8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 21, 2018

UNITED BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	0-16540	34-1405357
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

201 South 4th Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio	43935-0010
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (740) 633-0445

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company    ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On February 22, 2018, United Bancorp, Inc. issued a press release announcing the declaration by its Board of Directors on February 21, 2018 of the Company’s dividend for the first quarter of 2018, which will be payable on March 20, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2018. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibits are furnished herewith:

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
99	Registrant’s press release dated February 22, 2018

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: February 23, 2018	UNITED BANCORP, INC.
	/s/ Scott A. Everson
	Scott A. Everson, Chief Executive Officer

EX-99

EXHIBIT 99

PRESS RELEASE

United Bancorp, Inc.    201 South 4th at Hickory Street, Martins Ferry, OH 43935

Contacts: Scott A. Everson President and CEO (740) 633-0445, ext. 6154 ceo@unitedbancorp.com Randall M. Greenwood Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer (740) 633-0445, ext. 6181 cfo@unitedbancorp.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:        11:00 AM        February 22, 2018

United Bancorp, Inc. Increases Quarterly Cash Dividend Payment from $0.12 to $0.13 per Common Share Producing a Forward Yield of 4.33%

MARTINS FERRY, OHIO ◆◆◆ On February 21, 2018, the Board of Directors of United Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBCP) increased the first quarter cash dividend payment to $0.13 per common share from the previous quarterly cash dividend level of $0.12 per common share. Scott A. Everson, President and Chief Executive Officer of UBCP indicated, “Our Company’s most recent increase in the regular cash dividend payout level is in recognition of the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, which is projected to lead to an increase in the level of earnings that we realize in the current year. After increasing the regular cash dividend payout level by $0.01 in the third quarter of 2017 and paying a special cash dividend of $0.05 in the fourth quarter of 2017, this is the third consecutive quarter that our Company has either increased the regular cash dividend payout level or paid a special cash dividend to its loyal shareholders.” Everson concluded, “Returning capital to our valued shareholders through paying solid cash dividends is one of the primary focuses of our Company. At our current regular cash dividend payout level, UBCP’s dividend yield is nearly twice that presently seen within our industry.” With this increase in the first quarter cash dividend payment, UBCP will pay a regular cash dividend of $0.52 on a forward basis in 2018, which represents an increase of $0.06 per share, or 13%, over the previous year and produces a forward yield of 4.33% based on UBCP’s most recent closing price. This first quarter dividend payment will be for shareholders of record on March 9, 2018 and payable on March 20, 2018.

United Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered in Martins Ferry, Ohio and has total assets of $459.3 million and total shareholder’s equity of $43.9 million as of December 31, 2017. Through its single bank charter, Unified Bank, the Company has eighteen banking offices that serve the Ohio Counties of Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas. The Company also operates a Loan Production Office in Wheeling, WV. United Bancorp, Inc. is a part of the Russell Microcap Index and trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market tier of the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol UBCP, Cusip #909911109.