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, 2014

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 x	Accelerated filer o

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 50,172,042 shares voting and 10,080,787 shares non-voting outstanding as of October 31, 2014.


INDEX

PART I - Financial Information

	Item 1.	Financial Statements.

		Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	3

		Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	4

		Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013	5

		Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	6

		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	7

		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	42

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	66

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	66

PART II - Other Information

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	67
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	67
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	67
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	67
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	67
	Item 5.	Other Information.	67
	Item 6.	Exhibits.	68

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)	2014		2013		2014			2013
Interest revenue:
Loans, including fees	$	49,653	$	50,162	$	145,602		$	151,827
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $177, $202, $558 and $624		12,346		9,887		36,118			29,905
Deposits in banks and short-term investments		934		1,007		2,757			2,793
Total interest revenue		62,933		61,056		184,477			184,525

Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW		365		413		1,216			1,286
Money market		872		545		2,192			1,641
Savings		20		37		61			109
Time		1,721		2,630		5,510			8,871
Total deposit interest expense		2,978		3,625		8,979			11,907
Short-term borrowings		316		525		2,064			1,563
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		435		16		573			65
Long-term debt		2,642		3,003		7,914			8,331
Total interest expense		6,371		7,169		19,530			21,866
Net interest revenue		56,562		53,887		164,947			162,659
Provision for credit losses		2,000		3,000		6,700			62,500
Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses		54,562		50,887		158,247			100,159

Fee revenue:
Service charges and fees		8,202		8,456		24,627			23,831
Mortgage loan and other related fees		2,178		2,554		5,409			8,212
Brokerage fees		1,209		1,274		3,631			3,104
Securities gains, net		11		—		4,663			116
Loss from prepayment of debt		—		—		(4,446	)		—
Other		2,812		1,941		6,847			7,816
Total fee revenue		14,412		14,225		40,731			43,079
Total revenue		68,974		65,112		198,978			143,238

Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		25,666		23,090		74,349			71,416
Communications and equipment		3,094		3,305		9,370			9,819
Occupancy		3,425		3,379		10,065			10,195
Advertising and public relations		894		962		2,659			2,937
Postage, printing and supplies		876		644		2,456			2,401
Professional fees		2,274		2,650		5,873			7,515
Foreclosed property		285		194		503			7,678
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		1,131		2,405		3,909			7,415
Amortization of intangibles		313		427		1,061			1,623
Other		3,406		3,041		10,701			11,691
Total operating expenses		41,364		40,097		120,946			132,690
Net income before income taxes		27,610		25,015		78,032			10,548
Income tax expense (benefit)		9,994		9,515		28,659			(246,681	)
Net income		17,616		15,500		49,373			257,229
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		—		3,059		439			9,166
Net income available to common shareholders	$	17,616	$	12,441	$	48,934		$	248,063

Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	.29	$	.21	$	.81		$	4.24
Diluted		.29		.21		.81			4.24
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		60,776		59,100		60,511			58,443
Diluted		60,779		59,202		60,513			58,444

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,
2014	Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Net income	$	27,610		$	(9,994	)	$	17,616		$	78,032		$	(28,659	)	$	49,373
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period		(4,357	)		1,626			(2,731	)		10,696			(4,031	)		6,665
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		(11	)		4			(7	)		(4,663	)		1,821			(2,842	)
Net unrealized gains (losses)		(4,368	)		1,630			(2,738	)		6,033			(2,210	)		3,823
Amortization of gains included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity		468			(176	)		292			1,207			(453	)		754
Net unrealized gains		468			(176	)		292			1,207			(453	)		754
Amounts reclassified into net income on cash flow hedges		711			(277	)		434			1,381			(538	)		843
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges		412			(160	)		252			(5,967	)		2,322			(3,645	)
Net unrealized gains (losses)		1,123			(437	)		686			(4,586	)		1,784			(2,802	)
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plan		—			—			—			296			(115	)		181
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan		91			(36	)		55			274			(107	)		167
Net defined benefit pension plan activity		91			(36	)		55			570			(222	)		348
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,686	)		981			(1,705	)		3,224			(1,101	)		2,123
Comprehensive income	$	24,924		$	(9,013	)	$	15,911		$	81,256		$	(29,760	)	$	51,496

2013

Net income	$	25,015		$	(9,515	)	$	15,500		$	10,548		$	246,681		$	257,229
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding 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 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 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 gains 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) gains		(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 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

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)	2014			2013			2013
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	75,268		$	71,230		$	70,986
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		117,399			119,669			131,147
Short-term investments		23,397			37,999			62,000
Cash and cash equivalents		216,064			228,898			264,133
Securities available for sale		1,789,667			1,832,217			1,963,424
Securities held to maturity (fair value $440,311, $485,585 and $214,651)		432,418			479,742			205,613
Mortgage loans held for sale		20,004			10,319			11,987
Loans, net of unearned income		4,568,886			4,329,266			4,267,067
Less allowance for loan losses		(71,928	)		(76,762	)		(80,372	)
Loans, net		4,496,958			4,252,504			4,186,695
Assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC		3,253			22,882			31,207
Premises and equipment, net		160,454			163,589			165,993
Bank owned life insurance		81,101			80,670			80,537
Accrued interest receivable		19,908			19,598			18,199
Goodwill and core deposit intangibles		3,910			3,480			3,888
Foreclosed property		3,146			4,221			4,467
Net deferred tax asset		224,734			258,518			269,784
Derivative financial instruments		22,221			23,833			8,092
Other assets		52,051			44,948			29,274
Total assets	$	7,525,889		$	7,425,419		$	7,243,293
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand	$	1,561,020		$	1,388,512		$	1,418,782
NOW		1,399,449			1,427,939			1,279,134
Money market		1,281,526			1,227,575			1,197,495
Savings		287,797			251,125			249,044
Time:
Less than $100,000		774,201			892,961			925,089
Greater than $100,000		531,428			588,689			624,019
Brokered		405,308			424,704			419,344
Total deposits		6,240,729			6,201,505			6,112,907
Short-term borrowings		6,001			53,241			53,769
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		330,125			120,125			125
Long-term debt		129,865			129,865			129,865
Derivative financial instruments		36,171			46,232			37,269
Unsettled securities purchases		—			29,562			11,610
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		46,573			49,174			45,531
Total liabilities		6,789,464			6,629,704			6,391,076
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
Series A; $10 stated value; 0, 0 and 21,700 shares issued and outstanding		—			—			217
Series B; $1,000 stated value; 0, 105,000 and 180,000 shares issued and outstanding		—			105,000			179,714
Series D; $1,000 stated value; 0, 16,613 and 16,613 shares issued and outstanding		—			16,613			16,613
Common stock, $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 50,167,191, 46,243,345 and 45,222,839 shares issued and outstanding		50,167			46,243			45,223
Common stock, non-voting, $1 par value; 26,000,000 shares authorized; 10,080,787, 13,188,206 and 14,189,006 shares issued and outstanding		10,081			13,188			14,189
Common stock issuable; 354,961, 241,832 and 242,262 shares		5,116			3,930			3,979
Capital surplus		1,091,555			1,078,676			1,077,536
Accumulated deficit		(402,773	)		(448,091	)		(461,090	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(17,721	)		(19,844	)		(24,164	)
Total shareholders’ equity		736,425			795,715			852,217
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,525,889		$	7,425,419		$	7,243,293

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	Series		Series			Series			Common		Common			Stock			Capital			Accumulated			Comprehensive
and per share data)		A		B			D		Stock		Stock			Issuable			Surplus			Deficit			Income (Loss)			Total
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 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 (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
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	—	$	105,000		$	16,613		$	46,243	$	13,188		$	3,930		$	1,078,676		$	(448,091	)	$	(19,844	)	$	795,715
Net income																					49,373						49,373
Other comprehensive income																								2,123			2,123
Redemption of Series B preferred stock (105,000 shares)				(105,000	)																						(105,000	)
Redemption of Series D preferred stock (16,613 shares)							(16,613	)																			(16,613	)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($.06 per share)																					(3,616	)					(3,616	)
Common stock issued at market (640,000 shares)										640								11,566									12,206
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and to employee benefit plans (25,284 shares)										25								399									424
Conversion of non-voting common stock to voting (3,107,419 shares)										3,107		(3,107	)														—
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock awards																		3,315									3,315
Vesting of restricted stock, net of shares surrendered to cover payroll taxes (137,920 shares issued, 115,609 shares deferred)										138					1,275			(2,658	)								(1,245	)
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend equivalents															182												182
Shares issued from deferred compensation plan (13,223 shares)										14					(271	)		257									—
Preferred stock dividends:
Series B																					(159	)					(159	)
Series D																					(280	)					(280	)
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	50,167	$	10,081		$	5,116		$	1,091,555		$	(402,773	)	$	(17,721	)	$	736,425

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Operating activities:
Net income	$	49,373		$	257,229
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		15,098			20,847
Provision for credit losses		6,700			62,500
Stock based compensation		3,315			2,168
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		28,112			(250,054	)
Securities gains, net		(4,663	)		(116	)
Loss on prepayment of borrowings		4,446			—
Net (gains) losses on sales of foreclosed property		(518	)		5,141
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and accrued interest receivable		(12,334	)		16,225
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(16,813	)		31,562
Mortgage loans held for sale		(9,685	)		16,834
Net cash provided by operating activities		63,031			162,336
Investing activities:
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
Proceeds from maturities and calls		47,567			45,578
Purchases		(173	)		(8,481	)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Proceeds from sales		403,517			20,751
Proceeds from maturities and calls		176,423			399,304
Purchases		(552,025	)		(574,020	)
Net increase in loans		(220,061	)		(288,514	)
Proceeds from note sales		4,561			91,913
Cash paid for acquisition		(31,243	)		—
Funds collected from FDIC under loss sharing agreements		2,890			5,121
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment		2,488			3,550
Purchases of premises and equipment		(3,260	)		(7,533	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		7,920			24,049
Net cash used in investing activities		(161,396	)		(288,282	)
Financing activities:
Net change in deposits		39,224			160,767
Net change in short-term borrowings		(51,686	)		1,195
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances		930,000			650,000
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances		(720,000	)		(690,000	)
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		424			582
Retirement of preferred stock		(121,613	)		—
Issuance of common stock		12,206			—
Proceeds from warrant exercise		—			19,389
Cash dividends on common stock		(1,810	)		—
Cash dividends on preferred stock		(1,214	)		(8,003	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		85,531			138,930
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(12,834	)		12,984
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		228,898			251,149
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	216,064		$	264,133
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	20,598		$	26,517
Income taxes		2,497			2,361
Unsettled securities purchases		—			11,610
Transfers of loans to foreclosed property		8,216			18,460

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, 2013.

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.

Reclassifications

Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. During the fourth quarter of 2013, United reclassified hedge ineffectiveness gains and losses from other fee revenue to net interest revenue. The impact of the reclassification has been reflected in all periods and was not material to any period.

Note 2 –Accounting Standards Updates and Recently Adopted Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU provides guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and will be applied retrospectively either to each prior reporting period or with a cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. United is in the process of evaluating this guidance, but its effect on United’s financial condition or results of operations is not expected to be material.

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings and Disclosures. This ASU changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting. For repurchase financing arrangements, the amendments require separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting. The ASU also requires new disclosures for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions. The Update is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. United is currently evaluating the guidance’s impact on its financial position, results of operation and disclosures.

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. The standard is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on United’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-13, Consolidation, Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity. This ASU addresses measurement differences in practice in both the initial consolidation and subsequent measurement of the financial assets and financial liabilities of a collateralized financing entity for a reporting entity that consolidates a collateralized financing entity. Collateralized financing entities include collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). This ASU becomes effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Although United holds CLOs in its investment securities portfolio, United is not required to consolidate any of the CLOs it currently holds. Therefore this ASU is not currently applicable to United.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, Classification of Certain Government Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. This ASU addresses diversity in practice related to how creditors classify government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including Federal Housing Administration or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed loans upon foreclosure. The amendments in this ASU require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: 1) The loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, 2) At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, and 3) At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on United’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging – Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity. This ASU was issued to eliminate the use of different methods currently used in practice to account for hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that are issuers of, or investors in, hybrid financial instruments that are issued in the form of a share. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant periods. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. United is not an issuer of or an investor in hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share and therefore this ASU is not currently applicable to United.

Note 3 – Acquisition

On June 26, 2014, United completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Business Carolina, Inc., a specialty Small Business Administration (“SBA”) / United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) lender headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. On the closing date, United paid $31.2 million in cash for loans having a fair value on the purchase date of $24.8 million, accrued interest of $83,000, servicing rights with a fair value on the purchase date of $2.13 million, premises and equipment with a fair value on the purchase date of $2.60 million and goodwill in the amount of $1.49 million representing the premium paid over the fair value of the separately identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. United has not identified any material separately identifiable intangible assets resulting from the acquisition.

Note 4 – Balance Sheet Offsetting

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 in accordance with ASC 210-20, Offsetting.

The following table presents a summary of amounts outstanding under reverse repurchase agreements and derivative financial instruments including those entered into in connection with the same counterparty under master netting agreements as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (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, 2014	Assets			Sheet			Balance			Instruments				Received			Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	392,000		$	(375,000	)		$	17,000		$	—		$	(17,985	)		$	—
Derivatives		22,221			—				22,221			(2,093	)		(3,427	)			16,701
Total	$	414,221		$	(375,000	)		$	39,221		$	(2,093	)	$	(21,412	)		$	16,701
Weighted average interest rate of reverse repurchase agreements		1.16	%

				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	$	375,000		$	(375,000	)		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Derivatives		36,171			—				36,171			(2,093	)		(38,195	)			—
Total	$	411,171		$	(375,000	)		$	36,171		$	(2,093	)	$	(38,195	)		$	—
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.31	%

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


				Gross
	Gross			Amounts					Gross Amounts not Offset
	Amounts of			Offset on the					in the Balance Sheet
	Recognized			Balance			Net Asset		Financial				Collateral
December 31, 2013	Assets			Sheet			Balance		Instruments				Received			Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	385,000		$	(350,000	)	$	35,000		$	—		$	(38,982	)		$	—
Derivatives		23,833			—			23,833			(4,378	)		(2,912	)			16,543
Total	$	408,833		$	(350,000	)	$	58,833		$	(4,378	)	$	(41,894	)		$	16,543
Weighted average interest rate of reverse repurchase agreements		1.09	%

				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		46,232			—			46,232			(4,378	)		(38,145	)			3,709
Total	$	396,232		$	(350,000	)	$	46,232		$	(4,378	)	$	(38,145	)		$	3,709
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.27	%

				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 - Revised	Assets			Sheet			Balance		Instruments⁽¹⁾				Received⁽²⁾			Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	405,000		$	(350,000	)	$	55,000		$	—		$	(59,685	)		$	—
Derivatives		8,092			—			8,092			(3,765	)		(2,205	)			2,122
Total	$	413,092		$	(350,000	)	$	63,092		$	(3,765	)	$	(61,890	)		$	2,122
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⁽¹⁾				Pledged⁽²⁾			Net Amount

Repurchase agreements / reverse repurchase agreements	$	350,000		$	(350,000	)	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Derivatives		37,269			—			37,269			(3,765	)		(29,011	)			4,493
Total	$	387,269		$	(350,000	)	$	37,269		$	(3,765	)	$	(29,011	)		$	4,493
Weighted average interest rate of repurchase agreements		.28	%

⁽¹⁾ United's original filings for the third, second and first quarters of 2013 contained an error and did not include amounts available for offset under master netting agreements for derivative financial instruments. Those amounts were $3.77 million, $4.30 million and $57,000, respectively, for the third, second and first quarters of 2013 and have been added to the balance sheet offsetting table for each respective period. United considers these revisions to be immaterial to the presentation of the financial statements for those quarters.

⁽²⁾ United's original filings for the third, second and first quarters of 2013 contained an error and did not include amounts pledged by counterparties as collateral on reverse repurchase agreement positions. Those amounts were $59.7 million, $53.7 million and $87.5 million, respectively, for the third, second and first quarters of 2013 and have been added to the balance sheet offsetting table for each respective period in the current year presentation. In addition, in the original filings for the third and second quarters of 2013, the amounts reported by United as collateral pledged on derivative financial positions were reported net of collateral received on asset derivative positions. The amounts for those periods have been reported separately as collateral received and collateral pledged in the current year presentation. Additionally, upon further analysis, United updated collateral balances for the third quarter 2013 resulting in a net increase in the collateral pledged position of $1.23 million. United considers these revisions to be immaterial to the presentation of the financial statements for those quarters.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5 – Securities

The amortized cost basis, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands).

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
As of September 30, 2014	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value

State and political subdivisions	$	50,248	$	3,849	$	—	$	54,097
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		382,170		7,299		3,255		386,214

Total	$	432,418	$	11,148	$	3,255	$	440,311

As of December 31, 2013

State and political subdivisions	$	51,733	$	2,718	$	42	$	54,409
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		428,009		6,690		3,523		431,176

Total	$	479,742	$	9,408	$	3,565	$	485,585

As of September 30, 2013

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
(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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
As of September 30, 2014	Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss

Mortgage-backed securities	$	189,223	$	3,147	$	2,798	$	108	$	192,021	$	3,255
Total unrealized loss position	$	189,223	$	3,147	$	2,798	$	108	$	192,021	$	3,255

As of December 31, 2013

State and political subdivisions	$	1,595	$	42	$	—	$	—	$	1,595	$	42
Mortgage-backed securities		259,870		3,523		—		—		259,870		3,523
Total unrealized loss position	$	261,465	$	3,565	$	—	$	—	$	261,465	$	3,565

As of September 30, 2013

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

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment 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, 2014 or 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, securities available-for-sale with a fair value of $301 million were transferred to held-to-maturity. The securities were transferred at their fair value on the date of transfer. The unrealized loss of $8.31 million on the transferred securities is being amortized into interest revenue as an adjustment to the yield on those securities over the remaining life of the transferred 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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 are presented below (in thousands).

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
As of September 30, 2014	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value

U.S. Treasury securities	$	105,385	$	245	$	608	$	105,022
State and political subdivisions		19,686		666		31		20,321
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		1,029,881		15,010		9,899		1,034,992
Corporate bonds		165,558		1,427		1,733		165,252
Asset-backed securities		458,569		3,629		154		462,044
Other		2,036		—		—		2,036

Total	$	1,781,115	$	20,977	$	12,425	$	1,789,667

As of December 31, 2013

State and political subdivisions	$	22,558	$	823	$	139	$	23,242
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		1,145,800		13,296		13,749		1,145,347
Corporate bonds		255,316		1,304		6,324		250,296
Asset-backed securities		409,086		2,535		988		410,633
Other		2,699		—		—		2,699

Total	$	1,835,459	$	17,958	$	21,200	$	1,832,217

As of September 30, 2013

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
(1) All are residential type mortgage-backed securities

The following table summarizes available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
As of September 30, 2014	Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss		Fair Value		Loss

U.S. Treasury securities	$	104,777	$	608	$	—	$	—	$	104,777	$	608
State and political subdivisions		—		—		3,638		31		3,638		31
Mortgage-backed securities		126,445		844		265,426		9,055		391,871		9,899
Corporate bonds		49,547		414		34,657		1,319		84,204		1,733
Asset-backed securities		57,716		137		9,952		17		67,668		154
Total unrealized loss position	$	338,485	$	2,003	$	313,673	$	10,422	$	652,158	$	12,425

As of December 31, 2013

State and political subdivisions	$	4,539	$	139	$	—	$	—	$	4,539	$	139
Mortgage-backed securities		334,996		6,480		175,865		7,269		510,861		13,749
Corporate bonds		137,318		4,494		54,130		1,830		191,448		6,324
Asset-backed securities		164,933		722		22,370		266		187,303		988
Total unrealized loss position	$	641,786	$	11,835	$	252,365	$	9,365	$	894,151	$	21,200

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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

At September 30, 2014, there were 90 available-for-sale securities and 25 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. Unrealized losses at September 30, 2013 were primarily related 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.

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2014, 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

U.S. Treasury Securities:
1 to 5 years	$	86,203	$	85,841	$	—	$	—
5 to 10 years		19,182		19,181		—		—
		105,385		105,022		—		—
State and political subdivisions:
Within 1 year		6,330		6,427		1,000		1,023
1 to 5 years		10,414		10,863		18,595		19,949
5 to 10 years		2,094		2,130		20,161		21,726
More than 10 years		848		901		10,492		11,399
		19,686		20,321		50,248		54,097
Corporate bonds:
1 to 5 years		48,756		48,189		—		—
5 to 10 years		115,802		116,763		—		—
More than 10 years		1,000		300		—		—
		165,558		165,252		—		—
Asset-backed securities:
Within 1 year		9,993		10,007		—		—
1 to 5 years		86,608		87,916		—		—
5 to 10 years		242,393		244,069		—		—
More than 10 years		119,575		120,052		—		—
		458,569		462,044		—		—
Other:
More than 10 years		2,036		2,036		—		—
		2,036		2,036		—		—
Total securities other than mortgage-backed securities:
Within 1 year		16,323		16,434		1,000		1,023
1 to 5 years		231,981		232,809		18,595		19,949
5 to 10 years		379,471		382,143		20,161		21,726
More than 10 years		123,459		123,289		10,492		11,399
Mortgage-backed securities		1,029,881		1,034,992		382,170		386,214
	$	1,781,115	$	1,789,667	$	432,418	$	440,311

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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.

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 months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2014		2013		2014			2013
Proceeds from sales	$	13,290	$	5,000	$	403,517		$	20,751
Gross gains on sales	$	11	$	—	$	5,795		$	116
Gross losses on sales		—		—		(1,132	)		—
Net gains on sales of securities	$	11	$	—	$	4,663		$	116
Income tax expense attributable to sales	$	4	$	—	$	1,821		$	45

Securities with a carrying value of $1.38 billion, $1.53 billion and $1.34 billion were pledged to secure public deposits and other secured borrowings at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Note 6 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Major classifications of loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, are summarized as follows (in thousands).

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2014			2013			2013

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,153,933		$	1,133,543		$	1,129,152
Income producing ommercial real estate		604,727			623,167			613,619
Commercial & industrial		649,853			471,961			457,414
Commercial construction		180,794			148,903			137,146
Total commercial		2,589,307			2,377,574			2,337,331
Residential mortgage		865,568			875,077			888,679
Home equity lines of credit		458,819			440,887			420,616
Residential construction		307,178			328,579			317,789
Consumer installment		105,345			111,045			116,535
Indirect auto		242,669			196,104			186,117
Total loans		4,568,886			4,329,266			4,267,067
Less allowance for loan losses		(71,928	)		(76,762	)		(80,372	)
Loans, net	$	4,496,958		$	4,252,504		$	4,186,695

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, loans with a carrying value of $2.21 billion, $1.77 billion and $1.94 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure FHLB advances and other contingent funding sources.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio as of the end of the period. In 2013, United established an allowance for unfunded commitments separate from the allowance for loan losses due to significant growth in unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for unfunded commitments is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Combined, the allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded commitments are referred to as the allowance for credit losses.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table presents the balance and activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

	2014
								Allocation
	Beginning		Charge-					of					Ending
Three Months Ended September 30,	Balance		Offs			Recoveries		Unallocated		Provision			Balance

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	17,804	$	(832	)	$	86	$	—		(1,758	)	$	15,300
Income producing commercial real estate		11,761		(598	)		494		—		(866	)		10,791
Commercial & industrial		3,885		(30)			372		—		(1,009	)		3,218
Commercial construction		4,067		(104	)		1		—		1,686			5,650
Residential mortgage		16,763		(1,357)			240		—		1,940			17,586
Home equity lines of credit		6,338		(405	)		50		—		(1,144	)		4,839
Residential construction		11,208		(753	)		41		—		2,358			12,854
Consumer installment		599		(449	)		256		—		333			739
Indirect auto		823		(178	)		11		—		295			951
Unallocated		—		—			—		—		—			—
Total allowance for loan losses		73,248		(4,706	)		1,551		—		1,835			71,928
Allowance for unfunded commitments		2,165		—			—		—		165			2,330
Total allowance for credit losses	$	75,413	$	(4,706	)	$	1,551	$	—	$	2,000		$	74,258

								Allocation
	Beginning		Charge-					of						Ending
Nine Months Ended September 30,	Balance		Offs			Recoveries		Unallocated			Provision			Balance

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	17,164	$	(2,116	)	$	2,929	$	1,278		$	(3,955	)	$	15,300
Income producing commercial real estate		7,174		(1,435	)		691		688			3,673			10,791
Commercial & industrial		6,527		(2,005	)		1,263		318			(2,885	)		3,218
Commercial construction		3,669		(236	)		1		388			1,828			5,650
Residential mortgage		15,446		(5,738	)		597		1,452			5,829			17,586
Home equity lines of credit		5,528		(2,032	)		218		391			734			4,839
Residential construction		12,532		(3,004	)		410		1,728			1,188			12,854
Consumer installment		1,353		(1,580	)		974		—			(8	)		739
Indirect auto		1,126		(344	)		38		—			131			951
Unallocated		6,243		—			—		(6,243	)		—			—
Total allowance for loan losses		76,762		(18,490	)		7,121		—			6,535			71,928
Allowance for unfunded commitments		2,165		—			—		—			165			2,330
Total allowance for credit losses	$	78,927	$	(18,490	)	$	7,121	$	—		$	6,700		$	74,258

In the first quarter of 2014, United modified its allowance for loan losses methodology to incorporate a loss emergence period. The increase in precision resulting from the use of the loss emergence period led to the full allocation of the portion of the allowance that had previously been unallocated.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


		2013

	Beginning			Charge-										Ending
Three Months Ended September 30,		Balance		Offs			Recoveries			Provision				Balance

Owner occupied commercial real estate		$	15,785	$	(1,712	)		$	71		$	(78	)	$	14,066
Income producing commercial real estate			7,023		(216	)			—			3,262			10,069
Commercial & industrial			8,054		(826	)			690			14			7,932
Commercial construction			4,275		(134	)			1			(324	)		3,818
Residential mortgage			14,498		(918	)			229			1,335			15,144
Home equity lines of credit			5,529		(388	)			2			415			5,558
Residential construction			17,322		(1,096	)			24			(1,908	)		14,342
Consumer installment			1,515		(345	)			210			(31	)		1,349
Indirect auto			875		(74	)			9			258			1,068
Unallocated			6,969		—				—			57			7,026
Total allowance for loan losses			81,845		(5,709	)			1,236			3,000			80,372
Allowance for unfunded commitments			—		—				—			—			—
Total allowance for credit losses		$	81,845	$	(5,709	)		$	1,236		$	3,000		$	80,372

	Beginning			Charge-										Ending
Nine Months Ended September 30,		Balance		Offs			Recoveries			Provision				Balance

Owner occupied commercial real estate		$	17,265	$	(23,444	)		$	1,296		$	18,949		$	14,066
Income producing commercial real estate			10,582		(10,678	)			260			9,905			10,069
Commercial & industrial			5,537		(18,581	)			1,368			19,608			7,932
Commercial construction			8,389		(6,484	)			60			1,853			3,818
Residential mortgage			19,117		(8,272	)			479			3,820			15,144
Home equity lines of credit			7,525		(2,108	)			170			(29	)		5,558
Residential construction			26,662		(22,608	)			57			10,231			14,342
Consumer installment			2,527		(1,521	)			891			(548	)		1,349
Indirect auto			220		(170	)			20			998			1,068
Unallocated			9,313		—				—			(2,287	)		7,026
Total allowance for loan losses			107,137		(93,866	)			4,601			62,500			80,372
Allowance for unfunded commitments			—		—				—			—			—
Total allowance for credit losses		$	107,137	$	(93,866	)		$	4,601		$	62,500		$	80,372

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table represents the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and the balance of the allowance for loan losses assigned to each segment based on the method of evaluating the loans for impairment as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013						September 30, 2013

	Individually		Collectively				Individually		Collectively				Individually		Collectively
	Evaluated for		Evaluated for		Ending		Evaluated for		Evaluated for		Ending		Evaluated for		Evaluated for		Ending
Allowance for Loan Losses	Impairment		Impairment		Balance		Impairment		Impairment		Balance		Impairment		Impairment		Balance

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	2,125	$	13,175	$	15,300	$	1,023	$	16,141	$	17,164	$	770	$	13,296	$	14,066
Income producing commercial real estate		2,380		8,411		10,791		990		6,184		7,174		1,205		8,864		10,069
Commercial & industrial		26		3,192		3,218		66		6,461		6,527		546		7,386		7,932
Commercial construction		1,164		4,486		5,650		112		3,557		3,669		150		3,668		3,818
Residential mortgage		3,501		14,085		17,586		2,914		12,532		15,446		2,008		13,136		15,144
Home equity lines of credit		51		4,788		4,839		5		5,523		5,528		—		5,558		5,558
Residential construction		1,037		11,817		12,854		688		11,844		12,532		662		13,680		14,342
Consumer installment		23		716		739		224		1,129		1,353		11		1,338		1,349
Indirect auto		—		951		951		—		1,126		1,126		—		1,068		1,068
Unallocated		—		—		—		—		6,243		6,243		—		7,026		7,026
Total allowance for loan losses		10,307		61,621		71,928		6,022		70,740		76,762		5,352		75,020		80,372
Allowance for unfunded commitments		—		2,330		2,330		—		2,165		2,165		—		—		—
Total allowance for credit losses	$	10,307	$	63,951	$	74,258	$	6,022	$	72,905	$	78,927	$	5,352	$	75,020	$	80,372

Loans Outstanding

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	33,635	$	1,120,298	$	1,153,933	$	32,969	$	1,100,574	$	1,133,543	$	31,138	$	1,098,014	$	1,129,152
Income producing commercial real estate		26,120		578,607		604,727		27,239		595,928		623,167		23,325		590,294		613,619
Commercial & industrial		4,540		645,313		649,853		4,217		467,744		471,961		4,105		453,309		457,414
Commercial construction		12,127		168,667		180,794		13,715		135,188		148,903		13,478		123,668		137,146
Residential mortgage		18,778		846,790		865,568		20,167		854,910		875,077		18,970		869,709		888,679
Home equity lines of credit		531		458,288		458,819		505		440,382		440,887		—		420,616		420,616
Residential construction		13,055		294,123		307,178		14,808		313,771		328,579		14,121		303,668		317,789
Consumer installment		245		105,100		105,345		999		110,046		111,045		204		116,331		116,535
Indirect auto		—		242,669		242,669		—		196,104		196,104		—		186,117		186,117
Total loans	$	109,031	$	4,459,855	$	4,568,886	$	114,619	$	4,214,647	$	4,329,266	$	105,341	$	4,161,726	$	4,267,067

United considers all substandard loan relationships that are on nonaccrual with a balance of $500,000 or greater and all troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) to be individually impaired. In addition, United reviews all accruing substandard loan relationships greater than $2 million to determine if the loan is individually impaired. A loan is considered individually 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 individually 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 individually impaired loans for the amount of calculated impairment. Interest payments received on individually 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 individual impairment quarterly and specific reserves are established in the allowance for loan losses for any measured specific impairment on individually impaired loans.

Each quarter, United’s management prepares an analysis of the allowance for credit losses to determine the appropriate balance that measures and quantifies the amount of probable incurred loss in the loan portfolio. The allowance is comprised of specific reserves on individually impaired loans, which are determined as described above, and general reserves which are determined based on historical loss experience as adjusted for current trends and economic conditions multiplied by a loss emergence period factor. United uses eight quarters of historical loss experience weighted toward the most recent four quarters to determine the loss factors to be used in the reserve calculation for loans evaluated in the aggregate. 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. In previous periods, the weighted average was 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 adopted this method of weighting quarterly loss rates to capture the rapidly deteriorating credit conditions in its loss factors during the financial crisis. Now that credit conditions have begun to stabilize, management concluded in the first quarter of 2014 that it was appropriate to apply a more level weighting moving forward to capture the full range and impacts of credit losses experienced during the most recent economic and credit cycle. For the four most recent quarters, United applied a weighting factor of 1.75. For the four oldest quarters, United applied a weighting of 1.00 for each quarterly loss factor. Management believes the current weightings are more appropriate to measure the unconfirmed losses incurred within the loan portfolio.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Also, beginning in the first quarter of 2014, United updated its measurement of the loss emergence period in the calculation of the allowance for credit losses. The rapidly deteriorating credit conditions during the peak of the credit cycle shortened the length of time between management’s estimation of the incurrence of a loss and its recognition as a charge-off. In most cases, the loss emergence period was within a twelve month period which made the use of annualized loss factors appropriate for measuring the amount of incurred yet unconfirmed credit losses within the loan portfolio. As United has moved out beyond the peak of the financial crisis, management has observed that the loss emergence period has extended. United calculates the loss emergence period for each pool of loans based on the average length of time between the date a loan first exceeds 30 days past due and the date the loan is charged off.

The updates to the weightings to the eight quarters of loss history and the update to our estimation of the loss emergence period did not have a material effect on the total allowance for loan losses or the provision for loan losses for the first nine months of 2014. These updates resulted in the full allocation of the previously unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses.

On junior lien home equity loans, United has limited ability to monitor the delinquency status of the first lien unless the first lien is also held by United. As a result, United applies the weighted average historical loss factor for this category and appropriately adjusts it to reflect the increased risk of loss from these credits.

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 affect historical loss emergence periods, and other macro environmental factors such as changes in unemployment rates, lease vacancy rates and trends in property values and absorption rates.

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.

When a loan officer determines that a loan is uncollectible, he or she is responsible for recommending 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Closed-end retail loans (installment and residential mortgage loans) and open-end (revolving) retail loans past due 90 cumulative days are charged off unless the loan is secured and in process of collection (within the next 90 days).The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013						September 30, 2013
					Allowance						Allowance						Allowance
	Unpaid				for Loan		Unpaid				for Loan		Unpaid				for Loan
	Principal		Recorded		Losses		Principal		Recorded		Losses		Principal		Recorded		Losses
	Balance		Investment		Allocated		Balance		Investment		Allocated		Balance		Investment		Allocated
With no related allowance recorded:
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	11,370	$	10,370	$	—	$	17,717	$	14,458	$	—	$	18,423	$	15,059	$	—
Income producing commercial real estate		9,872		9,872				12,644		9,747		—		6,643		5,325		—
Commercial & industrial		2,178		1,560		—		2,252		2,252		—		235		235		—
Commercial construction		—		—		—		974		974		—		1,127		1,127		—
Total commercial		23,420		21,802		—		33,587		27,431		—		26,428		21,746		—
Residential mortgage		1,319		954		—		4,496		3,634		—		4,768		3,729		—
Home equity lines of credit		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Residential construction		5,460		4,172		—		9,462		7,807		—		9,101		7,364		—
Consumer installment		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Indirect auto		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total with no related allowance recorded		30,199		26,928		—		47,545		38,872		—		40,297		32,839		—

With an allowance recorded:
Owner occupied commercial real estate		24,828		23,265		2,125		18,595		18,513		1,023		16,163		16,079		770
Income producing commercial real estate		16,797		16,248		2,380		17,490		17,490		990		20,020		18,000		1,205
Commercial & industrial		2,980		2,980		26		2,248		1,965		66		4,002		3,870		546
Commercial construction		12,281		12,127		1,164		12,821		12,741		112		12,430		12,351		150
Total commercial		56,886		54,620		5,695		51,154		50,709		2,191		52,615		50,300		2,671
Residential mortgage		18,657		17,824		3,501		17,119		16,533		2,914		15,598		15,241		2,008
Home equity lines of credit		531		531		51		505		505		5		—		—		—
Residential construction		9,427		8,883		1,037		8,469		7,001		688		7,257		6,757		662
Consumer installment		245		245		23		999		999		224		214		204		11
Indirect auto		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total with an allowance recorded		85,746		82,103		10,307		78,246		75,747		6,022		75,684		72,502		5,352
Total	$	115,945	$	109,031	$	10,307	$	125,791	$	114,619	$	6,022	$	115,981	$	105,341	$	5,352

There were no loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 or September 30, 2013. 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 gross additional interest revenue that would have been earned if the loans classified as nonaccrual had performed in accordance with the original terms was approximately $705,000 and $346,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1.37 million and $1.69 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The gross additional interest revenue that would have been earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 had performing TDRs performed in accordance with the original terms is immaterial.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The average balances of impaired loans and income recognized on impaired loans while they were considered impaired are presented below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

	2014						2013
			Interest						Interest
			Revenue		Cash Basis				Revenue		Cash Basis
			Recognized		Interest				Recognized		Interest
	Average		During		Revenue		Average		During		Revenue
Three Months Ended September 30,	Balance		Impairment		Received		Balance		Impairment		Received
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	33,715	$	430	$	448	$	31,695	$	737	$	861
Income producing commercial real estate		26,622		325		341		23,608		599		600
Commercial & industrial		4,698		43		85		4,189		114		104
Commercial construction		12,203		119		96		13,501		244		246
Total commercial		77,238		917		970		72,993		1,694		1,811
Residential mortgage		19,235		215		215		18,548		425		435
Home equity lines of credit		538		6		5		522		11		11
Residential construction		13,146		130		130		14,136		346		307
Consumer installment		251		4		5		214		7		7
Indirect auto		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	110,408	$	1,272	$	1,325	$	106,413	$	2,483	$	2,571

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	31,460	$	1,191	$	1,219	$	37,732	$	1,836	$	2,049
Income producing commercial real estate		26,299		953		991		38,328		1,077		1,077
Commercial & industrial		4,314		135		186		8,821		333		803
Commercial construction		12,086		335		338		14,620		509		593
Total commercial		74,159		2,614		2,734		99,501		3,755		4,522
Residential mortgage		20,384		672		670		19,382		860		841
Home equity lines of credit		531		16		17		524		22		21
Residential construction		13,315		452		455		14,219		850		882
Consumer installment		345		16		19		228		17		17
Indirect auto		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	108,734	$	3,770	$	3,895	$	133,854	$	5,504	$	6,283

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 by class of loans (in thousands).

	Loans Past Due								Loans Not
As of September 30, 2014	30 - 59 Days		60 - 89 Days		> 90 Days		Total		Past Due		Total
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	2,769	$	257	$	947	$	3,973	$	1,149,960	$	1,153,933
Income producing commercial real estate		417		991	$	226		1,634		603,093		604,727
Commercial & industrial		900		103		861		1,864		647,989		649,853
Commercial construction		123		182		—		305		180,489		180,794
Total commercial		4,209		1,533		2,034		7,776		2,581,531		2,589,307
Residential mortgage		6,985		3,136		2,563		12,684		852,884		865,568
Home equity lines of credit		1,566		373		375		2,314		456,505		458,819
Residential construction		1,262		329		2,803		4,394		302,784		307,178
Consumer installment		995		322		191		1,508		103,837		105,345
Indirect auto		278		83		200		561		242,108		242,669
Total loans	$	15,295	$	5,776	$	8,166	$	29,237	$	4,539,649	$	4,568,886
As of December 31, 2013
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,845	$	705	$	2,017	$	4,567	$	1,128,976	$	1,133,543
Income producing commercial real estate		3,879		2,092		530		6,501		616,666		623,167
Commercial & industrial		2,349		223		88		2,660		469,301		471,961
Commercial construction		94		190		235		519		148,384		148,903
Total commercial		8,167		3,210		2,870		14,247		2,363,327		2,377,574
Residential mortgage		9,011		2,832		4,140		15,983		859,094		875,077
Home equity lines of credit		2,056		430		941		3,427		437,460		440,887
Residential construction		1,335		588		1,375		3,298		325,281		328,579
Consumer installment		1,058		358		24		1,440		109,605		111,045
Indirect auto		185		65		42		292		195,812		196,104
Total loans	$	21,812	$	7,483	$	9,392	$	38,687	$	4,290,579	$	4,329,266
As of September 30, 2013
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,332	$	910	$	1,896	$	4,138	$	1,125,014	$	1,129,152
Income producing commercial real estate		694		373		533		1,600		612,019		613,619
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		7,672		2,467		4,279		14,418		874,261		888,679
Home equity lines of credit		1,177		610		373		2,160		418,456		420,616
Residential construction		3,705		418		924		5,047		312,742		317,789
Consumer installment		633		19		94		746		115,789		116,535
Indirect auto		220		84		55		359		185,758		186,117
Total loans	$	16,212	$	5,072	$	8,482	$	29,766	$	4,237,301	$	4,267,067

As of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2013, $9.82 million, $5.64 million and $4.72 million, respectively, of specific reserves were allocated to customers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs. United committed to lend additional amounts totaling up to $38,000, $6,000 and $3,000 as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table presents information on TDRs including the number of loan contracts restructured and the pre- and post-modification recorded investment (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013								September 30, 2013
				Pre-			Post-					Pre-			Post-					Pre-			Post-
			Modification			Modification					Modification			Modification					Modification			Modification
	Number		Outstanding			Outstanding			Number		Outstanding			Outstanding			Number		Outstanding			Outstanding
	of		Recorded			Recorded			of		Recorded			Recorded			of		Recorded			Recorded
	Contracts		Investment			Investment			Contracts		Investment			Investment			Contracts		Investment			Investment

Owner occupied commercial real estate		52		$	27,811		$	26,248		45		$	24,064		$	22,399		45		$	25,829		$	24,368
Income producing commercial real estate		32			19,652			19,104		32			20,900			18,268		32			22,134			18,795
Commercial & industrial		33			2,941			2,941		36			3,527			3,245		34			3,051			2,919
Commercial construction		14			11,238			11,084		13			13,122			13,042		12			12,904			12,825
Total commercial		131			61,642			59,377		126			61,613			56,954		123			63,918			58,907
Residential mortgage		160			19,555			18,356		133			20,117			18,852		115			18,511			17,408
Home equity lines of credit		4			531			531		3			505			505		5			521			521
Residential construction		50			10,916			10,084		57			12,459			10,452		55			12,360			10,290
Consumer installment		20			245			245		26			203			203		36			214			204
Indirect auto		—			—			—		—			—			—		—			—			—
Total loans		365			92,889			88,593		345			94,897		$	86,966		334			95,524			87,330

Loans modified under the terms of a TDR during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 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, 2014 and 2013, that were initially restructured within one year prior to becoming delinquent (dollars in thousands).

	New Troubled Debt Restructurings													New Troubled Debt Restructurings
	for the Three Months Ended September 30,													for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
									Modified Within the													Modified Within the
									Previous Twelve Months													Previous Twelve Months
									that Have Subsequently													that Have Subsequently
				Pre-		Post-			Defaulted During the							Pre-			Post-			Defaulted During the Nine
			Modification			Modification			Three Months Ended							Modification			Modification			Months Ended
			Outstanding			Outstanding			September 30, 2014							Outstanding			Outstanding			September 30, 2014
	Number of		Recorded			Recorded			Number of		Recorded			Number of		Recorded			Recorded			Number of		Recorded
2014	Contracts		Investment			Investment			Contracts		Investment			Contracts		Investment			Investment			Contracts		Investment

Owner occupied commercial real estate		2		$	747		$	747		—		$	—		9		$	4,139		$	4,139	$	1		$	104
Income producing commercial real estate		—			—			—		—			—		5			1,992			1,992		—			—
Commercial & industrial		6			452			452		—			—		10			782			782		2			54
Commercial construction		—			—			—		—			—		2			471			471		—			—
Total commercial		8			1,199			1,199		—			—		26			7,384			7,384		3			158
Residential mortgage		10			778			673		2			139		33			2,924			2,778		8			871
Home equity lines of credit		—			—			—		—			—		1			36			36		—			—
Residential construction		—			—			—		—			—		3			1,124			1,124		—			—
Consumer installment		—			—			—		—			—		5			226			226		—			—
Indirect auto		—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—		—			—
Total loans		18		$	1,977		$	1,872		2		$	139		68		$	11,694		$	11,548		11		$	1,029

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

Owner occupied commercial real estate		1		$	1,841		$	741		—		$	—		11		$	5,923		$	4,823		$	1		$	432
Income producing commercial real estate		—			—			—		—			—		7			6,009			6,009			—			—
Commercial & industrial		1			68			68		—			—		10			883			777			1			35
Commercial construction		—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—			2			1,454
Total commercial		2			1,909			809		—			—		28			12,815			11,609			4			1,921
Residential mortgage		16			2,365			2,207		1			533		29			5,129			4,827			3			641
Home equity lines of credit		—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—			—			—
Residential construction		3			727			727		1			414		10			1,850			1,721			3			531
Consumer installment		1			7			7		2			9		5			28			28			5			29
Indirect auto		—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—			—			—
Total loans		22		$	5,008		$	3,750		4		$	956		72		$	19,822		$	18,185			15		$	3,122

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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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, 2014	Pass		Watch		Performing		Nonaccrual		Loss		Total

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,076,822	$	25,098	$	49,857	$	2,156	$	—	$	1,153,933
Income producing commercial real estate		563,451		17,319		22,215		1,742		—		604,727
Commercial & industrial		637,160		3,602		7,498		1,593		—		649,853
Commercial construction		174,443		2,356		3,847		148		—		180,794
Total commercial		2,451,876		48,375		83,417		5,639		—		2,589,307
Residential mortgage		803,937		10,300		42,981		8,350		—		865,568
Home equity lines of credit		450,026		—		8,073		720		—		458,819
Residential construction		284,491		7,389		11,755		3,543		—		307,178
Consumer installment		102,460		—		2,746		139		—		105,345
Indirect auto		242,315		—		—		354		—		242,669
Total loans	$	4,335,105	$	66,064	$	148,972	$	18,745	$	—	$	4,568,886
As of December 31, 2013

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,054,924	$	29,714	$	43,083	$	5,822	$	—	$	1,133,543
Income producing commercial real estate		575,597		10,410		34,642		2,518				623,167
Commercial & industrial		456,563		5,382		9,589		427		—		471,961
Commercial construction		120,852		10,932		16,758		361		—		148,903
Total commercial		2,207,936		56,438		104,072		9,128		—		2,377,574
Residential mortgage		793,381		25,944		44,022		11,730		—		875,077
Home equity lines of credit		426,052		5,420		7,967		1,448				440,887
Residential construction		298,685		11,526		14,104		4,264		—		328,579
Consumer installment		107,029		1,229		2,538		249		—		111,045
Indirect auto		196,104		—		—		—		—		196,104
Total loans	$	4,029,187	$	100,557	$	172,703	$	26,819	$	—	$	4,329,266
As of September 30, 2013

Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,046,900	$	35,948	$	39,946	$	6,358	$	—	$	1,129,152
Income producing commercial real estate		556,963		19,403		35,596		1,657		—		613,619
Commercial & industrial		436,401		10,062		10,342		609		—		457,414
Commercial construction		109,332		10,560		16,911		343		—		137,146
Total commercial		2,149,596		75,973		102,795		8,967		—		2,337,331
Residential mortgage		808,574		23,277		45,493		11,335		—		888,679
Home equity lines of credit		406,575		5,193		7,679		1,169		—		420,616
Residential construction		283,197		14,943		15,552		4,097		—		317,789
Consumer installment		112,706		1,162		2,147		520		—		116,535
Indirect auto		186,117		—		—		—		—		186,117
Total loans	$	3,946,765	$	120,548	$	173,666	$	26,088	$	—	$	4,267,067

Risk Ratings

United categorizes commercial 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 continual 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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.

Consumer Purpose Loans. Beginning in the first quarter of 2014, United began to apply a pass / fail grading system to all consumer purpose loans. Under the pass / fail grading system, consumer purpose loans meeting the criteria of substandard are classified as “fail” and all other loans are classified as “pass”. For reporting purposes, consumer purpose loans classified as “fail” are reported in the performing substandard or nonaccrual columns and all other consumer purpose loans are reported in the “pass” column. The first quarter grading change resulted in decreases in loans categorized as “watch” for the consumer installment, residential mortgage and home equity lines of credit loan classifications. Loan balances reported in the “watch” column for residential mortgage in the first quarter are generally commercial purpose loans secured by the borrower’s residence.

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

The following table presents the recorded investment (unpaid principal less amounts charged off) in nonaccrual loans by loan class as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

	Nonaccrual Loans
	September 30,			December 31,				September 30,
	2014			2013				2013
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	2,156			$	5,822		$	6,358
Income producing commercial real estate		1,742				2,518			1,657
Commercial & industrial		1,593				427			609
Commercial construction		148				361			343
Total commercial		5,639				9,128			8,967
Residential mortgage		8,350				11,730			11,335
Home equity lines of credit		720				1,448			1,169
Residential construction		3,543				4,264			4,097
Consumer installment		139				249			520
Indirect auto		354				—			—
Total	$	18,745			$	26,819		$	26,088

Balance as a percentage of unpaid principal		68.6	%			65.3	%		61.6	%

Note 7 – Foreclosed Property

Major classifications of foreclosed properties at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands).

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2014			2013			2013
Commercial real estate	$	1,350		$	1,287		$	1,130
Commercial construction		—			—			376
Total commercial		1,350			1,287			1,506
Residential mortgage		1,954			3,380			2,420
Residential construction		588			736			1,981
Total foreclosed property		3,892			5,403			5,907
Less valuation allowance		(746	)		(1,182	)		(1,440	)
Foreclosed property, net	$	3,146		$	4,221		$	4,467

Balance as a percentage of original loan unpaid principal		54.5	%		44.5	%		41.5	%

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Activity in the valuation allowance for foreclosed property for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,							September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Balance at beginning of period		$	741		$	3,602		$	1,182		$	6,954
Additions charged to expense			108			329			690			2,739
Disposals			(103	)		(2,491	)		(1,126	)		(8,253	)
Balance at end of period		$	746		$	1,440		$	746		$	1,440

Expenses related to foreclosed property for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Net (gain)/loss on sales		$	(264	)		$	513			$	(1,208	)		$	3,563
Provision for unrealized losses			108				329				690				2,739
Operating expenses			441				(648	)			1,021				1,376
Total foreclosed property expense		$	285			$	194			$	503			$	7,678

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, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

		Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other
		Comprehensive Income
	For the three months ended							For the nine months ended
Details about Accumulated Other		September 30,							September 30,						Affected Line Item in the Statement
Comprehensive Income Components		2014			2013				2014			2013			Where Net Income is Presented

Realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities:
		$	11		$	—			$	4,663		$	116		Securities gains, net
			(4	)		—				(1,821	)		(45	)	Tax expense
		$	7		$	—			$	2,842		$	71		Net of tax

Amortization of (losses) gains included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held to maturity:
		$	(468	)	$	214			$	(1,207	)	$	803		Investment securities interest revenue
			176			(83	)			453			(310	)	Tax benefit (expense)
		$	(292	)	$	131			$	(754	)	$	493		Net of tax

Amounts 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		Loan interest revenue
Effective portion of interest rate contracts			(317	)		—				(764	)		—		Brokered deposit interest expense
Amortization of losses on de-designated positions			(81	)		—				(105	)		—		Money market deposit interest expense
Amortization of losses on de-designated positions			(313	)		—				(512	)		—		Brokered deposit interest expense
			(711	)		58				(1,381	)		902		Total before tax
			277			(23	)			538			(351	)	Tax or benefit (expense)
		$	(434	)	$	35			$	(843	)	$	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	)	$	(91	)		$	(274	)	$	(273	)	Salaries and employee benefits expense
Actuarial losses			—			(42	)			—			(126	)	Salaries and employee benefits expense
			(91	)		(133	)			(274	)		(399	)	Total before tax
			36			52				107			155		Tax benefit
		$	(55	)	$	(81	)		$	(167	)	$	(244	)	Net of tax

Total reclassifications for the period		$	(774	)	$	85			$	1,078		$	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, 2014 and 2013, 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,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Series A - 6% fixed	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	9
Series B - 5% fixed until December 6, 2013, 9% thereafter		—		2,641		159		7,907
Series D - LIBOR plus 9.6875%, resets quarterly		—		415		280		1,250
Total preferred stock dividends	$	—	$	3,059	$	439	$	9,166

Series B preferred stock was issued at a discount. Dividend amounts shown include discount accretion for each period.

The preferred stock dividends were subtracted from net income in order to arrive at net income available to common shareholders. All of United’s preferred stock was redeemed during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income available to common shareholders	$	17,616	$	12,441	$	48,934	$	248,063

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		60,776		59,100		60,511		58,443
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options		3		1		2		1
Warrants		—		101		—		—
Diluted		60,779		59,202		60,513		58,444

Income per common share:
Basic	$	.29	$	.21	$	.81	$	4.24
Diluted	$	.29	$	.21	$	.81	$	4.24

At September 30, 2014, United had the following potentially dilutive stock options and warrants outstanding: a warrant to purchase 219,909 common shares at $61.40 per share originally issued to the U.S. Treasury; 305,291 common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options granted to employees with a weighted average exercise price of $95.98; 801,334 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. On March 5, 2014, United announced that it and the Chapter 11 Trustee for Fletcher had agreed to settle all potential claims and counterclaims between them relating to or arising out of, among other things, their respective rights and obligations under such warrants. Pursuant to the settlement agreement with Fletcher, United has agreed to repurchase the warrants and resolve all claims between the parties. The settlement agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby have been approved by the bankruptcy court and are no longer subject to appeal. As noted in Note 12, in November 2014, the settlement was completed and the net proceeds were paid to Fletcher.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 originally issued to the U.S. Treasury; 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; 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 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, investment securities, 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 gross basis.

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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands).

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
		Fair Value
	Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,		September 30,
Interest Rate Products	Location	2014		2013		2013
Cash flow hedge of money market deposits	Other assets	$	1,349	$	4,782	$	3,580
Fair value hedge of corporate bonds	Other assets		—		3,939		2,709
		$	1,349	$	8,721	$	6,289

Cash flow hedge of short-term debt	Other liabilities	$	—	$	3,368	$	3,247
Cash flow hedge of money market deposits	Other liabilities		—		—		431
Fair value hedge of brokered CD’s	Other liabilities		10,201		19,970		28,748
Fair value hedge of corporate bonds	Other liabilities		—		2,308		3,025
		$	10,201	$	25,646	$	35,451

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
		Fair Value
	Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,		September 30,
Interest Rate Products	Location	2014		2013		2013
Customer swap positions	Other assets	$	2,067	$	898	$	1,096
Dealer offsets to customer swap positions	Other assets		475		1,347		707
Bifurcated embedded derivatives	Other assets		14,780		12,867		—
Offsetting positions for de-designated cash flow hedges	Other assets		3,550		—		—
		$	20,872	$	15,112	$	1,803

Customer swap positions	Other liabilities	$	475	$	1,347	$	707
Dealer offsets to customer swap positions	Other liabilities		2,087		915		1,111
Dealer offsets to bifurcated embedded derivatives	Other liabilities		19,858		18,324		—
De-designated cash flow hedge of brokered CDs	Other liabilities		2,645		—		—
De-designated cash flow hedge of money market deposits	Other liabilities		905		—		—
		$	25,970	$	20,586	$	1,818

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Derivative contracts that are not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and are described as “customer derivatives,” are between United and certain commercial loan customers with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back swap program. United also has three interest rate swap contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments but are economic hedges of market linked brokered certificates of deposit. The market linked brokered certificates of deposit contain embedded derivatives that are bifurcated from the host instruments and marked to market through earnings. The marks on the market linked swaps and the bifurcated embedded derivatives tend to move in opposite directions with changes in 90-day LIBOR and therefore provide an effective economic hedge.

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 uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. At September 30, 2014, United’s interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involved 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. At September 30, 2014, United had two swap contracts outstanding with a total notional amount of $275 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of indexed money market accounts. One of the swaps with a notional amount of $175 million is forward starting and will become effective later in 2015. At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 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. During the second quarter of 2014, United de-designated swaps with a notional of $400 million and put on offsetting positions which had a similar effect to terminating the positions. Changes in United’s balance sheet composition and interest rate risk position made the hedges no longer necessary as protection against rising interest rates. The loss remaining in other comprehensive income on the de-designated swaps is being amortized into earnings over the original term of the swaps as the forecasted transactions that the swaps were originally designated to hedge are still expected to occur.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense when the swaps become effective, as interest payments are made on United’s LIBOR based, variable-rate wholesale borrowings and indexed deposit accounts. United’s active forward starting cash flow hedges of floating rate liabilities began interest settlements in the first quarter of 2014. United recognized $12,000 in hedge ineffectiveness gains and $73,000 in hedge ineffectiveness losses, respectively, in interest expense on active cash flow hedges during the third quarter and first nine months of 2014. United recognized $33,000 in hedge ineffectiveness gains during the third quarter and first nine months of 2013. United expects that $3.77 million will be reclassified as an increase to deposit interest expense over the next twelve months related to these cash flow hedges.

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 a result of the forecasted transactions becoming probable not to occur. These amounts were recognized in loan interest revenue as hedge ineffectiveness.

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 brokered deposits 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, 2014, United had 16 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $199 million that were designated as fair value hedges of interest rate risk. These contracts 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, 2013, United had 27 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $387 million that were designated as fair value hedges. At September 30, 2013, eight of the interest rate swaps 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 corporate bonds resulting from changes in interest rates. These swaps were cancelled and the bonds were sold in the second quarter of 2014. The other 19 were pay-variable / receive-fixed swaps hedging changes in fair value of fixed rate brokered time deposits resulting from changes in interest rates.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 income statement line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related derivatives. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 United recognized net losses of $312,000 and $937,000, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, United recognized net gains of $38,000 and $241,000, respectively, related to ineffectiveness of the fair value hedging relationships. United also recognized net reductions of interest expense of $1.04 million and $3.47 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and net reductions of interest expense of $2.47 million and $4.73 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to United’s fair value hedges of brokered time deposits, which include net settlements on the derivatives. United recognized reductions of interest revenue on securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 in the amount of $955,000 related to United’s fair value hedges of corporate bonds that were terminated in the second quarter of 2014. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, United recognized reductions of interest revenue on securities in the amounts of $516,000 and $811,000, respectively 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, 2014 and 2013.

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships (in thousands).

	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain (Loss)						Amount of Gain (Loss)
	(Loss) Recognized	Recognized in Income						Recognized in Income
	in Income on	on Derivative						on Hedged Item
	Derivative	2014			2013			2014			2013
Three Months Ended September 30,
Fair value hedges of brokered CD’s	Interest expense	$	(37	)	$	(2,849	)	$	(275	)	$	2,872
Fair value hedges of corporate bonds	Interest revenue		—			109			—			(94	)
		$	(37	)	$	(2,740	)	$	(275	)	$	2,778
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Fair value hedges of brokered CD’s	Interest expense	$	10,078		$	(20,134	)	$	(10,691	)	$	19,988
Fair value hedges of corporate bonds	Interest revenue		(2,487	)		4,338			2,163			(3,951	)
		$	7,591		$	(15,796	)	$	(8,528	)	$	16,037

In certain 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 estate 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 estate 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							Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
	Comprehensive							Accumulated Other Comprehensive							Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
	Income on Derivative							Income into Income							Derivative
	(Effective Portion)							(Effective Portion)							(Ineffective Portion)
	2014				2013			Location	2014			2013			Location	2014			2013

Three Months Ended September 30,
								Interest revenue	$	—			$	58
								Interest expense		(711	)			—
Interest rate swaps		$	412		$	(3,507	)	Total	$	(711	)		$	58	Interest expense	$	12			$	(33	)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
								Interest revenue	$	—			$	902
								Interest expense		(1,381	)			—
Interest rate swaps		$	(5,967	)	$	8,595		Total	$	(1,381	)		$	902	Interest expense	$	(73	)		$	46

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

United manages its credit exposure on derivatives transactions by entering into a 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, 2014, collateral totaling $38.2 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.

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 options, 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, 2014, 529,000 additional awards could be granted under the plan. Through September 30, 2014, 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 2014.


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

Outstanding at December 31, 2013		350,772		$	97.87
Expired		(45,481	)		110.57
Outstanding at September 30, 2014		305,291			95.98		2.9	$	59

Exercisable at September 30, 2014		299,041			97.70		2.8		41

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. No stock options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2014	2013

Expected volatility	NA	30.00%
Expected dividend yield	NA	0.00%
Expected life (in years)	NA	6.25
Risk-free rate	NA	2.01%

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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

United recognized $5,000 in compensation expense related to stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. 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. The amount of compensation expense 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 2014 or 2013.

The table below presents restricted stock activity for the first nine months of 2014.

				Weighted-
				Average Grant-
Restricted Stock	Shares			Date Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,073,676		$	13.73
Granted		55,066			17.73
Excercised		(324,108	)		12.24
Cancelled		(3,300	)		13.18
Outstanding at September 30, 2014		801,334			14.61

Vested at September 30, 2014		7,580			9.90

Compensation expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of restricted stock awards at the time of grant, which is equal to the value of United’s common stock on the date of grant. The value of restricted stock grants that are expected to vest is amortized into expense over the vesting period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, compensation expense of $3.23 million and $2.01 million, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock awards. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, $76,000 and $118,000, respectively, was recognized in other operating expense for restricted stock units granted to members of United’s board of directors. The total intrinsic value of outstanding restricted stock awards was $13.2 million at September 30, 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, there was $10.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years. The aggregate grant date fair value of options and restricted stock awards that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, was $3.83 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. No shares were issued through the DRIP in 2013 as the DRIP was suspended during that time. The DRIP was re-activated following United’s reinstatement of its quarterly dividend in the second quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, no shares were issued through the DRIP.

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, 2014 and 2013, United issued 25,284 and 49,830 shares, respectively, and increased capital by $424,000 and $582,000, respectively, through these programs.

United offers its common stock as an investment option in its deferred compensation plan. United also allows for the deferral of restricted stock awards. 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’s common stock and settlement must be accomplished in shares at the time the deferral period is completed. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, 354,961 and 242,262 shares of common stock, respectively, were issuable under the deferred compensation plan.

In the fourth quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014, United redeemed all of its outstanding preferred stock. The preferred stock was redeemed at par and did not result in any gain or loss. The redemptions were funded from a combination of dividends from United Community Bank, borrowings on United’s holding company line of credit and cash on hand.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Pursuant to its settlement agreement with Fletcher, United agreed to deliver 640,000 shares of its common stock and cash that, together with the common stock, would have a combined fair value of $12 million. On March 25, 2014, to satisfy its obligations under the settlement agreement, United completed the sale of 640,000 shares of common stock and received approximately $12.2 million in net proceeds after discounts and expenses, $12.0 million of which is payable to Fletcher once the settlement is completed. In November 2014, the settlement was completed and the net proceeds were paid to Fletcher.

Note 13 – Income Taxes

The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $9.99 million and $28.7 million, respectively, which represents effective tax rates of 36.2% and 36.7%, respectively. The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $9.52 million and a net benefit of $247 million, respectively. The net income tax benefit for the first nine months of 2013 reflects the reversal of a $272 million valuation allowance on United’s net deferred tax asset. At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the valuation allowance on United’s net deferred tax asset was $4.45 million, $4.10 million and $4.61 million, respectively. Management assesses the valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax asset at each reporting period. The determination of whether a valuation allowance for its net deferred tax asset 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 the valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset. United had 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, 2014. Based on the assessment of all the positive and negative evidence, management concluded that it is more likely than not that nearly all of its net deferred tax asset will be realized based upon future taxable income. The remaining valuation allowance of $4.45 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 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 previously considered by management included a three-year cumulative loss position and United’s and United Community Bank’s informal memorandums of understanding with the bank regulatory agencies. The informal memorandums of understanding were terminated in the fourth quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014 and United was no longer in a three-year cumulative loss position effective with the first quarter of 2014, based on a rolling twelve quarters.

The valuation allowance could fluctuate in future periods based on the assessment of the positive and negative evidence. Management’s conclusion at September 30, 2014 that it was more likely than not that United’s net deferred tax asset of $225 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 that 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 its net deferred tax asset. Such an increase to the net 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 2010. 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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $4.10 million, $4.50 million and $4.45 million, respectively. In the first quarter of 2014, United adopted the provisions of ASU 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. ASU No. 2013-11 requires unrecognized tax benefits to be presented as a reduction of a deferred tax asset unless certain conditions are present. Prior to adoption, unrecognized tax benefits were presented as a component of the current tax liability payable. Upon adoption, United reclassified $4.59 million in unrecognized tax benefits from other liabilities to its net deferred tax asset. The reclassification resulted in decreases in United’s net deferred tax asset and other liabilities.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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, United uses a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

Fair Value Hierarchy

Level 1 Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that United has the ability to access.

Level 2 Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. United’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

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, corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and are valued based on observable inputs that are observable in the market and can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the securities. Securities classified as Level 3 are valued based on estimates obtained from broker-dealers.

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.

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. 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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.

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, 2014, 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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).


September 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—	$	105,022	$	—	$	105,022
State and political subdivisions		—		20,321		—		20,321
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,034,992		—		1,034,992
Corporate bonds		—		164,952		300		165,252
Asset-backed securities		—		462,044		—		462,044
Other		—		2,036		—		2,036
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,734		—		—		3,734
Derivative financial instruments		—		22,221		—		22,221
Total assets	$	3,734	$	1,811,588	$	300	$	1,815,622
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,734	$	—	$	—	$	3,734
Brokered certificates of deposit		—		175,053		—		175,053
Derivative financial instruments		—		36,171		—		36,171
Total liabilities	$	3,734	$	211,224	$	—	$	214,958

December 31, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities available for sale
State and political subdivisions	$	—	$	23,242	$	—	$	23,242
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,145,347		—		1,145,347
Corporate bonds		—		249,946		350		250,296
Asset-backed securities		—		410,633		—		410,633
Other		—		2,699		—		2,699
Deferred compensation plan assets		3,496		—		—		3,496
Derivative financial instruments		—		23,833		—		23,833
Total assets	$	3,496	$	1,855,700	$	350	$	1,859,546
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$	3,496	$	—	$	—	$	3,496
Brokered certificates of deposit		—		173,657		—		173,657
Derivative financial instruments		—		46,232		—		46,232
Total liabilities	$	3,496	$	219,889	$	—	$	223,385

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


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

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).


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
Securities Available for Sale	2014		2013		2014			2013
Balance at beginning of period	$	300	$	350	$	350		$	350
Amounts included in earnings		—		—		—			—
Paydowns / sales		—		—		(50	)		—
Balance at end of period	$	300	$	350	$	300		$	350

At September 30, 2014, United had one security that has a Level 3 valuation. It is a trust preferred security in a community bank that has shown deteriorating financial condition during the financial crisis, and is currently deferring interest payments. Since the investment is not actively traded, there is no recent trade activity upon which to assess value. The value assigned to the investment is based on a sales price estimate from a broker. The investment has a par amount of $1 million. The investment 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.

United had a second trust preferred security in another community bank that was acquired by United through an acquisition of another financial institution. The investment was recorded at its par amount of $1 million at the time of the acquisition which was estimated to be its fair value. During the financial crisis, the community bank discontinued the payment of interest. United considered the investment to be other than temporarily impaired and recorded a $950,000 impairment charge to write the asset down to its estimated value of $50,000. In the second quarter of 2014, United sold the investment for $200,000 and recorded a gain from the sale of $150,000.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).


September 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	85,827	$	85,827
Foreclosed properties		—		—		2,204		2,204
Total	$	—	$	—	$	88,031	$	88,031
December 31, 2013
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	82,798	$	82,798
Foreclosed properties		—		—		3,747		3,747
Total	$	—	$	—	$	86,545	$	86,545
September 30, 2013
Assets
Loans	$	—	$	—	$	76,393	$	76,393
Foreclosed properties		—		—		3,898		3,898
Total	$	—	$	—	$	80,291	$	80,291

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.

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.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 financial 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, 2014, December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands).


	Carrying		Fair Value Level
September 30, 2014	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	432,418	$	—	$	440,311	$	—	$	440,311
Loans, net		4,496,958		—		—		4,437,039		4,437,039
Mortgage loans held for sale		20,004		—		20,253		—		20,253
Liabilities:
Deposits		6,240,729		—		6,228,804		—		6,228,804
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		330,125		—		330,134		—		330,134
Long-term debt		129,865		—		—		132,636		132,636

December 31, 2013
Assets:
Securities held to maturity		479,742		—		485,585		—		485,585
Loans, net		4,252,504		—		—		4,165,591		4,165,591
Mortgage loans held for sale		10,319		—		10,529		—		10,529
Liabilities:
Deposits		6,201,505		—		6,204,815		—		6,204,815
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		120,125		—		120,125		—		120,125
Long-term debt		129,865		—		—		130,262		130,262

September 30, 2013
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

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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the contractual amount of off-balance sheet instruments (in thousands):


	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013		September 30, 2013
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit	$	852,635	$	747,170	$	677,891
Letters of credit		20,534		19,846		9,818

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, 2013 as well as the following factors:

●	the condition of the general business and economic environment;

●	the results of our internal credit stress tests may not accurately predict the impact on our financial condition if the economy were to deteriorate;

●	our ability to maintain profitability;

●	our ability to fully realize the balance of our net deferred tax asset, including net operating loss carryforwards;

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

●	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 lack of geographic diversification;

●	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 and other interest rate risks;

●	our accounting and reporting policies;

●	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;

●	risks related to our communications and information systems, including risks with respect to cybersecurity breaches;

●	our reliance on third parties to provide key components of our business infrastructure and services required to operate our business;

●	competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers;

●	risks with respect to our ability to successfully expand and complete acquisitions and integrate businesses and operations that are acquired;

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

●	the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and related regulations;

●	changes in laws and regulations or failures to comply with such laws and regulations;

●	changes in regulatory capital and other requirements;

●	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;

●	changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our income tax provision; and

●	our ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.

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 United’s 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, 2014, United had total consolidated assets of $7.53 billion, total loans of $4.57 billion, total deposits of $6.24 billion, and shareholders’ equity of $736 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 28 “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 46.

United reported net income of $17.6 million for the third quarter of 2014. This compared to net income of $15.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. Diluted earnings per common share were $.29 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to diluted earnings per common share of $.21 for the third quarter of 2013.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, United reported net income of $49.4 million. This compared to net income of $257 million for the first nine months of 2013. Diluted earnings per common share were $.81 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to diluted earnings per common share of $4.24 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Year-to-date 2013 earnings were significantly impacted by the reversal of a $272 million valuation allowance on United’s net deferred tax asset and a large bulk sale of classified assets, both of which took place in the second quarter of 2013. 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 $57.0 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $54.3 million for the same period of 2013. Net interest margin increased from 3.26% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 to 3.32% for the same period in 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, taxable equivalent net interest revenue was $166 million compared to $164 million for the same period of 2013. Net interest margin decreased from 3.32% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 3.25% for the same period in 2014. The margin decrease for the year-to-date comparison was driven by pricing pressures on new and renewed loans and resulting lower yields on loans. In the second quarter of 2014, United executed a number of balance sheet management activities, including restructuring interest rate swaps, selling investment securities and repaying high cost wholesale borrowings with the intent of improving the net interest margin and increasing net interest revenue. These balance sheet management activities, along with strong third quarter loan growth, had the desired effect of increasing the third quarter 2014 net interest revenue and net interest margin.

United’s provision for loan losses was $2.00 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $3.00 million for the same period in 2013. Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2014 were $3.16 million, compared to $4.47 million for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, United’s provision for loan losses was $6.70 million, compared to $62.5 million for the same period of 2013. The sales of approximately $151 million in classified loans in the second quarter of 2013 resulted in a high level of charge-offs and provision for loan losses in 2013. Following this accelerated disposition of classified assets in the second quarter of 2013, as well as generally improving credit conditions, United has experienced a lower level of net charge-offs and provision for loan losses beginning with the third quarter of 2013 through the third quarter of 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, United’s allowance for loan losses was $71.9 million, or 1.57% of loans, compared to $80.4 million, or 1.88% of loans, at September 30, 2013. Nonperforming assets of $21.9 million decreased to .29% of total assets at September 30, 2014 from .42% as of September 30, 2013, due to ongoing improving credit conditions. During the third quarter of 2014, $7.67 million in loans were placed on nonaccrual compared with $9.96 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Fee revenue of $14.4 million increased $187,000, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2013. The increase was due primarily to $945,000 in gains from the sales of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans in the third quarter of 2014. United began selling the guaranteed portion of SBA / United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) loans in the second quarter of 2014 as part of its emphasis on growing the SBA lending business. The gains from the sales of SBA loans were partially offset by decreases in overdraft charges and interchange fees and lower mortgage revenue, brokerage and customer derivatives fees. The decrease in mortgage fees is due to a lower level of refinancing activity compared with a year ago due to rising long-term interest rates. Despite the lower mortgage fees compared with last year, new purchase mortgage activity has been increasing in recent quarters. Fee revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $40.7 million, down $2.35 million from the same period of 2013 due primarily to a $2.80 million decrease in mortgage fees. Mortgage refinancing activity has declined as long-term interest rates started to rise. Other fee revenue for the nine months was down $2.13 million from the same period in 2013 mostly due to a $1.43 million gain from bank owned life insurance and a $468,000 gain from the sale of low income housing tax credits both received in the second quarter of 2013.

For the third quarter of 2014, operating expenses of $41.4 million were up $1.27 million from the third quarter of 2013. The increase was due primarily to higher salaries and benefits expense which were up $2.58 million from a year ago mostly due to the investment in additional staff and new teams to expand the specialized lending area as well as higher incentive compensation in connection with increased lending activities and improvement in earnings performance. Partially offsetting the increase in salaries and benefits was a $1.27 million decrease in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance assessment. United’s FDIC assessment rate was reduced following the termination of the Bank’s informal memorandum of understanding with the FDIC late in the fourth quarter of 2013. Improvements in credit measures have further lowered United’s assessment rate since that time. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, operating expenses totaled $121 million, an $11.7 million decrease from the same period of 2013. With the exception of salaries and employee benefits and postage, printing and supplies, expenses are down in every category. Foreclosed property costs, which were elevated from the accelerated disposition of classified assets in the second quarter of 2013, were down $7.18 million from the first nine months of 2013. Professional fees and the FDIC insurance assessment were also down significantly from a year ago as a result of improving credit conditions and the termination of United’s and the Bank’s informal memorandums of understanding with the bank regulatory agencies.

Recent Developments

On June 26, 2014, United completed the purchase of Business Carolina, Inc., an SBA/USDA lending operation in Columbia, South Carolina. The purchase resulted in the addition of approximately $25 million in SBA/USDA loans to United’s portfolio.

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 46.

Results of Operations

United reported net income of $17.6 million for the third quarter of 2014. This compared to net income of $15.5 million for the same period in 2013. For the third quarter of 2014, diluted earnings per common share were $.29 compared to $.21 for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, United reported net income of $49.4 million compared to net income of $257 million for the same period in 2013. Diluted earnings per common share were $.81 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared with diluted earnings per share of $4.24 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Net income and earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were elevated by the recognition of United’s substantial tax benefits with the reversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The effect of the tax benefit on net income was partially offset by higher net charge-offs and a pre-tax loss resulting from the accelerated disposition of classified assets in the second quarter of 2013.


Table 1 - Financial Highlights
Selected Financial Information
																Third			For the Nine
	2014									2013						Quarter			Months Ended						YTD
(in thousands, except per share	Third			Second			First			Fourth			Third			2014-2013			September 30,						2014-2013
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Change			2014			2013			Change
INCOME SUMMARY
Interest revenue	$	63,338		$	61,783		$	60,495		$	61,695		$	61,426					$	185,616		$	185,628
Interest expense		6,371			6,833			6,326			5,816			7,169						19,530			21,866
Net interest revenue		56,967			54,950			54,169			55,879			54,257			5	%		166,086			163,762			1	%
Provision for credit losses		2,000			2,200			2,500			3,000			3,000						6,700			62,500
Fee revenue		14,412			14,143			12,176			13,519			14,225			1			40,731			43,079			(5	)
Total revenue		69,379			66,893			63,845			66,398			65,482						200,117			144,341
Operating expenses		41,364			40,532			39,050			41,614			40,097			3			120,946			132,690			(9	)
Income before income taxes		28,015			26,361			24,795			24,784			25,385			10			79,171			11,651
Income tax expense (benefit)		10,399			10,004			9,395			8,873			9,885						29,798			(245,578	)
Net income		17,616			16,357			15,400			15,911			15,500			14			49,373			257,229
Preferred dividends and discount accretion		—			—			439			2,912			3,059						439			9,166
Net income available to common shareholders	$	17,616		$	16,357		$	14,961		$	12,999		$	12,441			42		$	48,934		$	248,063

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Per common share:
Diluted income	$	.29		$	.27		$	.25		$	.22		$	.21			38		$	.81		$	4.24
Book value		12.15			11.94			11.66			11.30			10.99			11			12.15			10.99			11
Tangible book value (2)		12.10			11.91			11.63			11.26			10.95			11			12.10			10.95			11

Key performance ratios:
Return on common equity (1)(3)		9.41	%		8.99	%		8.64	%		7.52	%		7.38	%					9.02	%		64.29	%
Return on assets (3)		.95			.88			.85			.86			.86						.89			4.93
Net interest margin (3)		3.32			3.21			3.21			3.26			3.26						3.25			3.32
Efficiency ratio		57.96			58.65			59.05			60.02			58.55						58.54			64.19
Equity to assets		9.85			9.61			9.52			11.62			11.80						9.66			9.91
Tangible equity to assets (2)		9.83			9.58			9.50			11.59			11.76						9.64			9.85
Tangible common equity to assets (2)		9.83			9.58			9.22			8.99			9.02						9.55			7.04
Tangible common equity to risk- weighted assets (2)		14.10			13.92			13.63			13.18			13.34						14.10			13.34

ASSET QUALITY *
Non-performing loans	$	18,745		$	20,724		$	25,250		$	26,819		$	26,088					$	18,745		$	26,088
Foreclosed properties		3,146			2,969			5,594			4,221			4,467						3,146			4,467
Total non-performing assets (NPAs)		21,891			23,693			30,844			31,040			30,555						21,891			30,555
Allowance for loan losses		71,928			73,248			75,223			76,762			80,372						71,928			80,372
Net charge-offs		3,155			4,175			4,039			4,445			4,473						11,369			89,265
Allowance for loan losses to loans		1.57	%		1.66	%		1.73	%		1.77	%		1.88	%					1.57	%		1.88	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (3)		.28			.38			.38			.41			.42						.35			2.84
NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties		.48			.54			.71			.72			.72						.48			.72
NPAs to total assets		.29			.32			.42			.42			.42						.29			.42

AVERAGE BALANCES ($ in millions)
Loans	$	4,446		$	4,376		$	4,356		$	4,315		$	4,250			5		$	4,393		$	4,234			4
Investment securities		2,231			2,326			2,320			2,280			2,178			2			2,292			2,160			6
Earning assets		6,820			6,861			6,827			6,823			6,615			3			6,836			6,590			4
Total assets		7,374			7,418			7,384			7,370			7,170			3			7,392			6,974			6
Deposits		6,143			6,187			6,197			6,190			5,987			3			6,176			5,972			3
Shareholders’ equity		726			713			703			856			846			(14	)		714			691			3
Common shares - basic (thousands)		60,776			60,712			60,059			59,923			59,100						60,511			58,443
Common shares - diluted (thousands)		60,779			60,714			60,061			59,925			59,202						60,513			58,444

AT PERIOD END ($ in millions)
Loans *	$	4,569		$	4,410		$	4,356		$	4,329		$	4,267			7		$	4,569		$	4,267			7
Investment securities		2,222			2,190			2,302			2,312			2,169			2			2,222			2,169			2
Total assets		7,526			7,352			7,398			7,425			7,243			4			7,526			7,243			4
Deposits		6,241			6,164			6,248			6,202			6,113			2			6,241			6,113			2
Shareholders’ equity		736			722			704			796			852			(14	)		736			852			(14	)
Common shares outstanding (thousands)		60,248			60,139			60,092			59,432			59,412						60,248			59,412

(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.

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


Table 1 Continued - Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information
	2014									2013						For the Nine Months
(in thousands, except per share	Third			Second			First			Fourth			Third			Ended September 30,
data; taxable equivalent)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2014			2013
Interest revenue reconciliation
Interest revenue - taxable equivalent	$	63,338		$	61,783		$	60,495		$	61,695		$	61,426		$	185,616		$	185,628
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(405	)		(377	)		(357	)		(380	)		(370	)		(1,139	)		(1,103	)
Interest revenue (GAAP)	$	62,933		$	61,406		$	60,138		$	61,315		$	61,056		$	184,477		$	184,525

Net interest revenue reconciliation
Net interest revenue - taxable equivalent	$	56,967		$	54,950		$	54,169		$	55,879		$	54,257		$	166,086		$	163,762
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(405	)		(377	)		(357	)		(380	)		(370	)		(1,139	)		(1,103	)
Net interest revenue (GAAP)	$	56,562		$	54,573		$	53,812		$	55,499		$	53,887		$	164,947		$	162,659

Total revenue reconciliation
Total operating revenue	$	69,379		$	66,893		$	63,845		$	66,398		$	65,482		$	200,117		$	144,341
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(405	)		(377	)		(357	)		(380	)		(370	)		(1,139	)		(1,103	)
Total revenue (GAAP)	$	68,974		$	66,516		$	63,488		$	66,018		$	65,112		$	198,978		$	143,238

Income before taxes reconciliation
Income before taxes	$	28,015		$	26,361		$	24,795		$	24,784		$	25,385		$	79,171		$	11,651
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(405	)		(377	)		(357	)		(380	)		(370	)		(1,139	)		(1,103	)
Income before taxes (GAAP)	$	27,610		$	25,984		$	24,438		$	24,404		$	25,015		$	78,032		$	10,548

Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	10,399		$	10,004		$	9,395		$	8,873		$	9,885		$	29,798		$	(245,578	)
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(405	)		(377	)		(357	)		(380	)		(370	)		(1,139	)		(1,103	)
Income tax expense (benefit) (GAAP)	$	9,994		$	9,627		$	9,038		$	8,493		$	9,515		$	28,659		$	(246,681	)

Book value per common share reconciliation
Tangible book value per common share	$	12.10		$	11.91		$	11.63		$	11.26		$	10.95		$	12.10		$	10.95
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		.05			.03			.03			.04			.04			.05			.04
Book value per common share (GAAP)	$	12.15		$	11.94		$	11.66		$	11.30		$	10.99		$	12.15		$	10.99

Average equity to assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to assets		9.83	%		9.58	%		9.22	%		8.99	%		9.02	%		9.55	%		7.04	%
Effect of preferred equity		—			—			.28			2.60			2.74			.09			2.81
Tangible equity to assets		9.83			9.58			9.50			11.59			11.76			9.64			9.85
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles		.02			.03			.02			.03			.04			.02			.06
Equity to assets (GAAP)		9.85	%		9.61	%		9.52	%		11.62	%		11.80	%		9.66	%		9.91	%

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets reconciliation
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets		14.10	%		13.92	%		13.63	%		13.18	%		13.34	%		14.10	%		13.34	%
Effect of other comprehensive income		.34			.53			.36			.39			.49			.34			.49
Effect of deferred tax limitation		(3.39	)		(3.74	)		(3.92	)		(4.26	)		(4.72	)		(3.39	)		(4.72	)
Effect of trust preferred		1.02			1.04			1.03			1.04			1.09			1.02			1.09
Effect of preferred equity		—			—			—			2.39			4.01			—			4.01
Tier I capital ratio (Regulatory)		12.07	%		11.75	%		11.10	%		12.74	%		14.21	%		12.07	%		14.21	%

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, 2014 was $57.0 million, up $2.71 million from the third quarter of 2013. Higher interest revenue on the investment securities portfolio and lower interest costs on deposits and borrowed funds were responsible for the increase in net interest revenue. 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 $196 million, or 5%, from the third quarter of last year, the yield on loans decreased 24 basis points, reflecting the continuing effect of the low interest rate environment and pricing competition for a limited number of quality lending opportunities.

Average interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2014 increased $205 million, or 3%, from the same period in 2013, which was due primarily to the increase in loans and securities. Average investment securities for the third quarter of 2014 increased $54.7 million from a year ago consistent with general growth in the balance sheet. The average yield on the investment portfolio increased 40 basis points from a year ago, mostly due to changes in the asset mix resulting from portfolio restructuring activities executed in the second quarter of 2014. Also contributing to the higher securities portfolio yield was slowing prepayment activity in the mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) portfolio which was mostly purchased at a premium. The slowing prepayment activity resulted from rising long-term interest rates which slowed the rate of mortgage refinancing activity. Generally, increased prepayment activity resulting from low mortgage rates accelerates the amortization of premiums causing a reduction in the yield on the bonds.

During the second quarter of 2014, United sold approximately $237 million in securities which were mostly low-yielding variable-rate collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and fixed rate corporate bonds that had been swapped to a floating rate. Improvement in the credit spreads on corporate bonds allowed United to sell the securities at an attractive gain that was used to repay $44 million in structured repurchase agreements that were paying a 4% interest rate. About $120 million of the proceeds from the sales of securities were reinvested in fixed rate MBS and higher yielding floating rate collateralized loan obligations to offset the impact of the decrease in interest revenue on the sold securities. These actions in the second quarter of 2014, along with strong loan growth in the third quarter, were primarily responsible for increasing net interest revenue and improving the net interest margin in the third quarter of 2014.

Also in the second quarter of 2014, as a result of improvement in the interest sensitivity position, United effectively terminated $300 million notional in pay fixed forward starting swaps that were serving as cash flow hedges of LIBOR based wholesale borrowings and indexed money market deposits. The swaps were entered into in 2012 in anticipation of rising interest rates and had forward start dates that took effect in the first and second quarters of 2014. Changes in United’s balance sheet since that time made the hedges no longer necessary to achieve a neutral interest sensitivity position. The termination of the cash flow hedges in the second quarter of 2014 lowered United’s deposit and wholesale borrowings costs and also contributed to the increase in net interest revenue and improvement in the net interest margin.

The above noted securities transactions, along with slowing prepayment activity in United’s mortgage backed securities, which were mostly purchased at a premium, increased the overall yield in the investment portfolio. The higher investment securities yields completely offset the decline in loan yields, which kept the average yield on interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2014 equal to the third quarter of 2013. The yield on other interest-earning assets increased 41 basis points although the average balance declined from the third quarter of 2013. United utilizes reverse repurchase agreements, including collateral swap transactions, where the company 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 $150 million, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2013. Average noninterest bearing deposits increased $173 million from the third quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2014. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the third quarter of 2014 was .50% compared to .58 for the same period of 2013, reflecting United’s concerted efforts to reduce deposit pricing. During the second quarter of 2014, in conjunction with balance sheet restructuring activities, United prepaid approximately $44 million in other borrowings that were costing approximately 4%. 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.

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, 2014 and 2013, the net interest spread was 3.19% and 3.11%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.32% and 3.26%, respectively. The increase in both ratios reflects the impact of the second quarter 2014 balance sheet management activities described above as well as growth in the loan portfolio.

For the first nine months of 2014, net interest revenue was $166 million, a decrease of $2.32 million, or 1%, from the first nine months of 2013. Average earning assets increased $246 million, or 4%, during the first nine months of 2014, compared to the same period a year ago. The yield on earning assets decreased 13 basis points from 3.76% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, to 3.63% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, due to declining loan yields. The lower loan portfolio yield reflects competitive pricing pressure on new and renewed loans. Investment yields increased 26 basis points for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013, which helped offset some of the decrease on loan yields. The increase in the securities portfolio yield is due to the second quarter 2014 balance sheet restructuring activities described above and slowing prepayment activity in the mortgage backed securities portfolio. The rate on interest bearing liabilities over the same period decreased 9 basis points. The combined effect of the lower yield on interest earning assets, which was not completely offset by the increase in the investment securities yield and the reduction in rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, resulted in the net interest margin decreasing 7 basis points from the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

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, 2014 and 2013.


Table 2 - Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
	2014								2013
	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)	$	4,445,947		$	49,853		4.45	%	$	4,249,892		$	50,265		4.69	%
Taxable securities (3)		2,212,116			12,169		2.20			2,157,448			9,685		1.80
Tax-exempt securities (1)(3)		18,794			290		6.17			20,913			331		6.32
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		143,169			1,026		2.87			186,544			1,145		2.46

Total interest-earning assets		6,820,026			63,338		3.69			6,614,797			61,426		3.69
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(74,146	)							(83,408	)
Cash and due from banks		71,224								63,890
Premises and equipment		161,315								166,906
Other assets (3)		395,184								407,912
Total assets	$	7,373,603							$	7,170,097

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,331,806			365		.11		$	1,222,334			413		.13
Money market		1,387,042			872		.25			1,328,661			545		.16
Savings		282,746			20		.03			248,937			37		.06
Time less than $100,000		791,289			876		.44			952,320			1,369		.57
Time greater than $100,000		542,216			827		.61			644,264			1,229		.76
Brokered time deposits		278,330			18		.03			233,842			32		.05
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,613,429			2,978		.26			4,630,358			3,625		.31

Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		53,713			316		2.33			67,292			525		3.10
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		227,190			435		.76			32,082			16		.20
Long-term debt		129,865			2,642		8.07			144,601			3,003		8.24
Total borrowed funds		410,768			3,393		3.28			243,975			3,544		5.76

Total interest-bearing liabilities		5,024,197			6,371		.50			4,874,333			7,169		.58
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		1,530,011								1,356,792
Other liabilities		92,986								93,247
Total liabilities		6,647,194								6,324,372
Shareholders’ equity		726,409								845,725
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,373,603							$	7,170,097

Net interest revenue				$	56,967							$	54,257
Net interest-rate spread							3.19	%							3.11	%

Net interest margin (4)							3.32	%							3.26	%

(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 $7.42 million in 2014 and pretax unrealized losses of $10.6 million in 2013 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,
	2014								2013
	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)	$	4,392,895		$	146,156		4.45	%	$	4,233,531		$	152,073		4.80	%
Taxable securities (3)		2,272,639			35,560		2.09			2,138,725			29,281		1.83
Tax-exempt securities (1)(3)		19,515			914		6.24			21,411			1,022		6.36
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		150,782			2,986		2.64			196,445			3,252		2.21

Total interest-earning assets		6,835,831			185,616		3.63			6,590,112			185,628		3.76
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses		(76,148	)							(100,154	)
Cash and due from banks		65,744								63,879
Premises and equipment		161,843								168,144
Other assets (3)		404,654								252,275
Total assets	$	7,391,924							$	6,974,256

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW	$	1,367,713			1,216		.12		$	1,256,684			1,286		.14
Money market		1,375,064			2,192		.21			1,297,792			1,641		.17
Savings		272,696			61		.03			242,807			109		.06
Time less than $100,000		828,694			2,822		.46			997,193			4,686		.63
Time greater than $100,000		561,167			2,610		.62			670,821			4,086		.81
Brokered time deposits		300,374			78		.03			201,599			99		.07
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,705,708			8,979		.26			4,666,896			11,907		.34

Federal funds purchased and other borrowings		91,320			2,064		3.02			70,512			1,563		2.96
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		169,392			573		.45			41,352			65		.21
Long-term debt		129,865			7,914		8.15			131,491			8,331		8.47
Total borrowed funds		390,577			10,551		3.61			243,355			9,959		5.47

Total interest-bearing liabilities		5,096,285			19,530		.51			4,910,251			21,866		.60
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		1,469,967								1,305,133
Other liabilities		111,522								68,312
Total liabilities		6,677,774								6,283,696
Shareholders’ equity		714,150								690,560
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,391,924							$	6,974,256

Net interest revenue				$	166,086							$	163,762
Net interest-rate spread							3.12	%							3.16	%

Net interest margin (4)							3.25	%							3.32	%

(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 $1.59 million in 2014 and pretax unrealized gains of $7.96 million in 2013 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									Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014									September 30, 2014
	Compared to 2013									Compared to 2013
	Increase (decrease)									Increase (decrease)
	Due to Changes in									Due to Changes in
	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	2,262		$	(2,674	)	$	(412	)	$	5,582		$	(11,499	)	$	(5,917	)
Taxable securities		251			2,233			2,484			1,913			4,366			6,279
Tax-exempt securities		(33	)		(8	)		(41	)		(89	)		(19	)		(108	)
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		(292	)		173			(119	)		(836	)		570			(266	)
Total interest-earning assets		2,188			(276	)		1,912			6,570			(6,582	)		(12	)

Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts		35			(83	)		(48	)		108			(178	)		(70	)
Money market accounts		25			302			327			102			449			551
Savings deposits		4			(21	)		(17	)		12			(60	)		(48	)
Time deposits less than $100,000		(209	)		(284	)		(493	)		(709	)		(1,155	)		(1,864	)
Time deposits greater than $100,000		(177	)		(225	)		(402	)		(603	)		(873	)		(1,476	)
Brokered deposits		5			(19	)		(14	)		37			(58	)		(21	)
Total interest-bearing deposits		(317	)		(330	)		(647	)		(1,053	)		(1,875	)		(2,928	)
Federal funds purchased & other borrowings		(94	)		(115	)		(209	)		470			31			501
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		286			133			419			370			138			508
Long-term debt		(301	)		(60	)		(361	)		(102	)		(315	)		(417	)
Total borrowed funds		(109	)		(42	)		(151	)		738			(146	)		592
Total interest-bearing liabilities		(426	)		(372	)		(798	)		(315	)		(2,021	)		(2,336	)

Increase in net interest revenue	$	2,614		$	96		$	2,710		$	6,885		$	(4,561	)	$	2,324

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses is based on management’s evaluation of probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio and corresponding analysis of the allowance for credit losses at quarter-end. The provision for credit losses was $2.00 million and $6.70 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, compared to $3.00 million and $62.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. 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, sufficient to cover incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses for the first nine months of 2014 was significantly lower than the first nine months of 2013, due to the second quarter 2013 classified asset dispositions and overall improvement in the portfolio credit quality. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, net loan charge-offs as an annualized percentage of average outstanding loans were .28% and .42%, respectively, compared to .42% and 2.84%, respectively, for the same periods in 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, United established an allowance for unfunded loan commitments which is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The allowance for unfunded commitments represents probable incurred losses on unfunded loan commitments that are expected to result in outstanding loan balances. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments was established through the provision for credit losses.

Over the past two years, United has experienced significant improvement in credit quality and corresponding credit measures. During the second quarter of 2013 United sold 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 $21.9 million as of September 30, 2014. 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 56.

Fee Revenue

Fee revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $14.4 million and $40.7 million, respectively, an increase of $187,000, or 1%, compared to the third quarter of 2013, and a decrease of $2.35 million, or 5%, from the year-to-date period of 2013. The following table presents the components of fee revenue for the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013.


Table 5 - Fee Revenue
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change						September 30,					Change
	2014		2013		Amount			Percent			2014			2013		Amount			Percent
Overdraft fees	$	3,071	$	3,203	$	(132	)		(4	)	$	8,935		$	9,226	$	(291	)		(3	)
Debit card and interchange fees		3,811		3,952		(141	)		(4	)		11,318			10,818		500			5
Other service charges and fees		1,320		1,301		19			1			4,374			3,787		587			16
Service charges and fees		8,202		8,456		(254	)		(3	)		24,627			23,831		796			3
Mortgage loan and related fees		2,178		2,554		(376	)		(15	)		5,409			8,212		(2,803	)		(34	)
Brokerage fees		1,209		1,274		(65	)		(5	)		3,631			3,104		527			17
Gains on sales of SBA loans		945		—		945						1,689			—		1,689
Customer derivatives		179		442		(263	)		(60	)		650			1,182		(532	)		(45	)
Securities gains, net		11		—		11						4,663			116		4,547
Loss on prepayment of borrowings		—		—		—						(4,446	)		—		(4,446	)
Other		1,688		1,499		189			13			4,508			6,634		(2,126	)		(32	)
Total fee revenue	$	14,412	$	14,225	$	187			1		$	40,731		$	43,079	$	(2,348	)		(5	)

Service charges and fees of $8.20 million were down $254,000, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, service charges and fees of $24.6 million were up $796,000, or 3%, from the same period in 2013. The decrease for the third quarter of 2014 is due to lower overdraft fees and debit card interchange fees which were down due to lower transaction volume. Transaction volume in debit card interchange fees has been steadily increasing but dipped slightly in the third quarter of 2014. The increasing trend in debit card interchange fees is reflected in the increase for the nine month period. The increase in other service charges and fees for the nine month period reflects new service fees that went into effect January 1, 2014. Overdraft fees continue to decline as customer utilization of our courtesy overdraft services decreases.

Mortgage loans and related fees for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were down $376,000, or 3%, and $2.80 million, or 34%, respectively, from the same periods in 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, United closed 492 loans totaling $84.2 million compared with 487 loans totaling $76.6 million in the third quarter of 2013. Year-to-date mortgage production in 2014 amounted to 1,202 loans totaling $199 million, compared to 1,559 loans totaling $242 million for the same period in 2013. Mortgage refinancing activity has slowed due to rising long-term interest rates; however, United has continued to experience growth in new purchase mortgages. United had $53.0 million and $129 million, respectively, in new purchase mortgage originations in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, compared with $42.3 million and $108 million, respectively, for the same periods a year ago. New purchase mortgages represented 63% of the third quarter production compared with 59% a year ago and increased as a percentage of total production due to lower refinancing activity but also due to an increase in the amount of new purchase mortgages.

Brokerage fees decreased $65,000, or 5%, from the third quarter of 2013 but were up $527,000, or 17%, compared to the first nine months of 2013. The decrease in the third quarter of 2014 reflects market conditions in the brokerage business. The growth in brokerage fees year–to-date reflects United’s focus on growing the brokerage business.

In the third quarter of 2014, United recognized $945,000 in gains from the sales of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans. Year-to-date, United recognized gains of $1.69 million from the sales of SBA loans. United has been actively growing its SBA lending business with the hiring of new leadership and lenders who specialize in government guaranteed loan programs such as SBA and USDA loans. United’s SBA/USDA lending strategy includes selling a portion of the loan production each quarter. United began selling the guaranteed portion of loans in the second quarter of 2014. United retains the servicing rights on the sold loans and earns a fee for servicing the loans. In the third quarter, United sold loans with a principal balance of $7.39 million at prices ranging from 106.68% to 113.87% of par. Year-to-date, United sold loans with a principal balance of $12.5 million for premiums ranging from 106.68% to 115.55% of par.

Customer derivative fees of $179,000 were down $263,000 from the third quarter of 2013 and were down $532,000 compared to the first nine months of 2013. Management believes the decrease is a reflection of the interest rate environment resulting in a weakening of customer demand for this product.

United recognized net securities gains of $11,000 in the third quarter of 2014. For the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, net securities gains totaled $4.66 million and $116,000, respectively. For the first nine months of 2014, United also recognized $4.45 million in charges from the prepayment of a structured repurchase agreement. The securities gains and structured repurchase agreement prepayment charges in 2014 were offsetting and were part of the same overall balance sheet management activities that were intended to improve the securities portfolio yield and lower the overall cost of wholesale borrowings going forward.

Other fee revenue of $1.69 million for the third quarter of 2014 was down $189,000, or 13%, from the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, other fee revenue of $4.51 million was down $2.13 million, or 32%, from the same period in 2013. In 2013, United recorded a $1.43 million death benefit on a bank-owned life insurance policy as well as $468,000 in gains from the sale of low income housing tax credits.

Operating Expenses

The following table presents the components of operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.


Table 6 - Operating Expenses
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						Change						September 30,					Change
	2014			2013			Amount			Percent			2014			2013		Amount			Percent
Salaries and employee benefits	$	25,666		$	23,090		$	2,576			11		$	74,349		$	71,416	$	2,933			4
Communications and equipment		3,094			3,305			(211	)		(6	)		9,370			9,819		(449	)		(5	)
Occupancy		3,425			3,379			46			1			10,065			10,195		(130	)		(1	)
Advertising and public relations		894			962			(68	)		(7	)		2,659			2,937		(278	)		(9	)
Postage, printing and supplies		876			644			232			36			2,456			2,401		55			2
Professional fees		2,274			2,650			(376	)		(14	)		5,873			7,515		(1,642	)		(22	)
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges		1,131			2,405			(1,274	)		(53	)		3,909			7,415		(3,506	)		(47	)
Amortization of intangibles		313			427			(114	)		(27	)		1,061			1,623		(562	)		(35	)
Other		3,406			3,041			365			12			10,701			11,691		(990	)		(8	)
Total excluding foreclosed property expenses		41,079			39,903			1,176			3			120,443			125,012		(4,569	)		(4	)
Net losses on sales of foreclosed properties		(264	)		(648	)		384						(1,208	)		2,402		(3,610	)
Foreclosed property write downs		108			329			(221	)					690			2,739		(2,049	)
Foreclosed property maintenance expenses		441			513			(72	)		(14	)		1,021			2,537		(1,516	)		(60	)
Total operating expenses	$	41,364		$	40,097		$	1,267			3		$	120,946		$	132,690	$	(11,744	)		(9	)

Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2014 totaled $41.4 million, up $1.27 million, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2013. The increase mostly reflects higher salaries and employee benefits expense, partially offset by a lower FDIC insurance assessment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, operating expenses totaled $121 million, a decrease of $11.7 million, or 9%, from the same period in 2013. Excluding foreclosed property costs, total operating expenses were $41.1 million and $120 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September30, 2014, up $1.18 million, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2013, and down $4.57 million, or 4%, from the first nine months of 2013.

Salaries and employee benefits for the third quarter of 2014 were $25.7 million, up $2.58 million, or 11%, from the same period of 2013. The increase was due to a number of factors including investments in additional staff and new teams to expand the specialized lending and new talent in other key areas, higher incentives due to increased loan production and obtaining higher earnings performance targets. For the first nine months of 2014, salaries and employee benefits of $74.3 million were up $2.93 million, or 4%, from the first nine months of 2013. The year-to-date increase is due to the same factors that caused the third quarter increase. Headcount totaled 1,515 at September 30, 2014, up 16 from 2013.

Communications and equipment expense of $3.09 million for the third quarter of 2014 was down $211,000, or 6%, from the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, communications and equipment expense was down $449,000, or 5%, from a year ago. The decreases reflect lower software maintenance contract costs.

Occupancy expense of $3.43 million for the third quarter of 2014 was up $46,000, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2013. The increase from a year ago was due to higher rent and utilities charges mostly related to new locations. For the first nine months, occupancy expense of $10.1 was down $130,000, or 1%, compared to the same period of 2013. The decrease was primarily related to lower depreciation, maintenance and utilities costs.

Advertising and public relations expense of $894,000, and $2.66 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, was down $68,000, or 7%, and down $278,000, or 9%, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The decreases reflect management’s efforts to control discretionary spending.

Postage, printing and supplies expense of $876,000 for the third quarter of 2014 was up $232,000, or 36%, from the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, postage, printing and supplies expense of $2.46 million was up $55,000, or 2%, from the same period of 2013. The increase is due to higher printing and forms charges related to increased business activity.

Professional fees for the third quarter of 2014 of $2.27 million were down $376,000, or 14%, from the same period in 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, professional fees of $5.87 million, were down $1.64 million, or 22%. The decrease was due primarily to lower legal fees and fewer consulting projects that are in process. Legal costs associated with the classified asset sales in 2013 resulted in higher expenses in the prior year.

FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges of $1.13 million and $3.91 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were down $1.27 million and $3.51 million, respectively, from the same periods of 2013. The decreases reflect a lower deposit insurance assessment rate following the termination of the Bank’s informal memorandum of understanding with the FDIC and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other expense of $3.41 million for the third quarter of 2014 increased $365,000, or 12%, from the third quarter of 2013. The increase is due to higher travel and entertainment costs and lending support costs associated with the increase in lending activity. Year-to-date, other expense of $10.7 million decreased $990,000, or 8%, from the first nine months of 2013. The decrease from prior periods was due primarily to lower problem credit related appraisal and lending support costs as well as lower ATM network provider costs.

Net gains on sales of foreclosed property totaled $264,000 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to net gains on sale of $648,000 for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net gains on sales were $1.21 million, compared to net losses on sales of $2.40 million for the same period of the prior year. Net losses were elevated in 2013 due to the classified asset sales that occurred in the second quarter of 2013. Foreclosed property write-downs for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $108,000 and $690,000, respectively, compared to $329,000 and $2.74 million, respectively, a year ago. Foreclosed property write downs in 2013 were elevated prior to the accelerated disposition of classified assets in the second quarter of 2013. Foreclosed property maintenance expenses include legal fees, property taxes, marketing costs, utility services, maintenance and repair charges and totaled $441,000 and $1.02 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 compared with $513,000 and $2.54 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 and first nine months of 2014 was $9.99 million and $28.7 million, respectively, as compared with income tax expense of $9.52 million and income tax benefit of $247 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2013. The effective tax rate (as a percentage of pre-tax earnings) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 36.2% and 36.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2013 was 38%. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2013 was not meaningful due to the reversal of the full valuation allowance on United’s net deferred tax asset. For the remainder of 2014, United expects to record income tax expense at an effective tax rate of approximately 37%.

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 September 30, 2014, United reported a net deferred tax asset of $225 million, net of a valuation allowance of $4.45 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. This compared to a deferred tax asset of $259 million, net of a valuation allowance of $4.10 million at December 31, 2013 and $270 million, net of a valuation allowance of $4.61 million at September 30, 2013.

In the second quarter of 2013, United reversed a $275 million valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset following the achievement of six consecutive quarters of profitability. The positive earnings results through the second quarter of 2013 and improving credit measures provided an objective basis for a conclusion that profitability was 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 and continuing improvement in credit quality, United’s classified asset ratio (classified assets as a percentage of Tier 1 capital and the allowance for loan losses) improved to 24% at September 30, 2014 from 27% at December 31, 2013 and 26% at September 30, 2013.

Based on all evidence considered, as of September 30, 2014, management again concluded it was more likely than not that our net deferred tax asset of $225 million would be realized. With continuous improvements in credit quality, quarterly earnings for the past ten quarters have closely followed management’s forecast for these periods, excluding the impact of the discretionary classified asset sales in the second quarter of 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, 2014, 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. Effective in the first quarter of 2014, based on a rolling twelve quarters, United is no longer in a three-year cumulative loss position which had previously been considered a significant piece of negative evidence.

Management expects to generate higher levels of future taxable income and believes this will allow for full utilization of United’s net federal operating loss carryforwards within four to six 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, 2014 deferred tax asset.

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 17 to the consolidated financial statements filed with United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 were $7.53 billion, $7.43 billion and $7.24 billion, respectively. Average total assets for the third quarter of 2014 were $7.37 billion, up from $7.17 billion in the third quarter of 2013.

The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio.

Table 7 - Loans Outstanding (excludes loans covered by loss share agreement)

(in thousands)


	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2014			2013			2013
By Loan Type
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	1,153,933		$	1,133,543		$	1,129,152
Income producing commercial real estate		604,727			623,167			613,619
Commercial & industrial		649,853			471,961			457,414
Commercial construction		180,794			148,903			137,146
Total commercial		2,589,307			2,377,574			2,337,331
Residential mortgage		865,568			875,077			888,679
Home equity lines of credit		458,819			440,887			420,616
Residential construction		307,178			328,579			317,789
Consumer installment		105,345			111,045			116,535
Indirect auto		242,669			196,104			186,117
Total loans	$	4,568,886		$	4,329,266		$	4,267,067

As a percentage of total loans:
Owner occupied commercial real estate		25	%		26	%		27	%
Income producing commercial real estate		13			14			14
Commercial & industrial		14			11			11
Commercial construction		4			3			3
Total commercial		56			54			55
Residential mortgage		19			20			21
Home equity lines of credit		10			10			10
Residential construction		7			8			7
Consumer installment		3			3			3
Indirect auto		5			5			4
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

By Geographic Location
North Georgia	$	1,168,307		$	1,240,234		$	1,261,751
Atlanta MSA		1,289,267			1,275,139			1,246,433
North Carolina		553,028			571,971			574,667
Coastal Georgia		443,803			423,045			421,488
Gainesville MSA		253,878			254,655			253,004
East Tennessee		280,534			279,587			277,059
South Carolina / Corporate		337,400			88,531			46,548
Indirect auto		242,669			196,104			186,117
Total loans	$	4,568,886		$	4,329,266		$	4,267,067

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 75% of the loans are secured by real estate. At September 30, 2014, total loans, excluding loans that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, were $4.57 billion, an increase of $302 million, or 7%, from September 30, 2013. Despite the weak economy and lagging loan demand, United has continued to pursue lending opportunities. Commercial and industrial loans are up due to United’s focus on growing business loans. Much of the growth has come through United’s corporate lending initiatives in Greenville, South Carolina including United’s focus on SBA / USDA, commercial real estate, corporate, asset-based and health care industry lending. Home equity loans increased due primarily to a successful home equity line promotion. Indirect auto loans have increased due to additional purchases of loan pools for this portfolio.

Asset Quality and Risk Elements

United manages asset quality and controls credit risk through review and oversight of the loan portfolio as well as adherence to policies designed to promote sound underwriting and loan monitoring practices. United’s credit administration function is responsible for monitoring asset quality 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, 2013.

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 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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the funded portion of home equity lines totaled $459 million, $441 million, and $421 million, respectively.

Approximately 3% of the home equity loans at September 30, 2014 were amortizing. Of the $459 million in balances outstanding at September 30, 2014, $287 million, or 62%, were first liens. At September 30, 2014, 59% 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,
	2014		2014		2014		2013		2013
By Category
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	49,857	$	48,222	$	47,526	$	43,083	$	39,946
Income producing commercial real estate		22,215		24,633		36,799		34,642		35,596
Commercial & industrial		7,498		5,647		8,141		9,589		10,342
Commercial construction		3,847		4,406		5,281		16,758		16,911
Total commercial		83,417		82,908		97,747		104,072		102,795
Residential mortgage		42,981		41,856		43,572		44,022		45,493
Home equity		8,073		7,562		7,662		7,967		7,679
Residential construction		11,755		12,872		12,977		14,104		15,552
Consumer installment		2,062		1,776		2,310		2,538		2,147
Indirect auto		684		562		597		—		—
Total	$	148,972	$	147,536	$	164,865	$	172,703	$	173,666
By Market
North Georgia	$	66,780	$	66,709	$	69,584	$	69,510	$	74,456
Atlanta MSA		34,699		32,975		32,008		43,171		44,650
North Carolina		18,465		19,619		21,735		18,954		20,768
Coastal Georgia		17,368		17,427		18,354		18,561		10,729
Gainesville MSA		2,016		2,832		14,911		14,916		14,820
East Tennessee		7,643		7,412		7,676		7,591		8,243
South Carolina / Corporate		1,317		—		—		—		—
Indirect auto		684		562		597		—		—
Total loans	$	148,972	$	147,536	$	164,865	$	172,703	$	173,666

At September 30, 2014, performing substandard loans totaled $149 million and increased $1.44 million from the prior quarter-end, and decreased $24.7 million from a year ago. Performing substandard loans have 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 periodically but not less than 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 third party loan review specialists to provide an objective and independent review of the loan portfolio.

The following table presents a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Table 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses
(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	73,248		$	81,845		$	76,762		$	107,137
Charge-offs:
Owner occupied commercial real estate		832			1,712			2,116			23,444
Income producing commercial real estate		598			216			1,435			10,678
Commercial & industrial		30			826			2,005			18,581
Commercial construction		104			134			236			6,484
Residential mortgage		1,357			918			5,738			8,272
Home equity lines of credit		405			388			2,032			2,108
Residential construction		753			1,096			3,004			22,608
Consumer installment		449			345			1,580			1,521
Indirect auto		178			74			344			170
Total loans charged-off		4,706			5,709			18,490			93,866
Recoveries:
Owner occupied commercial real estate		86			71			2,929			1,296
Income producing commercial real estate		494			—			691			260
Commercial & industrial		372			690			1,263			1,368
Commercial construction		1			1			1			60
Residential mortgage		240			229			597			479
Home equity lines of credit		50			2			218			170
Residential construction		41			24			410			57
Consumer installment		256			210			974			891
Indirect auto		11			9			38			20
Total recoveries		1,551			1,236			7,121			4,601
Net charge-offs		3,155			4,473			11,369			89,265
Provision for loan losses		1,835			3,000			6,535			62,500
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	71,928		$	80,372		$	71,928		$	80,372
Allowance for unfunded commitments at beginning of period	$	2,165		$	—		$	2,165		$	—
Provision for losses on unfunded commitments		165			—			165			—
Allowance for unfunded commitments at end of period		2,330			—			2,330			—
Allowance for credit losses	$	74,258		$	80,372		$	74,258		$	80,372
Total loans: *
At period-end	$	4,568,886		$	4,267,067		$	4,568,886		$	4,267,067
Average		4,445,947			4,225,014			4,380,327			4,206,279
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans		1.57	%		1.88	%		1.57	%		1.88	%
As a percentage of average loans (annualized):
Net charge-offs		.28			.42			.35			2.84
Provision for loan losses		.16			.28			.20			1.99
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans		384			308			384			308
* Excludes loans covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC

The provision for credit losses charged to earnings was based upon management’s judgment of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level appropriate to reflect the probable incurred losses 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, 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.

The allowance for credit losses, which includes a portion related to unfunded commitments, totaled $74.3 million at September 30, 2014, compared with $78.9 million at December 31, 2013, and $80.4 million at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2014, the allowance for loan losses was $71.9 million, or 1.57% of loans, compared with $76.8 million, or 1.77% of total loans, at December 31, 2013 and $80.4 million, or 1.88% of loans, at September 30, 2013.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2014 reflects the probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. This assessment involves uncertainty and judgment; therefore, the adequacy of the allowance for credit 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 credit losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions. See the “Critical Accounting Policies” section 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,
	2014			2013			2013
Nonperforming loans	$	18,745		$	26,819		$	26,088
Foreclosed properties (OREO)		3,146			4,221			4,467
Total nonperforming assets	$	21,891		$	31,040		$	30,555
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans		.41	%		.62	%		.61	%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO		.48			.72			.72
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets		.29			.42			.42

At September 30, 2014, nonperforming loans were $18.7 million compared to $26.8 million at December 31, 2013 and $26.1 million at September 30, 2013. Nonperforming loans have steadily decreased in dollar amount and as a percentage of total loans. In addition, the second quarter of 2013 classified asset sales further reduced nonperforming assets. Nonperforming assets, which include nonperforming loans and foreclosed real estate, totaled $21.9 million at September 30, 2014 compared with $31.0 million at December 31, 2013 and $30.6 million at September 30, 2013. United sold $2.35 million of foreclosed properties and added $2.16 million in new foreclosures during the third quarter of 2014.

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
(in thousands)

	September 30, 2014									December 31, 2013									September 30, 2013
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs
BY CATEGORY
Owner occupied commercial real estate	$	2,156		$	1,024		$	3,180		$	5,822		$	832		$	6,654		$	6,358		$	591		$	6,949
Income producing commercial real estate		1,742			42			1,784			2,518			—			2,518			1,657			139			1,796
Commercial & industrial		1,593			—			1,593			427			—			427			609			—			609
Commercial construction		148			—			148			361			—			361			343			376			719
Total commercial		5,639			1,066			6,705			9,128			832			9,960			8,967			1,106			10,073
Residential mortgage		8,350			1,769			10,119			11,730			2,684			14,414			11,335			1,679			13,014
Home equity		720			90			810			1,448			389			1,837			1,169			475			1,644
Residential construction		3,543			221			3,764			4,264			316			4,580			4,097			1,207			5,304
Consumer installment		139			—			139			249			—			249			520			—			520
Indirect auto		354			—			354			—			—			—			—			—			—
Total NPAs	$	18,745		$	3,146		$	21,891		$	26,819		$	4,221		$	31,040		$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555
Balance as a % of
Unpaid Principal		68.6	%		54.5	%		66.1	%		65.3	%		44.5	%		61.4	%		61.6	%		41.5	%		57.6	%
BY MARKET
North Georgia	$	7,392		$	1,717		$	9,109		$	12,352		$	2,494		$	14,846		$	13,652		$	1,726		$	15,378
Atlanta MSA		1,724			364			2,088			2,830			684			3,514			3,096			1,026			4,122
North Carolina		4,919			398			5,317			6,567			683			7,250			5,680			762			6,442
Coastal Georgia		781			160			941			2,342			173			2,515			995			928			1,923
Gainesville MSA		1,403			85			1,488			928			-			928			1,036			—			1,036
East Tennessee		1,227			245			1,472			1,800			187			1,987			1,629			25			1,654
South Carolina		945			177			1,122			—			—			—			—			—			—
Indirect auto		354			—			354			—			—			—			—			—			—
Total NPAs	$	18,745		$	3,146		$	21,891		$	26,819		$	4,221		$	31,040		$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555

Nonperforming assets have decreased in nearly every category and market from a year ago and the beginning of the year. The decreases reflect improving credit conditions.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2013, United had $88.6 million, $87.0 million and $87.3 million, respectively, in loans with terms that have been modified in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Included therein were $6.4 million, $8.25 million and $7.48 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 $82.2 million, $78.7 million and $79.8 million, respectively, were performing according to their modified terms and are therefore not considered to be nonperforming assets.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, there were $109 million, $115 million and $105 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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 was $26.9 million, $38.9 million and $32.8 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, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 of $82.1 million, $75.7 million and $72.5 million, respectively, had specific reserves that totaled $10.3 million, $6.02 million and $5.35 million, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 was $110 million and $106 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was $109 million and $134 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, United recognized $1.27 million and $3.77 million, respectively, in interest revenue on impaired loans compared to $2.48 million and $5.50 million, respectively, 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 increased 4% from September 30, 2013 to September 30, 2014, due primarily to the higher level of TDRs.

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
(in thousands)

	Third Quarter 2014										Third Quarter 2013
	Nonaccrual			Foreclosed				Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans			Properties				NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs
Beginning Balance	$	20,724			$	2,969		$	23,693		$	27,864		$	3,936		$	31,800
Loans placed on non-accrual		7,665				—			7,665			9,959			—			9,959
Payments received		(3,129	)			—			(3,129	)		(3,601	)		—			(3,601	)
Loan charge-offs		(4,353	)			—			(4,353	)		(5,395	)		—			(5,395	)
Foreclosures		(2,162	)			2,162			—			(2,739	)		2,739			—
Capitalized costs		—				209			209			—			7			7
Property sales		—				(2,350	)		(2,350	)		—			(2,534	)		(2,534	)
Write downs		—				(108	)		(108	)		—			(329	)		(329	)
Net gains on sales		—				264			264			—			648			648
Ending Balance	$	18,745			$	3,146		$	21,891		$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555

	First Nine Months 2014										First Nine Months 2013
	Nonaccrual				Foreclosed			Total			Nonaccrual			Foreclosed			Total
	Loans				Properties			NPAs			Loans			Properties			NPAs
Beginning Balance	$	26,819			$	4,221		$	31,040		$	109,894		$	18,264		$	128,158
Loans placed on non-accrual		26,497				—			26,497			32,824			—			32,824
Payments received		(8,822	)			—			(8,822	)		(58,347	)		—			(58,347	)
Loan charge-offs		(17,533	)			—			(17,533	)		(39,823	)		—			(39,823	)
Foreclosures		(8,216	)			8,216			—			(18,460	)		18,460			—
Capitalized costs		—				209			209			—			116			116
Note / property sales		—				(10,018	)		(10,018	)		—			(27,232	)		(27,232	)
Write downs		—				(690	)		(690	)		—			(2,739	)		(2,739	)
Net gains (losses) on sales		—				1,208			1,208			—			(2,402	)		(2,402	)
Ending Balance	$	18,745			$	3,146		$	21,891		$	26,088		$	4,467		$	30,555

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 2014, United transferred $2.16 million of loans into foreclosed property through foreclosures. During the same period, proceeds from sales of foreclosed property were $2.35 million, which includes $483,000 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 and borrowings, including repurchase agreements. Total investment securities at September 30, 2014 increased $53.0 million from a year ago.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, United had securities held-to-maturity with a carrying amount of $432 million, $480 million, and $206 million, respectively, and securities available-for-sale totaling $1.80 billion, $1.83 billion, and $1.96 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2013, 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 securities, 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 usually 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.

Management evaluates its securities portfolio each quarter to determine if any security is considered to be other than temporarily impaired. In making this evaluation, management considers its ability and intent to hold securities to recover current market losses. Losses on United’s fixed income securities at September 30, 2014 primarily reflect the effect of changes in interest rates. United did not recognize any other than temporary impairment losses on its investment securities during the third quarter or first nine months of 2014 or 2013.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, 31%, 41% and 39%, respectively, 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.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles

Goodwill represents the premium paid for acquired companies above the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including separately identifiable intangible assets.

United’s 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 goodwill or 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’s high level of service, as evidenced by its strong customer satisfaction scores, has been instrumental in attracting and retaining deposits.

Total customer deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of September 30, 2014 were $5.84 billion, an increase of $142 million from September 30, 2013. Total core deposits (demand, NOW, money market and savings deposits, excluding public funds deposits) of $3.71 billion increased $299 million, or 9%, from a year ago, due to the success of core deposit programs and general industry trends.

Total time deposits, excluding brokered deposits, as of September 30, 2014 were $1.31 billion, down $243 million from September 30, 2013. Time deposits less than $100,000 totaled $774 million, a decrease of $150 million, or 16%, from a year ago. Time deposits of $100,000 and greater totaled $531 million as of September 30, 2014, a decrease of $92.6 million, or 15%, from September 30, 2013. 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 $405million as of September 30, 2014, a decrease of $14.0 million from a year ago. United has actively added long-term deposits to diversify our funding base. These are typically swapped to LIBOR minus a spread, which achieves low cost funding within our interest rate risk parameters.

Wholesale Funding

The Bank is a shareholder in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). Through this affiliation, FHLB secured advances totaled $330 million, $120 million and $125,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013. 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, 2013.

At September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, United had $6.00 million, $53.2 million and $53.8 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, 2013.

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 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 400 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, 2014 and 2013 made use of the down scenarios problematic. The following table presents United’s interest sensitivity position at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Table 13 - Interest Sensitivity
	Increase (Decrease) in Net Interest Revenue from Base Scenario at
	September 30,
	2014						2013
Change in Rates	Shock			Ramp			Shock			Ramp
200 basis point increase		2.0	%		2.1	%		5.9	%		6.1	%
25 basis point decrease		(2.1	)		(2.1	)		(3.4	)		(3.4	)

Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the re-pricing characteristics of the portfolio of assets and liabilities. These re-pricing 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, re-pricing or maturity during the life of the instruments. Interest rate sensitivity management focuses on the maturity structure of assets and liabilities and their re-pricing 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 re-pricing 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 re-pricing for both the asset and the liability remains the same, due to the two instruments re-pricing 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 re-pricing 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 the case may be) and receives a fixed rate (or variable rate, as the case may be).

United’s derivative financial instruments that are designated as accounting hedges 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 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. United has other derivative financial instruments that are not designated as accounting hedges but are used for interest rate risk management purposes and as an effective economic hedge. Derivative financial instruments that are not accounted for as an accounting hedge are marked to market through earnings.

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 outstanding derivative positions at September 30, 2014.


Table 14 - Derivative Financial Instruments
(in thousands)

	Number of				Fair Value (6)
Type of Instrument	Contracts	Notional		Purpose	Asset		Liability

Fair value hedges of fixed rate brokered deposit (accounting hedge)
Receive fixed cancellable swaps (1)	16	$	199,000	Low cost funding	$	—	$	10,201
De-designated former cash flow hedges
Pay fixed swaps (2)	4		300,000	De-designated cash flow hedge		—		3,550
Offsetting positions to de-designated former cash flow hedges
Receive fixed swaps (2)	4		300,000	Offset to de-designated cash flow hedge		3,550		—
Cash flow hedges of LIBOR indexed money market deposits (accounting hedge)
Pay fixed swaps (3)	2		275,000	Protection from rising interest rates		1,349
Customer swap positions
Receive fixed swaps (4)	68		177,890	Provide customer with fixed rate loan		2,067		475
Dealer offset to customer swap positions
Pay fixed swaps (4)	68		177,890	Protection from rising interest rates		475		2,087
Bifurcated derivatives embedded in hybrid host instruments
Pay steepener rate cancellable swap (5)	3		96,425	Low cost funding		14,780		—
Interest rate swaps not designated as accounting hedges
Receive steepener rate cancellable swap (5)	3		96,425	Low cost funding		—		19,858
		$	1,622,630		$	22,221	$	36,171

(1) United uses these swaps as part of a program to provide a low cost non-collateralized source of funds. The swaps hedge fixed rate brokered deposits with step up rates that increase over time that are mirrored in the receive rate of the swaps. The variable pay rates on these swaps are based on three-month LIBOR at spreads of minus 20 to minus 65 basis points. The counterparties have the right to call the instruments at any time generally after six months to one year following inception. United has a similar option in the hedged brokered deposit.

(2) These swaps are forward starting and became effective in the first and second quarters of 2014. They were originally entered into to convert three month LIBOR-based floating rate borrowings and one month LIBOR-based money market deposits to fixed rates for a three-year term in order to provide protection from rising short-term interest rates. In the second quarter of 2014, United determined that the interest rate protection was no longer needed and de-designated these swaps as hedges and entered into mirror image offsetting positions to effectively terminate the hedging relationship.

(3) These swaps are forward starting and become effective in the third quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2015. They convert one month LIBOR-based money market deposits to fixed rates for terms of three to eight years. They are used for protection against rising interest rates.

(4) United offers interest rate swaps to customers seeking fixed rate loans under a back to back swap program. United enters into offsetting swap positions with qualified dealers simultaneously with the customer swap. Customer swaps and the offsetting dealer swap positions are marked to market through other fee revenue.

(5) United offers market linked certificates of deposit through broker dealers. The rate paid on these hybrid instruments is based on a formula derived from the spread betweeen the long and short ends of the constant maturity swap ("CMS") rate curve. This type of instrument is referred to as a steepener since it derives its value from the slope of the CMS curve. United has determined that these hybrid instruments contain an embedded swap contract which has been bifurcated from the host contract. United enters into a swap with a swap dealer simultaneously where the receive rate on the swap mirrors the pay rate on the brokered deposit. The bifurcated derivative and the stand alone swap are both marked to market through other fee revenue. Although these instruments are not treated as an accounting hedge, the swap acts as an effective economic hedge of the steepener index in the brokered deposit.

(6) Market values presented here do not include accrued interest.

From time to time, United will terminate derivative 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. In addition, United’s forward starting active cash flow hedges of floating rate liabilities have begun or will begin interest settlements over the next twelve months. United expects that $3.77 million will be reclassified as an increase to deposit interest expense over the next twelve months related to these cash flow hedges.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, United reclassified hedge ineffectiveness gains and losses from other fee revenue to net interest revenue. This reclassification has been reflected in all prior period results.

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 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. To assist in determining the adequacy of its liquidity, United performs a variety of liquidity stress tests including idiosyncratic, systematic and combined scenarios for both moderate and severe events. 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. United maintains an unencumbered liquid asset reserve to ensure its ability to meet its obligations. The size of the reserve is determined through severe liquidity stress testing and covers a 30 day period.

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. In recent years, when the bank was unable to pay dividends to United, liquidity was obtained from external sources (debt and equity issuances) to meet its needs.

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 appropriate 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 $20.0 million at September 30, 2014, 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, 2014, United had cash and cash equivalent balances of $216 million and had sufficient qualifying collateral to increase FHLB advances by $516 million and Federal Reserve discount window capacity of $607 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 by competing more aggressively on pricing.

As disclosed in United’s consolidated statement of cash flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $63.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The net income of $49.4 million for the nine month period included the deferred income tax expense of $28.1 million, and non-cash expenses for the following: provision for credit losses of $6.70 million, depreciation, amortization and accretion of $15.1 million and stock-based compensation expense of $3.32 million. These sources of cash from operating activities were offset by the following uses of cash: increase in other assets of $12.3 million, increase in mortgage loans held for sale of $9.69 million and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $16.8 million. Net cash used in investing activities of $161.4 million consisted primarily of a $220 million net increase in loans, purchases of investment securities totaling $552 million, and $31.2 million paid for the acquisition of Business Carolina Inc. These uses of cash were partially offset by $47.6 million in proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities held-to-maturity, $404 million in proceeds from the sale of investment securities available-for-sale and $176 million in proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities available-for-sale. Net cash provided by financing activities of $85.5 million consisted primarily of a net increase in deposits of $39.2 million, a net $210 million increase in FHLB advances and $12.2 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock. These sources of cash were partially offset by $122 million in payments to redeem preferred stock, $1.80 million in dividends to common shareholders and a $51.7 million decrease in short-term borrowings. In the opinion of management, United’s liquidity position at September 30, 2014, was sufficient to meet its expected cash flow requirements.

Capital Resources and Dividends

Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2014 was $736 million, a decrease of $59.3 million from December 31, 2013 due to United’s redemption of all of its previously-outstanding preferred stock. 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 decreased $61.4 million from December 31, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014, United no longer had any preferred stock outstanding. On December 27, 2013, United redeemed $75 million of its $180 million in outstanding Series B Preferred Stock at par. The remaining $105 million of United’s Series B Preferred Stock was redeemed at par on January 10, 2014. United funded both redemptions by utilizing cash on hand, cash dividends from the Bank and short-term debt. On March 3, 2014, United redeemed all of its outstanding $16.6 million in Series D Preferred Stock at par.

In 2010, United granted a warrant to 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 (the "Warrant"). In November 2014, United completed a settlement whereby United repurchased the Warrant in November 2014 and retired any obligation to issue shares under the Warrant.

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 based on the obligor, or the guarantor, if relevant, 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 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. The Federal Reserve uses the leverage and risk-based capital ratios to assess capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies.

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.

The following table shows United’s capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.


Table 15 - Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)
	Regulatory						United Community Banks, Inc.
	Guidelines						(Consolidated)									United Community Bank
				Well			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	Minimum			Capitalized			2014			2013			2013			2014			2013			2013
Risk-based ratios:
Tier I capital		4.0	%		6.0	%		12.07	%		12.74	%		14.29	%		12.58	%		13.55	%		14.48	%
Total capital		8.0			10.0			13.32			13.99			15.54			13.83			14.81			15.74
Leverage ratio		3.0			5.0			8.72			9.08			10.03			9.08			9.61			10.17
Tier I capital							$	627,523		$	649,162		$	695,802		$	652,748		$	686,687		$	704,591
Total capital								692,641			713,063			756,925			717,730			750,216			765,646
Risk-weighted assets								5,200,260			5,097,091			4,870,582			5,189,322			5,066,948			4,865,066
Average total assets								7,193,763			7,150,360			6,936,300			7,185,923			7,142,050			6,925,099

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 2014 and 2013.


Table 16 - Stock Price Information
	2014								2013
							Avg Daily								Avg Daily
	High		Low		Close		Volume		High		Low		Close		Volume
First quarter	$	20.28	$	15.74	$	19.41		494,205	$	11.57	$	9.59	$	11.34		195,803
Second quarter		19.87		14.86		16.37		308,486		12.94		10.15		12.42		184,922
Third quarter		18.42		15.42		16.46		331,109		16.04		12.15		14.99		341,270
Fourth quarter										18.56		14.82		17.75		421,948

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, 2014 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The interest rate sensitivity position at September 30, 2014 is included in management’s discussion and analysis on page 62 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, 2014. 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, 2013.

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 Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

	Date: November 10, 2014

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 10, 2014

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 10, 2014

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, 2014 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 10, 2014