Contact: Sameera Jordan
Media Relations Manager
Sameera.Jordan@BankWithUnited.com

MYRTLE BEACH, SC  – United Bank recently promoted Douglas Ernest, Jr. to president of its Myrtle Beach Market. In this role, Ernest will lead strategic efforts to drive commercial and retail production while ensuring the profitability and sustained growth of the market. Additionally, Ernest will play a pivotal leadership role in managing public relations efforts in Myrtle Beach, while also representing United Bank in the community through active participation in civic affairs and professional organizations.

“Not many banks still maintain the local responsiveness and deep relationships that you can expect from United, and I think that is what makes us stand out,” said Ernest. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow with the Bank as I step into this new leadership role. I have spent my entire career with United, and I hope to spend many more years serving our customers and the Myrtle Beach community.”

The Myrtle Beach Market comprises eight United Bank locations across the Grand Strand, encompassing Horry and Georgetown counties. As market president, Ernest will continue to be based at the Bank’s 38th Avenue North office.

Ernest has 10 years of experience in the banking industry, all with United Bank. He began his career as a part-time teller while enrolled at West Virginia University and participated in the summer internship program after his junior and senior years. After graduation, he accepted a full-time role as a credit analyst in the Bank’s Morgantown, West Virginia Market, followed by a promotion to commercial portfolio manager. Ernest was also one of 30 employees selected for United’s competitive four-year Leadership Development Program, where he contributed to key initiatives across the Bank, including chairing the program’s Employee Development Committee, assisting with the Bank’s implementation and execution of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) efforts during the pandemic, and helping onboard the Bank’s new class of interns each summer.

Following United’s 2020 acquisition of Carolina Financial Corporation, the parent company of CresCom Bank, Ernest was chosen as one of United’s legacy employees to relocate to Myrtle Beach to help establish United’s presence in the new market.

In 2024, Ernest was promoted to commercial banker, the role he held prior to being named market president. His leadership and contributions to the Myrtle Beach community have been recognized with recent accolades such as B2B: The Grand Strand’s 2025 Best and Brightest 35 and Under awards.

Jerry “JJ” Jenerette, the former Myrtle Beach Market President, will retire after 14 years with United Bank. During his 40-year-long banking career, he has become an integral part of the local Myrtle Beach community through various leadership roles at Wachovia Bank, Carolina First Bank, CresCom Bank, and United. He will remain at United Bank in a business development capacity through early 2026.

“Since joining the team in Myrtle Beach, Douglas has proven to be a dedicated and impactful leader, and a bright spot in our community. He has worked tirelessly to maintain and build new relationships with customers and has shown exactly what it means to serve your local community,” said United Bank Regional President Marshall Cooper. “The market has thrived under the leadership of Jerry Jenerette, and we are deeply grateful for his several decades of service. He has represented the best of United Bank, and we’re confident Douglas will continue that legacy as our new market president.”

Ernest is active in numerous community and business organizations. He regularly supports Shriners Hospitals for Children and is a volunteer reader at Myrtle Beach Elementary School, where his wife, Scottie, is a fifth-grade teacher. Ernest is also a Rotarian – and former Rookie Rotarian of the Year – for the Chicora Rotary Club and is currently a member of the Grand Strand Young Professionals organization and a former member of its Steering Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Myrtle Beach Business Network International Chapter and the president of the WVU Alumni Association’s Grand Strand Chapter.

Ernest earned a BSBA in marketing with a concentration in professional sales from West Virginia University and is currently in his final year at the SC Bankers Association Bankers School at the University of South Carolina. He and his wife live in Carolina Forest.

ABOUT UNITED BANK

United Bank is a premier community bank and a subsidiary of United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI). United has consolidated assets of approximately $33 billion with over 240 offices located across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as Washington D.C. The Bank is dedicated to growing the relationships it has built since 1839 and offering a competitive suite of banking and lending products, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, personal and business credit cards, and more.  Learn more about United Bank.