United Community (NYSE: UCB) closes merger with Peach State Bancshares
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
United Community Banks, Inc. completed its merger with Peach State Bancshares, Inc., parent of Peach State Bank & Trust, effective August 1, 2026. Immediately afterward, Peach State Bank & Trust was merged into United Community Bank, which will absorb Peach State Bank’s operations.
Peach State Bank, headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, serves Hall County through branches in Gainesville and Braselton and, as of June 30, 2026, reported $784 million in assets, $524 million in loans, and $707 million in deposits. United Community Banks, Inc. reported $29.1 billion in assets and 200 offices across six Southeastern states as of the same date. Peach State Bank will adopt the United Community brand after core systems, signage, and branding conversions expected in the first quarter of 2027, and the company includes customary forward-looking statement cautions about expected merger benefits and integration timing.
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8-K Event Classification
2 items: 8.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Peach State Bank total assets: $784 million
Peach State Bank total loans: $524 million
Peach State Bank total deposits: $707 million
+4 more
7 metrics
Peach State Bank total assets
$784 million
As of June 30, 2026, Peach State Bank reported total assets of $784 million.
Peach State Bank total loans
$524 million
As of June 30, 2026, Peach State Bank reported total loans of $524 million.
Peach State Bank total deposits
$707 million
As of June 30, 2026, Peach State Bank reported total deposits of $707 million.
United Community total assets
$29.1 billion
As of June 30, 2026, United Community Banks, Inc. had $29.1 billion in assets.
United Community offices
200 offices
As of June 30, 2026, United Community operated 200 offices across six states.
Merger effective date
August 1, 2026
The merger with Peach State Bancshares, Inc. was effective August 1, 2026.
Brand conversion target
First quarter of 2027
Conversion of Peach State Bank’s systems and branding is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Key Terms
Merger, financial holding company, SBA lending franchise, equipment finance subsidiary, +1 more
5 terms
Merger financial
"United completed its merger with Peach State Bancshares, Inc."
A merger is when two companies combine into a single business, with ownership and control reorganized so they operate as one entity. For investors it matters because mergers can change the value and risk of holdings—shares may be exchanged, diluted, or rise if the combined company saves costs or gains market power, and the deal often depends on regulatory approval and successful integration like two households joining resources and routines.
financial holding company financial
"United Community Banks, Inc. is the financial holding company for United Community"
A financial holding company is a parent firm that owns and oversees banks and other financial businesses, such as lending, insurance, or investment services. It matters to investors because it bundles several money-making activities under one roof—like a parent managing several children—so returns, risks, and regulatory rules for banking apply to the whole group; trouble in one unit can affect the company’s profits, capital needs, and dividends.
SBA lending franchise financial
"United Community also manages a nationally recognized SBA lending franchise"
equipment finance subsidiary financial
"and an equipment finance subsidiary, extending its reach to businesses"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
How large is Peach State Bank in the United Community (UCB) merger?
Peach State Bank reported $784 million in assets, $524 million in loans, and $707 million in deposits as of June 30, 2026. It operates two locations in Hall County, Georgia, serving retail and business customers in Gainesville and Braselton.
When will Peach State Bank rebrand under United Community (UCB)?
Peach State Bank will operate under the United Community brand after systems and signage are converted, which is expected in the first quarter of 2027. The change follows integration of core technology, branding, and customer-facing materials.
What is United Community Banks’ (UCB) size and footprint around the time of the merger?
As of June 30, 2026, United Community Banks, Inc. had $29.1 billion in assets and operated 200 offices across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, offering banking, mortgage, and wealth management services.
Where is Peach State Bank based and which markets does it serve in the UCB merger?
Peach State Bank is headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, a fast-growing city in Hall County about fifty miles northeast of Atlanta. It delivers high-touch, personalized banking services through branches in Gainesville and Braselton within Hall County.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 3, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission file number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(800 ) 822-2651
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||||||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On August 3, 2026, United Community Banks, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“United” or the “Company”) issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the closing of its previously announced acquisition of Peach State Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peach State Bank & Trust. A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and incorporated herein by reference, including the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. | ||||
| (d) | Exhibits | ||||
| EXHIBIT INDEX | |||||
| Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | ||||
99.1 | Press Release, issued August 3, 2026. | ||||
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. | ||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Jefferson L. Harralson | |||||||
| Name: | Jefferson L. Harralson | |||||||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
| Date: August 3, 2026 | ||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Jefferson Harralson
Chief Financial Officer
(864) 240-6208
Jefferson_Harralson@ucbi.com
UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF MERGER WITH PEACH STATE BANCSHARES, INC., THE PARENT COMPANY OF PEACH STATE BANK & TRUST
GREENVILLE, SC – August 3, 2026 – United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) (“United”) completed its merger with Peach State Bancshares, Inc. (“Peach State”) effective August 1, 2026 whereby Peach State merged with and into United with United continuing as the surviving company (the “Merger”). Immediately following the Merger, Peach State’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Peach State Bank & Trust (“Peach State Bank”), was merged with and into United’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, United Community Bank (“United Community”). Peach State Bank will operate under the United Community brand after all core systems, signage, and branding are converted to those of United Community, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2027.
Peach State Bank is headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, a fast-growing city in Hall County, located approximately fifty miles northeast of Atlanta. Founded in 2005, Peach State Bank has been built on a foundation of exceptional customer service and community commitment. It is an established and respected franchise with an experienced management team led by President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Quinn. Peach State Bank’s high-touch, personalized approach to customer service is delivered to retail and business customers across two locations in Hall County, with branches in Gainesville and Braselton. As of June 30, 2026, Peach State Bank reported total assets of $784 million, with total loans of $524 million, and total deposits of $707 million.
“We are thrilled to welcome Peach State’s talented team to United Community. Their culture and approach to community engagement, customer service, and the employee experience is very similar to ours,” said Lynn Harton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United. “This partnership deepens our longstanding presence in Hall County and will enable us to better serve the local community.”
Ron Quinn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peach State Bank, said, “We have spent many years building a strong team and serving our customers in Hall County, and we are excited about this next phase of our growth, which will be amplified by our partnership with United Community. Their focus on customer service and employee engagement will ensure that we will continue to provide best in class service to our customers.”
Hovde Group, LLC acted as financial advisor to United, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as United’s legal advisor. Piper Sandler & Co. served as Peach State’s financial advisor, and Alston & Bird LLP served as Peach State’s legal advisor.
About United Community Banks, Inc.
United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) is the financial holding company for United Community, a top-100 U.S. financial institution committed to building stronger communities and improving the financial health and well-being of its customers. United Community offers a full range of banking, mortgage and wealth management services. As of June 30, 2026, United Community Banks, Inc. had $29.1 billion in assets and operated 200 offices across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. United Community also manages a nationally recognized SBA lending franchise and an equipment finance subsidiary, extending its reach to businesses across the country. United Community is the most awarded bank in the Southeast for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power, earning more awards than any other bank in the region, including recognition in 12 of the last 17 years and has also been named one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker for nine consecutive years. In commercial banking, United Community earned multiple 2026 Greenwich Best Bank awards for Small Business Banking. Forbes has consistently named United Community among the World’s Best and America’s Best Banks. Learn more at ucbi.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In general, forward-looking statements usually may be identified through use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, and include statements related to expected benefits of the Merger and the timing of conversion. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Merger may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption from the Merger of customer, supplier, employee or other business partner relationships, (3) reputational risk and the reaction of each of the companies’ customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the Merger, (4) risks relating to the integration of Peach State’s operations into the operations of United, including the risk that such integration will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (5) risks associated with United’s pursuit of future acquisitions, (6) the risks associated with expansion into new geographic or product markets, and (7) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Further information regarding additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in the cautionary language included under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other documents subsequently filed by United with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond United’s ability to
control or predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, shareholders and investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this communication, and United undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for United to predict their occurrence or how they will affect United.
United qualifies all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.