Contact: Blair Dowler
Blair.Dowler@BankWithUnited.com 

Charleston, WV – United Bank was recently recognized for its commitment to advocacy in the banking industry. During the 129th West Virginia Bankers Association (WVBankers) Annual Convention, WVBankers President and CEO Mark Mangano awarded United Bank as the 2023 Bank Advocate of the Year and honored United Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banking Officer Chad Mildren as the 2023 Individual Banker Advocate of the Year.

Each year, WVBankers presents the Bank Advocate of the Year award to a member bank that goes above and beyond, investing time, effort and resources to support the Association’s advocacy efforts, including financial support, banker engagement, thought leadership and relationship building. Receiving this year’s award, United was recognized for the Bank’s multi-year approach to engaging team members of all levels – showcasing United’s commitment to educating and advocating on behalf of its employees, while also supporting WVBankPAC, the nonpartisan, nonprofit political action committee of the West Virginia Bankers Association.

During the awards presentation, Mangano stated, “Over the course of several years, the number of bankers [at United] making meaningful PAC contributions increased significantly, and participation goes far beyond the C-suite. United Bank has devoted resources to educating its bankers and encouraging participation. United’s efforts are a model for creating constructive engagement.”

United’s advocacy efforts are pioneered by Mildren, who was also honored at the Annual Convention as the 2023 Individual Banker Advocate of the Year. Annually, the Association bestows this award to a bank leader from the Mountain State who spearheads and takes action to support initiatives that defend and advance the banking industry at the both the state and national level, making unparalleled contributions. A past chairman and current member of WVBankers board of directors, the award recognizes Mildren’s extraordinary leadership of WVBankPAC and cultivation of grassroots engagement to promote legislative action in the best interest of the banking industry and the state.

Mildren’s activism and participation within WVBankers does not stop there. He has served on the WVBankPAC’s governing committee for several years, previously serving as chairman of the committee. Under his leadership, WVBankPAC’s fundraising increased by more than 45 percent, setting new heights for PAC fundraising and political support.

“It’s an honor to be named the 2023 Individual Banker Advocate of the Year and to also work alongside so many individuals who recognize the vital role banks play in job creation, small business growth and economic development,” Mildren said. “WVBankers legislative committee, as well as BankPAC, truly give bankers across the state the voice to promote sound public policy, creating and preserving a robust financial services marketplace. In these rapidly changing times, it is important that as bankers we’re strategically engaged in the political process at both the state and national level, contributing in meaningful ways to support our banking system and move the industry forward.”

United and Mildren were previously honored with WVBankers advocacy awards in 2018, recognizing the leadership and execution of a bank-wide campaign to advance business and economic growth in the state, with a goal of enhancing the vitality of West Virginia.

ABOUT UNITED BANK

United Bank is a premier community bank and a subsidiary of United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI), the largest publicly traded company headquartered in West Virginia. United has consolidated assets of nearly $30 billion with close to 250 offices located throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia, as well as Washington, D.C. In 2023, United was named the Most Trustworthy Bank in America by Newsweek, joining the list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America. The Bank is dedicated to growing the relationships it has built since 1839 and offering a competitive suite of banking and lending products, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, personal and business credit cards and more. Learn more about United Bank.

ABOUT WVBANKERS

The West Virginia Bankers Association, founded in 1891 and headquartered in Charleston, represents the state’s financial institutions and their employees. The Association provides continuing education, develops and monitors state and federal legislative agendas, distributes information on all components of the financial industry, and promotes the public image of West Virginia’s banking industry. The mission of WVBankers is to represent and support its members, enabling them to provide a full range of quality financial products and services to benefit the communities they serve.