United Community Banks Raises Quarterly Dividend 4%

United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE: UCB) increased its quarterly common-stock dividend to $0.26 per share from $0.25, a 4% rise. The ex-dividend date was September 15, 2026.

The new rate equates to an annualized dividend of $1.04 per share. Based on a share price of $35.34, the forward annual yield is 2.94%. The company’s investor-relations site lists the latest payment in its historical dividend record.

The increase extends United Community Banks’ dividend-growth streak to 11 consecutive years. That record follows a previous dividend cut in 2014 and reflects a sustained rebuilding of the payout over the subsequent period. SmarterDividends assigns the dividend a safety score of 81 out of 100, corresponding to an A grade.

United Community Banks is a financial-services company with a market capitalization of $4,232,453,632. Through United Community, it provides banking, mortgage and wealth-management services across several Southeastern states.

Operating and strategic context

The dividend increase comes as the regional lender works through several changes to its balance sheet and business mix. In its latest quarterly report, United said results benefited from loan growth and a sixth consecutive quarter of net-interest-margin expansion. Management also emphasized a greater focus on the company’s core banking operations, according to its second-quarter earnings release filed with the SEC.

United recently completed the sale of its Navitas equipment-finance business and repositioned part of its securities portfolio. The company said those actions were intended to reduce interest-rate risk, increase liquidity available for organic growth and improve its future earnings profile. Management cautioned that the securities sale was expected to produce a nonrecurring loss, while saying capital levels remained strong after the transactions. The company also highlighted its recently completed Peach State acquisition as a way to deepen its presence in existing markets. United Community Banks’ strategic update provides details.

What it means for income investors

If maintained, the new quarterly rate provides $1.04 in annual dividend income for each share held. The 4% increase adds to an 11-year record of annual growth, while the 2.94% forward yield offers a current measure of income relative to the stated share price. Future dividends remain subject to board approval and the bank’s earnings, capital requirements and credit performance.