Filed by United Community Banks, Inc.

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Subject Company: Progress Financial Corp.

Commission File No.: 001-35095

Date: July 19, 2022

 

 

For Immediate Release

  

For more information:

 

Jefferson Harralson

Chief Financial Officer

(864) 240-6208

Jefferson_Harralson@ucbi.com

 

United Community Banks, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

Strong Core Profitability Driven by Net Interest Margin Expansion and Loan Growth of 6.3%

 

GREENVILLE, SC – July 19, 2022 - United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) (United) today announced net income for the second quarter of $66.8 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income of $91.6 million. Diluted earnings per share of $0.61 for the quarter represented an increase of $0.18 or 42% from the first quarter of 2022 and a decrease of $0.17 or 22%, from the second quarter of 2021. The year-over-year decrease is largely attributable to a $13.6 million provision release in the second quarter of 2021 compared to a $5.6 million provision expense in the second quarter of 2022. Quarter highlights include 6.3% annualized loan growth, 22 basis points of net interest margin expansion, a modest reserve build to 1.05% of loans and an improvement in the efficiency ratio to 56.6%, or 53.2% on an operating basis, which excludes the effect of merger-related and other charges.

 

United’s second quarter return on assets (ROA) was 1.08% and return on common equity was 9.31%. On an operating basis, United’s ROA was 1.17% and its return on tangible common equity was 14.20%. Excluding merger-related and other charges United’s pre-tax, pre-provision ROA was 1.60% for the quarter.

 

Total loans increased by $225 million during the quarter. Excluding the effect of PPP, core organic loan growth was 7.0% annualized. Deposits decreased by $183 million or 0.9%. United’s cost of deposits was up only 2 basis points to 0.08% while the average yield on interest-earning assets was up 24 basis points to 3.34%.

 

Chairman and CEO Lynn Harton stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong core performance. We had solid organic loan growth, which was within our expected long-term range for growth. Asset quality remained exceptional.” Harton continued, “From a strategic perspective, we are excited about our merger agreement with Progress Financial Corporation. We are confident that Progress and United will be a great cultural fit. David Nast and his team have built an outstanding organization focused on dynamic growth markets in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.”

 

He further stated, “Sadly, we also are grieving the passing of DeVan Ard. DeVan founded Reliant Bank in 2006, and due to his capable leadership and his team of talented bankers, Reliant received many accolades and was recognized as one of the top places to work and a top performing community bank. Those accomplishments, along with much more, are a tribute to an exceptional career and a life well lived. DeVan was an incredible partner and we were fortunate to have him as part of the United team. He put his all into making our partnership successful and we could not be more appreciative. We will miss him greatly. John Wilson, Reliant’s President, will now step into the role as our Tennessee State President. John has been instrumental during our integration process and will be an outstanding leader going forward.”

 

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Harton concluded, “We remain very positive about United’s performance during the second half of 2022. We continue to see strong pipelines for business growth across our markets. We also have a high-quality balance sheet and business mix that we believe will support strong performance regardless of future economic conditions.”

 

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:

 

·Net income of $66.8 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income of $91.6 million

 

·EPS decreased by 22% compared to last year on a GAAP basis and 16% on an operating basis; compared to first quarter 2022, EPS increased 42% on a GAAP basis and 32% on an operating basis

 

·Return on assets of 1.08%, or 1.17% on an operating basis

 

·Pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets of 1.49%, or 1.60% when excluding merger-related and other charges

 

·Return on common equity of 9.31%

 

·Return on tangible common equity of 14.20% on an operating basis

 

·A provision for credit losses of $5.6 million, which increased the allowance for credit losses to 1.05% of loans from 1.02% in the first quarter

 

·Net recoveries of $1.1 million, or 0.03 basis points of average loans

 

·Loan production of $1.5 billion, resulting in annualized core loan growth, excluding the impact of PPP, of 7.0%, for the quarter

 

·Core transaction deposits were down $156.2 million or 0.9% for the quarter

 

·Net interest income increased by $15.1 million, or 9.2%, on a linked quarter basis as solid loan growth and a positive mix change combined with a wider net interest margin

 

·Net interest margin of 3.19% was up 22 basis points from the first quarter, mainly due to increasing interest rates

 

·Mortgage closings of $498.5 million and mortgage rate locks of $597.3 million, compared to $679.9 million and $701.7 million, respectively, for the same quarter a year ago

 

·Noninterest income was down $5.5 million on a linked quarter basis, primarily driven by a $4.3 million less of a positive MSR valuation in the second quarter as compared to the first; specifically, there was a $2.1 million increase in the MSR valuation in the second quarter compared with a $6.4 million increase in the first quarter

 

·Noninterest expenses increased by $1.5 million compared to the first quarter, as compensation merit increases were partially offset by Reliant cost savings

 

·Efficiency ratio of 56.6%, or 53.2% on an operating basis

 

·Nonperforming assets of 0.14% of total assets, a decrease of 3 basis points from March 31, 2022

 

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·Quarterly common shareholder dividend of $0.21 per share declared during the quarter, an increase of 11% year-over-year

 

Conference Call

 

United will hold a conference call on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the contents of this press release and to share business highlights for the quarter. Participants can pre-register for the conference call by navigating to https://dpregister.com/sreg/10168643/f383a3dcd2. Those without internet access or who are unable to pre-register may dial in by calling 1-866-777-2509. Participants are encouraged to dial in 15 minutes prior to the call start time. The conference call also will be webcast and available for replay by selecting “Events and Presentations” under ”News and Events” within the Investor Relations section of United’s website at www.ucbi.com.

 

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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

Selected Financial Information

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

   2022   2021  

Second
Quarter

2022 -

   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   YTD 2022 - 
  

Second

Quarter

   First
Quarter
  

Fourth

Quarter

   Third
Quarter
  

Second

Quarter

   2021
Change
   2022   2021   2021
Change
 
INCOME SUMMARY                                             
Interest revenue  $187,378   $171,059   $143,768   $147,675   $145,809        $358,437   $287,351      
Interest expense   8,475    7,267    6,213    6,636    7,433         15,742    16,911      
Net interest revenue   178,903    163,792    137,555    141,039    138,376    29%   342,695    270,440    27%
Provision for (release of) credit losses   5,604    23,086    (647)   (11,034)   (13,588)        28,690    (25,869)     
Noninterest income   33,458    38,973    37,177    40,095    35,841    (7)   72,431    80,546    (10)
Total revenue   206,757    179,679    175,379    192,168    187,805    10    386,436    376,855    3 
Noninterest expenses   120,790    119,275    109,156    96,749    95,540    26    240,065    190,734    26 
Income before income tax expense   85,967    60,404    66,223    95,419    92,265    (7)   146,371    186,121    (21)
Income tax expense   19,125    12,385    14,204    21,603    22,005    (13)   31,510    42,155    (25)
Net income   66,842    48,019    52,019    73,816    70,260    (5)   114,861    143,966    (20)
Merger-related and other charges   7,143    9,016    9,912    1,437    1,078         16,159    2,621      
Income tax benefit of merger-related and other charges   (1,575)   (1,963)   (2,265)   (328)   (246)        (3,538)   (581)     
Net income - operating (1)  $72,410   $55,072   $59,666   $74,925   $71,092    2   $127,482   $146,006    (13)
Pre-tax pre-provision income (5)  $91,571   $83,490   $65,576   $84,385   $78,677    16   $175,061   $160,252    9 
PERFORMANCE MEASURES                                             
Per common share:                                             
Diluted net income - GAAP  $0.61   $0.43   $0.55   $0.82   $0.78    (22)  $1.04   $1.60    (35)
Diluted net income - operating (1)   0.66    0.50    0.64    0.83    0.79    (16)   1.16    1.62    (28)
Cash dividends declared   0.21    0.21    0.20    0.20    0.19    11    0.42    0.38    11 
Book value   23.96    24.38    23.63    23.25    22.81    5    23.96    22.81    5 
Tangible book value (3)   16.68    17.08    18.42    18.68    18.49    (10)   16.68    18.49    (10)
Key performance ratios:                                             
Return on common equity - GAAP (2)(4)   9.31%   6.80%   9.32%   14.26%   14.08%        8.07%   14.71%     
Return on common equity - operating (1)(2)(4)   10.10    7.83    10.74    14.48    14.25         8.98    14.92      
Return on tangible common equity - operating (1)(2)(3)(4)   14.20    11.00    13.93    18.23    17.81         12.62    18.72      
Return on assets - GAAP (4)   1.08    0.78    0.96    1.48    1.46         0.93    1.54      
Return on assets - operating (1)(4)   1.17    0.89    1.10    1.50    1.48         1.03    1.56      
Return on assets - pre-tax pre-provision (4)(5)   1.49    1.37    1.21    1.70    1.64         1.43    1.72      
Return on assets - pre-tax pre-provision, excluding  merger- related and other charges (1)(4)(5)   1.60    1.52    1.40    1.73    1.67         1.56    1.75      
Net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent) (4)   3.19    2.97    2.81    3.12    3.19         3.08    3.20      
Efficiency ratio - GAAP   56.58    57.43    62.12    53.11    54.53         57.00    54.04      
Efficiency ratio - operating (1)   53.23    53.09    56.48    52.33    53.92         53.16    53.30      
Equity to total assets   10.95    11.06    10.61    10.89    11.04         10.95    11.04      
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (3)   7.59    7.72    8.09    8.53    8.71         7.59    8.71      
ASSET QUALITY                                             
Nonperforming assets ("NPAs")  $34,428   $40,816   $32,855   $45,335   $46,347    (26)  $34,428   $46,347    (26)
Allowance for credit losses - loans   136,925    132,805    102,532    99,620    111,616    23    136,925    111,616    23 
Allowance for credit losses - total   153,042    146,369    113,524    110,875    122,460         153,042    122,460      
Net charge-offs (recoveries)   (1,069)   2,978    248    551    (456)        1,909    (761)     
Allowance for credit losses - loans to loans   0.94%   0.93%   0.87%   0.89%   0.98%        0.94%   0.98%     
Allowance for credit losses - total to loans   1.05    1.02    0.97    0.99    1.08         1.05    1.08      
Net charge-offs to average loans (4)   (0.03)   0.08    0.01    0.02    (0.02)        0.03    (0.01)     
NPAs to total assets   0.14    0.17    0.16    0.23    0.25         0.14    0.25      
AT PERIOD END ($ in millions)                                             
Loans  $14,541   $14,316   $11,760   $11,191   $11,391    28   $14,541   $11,391    28 
Investment securities   6,683    6,410    5,653    5,335    4,928    36    6,683    4,928    36 
Total assets   24,213    24,374    20,947    19,481    18,896    28    24,213    18,896    28 
Deposits   20,873    21,056    18,241    16,865    16,328    28    20,873    16,328    28 
Shareholders’ equity   2,651    2,695    2,222    2,122    2,086    27    2,651    2,086    27 
Common shares outstanding (thousands)   106,034    106,025    89,350    86,559    86,665    22    106,034    86,665    22 

 

(1) Excludes merger-related and other charges. (2) Net income less preferred stock dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization. (4) Annualized. (5) Excludes income tax expense and provision for credit losses.

 

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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.                            
Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information                            
(in thousands, except per share data)                            
                             
   2022   2021   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
  

Second

Quarter

   First
Quarter
  

Fourth

Quarter

   Third
Quarter
  

Second

Quarter

   2022   2021 
Noninterest expense reconciliation                                   
Noninterest expenses (GAAP)  $120,790   $119,275   $109,156   $96,749   $95,540   $240,065   $190,734 
Merger-related and other charges   (7,143)   (9,016)   (9,912)   (1,437)   (1,078)   (16,159)   (2,621)
Noninterest expenses - operating  $113,647   $110,259   $99,244   $95,312   $94,462   $223,906   $188,113 
                                    
Net income reconciliation                                   
Net income (GAAP)  $66,842   $48,019   $52,019   $73,816   $70,260   $114,861   $143,966 
Merger-related and other charges   7,143    9,016    9,912    1,437    1,078    16,159    2,621 
Income tax benefit of merger-related and other charges   (1,575)   (1,963)   (2,265)   (328)   (246)   (3,538)   (581)
Net income - operating  $72,410   $55,072   $59,666   $74,925   $71,092   $127,482   $146,006 
                                    
Net income to pre-tax pre-provision income reconciliation                                   
Net income (GAAP)  $66,842   $48,019   $52,019   $73,816   $70,260   $114,861   $143,966 
Income tax expense   19,125    12,385    14,204    21,603    22,005    31,510    42,155 
Provision for (release of) credit losses   5,604    23,086    (647)   (11,034)   (13,588)   28,690    (25,869)
Pre-tax pre-provision income  $91,571   $83,490   $65,576   $84,385   $78,677   $175,061   $160,252 
                                    
Diluted income per common share reconciliation                                   
Diluted income per common share (GAAP)  $0.61   $0.43   $0.55   $0.82   $0.78   $1.04   $1.60 
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax   0.05    0.07    0.09    0.01    0.01    0.12    0.02 
Diluted income per common share - operating  $0.66   $0.50   $0.64   $0.83   $0.79   $1.16   $1.62 
                                    
Book value per common share reconciliation                                   
Book value per common share (GAAP)  $23.96   $24.38   $23.63   $23.25   $22.81   $23.96   $22.81 
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles   (7.28)   (7.30)   (5.21)   (4.57)   (4.32)   (7.28)   (4.32)
Tangible book value per common share  $16.68   $17.08   $18.42   $18.68   $18.49   $16.68   $18.49 
                                    
Return on tangible common equity reconciliation                                   
Return on common equity (GAAP)   9.31%   6.80%   9.32%   14.26%   14.08%   8.07%   14.71%
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax   0.79    1.03    1.42    0.22    0.17    0.91    0.21 
Return on common equity - operating   10.10    7.83    10.74    14.48    14.25    8.98    14.92 
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles   4.10    3.17    3.19    3.75    3.56    3.64    3.80 
Return on tangible common equity - operating   14.20%   11.00%   13.93%   18.23%   17.81%   12.62%   18.72%
                                    
Return on assets reconciliation                                   
Return on assets (GAAP)   1.08%   0.78%   0.96%   1.48%   1.46%   0.93%   1.54%
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax   0.09    0.11    0.14    0.02    0.02    0.10    0.02 
Return on assets - operating   1.17%   0.89%   1.10%   1.50%   1.48%   1.03%   1.56%
                                    
Return on assets to return on assets- pre-tax pre-provision reconciliation                                   
Return on assets (GAAP)   1.08%   0.78%   0.96%   1.48%   1.46%   0.93%   1.54%
Income tax expense   0.32    0.20    0.26    0.45    0.47    0.26    0.46 
(Release of) provision for credit losses   0.09    0.39    (0.01)   (0.23)   (0.29)   0.24    (0.28)
Return on assets - pre-tax, pre-provision   1.49    1.37    1.21    1.70    1.64    1.43    1.72 
Merger-related and other charges   0.11    0.15    0.19    0.03    0.03    0.13    0.03 
Return on assets - pre-tax pre-provision, excluding merger-related and other charges   1.60%   1.52%   1.40%   1.73%   1.67%   1.56%   1.75%
                                    
Efficiency ratio reconciliation                                   
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   56.58%   57.43%   62.12%   53.11%   54.53%   57.00%   54.04%
Merger-related and other charges   (3.35)   (4.34)   (5.64)   (0.78)   (0.61)   (3.84)   (0.74)
Efficiency ratio - operating   53.23%   53.09%   56.48%   52.33%   53.92%   53.16%   53.30%
                                    
Tangible common equity to tangible assets reconciliation                                   
Equity to total assets (GAAP)   10.95%   11.06%   10.61%   10.89%   11.04%   10.95%   11.04%
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles   (2.96)   (2.94)   (2.06)   (1.87)   (1.82)   (2.96)   (1.82)
Effect of preferred equity   (0.40)   (0.40)   (0.46)   (0.49)   (0.51)   (0.40)   (0.51)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   7.59%   7.72%   8.09%   8.53%   8.71%   7.59%   8.71%
                                    
Allowance for credit losses - total to loans reconciliation                                   
Allowance for credit losses - total to loans (GAAP)   1.05%   1.02%   0.97%   0.99%   1.08%   1.05%   1.08%
Effect of PPP loans               0.01    0.04        0.04 
Allowance for credit losses - total to loans, excluding PPP loans   1.05%   1.02%   0.97%   1.00%   1.12%   1.05%   1.12%

 

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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.                        
Financial Highlights                        
Loan Portfolio Composition at Period-End                        
                         
   2022   2021   Linked   Year over  
(in millions)  Second
Quarter
   First
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Quarter
Change
   Year
Change
 
LOANS BY CATEGORY                                   
Owner occupied commercial RE  $2,681   $2,638   $2,322   $2,149   $2,149   $43   $532 
Income producing commercial RE   3,273    3,328    2,601    2,542    2,550    (55)   723 
Commercial & industrial   2,243    2,302    1,822    1,729    1,762    (59)   481 
Paycheck protection program   10    34    88    150    472    (24)   (462)
Commercial construction   1,514    1,482    1,015    947    927    32    587 
Equipment financing   1,211    1,148    1,083    1,017    969    63    242 
Total commercial   10,932    10,932    8,931    8,534    8,829        2,103 
Residential mortgage   1,997    1,826    1,638    1,533    1,473    171    524 
Home equity lines of credit   801    778    694    661    661    23    140 
Residential construction   381    368    359    321    289    13    92 
Manufactured housing   287    269                18    287 
Consumer   143    143    138    142    139        4 
Total loans  $14,541   $14,316   $11,760   $11,191   $11,391   $225   $3,150 
                                    
LOANS BY MARKET                                   
Georgia  $3,960   $3,879   $3,778   $3,732   $3,729   $81   $231 
South Carolina   2,377    2,323    2,235    2,145    2,107    54    270 
North Carolina   2,006    1,879    1,895    1,427    1,374    127    632 
Tennessee   2,621    2,661    373    383    394    (40)   2,227 
Florida   1,235    1,208    1,148    1,113    1,141    27    94 
Commercial Banking Solutions   2,342    2,366    2,331    2,391    2,646    (24)   (304)
Total loans  $14,541   $14,316   $11,760   $11,191   $11,391   $225   $3,150 

 

6

 

 

 

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. 
Financial Highlights 
Credit Quality 
(in thousands)   
               
   2022   2021   
  

Second

Quarter

  

First

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

  
NONACCRUAL LOANS                 
Owner occupied RE  $1,876   $4,590   $2,714   
Income producing RE   7,074    7,220    7,588   
Commercial & industrial   4,548    6,227    5,429   
Commercial construction   208    401    343   
Equipment financing   3,249    2,540    1,741   
     Total commercial   16,955    20,978    17,815   
Residential mortgage   12,228    13,024    13,313   
Home equity lines of credit   933    1,183    1,212   
Residential construction   198    212    420   
Manufactured housing   2,804    2,507       
Consumer   25    40    52   
     Total nonaccrual loans held for investment   33,143    37,944    32,812   
Nonaccrual loans held for sale   317    2,033       
OREO and repossessed assets   968    839    43   
Total NPAs  $34,428   $40,816   $32,855   

 

   2022   2021 
   Second Quarter   First Quarter   Fourth Quarter 
(in thousands)  Net
Charge-Offs
   Net
Charge-Offs
to Average
Loans (1)
   Net
Charge-Offs
   Net
Charge-Offs
to Average
Loans (1)
   Net
Charge-Offs
   Net
Charge-Offs
to Average
Loans (1)
 
NET CHARGE-OFFS BY CATEGORY                              
Owner occupied RE  $(1,496)   (0.23)%  $(45)   (0.01)%  $(255)   (0.04)%
Income producing RE   (116)   (0.01)   (290)   (0.04)   (98)   (0.01)
Commercial & industrial   (302)   (0.05)   2,929    0.51    339    0.07 
Commercial construction   (144)   (0.04)   (373)   (0.10)   (354)   (0.14)
Equipment financing   907    0.31    267    0.10    781    0.29 
     Total commercial   (1,151)   (0.04)   2,488    0.09    413    0.02 
Residential mortgage   (51)   (0.01)   (97)   (0.02)   (169)   (0.04)
Home equity lines of credit   (346)   (0.18)   (81)   (0.04)   (118)   (0.07)
Residential construction   (76)   (0.08)   (23)   (0.03)   (17)   (0.02)
Manufactured housing   135    0.20    164    0.25         
Consumer   420    1.18    527    1.48    139    0.39 
     Total  $(1,069)   (0.03)  $2,978    0.08   $248    0.01 

 

(1)  Annualized.

 

7

 

 

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)  June 30,
2022
   December 31,
2021
 
ASSETS          
Cash and due from banks  $238,310   $144,244 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks   977,397    2,147,266 
Federal funds and other short-term investments       27,000 
Cash and cash equivalents   1,215,707    2,318,510 
Debt securities available-for-sale   3,960,285    4,496,824 
Debt securities held-to-maturity (fair value $2,431,138 and $1,148,804, respectively)   2,722,475    1,156,098 
Loans held for sale   40,678    44,109 
Loans and leases held for investment   14,541,230    11,760,346 
Less allowance for credit losses - loans and leases   (136,925)   (102,532)
Loans and leases, net   14,404,305    11,657,814 
Premises and equipment, net   286,248    245,296 
Bank owned life insurance   299,104    217,713 
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net   782,544    472,407 
Other assets   501,662    338,000 
Total assets  $24,213,008   $20,946,771 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing demand  $8,155,494   $6,956,981 
NOW and interest-bearing demand   4,543,722    4,252,209 
Money market   4,839,565    4,183,354 
Savings   1,513,656    1,215,779 
Time   1,654,704    1,442,498 
Brokered   165,942    190,358 
Total deposits   20,873,083    18,241,179 
Long-term debt   324,371    247,360 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   364,266    235,987 
Total liabilities   21,561,720    18,724,526 
Shareholders' equity:          
Preferred stock; $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
4,000 shares Series I issued and outstanding, $25,000 per share liquidation preference
   96,422    96,422 
Common stock, $1 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized,
106,033,960 and 89,349,826 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
   106,034    89,350 
Common stock issuable; 578,251 and 595,705 shares, respectively   11,448    11,288 
Capital surplus   2,304,608    1,721,007 
Retained earnings   396,970    330,654 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (264,194)   (26,476)
Total shareholders' equity   2,651,288    2,222,245 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $24,213,008   $20,946,771 

 

8

 

 

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
(in thousands, except per share data)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Interest revenue:                    
Loans, including fees  $155,266   $128,058   $302,007   $253,784 
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $2,539, $2,255, $5,194 and $4,405, respectively   30,425    17,542    54,090    32,990 
Deposits in banks and short-term investments   1,687    209    2,340    577 
Total interest revenue   187,378    145,809    358,437    287,351 
                     
Interest expense:                    
Deposits:                    
NOW and interest-bearing demand   2,163    1,382    3,632    2,868 
Money market   1,515    1,355    2,527    3,159 
Savings   87    53    159    102 
Time   537    830    1,115    2,710 
Deposits   4,302    3,620    7,433    8,839 
Short-term borrowings               2 
Long-term debt   4,173    3,813    8,309    8,070 
Total interest expense   8,475    7,433    15,742    16,911 
Net interest revenue   178,903    138,376    342,695    270,440 
Provision for (release of) credit losses   5,604    (13,588)   28,690    (25,869)
Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses   173,299    151,964    314,005    296,309 
                     
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges and fees   10,005    8,335    19,075    15,905 
Mortgage loan gains and other related fees   6,971    11,136    23,123    33,708 
Wealth management fees   5,985    3,822    11,880    7,327 
Gains from sales of other loans, net   3,800    4,123    6,998    5,153 
Lending and loan servicing fees   1,586    2,085    4,572    4,245 
Securities gains (losses), net   46    41    (3,688)   41 
Other   5,065    6,299    10,471    14,167 
Total noninterest income   33,458    35,841    72,431    80,546 
Total revenue   206,757    187,805    386,436    376,855 
                     
Noninterest expenses:                    
Salaries and employee benefits   69,233    59,414    140,239    119,999 
Communications and equipment   9,675    7,408    18,923    14,611 
Occupancy   8,865    7,078    18,243    14,034 
Advertising and public relations   2,300    1,493    3,788    2,692 
Postage, printing and supplies   1,999    1,618    4,118    3,440 
Professional fees   5,402    4,928    9,849    9,162 
Lending and loan servicing expense   3,047    3,181    5,413    6,058 
Outside services - electronic banking   2,947    2,285    5,470    4,503 
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges   2,267    1,901    4,440    3,797 
Amortization of intangibles   1,736    929    3,529    1,914 
Merger-related and other charges   7,143    1,078    16,159    2,621 
Other   6,176    4,227    9,894    7,903 
Total noninterest expenses   120,790    95,540    240,065    190,734 
Income before income taxes   85,967    92,265    146,371    186,121 
Income tax expense   19,125    22,005    31,510    42,155 
Net income   66,842    70,260    114,861    143,966 
Preferred stock dividends   1,719    1,719    3,438    3,438 
Earnings allocated to participating securities   362    432    596    894 
Net income available to common shareholders  $64,761   $68,109   $110,827   $139,634 
                     
Net income per common share:                    
Basic  $0.61   $0.78   $1.04   $1.60 
Diluted   0.61    0.78    1.04    1.60 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   106,610    87,289    106,580    87,306 
Diluted   106,716    87,421    106,697    87,443 

 

9

 

 

Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

   2022   2021 
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))  Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Rate
 
Assets:                              
Interest-earning assets:                              
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE) (1)(2)  $14,382,324   $155,184    4.33%  $11,616,802   $127,458    4.40%
Taxable securities (3)   6,436,992    27,886    1.73    4,242,297    15,287    1.44 
Tax-exempt securities (FTE) (1)(3)   490,659    3,410    2.78    388,609    3,030    3.12 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets   1,302,935    2,066    0.64    1,292,026    1,055    0.33 
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)   22,612,910    188,546    3.34    17,539,734    146,830    3.36 
                               
Noninterest-earning assets:                              
Allowance for credit losses   (135,392)             (128,073)          
Cash and due from banks   203,291              152,443           
Premises and equipment   286,417              225,017           
Other assets (3)   1,286,107              1,002,634           
Total assets  $24,253,333             $18,791,755           
                               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:                              
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Interest-bearing deposits:                              
NOW and interest-bearing demand  $4,561,162    2,163    0.19   $3,428,009    1,382    0.16 
Money market   5,019,420    1,515    0.12    3,814,960    1,355    0.14 
Savings   1,496,414    87    0.02    1,080,267    53    0.02 
Time   1,671,632    491    0.12    1,548,487    899    0.23 
Brokered time deposits   65,081    46    0.28    64,332    (69)   (0.43)
Total interest-bearing deposits   12,813,709    4,302    0.13    9,936,055    3,620    0.15 
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings   66            111         
Federal Home Loan Bank advances                        
Long-term debt   324,301    4,173    5.16    285,389    3,813    5.36 
Total borrowed funds   324,367    4,173    5.16    285,500    3,813    5.36 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   13,138,076    8,475    0.26    10,221,555    7,433    0.29 
                               
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                              
Noninterest-bearing deposits   8,025,947              6,196,045           
Other liabilities   397,890              314,130           
Total liabilities   21,561,913              16,731,730           
Shareholders' equity   2,691,420              2,060,025           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $24,253,333             $18,791,755           
                               
Net interest revenue (FTE)       $180,071             $139,397      
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)             3.08%             3.07%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)             3.19%             3.19%

 

(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 26%, 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 on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)Unrealized gains and losses on securities, including those related to the transfer from AFS to HTM, have been reclassified to other assets. Pretax unrealized losses of $271 million in 2022 and pretax unrealized gains of $28.6 million in 2021 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.

 

10

 

 

Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

   2022   2021 
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))  Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate   Average Balance   Interest   Average Rate 
Assets:                              
Interest-earning assets:                              
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE) (1)(2)  $14,308,585   $301,821    4.25%  $11,525,363   $252,580    4.42%
Taxable securities (3)   6,142,723    48,896    1.59    3,932,545    28,585    1.45 
Tax-exempt securities (FTE) (1)(3)   500,750    6,976    2.79    380,370    5,918    3.11 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets   1,604,995    3,086    0.39    1,324,776    2,277    0.34 
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)   22,557,053    360,779    3.22    17,163,054    289,360    3.40 
                               
Non-interest-earning assets:                              
Allowance for loan losses   (124,384)             (135,845)          
Cash and due from banks   184,751              146,401           
Premises and equipment   281,842              223,224           
Other assets (3)   1,329,359              1,012,896           
Total assets  $24,228,621             $18,409,730           
                               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:                              
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Interest-bearing deposits:                              
NOW and interest-bearing demand  $4,613,838    3,632    0.16   $3,379,794    2,868    0.17 
Money market   5,064,866    2,527    0.10    3,774,201    3,159    0.17 
Savings   1,466,812    159    0.02    1,035,176    102    0.02 
Time   1,715,022    1,025    0.12    1,595,196    2,487    0.31 
Brokered time deposits   72,048    90    0.25    69,765    223    0.64 
Total interest-bearing deposits   12,932,586    7,433    0.12    9,854,132    8,839    0.18 
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings   337            62         
Federal Home Loan Bank advances               1,657    2    0.24 
Long-term debt   321,663    8,309    5.21    301,193    8,070    5.40 
Total borrowed funds   322,000    8,309    5.20    302,912    8,072    5.37 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   13,254,586    15,742    0.24    10,157,044    16,911    0.34 
                               
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                              
Noninterest-bearing deposits   7,847,284              5,896,882           
Other liabilities   388,162              313,374           
Total liabilities   21,490,032              16,367,300           
Shareholders' equity   2,738,589              2,042,430           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $24,228,621             $18,409,730           
                               
Net interest revenue (FTE)       $345,037             $272,449      
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)             2.98%             3.06%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)             3.08%             3.20%

 

(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 26%, 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 on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)Unrealized gains and losses on securities, including those related to the transfer from AFS to HTM, have been reclassified to other assets. Pretax unrealized losses of $175 million in 2022 and pretax unrealized gains of $43.4 million in 2021, respectively, 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.

 

11

 

 

About United Community Banks, Inc.

 

United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQGS: UCBI) provides a full range of banking, wealth management and mortgage services for relationship-oriented consumers and business owners. As of June 30, 2022, United had $24.2 billion in assets and 195 offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, along with a national SBA lending franchise and a national equipment lending subsidiary. The company, known as “The Bank That SERVICE Built,” has been recognized nationally for delivering award-winning service. In 2022, J.D. Power ranked United highest in customer satisfaction with consumer banking in the Southeast, marking eight out of the last nine years United earned the coveted award. Forbes recognized United as one of the top ten World’s Best Banks in 2022. Forbes also included United on its 2022 list of the 100 Best Banks in America for the ninth consecutive year. United also received ten Greenwich Excellence Awards in 2021 for excellence in Small Business Banking and Middle Market Banking, including national awards for Overall Satisfaction and Likelihood to Recommend. United was also named one of the "Best Banks to Work For" by American Banker in 2021 for the fifth consecutive year based on employee satisfaction. Additional information about United can be found at www.ucbi.com.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

This press release, including the accompanying financial statement tables, contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. This financial information includes certain operating performance measures, which exclude merger-related and other charges that are not considered part of recurring operations, such as “operating net income,” “pre-tax, pre-provision income,” “operating net income per diluted common share,” “operating earnings per share,” “tangible book value per common share,” “operating return on common equity,” “operating return on tangible common equity,” “operating return on assets,” “return on assets - pre-tax, pre-provision, excluding merger-related and other charges,” “return on assets - pre-tax, pre-provision,” “operating efficiency ratio,” and “tangible common equity to tangible assets.” These non-GAAP measures are included because United believes they may provide useful supplemental information for evaluating United’s underlying performance trends. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to or substitute for, measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP measures that may be presented by other companies. To the extent applicable, reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP are included with the accompanying financial statement tables.

 

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release 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. In general, forward-looking statements usually may be identified through use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, and include statements related to potential benefits of the Progress merger, and the strength of our pipelines and their ability to support for business growth across our markets and our belief that our high-quality balance sheet and business mix will support strong performance regardless of future economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.

 

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Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Progress acquisition may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption of customer, supplier, employee or other business partner relationships as a result of the Progress acquisition, (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to a delay in closing the Progress acquisition or the termination of the merger agreement, (4) the failure to obtain the necessary approval by the shareholders of Progress, (5) the possibility that the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the acquisition of Progress may be greater than anticipated, (6) the ability of United to obtain required governmental approvals of the Progress acquisition, (7) reputational risk and the reaction of the companies’ customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the acquisition of Progress, (8) the failure of the closing conditions in the Progress merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the acquisition, (9) the risks relating to the integration of Progress’ operations into the operations of United, including the risk that such integration will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (10) the risk of potential litigation or regulatory action related to the acquisition of Progress, (11) the risks associated with United’s pursuit of future acquisitions, (12) the risk of expansion into new geographic or product markets, (13) the dilution caused by United’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the acquisition of Progress, and (14) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Further information regarding additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be found in the cautionary language included under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other documents subsequently filed by United with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Many of these factors are beyond United’s (and in the case of the prospective acquisition of Progress, Progress’) ability to control or predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, shareholders and investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this communication, and United undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for United or Progress to predict their occurrence or how they will affect United or Progress.

 

United qualifies all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

Important Information for Shareholders and Investors

 

In connection with the prospective acquisition of Progress, United has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Progress to be sent to Progress’ shareholders seeking their approval of the merger agreement and merger with United. The registration statement also contains the prospectus of United to register the shares of United common stock to be issued in connection with the Progress acquisition. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF PROGRESS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS A PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY UNITED OR PROGRESS WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THOSE OTHER DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT UNITED, PROGRESS AND THE MERGER OF PROGRESS AND UNITED.

 

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The registration statement and other documents filed with the SEC may be obtained for free at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from United at the “Investor Relations” section of United’s website at www.ucbi.com or from Progress at the “Investor Relations” section of Progress’ website at www.myprogressbank.com. Copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will also be made available, free of charge, by contacting United Community Banks, Inc., P.O. Box 398, Blairsville, GA 30514, Attn: Jefferson Harralson, Telephone: (864) 240-6208, or Progress Financial Corp., 201 Williams Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, Attn: Dabsey Maxwell, Telephone: (256) 319-3641.

 

This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This communication is also not a solicitation of any vote or approval with respect to the proposed merger of Progress with United or otherwise.

 

Participants in the Transaction

 

United and Progress, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers, under the rules of the SEC may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Progress’ shareholders in favor of the approval of the merger agreement and the merger of Progress and United. Information about the directors and officers of United and their ownership of United common stock can be found in United’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 6, 2022, and other documents subsequently filed by United with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Progress and their ownership of Progress’ capital stock, as well as information regarding the interests of other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction, may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the Merger with. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants will also be included in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the Merger. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above.

 

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