Frequently Asked Questions

FNBSM and United Community will be joining forces in order to deliver the same personalized care you enjoy today, with the added benefit of expanded services to meet your needs, goals, and aspirations. You will continue to enjoy the same convenience and service from the team of bankers you know and trust, at the same locations.

FNBSM’s operating system will be fully integrated into United’s the weekend of October 21. As a result, the accounts and services you have with FNBSM will undergo some changes. Effective October 23, all of your accounts and services will be subject to the Terms and Conditions enclosed within this booklet.

More than anything, we are working to ensure these changes are as seamless as possible. 

First National Bank of South Miami will begin operating under the United Community name, with a full transition on October 23. The United and FNBSM teams will work diligently in the background to make this transition as seamless as possible for you.

United Community is a top 100 US financial institution with $26.1 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023, that, through its subsidiaries, provides a full range of banking, wealth management, and mortgage services. United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) is the financial holding company for United Community, which has 212 offices across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as a national SBA lending franchise and a national equipment financing subsidiary.

Since 1950, United Community has been dedicated to providing best-in-class service to our customers as the foundation of every relationship. We are committed to improving the lives of residents in the communities we serve through the philosophy of delivering an exceptional banking service. We strive to provide valuable, convenient, and innovative products and services with the attentive customer service you deserve. 

We’re honored to have received the following awards over the past several years:

• #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Consumer Banking in the Southeast (J.D. Power)
  • 9-time winner
• America’s Most Trustworthy Companies, 2023 (Newsweek)
  • #2 in banking industry category
• Greenwich Excellence Awards, 2022 (Coalition Greenwich)
  • Awards include Small Business Banking-Likelihood to Recommend (South) and Overall Satisfaction (South)
• World’s Best Banks, 2023 (Forbes)
  • Four of the last five years
• America’s Best Banks, 2023 (Forbes)
  • Tenth consecutive year
• Top 50 Public Banks, 2022 (S&P Global Market Intelligence)
• Best Banks to Work For, 2022 (American Banker)
  • Marks six years in a row based on employee satisfaction

We are proud of this success, but we’re even more proud of the tradition upon which our company was built—treating customers the way we want to be treated. We are committed to helping individuals, families, businesses, and communities grow strong and prosperous. Additional information about United can be found at ucbi.com.

Yes, the bankers you know and trust are committed to assisting you through this system integration, and will continue to do so after this transition. Your banker is backed by a team of professionals that have a high commitment to customer service and local relationships.

Yes, you will continue to enjoy the same convenience and service from the team of professionals you know and trust, at the same locations you use today. 

Yes, beginning Monday, October 23, you may conduct transactions at all of United’s branch, ATM, and Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) locations throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Plus, United Community is a member of the Publix Presto! ATM network where customers can enjoy free access to over 1,260 ATMs all across the Southeast. Visit ucbi.com/locations for a complete list of United’s locations. 

An Interactive Teller Machine, or ITM for short, combines the convenience of an ATM with the award-winning service delivered by friendly, knowledgeable United employees. Physically, the machine looks similar to an ATM, but it has video capabilities that allow you to interact with a teller. Interactive Tellers can help you conduct more transactions than basic ATMs and can answer different questions you might have about your finances or a particular transaction. All this without having to wait in line at the branch.

United ITMs still offer the functionality of an ATM, where customers can simply withdraw cash, view account balances, and perform other basic ATM transactions.

All checking, savings, and/or money market accounts will automatically transition to a new product during the conversion in October. The United Community Welcome Guide highlights changes to your account terms. Beginning October 23, the United Terms and Conditions will amend and replace your current account agreement with FNBSM.

• An interim paper statement will be mailed on Friday, October 20. This statement will include activity on your account up to final processing.
• As a courtesy, there will be no monthly maintenance fees assessed on your checking or money market account(s) during the first two statement cycles following conversion or your savings account(s) during the first quarterly statement cycle following conversion.

If you have any questions regarding your account type or the fees associated with your new account, please contact your banker or call us at 1-800-UCBANK1.

Your banker will be happy to discuss a solution that best fits your financial needs. 

If you have a CD or a fixed IRA, the interest rate will not change until it matures. Please refer to the United Terms and Conditions for additional information regarding these accounts. 

Please continue using your current checks and checking deposit slips until your supply is gone. When it is time for you to reorder, please contact United Community to ensure that you receive new checks with the correct routing number. The new routing number is 061112843. 

Yes, savings deposit and withdrawal slips issued by FNBSM should be discarded after Friday, October 20. Please call 1-800-UCBANK1 or visit a branch office to request a complimentary replacement order. 

Through the course of the conversion process, you may receive multiple copies of the same mailing. Please understand that this is not a mistake. If there are multiple primary account holders within one household, multiple copies of a mailing may be sent. 

Yes, your direct deposits and automatic payments will continue to be processed in the same manner as they are now. There is no action you need to take. 

If any merchants are currently using your FNBSM debit card as a payment method for recurring bills, please provide your new United Community debit card number beginning Monday, October 23.

Yes, you will have access to 24-Hour Telephone Banking beginning Monday, October 23, at 8:00am ET by dialing 1-800-UCBANK1. You will be able to check your account balance, review your transactions, transfer funds, make a payment, report lost or stolen cards, and more.

The last four digits of your tax identification number will serve as your temporary PIN until you designate the PIN of your choice. Please note that your 24-Hour Telephone Banking PIN will be reset to the last four digits of your tax identification number even if you have a previously established PIN.

Please refer to the United Terms and Conditions insert included in the back of this guide for details regarding safe deposit box rental fees.

To be certain that incoming domestic and international wire transfers are properly credited to your account, you will need to inform the originator of the wire transfer of the following information to begin using on October 23:

1. Financial Institution Name: United Community
2. Domestic: Bank Routing Number (also called ABA Number): 061112843 
3. International: Bank Identifier Code (also called BIC): UCOUUS33
4. Address: 125 Highway 515 East, Blairsville, GA 30512
5. Your name and account number

Incoming wire transfers intended for loan payments or loan payoffs should use the following format to avoid delay or return:

Wire funds to:
United Community
125 Highway 515 East,
Blairsville, GA 30512

ABA: #061112843 
Credit Account Name: United Community Loan Operations  
Credit Account Number: 1203-009-001
OBI/Special Instructions: FFC: Input Borrower Name and Loan Account Number  
ATTN: Loan Operations  
RE: Input any additional information here

Yes, you will be able to use any United Community night depository, where available. Contact your banker for more information about this convenient service. 

Your 2023 year-end tax information will be issued under United Community and will be postmarked by the required date of January 31, 2024. 

You may withdraw no more than $500 in cash per day, and you may not exceed $3,500 in transactions per day using your debit card. Additional details may be found in the Electronic Fund Disclosure section of the Terms and Conditions insert. 

There will be no changes to your FNBSM credit card account.  Following the transition to United Community, continue using your FNBSM credit card as you normally would.  You will receive a new United Community credit card prior to your current card expiring. Until you receive your new United Community credit card, continue using your existing credit card. 

Check images are included with all eStatements (also known as paperless statements). Business clients receiving paper statements will also continue to receive check images at no cost. However, check images will not be included with personal deposit account paper statements. You may request to have check images added to your paper statements for an additional monthly fee. 

If you already receive eStatements, a notification will be sent to the email address we have in our records when your statement is ready to be accessed through Online and Mobile Banking. You must be enrolled in online banking in order to access your eStatements.

Yes, up to 24 months of eStatements will be available within Online and Mobile Banking. However, there may be a delay accessing eStatements following the conversion. Prior to Friday, October 20, you may find it beneficial to print or save existing documents that you may need to access at a later time.  

You may call or stop by any United Community location, and we will be happy to assist you in acquiring the information you need. 

Yes, you’ll enjoy an enhanced online and mobile banking experience that includes:

• Extra security. Benefit from added fraud prevention and security features including the use of Secure Access Codes and browser registration.
• Mobile optimization. View and manage all of your bank accounts from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. All of the features available within online banking are also available within the mobile banking app.
• My Money Manager. Manage and review cash flow, spending trends, assets, debt, and budgets with a single login. My Money Manager makes it easy to track your cash with charts and graphs, see your spending history, categorize transactions, create budgets, and plan for your financial future.

FNBSM’s online and mobile banking service will be turned off at 5:00pm ET on Friday, October 20, while we transition to a new and improved system.

You may begin using the United Online and Mobile Banking system on Monday, October 23, at 8:00am ET by visiting ucbi.com.

The Bill Pay service will be temporarily unavailable beginning at 5:00pm ET on Thursday, October 19, until Monday, October 23, at 8:00am ET as we transition to a new Bill Pay system. Any payments scheduled to be delivered will be sent as all payees and scheduled payments will be automatically updated in the new Bill Pay service, so there is no need for you to re-enter the information. 

United Community will continue to offer comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to better help you manage cash flow and streamline business processes through our Treasury Management department. You will continue to enjoy all of your existing services while gaining access to new tools to improve your financial management. We will work directly with you to ensure a smooth transition.

These services include ACH Origination, Wire Transfers, Positive Pay, Remote Deposit Capture, Information Reporting, and Cash Sweep Services. Additional information about the transition of your existing Treasury Management Services will be shared in the coming weeks.

You can continue to work with your FNBSM Cash Management team by contacting them at 305-278-5750  or [email protected] until October 23, after which you can speak to a Treasury Management specialist at  866-270-6100 or by contacting [email protected].

There will be a period of transition during conversion weekend, October 21-22, in which you will not be able to access your Treasury Management services for a period of time. Additional information including specific product’s dates and cutoff times will be communicated in the coming weeks. 

United Community provides cutting-edge, competitive merchant service solutions that enable your business to offer flexible payment options seamlessly. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

In most cases, your loan account number will not change. However, there are some that will be changing as they are not currently compatible with United’s operating system. In those cases, additional information about your new loan account number will be provided in a separate mailing.  

Yes, please contact your financial institution or Bill Pay service provider and provide the following information to begin using on Monday, October 23:

United Community 
P.O. Box 249 
Blairsville, Georgia 30514 
ABA #061112843 

Loan payments automatically drafted from an account at United Community (formerly FNBSM) will be automatically updated and no action is required, unless your draft is not compatible with United Community’s operating system. If this occurs, you will receive a call or communication from your loan officer providing more details.

Beginning Monday, October 23, you can make your payment at any United Community location, online at ucbi.com/make-a-loan-payment, or by mail to:

United Community 
P.O. Box 249 
Blairsville, GA 30514

Yes, accounts with active balances will continue to receive a payment statement, but it may look slightly different than your current statement. If your payment was automatically debited from your deposit account, you will receive a courtesy payment statement. If your business line of credit reflects an interest balance less than $10, you will not receive a payment statement. 

Beginning Monday, October 23, you can make your payment at any United Community location, post it online at ucbi.com, or mail it to:

United Community 
P.O. Box 249 
Blairsville, GA 30514

On or after Monday, October 23, please notify your insurance carrier to update the Loss Payee Clause or Mortgagee Clause on all collateral securing your loan(s) to:

United Community 
ISAOA ATIMA 
P.O. Box 7092 
Troy, MI 418007-7092

You will receive a letter shortly after October 23 which will provide further detail to update the Loss Payee/Mortgagee clause on your loans.

Yes, accounts with active balances will continue to receive a payment statement, but it may look slightly different than your current statement. If your payment was automatically debited from your deposit account, you will receive a courtesy payment statement. If your HELOC account reflects a zero balance, you will not receive a monthly statement; however, a regulatory annual statement will be generated. If your HELOC account or personal line of credit reflects an interest balance less than $10, it will not generate a payment statement.

Beginning Monday, October 23, you can make your payment at any United Community branch or mail it to:

United Community 
P.O. Box 249 
Blairsville, GA 30514

Please call 1-800-UCBANK1 to speak to one of our mortgage servicing specialists. 

Yes, all customers with a HELOC will be issued new HELOC checks to begin using on Monday, October 23. Please discontinue use and safely discard any old HELOC checks as of this date.

Yes, your existing loan escrow account balances will be transferred and serviced by United Community beginning October 23, 2023. On or after October 23, if you receive an insurance bill or tax bill that needs to be paid, take them to your local United Community location or send them directly to our Escrow Department by fax or mail.

United Community 
Escrow Department 
125 East Broad Street 
Greenville, SC 29601 

Fax: 864-239-0896

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. Effective Monday, October 23, United Community may cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

1. We have standard overdraft practices that come with qualifying accounts.
2. We also offer overdraft protection plans available for qualifying accounts, such as a link to a checking account, savings account, or line of credit, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. Please call or visit any of our locations to learn more.

Effective Monday, October 23, United Community may authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions for qualifying consumer accounts:

• Checks, ACH, and other transactions made using your checking account number
• Automatic bill payments

However, we will not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions for qualifying consumer accounts unless you ask us to:

• ATM transactions
• Everyday debit card transactions

We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

Additional details, including information about fees associated with standard overdraft practices, can be found in the United Terms and Conditions.

Yes, we may, at our discretion, authorize and pay overdrafts on your ATM and everyday debit card transactions if you authorize us to do so. You may opt in to Courtesy Overdraft with ATM and Debit Card Coverage beginning Monday, October 23, online at ucbi.com/courtesy or by contacting your banker, calling us at 1-800-UCBANK1, or visiting any United Community location.

Yes, any automatic transfers from deposit accounts or lines of credit that are set up on your United Community accounts for overdraft purposes will continue. Please refer to the United Terms and Conditions for additional information about overdraft options and fees.

There are no planned changes to your services or team you work with. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Yes, you have a six-month grace period to restructure accounts. Under FDIC rules, for at least six months after the July 1, 2023 merger date, your FNBSM accounts are separately insured from any accounts you may already have at United Community. This grace period gives you the opportunity to restructure accounts, if necessary.

Following the initial six-month period, checking and savings accounts will be insured as United Community, but Certificates of Deposit may continue to be insured separately for a longer period as described below.

Certificates of Deposit will be insured separately until the first maturity date after the end of the six-month grace period. Separate coverage may be extended based on opening and renewal dates, maturity dates, and varying terms or amounts.

The basic FDIC insurance amount is $250,000 for each depositor at each bank. If you have money in both banks, so long as your combined total (including accrued interest) is $250,000 or less, all your money is fully protected.

Even if the merger results in you having more than $250,000 in the combined deposits, you may still be fully insured. First, remember that deposits you hold in different “ownership categories”—such as joint, single, and retirement accounts—are separately insured up to $250,000. That means, for example, that after the merger, you could have up to $250,000 in single accounts and up to $250,000 in your portion of joint accounts and still be fully insured.

If you have questions about your deposit insurance, please contact us, or you can call the FDIC at 1-877-ASK-FDIC and ask to speak to a deposit insurance specialist.