United Bancorporation of Alabama, Atmore, AL (UBAB)

A Case of United Banking in Opportunity Zones


Remarkably, even in this political climate, politicians have crossed party lines to arm financial institutions with new tools for developing America's most distressed communities.  

United Bank of Atmore, Alabama is putting some of these tools to good work!

What's the opportunity here for investors? They could nearly double their money in three years. I see UBAB earning over $3 per share, having book value over $23 per share, and trading in the $30's.


Disclosure: As of this posting, I own shares of UBAB and may subsequently either dispose of them or purchase more.


Prospective Buyers

Non-interest bearing deposits spell opportunity for any enterprising bank. 43% of United Bank's deposits fall in this category and are free to lend in the community.

First Bancshares, Hattiesburg, MS (FBMS)
Home BancShares, Conway, AR (HOMB)
Trustmark, Jackson, MS (TRMK)

Financial Snapshot
as of 03/31/2018

Total assets:
$608M
Tangible book value per share:   
$15.65
NPAs to assets:
1.0%
Price to book:
113%
Market cap:
$43.3M
Dividend yield:
0.8%
Trailing 12-month ROA:
0.7%
Trailing 12-month ROE:
10.9%
TARP:
$0*

*Redeemed $10.3M 11/2016

The Crew

David D Swift, Sr, Chairman
Robert R Jones III, President and CEO
Gwendolyn Bailey Braden, Executive VP and COO

The Skinny

United Bank is lending in communities desperately in need of capital:
  • Five of United Bank's 18 branches (28%) are located in Opportunity Zones (see map).

United Bank uses a variety of contemporary tools for getting capital in the hands of area developers, entrepreneurs, and job creators:

United Bank may be in some economically distressed areas, but it is performing great!
  • The bank has #1 market share of deposits in 6 of the 15 towns where it has branches.
  • UBAB has paid uninterrupted dividends since 1983.
  • UBAB’s ROA and ROE are on a par with those of other banks in the country.

Sources