WASHINGTON, DC (April 5, 2006) – James J. Consagra, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank, today announced the appointment of Craige L. Smith, Jr. as Chief Operating Officer.

“Craige has played an integral role in the Bank’s growth and success over the last six years,” said Mr. Lawrence K. Doll, Chairman of United Bank. Under Craige’s leadership, United has made key investments in technology and operational enhancements. These enhancements along with an excellent team of people have made us very competitive in the marketplace today and have us well positioned for the future.

Smith, who joined the Bank in 2000, has 32 years of commercial banking experience with particular expertise in Commercial Bank Operations, Technology, Cash Management and Administration. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds an MBA from Loyola College.

United Bank is a subsidiary of United Bankshares, Inc. with $6.6 billion in assets. United Bankshares has 90 full-service offices in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Ohio. United Bankshares stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market System under the quotation symbol "UBSI".