Investment Risk Analysis of United Community Banks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Weak Revenue Growth: United Community Banks has reported a mediocre annualized revenue growth of 9.5% over the past five years, which falls short of the banking sector benchmark, indicating potential challenges in sustaining future profitability.
- Slow EPS Growth: The bank's earnings per share (EPS) have only grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.5% over the last five years, which is lower than its revenue growth, suggesting a decline in profitability per share as the company expanded, raising concerns for investors.
- Limited TBVPS Growth: Consensus estimates project that United Community Banks' tangible book value per share (TBVPS) will grow by a mere 8% to $24.27 over the next 12 months, a growth rate deemed insufficient to attract investors looking for robust returns.
- Cautious Investment Recommendation: While the bank's current valuation at $32.06 per share is considered fair, the limited upside compared to potential downside risks suggests that investors may prefer to seek more attractive investment opportunities elsewhere.
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Analyst Views on UCB
Wall Street analysts forecast UCB stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 33.220
Low
34.00
Averages
114.43
High
349.72
Current: 33.220
Low
34.00
Averages
114.43
High
349.72
About UCB
United Community Banks, Inc. is the financial holding company for United Community (the Bank). The Bank offers a full range of banking, mortgage and wealth management services. The Bank operates approximately 200 offices across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. It also manages a national SBA lending franchise and a national equipment finance subsidiary, extending its reach to businesses across the country. It provides a range of financial products and services to the commercial, retail, governmental, educational, energy, healthcare and real estate sectors. This includes a variety of deposit products, secured and unsecured loans, mortgage loans, payment and commerce solutions, equipment finance services, wealth management, trust services, private banking, investment advisory services, insurance services, and other related financial services. These products and services are delivered through a variety of channels.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investment Risk Analysis of United Community Banks
- Weak Revenue Growth: United Community Banks has reported a mediocre annualized revenue growth of 9.5% over the past five years, which falls short of the banking sector benchmark, indicating potential challenges in sustaining future profitability.
- Slow EPS Growth: The bank's earnings per share (EPS) have only grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.5% over the last five years, which is lower than its revenue growth, suggesting a decline in profitability per share as the company expanded, raising concerns for investors.
- Limited TBVPS Growth: Consensus estimates project that United Community Banks' tangible book value per share (TBVPS) will grow by a mere 8% to $24.27 over the next 12 months, a growth rate deemed insufficient to attract investors looking for robust returns.
- Cautious Investment Recommendation: While the bank's current valuation at $32.06 per share is considered fair, the limited upside compared to potential downside risks suggests that investors may prefer to seek more attractive investment opportunities elsewhere.
See More
United Community Banks Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.25
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: United Community Banks has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.06% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on July 3, with a record date of June 15 and an ex-dividend date also on June 15, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying shareholder relations.
- Future Outlook: United Community Banks anticipates a 3-5 basis point expansion in net interest margin for Q2 while outlining a 40% cost savings in the Peach State deal, demonstrating proactive measures in business expansion and profitability enhancement.
See More
United Community Banks Acquires Candel Therapeutics for $2.2 Billion
- Acquisition Scale: United Community Banks has agreed to acquire Candel Therapeutics for up to $2.2 billion, with $2 billion paid upfront and an additional $200 million contingent on future milestones, aimed at strengthening its pipeline for immune-related disease treatments.
- Expected Timeline: The deal is anticipated to close between late Q2 and early Q3 of 2026, reflecting UCB's confidence and strategic positioning in the future biologics sector.
- Manageable Financial Impact: UCB stated that the financial impact of the acquisition will be manageable, with its 2026 outlook remaining unchanged, projecting steady revenue and profit growth, indicating a positive outlook for future development.
- Candel's Drug Progress: Candel's main drug, cizutamig, is currently undergoing several Phase 1 clinical trials aimed at helping the immune system target harmful cells, further enhancing UCB's innovative capabilities in the biopharmaceutical field.
See More
Three Stocks to Watch Under $50
- UCB's Growth Concerns: United Community Banks (UCB) has shown only 7.6% annual revenue growth over the past two years, which is below banking sector standards, indicating potential risks to profitability that could affect investor confidence.
- SLM's Market Challenges: Sallie Mae (SLM) has experienced flat sales over the past two years, with an annual EPS growth of only 3.1%, significantly trailing the peer group average, reflecting a lack of competitiveness in its products and services during the current market cycle.
- NRDS's Strong Performance: NerdWallet (NRDS) achieved an impressive 27.8% annual revenue growth over the past five years, and its stock buybacks propelled EPS growth to 252%, showcasing its robust competitive position and profitability in the market.
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: In the current market environment, UCB and SLM present concerning performance metrics, while NRDS demonstrates strong growth potential, prompting investors to carefully assess the investment value of these stocks.
See More
United Community Banks CFO Harralson to Retire After Nearly a Decade
- Executive Retirement: United Community Banks' CFO Jefferson Harralson announced his retirement at the end of the year after nearly a decade, which may impact the company's financial management and strategic direction.
- Transition Support: Harralson will continue in his role until retirement to assist in the transition for the new CFO, ensuring stability and continuity during the leadership change.
- Successor Search: The bank has engaged Korn Ferry for a nationwide search for his successor, indicating the company's commitment to executive selection and aiming to find a suitable candidate to maintain financial health and strategic execution.
- Financial Performance: Despite potential uncertainties from Harralson's retirement, United Community Banks reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.70 and revenue of $276.5 million in Q1, exceeding expectations and demonstrating the company's robust financial performance.
See More
United Community Bank Announces CFO Retirement and Successor Search
- Executive Retirement Announcement: United Community Bank has announced that CFO Jefferson Harralson will retire after nine years, agreeing to stay until year-end to ensure a smooth transition, highlighting the company's commitment to leadership stability.
- Successor Search Initiated: The bank has engaged Korn Ferry, a leading global organizational consulting firm, to assist in finding Harralson's replacement, indicating a strategic focus on future leadership planning.
- Strong Financial Position: As of March 31, 2026, United Community Bank reported $28.2 billion in assets and operates 200 offices, demonstrating its robust presence and influence in the U.S. financial market.
- Customer Satisfaction Leadership: United Community Bank has received multiple J.D. Power awards for retail banking customer satisfaction, winning in 12 of the last 17 years, reflecting its competitive edge in customer service and market positioning.
See More
Investment Risk Analysis of United Community Banks
- Weak Revenue Growth: United Community Banks has reported a mediocre annualized revenue growth of 9.5% over the past five years, which falls short of the banking sector benchmark, indicating potential challenges in sustaining future profitability.
- Slow EPS Growth: The bank's earnings per share (EPS) have only grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.5% over the last five years, which is lower than its revenue growth, suggesting a decline in profitability per share as the company expanded, raising concerns for investors.
- Limited TBVPS Growth: Consensus estimates project that United Community Banks' tangible book value per share (TBVPS) will grow by a mere 8% to $24.27 over the next 12 months, a growth rate deemed insufficient to attract investors looking for robust returns.
- Cautious Investment Recommendation: While the bank's current valuation at $32.06 per share is considered fair, the limited upside compared to potential downside risks suggests that investors may prefer to seek more attractive investment opportunities elsewhere.
See More
United Community Banks Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.25
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: United Community Banks has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.06% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on July 3, with a record date of June 15 and an ex-dividend date also on June 15, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying shareholder relations.
- Future Outlook: United Community Banks anticipates a 3-5 basis point expansion in net interest margin for Q2 while outlining a 40% cost savings in the Peach State deal, demonstrating proactive measures in business expansion and profitability enhancement.
See More
United Community Banks Acquires Candel Therapeutics for $2.2 Billion
- Acquisition Scale: United Community Banks has agreed to acquire Candel Therapeutics for up to $2.2 billion, with $2 billion paid upfront and an additional $200 million contingent on future milestones, aimed at strengthening its pipeline for immune-related disease treatments.
- Expected Timeline: The deal is anticipated to close between late Q2 and early Q3 of 2026, reflecting UCB's confidence and strategic positioning in the future biologics sector.
- Manageable Financial Impact: UCB stated that the financial impact of the acquisition will be manageable, with its 2026 outlook remaining unchanged, projecting steady revenue and profit growth, indicating a positive outlook for future development.
- Candel's Drug Progress: Candel's main drug, cizutamig, is currently undergoing several Phase 1 clinical trials aimed at helping the immune system target harmful cells, further enhancing UCB's innovative capabilities in the biopharmaceutical field.
See More
Three Stocks to Watch Under $50
- UCB's Growth Concerns: United Community Banks (UCB) has shown only 7.6% annual revenue growth over the past two years, which is below banking sector standards, indicating potential risks to profitability that could affect investor confidence.
- SLM's Market Challenges: Sallie Mae (SLM) has experienced flat sales over the past two years, with an annual EPS growth of only 3.1%, significantly trailing the peer group average, reflecting a lack of competitiveness in its products and services during the current market cycle.
- NRDS's Strong Performance: NerdWallet (NRDS) achieved an impressive 27.8% annual revenue growth over the past five years, and its stock buybacks propelled EPS growth to 252%, showcasing its robust competitive position and profitability in the market.
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: In the current market environment, UCB and SLM present concerning performance metrics, while NRDS demonstrates strong growth potential, prompting investors to carefully assess the investment value of these stocks.
See More
United Community Banks CFO Harralson to Retire After Nearly a Decade
- Executive Retirement: United Community Banks' CFO Jefferson Harralson announced his retirement at the end of the year after nearly a decade, which may impact the company's financial management and strategic direction.
- Transition Support: Harralson will continue in his role until retirement to assist in the transition for the new CFO, ensuring stability and continuity during the leadership change.
- Successor Search: The bank has engaged Korn Ferry for a nationwide search for his successor, indicating the company's commitment to executive selection and aiming to find a suitable candidate to maintain financial health and strategic execution.
- Financial Performance: Despite potential uncertainties from Harralson's retirement, United Community Banks reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.70 and revenue of $276.5 million in Q1, exceeding expectations and demonstrating the company's robust financial performance.
See More
United Community Bank Announces CFO Retirement and Successor Search
- Executive Retirement Announcement: United Community Bank has announced that CFO Jefferson Harralson will retire after nine years, agreeing to stay until year-end to ensure a smooth transition, highlighting the company's commitment to leadership stability.
- Successor Search Initiated: The bank has engaged Korn Ferry, a leading global organizational consulting firm, to assist in finding Harralson's replacement, indicating a strategic focus on future leadership planning.
- Strong Financial Position: As of March 31, 2026, United Community Bank reported $28.2 billion in assets and operates 200 offices, demonstrating its robust presence and influence in the U.S. financial market.
- Customer Satisfaction Leadership: United Community Bank has received multiple J.D. Power awards for retail banking customer satisfaction, winning in 12 of the last 17 years, reflecting its competitive edge in customer service and market positioning.
See More
