Verity & Verity Bets on Atlantic Union: A Wry Smile in Turbulent Times

Verity & Verity, LLC has acquired 115,245 additional shares of Atlantic Union Bankshares (AUB 0.32%), a transaction valued at approximately $3.92 million, as disclosed in their October 21, 2025 SEC filing. One might call this optimism; others might call it a charming disregard for arithmetic.

What Transpired

On October 21, 2025, the aforementioned firm filed paperwork with the SEC revealing a rather enthusiastic acquisition spree. Their holdings in Atlantic Union now total 504,420 shares-worth $17.80 million, though one suspects the accountants might prefer not to dwell on the math. The transaction, priced at an average Q3 2025 closing rate, might be described as “bold” if one avoids adjectives like “quixotic.”

Additional Observations

This was not a sale, which in institutional investing circles qualifies as a minor revolution. The AUB position now constitutes 1.42% of Verity & Verity’s 13F reportable AUM-a figure that might prompt raised eyebrows among those who track such things with spreadsheets and smelling salts.

Post-filing portfolio highlights include:

  • NASDAQ:AVGO: $69.37 million (5.6% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
  • NYSE:ABBV: $40.14 million (3.2% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
  • NASDAQ:MSFT: $39.27 million (3.1% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
  • NYSE:JPM: $39.13 million (3.13% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
  • NYSE:RTX: $35.77 million (2.86% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025

Shares closed at $34.32 on October 20, 2025-a 5.2% decline year-over-year. One might say the stock has been playing the violin while the market dances a waltz, underperforming the S&P 500 by 25.99 percentage points. A tragic aria, but perhaps not one for the grand opera house.

Company Profile

Metric Value
Price (as of market close 2025-10-20) $34.32
Market capitalization $4.88 billion
Revenue (TTM) $1.64 billion
Net income (TTM) $203.81 million

Operational Essence

Atlantic Union Bankshares operates as a regional bank holding company across the Mid-Atlantic, offering a full complement of financial services. Their business model-net interest income from loans and deposits, supplemented by wealth management fees-might be described as “traditional” if one avoids words like “stagnant.”

With branches across Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, they cater to both retail and commercial clients. One imagines their boardroom discussions involve more spreadsheets than champagne, though both doubtless feature in private offices.

Market Commentary

Verity & Verity’s increased stake suggests institutional confidence in Atlantic Union’s ability to navigate choppy waters. Or perhaps they simply enjoy the thrill of watching share prices plummet like a debutante’s reputation at a garden party.

This purchase arrives as Atlantic Union shares have generated a (7%) total return year-to-date-a performance that makes the S&P 500’s 15% gain seem almost vulgar. Even regional bank peers have outperformed; the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) has managed a 2% return, leaving Atlantic Union in the dust like yesterday’s cigarette ash.

While institutional faith is always charming, retail investors might find greater comfort in ETFs. The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF offers diversified exposure with a 2.6% dividend yield-like a steady dance partner who won’t tread on your toes. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) boasts heavyweights like Bank of America and Visa, while the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) caters to those who prefer banking institutions as one might prefer gin: neat and uncompromising.

In conclusion, this transaction represents a single vote of confidence in Atlantic Union’s prospects. For those preferring less drama than a Coward play, however, financial sector ETFs offer a more civilized alternative. One might even say they’re the difference between a well-mixed martini and a bottle of questionable absinthe. 🎩

Glossary

13F reportable AUM: The assets an institutional investor must disclose to the SEC, lest their portfolio become a mystery novel with spreadsheets.
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total value of client investments, often measured in numbers that make accountants weep.
Alpha: The measure of outperformance, or the distance between brilliance and mediocrity on a particularly bad day.
Dividend yield: The annual dividend divided by share price-a mathematical equation that sometimes produces actual cash.
Trailing twelve months (TTM): The last 12 months of financial data, because investors enjoy analyzing the past as if it predicts the future.
Net interest income: The profit from lending activities minus deposit costs, which explains why bankers drink.
Fee-based income: Revenue from services like wealth management, where the wealthy pay to be told their money is safe.
Regional bank holding company: A financial institution that controls banks in a specific geographic area, often with dramatic flair.
Stake: The percentage of ownership in a company, which may or may not indicate wisdom.
Buy: Increasing one’s position in a security, which is finance-speak for “gambling with larger chips.”
Top holdings: The largest investments in a portfolio, typically ranked by value or the frequency with which they cause insomnia.
Market capitalization: Share price multiplied by shares outstanding-a number that fluctuates like a debutante’s mood.

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2025-10-23 15:53