2009-11-23 21:14:05 -

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI : ) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.30 per share for shareholders of record as of December 11, 2009. Dividends per share of $1.17 for the year 2009 represents an increase over the $1.16 per share paid for the year of 2008.

The dividend payout of approximately $13.0 million on 43.4 million shares is payable January 4, 2010. While many banking companies have reduced or suspended dividends during the past twelve months, the year 2009 marks the 36th consecutive year of dividend increases to United shareholders. During this 36 year period, the dividend has increased from $0.06 to $1.17, which represents an annual compound growth rate

over 9%.

“We continue to be committed to rewarding our shareholders even in these most difficult of times,” commented Richard M. Adams, United’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “Our ability to increase dividends to our shareholders over the past 36 years is evidence of our consistency of earnings, sound asset quality, and capital adequacy.

While we have been affected by the greatest challenges to our industry since the Great Depression, we continue to perform much better than most,” Adams stated. “It is important to point out that our ability to increase dividends will depend upon our ability to have our earnings out-pace our dividends. If a dividend cut is required to continue to maintain our position as well-capitalized, we shall act to continue to build long-term shareholder value.”

United Bankshares, with $8.1 billion in assets, has 113 full-service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.
United Bankshares stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the quotation symbol " UBSI : ".



United BanksharesSteven E. Wilson, Chief Financial Officer,

800-445-1347 ext. 8704, www.ubsi-inc.com :