On Tuesday, United Community Banks Inc. became the third Georgia-based bank to participate in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. The banking company relied on longtime counsel at Kilpatrick Stockton, including partner Richard Cheatham and associate James Stevens, for advice on participating in the program, according to the law firm.

United will issue $180 million of senior preferred stock to the Treasury, along with warrants to purchase $27 million in common stock, according to a news release. United said it will use the capital to expand lending and consider possible bank acquisitions.

In addition to United, SunTrust Banks Inc. and Synovus Financial Corp. are also participating in the Treasury program. SunTrust was approved to receive $3.5 billion and Synovus was approved for $973 million.

Headquartered in Blairsville, United Community Banks is the third-largest Georgia-based bank holding company, after SunTrust and Synovus. United operates 27 community banks, with 108 offices, in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.