United Community Bank
UCB
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United Community Bank - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
   
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2005
OR
   
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 0-21656
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
Georgia 58-180-7304
   
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
63 Highway 515  
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 þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
YES þ NO o
Common stock, par value $1 per share: 38,283,209 shares
outstanding as of June 30, 2005
 
 

 



Table of Contents

Part I – Financial Information
Item 1 – Financial Statements
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Income
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
                 
 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) 2005 2004 2005 2004
  (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Interest revenue:
                
Loans, including fees
 $69,446  $49,326  $132,913  $96,748 
Federal funds sold and deposits in banks
  150   66   409   177 
Investment securities:
                
Taxable
  10,190   6,339   19,204   12,408 
Tax exempt
  528   545   1,053   1,111 
 
                
Total interest revenue
  80,314   56,276   153,579   110,444 
 
                
Interest expense:
                
Deposits:
                
Demand
  4,379   1,920   7,906   3,714 
Savings
  174   93   342   176 
Time
  15,019   9,773   28,027   19,070 
Federal funds purchased
  1,106   499   1,977   770 
Other borrowings
  8,772   5,147   16,565   10,474 
 
                
Total interest expense
  29,450   17,432   54,817   34,204 
 
                
Net interest revenue
  50,864   38,844   98,762   76,240 
Provision for loan losses
  2,800   1,800   5,200   3,600 
 
                
Net interest revenue after provision for loan losses
  48,064   37,044   93,562   72,640 
 
                
Fee revenue:
                
Service charges and fees
  6,280   5,312   11,894   10,335 
Mortgage loan and other related fees
  1,742   1,585   3,225   2,865 
Consulting fees
  1,685   1,402   3,167   2,529 
Brokerage fees
  768   515   1,210   1,223 
Securities losses, net
  (2)     (2)  (4)
Other
  1,706   833   2,885   1,977 
 
                
Total fee revenue
  12,179   9,647   22,379   18,925 
 
                
Total revenue
  60,243   46,691   115,941   91,565 
 
                
Operating expenses:
                
Salaries and employee benefits
  25,274   18,662   47,509   36,788 
Occupancy
  2,718   2,273   5,386   4,555 
Communications and equipment
  3,115   2,677   6,097   5,224 
Postage, printing and supplies
  1,369   1,068   2,720   2,210 
Professional fees
  1,071   795   2,109   1,632 
Advertising and public relations
  1,699   991   3,062   1,755 
Amortization of intangibles
  503   395   1,006   766 
Merger-related charges
     464      464 
Other
  3,059   2,502   5,698   4,609 
 
                
Total operating expenses
  38,808   29,827   73,587   58,003 
 
                
Income before income taxes
  21,435   16,864   42,354   33,562 
Income taxes
  7,662   5,815   15,140   11,575 
 
                
Net income
 $13,773  $11,049  $27,214  $21,987 
 
                
Net income available to common stockholders
 $13,767  $11,048  $27,201  $21,970 
 
                
Earnings per common share:
                
Basic
 $.36  $.31  $.71  $.62 
Diluted
  .35   .30   .69   .60 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
                
Basic
  38,270   35,633   38,234   35,477 
Diluted
  39,436   36,827   39,412   36,655 
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Table of Contents

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
For the period ended
             
 
  June 30, December 31, June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) 2005 2004 2004
  (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited)
ASSETS
            
Cash and due from banks
 $117,478  $99,742  $147,793 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks
  17,451   35,098   39,186 
 
            
Cash and cash equivalents
  134,929   134,840   186,979 
             
Securities available for sale
  990,500   879,978   739,667 
Mortgage loans held for sale
  34,095   37,094   18,610 
Loans, net of unearned income
  4,072,811   3,734,905   3,338,309 
Less — allowance for loan losses
  49,873   47,196   42,558 
 
            
Loans, net
  4,022,938   3,687,709   3,295,751 
             
Premises and equipment, net
  105,469   103,679   92,497 
Accrued interest receivable
  31,909   27,923   23,150 
Intangible assets
  119,617   121,207   87,657 
Other assets
  100,785   95,272   81,135 
 
            
Total assets
 $5,540,242  $5,087,702  $4,525,446 
 
            
 
            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
            
Liabilities:
            
Deposits:
            
Demand
 $590,306  $532,879  $479,439 
Interest-bearing demand
  1,141,115   1,055,192   935,489 
Savings
  177,822   171,898   160,550 
Time
  2,049,983   1,920,547   1,764,370 
 
            
Total deposits
  3,959,226   3,680,516   3,339,848 
             
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
  213,148   130,921   181,439 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  800,316   737,947   535,343 
Other borrowings
  117,939   113,879   113,877 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  33,619   27,351   24,481 
 
            
Total liabilities
  5,124,248   4,690,614   4,194,988 
 
            
 
            
Stockholders’ equity:
            
Preferred stock, $1 par value; $10 stated value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 37,200, 44,800 and 48,300 shares issued and outstanding
  372   448   483 
Common stock, $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 38,407,874, 38,407,874 and 36,620,754 shares issued
  38,408   38,408   36,621 
Capital surplus
  154,480   155,076   116,129 
Retained earnings
  226,546   204,709   184,572 
Treasury stock; 124,665, 240,346 and 374,362 shares, at cost
  (2,517)  (4,413)  (6,393)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
  (1,295)  2,860   (954)
 
            
Total stockholders’ equity
  415,994   397,088   330,458 
 
            
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $5,540,242  $5,087,702  $4,525,446 
 
            
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Table of Contents

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
                             
 
                      Accumulated  
                      Other  
  Preferred Common Capital Retained Treasury Comprehensive  
(in thousands, except per share data) Stock Stock Surplus Earnings Stock Income (Loss) Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2003
 $559  $35,707  $95,951  $166,887  $(7,120) $7,389  $299,373 
 
                            
Comprehensive income:
                            
Net income
              21,987           21,987 
Other comprehensive loss:
                            
Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities, net of deferred tax benefit and reclassification adjustment
                      (6,057)  (6,057)
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefit
                      (2,286)  (2,286)
 
                            
 
                            
Comprehensive income
              21,987       (8,343)  13,644 
Retirement of preferred stock (7,600 shares)
  (76)                      (76)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($.12 per share)
              (4,293)          (4,293)
Redemption of fractional shares related to stock split (446 shares)
                           
Common stock issued for acquisitions (914,627 shares)
      914   20,586               21,500 
Exercise of stock options (43,163 shares)
          (232)      727       495 
Amortization of restricted stock awards
          16               16 
Tax benefit from options exercised
          (192)              (192)
Dividends declared on preferred stock ($.30 per share)
              (9)          (9)
 
                            
 
                            
Balance, June 30, 2004
 $483  $36,621  $116,129  $184,572  $(6,393) $(954) $330,458 
 
                            
 
                            
Balance, December 31, 2004
 $448  $38,408  $155,076  $204,709  $(4,413) $2,860  $397,088 
 
                            
Comprehensive income:
                            
Net income
              27,214           27,214 
Other comprehensive loss:
                            
Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities, net of deferred tax benefit and reclassification adjustment
                      (2,435)  (2,435)
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefit
                      (1,720)  (1,720)
 
                            
 
                            
Comprehensive income
              27,214       (4,155)  23,059 
Retirement of preferred stock (7,600 shares)
  (76)                      (76)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($.14 per share)
              (5,364)          (5,364)
Exercise of stock options (111,619 shares)
          (711)      1,832       1,121 
Amortization of restricted stock awards
          180               180 
Vesting of restricted stock awards (4,062 shares)
          (65)      64       (1)
Dividends declared on preferred stock ($.30 per share)
              (13)          (13)
 
                            
 
                            
Balance, June 30, 2005
 $372  $38,408  $154,480  $226,546  $(2,517) $(1,295) $415,994 
 
                            
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
         
 
(in thousands) 2005 2004
 
Operating activities:
        
Net income
 $27,214  $21,987 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
        
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
  7,965   7,651 
Provision for loan losses
  5,200   3,600 
Loss on sale of securities available for sale
  2   4 
Gain on sale of other assets
  (556)  (125)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
        
Other assets and accrued interest receivable
  (13,936)  (7,021)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  3,342   7,155 
Mortgage loans held for sale
  2,999   (7,854)
 
        
Net cash provided by operating activities
  32,230   25,397 
 
        
 
        
Investing activities, net of purchase adjustments:
        
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
  40,705   55,939 
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available for sale
  78,380   141,286 
Purchases of securities available for sale
  (226,551)  (254,123)
Net increase in loans
  (342,800)  (231,444)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
  2,756   1,216 
Purchases of premises and equipment
  (8,508)  (8,816)
Net cash received from acquisitions
     5,439 
Proceeds from sale of other real estate
  710   1,222 
 
        
Net cash used by investing activities
  (455,308)  (289,281)
 
        
 
        
Financing activities, net of purchase adjustments:
        
Net change in deposits
  278,710   306,452 
Net change in federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
  82,227   137,993 
Proceeds from other borrowings
  5,000    
Repayments of other borrowings
  (940)  (45,029)
Proceeds from FHLB advances
  438,600   675,100 
Repayments of FHLB advances
  (376,100)  (780,350)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  1,121   495 
Retirement of preferred stock
  (76)  (76)
Cash dividends on common stock
  (5,362)  (3,906)
Cash dividends on preferred stock
  (13)  (9)
 
        
Net cash provided by financing activities
  423,167   290,670 
 
        
 
        
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  89   26,786 
 
        
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  134,840   160,193 
 
        
 
        
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 $134,929  $186,979 
 
        
 
        
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
        
Cash paid during the period for:
        
Interest
 $52,899  $33,411 
Income taxes
  15,369   13,098 
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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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 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 the 2004 annual report filed on Form 10-K.
     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 considered normal and recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair and accurate presentation. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any other interim periods.
Note 2 — Stock Split
     On April 28, 2004, United had a three-for-two split of its common stock. All financial statements and per share amounts included in the financial statements and accompanying notes have been restated to reflect the change in the number of shares outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.
Note 3 — Stock-Based Compensation
     United’s stock-based compensation plans are accounted for based on the intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Compensation expense for restricted share awards is recognized over the restricted period based on the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense for employee stock options has not been recognized, since the exercise price of the options equaled the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense for restricted share awards is ratably recognized over the period of service, usually the restricted period, based on the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Had compensation costs been determined based upon the fair value of the options at the grant dates consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, United’s net income and earnings per common share would have reflected the pro forma amounts below (in thousands, except per share data):
                 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2005 2004 2005 2004
Net income available to common shareholders:
                
As reported
 $13,767  $11,048  $27,201  $21,970 
Pro forma
  13,360   10,845   26,454   21,613 
 
                
Basic earnings per common share:
                
As reported
  .36   .31   .71   .62 
Pro forma
  .35   .30   .69   .61 
 
                
Diluted earnings per common share:
                
As reported
  .35   .30   .69   .60 
Pro forma
  .34   .30   .67   .59 
     The weighted average fair value of options granted in the second quarter of 2005 and 2004 was $5.69 and $5.94, respectively. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the first six months of 2005 and 2004 was $5.69 and $5.91, respectively. The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 1.08% to 1.26% in 2005 and 1.00% in 2004; a risk free interest rate ranging from 3.82% to 4.36% in 2005 and from 3.61% to 4.57% in 2004; expected volatility of 20% in 2005 and 15% in 2004; and, an expected life of 6.25 years in 2005, and 7 years in 2004. United’s stock trading history began in March of 2002 when United listed on Nasdaq. For 2005, expected volatility was determined using United’s historical weekly volatility over a two-year period. For 2004, the Nasdaq Bank Index was used to determine expected volatility. Compensation expense, included in the pro forma results, was determined based on the fair value of the options at the time of grant, multiplied by the number of options granted, which was then amortized, net of tax, over the vesting period. In December 2004, FAS 123(R) was released. The standards original effective date for United was for periods beginning July 1, 2005. The SEC has now delayed this standard until January 1, 2006. United plans to adopt this standard effective January 1, 2006.

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Note 4 — Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30.
(in thousands, except per share data)
                 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2005 2004 2005 2004
Basic earnings per share:
                
Weighted average shares outstanding
  38,270   35,633   38,234   35,477 
Net income available to common shareholders
 $13,767  $11,048  $27,201  $21,970 
 
                
Basic earnings per share
 $.36  $.31  $.71  $.62 
 
                
 
                
Diluted earnings per share:
                
Weighted average shares outstanding
  38,270   35,633   38,234   35,477 
Net effect of the assumed exercise of stock options based on the treasury stock method using average market price for the period
  794   822   806   806 
Effect of conversion of subordinated debt
  372   372   372   372 
 
                
Total weighted average shares and common stock equivalents outstanding
  39,436   36,827   39,412   36,655 
 
                
Net income available to common shareholders
 $13,767  $11,048  $27,201  $21,970 
Income effect of conversion of subordinated debt, net of tax
  32   21   60   42 
 
                
Net income, adjusted for effect of conversion of subordinated debt, net of tax
 $13,799  $11,069  $27,261  $22,012 
 
                
Diluted earnings per share
 $.35  $.30  $.69  $.60 
 
                
Note 5 — Mergers and Acquisitions
     At June 30, 2005, accrued merger costs of $1.4 million remained unpaid relating to acquisitions closed in 2004 and 2003. The severance and related costs include change in control payments for which payment had been deferred. Professional fees include remaining legal fees related to the two business combinations completed during the fourth quarter of 2004. Contract termination costs include amounts owed to service providers as a result of early termination of service contracts related to the acquisitions completed during 2004 and 2003. At June 30, 2005, $825,000 remained unpaid, which primarily related to one contract termination charge that is in dispute. All of these charges are expected to be paid in 2005. The purchase adjustments resulted in a reduction of recorded goodwill. A reconciliation of the activities in 2005 related to accrued merger costs is below (in thousands):
Activity with accrued merger cost
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
                     
          Amounts    
  Beginning Purchase Charged to Amounts Ending
  Balance Adjustments Earnings Paid Balance
Severance and related costs
 $764  $  $  $(387) $377 
Professional fees
  754   (29)     (600)  125 
Contract termination costs
  3,854   (594)     (2,435)  825 
Other merger-related expenses
  247         (154)  93 
 
                    
Totals
 $5,619  $(623) $  $(3,576) $1,420 
 
                    
Note 6 — Reclassification
     Certain amounts for the comparative periods of 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

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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 regarding United Community Banks, Inc. (“United”), including, without limitation, statements relating to United’s expectations with respect to revenue, credit losses, levels of nonperforming assets, expenses, earnings and other measures of financial performance. Words such as “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “targets” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond United’s control). The following factors, among others, could cause United’s financial performance to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements:
  our recent operating results may not be indicative of future operating results;
 
  our corporate culture has contributed to our success and, if we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, we could lose the productivity fostered by our culture, which could harm our business;
 
  our business is subject to the success of the local economies in which we operate;
 
  we may face risks with respect to future expansion and acquisitions or mergers;
 
  changes in prevailing interest rates may negatively affect our net income and the value of our assets;
 
  our concentration of construction and land development loans is subject to unique risks that could adversely affect our earnings;
 
  if our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings would decrease;
 
  competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers may adversely affect our profitability;
 
  business increases, productivity gains and other investments are lower than expected or do not occur as quickly as anticipated;
 
  competitive pressures among financial services companies increase significantly;
 
  the strength of the United States economy in general and/or the strength of the local economies of the states in which United conducts operations changes;
 
  trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, change;
 
  inflation or market conditions fluctuate;
 
  conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets deteriorate;
 
  financial services laws and regulations change;
 
  technology changes and United fails to adapt to those changes;
 
  consumer spending and saving habits change;
 
  unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings occur; and
 
  United is unsuccessful at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
     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. 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
     United is a bank holding company registered with 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 June 30, 2005, United had total consolidated assets of $5.5 billion, total loans of $4.1 billion, total deposits of $4.0 billion and stockholders’ equity of $416 million.
     United’s activities are primarily conducted by its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (which are collectively referred to as the “Banks” in this discussion) and Brintech, Inc., a consulting firm providing professional services to the financial services industry.
     This discussion reflects the three-for-two stock split effective on April 28, 2004 to shareholders of record on April 14, 2004, as of the beginning of the periods covered by this report.

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Recent Mergers and Acquisitions
     On June 1, 2004, United completed the acquisition of Fairbanco Holding Company, Inc. (“Fairbanco”), a bank holding company headquartered in Fairburn, Georgia, and its wholly-owned Georgia subsidiary, 1st Community Bank. On June 1, 2004, 1st Community Bank had assets of $210 million, including purchase accounting related intangibles. United exchanged 914,627 shares of its common stock valued at $20.9 million and approximately $2.7 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares. 1st Community Bank was merged into United Community Bank-Georgia and operates as a separate community bank.
     On November 1, 2004, United completed the acquisition of Eagle National Bank. (“Eagle”), a bank headquartered in Stockbridge, Georgia. On November 1, 2004, Eagle had assets of $78 million, including purchase accounting related intangibles. United exchanged 414,462 shares of its common stock valued at $9.5 million and approximately $2.4 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares. Eagle was merged into United Community Bank-Georgia and operates as a separate community bank.
     On December 1, 2004, United completed the acquisition of Liberty National Bancshares, Inc. (“Liberty”), a bank holding company headquartered in Conyers, Georgia, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Liberty National Bank. On December 1, 2004, Liberty had assets of $212 million, including purchase accounting related intangibles. United exchanged 1,372,658 shares of its common stock valued at $32.5 million and approximately $3.0 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares. Liberty National Bank was merged into United Community Bank-Georgia and operates as a separate community bank.
Critical Accounting Policies
     The accounting and reporting policies of United Community Banks and its subsidiaries are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The more critical accounting and reporting policies include United’s accounting for loans and the allowance for loan losses. In particular, United’s accounting policies relating to the allowance for loan losses 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 a complete discussion of United’s accounting methodologies related to the allowance.

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Table 1 — Financial Highlights
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS TABLE
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Selected Financial Information
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
                                     
                      Second    
  2005 2004 Quarter For the Six YTD
(in thousands, except per share Second First Fourth Third Second 2005-2004 Months Ended 2005-2004
data; taxable equivalent) Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Change 2005 2004 Change
                 
INCOME SUMMARY
                                    
Interest revenue
 $80,701  $73,649  $66,761  $61,358  $56,680      $154,350  $111,267     
Interest expense
  29,450   25,367   21,448   19,142   17,432       54,817   34,204     
 
                                    
Net interest revenue
  51,251   48,282   45,313   42,216   39,248   31 %  99,533   77,063   29 %
Provision for loan losses
  2,800   2,400   2,000   2,000   1,800       5,200   3,600     
Fee revenue
  12,179   10,200   10,757   9,857   9,647   26   22,379   18,925   18 
 
                                    
Total revenue
  60,630   56,082   54,070   50,073   47,095   29   116,712   92,388   26 
Operating expenses(1)
  38,808   34,779   33,733   31,296   29,363   32   73,587   57,539   28 
 
                                    
Income before taxes
  21,822   21,303   20,337   18,777   17,732   23   43,125   34,849   24 
Income taxes
  8,049   7,862   7,427   6,822   6,379       15,911   12,558     
 
                                    
Net operating income
  13,773   13,441   12,910   11,955   11,353   21   27,214   22,291   22 
Merger-related charges, net of tax
        261      304          304     
 
                                    
Net income
 $13,773  $13,441  $12,649  $11,955  $11,049   25  $27,214  $21,987   24 
 
                                    
 
                                    
OPERATING PERFORMANCE (1)
                                    
Earnings per common share:
                                    
Basic
 $.36  $.35  $.35  $.33  $.32   13  $.71  $.63   13 
Diluted
  .35   .34   .34   .32   .31   13   .69   .61   13 
Return on tangible equity(2)(3)(4)
  19.21 %  19.86 %  19.96 %  19.41 %  19.70 %      19.52 %  19.79 %    
Return on assets (4)
  1.03   1.06   1.07   1.05   1.07       1.04   1.07     
Efficiency ratio
  61.18   59.47   60.20   60.11   60.05       60.36   59.94     
Dividend payout ratio
  19.44   20.00   17.14   18.18   18.75       19.72   19.05     
 
                                    
GAAP PERFORMANCE
                                    
Per common share:
                                    
Basic earnings
 $.36  $.35  $.34  $.33  $.31   16  $.71  $.62   15 
Diluted earnings
  .35   .34   .33   .32   .30   17   .69   .60   15 
Cash dividends declared
  .07   .07   .06   .06   .06   17   .14   .12   17 
Book value
  10.86   10.42   10.39   9.58   9.10   19   10.86   9.10   19 
Tangible book value(3)
  7.85   7.40   7.34   7.28   6.77   16   7.85   6.77   16 
 
                                    
Key performance ratios:
                                    
Return on equity(2)(4)
  13.46 %  13.68 %  14.15 %  14.20 %  14.40 %      13.57 %  14.63 %    
Return on assets(4)
  1.03   1.06   1.05   1.05   1.04       1.04   1.06     
Net interest margin(4)
  4.12   4.05   4.05   3.99   3.95       4.09   3.97     
Dividend payout ratio
  19.44   20.00   17.65   18.18   19.35       19.72   19.35     
Equity to assets
  7.65   7.71   7.54   7.50   7.30       7.68   7.38     
Tangible equity to assets(3)
  5.62   5.58   5.75   5.76   5.74       5.60   5.81     
 
                                    
ASSET QUALITY
                                    
Allowance for loan losses
 $49,873  $48,453  $47,196  $43,548  $42,558      $49,873  $42,558     
Non-performing assets
  13,495   13,676   8,725   10,527   8,812       13,495   8,812     
Net charge-offs
  1,380   1,143   1,183   1,010   789       2,523   1,424     
Allowance for loan losses to loans
  1.22 %  1.25 %  1.26 %  1.27 %  1.27   %   1.22 %  1.27   % 
Non-performing assets to total assets
  .24   .26   .17   .23   .19       .24   .19     
Net charge-offs to average loans (3)
  .14   .12   .13   .12   .10       .13   .09     
 
                                    
AVERAGE BALANCES
                                    
Loans
 $3,942,077  $3,797,479  $3,572,824  $3,384,281  $3,235,262   22  $3,870,177  $3,165,569   22 
Investment securities
  996,096   946,194   805,766   762,994   715,586   39   971,283   684,226   42 
Earning assets
  4,986,339   4,819,961   4,456,403   4,215,472   3,991,797   25   4,903,610   3,900,337   26 
Total assets
  5,338,398   5,164,464   4,781,018   4,521,842   4,274,442   25   5,251,913   4,179,664   26 
Deposits
  3,853,884   3,717,916   3,500,842   3,351,188   3,178,776   21   3,786,276   3,067,251   23 
Stockholders’ equity
  408,352   398,164   360,668   338,913   311,942   31   403,286   308,434   31 
Common shares outstanding:
                                    
Basic
  38,270   38,198   37,056   36,254   35,633       38,234   35,477     
Diluted
  39,436   39,388   38,329   37,432   36,827       39,412   36,655     
 
                                    
AT PERIOD END
                                    
Loans
 $4,072,811  $3,877,575  $3,734,905  $3,438,417  $3,338,309   22  $4,072,811  $3,338,309   22 
Investment securities
  990,500   928,328   879,978   726,734   739,667   34   990,500   739,667   34 
Earning assets
  5,161,067   4,907,743   4,738,389   4,280,643   4,172,049   24   5,161,067   4,172,049   24 
Total assets
  5,540,242   5,265,771   5,087,702   4,592,655   4,525,446   22   5,540,242   4,525,446   22 
Deposits
  3,959,226   3,780,521   3,680,516   3,341,525   3,339,848   19   3,959,226   3,339,848   19 
Stockholders’ equity
  415,994   398,886   397,088   347,795   330,458   26   415,994   330,458   26 
Common shares outstanding
  38,283   38,249   38,168   36,255   36,246       38,283   36,246     
 
(1) Excludes pre-tax merger-related charges totaling $406,000 or $.01 per diluted common share and $464,000 or $.01 per diluted common share in the fourth and second quarters, respectively of 2004.
 
(2) Net income available to common stockholders, which excludes preferred stock dividends, divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
(3) Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization.
 
(4) Annualized.

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Merger—Related Charges
     The presentation of operating earnings includes financial results determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Net operating income excludes pre-tax merger-related and restructuring charges of $406,000 and $464,000 for the fourth and second quarters of 2004, respectively. These charges decreased net income by $261,000 and $304,000, respectively, for the fourth and second quarters of 2004 or about $.01 per diluted share each. These charges are discussed further in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q and Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
     These charges are excluded because management believes that these non-GAAP operating results provide a helpful measure for assessing United’s financial performance. Net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP, and is not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of net operating income to GAAP net income for the applicable periods:
Table 2 — Operating Earnings to GAAP Earnings Reconciliation
(in thousands, except per share data)
             
  Fourth Second Six months ended
  Quarter Quarter June 30,
  2004 2004 2004
Merger charges included in expenses
 $406  $464  $464 
Income tax effect of charges
  145   160   160 
 
            
After-tax effect of merger-related charges
 $261  $304  $304 
 
            
 
            
Net Income Reconciliation
            
Operating net income
 $12,910  $11,353  $22,291 
After-tax effect of merger-related charges
  (261)  (304)  (304)
 
            
Net income (GAAP)
 $12,649  $11,049  $21,987 
 
            
 
            
Basic Earnings Per Share Reconciliation
            
Basic operating earnings per share
 $.35  $.32  $.63 
Per share effect of merger-related charges
  (.01)  (.01)  (.01)
 
            
Basic earnings per share (GAAP)
 $.34  $.31  $.62 
 
            
 
            
Diluted Earnings Per Share Reconciliation
            
Diluted operating earnings per share
 $.34  $.31  $.61 
Per share effect of merger-related charges
  (.01)  (.01)  (.01)
 
            
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
 $.33  $.30  $.60 
 
            
Results of Operations
     Net operating income was $13.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, an increase of $2.4 million, or 21%, from the same period in 2004. Diluted operating earnings per share were $.35 for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, compared with $.31 for the same period in 2004, an increase of 13%. Operating return on tangible equity for the second quarter of 2005 was 19.21%, compared with 19.70% for 2004. Operating return on assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was 1.03%, compared with 1.07% for 2004.
     Year-to-date through June 30, net operating income was $27.2 million compared to $22.3 million for the first six months of 2004, an increase of 22%. Diluted operating earnings per share were $.69 for the first six months ended June 30, 2005, compared with $.61 for the same period in 2004, an increase of 13%. Operating return on tangible equity for the first six months of 2005 was 19.52% compared to 19.79% for the first six months of 2004. Operating return on assets for the first six months ended June 30, 2005 was 1.04% compared to 1.07% for the first six months ended June 30, 2004.

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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 an optimal level of revenue while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks. Net interest revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2005 was $51.3 million, up 31%, over last year. Year-to-date, net interest revenue was $99.5 million, up 29% over the same period in 2004. The increase for the second quarter of 2005 was driven by strong loan growth and a 17 basis point widening of the net interest margin to 4.12%. Average loans increased $707 million, or 22%, from the second quarter of last year and year-to-date average loans were up $705 million. This loan growth was due to the continued high loan demand across all of United’s markets and the acquisitions of 1st Community Bank, Eagle National Bank and Liberty National Bank, which collectively added $281 million to the second quarter 2005 average balances. The quarter-end loan balances increased $735 million as compared to June 30, 2004. Of this increase, $235 million was in the north Georgia markets (which includes $92 million in United’s new Gainesville bank), $43 million in western North Carolina, $352 million in the metro Atlanta market (which includes $206 million related to the Eagle National Bank and Liberty National Bank acquisitions in 2004), $40 million in east Tennessee, and $65 million in the coastal Georgia markets.
     Average interest-earning assets for the second quarter and first six months of 2005 increased $995 million, or 25%, and $1.0 billion or 26%, respectively, over the same periods in 2004. The increase reflects the strong organic and acquired loan growth, as well as an increase in the investment securities portfolio. The majority of the increase in interest-earning assets was funded by interest-bearing sources resulting in increases in average interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter and year-to-date of approximately $848 million and $856 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2004.
     The banking industry uses two ratios to measure relative profitability of net interest revenue. The net interest rate 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 impact of non-interest-bearing deposits and gives a direct perspective on the effect of market interest rate movements. The net interest margin is defined as net interest revenue as a percent of average total interest-earning assets and takes into account the positive impact of investing non interest-bearing deposits and capital.
     For the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the net interest spread was 3.76% and 3.70%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 4.12% and 3.95%, respectively. For the first six months of 2005 and 2004, the net interest spread was 3.75% and 3.71%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 4.09% and 3.97%, respectively. Since June of 2004, the Federal Reserve has increased the federal funds rate 225 basis points. This had a positive impact on net interest revenue and net interest margin due to United’s slightly asset sensitive balance sheet. The rise in the average rate on interest-earning assets exceeded the rise in the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities by 6 basis points when comparing the three month period ended June 30, 2005 with the three months ended June 30, 2004, resulting in the higher net interest spread. The same can be said for the six month period ended June 30, 2005 when compared with the same period in 2004, which resulted in a higher net interest spread by 4 basis points. Because the competitive environment allowed United to keep deposit pricing from reflecting the full impact of rising short-term interest rates, the spread between interest rates earned on loans and interest rates paid on deposits widened.
     The increase in the federal funds rate, which effects variable rate assets and liabilities, along with the loan growth mentioned above were the two primary reasons for the increases in the net interest margin and net interest revenue. Most of the loan growth added over the last year has been prime-based, adjusted daily. At June 30, 2005, United had approximately $2.3 billion in loans indexed to the daily Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal compared with $1.6 billion a year ago. At June 30, 2005 and 2004, United had receive-fixed swap contracts with a total notional value of $538 million and $512 million, respectively, that were accounted for as cash flow hedges of prime-based loans. The swap contracts reduced loan interest revenue by $128,000 during the second quarter of 2005 and added $1.3 million during the second quarter of 2004 to loan interest revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the swap contracts added $405,000 and $2.2 million, respectively, to loan interest revenue. This resulted in a decrease in the average loan yield of 1 basis point for the second quarter of 2005 compared to an increase of 16 basis points for the second quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis the increase in the average loan yield was 2 basis points and 14 basis points, respectively, for 2005 and 2004.
     The average yield on interest-earning assets for the second quarter of 2005 was 6.49%, compared with 5.71% in the second quarter of 2004. The year-to-date yield on interest-earning assets was 6.34%, compared to 5.73% for the first six months of 2004. The main driver of this increase was loan yields, which were up 91 basis points for the quarter and 75 basis points on a year-to-date basis due to the growing level of prime daily loans and the significant number of Federal Reserve increases to the federal funds rate in the last half of 2004 and the first half of 2005.
     The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the second quarter was 2.73%, an increase of 72 basis points from the same period in 2004. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the first six months of 2005 was 2.59%, an increase of 57 basis points from a year ago. The increase reflects the impact of rising rates on United’s floating rate sources of funding and increased deposit pricing in selected products and markets.

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     The following table shows the relationship between interest revenue and expense and the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
Table 3 — Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands, taxable equivalent)
                         
  2005 2004
  Average     Avg. Average     Avg.
  Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate
     
Assets:
                        
Interest-earning assets:
                        
Loans, net of unearned income (1)(2)
 $3,942,077  $69,130   7.03% $3,235,262  $49,221   6.12%
Taxable securities (3)
  946,543   10,190   4.31   667,027   6,339   3.80 
Tax-exempt securities (1)
  49,553   869   7.01   48,559   897   7.39 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets
  48,166   512   4.25   40,949   223   2.18 
 
                        
 
                        
Total interest-earning assets
  4,986,339   80,701   6.49   3,991,797   56,680   5.71 
 
                        
Non-interest-earning assets:
                        
Allowance for loan losses
  (49,576)          (41,418)        
Cash and due from banks
  94,488           89,759         
Premises and equipment
  103,439           89,126         
Other assets
  203,708           145,178         
 
                        
Total assets
 $5,338,398          $4,274,442         
 
                        
 
                        
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
Interest-bearing deposits:
                        
Transaction accounts
 $1,109,861  $4,379   1.58  $892,809  $1,920   .86 
Savings deposits
  176,624   174   .40   153,061   93   .24 
Certificates of deposit
  1,998,383   15,019   3.01   1,677,161   9,773   2.34 
 
                        
Total interest-bearing deposits
  3,284,868   19,572   2.39   2,723,031   11,786   1.74 
 
                        
 
                        
Federal funds purchased
  142,900   1,106   3.10   132,259   499   1.52 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  785,523   6,565   3.35   517,744   3,196   2.48 
Long-term debt and other borrowings
  118,406   2,207   7.48   110,421   1,951   7.11 
 
                        
Total borrowed funds
  1,046,829   9,878   3.78   760,424   5,646   2.99 
 
                        
 
                        
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  4,331,697   29,450   2.73   3,483,455   17,432   2.01 
 
                        
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
Non-interest-bearing deposits
  569,016           455,745         
Other liabilities
  29,333           23,300         
 
                        
Total liabilities
  4,930,046           3,962,500         
 
                        
Stockholders’ equity
  408,352           311,942         
 
                        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $5,338,398          $4,274,442         
 
                        
Net interest revenue
     $51,251          $39,248     
 
                        
Net interest-rate spread
          3.76%          3.70%
 
                        
 
                        
Net interest margin (4)
          4.12%          3.95%
 
                        
 
(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 tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state tax rate.
 
(2) Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans where the accrual of interest has been discontinued.
 
(3) Securities available for sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized losses of $782,000 in 2005 and pretax unrealized gains of $3.3 million in 2004 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.

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     The following table shows the relationship between interest revenue and expense and the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
Table 3 — Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis (continued)
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands, taxable equivalent)
                         
  2005 2004
  Average     Avg. Average     Avg.
  Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate
     
Assets:
                        
Interest-earning assets:
                        
Loans, net of unearned income (1)(2)
 $3,870,177  $132,266   6.89% $3,165,569  $96,602   6.14%
Taxable securities (3)
  921,564   19,204   4.17   634,589   12,408   3.91 
Tax-exempt securities (1)
  49,719   1,733   6.97   49,637   1,828   7.37 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets
  62,150   1,147   3.69   50,542   429   1.70 
 
                        
 
                        
Total interest-earning assets
  4,903,610   154,350   6.34   3,900,337   111,267   5.73 
 
                        
Non-interest-earning assets:
                        
Allowance for loan losses
  (48,869)          (40,434)        
Cash and due from banks
  93,446           83,968         
Premises and equipment
  102,927           88,029         
Other assets
  200,799           147,764         
 
                        
Total assets
 $5,251,913          $4,179,664         
 
                        
 
                        
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
Interest-bearing deposits:
                        
Transaction accounts
 $1,092,181  $7,906   1.46  $876,072  $3,714   .85 
Savings deposits
  175,033   342   .39   147,530   176   .24 
Certificates of deposit
  1,966,709   28,027   2.87   1,609,089   19,070   2.38 
 
                        
Total interest-bearing deposits
  3,233,923   36,275   2.26   2,632,691   22,960   1.75 
 
                        
 
                        
Federal funds purchased
  140,359   1,977   2.84   138,148   770   1.12 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  778,160   12,222   3.17   531,783   6,368   2.41 
Long-term debt and other borrowings
  116,042   4,343   7.55   109,574   4,106   7.54 
 
                        
Total borrowed funds
  1,034,561   18,542   3.61   779,505   11,244   2.90 
 
                        
 
                        
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  4,268,484   54,817   2.59   3,412,196   34,204   2.02 
 
                        
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
Non-interest-bearing deposits
  552,354           434,563         
Other liabilities
  27,789           24,471         
 
                        
Total liabilities
  4,848,627           3,871,230         
 
                        
Stockholders’ equity
  403,286           308,434         
 
                        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $5,251,913          $4,179,664         
 
                        
Net interest revenue
     $99,533          $77,063     
 
                        
Net interest-rate spread
          3.75 %          3.71 %
 
                        
 
                        
Net interest margin (4)
          4.09 %          3.97 %
 
                        
 
(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 tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state tax rate.
 
(2) Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans where the accrual of interest has been discontinued.
 
(3) Securities available for sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized gains of $1.1 million in 2005 and $7.2 million in 2004 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.

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     The following table shows the relative impact on net interest revenue for changes in the average outstanding balances (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 June 30, 2005 Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
  Compared to 2004 Compared to 2004 
  Increase (decrease) Increase (decrease) 
  due to changes in due to changes in 
  Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total
Interest-earning assets:
                        
Loans
 $11,720  $8,189  $19,909  $23,178  $12,486  $35,664 
Taxable securities
  2,924   927   3,851   5,933   863   6,796 
Tax-exempt securities
  18   (46)  (28)  9   (104)  (95)
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets
  45   244   289   117   601   718 
 
                        
Total interest-earning assets
  14,707   9,314   24,021   29,237   13,846   43,083 
 
                        
 
                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
Transaction accounts
  555   1,904   2,459   1,084   3,108   4,192 
Savings deposits
  16   65   81   38   128   166 
Certificates of deposit
  2,088   3,158   5,246   4,687   4,270   8,957 
 
                        
Total interest-bearing deposits
  2,659   5,127   7,786   5,809   7,506   13,315 
Federal funds purchased
  43   564   607   13   1,194   1,207 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  2,000   1,369   3,369   3,500   2,354   5,854 
Long-term debt and other borrowings
  145   111   256   242   (5)  237 
 
                        
Total borrowed funds
  2,188   2,044   4,232   3,755   3,543   7,298 
 
                        
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  4,847   7,171   12,018   9,564   11,049   20,613 
 
                        
 
                        
Increase in net interest revenue
 $9,860  $2,143  $12,003  $19,673  $2,797  $22,470 
 
                        
Provision for Loan Losses
     The provision for loan losses was $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2005, compared with $1.8 million for the same period in 2004. Provision for the first six months of 2005 was $5.2 million, compared to $3.6 million for the first six months of 2004. Net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average outstanding loans for the three months ended June 30, 2005 were .14%, as compared with .10% for the second quarter of 2004. Year-to-date, net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average outstanding loans were .13%, compared to .09% for the first six months of 2004. Net loan charge-offs continue at relatively low levels, and as a percentage of average outstanding loans, continues to move in line with management’s expectation and within the Company’s historical range of high to low loss percentages for the past five years of .25% to .11%.
     The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio and the corresponding analysis of the allowance for loan losses. Additional discussion on loan quality and the allowance for loan losses is included in the Asset Quality section of this report.

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Fee Revenue
     Fee revenue for the second quarter and the first six months of 2005, totaled $12.2 million and $22.4 million, respectively, compared with $9.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. This is a 26% increase over the second quarter of 2004, and an 18% increase over the comparable six months a year ago. Fee revenue for the second quarter of 2005 and 2004 was approximately 20% of total revenue; and on a year-to-date basis, fee revenue was approximately 19% of total revenue in 2005 and 20% in 2004. United continues to increase fee revenue through new products and services. The following table presents the components of fee revenue for the second quarter and the first six months of 2005 and 2004.
Table 5 — Fee Revenue
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, taxable equivalent)
                         
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
  June 30,     June 30,  
  2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Service charges and fees
 $6,280  $5,312   18% $11,894  $10,335   15%
Mortgage loan and related fees
  1,742   1,585   10   3,225   2,865   13 
Consulting fees
  1,685   1,402   20   3,167   2,529   25 
Brokerage fees
  768   515   49   1,210   1,223   (1)
Securities losses, net
  (2)         (2)  (4)    
Loss on prepayments of borrowings
                    
Other
  1,706   833   105   2,885   1,977   46 
 
                        
Total
 $12,179  $9,647   26  $22,379  $18,925   18 
 
                        
     Earnings for acquired companies are included in consolidated results beginning on their respective acquisition dates. Therefore, comparability between current and prior periods is affected by acquisitions completed over the last 18 months.
     Service charges on deposit accounts of $6.3 million, were up $968,000, or 18%, over the second quarter of 2004. Year-to-date service charges were up $1.6 million or 15% over the same period in 2004. The increase in service charges and fees was due, about equally, from an increase in the number of accounts and transaction activity resulting from successful internal efforts to increase core deposits and from acquisitions. Included is ATM and debit card revenue which was up $411,000 compared to the same quarter a year ago; a 61% increase. This results primarily from having a higher volume of ATM transactions and more debit cards in customer hands through new account openings and successful cross selling.
     Mortgage loan and related fees of $1.7 million for the quarter were up $157,000, or 10%, from the same period in 2004. Mortgage loan originations of $98 million for the second quarter 2005 were up $27 million from the second quarter of 2004. This increase was due to the addition of mortgage lenders and new products offered by United. Substantially all of these originated residential mortgages were sold into the secondary market, including the right to service these loans.
     Consulting fees for the second quarter of 2005 of $1.7 million were up $283,000 from the same period in 2004. This increase was due to the increase in fee revenue from two new practices offered and growth in general consulting revenue. On a year-to-date basis, consulting fees were up 25% or $638,000.
     Brokerage fees of $768,000 were up $253,000, or 49% from the level achieved in the second quarter of 2004 and were up $326,000 from the first quarter of 2005. On a year-to-date basis, brokerage fees were relatively flat compared with the prior year.
     Other fee revenue increased $873,000 from the second quarter of 2004, due primarily to gains from the sale of two former banking offices of $530,000, and the sale of SBA loans of $235,000. Other fees were also up compared to the first quarter by $527,000 driven primarily by the gains on the sale of the former banking offices.
Operating Expenses
     For the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, total operating expenses, excluding merger-related charges, were $38.8 million and $73.6 million, respectively, compared with $29.4 million and $57.5 million, respectively, for the same period in 2004. The percentage growth for the three and six months was 32% and 28%, respectively. The following table presents the components of operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.

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Table 6 — Operating Expenses
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
                         
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
  June 30,     June 30,  
  2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Salaries and employee benefits
 $25,274  $18,662   35% $47,509  $36,788   29%
Occupancy
  2,718   2,273   20   5,386   4,555   18 
Communications and equipment
  3,115   2,677   16   6,097   5,224   17 
Postage, printing and supplies
  1,369   1,068   28   2,720   2,210   23 
Professional fees
  1,071   795   35   2,109   1,632   29 
Advertising and public relations
  1,699   991   71   3,062   1,755   74 
Amortization of intangibles
  503   395       1,006   766     
Other
  3,059   2,502   22   5,698   4,609   24 
 
                        
 
  38,808   29,363   32   73,587   57,539   28 
Merger-related charges
     464          464     
 
                        
Total
 $38,808  $29,827   30  $73,587  $58,003   27 
 
                        
     Salaries and benefits for the second quarter of 2005 totaled $25.3 million, an increase of $6.6 million, or 35% over the same period in 2004. Acquisitions and de novo locations accounted for nearly 60% of the increase, with the remainder due to an increase in staff to support business growth, along with related hiring and relocation costs, and normal merit increases. At June 30, 2005, total staff was 1,659, an increase of 216 from a year ago. Nearly 60% of the increase, or 125 staff was added through acquisitions and de novo offices, with the Gainesville de novo adding 57 employees during the second quarter of 2005. Excluding acquisitions and de novo locations, the growth in staff was approximately 6% over last year, an increase of 91 employees. In addition, the ratio of total assets to full-time equivalent (FTE) employees grew from $3.2 million, at June 30, 2004, to $3.4 million, at June 30, 2005.
     Occupancy expenses for the second quarter were up $445,000 or 20%, from the second quarter of 2004, and the increase for the six months ended June 30, 2005 over the same period in 2004 was $831,000, or 18%, primarily reflecting the cost of operating banking offices added through acquisitions and de novo expansion. The increases are in all categories of occupancy expense including utilities, maintenance, rent, taxes and depreciation charges.
     Communication and equipment costs of $3.1 million for the second quarter and $6.1 million for the first six months of 2005 were up $438,000, or 16%, and $873,000 or 17%, respectively, over the same periods in 2004, primarily due to acquisitions and further investment in technology equipment to support business growth and enhance operating efficiencies.
     Postage, printing and supplies costs for the second quarter of 2005 were up $301,000, or 28%, from the same period in 2004. On a year-to-date basis, these cost were up $510,000, or 23%, compared with the prior year. Most of the increase was due to additional postage and courier expense resulting from geographic expansion into new markets through acquisitions and de novo offices.
     Professional fees for the second quarter were up $276,000, or 35%, from the second quarter of 2004. The increase in professional fees on a year-to-date basis was $477,000, or 29%. This increase is primarily due to increasing legal costs associated with new loans, higher costs of external loan review and the cost of various consulting projects.
     Advertising and public relations expenses for the second quarter of 2005 of $1.7 million were up $708,000, or 71%, over the second quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis, this expense was up $1.3 million, or 74%, over the prior year. This was due to costs associated with United’s efforts to increase core deposit accounts and brand promotion within the new markets added recently through mergers and de novo offices.
     The increase of $108,000 for the quarter in intangible amortization is due to the Liberty and Eagle acquisitions, which closed during the fourth quarter of 2004 and are reflected in the 2005 results, but not in 2004.
     Other expense increased by $557,000, or 22%, from the second quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis, other expense increased $1.1 million, or 24%. This increase is being driven primarily by acquisitions and business growth.
     The efficiency ratio measures total operating expenses, excluding merger-related charges, as a percentage of total revenue, excluding the provision for loan losses and net securities gains or losses. Based on operating income, United’s efficiency ratio for the second quarter was 61.18% compared with 60.05% for the second quarter of 2004. Year-to-date, the efficiency ratio was 60.36% compared with 59.94% for the first six months of 2004. The increases for both periods were primarily due to the expansion costs for the new de novo bank in Gainesville during the second quarter of 2005.

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Income Taxes
     Income tax expense, net of tax benefits relating to merger charges, was $7.7 million for the second quarter, as compared with $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2004, representing a 35.7% and 34.5% effective tax rate, respectively. The effective tax rates were lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to interest revenue on certain investment securities and loans that are exempt from income taxes and tax credits received on affordable housing investments. The effective tax rate has increased as tax-exempt interest revenue on securities and loans has declined as a percentage of pre-tax earnings. Additional information regarding income taxes can be found in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with United’s 2004 Form 10-K.
Balance Sheet Review
     Total assets at June 30, 2005 were $5.5 billion, 9% higher than the $5.1 billion at December 31, 2004 and 22% higher than the $4.5 billion at June 30 , 2004. Average total assets for the second quarter of 2005 were $5.3 billion, up $1.1 billion from average assets in the second quarter of 2004.
Loans
     The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio.
Table 7 — Loans Outstanding
(in thousands)
             
  June 30, December 31, June 30,
  2005 2004 2004
Commercial (commercial and industrial)
 $222,452  $211,850  $183,941 
Commercial (secured by real estate)
  1,016,700   966,558   853,956 
 
            
Total commercial
  1,239,152   1,178,408   1,037,897 
Construction
  1,480,664   1,304,526   1,106,359 
Residential mortgage
  1,194,724   1,101,653   1,050,561 
Installment
  158,271   150,318   143,492 
 
            
Total loans
 $4,072,811  $3,734,905  $3,338,309 
 
            
 
            
As a percentage of total loans:
            
Commercial (commercial and industrial)
  6%  6%  6%
Commercial (secured by real estate)
  25   26   26 
 
            
Total commercial
  31   32   32 
Construction
  36   35   33 
Residential mortgage
  29   29   31 
Installment
  4   4   4 
 
            
Total
  100%  100%  100%
 
            
     At June 30, 2005, total loans were $4.1 billion, an increase of $735 million, or 22%, from June 30, 2004 and an increase of $338 million, or 9%, from December 31, 2004. Over the past year, United has experienced strong loan growth in all markets, with particular strength in loans secured by real estate. Substantially all loans are to customers located in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, the immediate market areas of the Banks. The acquisitions of Eagle National Bank, which closed on November 1, 2004 and Liberty National Bank, which closed on December 1, 2004, added approximately $206 million in balances to the loan portfolio. Approximately $374 million of the increase from a year ago occurred in construction and land development loans. Growth continues to be strong in residential real estate loans and commercial loans , which grew $144 million and $201 million, respectively, from June 30, 2004. In May 2005, United expanded into the Gainesville, Georgia market with a new de novo bank, which added $92 million in loans spread across all of the loan categories.

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Asset Quality and Risk Elements
     United manages asset quality and controls credit risk through close supervision of the loan portfolio and the application of policies designed to promote sound underwriting and loan monitoring practices. United’s credit administration function is responsible for monitoring asset quality, establishing credit policies and procedures and enforcing the consistent application of these policies and procedures at all of the Banks. Additional information on the credit administration function is included in Item 1 under the heading Loan Review and Non-performing Assets in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     The provision for loan losses charged to earnings is based upon management’s judgment of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level adequate to absorb probable losses. The amount each period 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 economic factors and trends. The evaluation of these factors is performed by the credit administration department through an analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
     Reviews of non-performing loans, past due loans and larger credits, designed to identify potential charges to the allowance for loan losses, as well as determine the adequacy of the allowance, are conducted on a regular basis during the year. These reviews are performed by the responsible lending officers, as well as a separate loan review department, and consider such factors as the financial strength of borrowers, the value of the applicable collateral, past loan loss experience, anticipated loan losses, growth in the loan portfolio, prevailing economic conditions and other factors. United also uses external loan review sources as necessary to support the activities of the loan review department and to ensure the independence of the loan review process.
     The following table presents a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
Table 8 — Summary of Loan Loss Experience
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
                 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2005 2004 2005 2004
Balance beginning of period
 $48,453  $39,820  $47,196  $38,655 
Allowance from acquisitions
     1,727      1,727 
Loans charged-off
  (1,706)  (1,008)  (3,109)  (2,028)
Recoveries
  326   219   586   604 
 
                
Net charge-offs
  (1,380)  (789)  (2,523)  (1,424)
Provision for loan losses
  2,800   1,800   5,200   3,600 
 
                
Balance end of period
 $49,873  $42,558  $49,873  $42,558 
 
                
 
                
Total loans:
                
At period end
 $4,072,811  $3,338,309  $4,072,811  $3,338,309 
Average
  3,942,077   3,235,262   3,870,177   3,165,569 
As a percentage of average loans (annualized):
                
Net charge-offs
  .14%  .10%  .13%  .09%
Provision for loan losses
  .28   .22   .27   .23 
Allowance as a percentage of period end loans
  1.22   1.27   1.22   1.27 
Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans
  435   593   435   593 
     Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2005 is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This assessment involves uncertainty and judgment; therefore, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses cannot be determined with precision and may be subject to change in future periods. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Banks, may require adjustments to the provision for loan losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions.

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Non-performing Assets
     The table below summarizes non-performing assets.
Table 9 — Non-Performing Assets
(in thousands)
             
  June 30, December 31, June 30,
  2005 2004 2004
Non-accrual loans
 $11,465  $8,031  $7,169 
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
        3 
 
            
Total non-performing loans
  11,465   8,031   7,172 
Other real estate owned
  2,030   694   1,640 
 
            
Total non-performing assets
 $13,495  $8,725  $8,812 
 
            
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
  .28%  .22%  .21%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
  .24   .17   .19 
     Non-performing loans, which include non-accrual loans and accruing loans past due over 90 days, totaled $11.5 million at June 30, 2005, compared with $8.0 million at December 31, 2004 and $7.2 million at June 30, 2004. At June 30, 2005, the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was .28%, compared with .22% at December 31, 2004 and .21% at June 30, 2004. Non-performing assets, which include non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate, totaled $13.5 million at June 30, 2005, compared with $8.7 million at December 31, 2004 and $8.8 million at June 30, 2004.
     United’s policy is to place loans on non-accrual 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 placed on non-accrual status, interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed against current interest revenue. Depending on management’s evaluation of the borrower and loan collateral, interest revenue on a non-accrual loan may be recognized on a cash basis as payments are received. There were no commitments to lend additional funds to customers whose loans were on non-accrual status at June 30, 2005.
     At June 30, 2005 and 2004, there were $6.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of loans classified as impaired under the definition outlined in SFAS No. 114. Specific reserves allocated to these impaired loans totaled $1.7 million at June 30, 2005, and $281,000 at June 30, 2004. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the quarters ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, was $7.0 million and $546,000, respectively. Interest revenue recognized on loans while they were impaired for the second quarter and first half of 2005 was $9,000 and $13,000, respectively, compared with $12,000 and $15,000 for the same periods in 2004.
Investment Securities
     The composition of the investment securities portfolio reflects United’s investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity while providing a relatively stable source of revenue. The investment securities portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as required collateral for certain deposits.
     Total investment securities at quarter-end increased $251 million from second quarter of 2004, and $111 million from December 31, 2004. The investment portfolio is used to help stabilize interest rate sensitivity and increase net interest revenue. The growth in the investment securities portfolio is consistent with growth in the rest of the balance sheet. At June 30, 2005, the securities portfolio accounts for approximately 18% of total assets, and is comparable with 17% at December 31, 2004, and 16% at June 30, 2004.
     The investment securities portfolio primarily consists of U.S. Government and agency securities, municipal securities and U.S. Government sponsored agency mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities rely on the underlying pools of mortgage loans to provide a cash flow of principal and interest. The actual maturities of these securities will differ from the contractual maturities because the loans underlying the security may prepay. Decreases in interest rates will generally cause an acceleration of prepayment levels. In a declining interest rate environment, United generally will 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 timing of cash receipts and can result in the holding of a below market yielding asset for a longer time period.

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Deposits
     Total deposits at June 30, 2005 were $4.0 billion, an increase of $619 million from June 30, 2004, approximately $238 million resulting from the acquisitions of Eagle National Bank on November 1, 2004, and Liberty National Bank on December 1, 2004. Total non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts increased $111 million and interest-bearing demand and savings accounts increased $223 million. Total time deposits as of June 30, 2005 were $2.05 billion, an increase of $286 million from the second quarter of 2004.
     Time deposits of $100,000 and greater totaled $697 million at June 30, 2005, compared with $455 million at June 30, 2004. United utilizes “brokered” time deposits, issued in certificates of less than $100,000, as an alternative source of cost-effective funding. Brokered time deposits outstanding at June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004 were $311 million and $422 million, respectively.
Wholesale Funding
     At June 30, 2005, each of the Banks were shareholders in the Federal Home Loan Bank. Through this affiliation, secured advances totaling $800.3 million were outstanding at rates competitive with time deposits of like maturities. United anticipates continued utilization of this short and long term source of funds. FHLB advances outstanding at June 30, 2005 had both fixed and floating interest rates ranging from 2.12% to 6.59%. Additional information regarding FHLB advances, including scheduled maturities, is provided in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in United’s 2004 Form 10-K.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Management
     The absolute level and volatility of interest rates can have a significant impact 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.
     Net interest revenue is influenced by changes in the level of interest rates. United manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by the Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”). ALCO meets regularly and has responsibility for approving asset/liability management policies, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or earnings and reviewing United’s interest rate sensitivity.
     One of the tools management utilizes to estimate the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changes in interest rates is an interest rate simulation model. Such estimates are based upon a number of assumptions for various scenarios, including the level of balance sheet growth, deposit repricing characteristics and the rate of prepayments. The simulation model measures the potential change in net interest revenue over a twelve-month period under six interest rate scenarios. The first scenario assumes rates remain flat (“flat rate scenario”) over the next twelve months and is the scenario that all others are compared to in order to measure the change in net interest revenue. The second scenario is a most likely scenario that projects the most likely change in rates over the next twelve months based on the slope of the yield curve. United runs ramp scenarios that assume gradual increases and decreases of 200 basis points each over the next twelve months. United’s policy for net interest revenue simulation is limited to a change from the flat rate scenario of less than 10% for the up or down 200 basis point ramp scenarios over twelve months. At June 30, 2005, United’s simulation model indicated that a 200 basis point increase in rates over the next twelve months would cause an approximate 3.5% increase in net interest revenue and a 200 basis point decrease in rates over the next twelve months would cause an approximate 6.6% decrease in net interest revenue.
     In order to manage its interest rate sensitivity, United uses off-balance sheet contracts that are considered derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments can be a cost and capital effective means of modifying the repricing characteristics of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities. At June 30, 2005, United was a party to interest rate swap contracts under which it pays a variable rate and receives a fixed rate.

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     The following table presents the interest rate swap contracts outstanding at June 30, 2005.
Table 10 — Interest Rate Swap Contracts
As of June 30, 2005
(in thousands)
                 
  Notional Rate Rate Fair
Type/Maturity Amount Received Paid (1) Value
Cash Flow Contracts
                
October 3, 2005
  25,000   5.78   6.25   (53)
October 24, 2005
  22,000   5.57   6.25   (75)
December 30, 2005
  25,000   5.55   6.25   (130)
December 30, 2005
  25,000   5.70   6.25   (125)
December 30, 2005
  50,000   5.80   6.25   (198)
December 30, 2005
  100,000   5.57   6.25   (560)
April 3, 2006
  25,000   6.00   6.25   (146)
September 30, 2006
  10,000   7.04   6.25   19 
October 12, 2006
  15,000   6.94   6.25   11 
December 4, 2006
  15,000   5.85   6.25   (218)
December 17, 2006
  30,000   5.99   6.25   (385)
January 18, 2007
  25,000   6.51   6.25   (149)
March 21, 2007
  25,000   7.00   6.25   42 
April 19, 2007
  15,000   5.85   6.25   (280)
May 13, 2007
  25,000   6.47   6.25   (194)
May 14, 2007
  15,000   6.47   6.25   (120)
May 14, 2007
  10,000   6.47   6.25   (80)
October 23, 2007
  81,000   6.08   6.25   (835)
 
                
 
                
Total Cash Flow Contracts
 $538,000   6.00%  6.25% $(3,476)
 
                
 
(1) Based on prime rate at June 30, 2005.
     All of United’s derivative financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges. The change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. Cash flow hedges consist of interest rate swap contracts that are designated as hedges of daily repricing prime based loans. Under these contracts, United receives a fixed interest rate and pays a floating rate based on the Prime Rate as posted in the Wall Street Journal.
     United’s policy requires all derivative financial instruments be used only for asset/liability management through the hedging of specific transactions or positions, and not for trading or speculative purposes. Management believes that the risk associated with using derivative financial instruments to mitigate interest rate risk sensitivity is minimal and should not have any material unintended impact on the 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 reasonable cost, to meet the ongoing operational cash needs and to take advantage of revenue producing opportunities as they arise. While the desired level of liquidity will vary depending upon a variety of factors, it is the primary goal of United to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity in all expected economic environments. Liquidity is defined as the ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management involves maintaining United’s ability to meet the daily cash flow requirements of the Banks’ customers, both depositors and borrowers.
     The primary objectives of asset/liability management are to provide for adequate liquidity in order to meet the needs of customers and to maintain an optimal balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities, so that United can also meet the investment requirements of its shareholders as market interest rates change. 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. Mortgage loans held for sale totaled $34.1 million at June 30, 2005, and typically turn over every 45 days as the closed loans are sold to investors in the secondary market.

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     The liability section of the balance sheet provides liquidity through interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit accounts. Federal funds purchased, 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.
     United has available two lines of credit at its holding company with other financial institutions totaling $85 million. At June 30, 2005, $5.0 million has been drawn and is outstanding, and United had sufficient qualifying collateral to increase FHLB advances by $224 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2005, United changed the internal policy limits related to brokered deposits from 20% to 25% of total non-brokered deposits. At June 30, 2005, United had the capacity to increase brokered deposits by $418 million and still remain within this limit. With the change in policy from 20% to 25%, United’s capacity to increase brokered deposits is now $601 million based upon total non-brokered deposits at June 30, 2005. In addition to these wholesale sources, United has the ability to attract retail deposits at any time by competing more aggressively on pricing.
     As disclosed in United’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $32.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The major contributors in this category were net income of $27.2 million, depreciation, amortization and accretion of $8.0 million, provision for loan losses of $5.2 million, a decrease in mortgage loans held for sale of $3.0 million, partially offset by an increase in other assets of $13.9 million. Net cash used by investing activities of $455.0 million consisted primarily of a net increase in loans totaling $342.8 million, purchases of premises and equipment of $8.5 million, and $226.6 million used to purchase investment securities, partially offset by proceeds from sales of securities of $40.7 million, maturities and calls of investment securities of $78.4 million, and sales of premises, equipment and other real estate of $3.5 million. Net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of a net increase in deposits of $278.7 million, short-term borrowing from United’s line of credit of $5.0 million, and a net increase in federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements of $82.2 million, and a net increase in FHLB advances of $62.5 million; partially offset by cash dividends paid of $5.4 million. In the opinion of management, the liquidity position at June 30, 2005 is sufficient to meet its expected cash flow requirements.
Capital Resources and Dividends
     Stockholders’ equity at June 30, 2005 was $416.0 million, an increase of $85.5 million from June 30, 2004. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is not included in the calculation of regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Excluding the change in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity increased $85.9 million, or 26%, from June 30, 2004, of which $42.0 million was the result of shares exchanged for the acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2004. Dividends of $2.7 million, or $.07 per share, were declared on common stock during the second quarter of 2005, an increase of 17% from the amount declared in the same period in 2004. On an operating basis, the dividend payout ratios for the second quarters of 2005 and 2004 were the same at 19%. United has historically retained the majority of its earnings in order to provide a cost effective source of capital for continued growth and expansion. However, in recognition that cash dividends are an important component of shareholder value, United has instituted a dividend program that provides for increased cash dividends when earnings and capital levels permit.
     United’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 2,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2005. Through June 30, 2005, a total of 1,332,000 shares have been purchased under this program. No shares were purchased during the second quarter of 2005.
     United’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “UCBI”. The closing price for the period ended June 30, 2005 was $26.02. Below is a quarterly schedule of high, low and closing stock prices and average daily volume for 2005 and 2004.
Table 11 — Stock Price Information
                                 
  2005 2004
  High Low Close Avg Volume High Low Close Avg Volume
     
First quarter
 $27.92  $23.02  $23.73   42,662  $24.62  $21.37  $23.73   26,905 
Second quarter
  26.44   21.70   26.02   63,805   25.36   21.89   25.18   43,316 
Third quarter
                  25.45   21.75   24.27   30,366 
Fourth quarter
                  29.60   23.17   26.93   39,082 

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     The following table presents the quarterly cash dividends declared in 2005 and 2004 and the respective payout ratios as a percentage of basic operating earnings per share, which excludes merger-related charges.
Table 12 — Dividend Payout Information (based on operating earnings)
                 
  2005 2004
  Dividend Payout % Dividend Payout %
     
First quarter
 $.07   20  $.06   19 
Second quarter
  .07   19   .06   19(1)
Third quarter
          .06   18 
Fourth quarter
          .06   17(1)
 
(1) Dividend payout ratios for the second and fourth quarters of 2004 were 19% and 18%, respectively, when calculated using GAAP earnings per share.
     The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 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 which are used in conjunction with risk adjusted assets to determine the risk based capital ratios. The guidelines require an 8% total risk-based capital ratio, of which 4% must be Tier I capital. To be considered well capitalized under the guidelines, a 10% total risk-based capital ratio is required, of which 6% must be Tier I capital.
     The following table shows United’s capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, at June 30, 2005 and 2004.
Table 13 — Capital Ratios
(in thousands)
                 
  2005 2004
  Actual Regulatory Actual Regulatory
  Amount Minimum Amount Minimum
     
Tier I Leverage:
                
Amount
 $343,649  $156,713  $287,907  $125,698 
Ratio
  6.58%  3.00%  6.87%  3.00%
Tier I Risk-Based:
                
Amount
 $343,649  $170,815  $287,907  $136,936 
Ratio
  8.05%  4.00%  8.41%  4.00%
Total Risk-Based:
                
Amount
 $463,122  $341,629  $399,601  $273,873 
Ratio
  10.85%  8.00%  11.67%  8.00%
     United’s Tier I capital, which excludes other comprehensive income, consists of stockholders’ equity and qualifying capital securities less goodwill and deposit-based intangibles, totaled $343.6 million at June 30, 2005. Tier II capital components include supplemental capital items such as a qualifying allowance for loan losses and qualifying subordinated debt. Tier I capital plus Tier II capital components is referred to as Total Risk-Based capital and was $463 million at June 30, 2005.
     A minimum leverage ratio is required in addition to the risk-based capital standards and is defined as Tier I capital divided by average assets adjusted for goodwill and deposit-based intangibles. Although a minimum leverage ratio of 3% is required for the highest-rated bank holding companies which are not undertaking significant expansion programs, the Federal Reserve Board requires a bank holding company to maintain a leverage ratio greater than 3% if it is experiencing or anticipating significant growth or is operating with less than well-diversified risks in the opinion of the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board uses the leverage and risk-based capital ratios to assess capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies. United’s leverage ratio at June 30, 2005 and 2004 was 6.58% and 6.87%, respectively.
     The capital ratios of United and the Banks currently exceed the minimum ratios as defined by federal regulators. United monitors these ratios to ensure that United and the Banks remain above regulatory minimum guidelines.

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Impact 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 impact 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 impact of inflation on financial results depends on United’s ability to react to changes in interest rates and, by such reaction, reduce the inflationary impact 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 June 30, 2005 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The interest rate sensitivity position at June 30, 2005 is included in management’s discussion and analysis on page 21 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 the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2005. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission’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 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’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 Banks are defendants in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, there is no pending or threatened proceeding in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of United.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds — None
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities — None
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders
     United held its annual meeting of shareholders on April 27, 2005.
At the annual meeting, the shareholders elected Jimmy C. Tallent, Robert L. Head, Jr., W. C. Nelson, Jr., A. William Bennett, Robert H. Blalock, Guy W. Freeman, Thomas C. Gilliland, Charles E. Hill, Hoyt O. Holloway, Clarence W. Mason, Sr., and Tim Wallis as directors to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. The elections were approved by the votes set forth in the following table.
         
Election of Directors Shares Voted in Favor Shares Withheld
Jimmy C. Tallent
  28,942,059   187,042 
Robert L. Head, Jr.
  27,436,000   1,693,101 
W. C. Nelson, Jr.
  28,886,182   242,919 
A. William Bennett
  28,969,818   159,283 
Robert H. Blalock
  29,017,396   111,705 
Guy W. Freeman
  28,993,054   136,047 
Thomas C. Gilliland
  28,993,622   135,479 
Charles E. Hill
  28,996,484   132,617 
Hoyt O. Holloway
  28,996,571   132,530 
Clarence W. Mason, Sr.
  28,996,484   132,617 
Tim Wallis
  27,507,119   1,621,982 

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Item 5. Other Information — None
Item 6. Exhibits
   
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

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Signatures
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
     
 UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
 
 
 /s/ Jimmy C. Tallent  
 Jimmy C. Tallent  
 President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
   
  /s/ Rex S. Schuette  
 Rex S. Schuette  
 Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 
 
 
   
  /s/ Alan H. Kumler  
 Alan H. Kumler  
 Senior Vice President and
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) 
 
 
 
Date: August 5, 2005

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