WASHINGTON, DC and CHARLESTON, WV----United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI), today reported Moody's Investors Services upgraded their ratings of United's two banking subsidiaries, United Bank, West Virginia and United Bank, Virginia.

For both institutions, Moody's upgraded the long-term deposit rating to A2 and the short-term deposit rating to Prime-1, one level increases from previous ratings of A3 and Prime-2, respectively. Moody's also increased the financial strength rating of both institutions to C+ from a previous rating of C, also a one level increase.

"We are extremely pleased with the upgraded ratings," stated Richard M. Adams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United. "We believe that the upgraded ratings reflect the strength of our financial position and operating performance."

Moody's Investors Service is among the world's most respected, widely utilized sources for credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Moody's publishes market-leading credit opinions, deal research and commentary, serving more than 9,000 customer accounts at some 2,400 institutions around the globe.

United Bankshares, with $6.7 billion in assets, has 90 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".

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals and projections, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of factors including: changes in economic conditions; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success and timing of business strategies; the nature and extent of governmental actions and reforms; and rapidly changing technology evolving banking industry standards.