Sandy Spring Bank
SASR
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FORM 10-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Year Ended December 31, 1999

Commission File Number 0-19065
-------


SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland 52-1532952
------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland 20832
- ----------------------------------------- ---------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 774-6400.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
---------------------------------------
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO
----- -----

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

The registrant's Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the
symbol SASR. The aggregate market value of the 9,206,591 shares of Common Stock
of the registrant issued and outstanding held by nonaffiliates on March 6, 2000
was approximately $181 million based on the closing sales price of $19.625 per
share of the registrant's Common Stock on that date. For purposes of this
calculation, the term "affiliate" refers to all directors and executive officers
of the registrant.

As of the close of business on March 6, 2000, 9,619,975 shares of the
registrant's Common Stock were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Parts I and II: Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
ended December 31, 1999 (the "Annual Report").

Part III: Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 18 , 2000 (the
"Proxy Statement").
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Part I and Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking
statements, including statements of goals, intentions, and expectations,
regarding or based upon general economic conditions, interest rates,
developments in national and local markets, and other matters, and which, by
their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. Because of these
uncertainties and the assumptions on which statements in this report are based,
the actual future results may differ materially from those indicated in this
report.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp") is the one-bank holding company for
Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland (the "Bank"). Bancorp is registered as a
bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended (the "Holding Company Act"). As such, Bancorp is subject to supervision
and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve"). Bancorp began operating in 1988. The Bank traces its
origin to 1868, and is the oldest banking business based in Montgomery County,
Maryland. The Bank is independent, community oriented, and conducts a full-
service commercial banking business through 30 community offices located in
Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland and in
Fairfax County in Virginia.. The Bank is a national bank subject to supervision
and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC").
The Bank's deposit accounts are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF")
administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") to the
maximum permitted by law.

The Bank experiences substantial competition both in attracting and retaining
deposits and in making loans. Direct competition for deposits comes from other
commercial banks, savings associations, and credit unions located in the Bank's
primary market area of Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's and Anne Arundel
Counties in Maryland. Additional significant competition for deposits comes
from mutual funds and corporate and government debt securities. Sandy Spring
Insurance Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, offers annuities
as an alternative to traditional deposit accounts. Sandy Spring Mortgage
Corporation, another wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, offers residential
construction and mortgage loan products. The primary factors in competing for
loans are interest rates, loan origination fees, and the range of services
offered by lenders. Competitors for loan originations include other commercial
banks, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, savings associations, and insurance
companies. Management believes the Bank is able to compete effectively in its
primary market area.

Bancorp's and the Bank's principal executive office is at 17801 Georgia
Avenue, Olney, Maryland 20832, and its telephone number is (301) 774-6400.

Regulation, Supervision, and Governmental Policy

Following is a brief summary of certain statutes and regulations that
significantly affect Bancorp and the Bank. A number of other statutes and
regulations affect Bancorp and the Bank but are not summarized below.

Bank Holding Company Regulation. Bancorp is registered as a bank holding
-------------------------------
company under the Holding Company Act and, as such, is subject to supervision
and regulation by the Federal Reserve. As a bank holding company, Bancorp is
required to furnish to the Federal Reserve annual and quarterly reports of its
operations and additional information and reports. Bancorp is also subject to
regular examination by the Federal Reserve.

Under the Holding Company Act, a bank holding company must obtain the prior
approval of the Federal Reserve before (i) acquiring direct or indirect
ownership or control of any class of voting securities of any bank or bank
holding company if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company would
directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the class; (2) acquiring
all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company;
or (3) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.

1
Under the Holding Company Act, any company must obtain approval of the Federal
Reserve prior to acquiring control of Bancorp or the Bank. For purposes of the
Holding Company Act, "control" is defined as ownership of 25% or more of any
class of voting securities of Bancorp or the Bank, the ability to control the
election of a majority of the directors, or the exercise of a controlling
influence over management or policies of Bancorp or the Bank.

The Change in Bank Control Act and the related regulations of the Federal
Reserve require any person or persons acting in concert (except for companies
required to make application under the Holding Company Act), to file a written
notice with the Federal Reserve before the person or persons acquire control of
Bancorp or the Bank. The Change in Bank Control Act defines "control" as the
direct or indirect power to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities
or to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or an insured
bank.

The Holding Company Act also limits the investments and activities of bank
holding companies. In general, a bank holding company is prohibited from
acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting
shares of a company that is not a bank or a bank holding company or from
engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking,
managing or controlling banks, providing services for its subsidiaries, non-bank
activities that are closely related to banking, and other financially related
activities. The activities of Bancorp are subject to these legal and regulatory
limitations under the Holding Company Act and Federal Reserve regulations.

The Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999 (the "GLB Act") changed historical
restrictions on the non-bank activities of bank holding companies, and allows
affiliations between types of companies that were previously prohibited. (See
"Competition," below.) In general, bank holding companies that qualify as
financial holding companies under the GLB Act may engage in an expanded list of
non-bank activities. The GLB Act also created a new regulatory framework by
expanding the extent to which non-bank and financially related activities of
bank holding companies, including companies that become financial holding
companies under the GLB Act, are subject to regulation and oversight by
regulators other than the Federal Reserve. Many of the changes in law enacted by
the GLB Act became effective March 11, 2000, although some become effective at
later dates.

The Federal Reserve has the power to order a holding company or its
subsidiaries to terminate any activity, or to terminate its ownership or control
of any subsidiary, when it has reasonable cause to believe that the continuation
of such activity or such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the
financial safety, soundness, or stability of any bank subsidiary of that holding
company.

The Federal Reserve has adopted guidelines regarding the capital adequacy of
bank holding companies, which require bank holding companies to maintain
specified minimum ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted
assets. See "Regulatory Capital Requirements."

The Federal Reserve has the power to prohibit dividends by bank holding
companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal
Reserve has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank
holding companies, which expresses the Federal Reserve's view that a bank
holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company's
net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and
a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the company's capital
needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition.

Bank Regulation. As a national bank, the Bank is subject to the primary
---------------
supervision of the OCC under the National Bank Act. The prior approval of the
OCC is required for a national bank to establish or relocate a branch office or
to engage in any merger, consolidation, or significant purchase or sale of
assets.

The OCC regularly examines the operations and condition of the Bank,
including, but not limited to, its capital adequacy, reserves, loans,
investments, and management practices. These examinations are for the
protection of the Bank's depositors and the BIF. In addition, the Bank is
required to furnish quarterly and annual reports to the OCC. The OCC's
enforcement authority includes the power to remove officers and directors and
the authority to issue cease-and-desist orders to prevent a bank from engaging
in unsafe or unsound practices or violating laws or regulations governing its
business.

2
The OCC has adopted regulations regarding the capital adequacy of national
banks, which require national banks to maintain specified minimum ratios of
capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. See "Regulatory
Capital Requirements."

No national bank may pay dividends from its paid-in capital. All dividends
must be paid out of current or retained net profits, after deducting reserves
for losses and bad debts. The National Bank Act further restricts the payment
of dividends out of net profits by prohibiting a national bank from declaring a
dividend on its shares of common stock until the surplus fund equals the amount
of capital stock or, if the surplus fund does not equal the amount of capital
stock, until one-tenth of a bank's net profits for the preceding half year in
the case of quarterly or semi-annual dividends, or the preceding two half-year
periods in the case of annual dividends, are transferred to the surplus fund.

The approval of the OCC is required prior to the payment of a dividend if the
total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year would
exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net
profits for the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or a
fund for the retirement of any preferred stock. In addition, the Bank is
prohibited by federal statute from paying dividends or making any other capital
distribution that would cause the Bank to fail to meet its regulatory capital
requirements. Further, the OCC also has authority to prohibit the payment of
dividends by a national bank when it determines that their payment would be an
unsafe and unsound banking practice.

The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and its deposits are
insured by the FDIC to the legal maximum of $100,000 for each insured depositor.
Some of the aspects of the lending and deposit business of the Bank that are
subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC include reserve
requirements and disclosure requirements in connection with personal and
mortgage loans and deposit accounts. In addition, the Bank is subject to
numerous federal and state laws and regulations that include specific
restrictions and procedural requirements with respect to the establishment of
branches, investments, interest rates on loans, credit practices, the disclosure
of credit terms, and discrimination in credit transactions.

The Bank is subject to restrictions imposed by federal law on extensions of
credit to, and certain other transactions with, Bancorp and other affiliates,
and on investments in their stock or other securities. These restrictions
prevent Bancorp and the Bank's other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank
unless the loans are secured by specified collateral, and require those
transactions to have terms comparable to terms of arms-length transactions with
third persons. In addition, secured loans and other transactions and
investments by the Bank are generally limited in amount as to Bancorp and as to
any other affiliate to 10% of the Bank's capital and surplus and as to Bancorp
and all other affiliates together to an aggregate of 20% of the Bank's capital
and surplus. Certain exemptions to these limitations apply to extensions of
credit and other transactions between the Bank and its subsidiaries. These
regulations and restrictions may limit Bancorp's ability to obtain funds from
the Bank for its cash needs, including funds for acquisitions and for payment of
dividends, interest, and operating expenses.

Under OCC regulations, national banks must adopt and maintain written policies
that establish appropriate limits and standards for extensions of credit secured
by liens or interests in real estate or are made for the purpose of financing
permanent improvements to real estate. These policies must establish loan
portfolio diversification standards; prudent underwriting standards, including
loan-to-value limits, that are clear and measurable; loan administration
procedures; and documentation, approval, and reporting requirements. A bank's
real estate lending policy must reflect consideration of the Interagency
Guidelines for Real Estate Lending Policies (the "Interagency Guidelines")
adopted by the federal bank regulators. The Interagency Guidelines, among other
things, call for internal loan-to-value limits for real estate loans that are
not in excess of the limits specified in the Guidelines. The Interagency
Guidelines state, however, that it may be appropriate in individual cases to
originate or purchase loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of the
supervisory loan-to-value limits.

The FDIC has established a risk-based deposit insurance premium assessment
system for insured depository institutions. Under the system, the assessment
rate for an insured depository institution depends on the assessment risk
classification assigned to the institution by the FDIC, based upon the
institution's capital level and supervisory evaluations. Institutions are
assigned to one of three capital groups -- well-capitalized, adequately
capitalized, or undercapitalized -- based on the data reported to regulators.
Well-capitalized institutions are institutions satisfying the following capital
ratio standards: (i) total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater; (ii)
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage
ratio of 5.0% or greater. Adequately capitalized institutions are institutions
that do not meet the standards for well-capitalized institutions but that
satisfy the following capital ratio

3
standards: (i) total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater; (ii) Tier 1
risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage ratio of
4.0% or greater. Institutions that do not qualify as either well-capitalized or
adequately capitalized are deemed to be undercapitalized. Within each capital
group, institutions are assigned to one of three subgroups on the basis of
supervisory evaluations by the institution's primary supervisory authority and
such other information as the FDIC determines to be relevant to the
institution's financial condition and the risk it poses to the deposit insurance
fund. Subgroup A consists of financially sound institutions with only a few
minor weaknesses. Subgroup B consists of institutions with demonstrated
weaknesses that, if not corrected, could result in significant deterioration of
the institution and increased risk of loss to the deposit insurance fund.
Subgroup C consists of institutions that pose a substantial probability of loss
to the deposit insurance fund unless effective corrective action is taken. The
Bank has been informed that it is in the lowest assessment category for the
first assessment period of 2000.

Regulatory Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve and the OCC have
-------------------------------
established guidelines for maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by bank
holding companies and national banks, respectively. The regulations impose two
sets of capital adequacy requirements: minimum leverage rules, which require
bank holding companies and banks to maintain a specified minimum ratio of
capital to total assets, and risk-based capital rules, which require the
maintenance of specified minimum ratios of capital to "risk-weighted" assets.

The regulations of the Federal Reserve and the OCC require bank holding
companies and national banks, respectively, to maintain a minimum leverage ratio
of "Tier 1 capital" (as defined in the risk-based capital guidelines discussed
in the following paragraphs) to total assets of 3.0%. The capital regulations
state, however, that only the strongest bank holding companies and banks, with
composite examination ratings of 1 under the rating system used by the federal
bank regulators, would be permitted to operate at or near this minimum level of
capital. All other bank holding companies and banks are expected to maintain a
leverage ratio of at least 1% to 2% above the minimum ratio, depending on the
assessment of an individual organization's capital adequacy by its primary
regulator. A bank or bank holding company experiencing or anticipating
significant growth is expected to maintain capital well above the minimum
levels. In addition, the Federal Reserve has indicated that it also may
consider the level of an organization's ratio of tangible Tier 1 capital (after
deducting all intangibles) to total assets in making an overall assessment of
capital.

The risk-based capital rules of the Federal Reserve and the OCC require bank
holding companies and national banks to maintain minimum regulatory capital
levels based upon a weighting of their assets and off-balance sheet obligations
according to risk. The risk-based capital rules have two basic components: a
core capital (Tier 1) requirement and a supplementary capital (Tier 2)
requirement. Core capital consists primarily of common stockholders' equity,
certain perpetual preferred stock (noncumulative perpetual preferred stock with
respect to banks), and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated
subsidiaries; less all intangible assets, except for certain mortgage servicing
rights and purchased credit card relationships. Supplementary capital elements
include, subject to certain limitations, the allowance for losses on loans and
leases; perpetual preferred stock that does not qualify as Tier 1 capital; long-
term preferred stock with an original maturity of at least 20 years from
issuance; hybrid capital instruments, including perpetual debt and mandatory
convertible securities; subordinated debt, intermediate-term preferred stock,
and up to 45% of pre-tax net unrealized gains on available for sale equity
securities.

In November 1999, Sandy Spring Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust and
consolidated subsidiary of Bancorp, sold 1.4 million trust preferred securities
having a liquidation price of $25 each for a total price of $35 million. These
trust preferred securities meet the Federal Reserves regulatory criteria for
Tier 1 capital, subject to Federal Reserve guidelines that limit the amount of
trust preferred (and any cumulative perpetual preferred stock) that may be
included in Tier 1 capital to an aggregate of 25% of Tier 1 capital. Any excess
may be included as supplementary capital. See note 10 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements on page 34 of the Annual Report. Funds from the issuance of
the trust preferred securities were used for general corporate purposes,
including investment in subordinated debt of the Bank.

The risk-based capital regulations assign balance sheet assets and credit
equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet obligations to one of four broad risk
categories based principally on the degree of credit risk associated with the
obligor. The assets and off-balance sheet items in the four risk categories are
weighted at 0%, 20%, 50% and 100%. These computations result in the total risk-
weighted assets.

The risk-based capital regulations require all banks and bank holding
companies to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to

4
total risk-weighted assets of 8%, with at least 4% as core capital. For the
purpose of calculating these ratios: (i) supplementary capital is limited to no
more than 100% of core capital; and (ii) the aggregate amount of certain types
of supplementary capital is limited. In addition, the risk-based capital
regulations limit the allowance for loan losses that may be included in capital
to 1.25% of total risk-weighted assets.

The federal bank regulatory agencies, including the OCC, have established a
joint policy regarding the evaluation of commercial banks' capital adequacy for
interest rate risk. Under the policy, the OCC's assessment of a bank's capital
adequacy includes an assessment of the bank's exposure to adverse changes in
interest rates. The OCC has determined to rely on its examination process for
such evaluations rather than on standardized measurement systems or formulas.
The OCC may require banks that are found to have a high level of interest rate
risk exposure or weak interest rate risk management systems to take corrective
actions. Management believes its interest rate risk management systems and its
capital relative to its interest rate risk are adequate.

Federal banking regulations also require banks with significant trading assets
or liabilities to maintain supplemental risk-based capital based upon their
levels of market risk. The Bank did not have significant levels of trading
assets or liabilities during 1999, and was not required to maintain such
supplemental capital.

The OCC has established regulations that classify national banks by capital
levels and provide for the OCC to take various "prompt corrective actions" to
resolve the problems of any bank that fails to satisfy the capital standards.
Under these regulations, a well-capitalized bank is one that is not subject to
any regulatory order or directive to meet any specific capital level and that
has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or more, a Tier 1 risk-based capital
ratio of 6% or more, and a leverage ratio of 5% or more. An adequately
capitalized bank is one that does not qualify as well-capitalized but meets or
exceeds the following capital requirements: a total risk-based capital ratio of
8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4%, and a leverage ratio of either (i)
4% or (ii) 3% if the bank has the highest composite examination rating. A bank
that does not meet these standards is categorized as undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized, depending on its
capital levels. A national bank that falls within any of the three
undercapitalized categories established by the prompt corrective action
regulation is subject to severe regulatory sanctions. As of December 31, 1999,
the Bank was well-capitalized as defined in the OCC's regulations.

For information regarding Bancorp's and the Bank's compliance with their
respective regulatory capital requirements, see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis -- Capital Management on page 18 of the Annual Report and "Note 21 -
Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on
page 44 of the Annual Report.

Supervision and Regulation of Mortgage Banking Operations

Bancorp's mortgage banking business is subject to the rules and regulations of
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), the Federal
Housing Administration ("FHA"), the Veterans' Administration ("VA"), and FNMA
with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans.
Those rules and regulations, among other things, prohibit discrimination and
establish underwriting guidelines which include provisions for inspections and
appraisals, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, and fix maximum
loan amounts. Lenders such as Bancorp are required annually to submit to FNMA,
FHA and VA audited financial statements, and each regulatory entity has its own
financial requirements. Bancorp's affairs are also subject to examination by
the Federal Reserve, FNMA, FHA and VA at all times to assure compliance with the
applicable regulations, policies and procedures. Mortgage origination
activities are subject to, among others, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act,
Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Fair Housing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, the
National Flood Insurance Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and
related regulations that prohibit discrimination and require the disclosure of
certain basic information to mortgagors concerning credit terms and settlement
costs. Bancorp's mortgage banking operations also are affected by various state
and local laws and regulations and the requirements of various private mortgage
investors.

Competition

The Bank's principal competitors for deposits are other financial
institutions, including other banks, credit unions, and savings institutions.
Competition among these institutions is based primarily on interest rates and
other terms offered, service charges imposed on deposit accounts, the quality of
services rendered, and the convenience of banking facilities. Additional
competition for depositors'

5
funds comes from U.S. Government securities, private issuers of debt obligations
and suppliers of other investment alternatives for depositors, such as
securities firms. Competition from credit unions has intensified in recent years
as historical federal limits on membership have been relaxed. Because federal
law subsidizes credit unions by giving them a general exemption from federal
income taxes, credit unions have a significant cost advantage over banks and
savings associations, which are fully subject to federal income taxes. Credit
unions may use this advantage to offer rates that are highly competitive with
those offered by banks and thrifts.

The banking business in Maryland generally, and the Bank's primary service
areas specifically, are highly competitive with respect to both loans and
deposits. As noted above, the Bank competes with many larger banking
organizations that have offices over a wide geographic area. These larger
institutions have certain inherent advantages, such as the ability to finance
wide-ranging advertising campaigns and promotions and to allocate their
investment assets to regions offering the highest yield and demand. They also
offer services, such as international banking, that are not offered directly by
the Bank (but are available indirectly through correspondent institutions), and,
by virtue of their larger total capitalization, such banks have substantially
higher legal lending limits, which are based on bank capital, than does the
Bank. The Bank can arrange loans in excess of its lending limit, or in excess
of the level of risk it desires to take, by arranging participations with other
banks. Other entities, both governmental and in private industry, raise capital
through the issuance and sale of debt and equity securities and indirectly
compete with the Bank in the acquisition of deposits.

In addition to competing with other commercial banks, credit unions and
savings associations, commercial banks such as the Bank compete with nonbank
institutions for funds. For instance, yields on corporate and government debt
and equity securities affect the ability of commercial banks to attract and hold
deposits. Commercial banks also compete for available funds with mutual funds.
These mutual funds have provided substantial competition to banks for deposits,
and it is anticipated they will continue to do so in the future.

The Holding Company Act permits the Federal Reserve to approve an application
of an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company to
acquire control of, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, a bank
located in a state other than that holding company's home state. The Federal
Reserve may not approve the acquisition of a bank that has not been in existence
for the minimum time period (not exceeding five years) specified by the
statutory law of the host state. The Holding Company Act also prohibits the
Federal Reserve from approving an application if the applicant (and its
depository institution affiliates) controls or would control more than 10% of
the insured deposits in the United States or 30% or more of the deposits in the
target bank's home state or in any state in which the target bank maintains a
branch. The Holding Company Act does not affect the authority of states to
limit the percentage of total insured deposits in the state which may be held or
controlled by a bank or bank holding company to the extent such limitation does
not discriminate against out-of-state banks or bank holding companies.

Federal banking laws also authorize the federal banking agencies to approve
interstate merger transactions without regard to whether such transactions are
prohibited by the law of any state, unless the home state of one of the banks
expressly prohibits merger transactions involving out-of-state banks. The State
of Maryland allows out-of-state financial institutions to merge with Maryland
banks and to establish branches in Maryland, subject to certain limitations.

The GLB Act permits the creation of a new type of regulated entity, the
financial holding company, that can offer a broad range of financial products.
These new financial holding companies may engage in banking as well as types of
securities, insurance, and other financial activities that had been prohibited
for bank holding companies under prior law. The GLB Act also permits banks with
or without holding companies to establish and operate financial subsidiaries
that may engage in most financial activities in which financial holding
companies may engage. Competition may increase as bank holding companies and
other large financial service companies take advantage of the new activities and
provide a wider array of products. By removing historical restrictions on
affiliations between banks and certain types of companies, the GLB Act expands
the number of potential acquirors of existing banks and bank holding companies,
and makes it possible for bank holding companies to acquire new types of
existing businesses.

6
Employees

As of January 31, 2000, Bancorp and the Bank employed 512 persons, including
executive officers, loan and other banking and trust officers, branch personnel,
and others. None of Bancorp's or the Bank's employees is represented by a union
or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Management of Bancorp and
the Bank consider their employee relations to be excellent.

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of
Bancorp and the Bank who are not directors.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age (1) Principal Position(s)
- ---- ------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James R. Farmer 48 Senior Vice President of the Bank

Ronald E. Kuykendall 47 Vice President and Secretary of Bancorp and
Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Bank

James H. Langmead 50 Vice President and Treasurer of Bancorp and
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank

Lawrence T. Lewis 51 Executive Vice President of the Bank

Stanley L. Merson 43 President, Sandy Spring Mortgage Corporation and
Senior Vice President of the Bank

Frank H. Small 53 Executive Vice President of the Bank

Sara E. Watkins 43 Senior Vice President of the Bank
</TABLE>

- --------------------
(1) At March 22, 2000.

The principal occupation(s) and business experience of each executive officer
who is not a director for the last five years are set forth below.

James R. Farmer became a Senior Vice President of the Bank in 1994. Prior to
that, Mr. Farmer was Vice President of the Bank. Mr. Farmer has been employed
by the Bank since 1979.

Ronald E. Kuykendall became Vice President and Secretary of Bancorp and Senior
Vice President and General Counsel of the Bank in January 2000. Before joining
the Bank, Mr. Kuykendall was Associate General Counsel, Crestar Financial
Corporation from 1998 to 1999, Senior Corporate Counsel, First Union Corporation
in 1997 and, prior to that, Senior Corporate Counsel, Signet Banking
Corporation.

James H. Langmead, CPA, became Vice President and Treasurer of Bancorp, Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank in 1995, and Executive
Vice President in 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Langmead was a Senior Vice President
of the Bank (from January 1994), and Vice President and Controller of the Bank.
Prior to joining the Bank in 1992, Mr. Langmead was Executive Vice President of
the Bank of Baltimore.

Lawrence T. Lewis began his employment with the Bank in 1996 as Senior Vice
President, and became Executive Vice President in 1997. From January 1984 to
December 1995, Mr. Lewis was a managing director of Clark Melvin Securities
Corporation.

7
Stanley L. Merson has been a Senior Vice President of the Bank since 1991 and
was Vice President of the Commercial Loan Department prior to becoming Senior
Vice President. He became President of Sandy Spring Mortgage Corporation upon
its formation in 1997. Mr. Merson has been employed by the Bank since 1982.

Frank H. Small became a Senior Vice President of the Bank in 1994, and
Executive Vice President in 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Small was Vice President
of the Bank. Before joining the Bank in 1990, Mr. Small was Vice President in
charge of branch operations at Equitable Bank, N.A.

Sara E. Watkins became a Senior Vice President of the Bank in 1997. Prior to
that, Ms. Watkins was Vice President and Branch Administrator of the Bank (from
June 1994) and Vice President and Region Manager of the Bank (from April 1992).

Tabular Financial Information

Loan Maturity Table. The following table sets forth information as of
December 31, 1999, regarding the loan maturities and interest rate sensitivity
for real estate-construction and commercial loans (dollars in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years
--------------------------------------
1 or Less Over 1-5 Over 5 Total
--------- -------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>

Real Estate - Construction.. $ 74,490 $ 2,487 $ 0 $ 76,977
Commercial.................. 56,026 30,425 6,223 92,674
-------- ------- ------ --------
Total..................... $130,516 $32,912 $6,223 $169,651
======== ======= ====== ========

Rate Terms:
Fixed..................... $ 37,587 $30,301 $6,223 $ 74,111
Variable or adjustable.... 92,929 2,611 0 95,540
-------- ------- ------ --------
Total................... $130,516 $32,912 $6,223 $169,651
======== ======= ====== ========
</TABLE>

8
Credit Loss Allowance Table.  The following table presents the allocation of
the allowance for credit losses for the past five years, along with the
percentage of total loans in each category (dollars in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Amount Loan Mix Amount Loan Mix Amount Loan Mix Amount Loan Mix Amount Loan Mix
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Amount applicable to:
Real estate--mortgage $ 766 57% $1,095 58% $1,213 58% $ 425 60% $ 512 61%
Real estate-- 331 9 210 12 224 11 745 9 10 9
construction
Consumer 335 22 201 18 215 18 193 18 181 18
Commercial 637 12 706 12 774 13 1,015 13 907 12
Unallocated 6,162 5,138 4,590 4,013 4,987
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total allowance for $8,231 $7,350 $7,016 $6,391 $6,597
Credit losses ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>

The Company's policies and practices regarding the allowance for credit
losses, including factors regularly analyzed by management in evaluating the
sufficiency of the allowance, are disclosed in the discussion of Credit Risk
Management on pages 19 and 20 in Notes 1 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements beginning on page 28 of the Annual Report. (See also the
discussion of loan portfolio composition and trends on pages 16 and 17 of the
Annual Report.) The amount of unallocated allowance for credit losses increased
to 74.9% of the total allowance at December 31, 1999, from 69.9% a year earlier.
The percentage was 65.4% at December 31, 1997. The size of the unallocated
reserve at December 31, 1999 reflects management's assessment of actual loss
residing in the loan portfolio which has not been specifically attributed to any
category of loans.

The tabular financial information set forth on pages 9 through 23 of the
Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

Page 7 of the Annual Report (listing executive and community offices) is
hereby incorporated by reference.

9
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Note 18 on page 40 of the Annual Report ("Litigation") is hereby incorporated
by reference.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1999, through solicitation of proxies or otherwise.


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The sections titled "Recent Stock Prices and Dividends" and "Quarterly Stock
Information" on page 9 of the Annual Report is hereby incorporated by reference.

For information regarding regulatory restrictions on the Bank's and,
therefore, Bancorp's payment of dividends, see Note 11 -- "Stockholders' Equity"
on page 35 of the Annual Report, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The table titled "Historical Trends in Financial Data 1995 - 1999" on page 11
of the Annual Report is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Pages 10 through 23 of the Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The section titled "Market Risk Management" on pages 21 and 22 of the Annual
Report is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Pages 24 through 46 of the Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference.
The remaining information appearing in the Annual Report to Shareholders is not
deemed to be filed as part of this Report, except as expressly provided herein.

ITEM 9. CHANGES AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

10
PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information regarding directors and nominees for directors of Bancorp and
compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is included
under the captions titled "Election of Directors -- Information as to Nominees
and Continuing Directors" on pages 3 through 5 of the Proxy Statement, and
"Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934" on page
14 of the Proxy Statement, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Information concerning the executive officers of Bancorp is included under the
caption titled "Item 1. Business -- Executive Officers" of this report and is
hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information regarding the compensation of Bancorp's directors and executive
officers is included under the captions "Corporate Governance and Other
Matters," "Executive Compensation," "Report of the Human Resources Committee,"
and "Stock Performance Comparisons" on pages 4 through 13 of the Proxy
Statement, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Information regarding beneficial ownership of Bancorp's common stock by
certain beneficial owners and directors and executive officers of Bancorp is
included under the caption "Stock Ownership of Management" on page of the
Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions with
management is included under the caption "Transactions and Relationships with
Management" on page 2 of the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by
reference.


PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) The following consolidated financial statements of Bancorp included in the
Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1999, are
incorporated herein by reference in Item 8 of this Report. The remaining
information appearing in the Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed to
be filed as part of this Report, except as expressly provided herein.

The following financial statements are filed as a part of this report:

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and 1999

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1998 and 1999

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1997,

11
1998 and 1999

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Auditors

All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required
information is either inapplicable or included in the consolidated financial
statements or related notes.

The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description Incorporated by Reference to:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
3(a) Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., as Amended ended June 30, 1996, SEC File No. 0-19065.

3(b) Bylaws of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated May 13, 1992,
SEC File No. 0-19065.

10(a)* Amended and Restated Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., Exhibit 10(a) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
0-19065.

10(b)* Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. 1982 Incentive Stock Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-Q for the quarter
Option Plan ended June 30, 1990, SEC File No. 0-19065.

10(c)* Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10(i) to Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1991, SEC File No.
0-19065.

10(d)* Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement on Form
Stock Option Plan for Employees of Annapolis S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-11049.
Bancshares, Inc.

10(e)* Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement on Form
S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-81249.

10(f)* Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland Executive Exhibit 10(g) to Form 10-K for the year
Health Insurance Plan ended December 31, 1991, SEC File No.
0-19065.

10(g)* Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland Executive Exhibit 10(k) to Form 10-K for the year
Health Expense Reimbursement Plan ended December 31, 1991, SEC File No.
0-19065.

10(h)* Form of Director Fee Deferral Agreement, Exhibit 10(b) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
August 26, 1997 ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
0-19065.
</TABLE>

12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description Incorporated by Reference to:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10(i)* Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement by Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
and Between Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland and Hunter R. Hollar 0-19065.

10(j)* Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Exhibit 10(d) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Agreement by and between Sandy Spring National ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Bank of Maryland and each of James H. Langmead, 0-19065.
Lawrence T. Lewis, Stanley L. Merson, Frank H.
Small, and Sara E. Watkins

10(k)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(e) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland, and Hunter H. Hollar 0-19065.

10(l)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(f) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland, and James H. Langmead 0-19065.

10(m)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(g) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland, and Lawrence T. Lewis 0-19065.

10(n)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(h) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland, and Stanley L. Merson 0-19065.

10(o)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(i) to Form 10-Q for the Quarter
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended September 30, 1997, SEC File No.
Maryland, and Frank H. Small 0-19065.

10(p)* Employment Agreement by and among Sandy Spring Exhibit 10(o) to Form 10-K for the year
Bancorp, Inc., Sandy Spring National Bank of ended December 31, 1998, SEC File No.
Maryland, and Sara E. Watkins 0-19065.

13 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders

21 Subsidiaries

23 Consent of Independent Auditors

24 Power of Attorney

27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

* Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement filed pursuant to
Item 14(c) of this Report.

(b) No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three-month period
ended December 31, 1999.

(c) Exhibits to this Form 10-K are attached or incorporated by reference as
stated above.

(d) None.

13
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
(Registrant)


By: /s/ Hunter R. Hollar
--------------------
Hunter R. Hollar
President and
Chief Executive Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 22, 2000.

Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and
Director: Accounting Officer:


/s/ Hunter R. Hollar /s/ James H. Langmead
- -------------------- ---------------------
Hunter R. Hollar James H. Langmead
President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President and Treasurer


A majority of the directors of Bancorp executed a power of attorney appointing
Theresa A. Cornish as their attorney-in-fact, empowering her to sign this report
on their behalf. This power of attorney has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Part IV, Exhibit 24 of this Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999. This report has been signed below by such attorney-in-
fact as of March 22, 2000.

Signature Title
- --------- -----

/s/ John Chirtea Director
- -----------------------------
John Chirtea

/s/ Susan D. Goff Director
- -----------------------------
Susan D. Goff

/s/ Solomon Graham Director
- -----------------------------
Solomon Graham

/s/ Gilbert L. Hardesty Director
- -----------------------------
Gilbert L. Hardesty

/s/ Joyce R. Hawkins Director
- -----------------------------
Joyce R. Hawkins

14
/s/ Thomas O. Keech                           Director
- -----------------------------
Thomas O. Keech

/s/ Charles F. Mess Director
- -----------------------------
Charles F. Mess

Director
- -----------------------------
Robert L. Mitchell

/s/ Robert L. Orndorff, Jr. Director
- -----------------------------
Robert L. Orndorff, Jr.

/s/ David E. Rippeon Director
- -----------------------------
David E. Rippeon

/s/ Lewis R. Schumann Director
- -----------------------------
Lewis R. Schumann

/s/ W. Drew Stabler Chairman of the Board,
- ----------------------------- Director
W. Drew Stabler



By: /s/ Theresa A. Cornish
------------------------------------
Attorney-in-Fact for Majority of the
Directors of Bancorp

15