United Bankshares expanded into Florida with plans to establish a new office in Palm Beach, marking the company’s entry into a premier banking and wealth market and advancing its long-term growth strategy across the Southeast.
The expansion will include a full-service banking office on Palm Beach Island and will offer integrated commercial banking, private banking, wealth management, treasury management and lending services to individuals, families, business owners and commercial clients across Palm Beach and the broader South Florida market.
“Our focus for future geographic expansion continues to be on the Southeast, where we’ve seen strong opportunities and positive demographic trends,” Richard M. Adams, Jr., CEO of United Bankshares, said. “Florida has long been a market of interest for us, and Palm Beach represents one of the country’s premier centers for business, wealth creation and entrepreneurship. The franchise we have built over the years has benefited from both strategic acquisitions and organic growth, and this expansion reflects that balanced approach. With an exceptional local team, we are building a strong foundation for long-term success in Florida.”
The Palm Beach Market will be led by Terence Callahan, market president, who will oversee United Bankshares’ growth strategy and business development efforts in Florida. A United Bankshares leader for more than a decade, Callahan has played an important role in the bank’s growth across the Greater Washington, D.C. market, building strong relationships with commercial clients, business owners and community leaders. He will lead United Bankshares’ efforts to establish and expand the bank’s presence across Palm Beach and the broader South Florida market.
“We believe Palm Beach presents a tremendous opportunity for us, and we’re bringing together the leadership and capabilities needed to compete at the highest level in this market,” Callahan said. “We’re building a talented local team and look forward to delivering the personalized service, expertise and long-term commitment that clients have come to expect from our organization.”
United Bankshares has also brought on a highly experienced wealth management leadership team with deep local relationships and decades of experience serving clients throughout the Palm Beach area. The team is led by Chris Battifarano, chief investment officer, a seasoned wealth management executive with nearly 30 years of experience in Palm Beach, including a decade as chief investment officer at FineMark Bank & Trust. He is joined by Najam (Naj) Qasim, senior investment strategist; Michael Christenson, senior investment analyst; and Jessica Dellinger, senior compliance manager. Collectively, the team has served Palm Beach-area clients for decades and brings deep expertise in wealth management, portfolio strategy, research and fiduciary advisory services.
“I could not be more excited to be part of what United Bankshares is building in Florida,” Battifarano said. “Palm Beach is a unique market, and we are bringing together an experienced team with deep local roots and a shared commitment to putting clients first. Combined with United Bankshares’ relationship-driven approach, we have an opportunity to build something truly distinctive for clients and communities across Florida.”
