Form 4: UBSI CEO Richard Adams Jr. Boosts Stake with RSU Grant

United Bankshares Inc. CEO Richard M. Adams Jr. acquired 26,209 shares of common stock through a restricted stock unit grant, increasing his beneficial ownership.

Summary

• Richard M. Adams Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Director of United Bankshares Inc. (UBSI), acquired 26,209 shares of common stock.
• The acquisition was a grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) on February 19, 2026, with an acquisition price of $0.0000 per share.
• These RSUs are scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Adams' direct beneficial ownership of common stock stands at 188,389.392 shares.
• He also holds indirect beneficial ownership of 16,620.3776 shares through the UBSI 401K plan and 10,986.084 shares through a trust for children.
• Additionally, Mr. Adams beneficially owns 254.151 shares of phantom stock, which arose from deferred compensation and are payable in cash upon termination of employment.
• His derivative holdings also include 65,875 shares across various stock option grants with exercise prices ranging from $32.51 to $45.30 and expiration dates between 2027 and 2030.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as it represents an increase in direct insider ownership through a compensation grant, aligning the CEO's interests with long-term company performance.

Positives

• CEO Richard M. Adams Jr. increased his direct beneficial ownership in United Bankshares Inc. by 26,209 shares through a restricted stock unit grant.
• The grant of restricted stock units, which vest over time, aligns management's long-term interests with those of shareholders, incentivizing sustained performance and retention.

Future Outlook

The restricted stock units granted to CEO Richard M. Adams Jr. are scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments, indicating a future commitment and incentive structure for the executive tied to the company's ongoing performance and his tenure.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that grants of restricted stock units and stock options are standard executive compensation practices in the banking and financial services industry, designed to align executive incentives with long-term shareholder value creation. The use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan for such transactions is also a common practice to ensure compliance with insider trading regulations.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of executive compensation is a common practice across the financial sector, comparable to compensation structures at regional banks like Truist Financial Corporation or PNC Financial Services Group, where RSUs are used to incentivize long-term performance and retention.
• The use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan for insider transactions is an industry best practice, widely adopted by executives at major financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America to manage stock sales and acquisitions in a compliant and transparent manner.
• The mix of direct and indirect ownership, including through 401k plans and family trusts, is typical for senior executives, reflecting diversified personal investment strategies and estate planning, similar to practices observed among executives at peer banks.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The increase in the CEO's direct ownership through a vesting grant aligns management incentives with shareholder interests, potentially fostering long-term value creation.
• Employees: The compensation structure, including restricted stock units, reflects standard executive incentive programs within the company.

Next Steps

• The 26,209 restricted stock units granted to Richard M. Adams Jr. will vest in three equal annual installments following the grant date of February 19, 2026.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine compensation grant of restricted stock units to the CEO, which is a standard practice for executive incentives. While it increases insider ownership and aligns interests, it does not provide new fundamental information about the company's operational performance or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, maintaining current positions while awaiting further operational or financial updates.

Keywords

United Bankshares, UBSI, Richard M. Adams Jr., Insider Transaction, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, CEO Compensation, Beneficial Ownership, Financial Services, Banking