Form 4: United Bankshares EVP Receives Restricted Stock Grant

United Bankshares' Executive Vice President, Julie R. Gurtis, reported the acquisition of 2,269 shares of common stock through a restricted stock unit grant.

Summary

• Julie R. Gurtis, Executive Vice President of UNITED BANKSHARES INC/WV (UBSI), reported an acquisition of 2,269 shares of common stock.
• The shares were acquired on February 19, 2026, at a price of $44.07 per share.
• This acquisition was pursuant to a grant of restricted stock units, with the award vesting in three equal annual installments.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Gurtis directly beneficially owns 31,690 shares of common stock.
• Indirect beneficial ownership includes 13,733.292 shares via a 401k, 900 shares by spouse as POA for a family member, and 1,364 shares by spouse's IRA.
• Ms. Gurtis also holds several stock options with various exercise prices and expiration dates, totaling 11,053 derivative securities.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive event, as an executive's acquisition of shares, even through a grant, generally signals confidence in the company's future and aligns management's interests with shareholders.

Positives

• The acquisition of 2,269 shares through a restricted stock unit grant aligns the executive's interests with those of shareholders.
• The grant of restricted stock units is a common form of executive compensation, indicating ongoing commitment to management.

Future Outlook

The restricted stock unit award vests in three equal annual installments, indicating a future commitment and alignment of the executive's long-term interests with the company's performance.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that grants of restricted stock units are a standard component of executive compensation packages in the financial services industry, designed to incentivize long-term performance and retain key talent. This particular grant to an Executive Vice President at United Bankshares aligns with typical practices for a regional bank of its size and market position.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Restricted stock unit grants are a prevalent form of equity compensation across the banking sector, similar to practices observed at peers like Truist Financial Corporation or PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which also utilize such awards to align executive incentives with shareholder value.
• The vesting schedule of three equal annual installments is a common structure, providing a balance between immediate reward and long-term retention, consistent with industry benchmarks for executive equity awards.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of restricted stock units to an executive aligns management's financial interests with long-term shareholder value creation, potentially fostering greater accountability and performance focus.
• Employees: This type of compensation can signal stability and a commitment to retaining key leadership, which can positively influence overall employee morale and retention.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock unit award will vest in three equal annual installments following the grant date.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine executive compensation event (restricted stock unit grant) and does not contain information significant enough to warrant a change in investment recommendation. While insider acquisitions are generally positive, this specific transaction is part of a compensation plan rather than an open market purchase, suggesting a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on this filing.

Keywords

UBSI, United Bankshares, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Grant, Beneficial Ownership