United Community Banks (UCB) Q3 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q3 GAAP net loss was $139.7M, or $1.16 per diluted share, primarily reflecting a $366.1M pre-tax securities repositioning loss; operating net income was $93.7M and operating diluted EPS was $0.77.

• Strategic actions included the Navitas sale, Peach State acquisition, securities repositioning and $50M of share repurchases, reshaping the balance sheet and supporting future earnings.

• Core loans grew $444M, or 10% annualized QoQ; NIM held at 3.68% and the operating efficiency ratio was 53.1%.

Financial highlights

• Operating revenue was $291.9M versus $279.3M in Q2; GAAP total revenue was negative $12.0M after the securities loss and Navitas gain.

• Net interest revenue was $251.2M, up $10.3M QoQ; FTE net interest revenue was $252.5M, up $17.9M YoY.

• Operating noninterest income was $40.7M, up $2.3M QoQ; operating noninterest expense was $155.7M, down $3.3M QoQ.

• Net charge-offs were $4.0M, or 0.09% of average loans; provision for credit losses was $10.0M.

• 9M operating net income was $264.8M versus $249.2M in 2025; 9M GAAP net income was $60.2M versus $241.6M.

Outlook and guidance

• Q4 diluted EPS guidance is $0.80–$0.83, assuming a 25-bp December 2026 rate hike; guidance reflects full-quarter impacts of Peach State, the Navitas sale and securities repositioning.

• Q4 NIM outlook is the mid-3.70% range, with a full-quarter benefit expected from securities repositioning.

• Q4 operating expenses are expected in the low-$150M range; expense growth thereafter is expected near 3.5%.

• Q4 tax rate is expected to normalize to the high-22% range after Q3 effects from the Navitas sale, securities losses and discrete items.

• Seasonal public-fund deposit inflows of $325M–$375M are anticipated in Q4; 2027 quarterly securities reinvestment cash flow is projected at ~$340M.