loans increased $103 million, or 2%, from the third quarter of last year, the yield on loans decreased 49 basis points. The decreasing balances in the loan portfolio stabilized in 2012 and United began achieving modest loan growth; however, there is a high level of competition for quality lending relationships, which continues to put pressure on loan pricing. The increase in residential real estate loans is primarily the result of the promotion of a new home equity line product beginning in mid-2012 and the introduction of a new low-cost mortgage product in early 2013; however, the low introductory rate on these products also contributed to the lower yield on average loans.

Average interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2013 increased $269 million, or 4%, from the same period in 2012, due primarily to the increase in loans and securities. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 3.69%, down 45 basis points from 4.14% for the same period of 2012. For the third quarter of 2013, the yield on loans decreased 49 basis points due to competitive loan pricing pressures and the yield on securities decreased 36 basis points from the same period a year ago as management was unable to reinvest the cash proceeds of maturing securities at yields comparable to those of the securities they replaced. To alleviate market and duration risk, United has focused on purchasing floating rate securities. Partially offsetting the lower loan and securities yields was a higher average yield on other interest-earning assets due to the use of reverse repurchase agreements including collateral swap transactions where United enters into a repurchase agreement and reverse repurchase agreement simultaneously with the same counterparty subject to a master netting agreement. In these transactions, the offsetting balances are netted on the balance sheet.

Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $27.6 million, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2012 as money market deposits increased $171 million and the average balance of long term debt increased $24 million mostly due to the 49 day overlap of carrying $40 million in new debt before $35 million in old debt was repaid on September 30, 2013. The average rate on interest-bearing liabilities for the third quarter of 2013 was .57% compared to .71% for the same period of 2012, reflecting United’s concerted efforts to reduce deposit pricing. Also contributing to the overall lower rate on interest-bearing liabilities was a shift in the mix of deposits away from more expensive time deposits toward lower-rate transaction deposits. United was able to reduce the rate on brokered deposits in the third quarter of 2013 to a negative .19% by swapping the fixed rate on brokered time deposits to LIBOR minus a spread.

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

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the net interest spread was 3.12% and 3.43%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.26% and 3.60%, respectively. The decline in both ratios is due to lower yields on securities and loans, which were not completely offset by the decrease in rates paid for deposits and other interest bearing liabilities.

For the first nine months of 2013, net interest revenue was $164 million, a decrease of $9.51 million, or 5%, from the first nine months of 2012. Average earning assets increased $20.8 million, or less than 1%, during the first nine months of 2013, compared to the same period a year earlier. The yield on earning assets decreased 37 basis points from 4.13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 3.76% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to declining loan and securities yields. The lower loan portfolio yield reflects competitive pricing pressure on new and renewed loans and new retail product offerings with low introductory rates. The lower investment securities yield was due to reinvestment of cash flows at record low rates. The rate on interest bearing liabilities over the same period decreased 19 basis points. The combined effect of the lower yield on interest earning assets, which was not completely offset by a reduction in rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, resulted in the net interest margin decreasing 20 basis points from the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

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 September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Table 2 - Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

	2013									2012
	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)	$	4,249,892		$	50,217			4.69	%	$	4,147,220		$	53,963		5.18	%
Taxable securities (3)		2,157,448			9,670			1.79			1,947,780			10,481		2.15
Tax-exempt securities (1)(3)		20,913			331			6.32			22,895			368		6.43
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		186,544			1,145			2.46			227,950			1,166		2.05

Total interest-earning assets		6,614,797			61,363			3.69			6,345,845			65,978		4.14
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(83,408	)								(112,034	)
Cash and due from banks		63,890									51,705
Premises and equipment		166,906									171,608
Other assets (3)		407,912									190,439
Total assets	$	7,170,097								$	6,647,563

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,222,334			413			.13		$	1,176,087			447		.15
Money market		1,328,661			545			.16			1,157,655			599		.21
Savings		248,937			37			.06			221,186			37		.07
Time less than $100,000		952,320			1,369			.57			1,144,103			2,260		.79
Time greater than $100,000		644,264			1,229			.76			750,828			1,876		.99
Brokered time deposits		233,842			(112	)		(.19	)		176,114			476		1.08
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,630,358			3,481			.30			4,625,973			5,695		.49

Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		67,292			525			3.10			55,994			514		3.65
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		32,082			16			.20			44,473			26		.23
Long-term debt		144,601			3,003			8.24			120,276			2,372		7.85
Total borrowed funds		243,975			3,544			5.76			220,743			2,912		5.25

Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,874,333			7,025			.57			4,846,716			8,607		.71
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		1,356,792									1,163,471
Other liabilities		93,247									55,607
Total liabilities		6,324,372									6,065,794
Shareholders’ equity		845,725									581,769
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,170,097								$	6,647,563

Net interest revenue				$	54,338								$	57,371
Net interest-rate spread								3.12	%							3.43	%

Net interest margin (4)								3.26	%							3.60	%

(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 and loans that are held for sale.
(3)	Securities available for sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized losses of $10.6 million in 2013 and pretax unrealized gains of $22.9 million in 2012 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.

Table 3 - Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

	2013									2012
	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)	$	4,233,531		$	152,022			4.80	%	$	4,157,057		$	164,101		5.27	%
Taxable securities (3)		2,138,725			28,894			1.80			2,065,112			34,035		2.20
Tax-exempt securities (1)(3)		21,411			1,022			6.36			24,187			1,207		6.65
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		196,445			3,252			2.21			322,998			3,636		1.50

Total interest-earning assets		6,590,112			185,190			3.76			6,569,354			202,979		4.13
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(100,154	)								(115,252	)
Cash and due from banks		63,879									52,755
Premises and equipment		168,144									173,410
Other assets (3)		252,275									214,068
Total assets	$	6,974,256								$	6,894,335

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,256,684			1,286			.14		$	1,304,159			1,587		.16
Money market		1,297,792			1,641			.17			1,120,091			1,901		.23
Savings		242,807			109			.06			214,280			112		.07
Time less than $100,000		997,193			4,686			.63			1,199,563			7,806		.87
Time greater than $100,000		670,821			4,086			.81			783,370			6,354		1.08
Brokered time deposits		201,599			(136	)		(.09	)		162,682			1,684		1.38
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,666,896			11,672			.33			4,784,145			19,444		.54

Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		70,512			1,563			2.96			85,022			2,463		3.87
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		41,352			65			.21			153,539			882		.77
Long-term debt		131,491			8,331			8.47			120,256			7,119		7.91
Total borrowed funds		243,355			9,959			5.47			358,817			10,464		3.90

Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,910,251			21,631			.59			5,142,962			29,908		.78
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		1,305,133									1,105,607
Other liabilities		68,312									65,390
Total liabilities		6,283,696									6,313,959
Shareholders’ equity		690,560									580,376
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,974,256								$	6,894,335

Net interest revenue				$	163,559								$	173,071
Net interest-rate spread								3.17	%							3.35	%

Net interest margin (4)								3.32	%							3.52	%

(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 and loans that are held for sale.
(3)	Securities available for sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized gains of $7.96 million in 2013 and pretax unrealized gains of $24.1 million in 2012 are included in other assets for purposes of this presentation.
(4)	Net interest margin is taxable equivalent net-interest revenue divided by average interest-earning assets.

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

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

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013									Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Compared to 2012									Compared to 2012
	Increase (decrease)									Increase (decrease)
	Due to Changes in									Due to Changes in
	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	1,310		$	(5,056	)	$	(3,746	)	$	2,973		$	(15,052	)	$	(12,079	)
Taxable securities		1,054			(1,865	)		(811	)		1,177			(6,318	)		(5,141	)
Tax-exempt securities		(31	)		(6	)		(37	)		(134	)		(51	)		(185	)
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		(232	)		211			(21	)		(1,729	)		1,345			(384	)
Total interest-earning assets		2,101			(6,716	)		(4,615	)		2,287			(20,076	)		(17,789	)

Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts		17			(51	)		(34	)		(56	)		(245	)		(301	)
Money market accounts		81			(135	)		(54	)		272			(532	)		(260	)
Savings deposits		4			(4	)		-			14			(17	)		(3	)
Time deposits less than $100,000		(340	)		(551	)		(891	)		(1,179	)		(1,941	)		(3,120	)
Time deposits greater than $100,000		(243	)		(404	)		(647	)		(830	)		(1,438	)		(2,268	)
Brokered deposits		116			(704	)		(588	)		324			(2,144	)		(1,820	)
Total interest-bearing deposits		(365	)		(1,849	)		(2,214	)		(1,455	)		(6,317	)		(7,772	)
Federal funds purchased & other borrowings		95			(84	)		11			(379	)		(521	)		(900	)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		(7	)		(3	)		(10	)		(410	)		(407	)		(817	)
Long-term debt		500			131			631			692			520			1,212
Total borrowed funds		588			44			632			(97	)		(408	)		(505	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		223			(1,805	)		(1,582	)		(1,552	)		(6,725	)		(8,277	)

Increase in net interest revenue	$	1,878		$	(4,911	)	$	(3,033	)	$	3,839		$	(13,351	)	$	(9,512	)

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio and corresponding analysis of the allowance for loan losses at quarter-end. The provision for loan losses was $3.00 million and $62.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, compared to $15.5 million and $48.5 million for the same periods in 2012. The amount of provision recorded in each period was the amount required such that the total allowance for loan losses reflected the appropriate balance, in the estimation of management, that was sufficient to cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The 2013 year-to-date loan loss provision was higher due to increased level of charge-offs associated with the second quarter 2013 classified asset disposition. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, net loan charge-offs as an annualized percentage of average outstanding loans were .42% and 2.84%, respectively, compared to 1.99% and 1.80%, respectively, for the same periods in 2012.

Over the past two years, United has experienced a significant improvement in credit quality and corresponding credit measures. The second quarter of 2013 included sales of classified assets totaling approximately $172 million, including a bulk sale of $131 million. The classified asset sales and a general improving trend reduced United’s nonperforming assets to $30.6 million as of September 30, 2013. Additional discussion on credit quality and the allowance for loan losses is included in the “Asset Quality and Risk Elements” section of this report on page 52.

Fee Revenue

Fee revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $14.1 million and $43.3 million, respectively, an increase of $380,000, or 3%, compared to the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of $1.27 million, or 3%, from the year-to-date period of 2012. The following table presents the components of fee revenue for the third quarters and first nine months of 2013 and 2012.

Table 5 - Fee Revenue
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Change						Nine Months Ended September 30,					Change
	2013			2012		Amount			Percent			2013		2012			Amount			Percent

Overdraft fees	$	3,203		$	3,362	$	(159	)		(5	)	$	9,226	$	9,839		$	(613	)		(6	)
Debit card and interchange fees		3,952			3,063		889			29			10,818		9,407			1,411			15
Other service charges and fees		1,301			1,271		30			2			3,787		4,049			(262	)		(6	)
Service charges and fees		8,456			7,696		760			10			23,831		23,295			536			2
Mortgage loan and related fees		2,554			2,800		(246	)		(9	)		8,212		7,221			991			14
Brokerage fees		1,274			709		565			80			3,104		2,331			773			33
Securities gains, net		-			-		-						116		7,047			(6,931	)
Losses from prepayment of debt		-			-		-						-		(6,681	)		6,681
Hedge ineffectiveness		(81	)		608		(689	)					203		543			(340	)
Other		1,941			1,951		(10	)		(1	)		7,816		8,254			(438	)		(5	)
Total fee revenue	$	14,144		$	13,764	$	380			3		$	43,282	$	42,010		$	1,272			3

Service charges and fees of $8.46 million were up $760,000, or 10%, from the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months of 2013, service charges and fees of $23.8 million were up $536,000, or 2%, from the same period in 2012. The quarterly increase resulted from higher debit card and interchange fees. The year-to-date increase was also primarily due to an increase in debit card and interchange fees. Overdraft fees continue to decline as customer utilization of our courtesy overdraft services decreases.

Mortgage loans and related fees for the second quarter and first nine months of 2013 were down $246,000, or 9%, and up $991,000, or 14%, respectively, from the same periods in 2012. In the third quarter of 2013, United closed 487 loans totaling $76.6 million compared with 685 loans totaling $108 million in the third quarter of 2012. Mortgage refinancing activity slowed during the third quarter of 2013 due to rising long-term interest rates. The volume of new purchase money mortgages in the third quarter was 59% compared with 33% in the third quarter of 2012. Purchase money mortgages increased as a percentage of total production due to lower refinancing activity but also due to an increase in volume of purchase money mortgages. United had $42.3 million in new purchase money mortgage originations in the third quarter of 2013, compared with $33.1 million a year ago. Year-to-date mortgage production in 2013 amounted to 1,559 loans totaling $242 million, compared to 1,709 loans totaling $269 million for the same period in 2012.

Brokerage fees increased $565,000, or 80%, from the third quarter of 2013 and $991,000, or 14%, compared to the first nine months of 2012, as customer balances increased, due to heightened customer demand for income products stemming from continued low interest rates. Also, referrals and overall activity in this area have increased as United intensified its focus on growing this line of business.

United recognized net securities gains of $116,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. No securities gains or losses were recognized in the third quarters of 2013 and 2012. Net securities gains totaled $7.05 million for the first nine months of 2012. United also recognized $6.68 million in charges from the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and structured repurchase agreements in the first nine months of 2012.

In the third quarter of 2013, United recognized $81,000 in net losses from hedge ineffectiveness compared with $608,000 in net gains in the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months of 2013, United recognized $203,000 in net gains from hedge ineffectiveness compared with $543,000 in net gains for the same period of 2012. In 2012 and 2013, most of the hedge ineffectiveness gains and losses resulted from ineffectiveness on fair value hedges of brokered deposits.

Other fee revenue of $1.94 million for the third quarter of 2013 was down $10,000 from the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months of 2013, other fee revenue of $7.82 million was down $438,000, or 5%, from the same period in 2012. The first nine months of 2013 included $1.45 million in death benefits on bank owned life insurance policies and a $468,000 gain from the sale of low income housing credits. The first nine months of 2012 included $1.10 million of interest on a prior period tax refund and a $728,000 gain from the sale of low income housing credits.

Operating Expenses

The following table presents the components of operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Table 6 - Operating Expenses
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Change						Nine Months Ended September 30,				Change
	2013			2012		Amount			Percent			2013		2012		Amount			Percent

Salaries and employee benefits	$	23,090		$	22,918	$	172			1		$	71,416	$	72,440	$	(1,024	)		(1	)
Communications and equipment		3,305			3,254		51			2			9,819		9,620		199			2
Occupancy		3,379			3,539		(160	)		(5	)		10,195		10,849		(654	)		(6	)
Advertising and public relations		962			934		28			3			2,937		2,868		69			2
Postage, printing and supplies		644			954		(310	)		(32	)		2,401		2,849		(448	)		(16	)
Professional fees		2,650			2,180		470			22			7,515		6,107		1,408			23
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		2,405			2,537		(132	)		(5	)		7,415		7,592		(177	)		(2	)
Amortization of intangibles		427			728		(301	)		(41	)		1,623		2,190		(567	)		(26	)
Other		3,041			4,033		(992	)		(25	)		11,691		12,151		(460	)		(4	)
Total excluding foreclosed property expenses		39,903			41,077		(1,174	)		(3	)		125,012		126,666		(1,654	)		(1	)
Net losses on sales of foreclosed properties		(648	)		350		(998	)					2,402		174		2,228
Foreclosed property write downs		329			2,394		(2,065	)					2,739		5,513		(2,774	)
Foreclosed property maintenance expenses		513			962		(449	)		(47	)		2,537		3,695		(1,158	)		(31	)
Total operating expenses	$	40,097		$	44,783	$	(4,686	)		(10	)	$	132,690	$	136,048	$	(3,358	)		(2	)

Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2013 totaled $40.1 million, down $4.69 million, or 10%, from the third quarter of 2012. The decrease mostly reflects lower foreclosed property losses and write downs associated with the declining volume of foreclosed properties following the classified asset sales in the second quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating expenses totaled $133 million, down $3.36 million, or 2%, from the same period in 2012. Excluding foreclosed property costs, total operating expenses were $39.9 million and $125 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, down $1.17 million, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2012 and down $1.65 million, or 1%, from the first nine months of 2012.

Salaries and employee benefits for the third quarter of 2013 were $23.1 million, up $172,000, or 1%, from the same period of 2012. The increase was due to higher brokerage incentives and higher stock based compensation expense in the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2013, salaries and employee benefits of $71.4 million were down $1.02 million, or 1%, from the first nine months of 2012. The decrease was due to reduced staffing levels. Headcount totaled 1,496 at September 30, 2013, compared to 1,592 at September 30, 2012, a decrease of 96 positions.

Communications and equipment expense of $3.31 million for the third quarter of 2013 was up $51,000, or 2%, from the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months, communications and equipment expense was up $199,000 from a year ago. The increases reflect higher software costs resulting from new technology solutions to improve operating efficiency and customer service as well as higher telecommunications charges.

Occupancy expense of $3.38 million and $10.2 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was down $160,000, or 5%, and down $654,000, or 6%, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2012. The decrease was primarily related to lower depreciation charges partially due to the closing of underperforming branches.

Professional fees for the third quarter of 2013 of $2.65 million were up $470,000, or 22%, from the same period in 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, professional fees of $7.52 million were up $1.41 million, or 23%. The increases for both quarterly and year-to-date periods were primarily due to consulting services related to several efficiency and revenue enhancement projects that are in process. The year-to-date increase also reflects higher legal costs associated with the second quarter 2013 classified asset sales.

Amortization of intangibles continues to decrease as core deposit intangibles related to past acquisitions become fully amortized.

Other expense of $3.04 million for the third quarter of 2013 decreased $992,000 from the third quarter of 2012. Year-to-date, other expense of $11.7 million decreased $460,000 from the first nine months of 2012. The decrease for the quarter was primarily due to lower appraisal and lending support costs.

Net gains on sales of foreclosed property totaled $648,000 for the third quarter of 2013, compared to net losses on sale of $350,000 for the third quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net losses on sales were $2.40 million, compared to net losses on sales of $174,000 for the same period of the prior year. The year-to-date increase in losses was due to the second quarter classified asset sales. Foreclosed property write-downs for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $329,000 and $2.74 million, respectively, compared to $2.39 million and $5.51 million, respectively, a year ago. Foreclosed property maintenance expenses include legal fees, property taxes, marketing costs, utility services, maintenance and repair charges and totaled $513,000 and $2.54 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 compared with $962,000 and $3.70 million, respectively, a year ago. These costs continue to decline with the decrease in the number of foreclosed properties held by United.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2013 was $9.52 million as compared with income tax benefit of $135,000 for the third quarter of 2012. The year-to-date income tax benefit of $247 million for 2013 was primarily due to the income tax benefit recognized during the quarter related to the reversal of $272 million of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Income tax benefit for the third quarter of 2012 mostly represents a partial reversal of its reserve for uncertain tax positions due to tax returns becoming no longer subject to audit, net of amounts payable under the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax. The effective tax rate was 38% for the third quarter of 2013, due to two unusual items. During the third quarter of 2013, the state of North Carolina adopted legislation to reduce its state corporate tax rate from 6.9% to 6% in 2014 and to 5% in 2015. This rate reduction resulted in a higher tax expense for the quarter and a $1.00 million impairment charge on our deferred tax asset. The impact of this charge was partially offset by approximately $400,000 in tax credits related to the release of previously established reserves for uncertain tax positions that relate to tax returns where the statute had expired. For the remainder of the year, United expects to record income tax expense at an effective tax rate of approximately 35.25%.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases including operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Net deferred tax assets (deferred tax assets net of deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowance) are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as a component of total assets.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes, requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. The determination of whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is appropriate is subject to considerable judgment and requires an evaluation of all positive and negative evidence with more weight given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Each quarter, management considers both positive and negative evidence and analyzes changes in near-term market conditions as well as other factors which may impact future operating results.

At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, United reported no net deferred tax asset due to full valuation allowances of $270 million and $272 million, respectively. United remains in a three-year cumulative loss position that resulted from significant credit losses incurred during the recent financial crisis. A three-year cumulative loss position is considered to be negative evidence that is difficult to overcome. However, during the second quarter of 2013, based on the weight of all the positive and negative evidence at such date, management concluded that it was more likely than not that $272 million of the net deferred tax assets will be realized based upon future taxable income and therefore, reversed $272 million of the valuation allowance. Thus, at September 30, 2013, United reported a net deferred tax asset of $270 million, net of a valuation allowance of $4.61 million that related to specific state income tax credits that have short carryforward periods and therefore are expected to expire before they can be utilized.

The deferred tax asset valuation allowance was reversed in the second quarter of 2013 following the achievement of six consecutive quarters of positive operating results. The recent positive earnings results and improving credit measures provide an objective basis for a conclusion that profitability is sustainable and improving. In addition, the second quarter 2013 sale of classified assets improved United’s ability to project credit costs and forecast profitability going forward by removing the assets that were most likely to drive future credit losses. As a result of this discretionary distressed asset sale, United’s classified asset ratio (classified assets as a percentage of Tier 1 capital and the allowance for loan losses) improved to 26% at September 30, 2013 compared with 50% at December 31, 2012 and 55% at September 30, 2012.

Based on all evidence considered as of September 30, 2013, management again concluded it was more likely than not that our net deferred tax asset would be realized. With continuous improvements in credit quality, quarterly earnings for the past eight quarters have closely followed management's forecast for these periods, excluding the impact of the discretionary sales of classified assets in the second quarter 2013. The improvement in management’s ability to produce reliable forecasts, continuous and significant improvements in credit quality, and a sustained period of profitability were given appropriate weighting in our analysis, and such evidence was considered sufficient to overcome the weight of the negative evidence related to the significant operating losses in prior years.

In addition to such positive evidence at September 30, 2013, United has also reduced the amount of credit risk inherent in its loan portfolio by reducing its concentration of construction loans and improving its overall loan portfolio diversification. These changes place United in a strong position to manage through the ongoing weakness in the economy. United also has a long record of positive earnings and accurate earnings forecasts prior to the recent economic downturn and is currently in a strong capital position and conservatively expects to exit the three-year cumulative loss position in the first quarter of 2014.

Management expects to generate higher levels of future taxable income and believes this will allow for full utilization of United’s net operating loss carryforwards within five to seven years, which is well within the statutory carryforward periods. In determining whether management's projections of future taxable income are reliable, management considered objective evidence supporting the forecast assumptions as well as recent experience demonstrating management’s ability to reasonably project future results of operations. Further, while the banking environment is expected to remain challenging due to economic and other uncertainties, management believes that it can confidently forecast future taxable income at sufficient levels over the future period of time that United has available to realize its September 30, 2013 deferred tax asset.

As of February 22, 2011, United adopted a tax benefits preservation plan designed to protect its ability to utilize its substantial tax assets. Those tax assets include net operating losses that it could utilize in certain circumstances to offset taxable income and reduce its federal income tax liability and the future tax benefits from potential net unrealized built-in losses. United’s ability to use its tax benefits would be substantially limited if it were to experience an ownership change as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, an ownership change would occur if United’s “5-percent shareholders,” as defined under Section 382, collectively increase their ownership in United by more than 50% over a rolling three-year period. The tax benefits preservation plan is designed to reduce the likelihood that United will experience an ownership change by discouraging any person or group from becoming a beneficial owner of 4.99% or more of United’s common stock then outstanding.

Additional information regarding income taxes, including a reconciliation of the differences between the recorded income tax provision and the amount of income tax computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes, can be found in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements filed with United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 were $7.24 billion, $6.80 billion and $6.70 billion, respectively. Average total assets for the third quarter of 2013 were $7.17 billion, up from $6.65 billion in the third quarter of 2012.

The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio.

Table 7 - Loans Outstanding (excludes loans covered by loss share agreements)
(in thousands)

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2013			2012			2012
By Loan Type
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	1,742,771		$	1,813,365		$	1,819,155
Commercial & industrial		457,414			458,246			459,997
Commercial construction		137,146			154,769			160,765
Total commercial		2,337,331			2,426,380			2,439,917
Residential mortgage		1,309,295			1,214,203			1,174,236
Residential construction		317,789			381,677			388,742
Consumer installment		302,652			152,748			134,950
Total loans	$	4,267,067		$	4,175,008		$	4,137,845

As a percentage of total loans:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		41	%		43	%		44	%
Commercial & industrial		11			11			11
Commercial construction		3			4			4
Total commercial		55			58			59
Residential mortgage		31			29			28
Residential construction		7			9			10
Consumer installment		7			4			3
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

By Geographic Location
North Georgia	$	1,261,751		$	1,363,723		$	1,383,439
Atlanta MSA		1,246,433			1,249,470			1,238,020
North Carolina		574,667			579,085			578,643
Coastal Georgia		421,488			400,022			379,747
Gainesville MSA		253,004			261,406			255,897
East Tennessee		277,059			282,863			282,571
South Carolina		46,548			-			-
Other (indirect auto)		186,117			38,439			19,528
Total loans	$	4,267,067		$	4,175,008		$	4,137,845

Substantially all of United’s loans are to customers located in the immediate market areas of its community banks in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina, including customers who have a seasonal residence in United’s market areas. More than 80% of the loans are secured by real estate. At September 30, 2013, total loans, excluding loans that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, were $4.27 billion, an increase of $129 million, or 3%, from September 30, 2012. Despite the weak economy and lack of loan demand, United has continued to pursue lending opportunities. The increase from a year ago in residential mortgage reflects a successful home equity line promotion that has gained traction in United’s footprint and a new low closing cost mortgage product that began being offered early in the first quarter of 2013. The increase in consumer installment loans reflects purchases of indirect auto loans.

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 and Board-approved portfolio limits, establishing credit policies and procedures and enforcing the consistent application of these policies and procedures among all of the community banks. Additional information on the credit administration function is included in Item 1 under the heading Loan Review and Nonperforming Assets in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

United classifies performing loans as “substandard” when there are well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment by the borrower and there is a distinct possibility that United could sustain some loss if the deficiency is not corrected.

United’s home equity lines, which are a component of the residential mortgage portfolio, generally require the payment of interest only for a set period after origination. After this initial period, the outstanding balance begins amortizing and requires the payment of both principal and interest. At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, the funded portion of home equity lines totaled $421 million, $385 million, and $341 million, respectively.

Approximately 3% of the home equity loans at September 30, 2013 were amortizing. Of the $421 million in balances outstanding at September 30, 2013, $261 million, or 62%, were first liens. At September 30, 2013, 60% of the total available home equity lines were drawn upon.

United monitors the performance of its home equity loans and lines secured by second liens similar to other consumer loans and utilizes assumptions specific to these loans in determining the necessary allowance. United also receives notification when the first lien holder is in the process of foreclosure and upon that notification, United obtains valuations to determine if any additional charge-offs or reserves are warranted.

The table below presents performing substandard loans for the last five quarters.

Table 8 - Performing Substandard Loans
(dollars in thousands)
	September 30,		June 30,		March 31,		December 31,		September 30,
	2013		2013		2013		2012		2012
By Category
Commercial (secured by real estate)	$	75,542	$	78,750	$	128,120	$	117,543	$	126,332
Commercial & industrial		10,342		11,458		20,320		18,477		18,740
Commercial construction		16,911		15,766		18,462		19,285		27,180
Total commercial		102,795		105,974		166,902		155,305		172,252
Residential mortgage		53,172		51,222		64,103		65,179		72,198
Residential construction		15,552		16,631		37,882		37,804		35,170
Consumer installment		2,147		2,505		2,794		3,653		2,886
Total	$	173,666	$	176,332	$	271,681	$	261,941	$	282,506

By Market
North Georgia	$	74,456	$	68,272	$	107,798	$	105,851	$	116,871
Atlanta MSA		44,650		48,574		74,064		77,630		79,242
North Carolina		20,768		23,440		30,391		28,657		34,998
Coastal Georgia		10,729		8,391		17,496		17,421		12,998
Gainesville MSA		14,820		19,734		28,514		19,251		21,219
East Tennessee		8,243		7,921		13,418		13,131		17,178
South Carolina		-		-		-		-		-
Total loans	$	173,666	$	176,332	$	271,681	$	261,941	$	282,506

At September 30, 2013, performing substandard loans totaled $174 million and decreased $2.67 million from the prior quarter-end, and decreased $109 million from a year ago. The decrease from the second quarter of 2013 reflects a general declining trend and the decrease from a year ago also reflects the second quarter 2013 classified asset sales. Performing substandard loans had been on a downward trend as credit conditions have continued to improve and problem credits are resolved.

Reviews of substandard performing and nonperforming loans, troubled debt restructures, past due loans and larger credits, are conducted on a quarterly basis with management and are designed to identify risk migration and potential charges to the allowance for loan losses. These reviews are presented by the responsible lending officers and specific action plans are discussed along with the financial strength of borrowers, the value of the applicable collateral, past loan loss experience, anticipated loan losses, changes in risk profile, the effect of prevailing economic conditions on the borrower along with other factors specific to the borrower and its industry. In addition to United’s internal loan review, United also uses external loan review to ensure the independence of the loan review process.

The following table presents a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Table 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance beginning of period	$	81,845		$	112,705		$	107,137		$	114,468
Provision for loan losses		3,000			15,500			62,500			48,500
Charge-offs:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		1,928			8,445			34,122			16,791
Commercial & industrial		826			343			18,581			1,987
Commercial construction		134			3,198			6,484			3,650
Residential mortgage		1,306			3,575			10,380			13,356
Residential construction		1,096			6,231			22,608			21,706
Consumer installment		419			442			1,691			1,603
Total loans charged-off		5,709			22,234			93,866			59,093
Recoveries:
Commercial (secured by real estate)		71			271			1,556			571
Commercial & industrial		690			602			1,368			802
Commercial construction		1			8			60			38
Residential mortgage		231			48			649			592
Residential construction		24			555			57			1,153
Consumer installment		219			187			911			611
Total recoveries		1,236			1,671			4,601			3,767
Net charge-offs		4,473			20,563			89,265			55,326
Balance end of period	$	80,372		$	107,642		$	80,372		$	107,642

Total loans: *
At period-end	$	4,267,067		$	4,137,845		$	4,267,067		$	4,137,845
Average		4,225,014			4,107,608			4,206,279			4,112,727

Allowance as a percentage of period-end loans		1.88	%		2.60	%		1.88	%		2.60	%

As a percentage of average loans (annualized):
Net charge-offs		.42			1.99			2.84			1.80
Provision for loan losses		.28			1.50			1.99			1.58

Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans		308			94			308			94

* Excludes loans covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC

The provision for loan losses charged to earnings was based upon management’s judgment of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The amount each quarter is dependent upon many factors, including growth and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, net charge-offs, delinquencies, management’s assessment of loan portfolio quality, the value of collateral, and other macro-economic factors and trends. The evaluation of these factors is performed quarterly by management through an analysis of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses. The decreases in the provision and the level of the allowance for loan losses compared to the previous periods reflects stabilizing trends in substandard loans, along with the de-risking of the balance sheet through the accelerated classified asset sale, leading to an expectation that charge-off levels will continue to decline. Further, the declining balance of the allowance for loan losses over the last several quarters reflects an overall improving trend in credit quality of the loan portfolio. A general improvement in economic conditions in United’s market also contributed to the lower level of provision and allowance for loan losses.

At September 30, 2013, the allowance for loan losses was $80.4 million, or 1.88% of loans, compared with $107 million, or 2.57% of loans, at December 31, 2012 and $108 million, or 2.60% of loans, at September 30, 2012.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2013 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. The amount of any changes could be significant if management’s assessment of loan quality or collateral values change substantially with respect to one or more loan relationships or portfolios. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Bank, may require adjustments to the provision for loan losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions. See the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this report on page 40 for additional information on the allowance for loan losses.

Nonperforming Assets

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

Table 10 - Nonperforming Assets
(in thousands)
	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2013			2012			2012
Nonperforming loans*	$	26,088		$	109,894		$	115,001
Foreclosed properties (OREO)		4,467			18,264			26,958

Total nonperforming assets	$	30,555		$	128,158		$	141,959

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans		.61	%		2.63	%		2.78	%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO		.72			3.06			3.41
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets		.42			1.88			2.12

* There were no loans 90 days or more past due that were still accruing at period end.

At September 30, 2013, nonperforming loans were $26.1 million compared to $110 million at December 31, 2012 and $115 million at September 30, 2012. Nonperforming loans have steadily decreased in dollar amount and as a percentage of total loans following the classification of United’s largest lending relationship in the third quarter of 2011. In addition, the second quarter of 2013 sales of classified assets further reduced nonperforming assets. Nonperforming assets, which include nonperforming loans and foreclosed real estate, totaled $30.6 million at September 30, 2013 compared with $128 million at December 31, 2012 and $142 million at September 30, 2012. United sold $2.53 million of foreclosed properties during the third quarter of 2013; however, these sales of foreclosed properties were offset by $2.74 million in new foreclosures for the quarter.

United’s policy is to place loans on nonaccrual status 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 nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current interest revenue. Principal and interest payments received on a nonaccrual loan are applied to reduce outstanding principal.

The following table summarizes nonperforming assets by category and market. As with Tables 7, 8, 9 and 10, assets covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC related to the acquisition of SCB are excluded from this table.

Table 11 - Nonperforming Assets by Quarter (1)
(in thousands)

	September 30, 2013									December 31, 2012									September 30, 2012
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs
BY CATEGORY
Commercial (sec. by RE)	$	8,015		$	730		$	8,745		$	22,148		$	5,479		$	27,627		$	25,896		$	8,767		$	34,663
Commercial & industrial		609			-			609			31,817			-			31,817			32,678			-			32,678
Commercial construction		343			376			719			23,843			2,204			26,047			18,590			3,121			21,711
Total commercial		8,967			1,106			10,073			77,808			7,683			85,491			77,164			11,888			89,052
Residential mortgage		12,504			2,154			14,658			12,589			4,753			17,342			13,996			6,031			20,027
Residential construction		4,097			1,207			5,304			18,702			5,828			24,530			22,935			9,039			31,974
Consumer installment		520			-			520			795			-			795			906			-			906
Total NPAs	$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555		$	109,894		$	18,264		$	128,158		$	115,001		$	26,958		$	141,959
Balance as a % of
Unpaid Principal		61.6	%		41.5	%		57.6	%		69.5	%		39.7	%		62.8	%		68.8	%		36.4	%		58.8	%

BY MARKET
North Georgia	$	13,652		$	1,726		$	15,378		$	69,950		$	8,219		$	78,169		$	72,211		$	14,582		$	86,793
Atlanta MSA		3,096			1,026			4,122			18,556			3,442			21,998			21,349			5,926			27,275
North Carolina		5,680			762			6,442			11,014			2,579			13,593			9,622			2,771			12,393
Coastal Georgia		995			928			1,923			3,810			1,609			5,419			6,822			864			7,686
Gainesville MSA		1,036			-			1,036			903			556			1,459			840			1,328			2,168
East Tennessee		1,629			25			1,654			5,661			1,859			7,520			4,157			1,487			5,644
South Carolina		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Total NPAs	$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555		$	109,894		$	18,264		$	128,158		$	115,001		$	26,958		$	141,959

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

Nonperforming assets in the residential construction category were $5.30 million at September 30, 2013, compared with $32.0 million at September 30, 2012, a decrease of $26.7 million, or 83%. Commercial nonperforming assets decreased from $89.1 million at September 30, 2012 to $10.1 million at September 30, 2013. Residential mortgage nonperforming assets of $14.7 million decreased $5.37 million from September 30, 2012. The second quarter of 2013 classified asset sales contributed to the decreases in all categories of nonperforming assets.

At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, United had $87.3 million, $161 million and $166 million, respectively, in loans with terms that have been modified in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Included therein were $7.48 million, $38.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively, of TDRs that were not performing in accordance with their modified terms and were included in nonperforming loans. The remaining TDRs with an aggregate balance of $79.8 million, $123 million and $138 million, respectively, were performing according to their modified terms and are therefore not considered to be nonperforming assets.

At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, there were $105 million, $253 million and $269 million, respectively, of loans classified as impaired under the definition outlined in the Accounting Standards Codification including TDRs which are by definition considered impaired. Included in impaired loans at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 was $32.8 million, $157 million and $174 million, respectively, that did not require specific reserves or had previously been charged down to net realizable value. The balance of impaired loans at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 of $72.5 million, $95.8 million and $94.4 million, respectively, had specific reserves that totaled $5.35 million, $11.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012 was $106 million and $276 million, respectively. For the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was $134 million and $281 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, United recognized $2.48 million and $5.50 million, respectively, in interest revenue on impaired loans compared to $2.11 million and $6.80 million for the same periods of the prior year. United’s policy is to discontinue the recognition of interest revenue for loans classified as impaired under ASC 310-10-35, Receivables, when a loan meets the criteria for nonaccrual status. Impaired loans decreased 61% from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013, primarily due to the second quarter 2013 classified asset sales.

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

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

	Third Quarter 2013 (1)									Third Quarter 2012 (1)
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs

Beginning Balance	$	27,864		$	3,936		$	31,800		$	115,340		$	30,421		$	145,761
Loans placed on non-accrual		9,959			-			9,959			30,535			-			30,535
Payments received		(3,601	)		-			(3,601	)		(3,646	)		-			(3,646	)
Loan charge-offs		(5,395	)		-			(5,395	)		(19,227	)		-			(19,227	)
Foreclosures		(2,739	)		2,739			-			(8,001	)		8,001			-
Capitalized costs		-			7			7			-			102			102
Property sales		-			(2,534	)		(2,534	)		-			(8,822	)		(8,822	)
Write downs		-			(329	)		(329	)		-			(2,394	)		(2,394	)
Net losses on sales		-			648			648			-			(350	)		(350	)
Ending Balance	$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555		$	115,001		$	26,958		$	141,959


	First Nine Months 2013 (1)									First Nine Months 2012 (1)
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs

Beginning Balance	$	109,894		$	18,264		$	128,158		$	127,479		$	32,859		$	160,338
Loans placed on non-accrual		32,824			-			32,824			92,336			-			92,336
Payments received		(58,347	)		-			(58,347	)		(24,618	)		-			(24,618	)
Loan charge-offs		(39,823	)		-			(39,823	)		(53,342	)		-			(53,342	)
Foreclosures		(18,460	)		18,460			-			(26,854	)		26,854			-
Capitalized costs		-			116			116			-			846			846
Property sales		-			(27,232	)		(27,232	)		-			(27,914	)		(27,914	)
Write downs		-			(2,739	)		(2,739	)		-			(5,513	)		(5,513	)
Net losses on sales		-			(2,402	)		(2,402	)		-			(174	)		(174	)
Ending Balance	$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555		$	115,001		$	26,958		$	141,959

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

Foreclosed property is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. If the fair value, less estimated costs to sell at the time of foreclosure, is less than the loan balance, the deficiency is charged against the allowance for loan losses. If the lesser of fair value, less estimated costs to sell or the listed selling price, less the costs to sell, of the foreclosed property decreases during the holding period, a valuation allowance is established with a charge to foreclosed property expense. When the foreclosed property is sold, a gain or loss is recognized on the sale for the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the property. Financed sales of foreclosed property are accounted for in accordance with ASC 360-20, Real Estate Sales. For the third quarter of 2013, United transferred $2.74 million of loans into foreclosed property through foreclosures. During the same period, proceeds from sales of foreclosed property were $2.53 million, which includes $300,000 in sales that were financed by United.

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 at September 30, 2013 increased $144 million from a year ago.

At September 30, 2013, United had securities held-to-maturity with a carrying amount of $206 million and securities available-for-sale totaling $1.96 billion. At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, the securities portfolio represented approximately 30%, 31% and 30% of total assets, respectively.

The investment securities portfolio primarily consists of U.S. government sponsored agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, municipal securities and asset-backed 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 or prolonged low interest rate environment, United may not be able to reinvest the proceeds from these prepayments in assets that have comparable yields. In a rising rate environment, the opposite occurs - prepayments tend to slow and the weighted average life extends. This is referred to as extension risk which can lead to lower levels of liquidity due to the delay of cash receipts and can result in the holding of a below market yielding asset for a longer period of time. United’s asset-backed securities include securities that are backed by student loans and collateralized loan obligations.

At both September 30, 2013 and 2012, 39% of the securities portfolio was invested in floating-rate securities or fixed-rate securities that were swapped to floating rates in order to manage exposure to rising interest rates.

Other Intangible Assets

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

Deposits

United has initiated several programs to improve core earnings by growing customer transaction deposit accounts and lowering overall pricing on deposit accounts to improve its net interest margin and increase net interest revenue. The programs were successful in increasing core transaction deposit accounts and allowing for the reduction of more costly time deposit balances as United’s funding needs decreased due to lower loan demand. United has continued to pursue customer transaction deposits by stressing its high customer satisfaction scores.

Total customer deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of September 30, 2013 were $5.69 billion, an increase of $94.3 million from September 30, 2012. Total core deposits (demand, NOW, money market and savings deposits, excluding public funds deposits) of $3.42 billion increased $278 million, or 9%, from a year ago. Total non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts of $1.42 billion increased $208 million, or 17%, due to the success of core deposit programs. Also impacted by the programs were NOW, money market and savings accounts of $2.73 billion, which increased $193 million, or 8%, from September 30, 2012.

Total time deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of September 30, 2013 were $1.55 billion, down $306 million from September 30, 2012. Time deposits less than $100,000 totaled $925 million, a decrease of $199 million, or 18%, from a year ago. Time deposits of $100,000 and greater totaled $624 million as of September 30, 2013, a decrease of $108 million, or 15%, from September 30, 2012. United continued to offer low rates on certificates of deposit, allowing balances to decline as United’s funding needs declined due to weak loan demand and a shift to lower cost transaction account deposits.

Brokered deposits totaled $419 million as of September 30, 2013, an increase of $196 million from a year ago. We have actively added long-term deposits which are swapped to LIBOR minus a spread to diversify our deposit base with low cost funding.

Wholesale Funding

The Bank is a shareholder in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). Through this affiliation, FHLB secured advances totaled $125,000 and $50.1 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and 2012. United anticipates continued use of this short and long-term source of funds. Additional information regarding FHLB advances is provided in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements included in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

At September 30, 2013 and 2012, United had $53.8 million and $53.2 million, respectively, in other short-term borrowings outstanding. 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.

Contractual Obligations

There have not been any material changes to United’s contractual obligations since December 31, 2012.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

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

United’s net interest revenue, and the fair value of its financial instruments, are influenced by changes in the level of interest rates. United limits its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies developed by the Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) and approved by the Board of Directors. ALCO meets periodically and has responsibility for formulating and recommending asset/liability management policies to the Board of Directors, 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 and manage the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changes in interest rates is an asset/liability simulation model. Resulting estimates are based upon a number of assumptions for each scenario, including the level of balance sheet growth, loan and deposit re-pricing characteristics and the rate of prepayments. ALCO periodically reviews the assumptions for accuracy based on historical data and future expectations; however, actual net interest revenue may differ from model results. The primary objective of the simulation model is to measure the potential change in net interest revenue over time using multiple interest rate scenarios. The base scenario assumes rates remain flat and is the scenario to which all others are compared in order to measure the change in net interest revenue. Policy limits are based on immediate rate shock scenarios, as well as gradually rising and falling rate scenarios, which are all compared to the base scenario. Another commonly analyzed scenario is a most-likely scenario that projects the expected change in rates based on the slope of the forward yield curve. Other scenarios analyzed may include delayed rate shocks, yield curve steepening or flattening, or other variations in rate movements. While the primary policy scenarios focus on a twelve month time frame, longer time horizons are also modeled. All policy scenarios assume a static balance sheet.

United’s policy is based on the 12-month impact on net interest revenue of interest rate shocks and ramps that increase or decrease from 100 to 300 basis points from the base scenario. In the shock scenarios, rates immediately change the full amount at the scenario onset. In the ramp scenarios, rates change by 25 basis points per month. United’s policy limits the change in net interest revenue over the first 12 months to a 5% decrease for each 100 basis point change in the increasing and decreasing rate ramp and shock scenarios. Historically low rates on September 30, 2013 and 2012 made use of the down scenarios problematic. The following table presents United’s interest sensitivity position at September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Table 13 - Interest Sensitivity

	Increase (Decrease) in Net Interest Revenue from Base Scenario at September 30,
	2013						2012
Change in Rates	Shock			Ramp			Shock			Ramp
200 basis point increase		5.9	%		6.1	%		5.3	%		2.3	%
25 basis point decrease		(3.4	)		(3.4	)		(1.1	)		(1.1	)

Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the repricing characteristics of the portfolio of assets and liabilities. These repricing characteristics are the time frames within which the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are subject to change in interest rates either at replacement, repricing or maturity during the life of the instruments. Interest rate sensitivity management focuses on the maturity structure of assets and liabilities and their repricing characteristics during periods of changes in market interest rates. Effective interest rate sensitivity management seeks to ensure that both assets and liabilities respond to changes in interest rates on a net basis within an acceptable timeframe, thereby minimizing the effect of interest rate changes on net interest revenue.

United may have some discretion in the extent and timing of deposit repricing depending upon the competitive pressures in the markets in which it operates. Changes in the mix of earning assets or supporting liabilities can either increase or decrease the net interest margin without affecting interest rate sensitivity. The interest rate spread between an asset and its supporting liability can vary significantly even when the timing of repricing for both the asset and the liability remains the same, due to the two instruments repricing according to different indices. This is commonly referred to as Basis risk.

In order to manage interest rate sensitivity, United periodically enters into off-balance sheet contracts that are considered derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments can be a cost-effective and capital-effective means of modifying the repricing characteristics of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities. These contracts generally consist of interest rate swaps under which United pays a variable rate (or fixed rate, as may be the case) and receives a fixed rate (or variable rate, as may be the case).

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.

In addition to derivative instruments, United uses a variety of balance sheet instruments to manage interest rate risk such as Investment Portfolio holdings, wholesale funding, and bank-issued deposits.

The following table presents United’s active derivative contracts used for hedging purposes.

Table 14 - Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Hedges

(in thousands)

Hedge Designation

Current
Notional

Trade Date

Effective Date

Maturity Date

Fair Value (F)

Type of Instrument

Hedged Item

Pay Rate

Receive Rate

Asset

Liability

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

$ 15,000

10/12/11

11/10/11

11/10/31

3 mo. LIBOR - 60 bps

Steepener (A)

1,903

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

17,000

02/14/12

02/27/12

08/27/27

3 mo. LIBOR - 45 bps

2.00% to 10.00% (B)

723

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

15,500

03/05/12

03/23/12

09/23/27

3 mo. LIBOR - 45 bps

2.25% to 10.00% (B)

648

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,500

05/16/12

06/08/12

06/08/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 43 bps

2.25% to 10.00% (B)

802

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

13,000

06/12/12

06/28/12

06/28/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38.5 bps

2.30% to 10.00% (B)

998

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,500

07/03/12

07/27/12

07/27/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38.5 bps

2.25% to 10.00% (B)

975

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,000

08/01/12

08/23/12

08/23/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38.25 bps

2.30% to 11.00% (B)

1,237

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

10,000

08/29/12

09/24/12

3 mo. LIBOR - 38 bps

2.40% to 11.00% (B)

892

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,000

10/05/12

10/19/12

11/19/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38 bps

2.40% to 11.00% (B)

1,096

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,000

10/15/12

11/08/12

11/08/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 40 bps

2.30% to 11.00% (B)

1,223

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,500

11/14/12

11/30/12

11/30/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38 bps

2.20% to 11.00% (B)

1,400

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

12,000

11/28/12

12/27/12

12/27/32

3 mo. LIBOR - 38 bps

2.25% to 11.00% (B)

1,324

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

10,000

12/27/12

01/25/13

12/25/28

3 mo. LIBOR - 20.5 bps

2.15% to 8.00% (B)

824

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

13,000

01/17/13

02/15/13

02/15/23

3 mo. LIBOR - 20 bps

1.50% to 5.50% (B)

656

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

10,000

01/25/13

02/28/13

02/28/28

3 mo. LIBOR - 20.5 bps

2.20% to 8.00% (B)

739

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

10,000

01/25/13

02/21/13

02/21/18

3 mo. LIBOR - 20.5 bps

.50% to 2.75% (B)

142

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

50,000

06/04/13

06/28/13

06/28/33

3 mo. LIBOR - 67.5 bps

Steepener (C)

8,967

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

26,500

07/22/13

08/23/13

08/23/33

3 mo. LIBOR - 68 bps

Steepener (D)

2,923

Receive Fixed Cancellable Swap

Fair Value

Brokered CD

25,000

09/25/13

09/30/13

3 mo. LIBOR - 65 bps

Steepener (E)

1,276

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

11,000

03/13/13

03/18/13

02/13/23

3.45000%

3 mo. LIBOR

391

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

03/15/13

03/20/13

02/09/23

3.10000%

3 mo. LIBOR

601

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

04/19/13

04/24/13

09/07/22

3.15000%

3 mo. LIBOR

523

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

04/22/13

04/25/13

01/24/22

5.75000%

3 mo. LIBOR

1,175

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

04/25/13

05/01/13

05/01/23

3.37500%

3 mo. LIBOR

731

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

05/29/13

06/03/13

01/24/22

5.70000%

3 mo. LIBOR

1,264

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

10,000

05/30/13

06/04/13

01/14/22

4.50000%

3 mo. LIBOR

586

Pay Fixed Swap

Fair Value

Corporate Bond

15,000

06/18/13

06/21/13

06/15/23

3.62500%

3 mo. LIBOR

463

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Short-Term Debt

50,000

04/02/12

04/07/14

04/07/17

1.69500%

3 mo. LIBOR

959

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Short-Term Debt

50,000

04/02/12

04/21/14

04/21/17

1.72125%

3 mo. LIBOR

958

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Short-Term Debt

100,000

04/10/12

03/03/14

03/01/17

1.43750%

3 mo. LIBOR

1,330

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Money Market Deposts

100,000

05/02/12

05/01/14

05/01/19

1.88750%

1 mo. LIBOR

431

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Money Market Deposts

100,000

05/31/12

07/01/14

07/01/18

1.39250%

1 mo. LIBOR

625

Pay Fixed Swap

Cash Flow

Money Market Deposts

175,000

04/04/13

04/01/15

06/30/13

1.61830%

1 mo. LIBOR

2,955

Total Hedging Positions

$961,500

6,289

35,451

(A) Receive rate is fixed at 5.00% to November 10, 2012, then 4 * ((10-year Constant Maturity Swap rate - 2-year Constant Maturity Swap rate) - 50 basis points), capped at 5.00% and floored at 0.00%. Swap is callable by counterparty on November 10, 2012 and quarterly thereafter on the 10th with 15 calendar days notice.

(B) Rate steps up at set periodic intervals throughout term. Swap is callable by counterparty generally from six months to one year following the effective date.

(C) Receive rate is fixed at 7.00% to 6/28/14 then 4 * ((30-year Constant Maturity Swap rate - 5-year Constant Maturity Swap rate) - 70 basis points), capped at 7.00% and floored at 0.00%. Swap is callable by counterparty on June 28, 2014 and quarterly thereafter on the 28th with 15 calendar days notice. Notional value decreases at set intervals.

(D) Receive rate is fixed at 10.00% to 8/23/14 then 4 * ((30-year Constant Maturity Swap rate - 5-year Constant Maturity Swap rate) - 55 basis points), capped at 10.00% and floored at 0.00%. Swap is callable by counterparty on August 23, 2014 and quarterly thereafter on the 23rd with 15 calendar days notice. Notional value decreases at set intervals.

(E) Receive rate is fixed at 9.00% to 9/30/14 then 4 * ((30-year Constant Maturity Swap rate - 2-year Constant Maturity Swap rate) - 87.5 basis points), capped at 9.00% and floored at 0.00%. Swap is callable by counterparty on September 30, 2014 and quarterly thereafter on the 30th with 15 calendar days notice. Notional value decreases at set intervals.

(F) Fair value does not include accrued interest.

From time to time, United will terminate swap or floor positions when conditions change and the position is no longer necessary to manage United’s overall sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In those situations where the terminated contract was in an effective hedging relationship at the time of termination and the hedging relationship is expected to remain effective throughout the original term of the contract, the resulting gain or loss is amortized over the remaining life of the original contract. For swap contracts, the gain or loss is amortized over the remaining original contract term using the straight line method of amortization. At September 30, 2013, United had no gains or losses from terminated derivative positions included in other comprehensive income that will be amortized into earnings over their remaining original contract terms. In addition, United’s forward starting active cash flow hedges of floating rate liabilities will begin to become effective over the next twelve months. United expects that $2.24 million will be reclassified as an increase to deposit interest expense over the next twelve months related to these cash flow hedges.

United’s policy requires all non-customer facing 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 our 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 a reasonable cost, to meet the ongoing operational cash needs and to take advantage of revenue producing opportunities as they arise. While the desired level of liquidity will vary depending upon a variety of factors, it is the primary goal of United to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity in all expected economic environments. Liquidity is defined as the ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management involves maintaining United’s ability to meet the daily cash flow requirements of the Bank’s customers, both depositors and borrowers.

In addition, because United is a separate entity and apart from the Bank, it must provide for its own liquidity. United is responsible for the payment of dividends declared for its common and preferred shareholders, and interest and principal on any outstanding debt or trust preferred securities. United currently has internal capital resources to meet these obligations.

Substantially all of United’s liquidity is obtained from subsidiary service fees and dividends from the Bank, which are limited by applicable law and an informal memorandum of understanding with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “Bank MOU”).

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, as well as the ability to use these as collateral for borrowings on a secured basis. We also maintain excess funds in short-term interest-bearing assets that provide additional liquidity. Mortgage loans held for sale totaled $12.0 million at September 30, 2013, 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.

At September 30, 2013, United had cash and cash equivalent balances of $264 million and had sufficient qualifying collateral to increase FHLB advances by $1.11 billion and Federal Reserve discount window capacity of $599 million. United also has the ability to raise substantial funds through brokered deposits. In addition to these wholesale sources, United has the ability to attract retail deposits at any time by competing more aggressively on pricing.

As disclosed in United’s consolidated statement of cash flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $162 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The net income of $257 million for the nine month period included the deferred income tax benefit of $250 million, and non-cash expenses for the following: provision for loan losses of $65.5 million; depreciation, amortization and accretion of $20.8 million and losses and write downs on foreclosed property of $5.14 million. In addition, other assets decreased $16.2 million primarily due to amounts received on assets covered by loss sharing agreements. Mortgage loans held for sale decreased 16.8 million. Net cash used in investing activities of $288 million consisted primarily of a $289 million increase in loans and purchases of securities totaling $583 million, partially offset by the proceeds from sales, maturities and calls of securities of $466 million, proceeds from note sales of $92 million and proceeds from sales of foreclosed properties of $24 million. Net cash provided by financing activities of $139 million consisted primarily of a $161 million increase in deposits and a $40 million net decrease in FHLB advances. Cash from financing activities was also increased by $19.4 million in proceeds from a warrant exercise. In the opinion of management, United’s liquidity position at September 30, 2013, was sufficient to meet its expected cash flow requirements.

Capital Resources and Dividends

Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2013 was $852 million, an increase of $271 million from December 31, 2012. Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale, the unrealized gains and losses on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges and unamortized prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses on United’s modified retirement plan, is excluded in the calculation of regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Excluding the change in the accumulated other comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity increased $271 million from December 31, 2012.

United accrued $3.06 million and $9.17 million, respectively, in dividends, including accretion of discounts, on Series A, Series B and Series D preferred stock in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013.

In 2010, United granted warrants to Fletcher International Ltd. (“Fletcher”) to purchase common stock equivalent junior preferred stock that would be convertible into 1,411,765 common shares, exercisable at a price equivalent to $21.25 per share. United has received purported partial warrant exercise notices from Fletcher with respect to its warrants that include incorrect calculations of the number of settlement shares Fletcher would receive upon exercise. On June 17, 2011, United completed a reclassification of its common stock in the form of 1-for-5 reverse stock split, or recombination. United believes that any current exercise of Fletcher’s warrants would not result in the issuance of any settlement shares because the warrants may only be exercised for net shares via a cashless exercise formula, and the reverse stock split-adjusted market price component of that formula does not exceed the exercise price to yield any net shares. United responded to Fletcher with United’s calculations related to the warrants.

On August 12, 2013, the Elm Ridge Parties elected to exercise warrants to purchase an aggregate 1,551,126 shares of United’s common stock at a price of $12.50 per share. United recognized net proceeds of approximately $19.4 million as a result of the exercises.

In November 2011, United entered into an informal memorandum of understanding with the Federal Reserve Bank and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “Holding Company MOU”). The Holding Company MOU provides that United may not incur additional indebtedness, pay cash dividends, make payments on our trust preferred securities or subordinated indebtedness or repurchase outstanding stock without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance have also asked that United seek their approval prior to paying interest on our senior indebtedness. Additionally, the Holding Company MOU requires, among other things, that United ensures that the Bank functions in a safe and sound manner. United believes it is in compliance with all requirements of the Holding Company MOU.

The Bank is currently subject to the informal Bank MOU. The Bank MOU requires, among other things, that the Bank maintain its Tier 1 leverage ratio at not less than 8% and its total risk-based capital ratio at not less than 10% during the life of the Bank MOU. Additionally, the Bank MOU requires, among other things, that prior to declaring or paying any cash dividends to United, the Bank must obtain the written consent of its regulators. The Bank believes it is in compliance with all requirements of the Bank MOU.

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 2013 and 2012.

Table 15 - Stock Price Information

	2013								2012
	High		Low		Close		Avg Daily Volume		High		Low		Close		Avg Daily Volume
First quarter	$	11.57	$	9.59	$	11.34		195,803	$	10.30	$	6.37	$	9.75		142,987
Second quarter		12.94		10.15		12.42		184,922		9.77		7.76		8.57		145,132
Third quarter		16.04		12.15		14.99		341,270		8.82		6.12		8.39		329,475
Fourth quarter										9.49		8.01		9.44		202,871

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve has issued guidelines for the implementation of risk-based capital requirements by U.S. banks and bank holding companies. These risk-based capital guidelines take into consideration risk factors, as defined by regulators, associated with various categories of assets, both on and off-balance sheet. Under the guidelines, capital strength is measured in two tiers that are used in conjunction with risk-weighted assets to determine the risk-based capital ratios. The guidelines require an 8% total risk-based capital ratio, of which 4% must be Tier 1 capital. However, to be considered well-capitalized under the guidelines, a 10% total risk-based capital ratio is required, of which 6% must be Tier 1 capital.

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

A minimum leverage ratio is required in addition to the risk-based capital standards and is defined as Tier 1 capital divided by average assets adjusted for goodwill and deposit-based intangibles. Although a minimum leverage ratio of 3% is required, the Federal Reserve Board requires a bank holding company to maintain a leverage ratio greater than 3% if it is experiencing or anticipating significant growth or is operating with less than well-diversified risks in the opinion of the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board uses the leverage and risk-based capital ratios to assess capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies.

The following table shows United’s capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012.

Table 16 - Capital Ratios

(dollars in thousands)

	Regulatory Guidelines						United Community Banks, Inc. (Consolidated)									United Community Bank

				Well			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	Minimum			Capitalized			2013			2012			2012			2013			2012			2012
Risk-based ratios:
Tier 1 capital		4.0	%		6.0	%		14.21	%		14.16	%		14.26	%		14.48	%		14.48	%		14.47	%
Total capital		8.0			10.0			15.47			15.73			15.83			15.74			15.74			15.73
Leverage ratio		3.0			5.0			10.03			9.64			9.76			10.17			9.86			9.92

Tier 1 capital							$	695,802		$	652,692		$	648,499		$	704,591		$	666,585		$	658,020
Total capital								757,231			724,915			719,990			765,646			724,738			715,492

United’s Tier 1 capital excludes other comprehensive income, and consists of shareholders’ equity and qualifying capital securities, less goodwill and deposit-based intangibles. Tier 2 capital components include supplemental capital items such as a qualifying allowance for loan losses and qualifying subordinated debt. Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital components is referred to as Total Risk-Based capital.

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 September 30, 2013 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The interest rate sensitivity position at September 30, 2013 is included in management’s discussion and analysis on page 57 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 United’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2013. 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 SEC’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 Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

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

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of operations, United and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, United and the Bank are subject to regulatory examinations and investigations. Based on our current knowledge and advice of counsel, in the opinion of management there is no such pending or threatened legal matter 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, except for the following:

We could be subject to changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our income tax provision.

We compute our income tax provision based on enacted tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any change in enacted tax laws, rules or regulatory or judicial interpretations, any adverse outcome in connection with tax audits in any jurisdiction or any change in the pronouncements relating to accounting for income taxes could adversely affect our effective tax rate, tax payments and results of operations. In addition, changes in enacted tax laws, such as the adoption of a lower income tax rate in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate, could impact our ability to obtain the future tax benefits represented by our deferred tax assets.

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

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities – None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures – None

Item 5. Other Information – None

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description

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.

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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: November 7, 2013

Exhibit 31.1

I, Jimmy C. Tallent, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of United Community Banks, Inc. (the “Registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:	/s/ Jimmy C. Tallent
	Jimmy C. Tallent President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant

Date:	November 7, 2013

Exhibit 31.2

I, Rex S. Schuette, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of United Community Banks, Inc. (the “Registrant”);

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:	/s/ Rex S. Schuette
	Rex S. Schuette Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant

Date:	November 7, 2013

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jimmy C. Tallent, President and Chief Executive Officer of United, and I, Rex S. Schuette, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of United.

By:	/s/ Jimmy C. Tallent
	Jimmy C. Tallent
	President and Chief Executive Officer

By:	/s/ Rex S. Schuette
	Rex S. Schuette
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

Date:	November 7, 2013