Sandy Spring Bank
SASR
#5831
Rank
S$1.61 B
Marketcap
S$35.77
Share price
1.27%
Change (1 day)
18.59%
Change (1 year)
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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, 1995

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
incorporation or organization) or No.)

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 not regularly and actively traded in any
established market. The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-
affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the price ($36.75 per
share) at which the stock was sold on March 11, 1996, was approximately
$152,025,820. 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 11, 1996, 4,365,284 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, 1995 (the "Annual Report").

Part III: Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on April 17, 1996 (the "Proxy Statement").

Page 1 of __ Pages Exhibit Index at Page __
PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp") is a 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 the
supervision of and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the "FRB"). Bancorp commenced operations 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 17 community offices located in
Montgomery and Howard counties in Maryland. The Bank is subject to the
supervision of and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(the "OCC"). The Bank's savings and deposit accounts are insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund 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 savings deposits and in the making of mortgage and other loans.
Direct competition for savings deposits comes from savings institutions, other
commercial banks and credit unions located in the Bank's primary market area of
Montgomery and Howard Counties in Maryland. Additional significant competition
for savings deposits comes from mutual funds and corporate and government debt
securities. As an alternative to traditional deposit accounts, annuities are
offered through Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Bank. The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates and
loan origination fees and the range of services offered by the various financial
institutions. Competition for origination of real estate and other loans
normally comes from thrift institutions, other commercial banks, mortgage
bankers, mortgage brokers 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

The following is a brief summary of certain statutes, rules and regulations
affecting Bancorp and the Bank. A number of other statutes and regulations have
an impact on their operations. The following summary of applicable statutes and
regulations does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such statutes and regulations.

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 FRB. As a bank holding company, Bancorp is required to
furnish to the FRB annual and quarterly reports of its operations at the end of
each period and to furnish such additional information as the FRB may require
pursuant to the Holding Company Act. Bancorp is also subject to regular
examination by the FRB.

Under the Holding Company Act, a bank holding company must obtain the prior
approval of the FRB before (i) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control
of any voting shares of any bank or bank holding company if, after such
acquisition, the bank holding company would directly or indirectly own or
control more than 5% of such shares; (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.

2
The Holding Company Act, as amended by the Riegle-Neal Act, however,
permits the FRB, effective September 29, 1995, to approve interstate bank
acquisitions by bank holding companies. See "Competition."

Under the Holding Company Act, any company must obtain approval of the FRB
prior to acquiring control of Bancorp or the Bank. For purposes of the Holding
Company Act, "control" is defined as ownership of more than 25% 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 regulations of the FRB thereunder
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 FRB before such person or persons may acquire control of Bancorp or the
Bank. The Change in Bank Control Act defines "control" as the power, directly
or indirectly, to vote 25% or more of any voting securities or to direct the
management or policies of a bank holding company or an insured bank.

The Holding Company Act also prohibits, with certain exceptions, a bank
holding company 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, or providing services for its
subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve certain
non-bank activities which, by statute or by FRB regulation or order, have been
identified as activities closely related to the business of banking or managing
or controlling banks. The activities of Bancorp are subject to these legal and
regulatory limitations under the Holding Company Act and the FRB's regulations
thereunder. Notwithstanding the FRB's prior approval of specific nonbanking
activities, the FRB 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 FRB 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 FRB has the power to prohibit dividends by bank holding companies if
their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The FRB has issued a
policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies,
which expresses the FRB'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 earning retention that
is consistent with the company's capital needs, asset quality, and overall
financial condition.

As a bank holding company, Bancorp is required to give the FRB notice of
any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross
consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net
consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12
months, is equal to 10% or more of Bancorp's consolidated net worth. The FRB
may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal
would violate any law, regulation, FRB order, directive, or any condition
imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB.

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 an additional
branch office or to engage in any merger, consolidation or significant purchase
or sale of assets.

The OCC regularly examines the operations of the Bank, including but not
limited to capital adequacy, reserves, loans, investments and management
practices. These examinations are for the protection of the Bank's depositors
and not its shareholders. 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

3
issue cease-and-desist orders to prevent a bank from engaging in unsafe or
unsound practices or violating laws or regulations governing its business.

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."

Pursuant to the National Bank Act, 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 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 such payment to 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 FRB and the FDIC include reserve requirements and
disclosure requirements in connection with personal and mortgage loans and
savings deposit accounts. In addition, the Bank is subject to numerous federal
and state laws and regulations which set forth 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 the stock or other securities thereof. Such restrictions
prevent Bancorp and such other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless
the loans are secured by specified collateral, and require such transactions to
have terms comparable to terms of arms-length transactions with third persons.
Further, such 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
to an aggregate of 20% of the Bank's capital and surplus. 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 an OCC regulation that became effective March 19, 1993, national
banks must adopt and maintain written policies that establish appropriate limits
and standards for extensions of credit that are 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") that have been adopted by the federal
bank regulators. The Interagency Guidelines, among other things, call upon
depository institutions to establish internal loan-to-value limits for real
estate loans that are not in excess of the loan-to-value limits specified in the
Guidelines for the various types of real estate loans. 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.

4
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, which is determined by
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 for
the date closest to the last day of the seventh month preceding the semi-annual
assessment period. 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 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. Undercapitalized institutions consist of institutions that do not
qualify as either well-capitalized or adequately capitalized institutions.
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 posed to the deposit
insurance fund. Subgroup A consists of financially sound institutions with only
a few minor weaknesses. Subgroup B consists of institutions that demonstrate
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. For
the semi-annual period beginning June 30, 1995, the assessment rate for
institutions, such as the Bank, with deposits insured by the Bank Insurance Fund
of the FDIC was lowered to between 0.04% and .31% of insured deposits from 0.23%
to 0.31% of insured deposits and was subsequently reduced to the statutory
minimum of $1,000 for the most highly rated banks for the semi-annual period
beginning January 1, 1996. The Bank was notified that its assessment rate for
the first six months of 1996 is the $1,000 statutory minimum.

Supervision, regulation and examination of the Bank and Bancorp by the bank
regulatory agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors
rather than for holders of Bank or Bancorp stock.

Regulatory Capital Requirements. The FRB and the OCC have established
-------------------------------
guidelines with respect to the 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 FRB 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%. Although setting a minimum 3.0%
leverage ratio, the capital regulations state 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 such 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. Any bank or bank holding company
experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain
capital well above the minimum levels. In addition, the FRB has indicated that
whenever appropriate, and in particular when a bank holding company is
undertaking expansion, seeking to engage in new activities or otherwise facing
unusual or abnormal risks, it will consider, on a case-by-case basis, 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 FRB and the OCC require bank holding
companies and state member 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

5
stockholders' equity, certain perpetual preferred stock (which must be
noncumulative with respect to banks), and minority interests in the equity
accounts of consolidated subsidiaries; less all intangible assets, except for
certain purchased 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 and 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; and
subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock.

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

The federal bank regulatory agencies, including the OCC, have proposed to
revise their risk-based capital requirements to ensure that such requirements
provide for explicit consideration by commercial banks of interest rate risk.
Under the proposed rule, a bank's interest rate risk exposure would be
quantified using either the measurement system set forth in the proposal or the
bank's internal model for measuring such exposure, if such model is determined
to be adequate by the bank's examiner. If the dollar amount of a bank's
interest rate risk exposure, as measured under either measurement system,
exceeds 1% of the bank's total assets, the bank would be required under the
proposed rule to hold additional capital equal to the dollar amount of the
excess. Management of the Bank does not believe that adoption of the proposed
rule would have a material adverse effect on the required levels of capital.
The proposed interest rate risk component rule would not apply to bank holding
companies on a consolidated basis.

The OCC has issued final regulations which classify national banks by
capital levels and which 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 such 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 or exceeds the following capital levels: a total risk-based capital
ratio of 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%, and a leverage ratio of
5%. 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 not meeting these criteria is treated as
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized
depending on the extent to which the bank's capital levels are below these
standards. A national bank that falls within any of the three undercapitalized
categories established by the prompt corrective action regulation will be
subject to severe regulatory sanctions. As of December 31, 1995, the Bank was
well-capitalized as defined by 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 and Capital Ratios" in the Annual Report.

6
COMPETITION

In order to compete effectively, the Bank relies substantially on local
commercial activity; personal contacts by its directors, officers, other
employees and shareholders; personalized services; and its reputation in the
communities it serves.

The Bank presently competes within its market area with numerous bank
subsidiaries of larger bank holding companies, including the subsidiaries of
regional bank holding companies with principal operations in states other than
Maryland. It also competes with numerous independent banks, thrift
institutions, credit unions, and various other nonbank financial companies.

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, which are not offered directly by
the Bank (but could be offered indirectly through correspondent institutions);
and by virtue of their larger total capitalization (legal lending limits to an
individual consumer or corporation are limited to a percentage of the Bank's
total capital accounts), such banks have substantially higher lending limits
than does the Bank. Other entities, both governmental and in private industry,
raise capital through the issuance and sale of debt and equity securities and
thereby indirectly compete with the Bank in the acquisition of deposits.

In addition to competing with other commercial banks and thrift
institutions, commercial banks such as the Bank compete with nonbank financial
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 money market
instruments, which are not subject to interest rate ceilings. Such money market
funds have provided substantial competition to banks for deposits, and it is
anticipated they may continue to do so in the future.
'
The Holding Company Act was recently amended by the Riegle-Neal Interstate
Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the "Riegle-Neal Act"), which
significantly eased applicable restrictions on interstate banking. The Riegle
Neal Act permits the FRB, effective September 29, 1995, 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 such holding company's home state,
without regard to whether the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any
state. The FRB may not approve the acquisition of 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 Riegle-Neal Act also prohibits the FRB
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 Riegle-Neal
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. The effect of the Riegle-Neal Act may
be to increase competition within the State of Maryland among banking and thrift
institutions located in Maryland and from banking companies located anywhere in
the country.

The Riegle-Neal Act also authorizes the federal banking agencies, effective
June 1, 1997, to approve interstate merger transactions without regard to
whether such transaction is prohibited by the law of any state, unless the home
state of one of the banks opts out of the Riegle-Neal Act by adopting a law
after the date of enactment of such Act and prior to June 1, 1997 that applies
equally to all out-of-state banks and expressly prohibits merger transactions
involving out-of-state banks.

7
The State of Maryland had previously enacted reciprocal interstate banking
statutes that authorized banks and thrift institutions, and their holding
companies, in Maryland to be acquired by regional banks and thrift institutions,
or their holding companies, in designated states, and permitted Maryland banks
and thrift institutions, and their holding companies, to acquire banks and
thrift institutions in designated states, if such jurisdictions have enacted
reciprocal statutes. A majority of the jurisdictions designated in the
interstate banking statutes have enacted legislation authorizing interstate
transactions in one form or another. In 1995, the State of Maryland adopted
legislation allowing out of state financial institutions to merge with Maryland
banks and to establish branches in Maryland, subject to certain limitations.
The effect of the federal and Maryland legislation may be to increase
competition within the State of Maryland among banking and thrift institutions
located in Maryland and from the major regional bank holding companies that
acquire institutions in Maryland, most of which are larger than the Bank.

EMPLOYEES

As of February 29, 1996, Bancorp and the Bank employed 327 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 presently
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 H. Langmead 46 Vice President and Treasurer of Bancorp and Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Bank

Stanley L. Merson 39 Senior Vice President of the Bank

James R. Farmer 44 Senior Vice President of the Bank

Frank H. Small 49 Senior Vice President of the Bank

Lawrence T. Lewis 47 Senior Vice President of the bank

- --------------------
</TABLE>
(1) At March 25, 1996

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 H. LANGMEAD became Vice President and Treasurer of Bancorp and
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank on May 6, 1995.
Prior to that, Mr. Langmead was a Senior Vice President of the Bank from January
1994, Vice President and Controller of the Bank from March 1992 and Executive
Vice President of the Bank of Baltimore from 1987.

8
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. Mr. Merson has been employed by the Bank since 1982.

JAMES R. FARMER became a Senior Vice President of the Bank on January
1, 1994. Prior to that, Mr. Farmer was Vice President of the Bank. Mr. Farmer
has been employed by the Bank since 1979.

FRANK H. SMALL became a Senior Vice President of the Bank on January
1, 1994. Mr. Small was Vice President of the Bank (1990-1993) and prior to
that, was Vice President in charge of branch operations at Equitable Bank, N.A.

LAWRENCE T. LEWIS began his employment with the Bank on January 22,
1996 as Senior Vice President. From January 1984 to December 1995, Mr. Lewis
was a managing director of Clark Melvin Securities Corporation.


TABULAR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Rate Volume Table. The following table sets forth information
regarding the effect of volume and rate changes on net interest income (dollars
in thousands and tax-equivalent basis).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 v. 1994 1994 v. 1993
------------------ ----------------------------

Increase in Average: (1)(2) Increase in Average: (1)(2)
or ------------------ or ----------------
(Decrease) Volume Rate (Decrease) Volume Rate
---------- ------------------ ------- ---------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>

Interest Income From
Earnings Assets:
Loans............................. $9,873 $ 7,001 $2,872 $3,711 $4,425 $(714)
Taxable securities................ (420) (1,359) 939 1,544 2,406 (862)
Nontaxable securities............. (873) (743) (130) (313) (36) (277)
Other investments................. 221 (2) 223 (613) (836) 223
------ ------

Total Interest Income......... 8,801 3,482 5,319 4,329 5,231 (902)

Interest Expense on Funding
Of Earnings Assets:
Interest-bearing demand deposits.. (42) (26) (16) 14 184 (170)
Regular savings deposits.......... (327) (291) (36) 1,038 1,057 (19)
Money market savings deposits..... 38 (935) 973 (240) (115) (125)
Time deposits..................... 6,071 3,506 2,565 62 85 (23)
Short-term and other borrowings... 1,079 555 524 617 435 182
------ ------

Total Interest Expense........ 6,819 1,524 5,295 1,491 1,715 (224)
------ ------- ------ ------ ------ -----

Net Interest Income........... $1,982 $ 1,958 $ 24 $2,838 $3,516 $(678)
====== ======= ====== ====== ====== =====

</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Variances are computed on a line-by-line basis and are non-additive.
(2) Combined rate/volume variances, a third element of the calculation, are
allocated to the volume and rate variances based on their relative size.

9
Loan Maturity Table.  The following table sets forth information as of
December 31, 1995, regarding the loan maturities and interest rate sensitivity
for the real estate-construction, commercial and tax exempt categories (dollars
in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

1 or Less Over 1-5 Over 5 Total
--------- -------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>

Real Estate Construction.. $30,859 $ -- $ -- $30,859
Commercial................ 37,016 12,540 12 49,568
Tax Exempt................ 40 160 208 408
------- ------- ---- -------
Total................. $67,915 $12,700 $220 $80,835
======= ======= ==== =======

Rate Terms:
Fixed................... $10,993 $12,700 $220 $23,913
Variable or adjustable.. 56,922 -- -- 56,922
------- ------- ---- -------
Total................. $67,915 $12,700 $220 $80,835
======= ======= ==== =======

</TABLE>


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,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Loan Loan Loan Loan Loan
Amount Mix Amount Mix Amount Mix Amount Mix Amount Mix
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Amount applicable to:
Real estate--mortgage...... $ 512 74% $1,581 76% $2,046 77% $1,756 82% $1,861 80%
Real estate--construction.. 10 7 41 6 34 4 78 4 72 5
Consumer................... 181 7 136 7 324 6 353 6 285 7
Commercial................. 907 12 832 11 1,998 13 61 7 472 7
Tax exempt................. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1
Unallocated................ 4,300 3,518 1,775 1,568 --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total allowance for
credit losses........ $5,910 $6,108 $6,177 $3,816 $2,690
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>

The tabular financial information set forth on pages 14 through 25 of
the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

The outside back cover page of the Annual Report (listing executive and
community offices) is hereby incorporated by reference.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Note 17 on page 39 of the Annual Report ("Litigation") is hereby
incorporated by reference.

10
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 1995, through solicitation of proxies or otherwise.


PART II

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

The sections entitled "Recent Stock Prices and Dividends" and "Quarterly
Stock Information" on page 13 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 10 -- "Stockholders' Equity"
on page 35 of the Annual Report, which is hereby incorporated by reference.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The table entitled "Historical Trends in Financial Data 1991 - 1995" on
page 15 of the Annual Report is hereby incorporated by reference.


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

Pages 14 through 25 of the Annual Report are hereby incorporated by
reference.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Pages 26 through 43 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.

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 entitled "Election of Directors -- Information as to Nominees
and Continuing Directors" and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934" on pages 3 through 5 and page 17 of the Proxy Statement
and is hereby incorporated by reference.

11
Information concerning the executive officers of Bancorp is included under
the caption entitled "Item 1. Business -- Executive Officers" of this report
and is hereby incorporated by reference.


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information regarding compensation of Bancorp's directors and executive
officers is included under the caption "Executive Compensation" on pages 6
through 14 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 management of Bancorp is included under the
caption "Stock Ownership of Management" on page 2 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 15 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 Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1995, 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:

Report of Independent Auditors

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the
years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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

12
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 Bancorp, Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K dated
Inc. May 13, 1992, SEC File No. 0-
19065.

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

10(a) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Retirement Income Plan, Exhibit 10(a) of Form 10-K for
as amended the year ended December 31,
1989, SEC File No. 0-19065,
and Exhibit 10(l) hereto

10(b) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., Cash and Deferred Exhibit 10(b) of Form 10-K for
Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, as amended the year ended December 31,
1989, SEC File No. 0-19065,
and Exhibit 10(m) hereto

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

10(d) Lease dated December 11, 1986 for Leisure World Exhibit 10(d) of Form 10-K for
Plaza Branch of Sandy Spring National Bank of the year ended December 31,
Maryland 1988, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(e) Employment Agreement with Hunter R. Hollar Exhibit 10(e) of Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31,
1990, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(f) Form of 1992 Amendment to Employment Exhibit 10(f) of Form 10-K for
Agreement with Hunter R. Hollar the year ended December 31,
1991, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(g) Forms of Supplemental Executive Retirement Exhibit 10(g) of Form 10-K for
Agreements with Willard H. Derrick, Hunter R. the year ended December 31,
Hollar, Thomas O. Keech and A. Hardy Pickett, with 1991, SEC File No. 0-19065
1992 Amendments

10(h) Forms of Executive Severance Agreements with Exhibit 10(h) of Form 10-K for
Willard H. Derrick, Thomas O. Keech and A. Hardy the year ended December 31,
Pickett, with 1992 Amendments 1991, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(i) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10(i) of Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31,
1991, SEC File No. 0-19065
</TABLE>

13
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No. Description Incorporated by Reference to:
- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
10(j) Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland Executive Exhibit 10(g) of Form 10-K
Health Insurance Plan for the year ended December 31,
1991, SEC File No. 0-19065


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

10(l) First Amendment to Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Exhibit 10(l) of Form 10-K
Retirement Income Plan for the year ended December 31,
1993, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(m) First Amendment to Sandy Spring Bancorp Cash and Exhibit 10(m) of Form 10-K
Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust as Amended the year ended December 31,
for and Restated and Second Amendment to the 1993, SEC File No. 0-19065
Adoption Agreement to Sandy Spring Bancorp Cash
and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust

13 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders

21 Subsidiaries

23 Consent of Independent Auditors

24 Power of Attorney


27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

(b) No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three month period
ended December 31, 1995.

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

(d) None.

14
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, 1996.

Principal Executive Officer and Director: Principal Financial and
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 Marjorie S. Cook 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, 1995. This report has been signed below by such
attorney-in-fact as of March 22, 1996.


By: /s/ Marjorie S. Cook
--------------------
Marjorie S. Cook
Attorney-in-Fact for Majority of the
Directors of Bancorp
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No. Description Incorporated by Reference to:
- -----------
<S> <C> <C>

3(a) Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K dated
Inc. May 13, 1992, SEC File No. 0-
19065.

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

10(a) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Retirement Income Plan, Exhibit 10(a) of Form 10-K for
as amended the year ended December 31,
1989, SEC File No. 0-19065,
and Exhibit 10(l) hereto

10(b) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., Cash and Deferred Exhibit 10(b) of Form 10-K for
Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, as amended the year ended December 31,
1989, SEC File No. 0-19065,
and Exhibit 10(m) hereto

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

10(d) Lease dated December 11, 1986 for Leisure World Exhibit 10(d) of Form 10-K for
Plaza Branch of Sandy Spring National Bank of the year ended December 31,
Maryland 1988, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(e) Employment Agreement with Hunter R. Hollar Exhibit 10(e) of Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31,
1990, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(f) Form of 1992 Amendment to Employment Exhibit 10(f) of Form 10-K for
Agreement with Hunter R. Hollar the year ended December 31,
1991, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(g) Forms of Supplemental Executive Retirement Exhibit 10(g) of Form 10-K for
Agreements with Willard H. Derrick, Hunter R. the year ended December 31,
Hollar, Thomas O. Keech and A. Hardy Pickett, with 1991, SEC File No. 0-19065
1992 Amendments

10(h) Forms of Executive Severance Agreements with Exhibit 10(h) of Form 10-K for
Willard H. Derrick, Thomas O. Keech and A. Hardy the year ended December 31,
Pickett, with 1992 Amendments 1991, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(i) Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10(i) of Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31,
1991, SEC File No. 0-19065
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
10(j) Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland Executive Health
Insurance Plan Exhibit 10(g) of Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1991, SEC File No. 0-19065

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


10(l) First Amendment to Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Exhibit 10(l) of Form 10-K
Retirement Income Plan for the year ended December 31,
1993, SEC File No. 0-19065

10(m) First Amendment to Sandy Spring Bancorp Cash and Exhibit 10(m) of Form 10-K
Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust as Amended for the year ended December 31,
and Restated and Second Amendment to the 1993, SEC File No. 0-19065
Adoption Agreement to Sandy Spring Bancorp Cash
and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust

13 Sections of 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders

21 Subsidiaries

23 Consent of Independent Auditors

24 Power of Attorney

27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>