United Bankshares

Provide excellence in service by being the premier, most profitable, and trusted regional bank in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

United Bankshares SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for United Bankshares was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The United Bankshares SWOT analysis reveals a resilient institution excelling at its core M&A-driven growth strategy, underpinned by a fortress balance sheet and disciplined credit culture. However, this traditional strength is juxtaposed with critical weaknesses in digital capabilities and operational efficiency, creating vulnerabilities to more agile fintech and national bank competitors. The primary strategic imperative is to bridge this gap: leveraging its financial strength to aggressively modernize the customer experience and technology stack. Future success depends not just on buying assets, but on building a digital infrastructure that can retain and attract the next generation of customers. The opportunities in Southeast expansion and wealth management are significant but can only be fully realized by addressing these internal technology and efficiency deficits head-on. This plan must focus on transforming from a successful acquirer into an efficient, tech-forward operator.

Truist Financial PNC Financial Services M&T Bank First Citizens BancShares WesBanco

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

Provide excellence in service by being the premier, most profitable, and trusted regional bank in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

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Strengths

M&A: Proven track record of 34 successful, accretive acquisitions.
DIVIDEND: 50 consecutive years of dividend increases shows stability.
CAPITAL: Strong capital ratios (CET1 >12%) exceed regulatory minimums.
DEPOSITS: Stable, low-cost core deposit base provides funding advantage.
CREDIT: Consistently low net charge-offs due to disciplined underwriting.

Weaknesses

EFFICIENCY: Ratio often higher than peers, indicating cost pressures.
DIGITAL: Customer-facing tech lags fintechs and large national banks.
DIVERSIFICATION: Revenue is heavily reliant on net interest income.
GEOGRAPHY: Concentrated in Mid-Atlantic, exposing it to regional risk.
BRANDING: Perception as a traditional, slower bank among younger demos.

Opportunities

CONSOLIDATION: Acquire smaller banks struggling with scale or succession.
WEALTH: Expand noninterest income via wealth management service growth.
SOUTHEAST: Deepen presence in high-growth markets like NC, SC, and GA.
TECHNOLOGY: Partner with fintechs to quickly deploy modern solutions.
SMB: Target small-to-mid-size businesses left behind by mega-banks.

Threats

INTEREST RATES: Net interest margin is highly sensitive to Fed policy.
COMPETITION: Intense pressure from Truist, PNC, and digital-only banks.
REGULATION: Increased compliance costs and scrutiny as assets grow.
CYBERSECURITY: Constant threat of data breaches eroding customer trust.
RECESSION: Economic downturn could significantly increase credit losses.

Key Priorities

ACQUIRE: Execute a strategic acquisition in a high-growth SE market.
MODERNIZE: Overhaul digital banking platform to improve user experience.
DIVERSIFY: Grow fee-based income from wealth management by 15%.
OPTIMIZE: Reduce noninterest expenses to improve the efficiency ratio.

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United Bankshares OKR

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This United Bankshares OKR plan is a focused and potent blueprint for evolution. It wisely balances the company's historical strength in M&A ('DOMINATE REGIONALLY') with urgent, forward-looking needs like 'DIGITAL FIRST' and 'DIVERSIFY REVENUE'. The objectives are inspiring and the key results are specific, measurable, and directly address the critical weaknesses and opportunities identified in the SWOT analysis. This is not a maintenance plan; it is a transformation plan. By linking strategic acquisitions to digital modernization and operational efficiency, it creates a virtuous cycle where growth funds innovation and efficiency fuels further growth. This OKR framework provides the clarity and alignment needed to navigate the competitive banking landscape and build a more resilient, profitable future.

Truist Financial PNC Financial Services M&T Bank First Citizens BancShares WesBanco

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

Provide excellence in service by being the premier, most profitable, and trusted regional bank in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

DOMINATE REGIONALLY

Execute a strategic acquisition to deepen our market share.

IDENTIFY: Finalize and approve a top 3 list of accretive M&A targets in the high-growth Southeast market.
DILIGENCE: Complete full operational and financial due diligence on the number one acquisition target.
INTEGRATE: Create a 100-day integration plan for systems, personnel, and branding for the target bank.
FUND: Secure board approval for the deal structure and confirm capital plan for a seamless transaction.

DIGITAL FIRST

Deliver a modern, seamless digital customer experience.

LAUNCH: Roll out a redesigned mobile banking app with a 4.5+ star average rating in the app stores.
ONBOARDING: Reduce digital account opening time from 15 minutes to under 5 minutes for new customers.
UPTIME: Achieve 99.95% uptime for all customer-facing digital platforms, verified by third-party audit.
ADOPTION: Increase active mobile banking users by 20% through targeted marketing and in-branch promotion.

DIVERSIFY REVENUE

Aggressively grow our noninterest income streams.

AUM: Increase Assets Under Management in the wealth division by $500 million through new client acquisition.
ADVISORS: Hire and onboard 10 new financial advisors in key strategic markets to expand our client reach.
TREASURY: Grow treasury management fee income by 15% by cross-selling services to our commercial clients.
REFERRALS: Implement a new branch-to-wealth referral program that generates 500 qualified leads.

OPERATE LEAN

Drive significant operational and cost efficiency.

RATIO: Reduce the non-interest expense to average assets ratio by 10 basis points through cost discipline.
AUTOMATE: Digitize and automate three key back-office processes, reducing manual processing hours by 30%.
VENDORS: Renegotiate contracts with our top 5 non-personnel vendors to achieve a 5% aggregate cost savings.
FOOTPRINT: Consolidate 5 redundant branches identified during M&A diligence to optimize physical network.

METRICS

Return on Average Assets (ROAA): 1.35%
Efficiency Ratio: 56.0%
Total Assets: $33B

VALUES

Integrity
Teamwork
Excellence
Inclusivity

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United Bankshares Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Truist Financial PNC Financial Services M&T Bank First Citizens BancShares WesBanco

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

Provide excellence in service by being the premier, most profitable, and trusted regional bank in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

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What Went Well

LOANS: Achieved record loan growth, exceeding internal targets by 5%.
DEPOSITS: Grew core deposits, demonstrating franchise strength.
CREDIT: Maintained excellent asset quality with minimal charge-offs.
M&A: Successfully completed systems integration of last acquisition.
CAPITAL: Ended quarter with robust, well-capitalized balance sheet.

Not So Well

NIM: Net interest margin compressed more than forecasted due to funding costs.
EXPENSES: Noninterest expense growth outpaced revenue growth.
FEES: Fee income from mortgage banking declined with market slowdown.
DIGITAL: Mobile app downtime incident impacted customer satisfaction scores.
HIRING: Key technology and digital marketing roles remain unfilled.

Learnings

COSTS: Deposit costs are more sensitive to rate hikes than modeled.
OPERATIONS: Need to accelerate investment in operational efficiency.
TALENT: The market for skilled tech talent is intensely competitive.
MORTGAGE: Over-reliance on mortgage fee income creates revenue volatility.
RISK: Proactive expense management is critical in a compressing margin world.

Action Items

BUDGET: Re-forecast and tighten noninterest expense budget for next quarter.
PRICING: Launch a certificate of deposit campaign to lock in funding costs.
WEALTH: Accelerate hiring of financial advisors to boost fee income.
TECH: Authorize budget for third-party mobile app stability audit.
RECRUITING: Engage a specialized recruiting firm for critical tech roles.

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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United Bankshares Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Founded: 1839
Market Share: Top 5 deposit market share in many key MSAs in WV, VA, MD.
Customer Base: SMBs, commercial real estate, retail consumers.
Category:
Regional Banking
SIC Code: 6021 National Commercial Banks
NAICS Code: 522110 Commercial Banking
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Zip Code: 25301
Congressional District: WV-1 CHARLESTON
Employees: 2200

Competitors

Truist Financial View Analysis

PNC Financial Services Request Analysis

M&T Bank Request Analysis

First Citizens BancShares Request Analysis

WesBanco Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

United Bankshares Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Problem

Impersonal service from national mega-banks.
Lack of local decision-making for SMB loans.
Need for a stable, long-term financial partner.

Solution

Relationship-based community banking model.
In-market commercial lenders with autonomy.
Full suite of banking and wealth services.

Key Metrics

Return on Average Assets (ROAA) > 1.2%
Efficiency Ratio < 58%
Annual Loan and Deposit Growth > 5%

Unique

Proven M&A strategy and integration skill.
50-year unbroken record of dividend growth.
Deeply embedded in Mid-Atlantic communities.

Advantage

Strong local brand trust built over decades.
Low-cost core deposit funding advantage.
Scale to compete on price with smaller banks.

Channels

Extensive physical branch network.
Online and mobile banking platforms.
Direct sales by commercial relationship mgrs.

Customer Segments

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investors.
Retail consumers and wealth management clients.

Costs

Employee salaries and benefits.
Physical branch network operating costs.
Technology and core processing expenses.

United Bankshares Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 6, 2025

United Bankshares combines the strength and stability of a major financial institution with the personalized, community-focused service of a local bank. It empowers regional businesses and families to achieve their financial goals through trusted relationships, local decision-making, and a proven track record of fueling growth across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, ensuring stability and prosperity for all its stakeholders.

RELATIONSHIP: Local expertise and personalized service.

STABILITY: A century of strength and consistent returns.

GROWTH: Providing capital for community and business growth.

Before State

Struggling with impersonal big bank service
Limited access to capital for local SMBs
Fragmented financial services providers

After State

Trusted banking partner who knows your name
Access to capital with local decision-making
Integrated financial services under one roof

Negative Impacts

Business growth is stunted by slow decisions
Personal wealth goals feel unattainable
Financial complexity causes stress and worry

Positive Outcomes

Businesses expand and create local jobs
Families achieve homeownership and savings
Financial confidence through expert guidance

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rate

~94% (estimated)

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

35 (estimated industry avg)

User Growth Rate

3-5% annually (loan/deposit growth)

Customer Feedback/Reviews

120+ (G2 for Biz Banking)

Repeat Purchase Rates

High (checking/savings/loan)

Requirements

Personalized relationship with a banker
Competitive rates and modern digital tools
Quick and local underwriting decisions

Why United Bankshares

Empower local bankers to make decisions
Invest in user-friendly mobile/online tech
Maintain disciplined credit risk management

United Bankshares Competitive Advantage

Scale of a large bank, service of a local one
50+ year history of dividend stability
Proven expertise in acquiring & integrating banks

Proof Points

Ranked #1 by Forbes for WV banks
50 consecutive years of dividend increases
Successfully integrated 34 acquisitions

United Bankshares Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

ACQUISITIONS

Pursue disciplined M&A to expand footprint & assets.

DIGITAL

Modernize customer-facing tech to compete with fintechs.

EFFICIENCY

Optimize operations to lower efficiency ratio below 55%.

RISK

Maintain fortress balance sheet through prudent underwriting.

What You Do

Community-focused commercial and retail banking.

Target Market

Businesses & individuals in Mid-Atlantic/Southeast.

Differentiation

Deep community roots and personalized service.
Proven, disciplined M&A growth strategy.

Revenue Streams

Net interest income from loans.
Noninterest income from fees and services.

United Bankshares Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Traditional bank holding company structure.
Supply Chain: Core banking software (Fiserv), data centers.
Tech Patents: No significant technology patents held.
Website: https://www.ubsi-inc.com/

Top Clients

Board Members

United Bankshares Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

MODERATE: High regulatory capital requirements are a barrier, but digital-only charters and fintechs are lowering the entry hurdle.

Supplier Power

MODERATE: Core processing providers (Fiserv, FIS) have pricing power, but competition exists. Deposit customers act as capital suppliers.

Buyer Power

HIGH: Customers have many banking choices and low switching costs for deposits, amplified by digital account opening capabilities.

Threat of Substitution

HIGH: Fintechs, neobanks (Chime, SoFi), and credit unions offer compelling alternatives for loans, payments, and deposits.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense rivalry from money-center banks (PNC, Truist), other regionals, community banks, and non-bank fintech lenders.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The United Bankshares AI SWOT analysis highlights a classic incumbent's dilemma: a wealth of proprietary data and customer trust offset by legacy systems and a talent gap. The path forward is not a moonshot AI research project, but a pragmatic application of proven AI to drive immediate business value. The highest-leverage opportunities are in operational efficiency—automating manual back-office tasks—and enhancing the core business of lending through more sophisticated, data-driven underwriting. Personalization is a close second, allowing UBSI to defend its relationship-banking turf against data-savvy fintechs. The critical first step, however, is foundational: hiring dedicated leadership to build a data science discipline. Without a focused team to break down data silos and manage AI implementation, even the most promising strategies will falter, leaving the bank vulnerable to competitors who master this new technological paradigm.

Truist Financial PNC Financial Services M&T Bank First Citizens BancShares WesBanco

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

Provide excellence in service by being the premier, most profitable, and trusted regional bank in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Strengths

DATA: Decades of proprietary customer financial data for model training.
TRUST: Established customer relationships provide a channel for AI tools.
CAPITAL: Financial capacity to invest in AI technology and talent.
COMPLIANCE: Existing infrastructure for managing regulated data.

Weaknesses

LEGACY: Siloed data architecture hinders creation of unified data lakes.
TALENT: Shortage of in-house AI/ML engineers and data scientists.
CULTURE: Risk-averse banking culture may slow agile AI experimentation.
INTEGRATION: Difficulty integrating modern AI tools with core systems.

Opportunities

UNDERWRITING: Use AI for faster, more accurate commercial credit scoring.
EFFICIENCY: Automate back-office processes (KYC, AML) with RPA and AI.
PERSONALIZATION: AI-driven marketing for hyper-personalized product offers.
SERVICE: Deploy intelligent chatbots to handle routine customer queries.

Threats

FINTECH: Competitors using advanced AI for superior customer insights.
SECURITY: AI models themselves can be targets for new types of attacks.
BIAS: Risk of biased AI algorithms leading to regulatory and brand damage.
COST: High cost of implementation and talent without clear ROI.

Key Priorities

AUTOMATE: Implement AI to automate 3 key back-office manual processes.
PERSONALIZE: Launch pilot for AI-based personalized loan/deposit offers.
SCORE: Develop an AI-assisted credit scoring model for small business.
HIRE: Recruit a Head of Data Science to build an in-house AI team.

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United Bankshares Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

United Bankshares Q1 2025 10-Q Report and Earnings Call Transcript
United Bankshares Investor Relations Website (ubsi-inc.com)
Yahoo Finance (UBSI) financial data and analyst ratings
Forbes Best Banks In America lists
Company leadership pages and executive LinkedIn profiles

Profit: $362 Million (Net Income TTM)

Market Cap: $4.5 Billion (as of Q1 2025)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on the UBSI Investor Relations website.

Debt: Primarily customer deposits; low long-term debt.

ROI Impact: ROAA at ~1.25%, ROAE at ~10.5%.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

United Bankshares scores as a solid Market Leader. Its North Star is ambitious for its category but constrained by the regional banking model. Achievability is solid, backed by a strong M&A track record. The SWOT is balanced, reflecting a mature company with clear strengths but facing significant digital disruption. The OKRs are well-formed and directly address key issues, boosting the impact score. The final growth multiplier is conservative, reflecting the high competition and margin pressures inherent in the banking industry.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 70.0 Risk: 68.0

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

ACCELERATE DIGITAL: Close the tech gap with fintechs and peers.

EXECUTE M&A: Continue disciplined, accretive acquisitions.

DIVERSIFY INCOME: Grow wealth management to reduce rate sensitivity.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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