<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the Form 10-Q and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000818969
<NAME> Provident Bankshares Corporation
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 112,077
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,711,987
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 3,510,548
<ALLOWANCE> 46,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,482,876
<DEPOSITS> 3,920,356
<SHORT-TERM> 514,391
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 43,882
<LONG-TERM> 670,526
67,933
0
<COMMON> 27,524
<OTHER-SE> 238,264
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 5,482,876
<INTEREST-LOAN> 138,440
<INTEREST-INVEST> 60,276
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,125
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 199,841
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 85,168
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 119,868
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 79,973
<LOAN-LOSSES> 17,335
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 7,858
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 41,085
<INCOME-PRETAX> 29,411
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 20,110
<EXTRAORDINARY> 770
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 20,880
<EPS-BASIC> 0.79
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.77
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.12
<LOANS-NON> 26,161
<LOANS-PAST> 28,378
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 39,780
<CHARGE-OFFS> 11,281
<RECOVERIES> 880
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 46,714
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 46,714
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>