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): August 29, 2011

United Community Banks, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-21656 (Commission File Number) No. 58-180-7304 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

63 Highway 515, P.O. Box 398

Blairsville, Georgia  30512

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (706) 781-2265

Not applicable

(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:

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

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

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

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

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Agreements of Certain Officers. 

(b) On August 29, 2011, Guy Freeman, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of United Community Banks, Inc. (the “Company”) announced his plan to resign from this position with the Company effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Freeman’s decision to retire was not a result of any disagreement between Mr. Freeman and the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

The text of the Company’s press release related to this announcement is set forth as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 2, 2011.

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.

/s/Rex S. Schuette

Rex S. Schuette

Executive Vice President and

Chief Executive Officer

Date: September 2, 2011

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

September 2, 2011

For more information:	Rex S. Schuette
	Chief Financial Officer
	706-781-2265
	rex_schuette@ucbi.com

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. ANNOUNCES

RETIREMENT OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

BLAIRSVILLE, GA, September 2, 2011 – United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Guy W. Freeman has announced his intention to retire from the company effective January 1, 2012.  Freeman is responsible for managing the activities of United’s community banks, operations, technology, and human resources.

“Guy Freeman is a 45-year banking veteran and one of the finest our industry has ever seen,” commented Jimmy Tallent, United’s president and chief executive officer.  “Since joining United in 1994, Guy has been a key member of management and will be missed both professionally and personally.  At this time, we do not plan to replace this position but will redistribute his responsibilities within existing senior management before year-end.”

About United Community Banks, Inc.

Headquartered in Blairsville, United Community Banks is the third-largest bank holding company in Georgia. United Community Banks has assets of $7.4 billion and operates 27 community banks with 106 banking offices located throughout north Georgia, the Atlanta region, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina and east Tennessee. The Company specializes in providing personalized community banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses. United Community Banks also offers the convenience of 24-hour access through a network of ATMs, telephone and on-line banking. United Community Banks common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol UCBI. Additional information may be found at the Company’s web site at www.ucbi.com.

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