SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                  FORM 12b-25

                          NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

                                  (Check One):

         [X] Form 10-K  [ ] Form 20-F  [ ] Form 10-Q  [ ] Form N-SAR

For Period  Ended:  December  31,  1996 

[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K

[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F

[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K

[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q

[ ]  Transition  Report  on Form  N-SAR 

For the Transition Period Ended:


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Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

     Nothing in this form shall be  construed to imply that the  Commission  has
verified any information contained herein.



     
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If the notification  relates to a portion of the filing checked above,  identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates: Not Applicable

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Part I -- Registrant Information
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Full Name of Registrant:                     UNITED BANCSHARES, INC.
Former Name if Applicable:                   Not Applicable
                                        
Address of Principal Executive Office 
(State and Street Number)                    714 Market Street,
                                         
City, State and Zip Code                     Philadelphia, PA 19106
                                    
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Part II -- Rules 12b-25(b) and (C)
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If the subject report could not be filed without  unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate) [X]

     (a) The reasons  described  in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;




     (b) The subject annual report,  semi-annual  report,  transition  report on
Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or
before the  fifteenth  calendar day  following  the  prescribed  due date or the
subject  quarterly report or transition  report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the fifth  calendar day following the  prescribed due
date; and [Amended in Release No. 34-26589 (para.  72,435),  effective April 12,
1989, 54 F.R. 10306.]

     (c) The accountant's  statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c]
has been attached if applicable.

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Part III -- Narrative
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State below in reasonable  detail the reasons why Form 10-K,  20-F,  11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof could not be filed within the
prescribed period.
                                                 (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed)

     The  Registrant  is in the  process  of being  audited  by its  independent
auditors,  Ernst & Young.  Due to factors beyond the control of the  Registrant,
the audit has not been  completed.  Therefore,  Ernst & Young has been unable to
complete its substantive review of the Form 10-K prepared by the Registrant. The
Form 10-K of the  Registrant  will be filed  immediately  upon the completion of
this review by Ernst & Young.

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Part IV -- Other Information
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     (1) Name and  telephone  number  of  person  to  contact  in regard to this
notification:

         Allen C. Tucci, Esquire            (215) 665-0600
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               (Name)                (Area Code) (Telephone Number)

     (2) Have all other periodic  reports  required under section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 or section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940  during the  preceding  12 months or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?  If the answer is no,
identify report(s). Not Applicable [X] Yes [ ] No

     (3) Is it anticipated that any significant  change in results of operations
from the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? NO

     If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated  change,  both  narratively
and  quantitatively,  and, if  appropriate,  state the reasons why a  reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.

                            UNITED BANCSHARES, INC.
                  (Name of Registrant as specified in charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 28, 1996

By: /s/ Emma C. Chappell
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    Dr. Emma C. Chappell
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer