United Bank
United Bank is a regional American bank operated by United Bankshares, Inc., with a branch network across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
United Bank is the principal banking brand of United Bankshares, Inc., a bank holding company based in Charleston, West Virginia, and Fairfax, Virginia. The institution traces its history to March 17, 1839, when Northwestern Bank of Virginia opened an office in Parkersburg, in what is now West Virginia. That operation later developed into Parkersburg National Bank, which became the foundation for the modern United Bankshares organization. The holding-company structure began taking shape in 1982, when Parkersburg National began reorganizing as United Bankshares. In 1984, United commenced full operations after acquiring Parkersburg National and two additional banks. The company subsequently expanded through a long series of bank acquisitions and entered the public markets through an initial public offering in 1987. Richard Adams, who became chairman and chief executive of Parkersburg National in 1975, led much of the organization’s expansion and was credited with overseeing 33 acquisitions during his tenure. In 2022, American Banker described Adams as the longest-serving chief executive among the 100 largest U.S. banks, reflecting the continuity of the company’s management approach. United Bank operates as a regional full-service bank rather than as a national consumer-finance brand. Its activities include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage-related services, and other banking services delivered through branches and related channels. United Bankshares also owns specialized subsidiaries, including George Mason Mortgage, United Brokerage, and Crescent Mortgage, extending the group’s capabilities beyond traditional branch banking. The bank’s footprint covers West Virginia, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Reference material describes a network of nearly 250 offices in eight states, although the broader holding-company operating footprint is also reported across the listed Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern markets. Based on deposits, United Bank is described as the largest bank headquartered in West Virginia and the second-largest bank operating in that state, behind Truist Financial. It is also described as the eighth-largest bank operating in Virginia and the tenth-largest bank operating in the District of Columbia. The brand’s positioning is regional relationship banking: a long-established local and community presence combined with the scale, acquisition capacity, and specialized subsidiaries of a larger bank holding company. Its identity remains particularly associated with West Virginia and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region, while its branch and subsidiary network gives it a broader Southeastern reach. The institution remains active under the United Bank name, with United Bankshares, Inc. serving as its publicly traded parent.
History
United Bank’s institutional history reaches back to March 17, 1839, when Northwestern Bank of Virginia opened an office in Parkersburg. Parkersburg is now in West Virginia, but at the time it was part of Virginia. The office eventually evolved into Parkersburg National Bank, which became the principal predecessor of the United Bankshares organization. The March 17 anniversary has remained part of the institution’s heritage; some branches have marked it by distributing shamrocks to customers because it falls on St. Patrick’s Day. Richard Adams became chairman and chief executive officer of Parkersburg National Bank in 1975. Under his leadership, the bank moved toward a broader holding-company model. In 1982, Parkersburg National began reorganizing as United Bankshares, creating a structure through which the organization could own and integrate multiple banking institutions. United commenced full operations in 1984 after acquiring Parkersburg National and two other banks. This transition established the corporate platform behind the United Bank brand. The organization became a public company through an initial public offering in 1987. Public ownership supported a continuing acquisition strategy and helped United Bankshares build a larger regional franchise while retaining a focus on markets in and around West Virginia, Virginia, and the Mid-Atlantic. The company’s growth was substantially acquisition-led: the reference material credits Richard Adams with completing 33 acquisitions during his tenure. Over time, United Bankshares expanded its operating geography into the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The resulting United Bank network came to include nearly 250 offices in eight states, while the broader group’s reported operating footprint encompasses the listed nine jurisdictions. In addition to its banking offices, the holding company developed or acquired specialized businesses. These include George Mason Mortgage, United Brokerage, and Crescent Mortgage, giving the group mortgage and brokerage capabilities alongside its core deposit-taking and lending business. The institution’s regional importance is reflected in deposit rankings cited in reference material. United Bank is described as the largest bank headquartered in West Virginia and the second-largest bank operating in the state, after Truist Financial. It is also described as the eighth-largest bank operating in Virginia and the tenth-largest bank operating in the District of Columbia. These rankings describe the bank’s position within particular state and metropolitan markets rather than a national ranking. Management continuity was a defining feature of the company’s modern history. Richard Adams remained associated with the organization for decades and, after 47 years as chief executive, was identified by American Banker in 2022 as the longest-serving CEO among the 100 largest U.S. banks. In April 2022, his successor, Richard “Rick” Adams Jr., became chief executive officer. Adams Jr. had served as president since 2014, making the transition an internal succession rather than a break with the company’s established leadership culture. Today, United Bank operates as the principal banking brand of United Bankshares, Inc. Its business is regional and full-service, spanning consumer and business deposits, lending, mortgage services, brokerage-related activities, and branch-based banking across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The brand’s historical identity is rooted in West Virginia, but its current market presence reflects decades of expansion through holding-company formation, public ownership, and bank acquisitions.
- 2022
Leadership succession to Richard Adams Jr.
[1]Richard Adams Jr. became CEO in April 2022 after serving as president since 2014.
- 2014
Richard Adams Jr. becomes president
[1]Richard Adams Jr. was appointed president, later succeeding Richard Adams as chief executive.
- 1987
United Bankshares becomes publicly traded
[1]The holding company completed an initial public offering and became a public company.
- 1984
United commences full operations
[1]United began full operations after acquiring Parkersburg National and two additional banks.
- 1982
United Bankshares reorganization begins
[1]Parkersburg National began reorganizing as the United Bankshares holding-company structure.
- 1975
Richard Adams becomes chairman and CEO of Parkersburg National Bank
[1]Richard Adams assumed leadership of Parkersburg National Bank, beginning a long period of executive stewardship and expansion.
- 1839
Northwestern Bank of Virginia opens in Parkersburg
[1]An office of Northwestern Bank of Virginia opened in Parkersburg on March 17, establishing the institutional roots later associated with United Bank.
Products and positioning
A long-established regional bank combining community and relationship banking with the geographic reach and specialized subsidiaries of United Bankshares, Inc.
Retail and commercial banking
United Bank branch banking
The core United Bank offering is regional full-service banking delivered through a broad branch network. The business serves individuals, households, and organizations with deposit-taking, lending, account servicing, and related banking needs. Its branch presence is concentrated in West Virginia, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Mortgage services
George Mason Mortgage
George Mason Mortgage is a mortgage subsidiary associated with United Bankshares. It extends the group’s housing-finance capabilities beyond general branch banking and forms part of the holding company’s specialized financial-services portfolio.
Brokerage and investment services
United Brokerage
United Brokerage is a subsidiary of United Bankshares that complements the banking business with brokerage-related services. The available reference identifies the subsidiary but does not provide a detailed breakdown of its product range.
Mortgage services
Crescent Mortgage
Crescent Mortgage is another mortgage-focused subsidiary within the United Bankshares group. Its inclusion gives the organization additional specialization in mortgage finance alongside United Bank’s broader banking activities.
Brand decisions
2022
Internal CEO successionOtherBackground
Richard Adams had led the organization for decades, while Richard Adams Jr. had served as president since 2014.
Action taken
Richard Adams Jr. became chief executive officer in April 2022.
Aftermath
The succession preserved management continuity within United Bankshares.
1987
Initial public offeringStrategyBackground
United Bankshares had developed a multi-bank holding-company model and sought access to public capital markets.
Action taken
The company completed an initial public offering and became publicly traded.
Aftermath
Public-company status supported the organization’s continuing acquisition-led growth, although the available reference does not provide offering details.
1984
Initial bank acquisitions under UnitedM&ABackground
After the holding-company reorganization, United needed an operating banking platform.
Action taken
United commenced full operations by acquiring Parkersburg National and two other banks.
Aftermath
The acquisitions formed the operating base for the United Bank brand and its later regional expansion.
1982
Creation of the United Bankshares holding-company structureStrategyBackground
Parkersburg National Bank was reorganized as United Bankshares, creating a structure designed to own and coordinate multiple banks.
Action taken
The organization established United Bankshares as its holding-company platform.
Aftermath
The structure enabled subsequent acquisitions and the development of the United Bank regional franchise.
Recent events
United reports second-quarter and first-half 2020 earnings[2]
Reported:
United reported earnings for the second quarter and first half of 2020, including earnings of $52.7 million for Q2 and $92.9 million for the first half.
People’s United completes acquisition of United Bank’s parent[3]
Reported:
People’s United Financial Inc. completed its acquisition of the Hartford-based parent of United Bank on Friday, November 1, 2019.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Sources3 sources
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