for United Bankshares

United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI) declared a fourth quarter dividend of 20¢ per share for shareholders of record as of December 11, 1998. This is an 11% increase over the 18¢ paid in the fourth quarter of 1997 and a 5% increase over the 19¢ paid in the third quarter of 1998. Dividends per share of 75¢ for 1998 represent a 10% increase over the 68¢ per share paid for 1997.

The dividend payout of approximately $8.6 million on forty-three million shares is payable January 2, 1999. The year 1998 is the 25th consecutive year of dividend increases. The annualized fourth quarter 1998 dividend of 80¢ equates to a yield of approximately 3% based on recent UBSI market prices.

United Bankshares stock is traded on the NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Quotation System) National Market System under the quotation symbol "UBSI".