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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS INC - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2020
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from ___________ to ___________
Commission file number 001-35095
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 58-1807304
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
125 Highway 515 East 
Blairsville, Georgia
30512
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)
(706) 781-2265
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, par value $1 per shareUCBINasdaq Global Select Market
Depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of
Series I Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock
UCBIONasdaq Global Select Market

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 No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Date File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes No

There were 86,620,219 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $1 per share, outstanding as of October 31, 2020.



INDEX
 
    
 Item 1.  Financial Statements. 
  
    
  
    
  
  
    
  
    
  
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 

2


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance and prospects are forward-looking statements. Also, any statement that does not describe historical or current facts is a forward-looking statement. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “projects”, “plans”, “goal”, “targets”, “potential”, “estimates”, “pro forma”, “seeks”, “intends”, or “anticipates”, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include discussions of strategy, financial projections, guidance and estimates (including their underlying assumptions), statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of various transactions or events, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of United Community Banks, Inc. (the “Holding Company”) and its subsidiaries, including United Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Holding Company and the Bank are collectively referred to in this report as “United”

Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond our control, and that are difficult to predict as to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, and that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results implied or anticipated by the statements. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligations to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, in addition to those described in detail under Part II, Item 1A of this Report - “Risk Factors” - include, but are not limited to the following: 

negative economic and political conditions that adversely affect the general economy, housing prices, the real estate market, the job market, consumer confidence, the financial condition of our borrowers and consumer spending habits, which may affect, among other things, the levels of non-performing assets, charge-offs and provision expense;
changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions or regulatory developments, either as they currently exist or as they may be affected by conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;
the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economic and business environments in which we operate;
strategic, market, operational, liquidity and interest rate risks associated with our business;
continuation of historically low interest rates coupled with other potential fluctuations or unanticipated changes in the interest rate environment, including interest rate changes made by the Federal Reserve, the discontinuation of London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as an interest rate benchmark, as well as cash flow reassessments may reduce net interest margin and/or the volumes and values of loans made or held as well as the value of other financial assets;
our lack of geographic diversification and any unanticipated or greater than anticipated adverse conditions in the national or local economies in which we operate;
our loan concentration in industries or sectors that may experience unanticipated or greater than anticipated adverse conditions than other industries or sectors in the national or local economies in which we operate;
the risks of expansion into new geographic or product markets;
risks with respect to future mergers or acquisitions, including our ability to successfully expand and complete acquisitions and integrate businesses and operations that we acquire;
our ability to attract and retain key employees;
competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers, including non-bank financial technology providers, and our ability to attract customers from other financial institutions;
losses due to fraudulent and negligent conduct of our customers, third party service providers or employees;
cybersecurity risks and the vulnerability of our network and online banking portals, and the systems of parties with whom we contract, to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches that could adversely affect our business and financial performance or reputation;
our reliance on third parties to provide key components of our business infrastructure and services required to operate our business;
the risk that we may be required to make substantial expenditures to keep pace with regulatory initiatives and the rapid technological changes in the financial services market;
the availability of and access to capital;
legislative, regulatory or accounting changes that may adversely affect us;
volatility in the allowance for credit losses resulting from the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) methodology, either alone or as that may be affected by conditions arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic;
3


adverse results (including judgments, costs, fines, reputational harm, inability to obtain necessary approvals and/or other negative effects) from current or future litigation, regulatory proceedings, examinations, investigations, or similar matters, or developments related thereto;
any matter that would cause us to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including intangible assets;
limitations on our ability to make dividends and other distributions from the Bank to the Holding Company, which could affect Holding Company liquidity, including the ability to pay dividends to shareholders or take other capital actions; and
other risks and uncertainties disclosed in documents filed or furnished by us with or to the SEC, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, implied or otherwise anticipated by such forward-looking statements.

We caution readers that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, is not necessarily in order of importance and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements also may be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We do not intend to and hereby disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this Form 10-Q, which speaks only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The financial statements and information contained herein have not been reviewed, or confirmed for accuracy or relevance, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other regulator.

4


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019
ASSETS  
Cash and due from banks$122,048 $125,844 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks923,591 389,362 
Cash and cash equivalents1,045,639 515,206 
Debt securities available-for-sale2,690,448 2,274,581 
Debt securities held-to-maturity (fair value $413,820 and $287,904, respectively)
398,373 283,533 
Loans held for sale at fair value128,587 58,484 
Loans and leases held for investment11,798,910 8,812,553 
Less allowance for credit losses - loans and leases(134,256)(62,089)
Loans and leases, net11,664,654 8,750,464 
Premises and equipment, net211,885 215,976 
Bank owned life insurance201,515 202,664 
Accrued interest receivable48,091 32,660 
Net deferred tax asset39,818 34,059 
Derivative financial instruments103,388 35,007 
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net384,074 342,247 
Other assets236,405 171,135 
Total assets$17,152,877 $12,916,016 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand$5,227,170 $3,477,979 
Interest-bearing deposits9,376,206 7,419,265 
Total deposits14,603,376 10,897,244 
Long-term debt326,703 212,664 
Derivative financial instruments33,519 15,516 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities222,024 154,900 
Total liabilities15,185,622 11,280,324 
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value: 10,000,000 shares authorized;
  Series I, $25,000 per share liquidation preference; 4,000 and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively
96,422 — 
Common stock, $1 par value: 150,000,000 shares authorized;
  86,611,114 and 79,013,729 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
86,611 79,014 
Common stock issuable: 590,521 and 664,640 shares, respectively
10,632 11,491 
Capital surplus1,637,467 1,496,641 
Retained earnings94,938 40,152 
Accumulated other comprehensive income41,185 8,394 
Total shareholders' equity1,967,255 1,635,692 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$17,152,877 $12,916,016 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5



UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)2020201920202019
Interest revenue:  
Loans, including fees$126,936 $122,645 $352,861 $357,575 
Investment securities, including tax exempt of $1,895, $1,118, $4,988 and $3,409,
  respectively
14,558 17,744 47,567 57,638 
Deposits in banks and short-term investments279 226 1,497 1,074 
Total interest revenue141,773 140,615 401,925 416,287 
Interest expense:
Deposits8,998 17,113 35,344 50,185 
Short-term borrowings429 838 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances27 521 28 2,695 
Long-term debt4,292 3,214 10,186 9,813 
Total interest expense13,319 21,277 45,561 63,531 
Net interest revenue128,454 119,338 356,364 352,756 
Provision for credit losses21,793 3,100 77,527 9,650 
Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses106,661 116,238 278,837 343,106 
Noninterest income:
Service charges and fees8,260 9,916 23,893 27,429 
Mortgage loan gains and other related fees25,144 8,658 57,113 17,750 
Brokerage and wealth management fees3,055 1,699 6,019 4,624 
Gains from sales of other loans, net1,175 1,639 3,889 4,412 
Securities gains (losses), net746 — 746 (118)
Other10,302 7,119 23,074 20,433 
Total noninterest income48,682 29,031 114,734 74,530 
Total revenue155,343 145,269 393,571 417,636 
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits59,067 50,501 162,236 146,161 
Communications and equipment6,960 6,223 19,462 18,233 
Occupancy7,050 5,921 18,709 17,424 
Advertising and public relations1,778 1,374 5,312 4,256 
Postage, printing and supplies1,703 1,618 4,986 4,733 
Professional fees5,083 4,715 14,003 11,930 
Lending and loan servicing expense3,043 2,556 8,525 7,509 
Outside services - electronic banking1,888 1,934 5,516 5,101 
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges1,346 314 4,388 3,571 
Amortization of intangibles1,099 1,210 3,126 3,845 
Merger-related and other charges3,361 2,541 4,566 6,981 
Other3,603 4,017 10,670 11,077 
Total noninterest expenses95,981 82,924 261,499 240,821 
Net income before income taxes59,362 62,345 132,072 176,815 
Income tax expense11,755 13,983 27,485 40,106 
Net income$47,607 $48,362 $104,587 $136,709 
Net income available to common shareholders$45,437 $48,011 $101,994 $135,727 
Net income per common share:
Basic$0.52 $0.60 $1.25 $1.70 
Diluted0.52 0.60 1.25 1.70 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic87,129 79,663 81,815 79,714 
Diluted87,205 79,667 81,876 79,718 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited). 
6



UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(in thousands)Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
Before-tax
Amount
Tax
(Expense)
Benefit
Net of Tax
Amount
Before-tax
Amount
Tax
(Expense)
Benefit
Net of Tax
Amount
2020
Net income$59,362 $(11,755)$47,607 $132,072 $(27,485)$104,587 
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities941 (181)760 43,611 (10,583)33,028 
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income(746)191 (555)(746)191 (555)
Net unrealized gains195 10 205 42,865 (10,392)32,473 
Amortization of losses included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity544 (130)414 723 (173)550 
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding losses on derivatives arising during the period(324)83 (241)(1,152)294 (858)
Reclassification of losses on derivative instruments realized in net income130 (33)97 197 (50)147 
Net cash flow hedge activity(194)50 (144)(955)244 (711)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan215 (55)160 643 (164)479 
Total other comprehensive income760 (125)635 43,276 (10,485)32,791 
Comprehensive income$60,122 $(11,880)$48,242 $175,348 $(37,970)$137,378 
2019
Net income$62,345 $(13,983)$48,362 $176,815 $(40,106)$136,709 
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during period8,014 (1,897)6,117 70,944 (17,194)53,750 
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income— — — 118 (30)88 
Net unrealized gains8,014 (1,897)6,117 71,062 (17,224)53,838 
Amortization of losses included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity105 (25)80 282 (67)215 
Amortization of losses included in net income on terminated derivative financial instruments that were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges— — — 337 (86)251 
Defined benefit pension plan activity:
Termination of defined benefit pension plan1,558 (398)1,160 1,558 (398)1,160 
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plan174 (45)129 521 (133)388 
Net defined benefit pension plan activity1,732 (443)1,289 2,079 (531)1,548 
Total other comprehensive income9,851 (2,365)7,486 73,760 (17,908)55,852 
Comprehensive income$72,196 $(16,348)$55,848 $250,575 $(58,014)$192,561 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7


UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Preferred StockCommon StockCommon Stock IssuableCapital SurplusRetained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)TotalPreferred StockCommon StockCommon Stock IssuableCapital SurplusRetained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total
2020
Balance at beginning of period$96,660 $78,335 $10,646 $1,480,464 $64,990 $40,550 $1,771,645 $— $79,014 $11,491 $1,496,641 $40,152 $8,394 $1,635,692 
Net income47,607 47,607 104,587 104,587 
Other comprehensive income635 635 32,791 32,791 
Issuance of preferred stock (4,000 shares), net
(238)(238)96,422 96,422 
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and
   employee benefit plans (37,863 and 59,455 shares, respectively)
38 614 652 60 1,018 1,078 
Common stock issued for acquisition (8,130,633 shares)
8,131 155,458 163,589 8,131 155,458 163,589 
Amortization of restricted stock unit awards1,683 1,683 5,939 5,939 
Vesting of restricted stock unit awards, net of shares surrendered
   to cover payroll taxes (89,095 and 151,347 shares issued,
   respectively, and 13,164 and 37,509 shares deferred,
   respectively)
89 332 (1,064)(643)151 1,008 (2,481)(1,322)
Purchases of common stock (826,482 shares)
— (827)(19,955)(20,782)
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend
equivalents
113 113 380 380 
Common stock issued from deferred compensation plan, net of
   shares surrendered to cover payroll taxes (18,396 and 82,432
   shares, respectively)
18 (459)312 (129)82 (2,247)847 (1,318)
Preferred stock dividends(1,814)(1,814)(1,814)(1,814)
Common stock dividends ($0.18 and $0.54 per share,
   respectively)
(15,845)(15,845)(44,458)(44,458)
Adoption of new accounting standard— (3,529)(3,529)
Balance, September 30, 2020$96,422 $86,611 $10,632 $1,637,467 $94,938 $41,185 $1,967,255 $96,422 $86,611 $10,632 $1,637,467 $94,938 $41,185 $1,967,255 
2019
Balance at beginning of period$— $79,075 $10,858 $1,498,740 $(29,116)$6,777 $1,566,334 $— $79,234 $10,744 $1,499,584 $(90,419)$(41,589)$1,457,554 
Net income48,362 48,362 136,709 136,709 
Other comprehensive income7,486 7,486 55,852 55,852 
Exercise of stock options (12,000 shares)
— 12 185 197 
Common stock issued to dividend reinvestment plan and
  employee benefit plans (34,190 and 76,613 shares,
  respectively)
34 879 913 76 1,928 2,004 
Amortization of restricted stock unit awards1,678 1,678 7,680 7,680 
Vesting of restricted stock unit awards, net of shares surrendered
   to cover payroll taxes (60,199 and 81,178 shares issued,
   respectively, and 14,919 and 51,580 shares deferred,
   respectively)
60 356 (1,046)(630)81 1,365 (2,468)(1,022)
Purchases of common stock (195,443 and 500,495 shares,
  respectively)
(195)(4,985)(5,180)(500)(12,520)(13,020)
Deferred compensation plan, net, including dividend
equivalents
114 114 406 406 
Common stock issued from deferred compensation plan, net of
  shares surrendered to cover payroll taxes (34 and
  70,826 shares, respectively)
(1)— 71 (1,188)878 (239)
Common stock dividends ($0.17 and $0.50 per share,
  respectively)
(13,652)(13,652)(40,147)(40,147)
Adoption of new accounting standard— (549)(549)
Balance, September 30, 2019$— $78,974 $11,327 $1,495,267 $5,594 $14,263 $1,605,425 $— $78,974 $11,327 $1,495,267 $5,594 $14,263 $1,605,425 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
8


UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Operating activities:  
Net income$104,587 $136,709 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion5,332 18,009 
Provision for credit losses77,527 9,650 
Stock based compensation5,939 7,680 
Deferred income tax expense189 12,149 
Securities (gains) losses, net(746)118 
Gains from sales of other loans(3,889)(4,783)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and accrued interest receivable(44,570)(47,543)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(20,869)(188)
Loans held for sale(69,875)(35,690)
Net cash provided by operating activities53,625 96,111 
Investing activities:
Debt securities held-to-maturity:
Proceeds from maturities and calls45,171 39,787 
Purchases(105,622)(8,499)
Debt securities available-for-sale and equity securities:
Proceeds from sales40,365 225,883 
Proceeds from maturities and calls604,180 238,514 
Purchases(668,484)(45,629)
Net increase in loans(1,523,516)(296,076)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment641 5,870 
Purchases of premises and equipment(5,991)(16,532)
Net cash received in (paid for) acquisition194,606 (19,545)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate466 2,344 
Other investing activities, net(8,185)— 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(1,426,369)126,117 
Financing activities:
Net increase in deposits1,904,549 10,538 
Repayment of long-term debt— (27,500)
Proceeds from FHLB advances5,000 1,625,000 
Repayment of FHLB advances(134,121)(1,745,000)
Proceeds from issuance of senior debentures, net of issuance costs98,552 — 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment and employee benefit plans1,078 2,004 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options— 197 
Cash paid for shares withheld to cover payroll taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units(2,640)(1,261)
Proceeds from issuance of Series I preferred stock, net of issuance costs96,422 — 
Repurchase of common stock(20,782)(13,020)
Cash dividends on common stock(43,067)(39,392)
Cash dividends on preferred stock(1,814)— 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities1,903,177 (188,434)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash530,433 33,794 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of period515,206 327,265 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of period$1,045,639 $361,059 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Unsettled government guaranteed loan sales$328 $6,850 
Transfers of loans to foreclosed properties586 853 
Unsettled securities purchases30,045 — 
Acquisitions:
Assets acquired2,174,723 264,937 
Liabilities assumed1,987,026 212,844 
Net assets acquired187,697 52,093 
Common stock issued in acquisition163,589 — 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited). 
9

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


Note 1 – Accounting Policies
 
The accounting and financial reporting policies of United Community Banks, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including United Community Bank (the “Bank”), (collectively referred to herein as “United”) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and reporting guidelines of banking regulatory authorities. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. In addition to those items mentioned below, a more detailed description of United’s accounting policies is included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 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 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. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in United’s 2019 10-K. Certain amounts reported in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Debt Securities
Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are generally amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to their earliest call date. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains or losses associated with transfers of securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity are included in the balance of accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. These unrealized holding gains or losses are amortized into income over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to the yield in a manner consistent with the amortization or accretion of the original purchase premium or discount on the associated security.

A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) - Held-to-Maturity Securities: Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $1.52 million at September 30, 2020 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: State and political subdivisions, Residential mortgage-backed, agency and Commercial mortgage-backed, agency.

All of the residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities held by United are issued by U.S. government agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. The state and political subdivision securities are highly rated by major rating agencies. As a result, no ACL was recorded on the held-to-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2020.

ACL - Available-For-Sale Securities: For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, United first assesses whether it intends to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, United evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present
10

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

value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any amount of unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income.
Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At September 30, 2020, there was no ACL related to the available-for-sale portfolio.
Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $8.93 million at September 30, 2020 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Loans and Leases
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts and deferred fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable related to loans totaled $36.5 million at September 30, 2020 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using methods that approximate a level yield without anticipating prepayments.
The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due or when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the principal or interest will not be collectable in the normal course of business. A loan may continue to accrue interest after 90 days if it is well collateralized and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Loans where United has granted payment deferrals for borrowers experiencing temporary cash flow shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are not considered past due.
All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for using the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, there is a sustained period of repayment performance and future payments are reasonably assured.
Equipment Financing Lease Receivables: Equipment financing lease receivables, which are classified as sales-type or direct financing leases, are recorded as the sum of the future minimum lease payments, initial deferred costs and estimated or contractual residual values less unearned income and security deposits. The determination of residual value is derived from a variety of sources including equipment valuation services, appraisals, and publicly available market data on recent sales transactions on similar equipment. The length of time until contract termination, the cyclical nature of equipment values and the limited marketplace for re-sale of certain leased assets are important variables considered in making this determination. Interest income, which is included in loan interest revenue in the consolidated statements of income, is recognized as earned using the effective interest method. Direct fees and costs associated with the origination of leases are deferred and included as a component of equipment financing receivables. Net deferred fees or costs are recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the lease using the effective interest method. These lease agreements may include options to renew and for the lessee to purchase the leased equipment at the end of the lease term. United excludes sales taxes from consideration in these lease contracts.
Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) Loans: Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASC 326”), loans that were designated as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans under the previous accounting guidance were classified as PCD loans without reassessment.
In acquisitions, United may acquire loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. In those cases, United will consider internal loan grades, delinquency status and other relevant factors in assessing whether purchased loans are PCD. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An initial ACL is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment, but with no impact to earnings. The initial ACL determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan's purchase price and ACL becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent to initial recognition, PCD loans are subject to the same interest income recognition and impairment model as non-PCD loans, with changes to the ACL recorded through provision expense.
ACL - Loans
The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
11

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


Management determines the ACL balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit behaviors along with model judgments provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to modeled loss estimates may be made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in economic conditions, property values, or other relevant factors.

The ACL is measured on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. United has identified the following portfolio segments and calculates the ACL for each using a discounted cash flow methodology at the loan level, with loss rates, prepayment assumptions and curtailment assumptions driven by each loan’s collateral type:

Owner occupied commercial real estate - Loans in this category are susceptible to business failure and general economic conditions.

Income producing commercial real estate - Common risks for this loan category are declines in general economic conditions, declines in real estate value, declines in occupancy rates, and lack of suitable alternative use for the property.

Commercial & industrial - Risks to this loan category include the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral, which often consists of inventory, accounts receivable and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt.

Commercial construction - Risks common to commercial construction loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements and declines in real estate values.

Equipment financing - Risks associated with equipment financing are similar to those described for commercial and industrial loans, including general economic conditions, as well as appropriate lien priority on equipment, equipment obsolescence and the general mobility of the collateral.

Residential mortgage - Residential mortgage loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions, increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values.

Home equity lines of credit - Risks common to home equity lines of credit are general economic conditions, including an increase in unemployment rates, and declining real estate values that reduce or eliminate the borrower’s home equity.

Residential construction - Residential construction loans are susceptible to the same risks as residential mortgage loans. Changes in market demand for property lead to longer marketing times resulting in higher carrying costs and declining values.

Consumer - Risks common to consumer direct loans include unemployment and changes in local economic conditions as well as the inability to monitor collateral consisting of personal property.

When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

When the discounted cash flow method is used to determine the ACL, management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments.

Determining the Contractual Term: Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a troubled debt restructuring will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by United.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”s): A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a more than insignificant concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is generally considered to be a TDR. The ACL on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring. As discussed in Note 2, in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), United implemented loan modification programs in response to the COVID-19
12

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

pandemic in order to provide borrowers with flexibility with respect to repayment terms. These loan modifications were not considered TDRs to the extent that the borrower was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and was not more than 30 days past due at December 31, 2019, or in certain circumstances, at the time that the COVID-19 loan modification program was implemented, unless the loan was previously classified as a TDR.

ACL - Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Management estimates expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit over the contractual period during which United is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The ACL is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to fund.

Note 2 –Accounting Standards Updates and Recently Adopted Standards

Recently Adopted Standards

On January 1, 2020, United adopted ASC 326, which replaced the incurred loss impairment framework in prior GAAP (“Incurred Loss”) with a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) framework. The CECL framework requires an estimate of credit losses for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and generally applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities, and some off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments to extend credit. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an ACL. PCD loans will receive an initial allowance at the acquisition date that represents an adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan, with no impact to earnings. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an ACL prospectively, with such allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost.

United adopted ASC 326 as of January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method for loans, leases and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Adoption of this guidance resulted in an $8.75 million increase in the ACL, comprised of increases in the ACL for loans of $6.88 million and the ACL for unfunded commitments of $1.87 million, with $3.59 million of the increase reclassified from the amortized cost basis of PCD financial assets that were previously classified as PCI. The cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was $3.53 million, net of tax. Calculated credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities were not material and there was no impact to the available-for-sale securities portfolio or other financial instruments. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with Incurred Loss.

The ACL for the majority of loans and leases was calculated using a discounted cash flow methodology applied at a loan level with a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period and a two-year straight-line reversion period. In connection with the adoption, management has implemented changes to relevant systems, processes and controls where necessary. Model validation was completed during the fourth quarter of 2019 and implementation of the accounting, reporting and governance processes to comply with the new guidance was completed in the first quarter of 2020. United’s CECL allowance will fluctuate over time due to macroeconomic conditions and forecasts as well as the size and composition of the loan portfolios. United has adopted the relief provided by federal banking regulatory agencies for the delay of the adverse capital impact of CECL at adoption and during the subsequent two-year period following adoption. This optional two-year delay is followed by an optional three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay. Under the transition provision, the amount of aggregate capital benefit is phased out by 25% each year with the full impact of adoption completely recognized by the beginning of the sixth year.

United adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for PCD assets that were previously classified as PCI. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. As mentioned above, the amortized cost basis of the PCD assets was adjusted to reflect the addition of $3.59 million to the ACL. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at a rate that approximates the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2020.

With regard to PCD assets, because United elected to disaggregate the former PCI pools and no longer considers these pools to be the unit of account, contractually delinquent PCD loans will be reported as nonaccrual loans using the same criteria as other loans. Similarly, although management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were TDRs as of the date of adoption, PCD loans that are restructured and meet the definition of TDR after the adoption of CECL will be reported as such.

13

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

United elected not to measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable and instead to reverse interest income on those loans that are 90 days past due, to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of financial instruments subject to CECL and to separately state the balance of accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, United elected to adjust the discount rate used to calculate credit losses for expected prepayments and will include all changes in discounted cash flows as credit loss. As a practical expedient, United has also elected to use the fair value of collateral when determining the ACL for loans if repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty (collateral-dependent loans).

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act includes a number of provisions that were applicable to United, including the following:

Accounting Relief for TDRs: The CARES Act provides that modifications under certain forbearance conditions for loans that were not more than 30 days past due at December 31, 2019 will not be considered TDRs for regulatory reporting and GAAP. This exemption period ends on the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the date that is 60 days after the termination date of the national emergency.
Optional Delay and Regulatory Relief for CECL Implementation: The CARES Act stipulates that large SEC filers have the option of delaying the adoption of CECL from January 1, 2020 to the earlier of the end of the COVID-19 emergency period or December 31, 2020. Banks that were required to implement CECL by the end of 2020 were granted the option to defer any impact of CECL on regulatory capital for two years before beginning the original three-year regulatory phase-in period, for a total five-year phase-in period. Although United did not elect to delay the adoption of CECL, the Company elected the five-year phase-in period for regulatory capital purposes, as discussed above.
Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”): The CARES Act creates the PPP through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), which allowed United to lend money to small businesses to maintain employee payrolls and pay other qualified expenses during the crisis with guarantees from the SBA. Under this program, loan amounts may be forgiven if the proceeds are used for payroll and other permitted expenses in accordance with the requirements of the PPP.

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This update clarified certain minor issues within the codification, including, among other things, debt securities disclosure for financial institutions and determination of the contractual term of a net investment in a lease. The standard was effective immediately, and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides expedients for contracts that are modified because of reference rate reform, including receivables, debt, leases, and certain derivatives. In addition, the update provides a one-time election to sell or transfer debt securities classified as held-to-maturity that reference a rate that is affected by reference rate reform. The update is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825 Financial Instruments. In addition to amending guidance related to the new CECL standard, this update clarifies certain aspects of hedge accounting and recognition and measurement of financial instruments. United adopted this update as of January 1, 2020, with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This update eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, which required an entity to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by valuing a reporting unit’s assets and liabilities using the same process that would be required to value assets and liabilities in a business combination. Instead, the amendments require that an entity perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. United adopted this update as of January 1, 2020, with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Adopted

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. This update clarifies that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security meets the criteria to adjust the amortization period of any related premium at each reporting period. Adoption of this update, which is effective for United as of January 1, 2021, is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
14

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

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Acquisition of Three Shores Bancorporation, Inc.
On July 1, 2020, United completed the acquisition of Three Shores Bancorporation, Inc. (“Three Shores”), including its wholly-owned subsidiary, Seaside National Bank & Trust (“Seaside”), headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Seaside operated a 14-branch network located in key Florida metropolitan markets. In connection with the acquisition, United acquired $2.13 billion of assets and assumed $1.99 billion of liabilities. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Three Shores shareholders received $188 million in total consideration, of which $164 million was United common stock and $24.1 million was cash. United issued 8.13 million shares of common stock to Three Shores shareholders in the acquisition. The fair value of consideration paid exceeded the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and resulted in the establishment of goodwill in the amount of $41.6 million, representing the intangible value of Three Shores’ business and reputation within the markets it served. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. United will amortize the related core deposit intangible of $3.36 million using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over 10 years, which represents the expected useful life of the asset. 

United’s operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 include the operating results of the acquired business for the period subsequent to the acquisition date of July 1, 2020.
 
The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their acquisition date fair values and are summarized in the table below (in thousands). 
 As Recorded by
Three Shores
Fair Value
Adjustments (1)
As Recorded by
United
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$218,714 $— $218,714 
Debt securities374,237 7,503 381,740 
Loans, net1,463,567 (35,601)1,427,966 
Premises and equipment, net1,892 (308)1,584 
Accrued interest receivable8,849 (1,284)7,565 
Derivative assets12,165 (365)11,800 
Net deferred tax asset3,837 11,224 15,061 
Core deposit intangible— 3,360 3,360 
Other assets71,984 (6,644)65,340 
Total assets acquired$2,155,245 $(22,115)$2,133,130 
Liabilities
Deposits$1,796,739 $5,955 $1,802,694 
FHLB advances and long-term debt136,000 8,121 144,121 
Derivative liabilities12,165 — 12,165 
Other liabilities30,857 (2,811)28,046 
Total liabilities assumed1,975,761 11,265 1,987,026 
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed$179,484 
Aggregate fair value adjustments$(33,380)
Total identifiable net assets146,104 
Consideration transferred
Cash consideration transferred24,108 
Common stock issued (8,130,633 shares)
163,589 
Total fair value of consideration transferred187,697 
Goodwill$41,593 

(1) Fair values are preliminary and are subject to refinement for a period not to exceed one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available.

15

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

The following table presents additional information related to the acquired loan portfolio at the acquisition date (in thousands).

July 1, 2020
PCD loans:
Par value$283,137 
ACL at acquisition(11,152)
Non-credit discount(8,694)
Purchase price$263,291 
Non-PCD loans:
Fair value$1,164,675 
Gross contractual amounts receivable1,358,793 
Estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected76,503 


Pro forma information
 
The following table discloses the impact of the acquisitions of Three Shores and First Madison Bank & Trust (“FMBT”), which United acquired on May 1, 2019, since the respective acquisition dates through September 30 in the year of acquisition. The table also presents certain pro forma information as if Three Shores and FMBT had been acquired on January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018, respectively. These results combine the historical results of the acquired entity with United’s consolidated statement of income. Adjustments were made for the estimated impact of certain fair value adjustments and other acquisition-related activity; however pro forma financial results presented are not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisitions taken place in earlier years.
 
Merger-related costs from the Three Shores acquisition of $3.36 million and $3.86 million, respectively, have been excluded from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 pro forma information presented below and included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 pro forma information presented below. Merger-related costs from the FMBT acquisition of $756,000 and $1.78 million, respectively, have been excluded from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 pro forma information presented below. The actual results and pro forma information were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 RevenueNet Income (Loss)RevenueNet Income (Loss)
2020  
Actual Three Shores results included in statement of income since acquisition date$7,486 $(129)$7,486 $(129)
Supplemental consolidated pro forma as if Three Shores had been acquired January 1, 2019152,257 47,827 418,950 112,103 
2019
Actual FMBT results included in statement of income since acquisition date$2,697 $1,403 $5,024 $2,590 
Supplemental consolidated pro forma as if Three Shores had been acquired on January 1, 2019 and FMBT had been acquired January 1, 2018163,430 53,118 473,556 153,675 

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

Note 4 – Securities

The amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and losses and fair value of debt securities held-to-maturity as of the dates indicated are as follows (in thousands).
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair
Value
As of September 30, 2020    
U.S. Government agencies$10,616 $146 $— $10,762 
State and political subdivisions163,180 6,200 28 169,352 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency125,011 5,149 — 130,160 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency99,566 4,104 124 103,546 
Total$398,373 $15,599 $152 $413,820 
As of December 31, 2019
State and political subdivisions$45,479 $1,574 $$47,044 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency153,967 2,014 694 155,287 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency84,087 1,627 141 85,573 
Total$283,533 $5,215 $844 $287,904 

The cost basis, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated are presented below (in thousands).
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Gains
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
As of September 30, 2020    
U.S. Treasuries$123,534 $5,000 $— $128,534 
U.S. Government agencies51,312 491 58 51,745 
State and political subdivisions239,190 19,999 13 259,176 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency1,038,637 31,772 276 1,070,133 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency218,097 11,574 — 229,671 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency386,340 8,254 77 394,517 
Corporate bonds97,758 1,537 25 99,270 
Asset-backed securities458,741 509 1,848 457,402 
Total$2,613,609 $79,136 $2,297 $2,690,448 
As of December 31, 2019
U.S. Treasuries$152,990 $1,628 $— $154,618 
U.S. Government agencies2,848 188 3,035 
State and political subdivisions214,677 11,813 — 226,490 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency1,030,948 12,022 726 1,042,244 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency250,550 6,231 — 256,781 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency266,770 2,261 128 268,903 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Non-agency15,395 918 263 16,050 
Corporate bonds202,131 1,178 218 203,091 
Asset-backed securities104,298 743 1,672 103,369 
Total$2,240,607 $36,982 $3,008 $2,274,581 
 
Securities with a carrying value of $903 million and $918 million were pledged, primarily to secure public deposits, at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

17

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

 The following table summarizes debt securities held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated (in thousands).
 Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
As of September 30, 2020      
State and political subdivisions$4,972 $28 $— $— $4,972 $28 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency124 — — — 124 — 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency3,462 124 — — 3,462 124 
Total unrealized loss position$8,558 $152 $— $— $8,558 $152 
As of December 31, 2019
State and political subdivisions$10,117 $$— $— $10,117 $
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency16,049 64 48,237 630 64,286 694 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency21,841 87 1,685 54 23,526 141 
Total unrealized loss position$48,007 $160 $49,922 $684 $97,929 $844 
 
The following table summarizes debt securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated (in thousands).
 Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
Fair ValueUnrealized
Loss
As of September 30, 2020      
U.S. Government agencies$7,442 $58 $— $— $7,442 $58 
State and political subdivisions6,182 13 — — 6,182 13 
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency111,540 274 749 112,289 276 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency29,604 77 — — 29,604 77 
Corporate bonds4,653 25 — — 4,653 25 
Asset-backed securities110,018 266 58,305 1,582 168,323 1,848 
Total unrealized loss position$269,439 $713 $59,054 $1,584 $328,493 $2,297 
As of December 31, 2019
U.S. Government agencies$404 $$— $— $404 $
Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency228,611 576 18,294 150 246,905 726 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Agency— — 33,517 128 33,517 128 
Commercial mortgage-backed, Non-agency— — 4,864 263 4,864 263 
Corporate bonds19,742 216 998 20,740 218 
Asset-backed securities32,294 625 38,990 1,047 71,284 1,672 
Total unrealized loss position$281,051 $1,418 $96,663 $1,590 $377,714 $3,008 
 
At September 30, 2020, there were 57 debt securities available-for-sale and four debt securities held-to-maturity that were in an unrealized loss position. United does not intend to sell nor does it believe it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position prior to the recovery of their amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses at September 30, 2020 were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates.

No impairment charges were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. At adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020 and at September 30, 2020, calculated credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities were not material due to the high credit quality of the portfolio, which included securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and high credit quality municipal securities. As a result, no ACL was recorded on the held-to-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2020. In addition, at September 30, 2020, there was no ACL related to the available-for-sale portfolio. See Note 1 for additional details on the adoption of CECL as it relates to the securities portfolio.

18

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

Realized gains and losses are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. The following table summarizes available-for-sale securities sales activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands).
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020201920202019
Proceeds from sales$39,365 $— $40,365 $225,883 
Gross gains on sales$746 $— $746 $1,776 
Gross losses on sales— — — (1,894)
Net gains (losses) on sales of securities$746 $— $746 $(118)
Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to sales$191 $— $191 $(30)

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at September 30, 2020, by contractual maturity, are presented in the following table (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers and borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. 
 Available-for-SaleHeld-to-Maturity
 Amortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair Value
U.S. Treasuries:    
1 to 5 years$123,534 $128,534 $— $— 
123,534 128,534 — — 
U.S. Government agencies:
1 to 5 years277 281 — — 
5 to 10 years26,263 26,561 — — 
More than 10 years24,772 24,903 10,616 10,762 
51,312 51,745 10,616 10,762 
State and political subdivisions:
Within 1 year20,029 20,368 200 206 
1 to 5 years39,638 42,296 13,509 14,722 
5 to 10 years51,119 55,609 9,557 10,942 
More than 10 years128,404 140,903 139,914 143,482 
239,190 259,176 163,180 169,352 
Corporate bonds:
Within 1 year37,498 37,759 — — 
1 to 5 years36,373 37,316 — — 
5 to 10 years20,111 20,380 — — 
More than 10 years3,776 3,815 — — 
97,758 99,270 — — 
Debt securities not due at a single maturity date:
Asset-backed securities458,741 457,402 — — 
Residential mortgage-backed securities1,256,734 1,299,804 125,011 130,160 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities386,340 394,517 99,566 103,546 
Total$2,613,609 $2,690,448 $398,373 $413,820 

19

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

Note 5 – Loans and Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses
 
Major classifications of the loan and lease portfolio (collectively referred to as the “loan portfolio” or “loans”) are summarized as of the dates indicated as follows (in thousands).
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Owner occupied commercial real estate$2,008,674 $1,720,227 
Income producing commercial real estate2,493,625 2,007,950 
Commercial & industrial (1)
3,104,868 1,220,657 
Commercial construction981,371 976,215 
Equipment financing823,022 744,544 
Total commercial9,411,560 6,669,593 
Residential mortgage1,269,548 1,117,616 
Home equity lines of credit706,877 660,675 
Residential construction263,266 236,437 
Consumer147,659 128,232 
Total loans11,798,910 8,812,553 
Less allowance for credit losses - loans(134,256)(62,089)
Loans, net$11,664,654 $8,750,464 
(1) Commercial and industrial loans as of September 30, 2020 included $1.32 billion of PPP loans.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, loans totaling $4.05 billion and $4.06 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure contingent funding sources. At December 31, 2019, the carrying value and outstanding balance of PCI loans were $58.6 million and $83.1 million, respectively.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, United sold $13.5 million and $31.5 million, respectively, of United States Small Business Administration / United States Department of Agriculture (“SBA/USDA”) guaranteed loans and $950,000 and $24.9 million, respectively, of equipment financing receivables. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, United sold $21.0 million and $55.2 million, respectively, of SBA/USDA guaranteed loans. The gains and losses on these loan sales were included in noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income.
  
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, equipment financing assets included leases of $36.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively. The components of the net investment in leases, which included both sales-type and direct financing, are presented below (in thousands)
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Minimum future lease payments receivable$38,769 $39,709 
Estimated residual value of leased equipment3,361 3,631 
Initial direct costs678 842 
Security deposits(782)(989)
Purchase accounting premium149 273 
Unearned income(5,531)(6,088)
Net investment in leases$36,644 $37,378 

Minimum future lease payments expected to be received from equipment financing lease contracts as of September 30, 2020 were as follows (in thousands)
Year 
Remainder of 2020$3,986 
202114,203 
202210,461 
20236,495 
20242,760 
Thereafter864 
Total$38,769 

20

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

The following table presents changes in the balance of the accretable yield for PCI loans for the periods indicated (in thousands)
September 30, 2019
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
Balance at beginning of period$26,308 $26,868 
Additions due to acquisitions— 1,300 
Accretion(4,950)(14,037)
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference1,159 5,627 
Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference329 3,088 
Balance at end of period$22,846 $22,846 

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans
The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost basis in loans by aging category and accrual status as of September 30, 2020 (in thousands). Short-term deferrals related to the COVID-19 crisis are not reported as past due during the deferral period.
 Accruing
Current LoansLoans Past Due
30 - 59 Days60 - 89 Days> 90 DaysNonaccrual LoansTotal Loans
Owner occupied commercial real estate$1,996,903 $585 $111 $— $11,075 $2,008,674 
Income producing commercial real estate2,479,614 996 785 — 12,230 2,493,625 
Commercial & industrial3,099,387 1,882 65 — 3,534 3,104,868 
Commercial construction979,169 339 — — 1,863 981,371 
Equipment financing817,583 1,416 886 — 3,137 823,022 
Total commercial9,372,656 5,218 1,847 — 31,839 9,411,560 
Residential mortgage1,252,937 2,481 266 — 13,864 1,269,548 
Home equity lines of credit702,457 1,532 246 — 2,642 706,877 
Residential construction262,002 712 73 — 479 263,266 
Consumer147,177 202 20 — 260 147,659 
Total loans$11,737,229 $10,145 $2,452 $— $49,084 $11,798,910 

The following table presents the aging of recorded investment in loans, including accruing and nonaccrual loans, as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands).
 Loans Past Due - Accruing and Nonaccrual  
30 - 59 Days60 - 89 Days
> 90 Days (1)
TotalCurrent LoansPCI LoansTotal
Owner occupied commercial real estate$2,913 $2,007 $6,079 $10,999 $1,700,682 $8,546 $1,720,227 
Income producing commercial real estate562 706 401 1,669 1,979,053 27,228 2,007,950 
Commercial & industrial2,140 491 2,119 4,750 1,215,581 326 1,220,657 
Commercial construction1,867 557 96 2,520 966,833 6,862 976,215 
Equipment financing2,065 923 3,045 6,033 734,526 3,985 744,544 
Total commercial9,547 4,684 11,740 25,971 6,596,675 46,947 6,669,593 
Residential mortgage5,655 2,212 2,171 10,038 1,097,999 9,579 1,117,616 
Home equity lines of credit1,697 421 1,385 3,503 655,762 1,410 660,675 
Residential construction325 125 402 852 235,211 374 236,437 
Consumer 668 181 27 876 127,020 336 128,232 
Total loans$17,892 $7,623 $15,725 $41,240 $8,712,667 $58,646 $8,812,553 
(1) Excluding PCI loans, substantially all loans more than 90 days past due were on nonaccrual status at December 31, 2019.
21

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


The following table presents nonaccrual loans by loan class for the periods indicated (in thousands)
CECLIncurred Loss
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Nonaccrual loans with no allowanceNonaccrual loans with an allowanceTotal Nonaccrual LoansNonaccrual
Loans
Owner occupied commercial real estate$8,335 $2,740 $11,075 $10,544 
Income producing commercial real estate7,181 5,049 12,230 1,996 
Commercial & industrial1,213 2,321 3,534 2,545 
Commercial construction1,428 435 1,863 2,277 
Equipment financing111 3,026 3,137 3,141 
Total commercial18,268 13,571 31,839 20,503 
Residential mortgage1,964 11,900 13,864 10,567 
Home equity lines of credit1,066 1,576 2,642 3,173 
Residential construction181 298 479 939 
Consumer219 41 260 159 
Total$21,698 $27,386 $49,084 $35,341 

The gross additional interest revenue that would have been earned if the loans classified as nonaccrual had performed in accordance with the original terms was approximately $570,000 and $338,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $1.70 million and $965,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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

Pass. Loans in this category are considered to have a low probability of default and do not meet the criteria of the risk categories below.

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

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

Doubtful. Specific weaknesses characterized as Substandard that are severe enough to make collection in full highly questionable and improbable. There is no reliable secondary source of full repayment.
 
Loss. Loans categorized as Loss have the same characteristics as Doubtful; however, probability of loss is certain. Loans classified as Loss are charged off.
 
Equipment Financing Receivables and Consumer Purpose Loans. United applies a pass / fail grading system to all equipment financing receivables and consumer purpose loans. Under the pass / fail grading system, loans that are on nonaccrual status, become past due 90 days, or are in bankruptcy are classified as “fail” and all other loans are classified as “pass”. For purposes of the table below, loans in these categories that are classified as “fail” are reported as substandard and all other loans are reported as pass.

 
22

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

Based on the most recent analysis performed, the amortized cost of loans by risk category by vintage year as of the date indicated is as follows (in thousands).
As of September 30, 2020
Term Loans by Origination YearRevolversRevolvers converted to term loansTotal
20202019201820172016Prior
Owner occupied commercial real estate:
Pass$536,362 $407,134 $258,280 $218,505 $213,644 $228,141 $54,615 $11,174 $1,927,855 
Watch4,552 4,916 1,019 3,987 11,021 3,719 620 59 29,893 
Substandard5,790 8,091 8,669 13,647 2,652 8,756 2,049 1,272 50,926 
Total owner occupied commercial real estate546,704 420,141 267,968 236,139 227,317 240,616 57,284 12,505 2,008,674 
Income producing commercial real estate:
Pass630,081 509,098 480,546 280,614 229,065 205,567 32,717 9,243 2,376,931 
Watch22,380 2,986 5,670 1,459 23,550 10,806 — 1,749 68,600 
Substandard8,781 8,117 7,775 5,529 15,232 2,562 — 98 48,094 
Total income producing commercial real estate661,242 520,201 493,991 287,602 267,847 218,935 32,717 11,090 2,493,625 
Commercial & industrial
Pass1,658,045 342,311 285,481 130,740 103,886 55,855 466,479 5,834 3,048,631 
Watch1,068 1,949 1,183 522 697 31 10,461 100 16,011 
Substandard7,743 3,782 6,155 3,302 1,190 1,442 15,769 843 40,226 
Total commercial & industrial1,666,856 348,042 292,819 134,564 105,773 57,328 492,709 6,777 3,104,868 
Commercial construction
Pass245,348 236,060 244,892 103,853 73,063 13,586 20,576 7,310 944,688 
Watch1,479 585 13,940 11,789 13 83 — — 27,889 
Substandard3,428 601 374 346 2,754 272 — 1,019 8,794 
Total commercial construction250,255 237,246 259,206 115,988 75,830 13,941 20,576 8,329 981,371 
Equipment financing:
Pass311,697 298,146 146,957 48,264 13,336 950 — — 819,350 
Substandard116 1,168 1,797 413 146 32 — — 3,672 
Total equipment financing311,813 299,314 148,754 48,677 13,482 982 — — 823,022 
Residential mortgage:
Pass325,928 229,881 150,863 140,749 138,321 258,641 19 7,264 1,251,666 
Substandard1,810 1,852 3,383 1,261 772 8,485 — 319 17,882 
Total residential mortgage327,738 231,733 154,246 142,010 139,093 267,126 19 7,583 1,269,548 
Home equity lines of credit
Pass— — — — — — 684,273 18,743 703,016 
Substandard— — — — — — 338 3,523 3,861 
Total home equity lines of credit— — — — — — 684,611 22,266 706,877 
Residential construction
Pass157,893 75,907 5,167 5,026 3,851 14,663 — 70 262,577 
Substandard— 85 55 37 141 371 — — 689 
Total residential construction157,893 75,992 5,222 5,063 3,992 15,034 — 70 263,266 
Consumer
Pass43,495 31,411 17,547 6,074 4,517 2,193 41,840 68 147,145 
Watch— — — — — — 87 — 87 
Substandard84 36 110 86 105 — 427 
Total consumer43,497 31,495 17,583 6,184 4,603 2,298 41,927 72 147,659 
Total loans
Pass3,908,849 2,129,948 1,589,733 933,825 779,683 779,596 1,300,519 59,706 11,481,859 
Watch29,479 10,436 21,812 17,757 35,281 14,639 11,168 1,908 142,480 
Substandard27,670 23,780 28,244 24,645 22,973 22,025 18,156 7,078 174,571 
Total loans$3,965,998 $2,164,164 $1,639,789 $976,227 $837,937 $816,260 $1,329,843 $68,692 $11,798,910 

23

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

Based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans as of the date indicated is as follows (in thousands).
As of December 31, 2019
 PassWatchSubstandardDoubtful /
Loss
Total
Owner occupied commercial real estate$1,638,398 $24,563 $48,720 $— $1,711,681 
Income producing commercial real estate1,914,524 40,676 25,522 — 1,980,722 
Commercial & industrial1,156,366 16,385 47,580 — 1,220,331 
Commercial construction960,251 2,298 6,804 — 969,353 
Equipment financing737,418 — 3,141 — 740,559 
Total commercial6,406,957 83,922 131,767 — 6,622,646 
Residential mortgage1,093,902 — 14,135 — 1,108,037 
Home equity lines of credit654,619 — 4,646 — 659,265 
Residential construction234,791 — 1,272 — 236,063 
Consumer127,507 381 — 127,896 
Total loans, excluding PCI loans8,517,776 83,930 152,201 — 8,753,907 
Owner occupied commercial real estate3,238 2,797 2,511 — 8,546 
Income producing commercial real estate19,648 6,305 1,275 — 27,228 
Commercial & industrial104 81 141 — 326 
Commercial construction3,628 590 2,644 — 6,862 
Equipment financing3,952 — 33 — 3,985 
Total commercial30,570 9,773 6,604 — 46,947 
Residential mortgage8,112 — 1,467 — 9,579 
Home equity lines of credit1,350 — 60 — 1,410 
Residential construction348 — 26 — 374 
Consumer303 — 33 — 336 
Total PCI loans40,683 9,773 8,190 — 58,646 
Total loan portfolio$8,558,459 $93,703 $160,391 $— $8,812,553 

Troubled Debt Restructurings and Other Modifications
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, United had TDRs totaling $54.5 million and $54.2 million, respectively. United allocated $927,000 and $2.51 million of ACL for TDRs as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, there were commitments to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as TDRs totaling $14,000. As of December 31, 2019, there were no commitments to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as TDRs.

As of September 30, 2020, United had remaining short-term deferrals related to the COVID-19 crisis of approximately $365 million, which generally represented payment deferrals for up to 90 days. To the extent that these deferrals qualified under either the CARES Act or interagency guidance, they were not considered new TDRs.
24

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

Loans modified under the terms of a TDR during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following table. In addition, the table presents loans modified under the terms of a TDR that defaulted (became 90 days or more delinquent or otherwise in default of modified terms) during the periods presented and were initially restructured within one year prior to default (dollars in thousands).
 New TDRs
 Post-Modification Amortized Cost by Type of ModificationTDRs Modified Within the Previous Twelve Months That Have Subsequently Defaulted
Number of
 Contracts
Rate  
Reduction
StructureOtherTotalNumber of  
Contracts
Amortized Cost
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020       
Owner occupied commercial real estate$— $375 $— $375 — $— 
Income producing commercial real estate— — 1,617 1,617 — — 
Commercial & industrial— 193 — 193 — — 
Commercial construction— 577 70 647 — — 
Equipment financing— 247 — 247 290 
Total commercial21 — 1,392 1,687 3,079 290 
Residential mortgage25 — 3,200 — 3,200 — — 
Home equity lines of credit— 164 — 164 — — 
Residential construction— 123 — 123 — — 
Consumer— 11 — 11 — — 
Total loans56 $— $4,890 $1,687 $6,577 $290 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Owner occupied commercial real estate$— $375 $1,536 $1,911 — $— 
Income producing commercial real estate— 67 1,782 1,849 5,998 
Commercial & industrial— 193 15 208 633 
Commercial construction— 832 70 902 — — 
Equipment financing143 — 4,152 — 4,152 15 600 
Total commercial165 — 5,619 3,403 9,022 18 7,231 
Residential mortgage36 — 4,122 — 4,122 — — 
Home equity lines of credit— 164 — 164 — — 
Residential construction— 123 — 123 — — 
Consumer— 11 18 29 
Total loans214 $— $10,039 $3,421 $13,460 19 $7,234 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019       
Owner occupied commercial real estate— $— $— $— $— — $— 
Income producing commercial real estate— — — — — — — 
Commercial & industrial— — — — — — — 
Commercial construction— — — — — — — 
Equipment financing— 93 — 93 — — 
Total commercial— 93 — 93 — — 
Residential mortgage— 609 — 609 — — 
Home equity lines of credit— — — — — — — 
Residential construction— — — — — — — 
Consumer direct— — 21 21 — — 
Indirect auto— — 101 101 — — 
Total loans11 $— $702 $122 $824 — $— 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Owner occupied commercial real estate$— $610 $— $610 — $— 
Income producing commercial real estate— 169 — 169 — — 
Commercial & industrial— — — — 
Commercial construction— — — — — — — 
Equipment financing— 113 — 113 — — 
Total commercial— 892 899 — — 
Residential mortgage11 — 1,784 — 1,784 135 
Home equity lines of credit— 50 — 50 — — 
Residential construction— — 21 21 13 
Consumer direct— — 21 21 — — 
Indirect auto15 — — 262 262 — — 
Total loans38 $— $2,726 $311 $3,037 $148 

25

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

Allowance for Credit Losses
Since the adoption of ASC 326, the ACL for loans represents management’s estimate of life of loan credit losses in the portfolio as of the end of the period. The ACL related to unfunded commitments is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
The following table presents the balance and activity in the ACL by portfolio segment for the periods indicated (in thousands).
Three Months Ended September 30,
CECLIncurred Loss
20202019
Beginning Balance
Initial ACL -PCD loans (1)
Charge-OffsRecoveries(Release) ProvisionEnding BalanceBeginning BalanceCharge-OffsRecoveries(Release) ProvisionEnding Balance
Owner occupied commercial real estate$14,592 $1,779 $— $725 $2,278 $19,374 $11,545 $— $39 $(165)$11,419 
Income producing commercial real estate21,699 1,208 (3,033)1,248 13,916 35,038 11,020 (472)41 473 11,062 
Commercial & industrial8,589 7,680 (303)408 5,150 21,524 5,308 (898)207 773 5,390 
Commercial construction14,514 74 (487)658 92 14,851 10,318 — 247 (158)10,407 
Equipment financing20,305 — (2,418)425 (3,136)15,176 6,935 (1,376)202 1,485 7,246 
Residential mortgage12,826 195 (13)48 4,506 17,562 8,290 (264)106 82 8,214 
Home equity lines of credit8,687 209 (44)169 (300)8,721 4,794 (287)204 (28)4,683 
Residential construction1,997 — (26)26 (229)1,768 2,365 (13)18 181 2,551 
Consumer460 (432)511 (304)242 855 (645)226 441 877 
Indirect auto— — — — — — 774 (125)67 (51)665 
Total allowance for loan losses103,669 11,152 (6,756)4,218 21,973 134,256 62,204 (4,080)1,357 3,033 62,514 
Allowance for unfunded commitments12,100 — — — (180)11,920 3,391 — — 67 3,458 
Total allowance for credit losses$115,769 $11,152 $(6,756)$4,218 $21,793 $146,176 $65,595 $(4,080)$1,357 $3,100 $65,972 

(1) Represents the initial ACL related to PCD loans acquired in the Three Shores transaction.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
CECLIncurred Loss
20202019
Dec. 31, 2019
Balance
Adoption of CECLJan. 1, 2020
Balance
Initial ACL - PCD loans (1)
Charge-OffsRecoveries(Release) ProvisionEnding BalanceBeginning
Balance
Charge-
Offs
Recoveries(Release)
Provision
Ending
Balance
Owner occupied commercial real estate$11,404 $(1,616)$9,788 $1,779 $(6)$2,225 $5,588 $19,374 $12,207 $(5)$166 $(949)$11,419 
Income producing commercial real estate12,306 (30)12,276 1,208 (8,033)1,430 28,157 35,038 11,073 (977)127 839 11,062 
Commercial & industrial5,266 4,012 9,278 7,680 (8,118)1,075 11,609 21,524 4,802 (3,833)645 3,776 5,390 
Commercial construction9,668 (2,583)7,085 74 (726)916 7,502 14,851 10,337 (70)804 (664)10,407 
Equipment financing7,384 5,871 13,255 — (6,366)1,201 7,086 15,176 5,452 (3,810)466 5,138 7,246 
Residential mortgage8,081 1,569 9,650 195 (347)379 7,685 17,562 8,295 (433)388 (36)8,214 
Home equity lines of credit4,575 1,919 6,494 209 (162)468 1,712 8,721 4,752 (653)466 118 4,683 
Residential construction2,504 (1,771)733 — (80)97 1,018 1,768 2,433 (263)91 290 2,551 
Consumer901 (491)410 (1,782)1,028 579 242 853 (1,721)672 1,073 877 
Indirect auto— — — — — — — — 999 (502)151 17 665 
Total allowance for credit losses - loans62,089 6,880 68,969 11,152 (25,620)8,819 70,936 134,256 61,203 (12,267)3,976 9,602 62,514 
Allowance for unfunded commitments3,458 1,871 5,329 — — — 6,591 11,920 3,410 — — 48 3,458 
Total allowance for credit losses$65,547 $8,751 $74,298 $11,152 $(25,620)$8,819 $77,527 $146,176 $64,613 $(12,267)$3,976 $9,650 $65,972 

(1) Represents the initial ACL related to PCD loans acquired in the Three Shores transaction.


26

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

As of January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020, United used a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period. Expected credit losses were estimated using a regression model based on historical data from peer banks which incorporates a third party vendor’s economic forecast to predict the change in credit losses. These results were then combined with a starting value that was based on United’s recent default experience. At September 30, 2020, the forecast indicated a challenging economic environment due to high levels of unemployment, but also indicated mild improvement in the short term. The increase in the ACL compared to January 1, 2020 was primarily attributable to the worsening trends in the forecast at September 30, 2020 compared to the beginning of 2020, with the primary economic forecast driver being the change in unemployment claims due to policy decisions made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The forecasted economic outlook at September 30, 2020 improved compared to the forecast at June 30, 2020 due to actual economic performance in the interim time period, which contributed to a lower calculated ACL on certain portfolios, most notably equipment financing loans. United adjusted the economic forecast by eliminating the initial spike in unemployment to account for the impact of government stimulus programs, which mitigated some of the negative impact on forecasted losses. In addition, United used a model overlay for the economic forecast for residential mortgage loans and income producing commercial real estate to moderate losses in those portfolios. The overlay at September 30, 2020 was eased compared to the one used at June 30, 2020 which, combined with loan growth, led to a higher calculated ACL on residential mortgage loans and all other commercial loan categories, as well as a higher coverage ratio on many of these portfolios.

For periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period of one year, United reverted to historical credit loss information on a straight line basis over two years. For all collateral types excluding residential mortgage, United reverted to through-the-cycle average default rates using peer data from 2000 to 2017. For loans secured by residential mortgages, the peer data was adjusted for changes in lending practices designed to prevent the magnitude of losses observed during the mortgage crisis.

PPP loans were considered low risk assets due to the related 100% guarantee by the SBA and were therefore excluded from the calculation.

Disaggregation of Incurred Loss Impairment Methodology
The following tables represent the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and the balance of the allowance assigned to each segment based on the method of evaluating the loans for impairment as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands).
 Loans OutstandingAllowance for Credit Losses
 Individually
evaluated
for impairment
Collectively
evaluated for
impairment
PCIEnding
Balance
Individually
evaluated
for impairment
Collectively
evaluated for
impairment
PCIEnding
Balance
Owner occupied commercial real estate$19,233 $1,692,448 $8,546 $1,720,227 $816 $10,483 $105 $11,404 
Income producing commercial real estate18,134 1,962,588 27,228 2,007,950 770 11,507 29 12,306 
Commercial & industrial1,449 1,218,882 326 1,220,657 21 5,193 52 5,266 
Commercial construction3,675 965,678 6,862 976,215 55 9,613 — 9,668 
Equipment financing1,027 739,532 3,985 744,544 — 7,240 144 7,384 
Residential mortgage15,991 1,092,046 9,579 1,117,616 782 7,296 8,081 
Home equity lines of credit992 658,273 1,410 660,675 16 4,541 18 4,575 
Residential construction1,256 234,807 374 236,437 47 2,456 2,504 
Consumer214 127,682 336 128,232 885 11 901 
Total$61,971 $8,691,936 $58,646 $8,812,553 2,512 59,214 363 62,089 
Allowance for unfunded commitments— 3,458 — 3,458 
Total allowance for credit losses$2,512 $62,672 $363 $65,547 
 
27

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

The following table presents additional detail on loans individually evaluated for impairment under Incurred Loss by class as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands).
 December 31, 2019
 Unpaid Principal BalanceRecorded InvestmentAllowance for Loan Losses Allocated
With no related allowance recorded:   
Owner occupied commercial real estate$9,527 $8,118 $— 
Income producing commercial real estate5,159 4,956 — 
Commercial & industrial1,144 890 — 
Commercial construction2,458 2,140 — 
Equipment financing1,027 1,027 — 
Total commercial19,315 17,131 — 
Residential mortgage7,362 6,436 — 
Home equity lines of credit1,116 861 — 
Residential construction731 626 — 
Consumer66 53 — 
Total with no related allowance recorded28,590 25,107 — 
With an allowance recorded:
Owner occupied commercial real estate11,136 11,115 816 
Income producing commercial real estate13,591 13,178 770 
Commercial & industrial559 559 21 
Commercial construction1,535 1,535 55 
Equipment financing— — — 
Total commercial26,821 26,387 1,662 
Residential mortgage9,624 9,555 782 
Home equity lines of credit146 131 16 
Residential construction643 630 47 
Consumer161 161 
Total with an allowance recorded37,395 36,864 2,512 
Total$65,985 $61,971 $2,512 

The average balances of impaired loans and income recognized on impaired loans while they were considered impaired under Incurred Loss are presented below for the period indicated (in thousands)
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Average BalanceInterest Revenue
Recognized During Impairment
Cash Basis Interest Revenue ReceivedAverage BalanceInterest Revenue
Recognized During Impairment
Cash Basis Interest Revenue Received
Owner occupied commercial real estate$18,759 $288 $290 $18,302 $846 $882 
Income producing commercial real estate10,906 144 153 12,941 523 529 
Commercial & industrial2,133 48 54 1,921 74 89 
Commercial construction3,316 38 39 3,029 113 114 
Equipment financing66 29 
Total commercial35,180 521 539 36,222 1,559 1,617 
Residential mortgage16,669 195 203 16,134 553 561 
Home equity lines of credit301 288 11 
Residential construction1,298 22 25 1,352 70 72 
Consumer204 197 11 11 
Indirect auto1,069 14 14 1,121 42 42 
Total$54,721 $760 $787 $55,314 $2,246 $2,310 

28

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

Note 6 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities
 
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
United is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. United principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. United manages interest rate risk through a combination of pricing and term structure of deposit product offerings, the amount and duration of its investment securities portfolio and wholesale funding and, to a lesser degree, through the use of derivative financial instruments. From time to time, United enters into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of known or expected cash receipts and known or expected cash payments principally related to loans, investment securities, wholesale borrowings and deposits.
 
United has master netting agreements with the derivatives dealers with which it does business, but has elected to reflect gross assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

United clears certain derivatives centrally through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”). CME rules legally characterize variation margin payments for centrally cleared derivatives as settlements of the derivatives’ exposure rather than as collateral. As a result, the variation margin payment and the related derivative instruments are considered a single unit of account for accounting purposes. Variation margin, as determined by the CME, is settled daily. As a result, derivative contracts that clear through the CME have an estimated fair value of zero.

The table below presents the fair value of derivative financial instruments as of the dates indicated as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Derivative AssetDerivative LiabilityDerivative AssetDerivative Liability
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedge of brokered time deposits$— $— $— $880 
Cash flow hedge of subordinated debt2,735 — — — 
Total2,735 — — 880 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Customer derivative positions87,978 27,277 446 
Dealer offsets to customer derivative positions30,260 394 6,425 
Risk participations13 15 — 12 
Mortgage banking - loan commitment12,381 — 1,970 — 
Mortgage banking - forward sales commitment280 776 98 86 
Bifurcated embedded derivatives— 1,938 5,268 — 
Dealer offsets to bifurcated embedded derivatives— 529 — 7,667 
Total100,653 33,519 35,007 14,636 
Total derivatives$103,388 $33,519 $35,007 $15,516 
Total gross derivative instruments$103,388 $33,519 $35,007 $15,516 
Less: Amounts subject to master netting agreements(295)(295)(401)(401)
Less: Cash collateral received/pledged(2,466)(31,676)— (14,933)
Net amount$100,627 $1,548 $34,606 $182 

29

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

Hedging Derivatives

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk 
United enters into cash flow hedges to mitigate exposure to the variability of future cash flows or other forecasted transactions. During the second quarter of 2020, United entered into three cash flow hedges using interest rate caps and swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $120 million to hedge the variability of cash flows due to changes in interest rates on certain of its variable-rate subordinated debt and trust preferred securities. United considers these derivatives to be highly effective at achieving offsetting changes in cash flows attributable to changes in interest rates. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income. Gains and losses related to changes in fair value are reclassified into earnings in the periods the hedged forecasted transactions occur. Losses representing amortization of the premium recorded on cash flow hedges, which is a component excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, are recognized in earnings on a straight-line basis in the same caption as the hedged item over the term of the hedge. Over the next twelve months United expects to reclassify $581,000 of losses from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings related to these agreements.

At December 31, 2019, United had no active cash flow hedges. The loss remaining in other comprehensive income from prior hedges that had previously been de-designated was being amortized into earnings over the original term of the swaps as the forecasted transactions that the swaps were originally designated to hedge were still expected to occur. During the second quarter of 2019, United amortized the remaining balance of losses on terminated hedging positions from other comprehensive income, which was the only effect of cash flow hedges on the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. See Note 13 for further detail.

Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk 
United is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its fixed-rate obligations due to changes in interest rates. United uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to changes in fair value on these instruments attributable to changes in interest rates. For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. United includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same income statement line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related derivatives.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, United had two and four, respectively, interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $20.0 million and $37.9 million, respectively, that were designated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate brokered time deposits. The swaps involved the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for United making variable rate payments over the life of the agreements.

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

30

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

The table below presents the effect of derivatives in hedging relationships on the consolidated statement of income for the periods indicated (in thousands)
Interest expense
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020201920202019
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statements of income$13,319 $21,277 $45,561 $63,531 
Gains (losses) on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Amounts related to interest settlements on derivatives24 (97)51 (300)
Recognized on derivatives(114)71 1,068 671 
Recognized on hedged items(5)(55)(996)(668)
Net income (expense) recognized on fair value hedges(95)(81)123 (297)
Gains (losses) on active cash flow hedging relationships (1):
Interest rate contracts:
Realized gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into net income (2)
$(130)$— $(197)$— 
Net income (expense) recognized on cash flow hedges$(130)$— $(197)$— 
 (1) Excludes amortization of losses related to de-designated cash flow hedges. See Note 13 for further detail.
(2) Includes $119,000 and $211,000 of premium amortization expense excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

The table below presents the carrying amount of hedged fixed-rate brokered time deposits and cumulative fair value hedging adjustments included in the carrying amount of the hedged liability for the periods presented (in thousands).
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Balance Sheet LocationCarrying amount of Assets (Liabilities)Hedge Accounting Basis AdjustmentCarrying amount of Assets (Liabilities)Hedge Accounting Basis Adjustment
Deposits$(20,324)$(351)$(35,880)$645 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments 
Customer derivative positions include swaps, caps, and collars between United and certain commercial loan customers with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back program. In addition, United occasionally enters into credit risk participation agreements with counterparty banks to accept or transfer a portion of the credit risk related to interest rate swaps. The agreements, which are typically executed in conjunction with a participation in a loan with the same customer, allow customers to execute an interest rate swap with one bank while allowing for the distribution of the credit risk among participating members.

United also has three interest rate swap contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments but are economic hedges of market-linked brokered certificates of deposit. The market-linked brokered certificates of deposit contain embedded derivatives that are bifurcated from the host instruments and are marked to market through earnings. The fair value marks on the market-linked swaps and the bifurcated embedded derivatives tend to move in opposite directions with changes in 90-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and therefore provide an economic hedge.
  
In addition, United originates certain residential mortgage loans with the intention of selling these loans. Between the time United enters into an interest-rate lock commitment to originate a residential mortgage loan that is to be held for sale and the time the loan is funded and eventually sold, United is subject to the risk of variability in market prices. United enters into forward sale agreements to mitigate risk and to protect the expected gain on the eventual loan sale. The commitments to originate residential mortgage loans and forward loan sales commitments are freestanding derivative instruments. United accounts for most newly originated mortgage loans at fair value pursuant to the fair value option, and these loans are not reflected in the table above. Fair value adjustments on these derivative instruments are recorded within mortgage loan gains and other related fee income in the consolidated statements of income. 

31

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

The table below presents the gains and losses recognized in income on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the periods indicated (in thousands)
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on DerivativesAmount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2020201920202019
Customer derivatives, dealer offsets and risk participationsOther noninterest income$2,258 $648 $4,846 $2,371 
Bifurcated embedded derivatives and dealer offsetsOther noninterest income65 — (158)144 
De-designated hedgesOther noninterest income— — — (193)
Mortgage banking derivativesMortgage loan revenue(2,554)(49)(2,454)(987)
  $(231)$599 $2,234 $1,335 
 
Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features 
United manages its credit exposure on derivatives transactions by entering into a bilateral credit support agreement with each non-customer counterparty. The credit support agreements require collateralization of exposures beyond specified minimum threshold amounts. The details of these agreements, including the minimum thresholds, vary by counterparty.
 
United’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties provide that if either party defaults on any of its indebtedness, then it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. The agreements with derivative counterparties also include provisions that if not met, could result in United being declared in default. United has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that provide that if United fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution or is subject to a prompt corrective action directive, the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and United would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements. Derivatives that are centrally cleared do not have credit-risk-related features that would require additional collateral if United’s credit rating were downgraded.
 
Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the premium paid for acquired companies above the net fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including separately identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is assessed for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment, referred to as a triggering event. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, accounting guidance allows for an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not, or a greater than 50% likelihood, that the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. When it is more likely than not that impairment has occurred, management is required to perform a quantitative analysis and, if necessary, adjust the carrying amount of goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment loss.

Since the latter part of the first quarter of 2020, as a result of market concerns about the potential impact of COVID-19, United’s stock price declined such that it traded below book value for much of the first nine months of 2020. United generally performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment during the fourth quarter of each year, using data as of the end of the third quarter; however, as a result of this triggering event, management has qualitatively assessed and concluded that there was not a greater than 50% likelihood that United’s fair value was less than its carrying amount as of September 30, 2020, given the anticipated short duration of the change in macroeconomic conditions and excess of value as of the latest annual assessment performed as of September 30, 2019. Management will continue to monitor and assess the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s value as part of the annual goodwill assessment in the fourth quarter.
 
The carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets as of the dates indicated is summarized below (in thousands)
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Core deposit intangible$36,162 $32,802 
Less: accumulated amortization(21,106)(17,980)
Net core deposit intangible15,056 14,822 
Goodwill369,018 327,425 
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net$384,074 $342,247 
 
32

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

The following is a summary of changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill (in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020GoodwillAccumulated Impairment LossesGoodwill, net of Accumulated Impairment LossesGoodwillAccumulated Impairment LossesGoodwill, net of Accumulated Impairment Losses
Balance, beginning of period$633,015 $(305,590)$327,425 $633,015 $(305,590)$327,425 
Acquisition of Three Shores41,593 — 41,593 41,593 — 41,593 
Balance, end of period$674,608 $(305,590)$369,018 $674,608 $(305,590)$369,018 
2019
Balance, beginning of period$633,015 $(305,590)$327,425 $612,702 $(305,590)$307,112 
Acquisition of FMBT— — — 20,313 — 20,313 
Balance, end of period$633,015 $(305,590)$327,425 $633,015 $(305,590)$327,425 

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for future periods for core deposit intangibles is as follows (in thousands):
Year 
Remainder of 2020$1,042 
20213,622 
20222,915 
20232,321 
20241,834 
Thereafter3,322 
Total$15,056 


33

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

Note 8 - Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019Issue
Date
Stated
Maturity
Date
Earliest
Call
Date
Interest Rate
Obligations of the Bank and its Subsidiaries:
2026 subordinated debentures$15,000 $— 201620262021
5.875% through August 2021, 3-month LIBOR plus 4.70% thereafter
$15,000 $— 
Obligations of the Holding Company:
2022 senior debentures$50,000 $50,000 201520222020
5.000% through August 13, 2020, 3-month LIBOR plus 3.814% thereafter
2027 senior debentures35,000 35,000 201520272025
5.500% through August 13, 2025, 3-month LIBOR plus 3.71% thereafter
2030 senior debentures100,000 — 202020302025
5.00% through June 15, 2025, 3-month SOFR plus 4.87% thereafter
Total senior debentures185,000 85,000 
2028 subordinated debentures100,000 100,000 201820282023
4.500% through January 30, 2023, 3-month LIBOR plus 2.12% thereafter
2025 subordinated debentures11,250 11,250 201520252020
6.250%
Total subordinated debentures111,250 111,250 
Southern Bancorp Capital Trust I4,382 4,382 200420342009
Prime plus 1.00%
Tidelands Statutory Trust I8,248 8,248 200620362011
3-month LIBOR plus 1.38%
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I12,372 12,372 200620362011
3-month LIBOR plus 1.35%
Total trust preferred securities25,002 25,002 
Less discount(9,549)(8,588)
Total long-term debt$326,703 $212,664 
 
Interest is currently paid at least semiannually for all senior and subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities.
 
Senior Debentures
During the second quarter of 2020, United issued the 2030 senior debentures. The 2030 senior debentures are redeemable, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date on or after June 15, 2025 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest, and will mature on June 15, 2030 if not redeemed prior to that date.

The 2022 senior debentures are redeemable, in whole or in part, on or after August 14, 2020 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest, and will mature on February 14, 2022 if not redeemed prior to that date.

The 2027 senior debentures are redeemable, in whole or in part, on or after August 14, 2025 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest, and will mature on February 14, 2027 if not redeemed prior to that date.
 
Subordinated Debentures
The Bank assumed, as part of the Three Shores acquisition, $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of subordinated debentures (the “2026 subordinated debentures”). The 2026 subordinated debentures are redeemable by the issuer, in whole or in part, on or after September 1, 2021 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued but unpaid interest, and will mature on September 1, 2026.

34

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

The 2025 subordinated debentures are due on November 30, 2025, but United may prepay the notes at any time after November 30, 2020, subject to compliance with applicable laws.

The subordinated debentures qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital.

Trust Preferred Securities
Beginning in the third quarter of 2020, trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 2 capital for United under risk based capital guidelines, subject to certain limitations. Prior to that date, trust preferred securities qualified as Tier 1 capital. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures governing such securities.

Note 9 - Operating Leases

United’s leases for which it is the lessee consist of operating leases for land, buildings, and equipment. Payments related to these leases consist primarily of base rent and, in the case of building leases, additional operating costs associated with the leased property such as common area maintenance and utilities. In most cases, these operating costs vary over the term of the lease, and therefore are classified as variable lease costs, which are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statement of income. In addition, certain operating leases include costs such as property tax, sales tax, and insurance, which are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statement of income. Many of United’s operating leases contain renewal options, which are included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability only to the extent they are reasonably certain to be exercised. United also subleases and leases certain real estate properties to third parties under operating leases. The following table presents the balances of United’s right-of-use asset and operating lease liability for the periods indicated (in thousands).
Balance Sheet LocationSeptember 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Right-of-use assetOther assets$32,180 $19,894 
Operating lease liabilityOther liabilities33,968 22,039 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, United obtained building and office space right-of-use assets resulting in an increase in its operating lease liability of $16.3 million. Leases assumed as part of the Three Shores transaction accounted for $15.1 million of the increase.

The table below presents the operating lease income and expense recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands).
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Income Statement Location2020201920202019
Operating lease costOccupancy expense$1,947 $1,272 $4,500 $3,783 
Variable lease costOccupancy expense264 112 493 336 
Short-term lease costOccupancy expense27 52 80 92 
Total lease cost$2,238 $1,436 $5,073 $4,211 
Sublease income and rental income from owned properties under operating leasesOther noninterest income$263 $261 $792 $886 

As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate of operating leases was 5.78 years and 1.84%, respectively. Absent a readily determinable interest rate in the lease agreement, the discount rate applied to each individual lease obligation was United’s incremental borrowing rate for secured borrowings.

35

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

As of September 30, 2020, future minimum lease payments under operating leases were as follows (in thousands):
Year
Remainder of 2020$1,365 
20218,057 
20227,493 
20236,793 
20243,295 
Thereafter8,746 
Total35,749 
Less discount(1,781)
Present value of lease liability$33,968 

Note 10 – Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, United uses a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy). United has processes in place to review the significant valuation inputs and to reassess how the instruments are classified in the valuation framework.
Fair Value Hierarchy
Level 1 Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that United has the ability to access.
Level 2 Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.
In instances when the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

Investment Securities
Debt securities available-for-sale and equity securities with readily determinable fair values are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and are valued based on observable inputs that include: quoted market prices for similar assets, quoted market prices that are not in an active market, or other inputs that are observable in the market and can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the securities. Securities classified as Level 3 include those traded in less liquid markets and are valued based on estimates obtained from broker-dealers that are not directly observable.
 
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Liabilities
Included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet are assets related to employee deferred compensation plans. The assets associated with these plans are invested in mutual funds and classified as Level 1. Deferred compensation liabilities, also classified as Level 1, are carried at the fair value of the obligation to the employee, which mirrors the fair value of the invested assets and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
36

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

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
United has elected the fair value option for most of its newly originated mortgage loans held for sale in order to reduce certain timing differences and better match changes in fair values of the loans with changes in the value of derivative instruments used to economically hedge them. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for a similar asset, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan (Level 2).
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
United uses derivatives to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is typically determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. United also uses best effort and mandatory delivery forward loan sale commitments to hedge risk in its mortgage lending business.
 
United incorporates credit valuation adjustments (“CVAs”) as necessary to appropriately reflect the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, United has considered the effect of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds and guarantees.
 
Management has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. However, the CVAs associated with these derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. Generally, management’s assessment of the significance of the CVAs has indicated that they are not a significant input to the overall valuation of the derivatives. In cases where management’s assessment indicates that the CVA is a significant input, the related derivative is disclosed as a Level 3 value. During the second quarter of 2020, certain derivative assets were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to a change in the assessment of significance of the CVA.

Other derivatives classified as Level 3 include structured derivatives for which broker quotes, used as a key valuation input, were not observable. Risk participation agreements are classified as Level 3 instruments due to the incorporation of significant Level 3 inputs used to evaluate the probability of funding and the likelihood of customer default. Interest rate lock commitments, which relate to mortgage loan commitments, are categorized as Level 3 instruments as the fair value of these instruments is based on unobservable inputs for commitments that United does not expect to fund.
 
Servicing Rights for Residential and SBA/USDA Loans
United recognizes servicing rights upon the sale of residential and SBA/USDA loans sold with servicing retained. Management has elected to carry these assets at fair value. Given the nature of these assets, the key valuation inputs are unobservable and management classifies these assets as Level 3.
 
37

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

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The table below presents United’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall (in thousands).
September 30, 2020Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Debt securities available-for-sale:    
U.S. Treasuries$128,534 $— $— $128,534 
U.S. Government agencies— 51,745 — 51,745 
State and political subdivisions— 259,176 — 259,176 
Residential mortgage-backed securities— 1,299,804 — 1,299,804 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 394,517 — 394,517 
Corporate bonds— 97,520 1,750 99,270 
Asset-backed securities— 457,402 — 457,402 
Equity securities with readily available fair values573 830 — 1,403 
Mortgage loans held for sale— 128,587 — 128,587 
Deferred compensation plan assets9,001 — — 9,001 
Servicing rights for SBA/USDA loans— — 6,761 6,761 
Residential mortgage servicing rights— — 14,367 14,367 
Derivative financial instruments— 90,590 12,798 103,388 
Total assets$138,108 $2,780,171 $35,676 $2,953,955 
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability$9,007 $— $— $9,007 
Derivative financial instruments— 31,037 2,482 33,519 
Total liabilities$9,007 $31,037 $2,482 $42,526 
December 31, 2019Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Debt securities available-for-sale    
U.S. Treasuries$154,618 $— $— $154,618 
U.S. Agencies— 3,035 — 3,035 
State and political subdivisions— 226,490 — 226,490 
Residential mortgage-backed securities— 1,299,025 — 1,299,025 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 284,953 — 284,953 
Corporate bonds— 202,093 998 203,091 
Asset-backed securities— 103,369 — 103,369 
Equity securities with readily available fair values1,973 — — 1,973 
Mortgage loans held for sale— 58,484 — 58,484 
Deferred compensation plan assets8,133 — — 8,133 
Servicing rights for SBA/USDA loans— — 6,794 6,794 
Residential mortgage servicing rights— — 13,565 13,565 
Derivative financial instruments— 27,769 7,238 35,007 
Total assets$164,724 $2,205,218 $28,595 $2,398,537 
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability$8,132 $— $— $8,132 
Derivative financial instruments— 6,957 8,559 15,516 
Total liabilities$8,132 $6,957 $8,559 $23,648 
 
38

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

The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the periods indicated for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs that are classified as Level 3 values (in thousands).
20202019
Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesServicing rights for SBA/USDA loansResidential mortgage servicing rightsDebt Securities Available-for-SaleDerivative
Assets
Derivative
Liabilities
Servicing rights for SBA/USDA loansResidential mortgage servicing rightsDebt Securities Available-for-Sale
Three Months Ended September 30,        
Balance at beginning of period$12,107 $2,569 $6,034 $12,492 $1,000 $7,744 $9,012 $7,380 $10,679 $995 
Additions99 — 296 3,055 750 — — 486 1,789 — 
Sales and settlements— — (100)(723)— — — (286)(416)— 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — — — — 
Amounts included in earnings - fair value adjustments592 (87)531 (457)— (1,501)(2,299)(334)(963)— 
Balance at end of period$12,798 $2,482 $6,761 $14,367 $1,750 $6,243 $6,713 $7,246 $11,089 $998 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Balance at beginning of period$7,238 $8,559 $6,794 $13,565 $998 $11,841 $15,732 $7,510 $11,877 $995 
Additions106 — 694 8,387 1,750 — — 1,266 3,880 — 
Transfers into Level 3583 — — — — — — — — — 
Sales and settlements— — (441)(1,898)(1,000)(1,135)(2,330)(837)(719)— 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — — — 
Amounts included in earnings - fair value adjustments4,871 (6,077)(286)(5,687)— (4,463)(6,689)(693)(3,949)— 
Balance at end of period$12,798 $2,482 $6,761 $14,367 $1,750 $6,243 $6,713 $7,246 $11,089 $998 

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated. 
   Weighted Average
Level 3 Assets and LiabilitiesValuation Technique September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019
Unobservable Inputs
Servicing rights for SBA/USDA loansDiscounted cash flowDiscount rate7.6 %12.3 %
Prepayment rate18.2 %16.5 %
Residential mortgage servicing rightsDiscounted cash flowDiscount rate10.0 %10.0 %
Prepayment rate18.7 %14.1 %
Corporate bondsIndicative bid provided by a brokerMultiple factors, including but not limited to, current operations, financial condition, cash flows, and similar financing transactions executed in the marketN/AN/A
Derivative assets - customer derivative positionsInternal modelProbability of default rate53.7 %N/A
Loss given default rate100 %N/A
Derivative assets - mortgageInternal modelPull through rate83.2 %83.6 %
Derivative assets and liabilities - otherDealer pricedDealer pricedN/AN/A
Derivative assets & liabilities - risk participationsInternal modelProbable exposure rate1.05 %0.36 %
Probability of default rate1.88 %1.80 %
 
39

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

Fair Value Option
United records mortgage loans held for sale at fair value under the fair value option. Interest income on these loans is calculated based on the note rate of the loan and is recorded in interest revenue. The following tables present the fair value and outstanding principal balance of these loans, as well as the gain or loss recognized resulting from the change in fair value for the periods indicated (in thousands).
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Outstanding principal balance$121,687 $56,613 
Fair value128,587 58,484 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized on
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
LocationThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2020201920202019
 Mortgage loan gains and other related fees$1,758 $(2)$5,029 $873 

Changes in fair value were mostly offset by hedging activities. An immaterial portion of these amounts was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
United may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These adjustments to fair value usually result from the application of the lower of the amortized cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets due to impairment. The following table presents the fair value hierarchy and carrying value of all assets that were still held as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, for which a nonrecurring fair value adjustment was recorded during the year-to-date periods presented (in thousands).
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
September 30, 2020    
Loans$— $— $16,350 $16,350 
December 31, 2019
Loans$— $— $20,977 $20,977 

Loans that are reported above as being measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are generally impaired loans that have either been partially charged off or have specific reserves assigned to them. Nonaccrual loans that are collateral dependent are generally written down to 80% of appraised value, which considers the estimated costs to sell. Specific reserves that are established based on appraised value of collateral are considered nonrecurring fair value adjustments as well. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, United records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, United records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value  
For financial instruments that have quoted market prices, those quotes are used to determine fair value. Financial instruments that have no defined maturity, have a remaining maturity of 180 days or less, or reprice frequently to a market rate, are assumed to have a fair value that approximates reported book value, after taking into consideration any applicable credit risk. If no market quotes are available, financial instruments are valued by discounting the expected cash flows using an estimated current market interest rate for the financial instrument. For off-balance sheet derivative instruments, fair value is estimated as the amount that United would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at the reporting date, taking into account the current unrealized gains or losses on open contracts.
 
Cash and cash equivalents and repurchase agreements have short maturities and therefore the carrying value approximates fair value. Due to the short-term settlement of accrued interest receivable and payable, the carrying amount closely approximates fair value.
 
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect the premium or discount on any particular financial instrument that could result from the sale of United’s entire holdings. All estimates are inherently subjective in nature. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
40

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

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

The carrying amount and fair values as of the dates indicated for other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands).
 Fair Value Level
Carrying AmountLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
September 30, 2020     
Assets:     
Securities held-to-maturity$398,373 $— $413,820 $— $413,820 
Loans and leases, net11,664,654 — — 11,651,643 11,651,643 
Liabilities:
Deposits14,603,376 — 14,604,902 — 14,604,902 
Long-term debt326,703 — — 332,869 332,869 
December 31, 2019
Assets:
Securities held-to-maturity$283,533 $— $287,904 $— $287,904 
Loans and leases, net8,750,464 — — 8,714,592 8,714,592 
Liabilities:
Deposits10,897,244 — 10,897,465 — 10,897,465 
Long-term debt212,664 — — 217,665 217,665 
 
Note 11 – Common and Preferred Stock
In November of 2019, United’s Board of Directors authorized an expansion of the existing common stock repurchase plan to authorize the repurchase of its common stock up to $50 million. The program is scheduled to expire on the earlier of United’s repurchase of its common stock having an aggregate purchase price of $50 million or December 31, 2020. Under the program, shares may be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, subject to market conditions. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, 195,443 shares were repurchased under the program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, 826,482 and 500,495 shares, respectively, were repurchased. As of September 30, 2020, United had remaining authorization to repurchase up to $29.2 million of outstanding common stock under the program.
During 2020, United issued $100 million, or 4,000 shares, of Series I perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a dividend rate of 6.875% per annum for net proceeds of $96.4 million and corresponding depositary shares each representing a 1/1,000th interest in one share of Preferred Stock. If declared, dividends are payable quarterly in arrears. The Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and redemption is solely at the option of United in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of a regulatory capital treatment event, as defined. In addition, the Preferred Stock may be redeemed on or after September 15, 2025 at a cash redemption price equal to $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus any declared and unpaid dividends. As of September 30, 2020, the Preferred Stock had a carrying amount of $96.4 million.

Note 12 – Stock-Based Compensation
 
United has an equity compensation plan that allows for grants of various share-based compensation. Options granted under the plan have an exercise price no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The general terms of the plan include a vesting period (usually four years) with an exercisable period not to exceed ten years. Certain options and restricted stock
41

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

unit awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan document). As of September 30, 2020, 921,000 additional awards could be granted under the plan.

The following table shows stock option activity for the first nine months of September 30, 2020.
OptionsSharesWeighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value ($000)
Outstanding at December 31, 20191,500 $27.95 
Expired(1,500)27.95 
Outstanding at September 30, 2020— — 0.00$— 
Exercisable at September 30, 2020— — 0.00— 
 
The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. No stock options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. United recognized no compensation expense related to stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
 
The table below presents restricted stock unit activity for the first nine months of September 30, 2020.
Restricted Stock Unit AwardsSharesWeighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value ($000)
Outstanding at December 31, 2019808,424 $27.94 
Granted426,107 18.99 
Vested(249,936)26.50 $5,379 
Cancelled(28,691)26.08 
Outstanding at September 30, 2020955,904 24.11 3.416,183 
 
Compensation expense for restricted stock units and performance stock units without market conditions is based on the market value of United’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense for performance stock units with market conditions is based on the grant date per share fair market value, which was estimated using the Monte Carlo Simulation valuation model. United recognizes the impact of forfeitures as they occur. The value of restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards is amortized into expense over the service period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, expense of $5.57 million and $7.40 million, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards granted to United employees. Of the expense related to restricted stock unit awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, $1.38 million related to the modification of existing awards resulting from an acceleration of vesting of awards due to retirement and $740,000 related to awards granted in conjunction with an acquisition, both of which were recognized in merger-related and other charges in the consolidated statement of income. The remaining expense of $5.28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was recognized in salaries and employee benefits expense, as was the entire amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $367,000 and $283,000, respectively, was recognized in other operating expense for restricted stock unit awards granted to members of United’s Board of Directors.

A deferred income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of $1.52 million and $1.96 million was included in the determination of income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, there was $16.1 million of unrecognized expense related to non-vested restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years. As of September 30, 2020, there was no unrecognized expense related to non-vested stock options granted under the plan.

42

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

Note 13 – Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the details regarding amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods indicated (in thousands). Amounts shown in parentheses reduce earnings.
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ComponentsThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
2020201920202019
Realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
$746 $— $746 $(118)Securities gains (losses), net
 (191)— (191)30 Income tax (expense) benefit
 $555 $— $555 $(88)Net of tax
Amortization of losses included in net income on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity:
 $(544)$(105)$(723)$(282)Investment securities interest revenue
 130 25 173 67 Income tax benefit
 $(414)$(80)$(550)$(215)Net of tax
Reclassifications related to derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts$(130)$— $(197)$— Long-term debt interest expense
Amortization of losses on
de-designated positions
— — — (102)Deposit interest expense
Amortization of losses on
de-designated positions
— — — (235)Other expense
 (130)— (197)(337)Total before tax
 33 — 50 86 Income tax benefit
 $(97)$— $(147)$(251)Net of tax
Reclassifications related to defined benefit pension plan activity:
Prior service cost$(133)$(158)$(398)$(476)Salaries and employee benefits expense
Actuarial losses(82)(16)(245)(45)Other expense
Termination of defined benefit pension plan— (1,558)— (1,558)Merger-related and other charges
 (215)(1,732)(643)(2,079)Total before tax
 55 443 164 531 Income tax benefit
 $(160)$(1,289)$(479)$(1,548)Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period$(116)$(1,369)$(621)$(2,102)Net of tax

43

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

Note 14 – Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data).
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020201920202019
Net income$47,607 $48,362 $104,587 $136,709 
Dividends on preferred stock(1,814)— (1,814)— 
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested shares(356)(351)(779)(982)
Net income available to common shareholders$45,437 $48,011 $101,994 $135,727 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic87,129 79,663 81,815 79,714 
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options— — 
Restricted stock units76 61 
Diluted87,205 79,667 81,876 79,718 
Net income per common share:
Basic$0.52 $0.60 $1.25 $1.70 
Diluted$0.52 $0.60 $1.25 $1.70 
 
At September 30, 2019, United excluded 1,000 potentially dilutive shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $30.45 from the computation of diluted earnings per share because of their antidilutive effect.
 
Note 15 – Regulatory Matters

As of September 30, 2020, United and the Bank were categorized as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action in effect at such time. To be categorized as well-capitalized at September 30, 2020, United and the Bank must have exceeded the well-capitalized guideline ratios in effect at such time, as set forth in the table below, and have met certain other requirements. Management believes that United and the Bank exceeded all well-capitalized requirements at September 30, 2020, and there have been no conditions or events since quarter-end that would change the status of well-capitalized.

Pursuant to the CARES Act, United has adopted relief provided by federal banking regulatory agencies for the delay of the adverse capital impact of CECL at adoption and during the subsequent two-year period after adoption. This optional two-year delay is followed by an optional three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay. Under the transition provision, the amount of aggregate capital benefit is phased out by 25% each year with the full impact of adoption completely recognized by the beginning of the sixth year after adoption.
44

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


Regulatory capital ratios at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, along with the minimum amounts required for capital adequacy purposes and to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions in effect at such times are presented below for United and the Bank (dollars in thousands):
United Community Banks, Inc.
(Consolidated)
United Community Bank
Minimum (1)
Well
Capitalized
September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019
Risk-based ratios:
Common equity tier 1 capital4.5 %6.5 %12.31 %12.97 %13.20 %14.87 %
Tier 1 capital6.0 8.0 13.12 13.21 13.20 14.87 
Total capital8.0 10.0 15.27 15.01 14.21 15.54 
Leverage ratio4.0 5.0 9.38 10.34 9.42 11.63 
Common equity tier 1 capital$1,459,152 $1,275,148 $1,559,356 $1,458,720 
Tier 1 capital1,555,574 1,299,398 1,559,356 1,458,720 
Total capital1,810,503 1,476,302 1,678,689 1,524,267 
Risk-weighted assets11,857,146 9,834,051 11,815,993 9,810,477 
Average total assets for the
leverage ratio
16,583,232 12,568,563 16,554,227 12,545,254 
(1) As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the additional capital conservation buffer in effect was 2.50%

Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies
 
United is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement United has in particular classes of financial instruments. The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. United uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it uses for underwriting on-balance sheet instruments. In most cases, collateral or other security is required to support financial instruments with credit risk.
 
The following table summarizes the contractual amount of off-balance sheet instruments as of the dates indicated (in thousands).
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:  
Commitments to extend credit$2,993,692 $2,126,275 
Letters of credit32,702 22,533 
 
United holds minor investments in certain limited partnerships for Community Reinvestment Act purposes. As of September 30, 2020, United had committed to fund an additional $9.81 million related to future capital calls that are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
United, in the normal course of business, is subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these lawsuits, or the range of any possible loss, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising from these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on United’s financial position or results of operations.
 
45

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

Note 17 - Subsequent Events

On November 5, 2020, United’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share and a preferred stock dividend of $429.6875 per preferred share (equivalent to $0.4296875 per depositary share, or 1/1000 interest per share). The common stock dividend is payable January 5, 2021, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2020. The preferred stock dividend is payable December 15, 2020, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2020.

In addition, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program to $50 million of its outstanding common shares and extended the expiration of the authorization to December 31, 2021.

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

The following is a discussion of our financial condition at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements and is intended to provide insight into our results of operations and financial condition. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” or “United” refer to United Community Banks, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including United Community Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “the Bank,” “our bank subsidiary” or “our bank.” References to the “Holding Company” refer to United Community Banks, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part I - Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 10-K”), as supplemented by those incorporated by reference in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the other reports we have filed with the SEC after we filed the 2019 10-K.
 
Overview
 
We offer a wide array of commercial and consumer banking services and investment advisory services through a 163-banking office network throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. We have grown organically as well as through strategic acquisitions. On July 1, 2020, we acquired Three Shores Bancorporation, Inc. (“Three Shores”) including its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Seaside National Bank & Trust (“Seaside”), headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Seaside was a premier commercial lender with a strong wealth management platform and operated a 14-branch network located in key Florida metropolitan markets. We acquired $2.13 billion of assets and assumed $1.99 billion of liabilities in the acquisition.

Recent Developments
During the first nine months of 2020, global financial markets experienced significant volatility resulting from the spread of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has materially restricted the level of economic activity in our markets. In response to the pandemic, the governments of the states in which we have branches and of most other states have taken preventative or protective actions, such as imposing restrictions on travel and business operations, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego time outside of their homes, and ordering temporary closures of businesses that have been deemed to be non-essential. These measures have dramatically increased unemployment in the United States and have negatively impacted many businesses, and thereby threatened the repayment ability of some of our borrowers.

To address the economic impact in the United States, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act includes a number of provisions that affect us, including accounting relief for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and relief for the effect of current expected credit losses accounting standard (“CECL”) implementation on regulatory capital. The CARES Act also establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), which allows us to lend money to small businesses to maintain employee payrolls and pay other qualified expenses during the crisis with guarantees from the SBA. Under this program, loan amounts may be forgiven if the proceeds are used for payroll and other permitted expenses in accordance with the requirements of the PPP, and the borrower meets certain other requirements.

The Federal Reserve also took additional steps to bolster the economy by, among other things, reducing the federal funds rate and the discount-window borrowing rate to near zero.

In response to the pandemic, we have implemented protocols and processes to help protect our employees, customers and communities. These measures have included:

Temporarily operating our branches under a drive-through model with appointment-only lobby service, leveraging our business continuity plans and capabilities that include critical operations teams being divided and dispersed to separate locations and, when possible, having employees work from home;
Offering assistance to our customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including payment deferrals, waiving certain fees, suspending property foreclosures, and participating in the CARES Act and lending programs for businesses, including the SBA PPP;
Temporarily suspending common stock repurchases to maximize capital and liquidity resources; and
Issuing $100 million of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and $100 million of senior debentures to ensure our capital ratios and liquidity remain strong throughout the rapidly changing economic conditions.
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In connection with reviewing our financial condition in light of the pandemic, we evaluated certain assets, including goodwill and other intangibles, for potential impairment. Based upon our most recent review as of September 30, 2020, no impairments have occurred. We have also elected to delay for two years the phase-in of the capital impact from our adoption of CECL, the new accounting standard on credit losses. For more information, see Capital Resources and Dividends.
We have implemented various consumer and commercial loan modification programs to provide our borrowers relief from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Based on guidance in the CARES Act, COVID-19 related modifications to loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are exempt from TDR classification under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition, the bank regulatory agencies issued interagency guidance stating that COVID-19 related short-term modifications (i.e., payment deferrals of six months or less) granted to loans that were current as of the loan modification program implementation date are not new TDRs. For more information, see Table 10 - COVID-19 Deferrals.
Given the unprecedented uncertainty and rapidly evolving economic effects and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future direct and indirect impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition are highly uncertain. Should current economic conditions persist or continue to deteriorate, we expect that this macroeconomic environment will have a continued adverse effect on our business and results of operations, which could include, but not be limited to: decreased demand for our products and services, protracted periods of lower interest rates, increased noninterest expenses, operational losses, and increased credit losses due to deterioration in the financial condition of our consumer and commercial borrowers, including declining asset and collateral values, which may continue to increase our provision for credit losses and net charge-offs.
LIBOR and Other Benchmark Rates
As previously disclosed, to facilitate an orderly transition from Interbank Offered Rates (“IBORs”) and other benchmark rates to alternative reference rates (“ARRs”), we have established an enterprise-wide program to identify, assess and monitor risks associated with the expected discontinuation or unavailability of benchmarks, including the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). As part of this program, we continue to identify, assess and monitor risks associated with the expected discontinuation or unavailability of LIBOR and other benchmarks, and evaluate and address documentation and contractual mechanics of outstanding IBOR-based products and contracts that mature after 2021 and new and potential future ARR-based products and contracts to achieve operational readiness. This program includes active involvement of senior management and regular reports to the Enterprise Risk Committee. The program is structured to address the industry and regulatory engagement, client and financial contract changes, internal and external communications, technology and operations modifications, introduction of new products, migration of existing clients, and program strategy and governance. As the markets for ARRs continue to grow, we continue to monitor the development and usage of ARRs, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Additionally, any prolonged economic and market disruptions resulting from COVID-19 may have an adverse impact on the market and industry transition to ARRs, including the readiness of other market participants and third-party vendors, and our engagement with impacted clients and their operational readiness to transition to ARRs. For more information on the expected replacement of LIBOR and other benchmark rates, see Item 1A. Risk Factors – Market Risks of the 2019 10-K.
Financial Highlights
At September 30, 2020, we had total consolidated assets of $17.2 billion, total loans of $11.8 billion, total deposits of $14.6 billion, and shareholders’ equity of $1.97 billion. We reported net income of $47.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to net income of $48.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we reported net income of $105 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared to $137 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2019. The decreases in net income and earnings per share from 2019 reflect the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Net interest revenue increased to $128 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $119 million for the third quarter of 2019. The net interest margin decreased to 3.27% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 from 4.12% for the same period in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net interest revenue was $356 million and the net interest margin was 3.55% compared to net interest revenue of $353 million and net interest margin of 4.11% for the same period in 2019. The decreases in net interest margin were primarily due to the effect of falling interest rates on our asset sensitive balance sheet, which more than offset the positive impact of continued growth of our loan portfolio and the reduction of borrowed funds since September 30, 2019.
 
The provision for credit losses was $21.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $3.10 million for the third quarter of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the provision for credit losses was $77.5 million, compared to $9.65 million for the same period in 2019. The increase in provision expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 reflected higher expected losses resulting primarily from the adoption of CECL and the macroeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our CECL calculation, as well as the establishment of the initial allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on non-purchased credit deteriorated loans
48


and unfunded commitments acquired from Three Shores. As a result, as of September 30, 2020, our ACL on loans was $134 million, or 1.14% of loans, compared to $62.1 million, or 0.70% of loans, at December 31, 2019. Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2020 were $2.54 million compared to $2.72 million for the same period in 2019. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, nonperforming assets of $50.0 million and $35.8 million, respectively, were 0.29% and 0.28% of total assets, respectively.

Noninterest income of $48.7 million for the third quarter of 2020 was up $19.7 million, or 68%, from the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in mortgage origination activity that resulted in a $16.5 million increase in mortgage fees. We closed $569 million in mortgage loans in the third quarter of 2020 compared with $330 million a year ago. Continued demand for customer derivative products in the low interest rate environment and the addition of Three Shores’ wealth management business also contributed to the increase in noninterest income for the third quarter of 2020. These increases were partially offset by decreases in service charges and fees driven mostly by a reduction in overdraft transaction volume. For the first nine months of 2020, total noninterest income was up $40.2 million compared to the same period of 2019, mostly driven by the same factors affecting the quarter.

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, noninterest expenses of $96.0 million and $261 million, respectively, increased $13.1 million and $20.7 million, respectively, from the same periods of 2019. Much of the increase reflects the inclusion of Three Shores’ operating expenses. However, we also had increases in mortgage commissions and merit-based salary increases (awarded during the second quarter of 2020), which increased our salaries and employee benefit expense. We also made $1.50 million in charitable contributions to our newly formed United Community Bank Foundation, which elevated our advertising and public relations expense. In addition, FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflected a one-time $1.38 million credit, decreasing our expense for 2019.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Except as described below, there have been no significant changes to the Critical Accounting Policies as described in our 2019 10-K.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the ACL represents management’s estimate of credit losses for the remaining estimated life of financial instruments, with particular applicability on our balance sheet to loans and unfunded loan commitments. Estimating the amount of the ACL requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to historical experience, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and the value of collateral on collateral-dependent loans. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on our consolidated balance sheet. Loan losses are charged against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the factors previously mentioned, as well as other pertinent factors.
There are many factors affecting the ACL; some are quantitative while others require qualitative judgment. Although management believes its process for determining the allowance adequately considers all the potential factors that could potentially result in credit losses, the process includes subjective elements and is susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for credit losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods.
Additional information on the loan portfolio and ACL can be found in the sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis titled “Asset Quality and Risk Elements” and “Nonperforming Assets.” Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements includes additional information on accounting policies related to the ACL.
49


Non-GAAP Reconciliation and Explanation
 
This Form 10-Q contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial information includes the following measures: “tangible book value per common share,” and “tangible common equity to tangible assets.” In addition, management presents non-GAAP operating performance measures, which exclude merger-related and other items that are not part of our ongoing business operations. Operating performance measures include “expenses – operating,” “net income – operating,” “diluted income per common share – operating,” “return on common equity – operating,” “return on tangible common equity – operating,” “return on assets – operating,” “dividend payout ratio – operating” and “efficiency ratio – operating.” Management has developed internal policies and procedures to accurately capture and account for merger-related and other charges and those charges are reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors each quarter. Management uses these non-GAAP measures because it believes they provide useful supplemental information for evaluating our operations and performance over periods of time, as well as in managing and evaluating our business and in discussions about our operations and performance. Management believes these non-GAAP measures may also provide users of our financial information with a meaningful measure for assessing our financial results and credit trends, as well as a comparison to financial results for prior periods. Nevertheless, non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to or substitute for, measures determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because non-GAAP measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare our non-GAAP measures to similarly titled measures used by other companies. To the extent applicable, reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP are included in Table 1 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Results of Operations
 
We reported net income and diluted earnings per common share of $47.6 million and $0.52, respectively, for the third quarter of 2020. This compared to net income and diluted earnings per common share of $48.4 million and $0.60, respectively, for the same period in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we reported net income and diluted earnings per share of $105 million and $1.25, respectively, compared to net income and diluted earnings per share of $137 million and $1.70, respectively, for the same period in 2019.

We reported net income - operating (non-GAAP) of $50.4 million and $108 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, compared to $50.4 million and $142 million for the same periods in 2019. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, net income - operating (non-GAAP) excludes merger-related and other charges, which net of tax, totaled $2.84 million and $3.78 million, respectively. For the third quarter of 2019, net income - operating (non-GAAP) excludes merger-related, pension termination and branch closure charges, which net of tax, totaled $2.01 million. For the first nine months of 2019, net income - operating (non-GAAP) excludes executive retirement charges as well as the items mentioned in the previous sentence, which net of tax, totaled $5.72 million.

50


UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Table 1 - Financial Highlights
Selected Financial Information
 20202019Third Quarter 2020 - 2019 ChangeFor the Nine Months Ended September 30,YTD 2020 - 2019 Change
(in thousands, except per share data)Third QuarterSecond QuarterFirst QuarterFourth QuarterThird Quarter20202019
INCOME SUMMARY 
Interest revenue$141,773 $123,605 $136,547 $136,419 $140,615 $401,925 $416,287 
Interest expense13,319 14,301 17,941 19,781 21,277 45,561 63,531 
Net interest revenue128,454 109,304 118,606 116,638 119,338 %356,364 352,756 %
Provision for credit losses21,793 33,543 22,191 3,500 3,100 77,527 9,650 
Noninterest income48,682 40,238 25,814 30,183 29,031 68 114,734 74,530 54 
Total revenue155,343 115,999 122,229 143,321 145,269 393,571 417,636 (6)
Expenses95,981 83,980 81,538 81,424 82,924 16 261,499 240,821 
Income before income tax expense59,362 32,019 40,691 61,897 62,345 (5)132,072 176,815 (25)
Income tax expense11,755 6,923 8,807 12,885 13,983 (16)27,485 40,106 (31)
Net income47,607 25,096 31,884 49,012 48,362 (2)104,587 136,709 (23)
Merger-related and other charges3,361 397 808 (74)2,605 4,566 7,431 
Income tax benefit of merger-related and other charges(519)(87)(182)17 (600)(788)(1,712)
Net income - operating (1)
$50,449 $25,406 $32,510 $48,955 $50,367 — $108,365 $142,428 (24)
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Per common share:
Diluted net income - GAAP$0.52 $0.32 $0.40 $0.61 $0.60 (13)$1.25 $1.70 (26)
Diluted net income - operating (1)
0.55 0.32 0.41 0.61 0.63 (13)1.29 1.77 (27)
Cash dividends declared0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.54 0.50 
Book value21.45 21.22 20.80 20.53 20.16 21.45 20.16 
Tangible book value (3)
17.09 16.95 16.52 16.28 15.90 17.09 15.90 
Key performance ratios:
Return on common equity - GAAP (2)(4)
10.06 %6.17 %7.85 %12.07 %12.16 %8.11 %11.83 %
Return on common equity - operating (1)(2)(4)
10.69 6.25 8.01 12.06 12.67 8.40 12.32 
Return on tangible common equity - operating (1)(2)(3)(4)
13.52 8.09 10.57 15.49 16.38 10.76 15.92 
Return on assets - GAAP (4)
1.07 0.71 0.99 1.50 1.51 0.93 1.45 
Return on assets - operating (1)(4)
1.14 0.72 1.01 1.50 1.58 0.97 1.51 
Dividend payout ratio - GAAP34.62 56.25 45.00 29.51 28.33 43.20 29.41 
Dividend payout ratio - operating (1)
32.73 56.25 43.90 29.51 26.98 41.86 28.25 
Net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent) (4)
3.27 3.42 4.07 3.93 4.12 3.55 4.11 
Efficiency ratio - GAAP54.14 55.86 56.15 54.87 55.64 55.30 56.09 
Efficiency ratio - operating (1)
52.24 55.59 55.59 54.92 53.90 54.34 54.36 
Equity to total assets11.47 11.81 12.54 12.66 12.53 11.47 12.53 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (3)
8.89 9.12 10.22 10.32 10.16 8.89 10.16 
ASSET QUALITY
Nonperforming loans$49,084 $48,021 $36,208 $35,341 $30,832 59 $49,084 $30,832 59 
Foreclosed properties953 477 475 476 102 953 102 
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs")50,037 48,498 36,683 35,817 30,934 62 50,037 30,934 62 
Allowance for credit losses - loans134,256 103,669 81,905 62,089 62,514 115 134,256 62,514 115 
Net charge-offs2,538 6,149 8,114 3,925 2,723 (7)16,801 8,291 103 
Allowance for credit losses - loans to loans1.14 %1.02 %0.92 %0.70 %0.70 %1.14 %0.70 %
Net charge-offs to average loans (4)
0.09 0.25 0.37 0.18 0.12 0.22 0.13 
NPAs to loans and foreclosed properties0.42 0.48 0.41 0.41 0.35 0.42 0.35 
NPAs to total assets0.29 0.32 0.28 0.28 0.24 0.29 0.24 
AVERAGE BALANCES ($ in millions)
Loans$11,644 $9,773 $8,829 $8,890 $8,836 32 $10,088 $8,647 17 
Investment securities2,750 2,408 2,520 2,486 2,550 2,560 2,701 (5)
Earning assets15,715 12,958 11,798 11,832 11,568 36 13,498 11,534 17 
Total assets17,013 14,173 12,944 12,946 12,681 34 14,718 12,600 17 
Deposits14,460 12,071 10,915 10,924 10,531 37 12,490 10,462 19 
Shareholders’ equity1,948 1,686 1,653 1,623 1,588 23 1,763 1,533 15 
Common shares - basic (thousands)87,129 78,920 79,340 79,659 79,663 81,815 79,714 
Common shares - diluted (thousands)87,205 78,924 79,446 79,669 79,667 81,876 79,718 
AT PERIOD END ($ in millions)
Loans$11,799 $10,133 $8,935 $8,813 $8,903 33 $11,799 $8,903 33 
Investment securities3,089 2,432 2,540 2,559 2,515 23 3,089 2,515 23 
Total assets17,153 15,005 13,086 12,916 12,809 34 17,153 12,809 34 
Deposits14,603 12,702 11,035 10,897 10,757 36 14,603 10,757 36 
Shareholders’ equity1,967 1,772 1,641 1,636 1,605 23 1,967 1,605 23 
Common shares outstanding (thousands)86,611 78,335 78,284 79,014 78,974 10 86,611 78,974 10 
(1) Excludes merger-related and other charges that includes termination of our funded pension plan in the third quarter of 2019, executive retirement charges in the second quarter of 2019 and amortization of certain executive change of control benefits. (2) Net income divided by average realized common equity, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) Excludes effect of acquisition related intangibles and associated amortization. (4) Annualized.
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UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Table 1 (Continued) - Non-GAAP Performance Measures Reconciliation
Selected Financial Information
 20202019For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 Third QuarterSecond QuarterFirst QuarterFourth QuarterThird Quarter20202019
(in thousands, except per share data)
Expense reconciliation     
Expenses (GAAP)$95,981 $83,980 $81,538 $81,424 $82,924 $261,499 $240,821 
Merger-related and other charges(3,361)(397)(808)74 (2,605)(4,566)(7,431)
Expenses - operating$92,620 $83,583 $80,730 $81,498 $80,319 $256,933 $233,390 
Net income reconciliation
Net income (GAAP)$47,607 $25,096 $31,884 $49,012 $48,362 $104,587 $136,709 
Merger-related and other charges3,361 397 808 (74)2,605 4,566 7,431 
Income tax benefit of merger-related and other charges(519)(87)(182)17 (600)(788)(1,712)
Net income - operating$50,449 $25,406 $32,510 $48,955 $50,367 $108,365 $142,428 
Diluted income per common share reconciliation
Diluted income per common share (GAAP)$0.52 $0.32 $0.40 $0.61 $0.60 $1.25 $1.70 
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax0.03 — 0.01 — 0.03 0.04 0.07 
Diluted income per common share - operating$0.55 $0.32 $0.41 $0.61 $0.63 $1.29 $1.77 
Book value per common share reconciliation
Book value per common share (GAAP)$21.45 $21.22 $20.80 $20.53 $20.16 $21.45 $20.16 
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles(4.36)(4.27)(4.28)(4.25)(4.26)(4.36)(4.26)
Tangible book value per common share$17.09 $16.95 $16.52 $16.28 $15.90 $17.09 $15.90 
Return on tangible common equity reconciliation
Return on common equity (GAAP)10.06 %6.17 %7.85 %12.07 %12.16 %8.11 %11.83 %
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax0.63 0.08 0.16 (0.01)0.51 0.29 0.49 
Return on common equity - operating10.69 6.25 8.01 12.06 12.67 8.40 12.32 
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles2.83 1.84 2.56 3.43 3.71 2.36 3.60 
Return on tangible common equity - operating13.52 %8.09 %10.57 %15.49 %16.38 %10.76 %15.92 %
Return on assets reconciliation
Return on assets (GAAP)1.07 %0.71 %0.99 %1.50 %1.51 %0.93 %1.45 %
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax0.07 0.01 0.02 — 0.07 0.04 0.06 
Return on assets - operating1.14 %0.72 %1.01 %1.50 %1.58 %0.97 %1.51 %
Dividend payout ratio reconciliation
Dividend payout ratio (GAAP)34.62 %56.25 %45.00 %29.51 %28.33 %43.20 %29.41 %
Merger-related and other charges, net of tax(1.89)— (1.10)— (1.35)(1.34)(1.16)
Dividend payout ratio - operating32.73 %56.25 %43.90 %29.51 %26.98 %41.86 %28.25 %
Efficiency ratio reconciliation
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)54.14 %55.86 %56.15 %54.87 %55.64 %55.30 %56.09 %
Merger-related and other charges(1.90)(0.27)(0.56)0.05 (1.74)(0.96)(1.73)
Efficiency ratio - operating52.24 %55.59 %55.59 %54.92 %53.90 %54.34 %54.36 %
Tangible common equity to tangible assets reconciliation
Equity to total assets (GAAP)11.47 %11.81 %12.54 %12.66 %12.53 %11.47 %12.53 %
Effect of goodwill and other intangibles(2.02)(2.05)(2.32)(2.34)(2.37)(2.02)(2.37)
Effect of preferred equity(0.56)(0.64)— — — (0.56)— 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets8.89 %9.12 %10.22 %10.32 %10.16 %8.89 %10.16 %
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Net Interest Revenue

Net interest revenue, which is 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. Management seeks to optimize this revenue while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks.

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

Net interest revenue for the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $128 million and $119 million, respectively. As set forth in the following tables, fully taxable equivalent net interest revenue for the third quarter of 2020 was $129 million, representing an increase of $9.37 million, or 8%, from the same period in 2019. The net interest spread and net interest margin for the third quarter of 2020 of 3.06% and 3.27%, respectively, decreased 66 basis points and 85 basis points, respectively, from the third quarter of 2019. For the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, net interest revenue was $356 million and $353 million, respectively. Fully taxable equivalent net interest revenue for the first nine months of 2020 was $359 million, an increase of $4.14 million, or 1%, from the first nine months of 2019.

The following tables also indicate the relationship between interest revenue and expense and the average amounts of assets and liabilities for the periods indicated. As shown in the tables, both average assets and average liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased compared to the same periods of 2019. For the third quarter of 2020, the increase in average assets was primarily driven by the increase in average loans of $2.81 billion, or 32%, from the third quarter of 2019, which reflects the PPP loans originated during the second quarter of 2020, the acquisition of Seaside, and organic growth, the combination of which more than offset the impact of the sale of the indirect auto portfolio on December 31, 2019. The increase in average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2020 from the same period of 2019 was funded primarily through an increase in average interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing customer deposits, including deposits received through the acquisition of Seaside.

The decrease in the net interest margin during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, was primarily attributable to the impact of falling interest rates on our asset sensitive balance sheet as loan yields fell faster than we could lower deposit rates. In March of 2020, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) lowered interest rates twice for a total reduction of 150 basis points in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was the most aggressive action taken by the FOMC since the financial crisis in 2008. This followed three other federal funds rate reductions since second quarter 2019 of 25 basis points each on July 31, September 18 and October 30. Although the earning asset mix generally improved as growth in the loan portfolio exceeded growth in the lower-yielding investment portfolio, lower-yielding PPP loans and cash balances exerted downward pressure on the margin. The negative impact of falling interest rates and the introduction of lower-yielding PPP loans and higher cash balances was partially mitigated by a more favorable funding mix. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, noninterest-bearing deposits funded 33% and 32%, respectively, of our interest-earning assets compared with 30% and 29%, respectively, for the same periods of 2019. Since the first quarter of 2019, we have reduced our use of wholesale funding sources, with the majority of our balance sheet funded with customer deposits as of September 30, 2020.

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Table 2 - Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 20202019
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))Average BalanceInterestAverage RateAverage BalanceInterestAverage Rate
Assets:      
Interest-earning assets:      
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE) (1)(2)
$11,644,202 $126,342 4.32 %$8,835,585 $122,526 5.50 %
Taxable securities (3)
2,499,649 12,663 2.03 2,379,927 16,626 2.79 
Tax-exempt securities (FTE) (1)(3)
249,959 2,544 4.07 170,027 1,502 3.53 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets1,321,445 1,132 0.34 182,935 616 1.35 
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)15,715,255 142,681 3.61 11,568,474 141,270 4.85 
Noninterest-earning assets:
Allowance for credit losses(128,581)(63,474)
Cash and due from banks135,949 116,922 
Premises and equipment216,326 221,930 
Other assets (3)
1,074,529 836,951 
Total assets$17,013,478 $12,680,803 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW and interest-bearing demand$2,890,735 1,634 0.22 $2,123,910 3,214 0.60 
Money market3,501,781 3,017 0.34 2,277,162 5,126 0.89 
Savings864,849 47 0.02 695,297 41 0.02 
Time1,933,764 4,127 0.85 1,879,801 8,053 1.70 
Brokered time deposits96,198 173 0.72 102,078 679 2.64 
Total interest-bearing deposits9,287,327 8,998 0.39 7,078,248 17,113 0.96 
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings4,405 0.18 73,733 429 2.31 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances2,818 27 3.81 88,261 521 2.34 
Long-term debt327,017 4,292 5.22 243,935 3,214 5.23 
Total borrowed funds334,240 4,321 5.14 405,929 4,164 4.07 
Total interest-bearing liabilities9,621,567 13,319 0.55 7,484,177 21,277 1.13 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits5,172,999 3,453,174 
Other liabilities270,451 155,107 
Total liabilities15,065,017 11,092,458 
Shareholders' equity1,948,461 1,588,345 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$17,013,478 $12,680,803 
Net interest revenue (FTE) $129,362 $119,993 
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)  3.06 %3.72 %
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
  3.27 %4.12 %
 
(1)Interest revenue on tax-exempt securities and loans has been increased to reflect comparable interest on taxable securities and loans. The rate used was 26%, reflecting the statutory federal income tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state income tax rate.
(2)Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)Securities available-for-sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized gains of $77.0 million in 2020 and unrealized gains of $35.1 million in 2019 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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Table 3 - Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20202019
(dollars in thousands, fully taxable equivalent (FTE))Average BalanceInterestAverage RateAverage BalanceInterestAverage Rate
Assets:      
Interest-earning assets:      
Loans, net of unearned income (FTE) (1)(2)
$10,087,630 $351,536 4.65 %$8,646,622 $357,541 5.53 %
Taxable securities (3)
2,362,674 42,579 2.40 2,532,070 54,229 2.86 
Tax-exempt securities (FTE) (1)(3)
197,231 6,699 4.53 168,787 4,579 3.62 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets850,722 3,621 0.57 186,402 1,913 1.37 
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)13,498,257 404,435 4.00 11,533,881 418,262 4.85 
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses(96,235)(62,664)
Cash and due from banks134,354 121,889 
Premises and equipment217,551 220,872 
Other assets (3)
964,511 785,862 
Total assets$14,718,438 $12,599,840 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW and interest-bearing demand$2,583,911 6,240 0.32 $2,199,607 10,283 0.63 
Money market2,797,350 10,969 0.52 2,187,822 14,100 0.86 
Savings788,681 121 0.02 685,167 115 0.02 
Time1,860,597 17,435 1.25 1,761,374 20,338 1.54 
Brokered time deposits102,502 579 0.75 292,835 5,349 2.44 
Total interest-bearing deposits8,133,041 35,344 0.58 7,126,805 50,185 0.94 
Federal funds purchased and other borrowings1,611 0.25 44,898 838 2.50 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances1,001 28 3.74 142,876 2,695 2.52 
Long-term debt256,218 10,186 5.31 252,686 9,813 5.19 
Total borrowed funds258,830 10,217 5.27 440,460 13,346 4.05 
Total interest-bearing liabilities8,391,871 45,561 0.73 7,567,265 63,531 1.12 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits4,356,484 3,335,450 
Other liabilities206,904 164,350 
Total liabilities12,955,259 11,067,065 
Shareholders' equity1,763,179 1,532,775 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$14,718,438 $12,599,840 
Net interest revenue (FTE)$358,874 $354,731 
Net interest-rate spread (FTE)3.27 %3.73 %
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
3.55 %4.11 %
 
(1)Interest revenue on tax-exempt securities and loans has been increased to reflect comparable interest on taxable securities and loans. The rate used was 26%, reflecting the statutory federal income tax rate and the federal tax adjusted state income tax rate.
(2)Included in the average balance of loans outstanding are loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans that are held for sale.
(3)Securities available-for-sale are shown at amortized cost. Pretax unrealized gains of $65.5 million in 2020 and unrealized gains of $4.94 million in 2019 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 effect on net interest revenue for changes in the average outstanding amounts (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the rates earned and paid on such assets and liabilities (rate). Variances resulting from a combination of changes in rate and volume are allocated in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each category.
 
Table 4 - Change in Interest Revenue and Expense on a Taxable Equivalent Basis
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Compared to 2019
Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in
 VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (FTE)$33,917 $(30,101)$3,816 $54,765 $(60,770)$(6,005)
Taxable securities801 (4,764)(3,963)(3,457)(8,193)(11,650)
Tax-exempt securities (FTE)787 255 1,042 850 1,270 2,120 
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets1,281 (765)516 3,390 (1,682)1,708 
Total interest-earning assets (FTE)36,786 (35,375)1,411 55,548 (69,375)(13,827)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW and interest-bearing demand accounts895 (2,475)(1,580)1,566 (5,609)(4,043)
Money market accounts1,964 (4,073)(2,109)3,289 (6,420)(3,131)
Savings deposits(3)16 (10)
Time deposits225 (4,151)(3,926)1,096 (3,999)(2,903)
Brokered deposits(37)(469)(506)(2,312)(2,458)(4,770)
Total interest-bearing deposits3,056 (11,171)(8,115)3,655 (18,496)(14,841)
Federal funds purchased & other borrowings(216)(211)(427)(432)(403)(835)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances(696)202 (494)(3,546)879 (2,667)
Long-term debt1,090 (12)1,078 138 235 373 
Total borrowed funds178 (21)157 (3,840)711 (3,129)
Total interest-bearing liabilities3,234 (11,192)(7,958)(185)(17,785)(17,970)
Increase in net interest revenue (FTE)$33,552 $(24,183)$9,369 $55,733 $(51,590)$4,143 

Provision for Credit Losses
 
Prior to January 1, 2020, the provision for credit losses was based on the then-applicable incurred loss model and represented an estimate of probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio and unfunded commitments at the end of each reporting period. Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the provision for credit losses represents management’s estimate of life of loan credit losses in the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for unfunded commitments, which is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, represents expected losses on unfunded loan commitments that are expected to result in outstanding loan balances. Management’s estimate of credit losses under CECL is determined using a complex model that relies on reasonable and supportable forecasts and historical loss information to determine the balance of the ACL and resulting provision for credit losses.

The provision for credit losses was $21.8 million and $77.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $3.10 million and $9.65 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2019. The amount of provision recorded in each period was the amount required such that the total ACL reflected the appropriate balance as determined under the applicable accounting standards in effect at each balance sheet date. The increase in provision expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods of 2019 was primarily a result of higher expected credit losses mostly resulting from the adoption of CECL, the initial ACL recorded on Three Shores’ non-PCD loans and unfunded commitments of $9.78 million and $913,000, respectively, and the macroeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our CECL calculation. Loan growth also contributed to the higher provision for credit losses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net loan charge-offs as an annualized percentage of average outstanding loans were 0.22% compared to 0.13% for the same period in 2019. The increase in charge-offs during the first nine months of 2020 was mostly attributable to a few large credits that had been deteriorating over the previous several quarters.
 
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Additional discussion on credit quality and the ACL is included in the “Asset Quality and Risk Elements” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Noninterest income
 
The following table presents the components of noninterest income for the periods indicated.
Table 5 - Noninterest Income
(in thousands)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
ChangeNine Months Ended
September 30,
Change
 20202019AmountPercent20202019AmountPercent
Overdraft fees$2,484 $3,800 $(1,316)(35)%$8,000 $10,728 $(2,728)(25)%
ATM and debit card fees3,577 3,901 (324)(8)9,845 10,109 (264)(3)
Other service charges and fees2,199 2,215 (16)(1)6,048 6,592 (544)(8)
Total service charges and fees8,260 9,916 (1,656)(17)23,893 27,429 (3,536)(13)
Mortgage loan gains and related fees25,144 8,658 16,486 190 57,113 17,750 39,363 222 
Brokerage and wealth management fees3,055 1,699 1,356 80 6,019 4,624 1,395 30 
Gains on sales of other loans1,175 1,639 (464)(28)3,889 4,412 (523)(12)
Securities gains (losses), net746 — 746 746 (118)864 
Other noninterest income:
Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI")1,214 962 252 26 4,091 2,792 1,299 47 
Customer derivatives2,258 647 1,611 249 4,846 2,370 2,476 104 
Other6,830 5,510 1,320 24 14,137 15,271 (1,134)(7)
Total other noninterest income10,302 7,119 3,183 45 23,074 20,433 2,641 13 
Total noninterest income$48,682 $29,031 $19,651 68 $114,734 $74,530 $40,204 54 

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, noninterest income increased $19.7 million and $40.2 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2019. The increase was primarily due to increases in mortgage loan gains and related fees, brokerage and wealth management fees, and customer derivative income, partially offset by a decrease in service charges and fees and gains on sales of other loans.

Service charges and fees decreased $1.66 million and $3.54 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, in comparison to the same periods of 2019, which is mostly attributable to a decrease in overdraft fees. Lower customer transaction volume due to the economic shutdown during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, combined with government stimulus payments during the second quarter and July of 2020, increased the balances of customer deposit accounts, which in turn reduced the number of overdraft transactions.

Mortgage loan and related fees for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 reflected an increase in fees on mortgage rate locks and mortgage closings compared to the same periods of last year. The increase was driven by both higher demand due to a historically low interest rate environment and the organic growth of our mortgage business in existing and new markets. The low rate environment was partially attributable to the 150 basis point decrease in the national federal funds rate during the first quarter of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first nine months of 2020, the increase in rate locks and closings was partially offset by negative fair value adjustments on the mortgage servicing rights asset due to the decrease in mortgage interest rates that resulted in an acceleration of prepayments.

Mortgage rate locks during the third quarter of 2020 increased 79% to $910 million compared to $508 million in the third quarter of 2019. Mortgage production in the third quarter of 2020 also increased compared to the same period of 2019. We closed 2,102 mortgage loans totaling $569 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared with 1,265 mortgage loans totaling $330 million in the third quarter of 2019. We had $327 million in home purchase mortgage originations in the third quarter of 2020, which accounted for 57% of mortgage production volume, compared to $215 million, or 65% of production volume for the same period a year ago.

Mortgage rate locks during the first nine months of 2020 increased 108% to $2.51 billion compared to $1.21 billion for the same period of 2019. During the first nine months of 2020, we closed 5,667 mortgage loans totaling $1.52 billion compared to 3,110 loans totaling $770 million for the same period of last year. We had $789 million in home purchase mortgage originations in the first nine months of 2020, which accounted for 52% of mortgage production volume. During the first nine months of 2019, we had $540 million in home purchase originations, or 70% of production volume.
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As to non-mortgage loan sales, during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we realized net gains on the sale of other loans of $1.18 million and $3.89 million, respectively, which included the sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans and the sale of certain equipment financing loans. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we sold $950,000 and $24.9 million, respectively, of equipment financing loans, which resulted in gains of $1.28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which includes nominal losses on third quarter sales. Our SBA/USDA lending strategy includes selling a portion of the loan production each quarter. The amount of loans sold depends on several variables including the current lending environment and balance sheet management activities. During the first quarter of 2020, less-favorable pricing for these loans driven by COVID-19 related market disruption led to our decision to hold more of our production in portfolio, rather than sell to the secondary market until market conditions improved during the second and third quarters of 2020. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we sold the guaranteed portion of SBA loans in the amount of $13.5 million and $31.5 million, respectively, which resulted in gains of $1.18 million and $2.61 million, respectively. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, we sold the guaranteed portion of SBA loans in the amount of $21.0 million and $55.2 million, respectively, which resulted in gains of $1.64 million and $4.41 million, respectively.

The increase in brokerage and wealth management fees during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 from the same periods of 2019 was primarily a result of the addition of the Three Shores wealth management business in the third quarter of 2020.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we recognized death benefit gains of $274,000 and $1.37 million, respectively, resulting in an increase in BOLI income compared to the same periods of 2019. Income from customer derivatives during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased $1.61 million and $2.48 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2019 due to increased demand for fixed rates during the current low rate environment. The increase in customer derivative income for the first nine months of 2020 included the negative impact of an increase to the credit valuation adjustment on customer derivative positions during the second quarter of 2020. Other noninterest income for the third quarter of 2020 included a positive fair value adjustment on the SBA servicing asset. The decrease in other noninterest income for the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily driven by losses on other investments and reductions in miscellaneous income.

Noninterest Expenses 

The following table presents the components of noninterest expenses for the periods indicated. 
Table 6 - Noninterest Expenses
(in thousands)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
ChangeNine Months Ended
September 30,
Change
 20202019AmountPercent20202019AmountPercent
Salaries and employee benefits$59,067 $50,501 $8,566 17 %$162,236 $146,161 $16,075 11 %
Communications and equipment6,960 6,223 737 12 19,462 18,233 1,229 
Occupancy7,050 5,921 1,129 19 18,709 17,424 1,285 
Advertising and public relations1,778 1,374 404 29 5,312 4,256 1,056 25 
Postage, printing and supplies1,703 1,618 85 4,986 4,733 253 
Professional fees5,083 4,715 368 14,003 11,930 2,073 17 
Lending and loan servicing expense3,043 2,556 487 19 8,525 7,509 1,016 14 
Outside services - electronic banking1,888 1,934 (46)(2)5,516 5,101 415 
FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges1,346 314 1,032 329 4,388 3,571 817 23 
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,099 1,146 (47)(4)3,126 3,395 (269)(8)
Other3,603 4,017 (414)(10)10,670 11,077 (407)(4)
Total excluding merger-related and other charges92,620 80,319 12,301 15 256,933 233,390 23,543 10 
Merger-related and other charges3,361 2,541 820 4,566 6,981 (2,415)
Amortization of noncompete agreements— 64 (64)— 450 (450)
Total noninterest expenses$95,981 $82,924 $13,057 16 $261,499 $240,821 $20,678 

Noninterest expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 totaled $96.0 million and $261 million, respectively, up 16% and 9%, respectively, from the same periods of 2019. Overall, the increase in noninterest expenses for these periods reflects the inclusion of Three Shores’ operating expenses since acquisition on July 1, 2020. Specifically, the addition of Three Shores’ employees
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and locations contributed to much of the increase in salaries and employee benefits and occupancy costs during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020.

Salaries and employee benefits for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased 17% and 11%, respectively, from the same periods of 2019. In addition to the growth in our employee base from the acquisition of Three Shores, the increase was a result of several factors including increased mortgage commissions and incentives resulting from increased production and merit-based salary increases awarded during the second quarter of 2020. These increases in expense were offset by higher deferred loan origination costs related to increases in loan production, including recording PPP loans in the second quarter of 2020. Full time equivalent headcount totaled 2,414 at September 30, 2020, up from 2,319 at September 30, 2019.

Advertising and public relations expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased relative to the same periods of 2019 as a result of contributions to our newly formed private foundation, United Community Bank Foundation. In the third quarter of 2020, we contributed $500,000 to the United Community Bank Foundation, bringing year-to-date total contributions to $1.50 million. The increase in professional fees for the first nine months of 2020 was mostly attributable to increases in legal and consulting fees related to various projects in process. FDIC assessments and other regulatory charges for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased from the same periods of 2019 due to the receipt of a one-time $1.38 million credit during the third quarter of 2019. Lending and loan servicing expense increased mostly due to the increase in mortgage origination volume.
 
Merger-related and other charges for the third quarter of 2020 consisted primarily of expenses associated with the acquisition of Three Shores including investment banker fees and severance for eliminated positions. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 also included merger-related expenses associated with the acquisition of First Madison Bank & Trust (“FMBT”), severance, and branch closure costs. Merger-related and other charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 included a $2.94 million charge for the termination and settlement of a pension plan, FMBT merger-related expenses, branch closure costs, executive retirement charges, and gains on the sale of surplus properties.

The reduction of amortization of noncompete agreements was a result of the expiration of certain of these agreements since the third quarter of 2019.

Balance Sheet Review
 
Total assets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $17.2 billion and $12.9 billion, respectively. The increase in assets was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Three Shores, PPP loan originations and other loan growth during the year, and increased cash balances. Total liabilities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $15.2 billion and $11.3 billion, respectively, primarily due to deposit growth including deposits received through the acquisition of Three Shores. In addition to the inclusion of Three Shores’ deposits as of September 30, 2020, the increase in customer deposits was also directly attributable to the increase in PPP loans, as many of the balances remained deposited in customer accounts through the end of the period. Average total assets for the third quarter of 2020 were $17.0 billion, up from $12.7 billion for the same period of 2019. Average total assets for the first nine months of 2020 were $14.7 billion, up from $12.6 billion for the same period of 2019. Average total liabilities for the third quarter of 2020 were $15.1 billion, up from $11.1 billion for the same period of 2019. Average total liabilities for the first nine months of 2020 were $13.0 billion, up from $11.1 billion for the same period of 2019.

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The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio, of which approximately 65% was secured by real estate at September 30, 2020.
Table 7 - Loans Outstanding
(in thousands)
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
By Loan Type
Owner occupied commercial real estate$2,008,674 $1,720,227 
Income producing commercial real estate2,493,625 2,007,950 
Commercial & industrial (1)
3,104,868 1,220,657 
Commercial construction981,371 976,215 
Equipment financing823,022 744,544 
Total commercial9,411,560 6,669,593 
Residential mortgage1,269,548 1,117,616 
Home equity lines of credit706,877 660,675 
Residential construction263,266 236,437 
Consumer147,659 128,232 
Total loans$11,798,910 $8,812,553 
As a percentage of total loans:
Owner occupied commercial real estate17 %20 %
Income producing commercial real estate21 23 
Commercial & industrial (1)
27 14 
Commercial construction11 
Equipment financing
Total commercial80 76 
Residential mortgage11 13 
Home equity lines of credit
Residential construction
Consumer
Total100 %100 %
(1) Commercial and industrial loans as of September 30, 2020 included $1.32 billion of PPP loans.  

Asset Quality and Risk Elements
 
We manage asset quality and control credit risk through review and oversight of the loan portfolio as well as adherence to policies designed to promote sound underwriting and loan monitoring practices. Our credit administration function is responsible for monitoring asset quality and Board of Directors approved portfolio concentration limits, establishing credit policies and procedures and enforcing the consistent application of these policies and procedures. Additional information on our credit administration function is included in Part I, Item 1 under the heading Lending Activities in our 2019 10-K.
 
We classify loans as “substandard” when there is a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardizes the repayment by the borrower and there is a distinct possibility that we could sustain some loss if the deficiency is not corrected. Performing substandard loans, which are substandard loans that are still accruing interest, totaled $125 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
We conduct reviews of classified performing and non-performing loans, TDRs, past due loans and portfolio concentrations on a regular basis to identify risk migration and potential charges to the ACL. These items are discussed in a series of meetings attended by Credit Risk Management leadership and leadership from various lending groups. In addition to the reviews mentioned above, an independent loan review team reviews the portfolio to ensure consistent application of risk rating policies and procedures.

The ACL at September 30, 2020 reflects management’s assessment of the life of loan expected credit losses in the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. This assessment involves uncertainty and judgment and is subject to change in future periods. The amount of any changes could be significant if management’s assessment of loan quality or collateral values changes substantially with respect to one or more loan relationships or portfolios. The allocation of the ACL is based on reasonable and supportable forecasts,
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historical data, subjective judgment and estimates and therefore, is not necessarily indicative of the specific amounts or loan categories in which charge-offs may ultimately occur. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Bank, may require adjustments to the provision for credit losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions. See the Critical Accounting Policies section for additional information on the allowance for credit losses.

The total ACL, which includes a portion related to unfunded commitments, totaled $146 million at September 30, 2020, compared with $65.5 million at December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, the ACL for loans was $134 million, or 1.14% of loans, compared with $62.1 million, or 0.70% of total loans, at December 31, 2019. The adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020 added $6.88 million to the ACL for loans and $1.87 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments resulting in a total ACL of $74.3 million at the time of adoption. The increase since adoption primarily reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, $11.2 million of allowance established for Seaside PCD loans at acquisition with no impact to earnings, as well as the impact of loan growth during 2020 including the non-PCD loans received through the Seaside acquisition. The impact of loan growth on the ACL was partially mitigated by the fact that PPP loans were considered low risk assets due to the 100% guarantee by the SBA.

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The following table presents a summary of the changes in the ACL for the periods indicated.
Table 8 - ACL
(in thousands)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020201920202019
ACL - loans, beginning of period$103,669 $62,204 $62,089 $61,203 
Adoption of CECL— — 6,880 — 
ACL - loans, adjusted beginning balance103,669 62,204 68,969 61,203 
Impact of merger - ACL - PCD loans11,152 — 11,152 — 
Charge-offs:
Owner occupied commercial real estate— — 
Income producing commercial real estate3,033 472 8,033 977 
Commercial & industrial303 898 8,118 3,833 
Commercial construction487 — 726 70 
Equipment financing2,418 1,376 6,366 3,810 
Residential mortgage13 264 347 433 
Home equity lines of credit44 287 162 653 
Residential construction26 13 80 263 
Consumer direct432 645 1,782 1,721 
Indirect auto— 125 — 502 
Total loans charged-off6,756 4,080 25,620 12,267 
Recoveries:
Owner occupied commercial real estate725 39 2,225 166 
Income producing commercial real estate1,248 41 1,430 127 
Commercial & industrial408 207 1,075 645 
Commercial construction658 247 916 804 
Equipment financing425 202 1,201 466 
Residential mortgage48 106 379 388 
Home equity lines of credit169 204 468 466 
Residential construction26 18 97 91 
Consumer direct511 226 1,028 672 
Indirect auto— 67 — 151 
Total recoveries4,218 1,357 8,819 3,976 
Net charge-offs2,538 2,723 16,801 8,291 
Provision for credit losses - loans21,973 3,033 70,936 9,602 
ACL - loans, end of period134,256 62,514 134,256 62,514 
ACL - unfunded commitments, beginning of period12,100 3,391 3,458 3,410 
Adoption of CECL— — 1,871 — 
ACL - unfunded commitments, adjusted beginning balance12,100 3,391 5,329 3,410 
Provision for credit losses - unfunded commitments(180)67 6,591 48 
ACL - unfunded commitments, end of period11,920 3,458 11,920 3,458 
Total ACL$146,176 $65,972 $146,176 $65,972 
Total loans:
At period-end$11,798,910 $8,903,266 $11,798,910 $8,903,266 
Average11,644,202 8,835,585 10,087,630 8,646,622 
ACL - loans, as a percentage of period-end loans1.14 %0.70 %1.14 %0.70 %
As a percentage of average loans (annualized):
Net charge-offs0.09 0.12 0.22 0.13 
Provision for credit losses - loans0.75 0.14 0.94 0.15 
 
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Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”), which include nonaccrual loans and foreclosed properties, totaled $50.0 million at September 30, 2020, compared with $35.8 million at December 31, 2019. The increase in NPAs since December 31, 2019 is primarily a result of an increase in nonaccrual loans. Specifically, there were a few large substandard credits that reached nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2020. In addition, when we adopted CECL on January 1, 2020, we elected to disaggregate the former Purchased Credit Impaired (“PCI”) pools and no longer consider the loan pool to be the unit of account. Reporting these contractually delinquent Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) loans as nonaccrual loans using the same criteria as other loans contributed $2.40 million to the increase in nonaccrual loans since December 31, 2019. The inclusion of Three Shores nonaccrual loans and foreclosed properties in the NPA balances also contributed to the increase from December 31, 2019.
 
Our policy is to place loans on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the full principal and interest on a loan is not likely to be collected or when the loan becomes 90 days past due. A loan may continue on accrual after 90 days if it is well collateralized and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current interest revenue. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied to reduce the loan’s amortized cost. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, there is a sustained period of repayment performance and future payments are reasonably assured.
 
Generally, we do not commit to lend additional funds to customers whose loans are on nonaccrual status, although in certain isolated cases, we execute forbearance agreements whereby we agree to continue to fund construction loans to completion or other lines of credit as long as the borrower meets the conditions of the forbearance agreement. We may also fund other amounts necessary to protect collateral such as amounts to pay past due property taxes and insurance coverage.

Foreclosed property is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. If the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, at the time of foreclosure is less than the loan balance, the deficiency is charged against the allowance for loan losses. If the lesser of fair value, less estimated costs to sell, or the listed selling price, less the costs to sell, of the foreclosed property decreases during the holding period, a valuation allowance is established with a charge to foreclosed property expense. When the foreclosed property is sold, a gain or loss is recognized on the sale for the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the property.

The table below summarizes NPAs.
Table 9 - NPAs
(in thousands)
September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019
Nonaccrual loans:
Owner occupied commercial real estate11,075 10,544 
Income producing commercial real estate12,230 1,996 
Commercial & industrial3,534 2,545 
Commercial construction1,863 2,277 
Equipment financing3,137 3,141 
Total commercial31,839 20,503 
Residential mortgage13,864 10,567 
Home equity lines of credit2,642 3,173 
Residential construction479 939 
Consumer260 159 
Total nonaccrual loans49,084 35,341 
Foreclosed properties/other real estate owned ("OREO")953 476 
Total NPAs$50,037 $35,817 
Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans0.42 %0.40 %
NPAs as a percentage of total loans and OREO0.42 0.41 
NPAs as a percentage of total assets0.29 0.28 

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $54.5 million and $54.2 million, respectively, in loans with terms that have been modified in TDRs. Included therein were $17.3 million and $8.25 million, respectively, of TDRs that were classified as nonaccrual and were included in nonperforming loans. The remaining TDRs with an aggregate balance of $37.2 million and $46.0
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million, respectively, were performing according to their modified terms and were therefore not considered to be nonperforming assets.

As previously mentioned, the CARES Act granted temporary relief from TDR classification for certain loans restructured as a result of COVID-19. During the first and second quarters of 2020 we granted a significant number of payment deferral requests to our borrowers related to the economic disruption created by COVID-19, most of which were exempt from TDR classification in the short term. In the third quarter, most of the loans with deferral periods had resumed normal payments. The table below presents remaining COVID-19 related short-term deferrals that, to the extent they qualified for exemption, were not considered TDRs as of September 30, 2020.

Table 10 - COVID-19 Deferrals
(in thousands)
September 30, 2020
COVID-19 DeferralsDeferrals as a % of loan category
Owner occupied commercial real estate$42,559 %
Income producing commercial real estate182,438 
Commercial & industrial51,429 
Commercial construction54,153 
Equipment financing19,765 
Total commercial350,344 
Residential mortgage12,453 
Home equity lines of credit1,451 — 
Residential construction239 — 
Consumer310 — 
Total COVID-19 deferrals$364,797 

Investment Securities
The composition of the investment securities portfolio reflects our investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity while providing a relatively stable source of revenue. The investment securities portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as required collateral for certain deposits and borrowings.
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had debt securities held-to-maturity with a carrying amount of $398 million and $284 million, respectively, and debt securities available-for-sale totaling $2.69 billion and $2.27 billion, respectively. The increased balances at September 30, 2020 reflected securities acquired from Three Shores as well as our decision to deploy excess liquidity by purchasing securities. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the securities portfolio represented approximately 18% and 20%, respectively, of total assets.
The investment securities portfolio primarily consists of Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, U.S. government sponsored agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities, municipal securities and asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities rely on the underlying pools of loans to provide a cash flow of principal and interest. The actual maturities of these securities will usually differ from contractual maturities because loans underlying the securities can prepay. Decreases in interest rates will generally cause an acceleration of prepayment levels. In a declining or prolonged low interest rate environment, we may not be able to reinvest the proceeds from these prepayments in assets that have comparable yields. In a rising rate environment, the opposite occurs - prepayments tend to slow and the weighted average life extends. This is referred to as extension risk which can lead to lower levels of liquidity due to the delay of cash receipts and can result in the holding of a below market yielding asset for a longer period of time.
In accordance with CECL, our held-to-maturity securities portfolio was evaluated to assess whether an ACL was required. We measure expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. At adoption on January 1, 2020 and at September 30, 2020, calculated credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities were not material due to the high credit quality of the portfolio, which included securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and high credit quality municipal securities. As a result, we did not record an ACL for held-to-maturity securities at adoption or at September 30, 2020.
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For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, if we intend to sell, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. Absent an intent or more than likely requirement to sell, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. The evaluation considers factors such as the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, changes to the security’s rating, and adverse conditions specific to the security. If the evaluation indicates a credit loss exists, an ACL may be recorded, with such allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Any impairment unrelated to credit factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. At September 30, 2020, there was no ACL related to the available-for-sale portfolio. Losses on fixed income securities at September 30, 2020 primarily reflected the effect of changes in interest rates.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles 
Goodwill represents the premium paid for acquired companies above the net fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including separately identifiable intangible assets. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the net carrying amount of goodwill was $369 million and $327 million, respectively. Goodwill is not amortized but is assessed for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment, referred to as a triggering event. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, accounting guidance allows for an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not, or a greater than 50% likelihood, that the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. When it is more likely than not that impairment has occurred, management is required to perform a quantitative analysis and, if necessary, adjust the carrying amount of goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment loss.

Since the latter part of the first quarter of 2020, as a result of market concerns about the potential impact of COVID-19, United’s stock price declined such that it traded below book value for much of the first nine months of 2020. United generally performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment during the fourth quarter of each year, using data as of the end of the third quarter; however as a result of this triggering event, management has qualitatively assessed and concluded that there was not a greater than 50% likelihood that United’s fair value was less than its carrying amount as of September 30, 2020, given the anticipated short duration of the change in macroeconomic conditions and excess of value as of the latest annual assessment performed as of September 30, 2019. Management will continue to monitor and assess the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s value as part of the annual goodwill assessment in the fourth quarter.

Core deposit intangibles, representing the value of acquired deposit relationships, are amortizing intangible assets that are required to be tested for impairment only when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. There were no events or circumstances that led us to believe that any impairment existed on core deposit intangible assets.

In connection with the acquisition of Three Shores on July 1, 2020, we recorded goodwill and a core deposit intangible of $41.6 million and $3.36 million, respectively.

Deposits

Customer deposits are the primary source of funds for the continued growth of our earning assets. Our high level of service, as evidenced by our strong customer satisfaction scores, has been instrumental in attracting and retaining customer deposit accounts. In addition to organic growth, at September 30, 2020, the increase in core transaction deposits was also attributable to deposits acquired from Three Shores ($1.80 billion at the July 1, 2020 acquisition date) and PPP-related deposits. The following table sets forth the deposit composition for the periods indicated.

Table 11 - Deposits
(in thousands) 
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Noninterest-bearing demand$5,227,170 $3,477,979 
NOW and interest-bearing demand2,989,455 2,461,895 
Money market and savings4,290,940 2,937,095 
Time1,819,586 1,859,574 
Total customer deposits14,327,151 10,736,543 
Brokered deposits276,225 160,701 
Total deposits$14,603,376 $10,897,244 

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Borrowing Activities
 
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had long-term debt outstanding of $327 million and $213 million, respectively, which includes senior debentures, subordinated debentures, and trust preferred securities. During the second quarter of 2020, we issued $100 million of 5% fixed-to-floating rate senior debentures with a maturity date of June 15, 2030. The proceeds generated from the issuance of these debentures will be used for general business purposes. During the third quarter of 2020, we assumed $15.0 million of subordinated debt from Three Shores. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding long-term debt.

Contractual Obligations
 
There have not been any material changes to our contractual obligations since December 31, 2019.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and financial guarantees.
 
A commitment to extend credit is an agreement to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Letters of credit and financial guarantees are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer’s performance to a third party and have essentially the same credit risk as extending loan facilities to customers. Those commitments are primarily issued to local businesses.
 
The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. We use the same credit underwriting procedures for making commitments, letters of credit and financial guarantees, as we use for underwriting on-balance sheet instruments. Management evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis and the amount of the collateral, if deemed necessary, is based on the credit evaluation. Collateral held varies, but may include unimproved and improved real estate, certificates of deposit, personal property or other acceptable collateral.
 
All of these instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The total amount of these instruments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements because a significant portion of these instruments expire without being used. We are not involved in off-balance sheet contractual relationships, other than those disclosed in this report, that could result in liquidity needs or other commitments, or that could significantly affect earnings. See Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2019 10-K and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q for additional information on off-balance sheet arrangements.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

The absolute level and volatility of interest rates can have a significant effect on profitability. The objective of interest rate risk management is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changing interest rates, consistent with our 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 and the fair value of financial instruments are influenced by changes in the level of interest rates. We limit our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by our Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) and approved by the Board of Directors. ALCO meets periodically and has responsibility for formulating and recommending asset/liability management policies to the Board of Directors, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or earnings, and reviewing interest rate sensitivity. 

One of the tools management uses to estimate and manage the sensitivity of net interest revenue to changes in interest rates is an asset/liability simulation model. Resulting estimates are based upon several assumptions for each scenario, including loan and deposit re-pricing characteristics and the rate of prepayments. ALCO periodically reviews the assumptions for reasonableness based on historical data and future expectations; however, actual net interest revenue may differ from model results. The primary objective of the simulation model is to measure the potential change in net interest revenue over time using multiple interest rate scenarios. The base scenario assumes rates remain flat and is the scenario to which all others are compared, in order to measure the change in net interest revenue. Policy limits are based on immediate rate shock scenarios, as well as gradually rising and falling rate scenarios, which are all
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compared to the base scenario. Our assumptions include floors such that market rates and discount rates cannot go below zero. Other scenarios analyzed may include delayed rate shocks, yield curve steepening or flattening, or other variations in rate movements. While the primary policy scenarios focus on a 12-month time frame, longer time horizons are also modeled. 

Our policy is based on the 12-month impact on net interest revenue of interest rate shocks and ramps that increase from 100 to 400 basis points or decrease 100 to 200 basis points from the base scenario. In the shock scenarios, rates immediately change the full amount at the scenario onset. In the ramp scenarios, rates change by 25 basis points per month. Our policy limits the projected change in net interest revenue over the first 12 months to an 8% decrease for each 100 basis point change in the increasing and decreasing rate ramp and shock scenarios. The following table presents our interest sensitivity position at the dates indicated.

Table 12 - Interest Sensitivity
 Increase (Decrease) in Net Interest Revenue from Base Scenario at
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Change in RatesShockRampShockRamp
100 basis point increase3.39 %2.43 %2.91 %2.22 %
100 basis point decrease(1.81)(1.67)(4.86)(3.92)
 
Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the repricing characteristics of the portfolio of assets and liabilities. These repricing characteristics are the time frames within which the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are subject to change in interest rates either at replacement, repricing or maturity. Interest rate sensitivity management focuses on the maturity structure of assets and liabilities and their repricing characteristics during periods of changes in market interest rates. Effective interest rate sensitivity management seeks to ensure that both assets and liabilities respond to changes in interest rates on a net basis within an acceptable timeframe, thereby minimizing the potentially adverse effect of interest rate changes on net interest revenue.
 
We have discretion in the extent and timing of deposit repricing depending upon the competitive pressures in the markets in which we operate. Changes in the mix of earning assets or supporting liabilities can either increase or decrease the net interest margin without affecting interest rate sensitivity. The interest rate spread between an asset and its supporting liability can vary significantly even when the timing of repricing for both the asset and the liability remains the same, due to the two instruments repricing according to different indices. This is commonly referred to as basis risk.
 
Derivative financial instruments are used to manage interest rate sensitivity. These contracts generally consist of interest rate swaps under which we pay a variable rate (or fixed rate, as the case may be) and receive a fixed rate (or variable rate, as the case may be). In addition, investment securities and wholesale funding strategies are used to manage interest rate risk.

Derivative financial instruments that are designated as accounting hedges are classified as either cash flow or fair value hedges. The change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. Fair value hedges recognize in earnings both the effect of the change in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument and the offsetting effect of the change in fair value of the hedged asset or liability associated with the particular risk of that asset or liability being hedged. We have other derivative financial instruments that are not designated as accounting hedges, but are used for interest rate risk management purposes and as effective economic hedges. Derivative financial instruments that are not accounted for as accounting hedges are marked to market through earnings.
Our policy requires all non-customer derivative financial instruments be used only for asset/liability management through the hedging of specific transactions, positions or risks, 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 appropriately monitored and controlled and will not have any material adverse effect on financial condition or results of operations. In order to mitigate potential credit risk, from time to time we may require the counterparties to derivative contracts to pledge cash and/or securities as collateral to cover the net exposure. 
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Liquidity Management 
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 the ability to meet the daily cash flow requirements of customers, both depositors and borrowers. The primary objective is to ensure that sufficient funding is available, at a reasonable cost, to meet 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, our primary goal is to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity in all expected economic environments. To assist in determining the adequacy of our liquidity, we perform a variety of liquidity stress tests. We maintain an unencumbered liquid asset reserve to help ensure our ability to meet our obligations under normal conditions for at least a 12-month period and under severely adverse liquidity conditions for a minimum of 30 days.
An important part of the Bank’s liquidity resides in the asset portion of the balance sheet, which provides liquidity primarily through loan interest and principal repayments and the maturities and sales of securities, as well as the ability to use these assets as collateral for borrowings on a secured basis.
The Bank’s main source of liquidity is customer interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit accounts. Liquidity is also available from wholesale funding sources consisting primarily of Federal funds purchased, FHLB advances, and brokered deposits. 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. 
In addition, because the Holding Company is a separate entity and apart from the Bank, it must provide for its own liquidity. The Holding Company is responsible for the payment of dividends declared for its common and preferred shareholders, and interest and principal on any outstanding debt or trust preferred securities. The Holding Company currently has internal capital resources to meet these obligations. While the Holding Company has access to the capital markets and maintains a line of credit as a contingent funding source, the ultimate sources of its liquidity are subsidiary service fees and dividends from the Bank, which are limited by applicable law and regulations. Holding Company liquidity is managed to a minimum of 15-months of positive cash flow after considering all of its liquidity needs over this period.
At September 30, 2020, we had sufficient qualifying collateral to provide borrowing capacity for FHLB advances of $1.39 billion and Federal Reserve discount window borrowing capacity of $1.39 billion, as well as unpledged investment securities of $2.19 billion that could be used as collateral for additional borrowings. In addition to these wholesale sources, we have the ability to attract retail deposits by competing more aggressively on pricing. In the second quarter of 2020, we originated a significant amount of PPP loans, for which funding is available through the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (“PPPLF”) announced by the Federal Reserve in April of 2020. As of September 30, 2020 we had outstanding PPP loans of $1.32 billion and no balance outstanding under the PPPLF as we have been able to self-fund the majority of our PPP loans through growth in deposits.
As disclosed in the consolidated statement of cash flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $53.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Net income of $105 million for the nine-month period included non-cash expense and income items consisting of the following: provision expense of $77.5 million, stock-based compensation expense of $5.94 million and net depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $5.33 million. Uses of cash from operating activities included an increase in other assets and accrued interest receivable of $44.6 million, an increase in loans held for sale of $69.9 million, and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $20.9 million. Net cash used in investing activities of $1.43 billion included a $1.52 billion net increase in loans, $668 million in purchases of debt securities available-for-sale and equity securities, purchases of debt securities held-to-maturity of $106 million, and $5.99 million in purchases of premises and equipment. These uses of cash were partially offset by $604 million in proceeds from maturities and calls of debt securities available-for-sale and equity securities, $45.2 million in proceeds from maturities and calls of debt securities held-to-maturity and $40.4 million in proceeds from sales of debt securities available-for-sale and equity securities. Net cash provided by financing activities of $1.90 billion consisted primarily of a net increase in deposits of $1.90 billion, net proceeds from the issuance of senior debentures of $98.6 million, and net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock of $96.4 million. These sources of cash were partially offset by the repayment of FHLB advances, some of which were assumed in the Three Shores transaction, of $134 million, payment of cash dividends on common and preferred stock of $44.9 million, and the repurchases of our common stock of $20.8 million. In the opinion of management, our liquidity position at September 30, 2020, was sufficient to meet our expected cash flow requirements.

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Capital Resources and Dividends
 
Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020 was $1.97 billion, an increase of $332 million from December 31, 2019 due primarily to $164 million in common stock issued to Three Shores shareholders as part of the acquisition’s purchase price, the second quarter issuance of $100 million in non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, year-to-date earnings less dividends declared and an increase in the value of available-for-sale securities, partially offset by $20.8 million in share repurchases.
Pursuant to the CARES Act, we have adopted relief provided by federal banking regulatory agencies for the delay of the adverse capital impact of CECL for the two-year period after adoption. This optional two-year delay is followed by an optional three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay. Under the transition provision, the amount of aggregate capital benefit is phased out by 25% each year with the full impact of adoption completely recognized by the beginning of the sixth year after adoption.

The following table shows capital ratios, as calculated under applicable regulatory guidelines, at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020, capital levels remained characterized as “well-capitalized” under prompt corrective action provisions in effect at the time. The decrease in ratios as of September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the increase in assets due to the acquisition of Three Shores.

Additional information related to capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, is provided in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.

Table 13 – Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)
United Community Banks, Inc.
(Consolidated)
United Community Bank
MinimumWell
Capitalized
Minimum Capital Plus Capital Conservation BufferSeptember 30,
2020
December 31, 2019September 30,
2020
December 31, 2019
Risk-based ratios:
Common equity tier 1 capital4.5 %6.5 %7.0 %12.31 %12.97 %13.20 %14.87 %
Tier 1 capital6.0 8.0 8.5 13.12 13.21 13.20 14.87 
Total capital8.0 10.0 10.5 15.27 15.01 14.21 15.54 
Leverage ratio4.0 5.0 N/A9.38 10.34 9.42 11.63 

Effect of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
A bank’s asset and liability structure is substantially different from that of an industrial firm in that primarily all assets and liabilities of a bank are monetary in nature with relatively little investment in fixed assets or inventories. Inflation has an important effect on the growth of total assets and the resulting need to increase equity capital at higher than normal rates in order to maintain an appropriate equity to assets ratio.
 
Management believes the effect of inflation on financial results depends on our ability to react to changes in interest rates, and by such reaction, reduce the inflationary effect on performance. We have 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.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
There have been no material changes in our market risk as of September 30, 2020 from that presented in our 2019 10-K. Our interest rate sensitivity position at September 30, 2020 is set forth in Table 10 in Part I - Item 2 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by this reference.
 
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

    (a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of September 30, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

On July 1, 2020, we completed our acquisition of Three Shores Bancorporation, Inc. (“Three Shores”) as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. We are in the process of evaluating the existing controls and procedures of Three Shores and integrating Three Shores into our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In accordance with published SEC Staff guidance permitting a company to exclude an acquired business from management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for the year in which the acquisition is completed, and similarly exclude an acquired business from the quarterly evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures to the extent that they are subsumed by internal control over financial reporting, the scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020 includes all of our consolidated operations except for those disclosure controls and procedures of Three Shores that are subsumed by internal control over financial reporting. The Three Shores acquisition represented approximately 11% of total consolidated assets at September 30, 2020 and approximately 2% of our total consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

    (b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We are currently in the process of assessing and integrating Three Shores’ internal control over financial reporting with our existing internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Holding Company and the Bank are parties to various legal proceedings. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, the Holding Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory examinations and investigations. Based on our current knowledge and advice of counsel, in the opinion of management there is no such pending or threatened legal matter which would result in a material adverse effect upon our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Items 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth in Part II, Item 1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by this reference, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020.

Item 6. Exhibits

(d)     Exhibits. See Exhibit Index below.

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
 
 
 
101
Interactive data files for United Community Bank, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited); (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited); (iv) the Consolidated Statements in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited); (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
104
The cover page from United Community Bank’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 (formatted in Inline XBRL and included in Exhibit 101)



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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/ H. Lynn Harton
 H. Lynn Harton
 President and Chief Executive Officer
 (Principal Executive Officer)
  
 /s/ Jefferson L. Harralson
 Jefferson L. Harralson
 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 (Principal Financial Officer)
  
 /s/ Alan H. Kumler
 Alan H. Kumler
 Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 (Principal Accounting Officer)
  
 Date: November 6, 2020
 

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