WASHINGTON & CHARLESTON, W. Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI), today reported earnings for the first quarter of 2024 of $86.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share. First quarter of 2024 results produced annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity, a non-GAAP measure, of 1.19%, 7.25% and 11.98%, respectively. The first quarter of 2024 included $1.8 million of noninterest expense for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s special assessment levied on banking organizations stemming from the FDIC’s revised loss estimates to the Deposit Insurance Fund.
“UBSI delivered solid performance in the first quarter of 2024,” stated Richard M. Adams, Jr., United’s Chief Executive Officer. “While the headwinds in the current economic environment persist and continue to create challenges, UBSI’s operating metrics remain strong and we are well-positioned for success going forward.”
Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $79.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, and annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity for the fourth quarter of 2023 were 1.08%, 6.70% and 11.27%, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2023 included $12.0 million of noninterest expense for the FDIC special assessment.
Earnings for the first quarter of 2023 were $98.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, and annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.35%, 8.72% and 14.97%, respectively.
First quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $7.2 million, or 3%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. Tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure which adjusts for the tax-favored status of income from certain loans and investments, for the first quarter of 2024 also decreased $7.2 million, or 3%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to higher interest expense driven by the impact of deposit rate repricing, a decrease in acquired loan accretion income and a decrease in loan fees. The yield on average interest-bearing deposits increased 15 basis points to 3.10% for the first quarter of 2024. Loan fees for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $677 thousand from the fourth quarter of 2023. Acquired loan accretion income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $521 thousand from the fourth quarter of 2023. The net interest margin of 3.44% for the first quarter of 2024 was a decrease of 11 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.55% for the fourth quarter of 2023.
The provision for credit losses was $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $6.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $1.5 million, or 4%, from the fourth quarter of 2023 driven by a decrease of $3.0 million in other noninterest income. The fourth quarter of 2023 included a $2.7 million gain from the payoff of a fixed rate commercial loan that had an associated interest rate swap derivative. Partially offsetting the decrease in noninterest income was a $907 thousand increase in fees from brokerage services primarily due to higher volume.
Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $11.5 million, or 8%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. This decrease in noninterest expense was driven by decreases in FDIC insurance expense of $10.2 million, other noninterest expense of $4.9 million and in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments of $2.7 million partially offset by an increase in employee benefits of $4.9 million and an increase in employee compensation of $1.5 million. The fourth quarter of 2023 included $12.0 million of expense for the FDIC special assessment. The first quarter of 2024 included an incremental $1.8 million of expense related to the FDIC special assessment stemming from the FDIC’s revised loss estimates. The decrease in other noninterest expense was driven by a decrease of $1.2 million of tax credit investment amortization and a decrease of $1.2 million of expense related to community development lending programs. Additionally, other noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 included $1.3 million related to trade name intangible impairments. The decrease in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was primarily driven by a decrease in the outstanding balance of loan commitments. The increase in employee benefits was primarily driven by higher postretirement benefit costs and higher Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) costs. Employee compensation for the first quarter of 2024 included approximately $240 thousand of severance expense associated with the previously announced mortgage delivery channel consolidation.
Income tax expense was $21.4 million for the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease of $3.4 million was due to a lower effective tax rate partially offset by higher earnings. United’s effective tax rate was 19.8% and 23.8% for the first quarter of 2024 and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively. The lower effective tax rate was primarily driven by the impact of provision to return adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2023.
First quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023
Earnings for the first quarter of 2024 were $86.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, as compared to earnings of $98.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023.
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $11.8 million, or 5%, from the first quarter of 2023. Tax-equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $12.1 million, or 5%, from the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest income was primarily due to higher interest expense driven by deposit rate repricing, an increase in average interest-bearing deposits, a decrease in acquired loan accretion income and a decrease in loan fees. The decrease was partially offset by the impact of rising market interest rates on earning assets, organic loan growth and a decrease in average long-term borrowings. The average cost of funds increased 104 basis points from the first quarter of 2023 to 3.21% driven by an increase in the yield on average interest-bearing deposits of 127 basis points. Average deposits increased $522.0 million from the first quarter of 2023 driven by a $1.5 billion, or 10%, increase in average interest-bearing deposits. Acquired loan accretion income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $613 thousand from the first quarter of 2023. Loan fees for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $351 thousand from the first quarter of 2023. The yield on average earning assets increased 60 basis points from the first quarter of 2023 to 5.70% driven by an increase in the yield on average net loans and loans held for sale of 53 basis points. Average net loans and loans held for sale increased $800.5 million, or 4%, from the first quarter of 2023. The net interest margin of 3.44% for the first quarter of 2024 was a decrease of 19 basis points from the net interest margin of 3.63% for the first quarter of 2023.
The provision for credit losses was $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2023.
Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 was $32.2 million, a decrease of $532 thousand, or 2%, from the first quarter of 2023 driven by a decrease in mortgage loan servicing income of $1.5 million. The decrease in mortgage loan servicing income was due to lower mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) balances after the sale of MSRs during the second quarter of 2023. Partially offsetting the decrease in noninterest income was a $1.1 million increase in fees from brokerage services primarily due to higher volume.
Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 was $140.7 million, an increase of $3.3 million, or 2% from the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to increases of $3.9 million in employee compensation, $2.2 million in other noninterest expense and $1.9 million in FDIC insurance expense partially offset by a decrease of $4.4 million in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. The increase in employee compensation was driven by higher employee incentives, commissions, base salaries and employee severance. The increase in other noninterest expense was primarily driven by a $950 thousand increase in tax credit amortization and higher amounts of certain general operating expenses. The increase in FDIC insurance expense was driven by $1.8 million of expense recognized in the first quarter of 2024 for the FDIC special assessment. The decrease in the expense for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was primarily driven by a decrease in the outstanding balance of loan commitments.
For the first quarter of 2024, income tax expense was $21.4 million as compared to $24.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease of $3.0 million was due to lower earnings and a slightly lower effective tax rate. United’s effective tax rate was 19.8% and 19.9% for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Credit Quality
United’s asset quality continues to be sound. At March 31, 2024, non-performing loans were $74.4 million, or 0.35% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total non-performing assets were $77.1 million, including OREO of $2.7 million, or 0.26% of total assets at March 31, 2024. At December 31, 2023, non-performing loans were $45.5 million, or 0.21% of loans & leases, net of unearned income. Total non-performing assets were $48.1 million, including OREO of $2.6 million, or 0.16% of total assets at December 31, 2023. The increase in non-performing loans and non-performing assets was driven by one commercial & industrial loan relationship.
As of March 31, 2024, the allowance for loan & lease losses was $262.9 million, or 1.22% of loans & leases, net of unearned income, as compared to $259.2 million, or 1.21% of loans & leases, net of unearned income, at December 31, 2023. Net charge-offs were $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2023 and $2.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans & leases, net of unearned income were 0.04% for the first quarter of 2024, 0.02% for the first quarter of 2023 and 0.05% for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Capital
United continues to be well-capitalized based upon regulatory guidelines. United’s estimated risk-based capital ratio is 15.6% at March 31, 2024, while estimated Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and leverage ratios are 13.2%, 13.2% and 11.4%, respectively. The March 31, 2024 ratios reflect United’s election of a five-year transition provision, allowed by the Federal Reserve Board and other federal banking agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to delay for two years the full impact of CECL on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. The regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized financial institution are a risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%, a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.0% and a leverage ratio of 5.0%. United did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during 2023 or 2024.
About United Bankshares, Inc.
As of March 31, 2024, United had consolidated assets of approximately $30.0 billion. United is the parent company of United Bank, which comprises more than 225 offices located throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. United’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the quotation symbol “UBSI“.
