FIRST MARINER BANCORP
SB-2, 1996-11-13
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1996
                                                    Registration No. 333-xxxxx


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM SB-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP
                 (Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter)

            Maryland                       6712                   52-1834860
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Primary Standard        (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Industrial Classification   Identification Code
                                       Code Number)                Number)

                            1801 South Clinton Street
                            Baltimore, Maryland 21224
                                 (410) 342-2600
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                               Edwin F. Hale, Sr.
                Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
                              First Mariner Bancorp
              1801 South Clinton Street, Baltimore, MD 21224; (410)
       342-2600  (Name,  address,  including  zip code,  and  telephone  number,
       including area code, of agent for service)

                                 With copies to:
Abba David Poliakoff, Esquire                 Melissa Allison Warren, Esquire
 Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman,                      Shapiro and Olander
 Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC                        Twentieth Floor
    233 E. Redwood Street                         36 S. Charles Street
  Baltimore, Maryland 21202                       Baltimore, Maryland 21201
          (410) 576-4067                              (410) 385-0202

Approximate  date of  commencement  of the proposed  sale to public:  As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.


If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of the  earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering. |_| ____________

If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the  Securities  Act,  check  the  following  box and  list the  Securities  Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. |_| _____

If delivery  of the  prospectus  is  expected  to be made  pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. |_| ________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================================
                                               CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
===============================================================================================================================
                                                              Proposed              Proposed Maximum           Amount of
    Title of Shares to be           Amount to be          Maximum Offering         Aggregate Offering         Registration
         Registered                  Registered          Price Per Share(1)             Price(1)                  Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share          1,610,000 shares             $12.00                 $19,320,000                $5,855
===============================================================================================================================
<FN>

(1)      Estimated  pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating  the
         registration fee.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The Registrant hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant  shall file
a further amendment which specifically  states that this Registration  Statement
shall  thereafter  become  effective  in  accordance  with  Section  8(a) of the
Securities  Act of  1933  or  until  the  Registration  Statement  shall  become
effective  on such date as the  Commissioner,  acting  pursuant to said  Section
8(a), may determine.


<PAGE>



Information   contained  herein  is  subject  to  completion  or  amendment.   A
registration  statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there by any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.


                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED NOVEMBER 12, 1996

                            [LOGO] 1,400,000 Shares

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                                  Common Stock

         First Mariner Bancorp (the "Company"),  a Maryland corporation,  hereby
offers for sale 1,400,000  shares of its Common Stock,  par value $.05 per share
(the "Offering"). Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the
Common  Stock.  Application  has been made to have the  Company's  Common  Stock
included  for  quotation  on the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers
Automated  Quotation National Market ("NASDAQ National Market") under the symbol
"FMAR." The initial  public  offering price is estimated to be between $10.00 to
$12.00 per share.  See  "Underwriting"  for information  relating to the factors
considered in determining the initial public offering price.

         SEE RISK FACTORS STARTING ON PAGE 7 FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

         THE SECURITIES  OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS OR DEPOSIT  ACCOUNTS AND
ARE NOT  INSURED  BY THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION  OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
       AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
          THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
             THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRE-
                SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================================

                                                                 Underwriting Discount             Proceeds to
                                       Price to Public             and Commissions(1)               Company(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Per Share.....................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)......................
========================================================================================================================
<FN>

(1)      The Company has agreed to indemnify  the  Underwriter  against  certain
         liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Underwriting."

(2)      Before deducting expenses of the offering estimated at $370,000 payable
         by the Company.

(3)      The Company has granted the Underwriter an option,  exercisable  within
         30 days after the date hereof, to purchase up to an additional  210,000
         shares of Common  Stock at the Price to  Public  per  share,  solely to
         cover over-allotments,  if any, on the same terms and conditions as the
         shares  offered  hereby.  If the  Underwriter  exercises such option in
         full, the total Price to Public,  Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to
         Company will be $________,  $________ and ________,  respectively.  See
         "Underwriting".
</FN>
</TABLE>


         The shares of Common Stock are being offered by the Underwriter subject
to prior sale,  withdrawal,  cancellation  or  modification of the offer without
notice,  delivery  to  and  acceptance  by the  Underwriter  and  certain  other
conditions.  It is expected that delivery of the  certificates for the shares of
Common Stock will be made at the offices of Ferris,  Baker Watts,  Incorporated,
1720 Eye  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.,  or through the  facilities  of the
Depository Trust Company, on or about December ___, 1996.

                               Ferris, Baker Watts
                                  Incorporated

                      The date of this Prospectus is , 1996


<PAGE>



IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS  OFFERING,  THE  UNDERWRITER  MAY  OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL  ABOVE THAT WHICH  MIGHT  OTHERWISE  PREVAIL  IN THE OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER  MARKET OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.




                                      [MAP]


                                        2

                                     <PAGE>




                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         The following  summary is qualified in its entirety by, and subject to,
the more  detailed  information  and  financial  statements  and  notes  thereto
included in this Prospectus. Each investor is encouraged to read this Prospectus
in its entirety.  Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus
assumes no exercise by the Underwriter of its over-allotment  option to purchase
up to 210,000 shares of Common Stock.  Investors should  carefully  consider the
information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors."

                                   The Company

         First Mariner Bancorp (the "Company"), a bank holding company formed in
Maryland  in  1994,   conducts  its  business  through  its  wholly-owned   bank
subsidiary, First Mariner Bank (the "Bank"). The Bank, which is headquartered in
Baltimore  City,  serves the central region of the State of Maryland  through 12
full-service  branches and 19 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). At September 30,
1996, the Company had total assets of $94,961,351.

         As an independent Maryland-based community bank, the Bank is engaged in
the general commercial banking business with particular emphasis on the needs of
individuals  and small to mid-sized  businesses.  The Bank  emphasizes  personal
attention and professional  service to its customers while delivering a range of
traditional  and  contemporary  financial  products and  performing  many of the
essential  banking services offered by its larger  competitors.  The Bank offers
its  customers  access to local  bank  officers  who are  empowered  to act with
flexibility to meet  customers'  needs in order to foster and develop  long-term
loan and  deposit  relationships.  The Company  believes  that  individuals  and
businesses  in its  market  area are  dissatisfied  with the large  out-of-state
banking  institutions which have acquired local banks.  Management believes that
the Bank has a window of opportunity  to establish  business ties with customers
who have been  displaced  by the  consolidations  and who are  anxious  to forge
banking  relationships  with  locally-owned  and  managed  institutions.   These
consolidations  also  benefit  the  Bank by  making  available  experienced  and
entrepreneurial managers and acquisition  opportunities from the remaining small
independent banks in the Company's market area.

         In May, 1995,  Edwin F. Hale,  Sr.  acquired  approximately  30% of the
outstanding  stock of the Company for $3,000,000 and was elected as its Chairman
of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer.  Mr. Hale is a successful  owner and
operator of national trucking and shipping companies headquartered in Baltimore,
Maryland.  Mr.  Hale was  previously  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of
Baltimore  Bancorp, a position to which he was appointed in 1991. As a result of
Baltimore Bancorp's weakened financial condition,  it was then operating under a
Cease and Desist  Order  issued by the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation
("FDIC") and the Maryland Bank  Commissioner.  Mr. Hale assembled an experienced
management team and developed strategies to sharply reduce nonperforming assets,
restore  profitability and attract additional equity capital.  In 1994, Mr. Hale
negotiated the sale of Baltimore  Bancorp to First  Fidelity  Bancorp (now First
Union  Bancorp)  for  an  aggregate   price  of   approximately   $346  million,
representing a value equal to approximately 2.1 times book value.

         Following Mr. Hale's election as Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer
of First  Mariner  Bancorp,  he  assembled a Board of  Directors  of  well-known
business and civic leaders who have strong ties to the Company's market area and
are committed to the growth and success of the Company.  Mr. Hale also recruited
members of management from other  successful local financial  institutions  with
knowledge of the local  market and  experience  in extending  credit to small to
mid-sized  businesses,  including  several  individuals who were critical to the
turnaround and ultimate success of Baltimore Bancorp.  The Company then embarked
upon a business strategy and capitalization  plan that provides  management with
the tools


                                        3

<PAGE>




necessary  to  optimize  the  market  opportunities  created  as a result of the
consolidation  of the banking  industry.  Although  the  Company  has  sustained
operating  losses  for the  past  sixteen  months  as it  established  its  loan
production  infrastructure and increased its branch network from four to twelve,
the Company  anticipates  that this investment  ultimately will be substantially
less than the  market  premiums  that  initially  would  have been  required  to
purchase  and  improve  existing  bank  franchises.  From  December  31, 1994 to
September  30,  1996,  the  Bank's net loans  have  grown  from  $19,930,101  to
$80,981,616 and deposits have grown from $20,882,530 to $78,857,010.

         The Company's  strategies to further enhance its banking  franchise are
to:

         o         Prudently  expand the Bank's  branch  network in an effort to
                   support and fund its lending activities and lower its overall
                   cost of capital;

         o         Strategically  acquire small  institutions  or branches which
                   present synergistic opportunities to its existing franchise;

         o        Creatively  develop  non-traditional  business  alliances with
                  grocery  markets and other  retail  outlets  with high traffic
                  patterns  as a means of  developing  cost-effective  access to
                  retail banking customers; and

         o        Offer new products and technology which provide  customers the
                  services  of a large bank while  maintaining  the  service and
                  personal attention of a community oriented institution.

                                  The Offering

<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>                               <C>           
Common Stock Offered....................................   1,400,000 shares of Common Stock, $.05 par value

Common Stock Outstanding After the Offering(1)..........   2,627,263 shares

Estimated Net Proceeds to the Company(2)................   $13,952,000

Proposed Use of Proceeds................................   The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this
                                                           Offering for future expansion and acquisitions,
                                                           including possible future acquisitions of other finan-
                                                           cial institutions, working capital, loan originations
                                                           (which will reflect an increase in the Bank's legal
                                                           lending limit as a result of the Offering), and general
                                                           corporate purposes.  See "Use of Proceeds."

Risk Factors............................................   Prospective investors in the Common Stock should
                                                           carefully consider the information discussed under
                                                           the heading "Risk Factors" starting on page 7.

Proposed NASDAQ National Market Symbol..................   FMAR
- -------------------
<FN>
(1)      Excludes  approximately  983,923  shares of Common Stock  issuable upon
         exercise of  outstanding  options and warrants at an exercise  price of
         $10.00 per share.

(2)      Based upon an initial public  offering  price of $11.00 per share,  and
         after  deducting  expenses  of the  Offering  payable  by  the  Company
         estimated to be $370,000.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                        4

<PAGE>




                       Summary Consolidated Financial Data

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Nine Months Ended                        Years Ended
                                                                    September 30,                          December 31,
                                                         ---------------------------------         ----------------------------
                                                              1996                1995                 1995             1994
                                                         --------------       ------------         ------------      ----------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Consolidated Statements
        of Operations Data:
    Interest income................................        $ 4,316,423        $1,659,489           $2,561,439        $1,209,141
    Interest expense...............................          1,978,451           878,037            1,269,620           503,828
    Net interest income............................          2,337,972           781,452            1,291,819           705,313
    Provision for loan losses                                  674,828              -                 190,051            59,078
    Non-interest income............................            811,937            90,668              197,014            75,364
    Non-interest expense...........................          4,000,513         1,361,886            2,581,411           979,989
    Loss before income taxes.......................         (1,525,432)         (489,766)          (1,282,629)         (258,390)
    Income tax provision (benefit)                                 -                 -                    -             (17,434)

Net Loss...........................................        $(1,525,432)       $ (489,766)         $(1,282,629)      $  (240,956)
                                                           ===========        ===========         ===========       ===========

Consolidated Statements of Financial
    Condition Data, at Period End:
    Total assets...................................        $94,961,351       $41,715,010          $52,798,345       $26,303,452
    Total loans, net...............................         80,981,616        24,475,535           29,760,313        19,930,101
    Total deposits.................................         78,857,010        30,072,493           41,363,630        20,882,530
    Total stockholders' equity.....................          9,182,554        10,887,886           10,701,986         1,976,615

Per Common Share Data:
    Net loss(1)....................................              (1.24)             (.97)               (1.88)            (2.07)
    Book value.....................................               7.48              9.31                 8.72              8.75
    Tangible book value............................               7.24              9.02                 8.41              7.22
    Number of shares of common stock
        outstanding, at period end.................          1,227,213         1,169,141            1,226,613           225,813

Performance Ratios(2):
    Return on average assets.......................            (2.84)%           (1.93)%              (3.45)%           (1.42)%
    Return on average stockholders' equity                    (20.37)%          (13.08)%             (19.63)%          (22.72)%
    Net interest margin............................              4.87%             3.50%                3.99%             4.60%

Capital Ratios:
    Capital to risk-weighted assets, at period end:
        Tier 1 capital ratio.......................             10.33%            44.94%               33.87%            11.76%
        Total capital ratio........................             11.44%            45.99%               35.10%            13.01%
        Tier 1 leverage ratio......................             12.39%            31.04%               27.83%             9.57%

Asset Quality Ratios:
    Allowance for loan losses, at period end, to:
        Loans......................................              1.17%              .99%                1.25%             1.21%
        Non-performing assets......................            205.05%            24.57%               59.47%            35.38%
    Net charge-offs to average total loans(2)                     .22%              --                   .26%              .16%
    Non-performing assets to total assets,
        at period end..............................               .49%             2.39%                1.20%             2.63%

- ---------- 
<FN>

(1) Net  loss  per  share is based on the  weighted  average  number  of  shares
    outstanding during the period.
(2) Annualized for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                        5

<PAGE>




                                   THE COMPANY

General

         The Company is a bank holding  company formed in Maryland in 1994 under
the name  MarylandsBank  Corp. The business of the Company is conducted  through
the  Bank,  whose  deposits  are  insured  by  the  Federal  Deposit   Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC"). The Bank, which is headquartered in Baltimore City, serves
the central region of the State of Maryland through 12 full-service branches and
19 Automated  Teller  Machines  (ATMs).  At September 30, 1996,  the Company had
total assets of $94,961,351.

         The  Bank is an  independent  community  bank  engaged  in the  general
commercial banking business with particular emphasis on the needs of individuals
and small to mid-sized  businesses.  The Bank emphasizes  personal attention and
professional  service to its customers  while  delivering a range of traditional
and contemporary financial products and performing many of the essential banking
services offered by its larger competitors. The Bank offers its customers access
to  local  bank  officers  who are  empowered  to act with  flexibility  to meet
customers'  needs in order to foster  and  develop  long  term loan and  deposit
relationships.

         The  Company's  executive  offices  are  located at 1801 South  Clinton
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 and its telephone number is (410) 342-2600.

Background and History

         In early  1994,  an  investment  group led by George H.  Mantakos  (the
"Mantakos  Group"),  the  President of the Company and the  President  and Chief
Executive  Officer of the Bank,  acquired  Farmers Bank,  FSB, a federal savings
bank  ("Farmers"),  which  operated two banks,  one in Baltimore City and one in
Baltimore  County. In July, 1994, the Mantakos Group also acquired a controlling
interest in Garibaldi  Federal  Savings  Bank  ("Garibaldi"),  which  operated a
thrift  in  Baltimore  County.  In  late  1994  Garibaldi  changed  its  name to
MarylandsBank,  FSB.  In May,  1995,  in a series of  transactions,  Farmers and
MarylandsBank,  FSB were  merged and  became a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the
Company, which changed its name to "First Mariner Bancorp.".

         In late 1994, the Company began negotiations with Edwin F. Hale, Sr. to
obtain an  infusion  of  capital.  These  negotiations  led to the  transactions
described above and to the private  offering by the Company of 500,000 shares of
its  Common  Stock at $10.00 per  share,  for an  aggregate  of  $5,000,000.  In
connection  with that offering,  the Company issued  warrants to purchase in the
aggregate an additional 416,664 shares at an exercise price of $10.00 per share.
In this offering,  Mr. Hale purchased 300,000 shares for $3,000,000 and received
warrants to purchase an additional  300,000 shares. Mr. Hale was then elected as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,  and Mr. Mantakos continued
as President of the Company and  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Bank.

         In August 1995, the Company issued an additional  500,000 shares of its
Common Stock in another private  placement at $10.00 per share for $5,000,000 in
the aggregate.  In connection with that offering, the Company issued warrants to
purchase in the aggregate an additional  206,659 shares at $10.00 per share.  In
this  offering,  Mr. Hale  purchased  60,000  shares for  $600,000  and received
warrants  to  purchase  an  additional  60,000  shares.  Mr.  Hale  subsequently
purchased an  additional  31,687  shares and warrants to purchase an  additional
31,672 shares in privately negotiated transactions.

         Following Mr. Hale's election as Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer,
the Company  assembled a Board of  Directors  of  well-known  business and civic
leaders who have strong ties to the Company's


                                        6

<PAGE>



market area and are committed to the growth and success of the Company. Mr. Hale
also  recruited  members of management  from other  successful  local  financial
institutions  with  knowledge  of the local market and  experience  in extending
credit to small to  mid-sized  businesses,  including  several  persons who were
critical to the  turnaround  and  ultimate  success of  Baltimore  Bancorp.  The
Company  then  embarked  upon a business  strategy  and  capitalization  plan to
provide management with the tools necessary to optimize the market opportunities
created as a result of the consolidation of the banking industry.


                                  RISK FACTORS

         Prospective   investors  should  review  and  consider   carefully  the
following  investment  considerations,   together  with  the  other  information
contained in the Prospectus, in evaluating an investment in the Common Stock.

Risks of Expansion Strategies

         Since May,  1995,  it has been the  strategy  of the Company to rapidly
increase  the  number  of Bank  branches  prior to the time  that the  volume of
business  was  sufficient  to  generate  profits  from branch  operations.  This
strategy  was  implemented  in order to have a branch  network  in place to take
advantage of business  opportunities  as they arose.  This strategy  anticipates
losses from branch  operations until such time as branch deposits and the volume
of other  banking  business  reach the levels  necessary  to support  profitable
branch  operations.  As a result of this  strategy,  the Company  has  sustained
losses to date.  The success of the  Company's  strategy  will be  dependent  on
management's  ability to  generate  business  and  increase  deposits  at levels
necessary to support profitable branch operations. See "Business."

         It is the intention of management to continue to expand the business of
the Company  through the opening of additional  branches and the  acquisition of
existing  banks in the  Company's  market  area.  The  success of the  Company's
expansion  strategy will be dependent upon its ability to manage the growth,  to
improve  its  operational  financial  systems,  to attract  and train  qualified
employees,   and,  to  a  certain  extent,  on  the  availability  of  potential
acquisitions meeting the Company's investment criteria,  management's ability to
successfully  operate and  integrate  the  acquired  business  with and into the
business of the Company,  and the Bank's ability to obtain  required  regulatory
approval. See "Business."

         There  can be no  assurance  that the  Company  will be  successful  in
implementing these strategies and managing its anticipated growth.

Limited Operating History of Current Management; Recent Operating Losses

         The Company's sole business activity for the foreseeable future will be
to act as the holding company of the Bank;  therefore,  the profitability of the
Company will be dependent on the results of operations of the Bank.  The Company
has reported  losses from  operations  since its inception in 1994. Many factors
could  adversely  affect the  Company's  performance  in the  future,  including
unfavorable economic conditions,  increased  competition,  loss of key personnel
and  government  regulation.  See  "Selected  Consolidated  Financial  Data" and
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations."

Dependence on Key Personnel

The Company is dependent  on the  continued  services of certain key  management
personnel,  including  Edwin F.  Hale,  Sr.,  Chairman  of the  Board  and Chief
Executive  Officer of the  Company and  Chairman  of the Board of the Bank,  and
George H. Mantakos,  President of the Company and President and Chief  Executive
Officer of the Bank. The Bank has a key man life insurance policy in the amount


                                        7

<PAGE>



of $10 million on Mr. Hale, and has entered into a two year employment agreement
with Mr.  Mantakos  effective May 1, 1995.  The Company's  continued  growth and
profitability  will  depend  upon its  ability  to attract  and  retain  skilled
managerial,   marketing  and  technical  personnel.  Competition  for  qualified
personnel in the banking industry is intense, and there can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining such  personnel.  See
"Management."

Concentrations in Real Estate Lending and Related Risks

         The Bank is  currently  dependent  on real estate  lending  activities,
which  on  September   30,  1996  had  produced   real  estate  loans   totaling
approximately 84% of the Company's loan portfolio.  Real estate loan origination
activity,  including  refinancings,  generally  is  greater  during  periods  of
declining  interest  rates  and  favorable  economic  conditions,  and has  been
favorably  affected by relatively  lower market  interest  rates during the past
several years. There is no assurance such favorable conditions will continue.

         Real estate loans are subject to the risk that real estate  values in a
geographical area or for a particular type of real estate will decrease,  and to
the risk that  borrowers  will be unable to meet  their loan  obligations.  Real
estate  development and construction  loans,  which have higher average balances
and greater sensitivity to market conditions,  constitute 30% of the Bank's loan
portfolio.  The Company  attempts to minimize  these risks by making real estate
loans that are secured by a variety of different types of real estate,  limiting
real estate loans to 80% of the  appraised  value of the real estate,  generally
lending  in its market  area,  using  conservative  loan-to-value  ratios,  and,
regardless of  collateral,  reviewing the potential  borrower's  ability to meet
debt service  obligations.  See  "Business"  and  "Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of  Operations--Composition  of Loan
Portfolio."

Risk of Loan Losses

The risk of credit  losses on loans varies  with,  among other  things,  general
economic  conditions,  the type of loan being made, the  creditworthiness of the
borrower  over the term of the loan and, in the case of a  collateralized  loan,
the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. Management maintains
an  allowance  for loan  losses  based  upon,  among  other  things,  historical
experience,  an  evaluation  of  economic  conditions  and  regular  reviews  of
delinquencies and loan portfolio  quality.  Based upon such factors,  management
makes various assumptions and judgments about the ultimate collectability of the
loan portfolio and provides an allowance for loan losses based upon a percentage
of  the  outstanding  balances  and  for  specific  loans  when  their  ultimate
collectability  is considered  questionable.  If  management's  assumptions  and
judgments  prove to be incorrect and the allowance for loan losses is inadequate
to absorb future losses, or if the bank regulatory  authorities require the Bank
to  increase  the  allowance  for loan  losses  as a part of  their  examination
process,  the Bank's  earnings could be  significantly  and adversely  affected.
Although the Bank's loans are typically secured,  certain lending activities may
involve  greater  risks and the  percentage  applied to specific  loan types may
vary.

         As of September  30, 1996,  the allowance for loan losses was $958,812,
which  represented  1.17% of outstanding  loans, net of unearned income. At such
date, the Company had non-accrual loans totalling  approximately  $468,000.  The
Bank actively manages its  non-performing  loans in an effort to minimize credit
losses and monitor its asset  quality to  maintain  an  adequate  allowance  for
credit losses.  Although  management believes that its allowance for loan losses
is adequate,  there can be no assurance that the allowance will prove sufficient
to  cover  future  loan  losses.  Further,  although  management  uses  the best
information  available to make  determinations with respect to the allowance for
loan losses,  future adjustments may be necessary if economic  conditions differ
substantially  from the  assumptions  used or  adverse  developments  arise with
respect to the Bank's  non-performing or performing loans. Material additions to
the Bank's  allowance  for loan losses  would result in a decrease in the Bank's
net income and


                                        8

<PAGE>



capital,  and  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations--Loan Quality."

Economic Conditions and Monetary Policy

         The operating results of the Company will depend to a great extent upon
the rate  differentials  which result from the difference between the income its
receives from its loans,  securities  and other earning  assets and the interest
expense it pays on its deposits and other  interest-bearing  liabilities.  These
rate  differentials  are highly  sensitive to many factors beyond the control of
the Company,  including general economic  conditions and the policies of various
governmental and regulatory authorities, in particular the Board of Governors of
the  Federal  Reserve  System  (the  "FRB").  Also,  adverse  changes in general
economic  conditions  could  impair  borrowers'  ability to repay  loans as they
mature,  thus  reducing the income the Company  receives from loans and reducing
the amount of rate differentials.

         Like other  depository  institutions,  the  Company is  affected by the
monetary policies implemented by the FRB and other federal instrumentalities.  A
primary  instrument of monetary policy employed by the FRB is the restriction or
expansion  of the money  supply  through open market  operations  including  the
purchase  and  sale of  government  securities  and the  adjustment  of  reserve
requirements.  These actions may at times result in significant  fluctuations in
interest  rates,  which  could have  adverse  effects on the  operations  of the
Company.  In  particular,  the  Company's  ability  to make  loans  and  attract
deposits,  as well as public demand for loans, could be adversely affected.  See
"Supervision and Regulation--Monetary Policy."

Government Regulation

         The  operations of the Company and the Bank are and will be affected by
current and future legislation and by the policies established from time to time
by various  federal  and state  regulatory  authorities.  The Bank is subject to
supervision and periodic  examination by the FDIC and the Maryland  Commissioner
of  Financial  Regulation  ("Commissioner").  The  Company  is also  subject  to
supervision by the FRB. Banking  regulations,  designed primarily for the safety
of depositors,  may limit a financial institution's growth and the return to its
investors by restricting  such  activities as the payment of dividends,  mergers
with or  acquisitions  by other  institutions,  investments,  loans and interest
rates,  interest rates paid on deposits,  expansion of branch  offices,  and the
provision  of  securities  or  trust  services.  The  Bank  also is  subject  to
capitalization guidelines set forth in federal legislation, and could be subject
to  enforcement  actions  to the  extent  that the  Bank is found by  regulatory
examiners to be undercapitalized. It is not possible to predict what changes, if
any, will be made to existing  federal and state  legislation and regulations or
the effect  that such  changes  may have on the  future  business  and  earnings
prospects of the Company and the Bank.  The cost of compliance  with  regulatory
requirements   may   adversely   affect   the   Company's   ability  to  operate
profitability. See "Supervision and Regulation."

Competition

         The  Company  and  the  Bank  operate  in  a  competitive  environment,
competing  for  deposits  and loans  with  commercial  banks,  thrift  and other
financial entities.  Numerous mergers and consolidations  involving banks in the
market  in which the Bank  operates  have  occurred  recently,  resulting  in an
intensification  of  competition  in  the  banking  industry  in  the  Company's
geographical  market.  Competition  for  deposits  comes  primarily  from  other
commercial banks, savings  associations,  credit unions, money market and mutual
funds and other investment  alternatives.  Competition for loans comes primarily
from other  commercial  banks,  savings  associations,  mortgage  banking firms,
credit  unions  and  other  financial  intermediaries.  Many  of  the  financial
intermediaries  operating in the Company's  market area offer certain  services,
such as trust, investment and international banking services,  which the Company
does not offer.


                                        9

<PAGE>



In addition, banks with a larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not
subject to bank  regulatory  restrictions  have  larger  lending  limits and are
thereby able to serve the needs of larger customers.

         Recent changes in Federal banking laws facilitate  interstate branching
and merger activity among banks.  Since  September,  1995,  certain bank holding
companies are  authorized  to acquire banks  throughout  the United  States.  In
addition,  on and after June 1, 1997,  certain  banks will be permitted to merge
with banks organized under the laws of different states. Such changes may result
in an even greater degree of competition in the banking industry and the Company
may be  brought  into  competition  with  institutions  with  which  it does not
presently  compete.  There can be no  assurance  that the  profitability  of the
Company will not be adversely  affected by the increased  competition  which may
characterize the banking industry in the future. See "Business--Competition" and
"Supervision and Regulation--Interstate Banking Legislation."

Determination of Initial Public Offering Price

         The  initial  public  offering  price  of the  Common  Stock  has  been
determined  by  negotiations  between the Company and the  Underwriter  based on
certain  factors,  in addition to prevailing  market  conditions,  including the
history of and  prospects  for the  industry in which the Company  competes,  an
assessment  of the  Company's  management,  the  prospects  of the  Company,  an
evaluation of the Company's  assets,  comparisons of the  relationships  between
market prices and book values of other financial  institutions of a similar size
and asset quality,  and other factors that were deemed  relevant.  Such decision
has not  been  based  upon an  actual  trading  market  for  the  Common  Stock;
accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Common Stock may be resold at or
above the offering price.  See  "Underwriting,"  "Dilution" and  "Description of
Securities--Options and Warrants."

Lack of Trading Market

         Prior to the  Offering,  there has been no public market for the Common
Stock of the  Company.  Although  application  has been made to quote the Common
Stock on the NASDAQ National  Market upon completion of the Offering,  there can
be no assurance that an active  trading  market will develop,  or, if developed,
will be sustained following the Offering.

Limitations on Payment of Dividends

         The  Company  has not paid  cash  dividends  on its  Common  Stock  and
dividends  are not  contemplated  for the  foreseeable  future.  There can be no
assurances  as to whether or when the Company may  commence  the payment of cash
dividends. In addition,  because the Company's principal business operations are
conducted  through the Bank,  cash  available to pay dividends  would be derived
from  dividends  paid to it by the Bank.  The Bank's ability to pay dividends to
the Company and the Company's  ability to pay dividends to  shareholders  on the
Common  Stock are also  subject to and limited by certain  legal and  regulatory
restrictions.  See "Dividend Policy" and "Supervision and  Regulation--Limits on
Dividends and Other Payments."

Broad Discretion as to Use of Proceeds

         The net  proceeds  of this  Offering  have been  allocated  for working
capital,  acquisitions,  increased  loan  capacity and other  general  corporate
purposes,  and will be used for such  specific  purposes  as  management  of the
Company may determine.  Accordingly,  management will have broad discretion with
respect to the  expenditure  of the net proceeds of the Offering.  Purchasers of
the Common Stock will  necessarily  depend upon the judgment of management.  See
"Use of Proceeds."



                                       10

<PAGE>



Control by Management

         A total of 573,200 shares of Common Stock is owned by the directors and
executive  officers  of the  Company,  representing  46.7% of the  Common  Stock
outstanding before the Offering.  In addition,  options and warrants to purchase
an  aggregate  of  621,768  shares of Common  Stock  are held by  directors  and
executive  officers.  Assuming the directors and executive officers exercise all
their stock options and warrants, the directors and executive officers would own
approximately  64.6% of the Common Stock  outstanding  before the Offering,  and
36.8% of the  outstanding  Common  Stock  following  the  Offering  (assuming no
exercise of the Underwriter's over-allotment option). Edwin F. Hale, Sr., who is
the largest stockholder of the Company,  owns 381,687 shares of Common Stock and
options and warrants to purchase  491,672  shares,  representing  50.8%,  of the
Common Stock  outstanding  before the Offering and 28.0%  following the Offering
(assuming exercise of all his options and warrants).  See "Beneficial  Ownership
of Shares."

Supermajority Voting Requirements; Anti-Takeover Measures

         The Amended and Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  ("Articles")  and
Bylaws of the Company contain certain provisions designed to enhance the ability
of the Board of  Directors  to deal with  attempts  to  acquire  control  of the
Company.  These provisions provide for the classification of the Company's Board
of Directors into three classes;  after an initial transition period,  directors
of each class will serve for  staggered  three year  periods.  The Articles also
provide for supermajority voting provisions for the approval of certain business
combinations.  Although  these  provisions do not preclude a takeover,  they may
have the effect of  discouraging  a future  takeover  attempt which would not be
approved by the Company's Board of Directors, but pursuant to which stockholders
might receive a substantial  premium for their shares over  then-current  market
prices.  As a result,  stockholders  who might desire to  participate  in such a
transaction  might not have the  opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also
render the removal of the Company's  Board of Directors  and of management  more
difficult, and therefore,  may serve to perpetuate current management.  Further,
such  provisions  could  potentially  adversely  affect the market  price of the
Common Stock.

         The Company,  however,  has concluded  that the  potential  benefits of
these provisions outweigh the possible disadvantages.  The Company believes that
such provisions  encourage  potential  acquirors to negotiate  directly with the
Board of Directors,  and that the Board is in the best position to act on behalf
of all  stockholders.  Further,  provided  that the  acquisition  is approved in
advance by a majority of the disinterested  Board of Directors,  the affirmative
vote of only a majority of the  outstanding  shares would be required to approve
the   acquisition.   See   "Description  of   Securities--Supermajority   Voting
Requirements--Anti-Takeover   Measures",   "--Control  Share  Acquisitions"  and
"--Business Combinations."

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

         As of October 31, 1996,  there were  1,227,263  shares of the Company's
Common Stock outstanding, of which approximately 200,000 shares will be eligible
for sale 90 days after the date of this  Prospectus  pursuant  to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act, subject to volume,  notice and manner of sale limitations in
that rule. An aggregate of 573,200 shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned
by the  Company's  executive  officers  and  directors.  All  of  the  Company's
executive officers and directors have agreed that for a period of 180 days after
the  closing  of the  Offering,  they will not sell,  offer for sale or take any
action that may constitute a transfer of shares of Common Stock.  There are also
983,923 shares subject to outstanding options and warrants. Although the sale of
the  shares  issuable  upon  exercise  of  such  options  and  warrants  will be
restricted  under Rule 144,  the sale of any number of shares of Common Stock in
the public  market  following the Offering  could have an adverse  impact on the
then  prevailing  market  price of the shares.  See "Shares  Eligible for Future
Sale."


                                       11

<PAGE>





                                    DILUTION

         Purchasers  of Common Stock in the Offering will  experience  immediate
dilution  in net  tangible  book value  (stockholders'  equity  less  intangible
assets) per share from the initial  public  offering  price.  "Net tangible book
value per share" is  determined  by dividing  the  difference  between the total
amount of tangible  assets and the total amount of  liabilities by the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding. At September 30, 1996, the net tangible book
value of the Common Stock on a fully  diluted  basis was $7.24 per share.  After
giving  effect to the sale of  1,400,000  shares of Common Stock at an estimated
initial public offering price of $11.00 per share (the median estimated  initial
offering price range) and to the payment of estimated Offering expenses, the pro
forma tangible book value per share at September 30, 1996 would have been $8.69.
This would  represent an immediate  increase in tangible book value of $1.45 per
share to existing  shareholders  and an immediate  dilution to new  investors of
$2.31 per share.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The net proceeds to the Company  from the sale of  1,400,000  shares of
Common Stock  offered by the Company  hereby (after  deducting the  underwriting
discount and commissions  and estimated  expenses of the Offering) are estimated
to be approximately $13,952,000 ($16,100,300 if the Underwriter's over-allotment
option is exercised in full),  based upon an estimated initial offering price of
$11.00 per share.  The Company  intends to use the net proceeds of this Offering
for future  expansion and  acquisitions,  loan  originations  (as a result of an
increase  in the Bank's  legal  lending  limit),  working  capital  and  general
corporate purposes.

         With respect to future acquisitions, the Company is regularly reviewing
potential   acquisitions,   although   it  has  no  such   current   agreements,
understandings or commitments.

         The  foregoing  represents  the  Company's  anticipated  use of the net
proceeds  of this  Offering  based  upon  the  current  status  of its  business
operations,  its current plans and current economic conditions.  A change in the
use of  proceeds  or  timing  of such use will be at the  Company's  discretion.
Pending their  longer-term use, the net proceeds from this Offering are expected
to be used to make short-term loans or invested in short-term,  investment-grade
interest bearing securities.


                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common
Stock.  The  Company  currently  anticipates  that  it  will  retain  all of its
earnings,  if any, to finance the operation  and expansion of its business,  and
therefore  does  not  intend  to  pay  dividends  on  its  Common  Stock  in the
foreseeable future. The payment of dividends by the Company depends largely upon
the ability of the Bank to declare and pay dividends to the Company  because the
principal source of the Company's revenue will be dividends paid by the Bank. In
considering  the payment of  dividends,  the Board of  Directors  will take into
account  the  Company's  financial   condition,   results  of  operations,   tax
considerations,  costs of expansion, industry standards, economic conditions and
need for funds, as well as governmental  policies and regulations  applicable to
the Company and the Bank.  No  assurance  can be given that the Bank's  earnings
will enable the Bank (and therefore the Company) to pay cash dividends.

         As a depository institution whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, the
Bank may not pay  dividends  or  distribute  any of its capital  assets while it
remains in default on any  assessment due the FDIC. The Bank currently is not in
default of any of its  obligations  to the FDIC. In addition,  FDIC  regulations
also impose certain minimum capital requirements which effect the amount of cash
available


                                       12

<PAGE>



for the payment of  dividends  by a regulated  banking  institution  such as the
Bank. As a commercial bank under the Maryland  Financial  Institutions  Law, the
Bank may  declare  cash  dividends  from  undivided  profits  or, with the prior
approval of the  Commissioner,  out of surplus in excess of 100% of its required
capital stock, and (in either case) after providing for due or accrued expenses,
losses, interest and taxes.
See "Supervision and Regulation."

         Distributions  paid by the Company to  stockholders  will be taxable to
the  stockholders  as dividends,  to the extent of the Company's  accumulated or
current  earnings and profits.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will
declare or pay cash dividends at any particular time.


                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The  following  table sets forth the  capitalization  of the Company at
September  30,  1996,  and as adjusted  to give effect to the sale of  1,400,000
shares of Common Stock offered  hereby at the estimated  initial pubic  offering
price of $11.00 per share (the median of the estimated  initial public  offering
price  range),  less the  underwriting  discount and  commissions  and estimated
expenses. This table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations"  and  the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in this Prospectus.

                                                          September 30, 1996
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                     Actual       As Adjusted(1)
                                                     ------       --------------

Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock, $.05 par value;
    20,000,000 shares authorized;
    1,227,213 shares outstanding;
    2,627,213 shares outstanding as adjusted..   $    61,361      $    131,361

Additional paid-in capital....................    12,170,210        26,052,210

Accumulated deficit...........................    (3,049,017)       (3,049,017)
                                                 -----------      ------------

Total stockholders' equity....................   $ 9,182,554      $ 23,134,554
                                                 ===========      ============

Net tangible book value per share.............   $      7.24      $       8.69
- --------------------

(1) If the  Underwriter's  over-allotment  option is exercised  in full,  Common
    Stock,  additional paid-in capital and total stockholders' equity would be $
    141,500,  $ 28,351,500 and $ 25,443,983,  respectively.  This table excludes
    approximately  983,923  shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of
    outstanding options and warrants at an exercise price of $10.00 per share.


                                       13

<PAGE>



                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

         The following selected  consolidated  financial data for, and as of the
end of, each of the years in the two year  period  ended  December  31, 1995 are
derived from the audited  consolidated  financial statements of the Company. The
following selected interim consolidated data for, and as of the end of, the nine
month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 have been derived from unaudited
financial statements of the Company,  which, in the opinion of management,  have
been prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements
included herein,  and reflect all  adjustments,  which are of a normal recurring
nature,  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of such data.  The  results of the
interim  periods are not  necessarily  indicative of the results of a full year.
The  selected  consolidated  financial  data set forth  below  should be read in
conjunction with, and are qualified by reference to, the Consolidated  Financial
Statements of the Company and the Notes thereto,  and  "Management's  Discussion
and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations"  included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Nine Months Ended                             Years Ended
                                                               September 30,                              December 31,
                                                  -------------------------------------          ---------------------------------
                                                        1996                 1995                      1995              1994
                                                  ----------------    -----------------          ----------------   --------------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Consolidated Statements
    of Operations Data:
    Interest income............................     $ 4,316,423          $1,659,489                  $2,561,439        $1,209,141
    Interest expense...........................       1,978,451             878,037                   1,269,620           503,828
    Net interest income........................       2,337,972             781,452                   1,291,819           705,313
    Provision for loan losses..................         674,828                -                        190,051            59,078
    Non-interest income........................         811,937              90,668                     197,014            75,364
    Non-interest expense.......................       4,000,513           1,361,886                   2,581,411           979,989
    Loss before income taxes...................      (1,525,432)           (489,766)                 (1,282,629)         (258,390)
    Income tax provision (benefit).............            -                   -                           -              (17,434)

Net Loss.......................................     $(1,525,432)        $  (489,766)                $(1,282,629)      $  (240,956)
                                                    ===========         ===========                 ===========       ===========

Consolidated Statements of Financial
    Condition Data, at Period End:
    Total assets...............................     $94,961,351         $41,715,010                 $52,798,345       $26,303,452
    Total loans, net...........................      80,981,616          24,475,535                  29,760,313        19,930,101
    Total deposits.............................      78,857,010          30,072,493                  41,363,630        20,882,530
    Total stockholders' equity.................       9,182,554          10,887,886                  10,701,986         1,976,615

Per Common Share Data:
    Net loss(1)................................           (1.24)               (.97)                      (1.88)            (2.07)
    Book value.................................            7.48                9.31                        8.72              8.75
    Tangible book value........................            7.24                9.02                        8.41              7.22
    Number of shares of common stock
        outstanding, at period end.............       1,227,213           1,169,141                   1,226,613           225,813

Performance Ratios(2):
    Return on average assets...................         (2.84)%             (1.93)%                     (3.45)%           (1.42)%
    Return on average stockholders' equity.....        (20.37)%            (13.08)%                    (19.63)%          (22.72)%
    Net interest margin........................           4.87%               3.50%                       3.99%             4.60%

Capital Ratios:
    Capital to risk-weighted assets, at period end:
        Tier 1 capital ratio...................          10.33%              44.94%                      33.87%            11.76%
        Total capital ratio....................          11.44%              45.99%                      35.10%            13.01%
        Tier 1 leverage ratio..................          12.39%              31.04%                      27.83%             9.57%

Asset Quality Ratios:
    Allowance for loan losses, at period end, to:
        Loans..................................           1.17%                .99%                       1.25%             1.21%
        Non-performing assets..................         205.05%              24.57%                      59.47%            35.38%
    Net charge-offs to average total loans(2)..            .22%                __                          .26%              .16%
    Non-performing assets to total assets,
        at period end..........................            .49%               2.39%                       1.20%             2.63%
- -----------
<FN>
(1) Net  loss  per  share is based on the  weighted  average  number  of  shares
    outstanding during the period.
(2) Annualized for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       14

<PAGE>



                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

         Since  assuming  control  of  the  Company  in  May,  1995,  management
implemented  a strategy  of building a branch  network in its core market  area.
This  strategy is intended to position  the Bank to optimize  the  opportunities
that  management  believes  have  been  created  by  dislocations  caused by the
widespread  consolidations among local banks with large out-of-state  acquirors.
Although this strategy has resulted in losses for the past sixteen  months,  the
Company  anticipates that this investment will ultimately be substantially  less
than the market  premiums  required to purchase  and  improve  existing  bank or
thrift franchises.

         The  following  discussion  of the  Company's  financial  condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial
statements  and  related  notes  and  other  statistical   information  included
elsewhere herein. Results reflect the operations of the Company and the Bank for
the nine month periods ended  September 30, 1996 and 1995,  and during the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.

Results of Operations

         The Company incurred a net loss for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 of $1,525,432  compared to a net loss of $489,766 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995. These results reflect the costs of the Company's  continuing
expansion and growth, including substantially increased compensation,  occupancy
and promotional expenses. Net loss per share for the nine months ended September
30,  1996 was $1.24 per share  compared to $.97 per share for the same period in
1995.  Return on average assets was (2.84)% for the nine months ended  September
30, 1996 as compared to (1.93)% for the same period in 1995.

         The  Company's  net loss  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1995 was
$1,282,629  compared to a net loss of $240,956  for the year ended  December 31,
1994. The amount of net loss for 1995 was in line with management's expectation.
The primary reasons for the increase in net loss were costs  associated with the
development  of a substantial  branching  network,  the marketing of deposit and
loan  products  and  additional  staffing  necessary  to  effectively  serve the
expanding customer base. The 1995 net loss represents a return on average assets
of (3.45)% compared to the 1994 return of (1.42)%.  The return on average equity
was (19.63)% for 1995 and (22.72)% for 1994. The net interest  margin  increased
to $1,291,819  for the year ended  December 31, 1995, an increase of $586,506 or
83% from the 1994 amount of $705,313.

Net Interest Income/Margins

         The primary source of earnings for the Company is net interest  income,
which is the difference between income earned on  interest-earning  assets, such
as  loans   and   investment   securities,   and   interest   incurred   on  the
interest-bearing sources of funds, such as deposits and borrowings. The level of
net interest income is determined  primarily by the average balances  ("volume")
and the rate  spreads  between  the  interest-earning  assets and the  Company's
funding sources.

         Net interest  income was $2,337,972 for the nine months ended September
30, 1996, a 199% increase from the net interest income of $781,452 earned during
the same period of 1995. Earning assets


                                       15

<PAGE>



averaged  $63,964,829  in the first  nine  months of 1996,  a 115%  increase  as
compared to  $29,752,454  in the first nine months of 1995.  The increase in net
interest  income was due to the growth of the loan  portfolio  and  increases in
yields on the loan  portfolio.  Average  loans as a percentage  of total average
earning  assets  increased to 88.1% in the first nine months of 1996 as compared
with 70.8% in the same period of 1995.

         Net  interest  income was  $1,291,819  for the year ended  December 31,
1995, an 83% increase from the net interest income of $705,313 in 1994.  Earning
assets averaged  $32,414.418 in 1995, a 111% increase as compared to $15,340,770
in 1994.  The increase in net interest  income was due to the growth of the loan
portfolio,  and increases in yields in the majority of earning asset  categories
due to market rate increases, including the prime rate, throughout 1995.

         Interest  income on loans of  $3,981,916  for the first nine  months of
1996  increased by  $2,698,764,  or 210% from  $1,283,152 for the same period in
1995,  reflecting a significant  increase in the average  balance of loans which
totaled $56,374,298 for the first nine months of 1996 as compared to $21,060,866
for the same period in 1995.

         Interest income on loans of $1,981,588 in 1995  represented an increase
of  $878,676,  or 80% from  $1,102,912  in 1994,  reflecting  an increase in the
average  balance of loans to $22,698,742  in 1995 from  $13,395,099 in 1994. The
increase in net interest income was the result of an overall increase in earning
assets. The net interest spread declined to 3.32% in 1995 from 4.28% in 1994.

         Despite lower net interest spreads (which is the difference between the
yield on earning assets and the cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities)  and net
interest  margins for the Company,  net interest  income improved in 1995 due to
greater  dollar  volumes  of  higher  yielding  assets,  as well as the  overall
increase in average earning assets.

         The  key  performance  measure  for net  interest  income  is the  "net
interest margin," or net interest income divided by average earning assets.  The
Company's  net  interest  margins  were  3.99% for 1995 and 4.6% for  1994.  The
Company's   net   interest   margin  is   affected  by  loan   pricing,   credit
administration,  and deposit pricing. The Company's net interest margin was 4.9%
for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  as  compared to 3.5% for the
comparable  1995 period.  This increase was achieved by adding  higher  yielding
loans in 1996.  The 1995  decreases were the result of a combination of factors,
including an upward trend in  certificates  of deposit as a percentage  of total
deposits and greater  increases  in  interest-bearing  deposits  than in earning
assets.

         Table 1:  "Comparative  Average  Balances  - Yields  and  Rates"  below
indicates  the  Company's   average  volume  of   interest-earning   assets  and
interest-bearing  liabilities  and  average  yields  and  rates.  Changes in net
interest  income from period to period result from increases or decreases in the
volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, increases or
decreases in the average  rates earned and paid on such assets and  liabilities,
the  ability to manage the  earning-asset  portfolio,  and the  availability  of
particular sources of funds, such as non-interest bearing deposits.



                                       16

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 1:  Comparative Average Balances (1) - Yields and Rates

                                                Nine Months Ended September 30,                    Years Ended December 31,
                                       --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                                 1996                   1995                  1995                    1994        
                                       ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
                                       Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/
                                       Balance Expense Rates  Balance Expense Rates  Balance Expense Rates  Balance Expense Rates
                                       ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------
                                                                           (dollars in thousands)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Assets:
 Loans (net of unearned income)(2)     $56,374  $3,982  9.42% $21,061 $1,283  8.12%  $22,699 $1,982  8.73%  $13,395 $1,103  8.23%
 Mortgage-backed securities 
  held to maturity                        -       -      -      2,544    133  6.95%    2,303    177  7.69%    1,274     78  6.12%
 Federal funds sold                       -       -      -       -       -      -        175     15  8.57%     -       -      -
 Interest bearing bank balances          6,724     314  6.23%   5,846    227  5.19%    6,937    366  5.28%      480     14  2.92%
 Other earning assets                      866      20  3.04%     301     16  7.23%      301     22  7.31%      192     14  7.29%
                                       -------  ------        ------- ------         ------- ------         ------- ------  

 Total earning assets(3)                63,964   4,317  9.00%  29,752  1,659  7.44%   32,415  2,562  7.90%   15,341  1,209  7.88%
                                                ------                ------                 ------                 ------

 Allowance for loan losses                (550)                  (244)                  (256)                  (150)
 Other assets                            8,235                  4,326                  5,054                  1,836
                                       -------                -------                -------                -------

 Total assets                          $71,649                $33,834                $37,213                $17,027
                                       =======                =======                =======                =======

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
 Deposits:
    Passbook                           $ 4,425  $  112  3.37% $ 2,973 $   60  2.68%  $ 3,081 $   66  2.14%  $ 1,521 $   47  3.13%
    NOW/MMDA                            10,646     222  2.79%   6,175    144  3.11%    6,477    211  3.26%    3,358    110  3.27%
    Certificates                        37,763   1,616  5.70%  15,035    584  5.18%   16,793    900  5.36%    7,139    254  3.56%
                                       -------  ------        ------- ------         ------- ------         ------- ------

Total interest-bearing deposits         52,834   1,950  4.92%  24,183    788  4.34%   26,351  1,177  4.47%   12,018    411  3.42%

Other borrowed funds                     1,149      28  3.30%   1,841     90  6.54%    1,406     93  6.61%    1,985     93   .00%
                                       -------  ------        ------- ------         ------- ------         ------- ------

Total interest-bearing liabilities      53,983   1,978  4.89%  26,024    878  4.50%   27,757  1,270  4.58%   14,003    504  4.69%
                                                ------                ------                 ------                 ------

Demand deposits                          6,447                    536                    984                  1,051
Other liabilities                        1,235                  2,280                  1,938                    913
Stockholders' equity                     9,984                  4,994                  6,534                  1,060
                                       -------                -------                -------                -------

Total liabilities and stockholders' 
  equity                               $71,649                $33,834                $37,213                $17,027
                                       =======                =======                =======                =======

Interest rate spread
   (Average yield less average rate)                    4.11%                 2.94%                  3.32%                  4.28%
Net interest income
   (Interest income less interest               ------                ------                 ------                 ------
    expense                 )                   $2,338                $  781                 $1,292                 $  705
                                                ======                ======                 =======                ======
Net interest margin
   (Net interest income/total 
    earning assets)                                     4.87%                 3.50%                  3.99%                  4.60%
- -------------------------
<FN>
(1) Average   balances  were   calculated   using  month  end  balances   (which
    approximates  daily  averages) as daily  averages were not available for the
    periods presented.
(2) Loans on  non-accrual  status are  included  in the  calculation  of average
    balances.
(3) From  inception  through  December  31,  1995,  the Company made no loans or
    investments that qualify for tax-exempt treatment and,  accordingly,  had no
    tax-exempt income.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       17

<PAGE>




         Table 2:  "Rate/Volume  Variance"  below  indicates  the changes in the
Company's  net  interest  income as a result of  changes  in volume  and  rates.
Changes in interest  income and  interest  expense can result from  variances in
both volumes and rates. The Company has an asset and liability management policy
designed to provide a proper  balance  between  rate  sensitive  assets and rate
sensitive  liabilities,  to attempt to maximize  interest margins and to provide
adequate liquidity for anticipated needs.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 2:  Rate/Volume Analysis (in thousands)
                                                            Nine Months
                                                      Ended September 30, 1996                Year Ended December 31, 1995
                                                       Compared to Nine Months                          Compared to
                                                      Ended September 30, 1995               Year Ended December 31, 1994
                                                  ---------------------------------        ---------------------------------
                                                                           Net                                    Net
                                                  Average    Average    Increase/          Average    Average  Increase/
                                                  Volume      Rate    (Decrease)(1)         Volume     Rate    (Decrease)(1)
                                                  -------    -------  -------------        -------    -------  -------------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Interest Income:
 Loans (net of unearned income)                   $2,465     $  234       $2,699            $  808      $ 71     $  879
 Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity        (133)        -          (133)               75        24         99
 Federal funds sold                                  -           -          -                   15        -          15
 Interest bearing bank balances                       37         50           87               332        20        352
 Other earnings assets                                 5         (2)           4                 8        -           8
                                                  ------     ------       ------            ------      ----     ------
         Total interest income                     2,441        216        2,657             1,238       115      1,353
                                                  ------     ------       ------            ------      ----     ------

Interest Expense:
 Passbook                                             34         18           52                27        (8)        19
 NOW/MMDA                                             91        (13)          78               101        -         101
 Certificates                                        967         65        1,032               470       176        646
 Other borrowed funds and escrow                     (27)       (35)         (62)               (1)       -          -
                                                  ------     ------       ------            ------     -----     ------

     Total interest expense                        1,376        181        1,100               597       169        766
                                                  ------     ------       ------            ------     -----     ------

Change in net interest income                     $1,309     $  248       $1,557            $  641     $ (54)    $  587

- ----------                                        ======     ======       ======            ======     =====     ======
<FN>
(1) The change in  interest  income and  expense due to both rate and volume has
    been  allocated  proportionally  between  volume  and  rate.  Loan  fees are
    included in the interest income computation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Non-Interest Income

         Non-interest income consists of revenues generated from service charges
on deposit accounts, as well as loan fees, wire transfer fees, gains on sales of
investment  securities,  official check fees and collection  fees.  Non-interest
income for the first nine months of 1996 was $811,937 as compared to $90,668 for
the same period in 1995,  an increase of  $721,269.  This  increase,  to a large
extent,  was due to a gain  realized on the sale of trading  account  investment
securities in 1996 of $331,695.  Other significant increases were experienced in
loan fee income which  increased to $208,162 from $32,344 or and service  charge
fee income which increased to $229,728 from $54,017. These increases were due to
significantly increased activity in both deposits and loans.



                                       18

<PAGE>



         For the year ended December 31, 1995, non-interest income was $197,014,
an increase of $121,650 from $75,364 in 1994.  The increase was primarily due to
volume increases in both loan and deposit  accounts,  which generated more check
activity and increased fee income.  Service fees on deposits accounted for 48.2%
and 64.4% of total non-interest income for 1995 and 1994, respectively.  Service
fees on loans  accounted  for 42.7% and 16.0% of total  non-interest  income for
1995 and 1994, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 3:  Non-interest Income

                                                       Nine Months Ended
                                                          September 30,                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                 ---------------------------          -----------------------------
                                                       1996            1995                  1995             1994
                                                 -----------------    ------          ------------------     ------
                                                           Percent                               Percent
                                                 Amount     Change    Amount          Amount      Change     Amount
                                                 ------     ------    ------          ------      ------     ------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
                                            
Gain on sale of securities                      $331,695     100%    $   -          $  8,970        100%    $   -
Service fees on loans                            208,162     544%     32,344          84,173        596%     12,089
Service fees on deposits                         229,728     325%     54,017          94,918         96%     48,524
Other operating income                            42,352     833%      4,307           8,953       (39)%     14,751
                                                --------             -------        --------                -------

         Total non-interest income              $811,937     796%    $90,668        $197,014        161%    $75,364
                                                ========     ====    =======        ========        ====    =======

Non-interest income as a percent
  of average total assets (annualized)             1.51%                .36%            .53%                   .44%
                                                   ====                 ====            ====                   ====
</TABLE>

Non-Interest Expense

         Non-interest  expense  totaled  $4,000,513  for the nine  months  ended
September  30, 1996 as compared to  $1,361,886  for the same period of 1995,  an
increase of $2,638,627. This increase reflects increased administrative expenses
and management's continuing emphasis on growth through branching.  Also included
in the operating  expenses for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 was the
accrual  of  a  one-time  federal   assessment  of  approximately   $154,000  to
recapitalize  the Savings  Association  Insurance  Fund.  Non-interest  expenses
(annualized)  as a percentage of average total assets  increased to 7.4% for the
first nine months of 1996 as compared to 5.4% for the comparable period in 1995.
Salaries and employee benefits continued to account for the largest component of
non-interest  expense,  comprising 46.5% of total non-interest  expenses for the
nine months ended  September 30, 1996 and 41.7% for the same period in 1995. The
increase was due to increased  staffing as a result of administrative  personnel
necessary  to  effectively  serve  a  significantly   increased  customer  base.
Occupancy  expense increased to $480,079 for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 as  compared  with  $136,996  for the same  period in 1995,  an increase of
$343,083,  caused by the Company's  continuing expansion into new local markets.
As a result of this growth, other components of non-interest expense increased.

         Non-interest expense totaled $2,581,411 for the year ended December 31,
1995, as compared to $979,989 for 1994, an increase of $1,601,422.  Non-interest
expense as a percentage  of average  total assets  increased to 6.94% in 1995 as
compared to 5.76% in 1994.  Salaries and employee  benefits  comprised  46.1% of
total  non-interest  expenses for 1995 and 41.9% in 1994.  Salaries and employee
benefits  increased  by  $778,794,  from 1994 to 1995.  The increase in 1995 was
mainly  attributable  to increased  staffing of the branch  network,  additional
administrative staff and related benefit costs. Net


                                       19

<PAGE>



occupancy  expenses  increased  by $159,574  or 185.7%  from 1994 to 1995.  This
increase  was due to the  aggressive  development  of the branch  network  which
increased  from four  branches as of December  31, 1994 to eight  branches as of
December 31, 1995. Additionally,  the two acquisitions of financial institutions
in 1994 were accounted for as purchases and the results of their  operations are
included  only  from the date of  acquisition  in  1994.  Professional  services
increased from $51,205 in 1994 to $233,448 in 1995, or $182,243,  an increase of
355.9%,   relating  to  the  growth  of  consulting   expenses  associated  with
supermarket  banking.  Advertising  expense  increased  from  $11,706 in 1994 to
$147,549 in 1995,  which  reflects the  Company's  increased  marketing  efforts
relating to both deposit and loan products. Other expenses increased to $282,352
in 1995 from $51,260 in 1994 due primarily to increased  repairs and maintenance
costs associated with new branch locations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 4:  Non-interest Expense

                                               Nine Months Ended September 30,                Years Ended December 31,
                                            -----------------------------------         ----------------------------------
                                                    1996                1995                    1995                1994
                                            --------------------      ---------         --------------------      --------
                                                         Percent                                     Percent
                                            Amount        Change       Amount           Amount        Change       Amount
                                            ------        ------       ------           ------        ------       ------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Salaries and employee benefits            $1,859,988      227%       $  568,243       $1,189,172        190%     $410,378
Net occupancy                                480,079      250           136,996          245,499        186        85,925
Insurance premiums                           229,810      432            43,221           79,783         20        66,239
Furniture, fixtures and equipment            173,169      230            52,408           82,968         20        68,914
Professional services                         59,841      (52)          123,851          233,448        356        51,205
Advertising                                  290,944      300            72,791          147,549      1,161        11,706
Service bureau expense                       201,067      117            92,650          134,927         31       103,079
Office supplies                              183,357      147            74,144          121,250         31        92,561
Amortization of cost of intangible assets     56,195       16            47,824           64,463         67        38,722
Other                                        466,063      211           149,758          282,352        451        51,260
                                          ----------                 ----------       ----------                 --------

    Total non-interest expense            $4,000,513      194%       $1,361,886       $2,581,411       163%      $979,989
                                          ==========                 ==========       ==========                 ========

Non-interest expense as a percent
  of average total assets (annualized)          7.4%                       5.4%             6.9%                     5.8%
                                                ===                        ====             ====                     ====
</TABLE>

Income Taxes

         The Company did not recognize any income tax benefit for the year ended
December 31, 1995 or for the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and 1995. As
of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995,  the entire net deferred tax asset,
consisting  mainly of net  operating  loss  carryforwards,  had been offset by a
valuation  allowance.  This valuation  allowance has been established because of
the lack of sufficient  profitable operating history of the Company.  Management
will evaluate the need for this allowance in the future and make  adjustments as
appropriate.  The amount of the net  operating  loss  carryforward  for  federal
income tax purposes at September 30, 1996 approximated  $2,500,000.  As a result
of ownership changes in 1995, utilization of a portion of the net operating loss
carryforward is subject to annual limitations.



                                       20

<PAGE>



Financial Condition

         At September 30, 1996, the Company's  total assets were  $94,961,351 as
compared  to  $52,798,345  at December  31,  1995,  an  increase of 79.9%.  This
increase was primarily due to the continual growth in the branching  network and
marketing  of  deposit  and loan  products.  The Bank's  overall  asset size and
customer base, both individual and commercial,  increased  significantly  during
1995; this growth continued into the first nine months of 1996.

         The Company's total assets were  $52,798,345 as of December 31, 1995 as
compared to $26,303,452 as of December 31, 1994,  which  represented an increase
of 101%. The Bank's overall asset size and customer  base,  both  individual and
commercial, increased significantly during 1995, and this growth is reflected in
the  consolidated   statements  of  financial  condition  and  the  consolidated
statements of operations.

         Total loans,  net of the  allowance  for loan losses,  at September 30,
1996 was  $80,981,616  as compared to  $29,760,313  on December 31, 1995,  which
represents an increase of  $51,221,303.  Significant  growth was  experienced in
commercial  real  estate  and  construction  which  increased  $35,880,079,  and
commercial loans which increased  $10,818,346.  Throughout the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 loan demand continued to be strong. At September 30, 1996 the
loan to deposit ratio was 104% as compared to 73% at December 30, 1995. The Bank
has augmented its deposits with  short-term  collateralized  borrowings from the
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to meet liquidity needs.

         Total  loans,  net of allowance  for loan losses,  at December 31, 1995
were  $29,760,313  as  compared  to  $19,930,101  at December  31,  1994,  which
represented  an  increase  of 49%.  The  increase  in loans is due to the Bank's
continued focus on its core lending activities  consisting mainly of real estate
loans secured by first mortgages, both residential and commercial. Average loans
as a percentage of average total earning assets, however, decreased from 1994 to
1995,  representing  70% of total  earning  assets as of December 31,  1995,  as
compared  to  87%  as of  December  31,  1994,  reflecting  primarily  increased
liquidity  from the  Company's  sale of stock in 1995  together  with  increased
deposits.

         Because the Bank has  aggressively  marketed  its deposit  products and
expanded its branch network, total deposits increased to $41,363,630 at December
31, 1995 from $20,882,530 at December 31, 1994, an increase of 98%. Certificates
of deposit  ("CD's")  accounted  for the largest  portion of this  increase,  up
$15,755,945.

Composition of Loan Portfolio

         Because  loans are expected to produce  higher  yields than  investment
securities and other  interest-earning  assets, the absolute volume of loans and
the volume as a percentage of total earning  assets is an important  determinant
of net interest margin.

         During the nine month period  ended  September  30, 1996 average  loans
totaled  $56,374,298  and  constituted  88% of  earning  assets and 79% of total
assets for the same period.  This average loan balance represents an increase of
$35,313,435 over the nine month period ended September 30, 1995.



                                       21

<PAGE>



         The  increase  in  loans  from  $29,760,313  at  December  31,  1995 to
$80,981,616  at  September  30,  1996 was funded  primarily  by an  increase  in
deposits and a $6,000,000 advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

         During the year ended December 31, 1995, average loans were $22,698,742
and  constituted  70% of average earning assets and 61% of average total assets.
This   represents  an  increase  of  $9,303,643   over  1994  average  loans  of
$13,395,099,  which  represented  87.3% of average  earning  assets and 78.7% of
average total assets.  At December 31, 1995, the Company's loan to deposit ratio
was 72.9% as compared to 96.6% at December 31, 1994.  Loan growth during 1995 of
$9,961,652 was significantly less than total deposit growth of $20,481,100 which
contributed to the decrease in the loan to deposit ratio.

         The Bank's loan portfolio composition as of September 30, 1996 reflects
greater  concentrations  of commercial real estate and  construction  loans. The
following  table sets forth the composition of the Bank's loan portfolio and the
related percentage composition of total loans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 5:  Loan Portfolio Composition

                                            September 30, 1996            December 31, 1995             December 31, 1994
                                        -------------------------      -----------------------       -----------------------
                                                          Percent                     Percent                        Percent
      Type of Loans                        Amount        of Total         Amount      of Total         Amount       of Total
      -------------                     ------------     --------      -----------    --------       ----------     --------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Commercial                               $11,687,987          14%     $    869,641         3%        $      -            -%
Commercial real estate
 and construction(1)                      47,354,820          58        11,474,741        38           1,686,153         9
Residential real estate                   21,582,328          26        16,215,918        54          17,308,341        87
Consumer and other                         1,370,090           2         1,450,721         5             905,767         4
                                         -----------        ----      ------------       ---         -----------       ---
c
    Total loans                           81,995,225        100%        30,011,021       100%         19,900,261       100%
                                                            ===                          ===                           ===

Add:
 Unamortized premiums                        224,965                       283,926                      375,708
 Accrued interest receivable                 585,690                       201,704                      144,522

Less:
 Unearned income                             865,452                       360,051                      245,543
  Allowance for loan losses                  958,812                       376,287                      244,847
                                        ------------                  ------------                  -----------

    Net loans                            $80,981,616                  $ 29,760,313                  $19,930,101
                                         ===========                  ============                  ===========
- ---------------------------
<FN>
(1) Less loans in process
</FN>
</TABLE>

         Approximately  50% of the  Bank's  loans  have  adjustable  rates as of
September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, the majority of which are fixed to the
prime rate. Interest rates on variable rate loans adjust to the current interest
rate  environment,  whereas  fixed  rates do not  permit  this  flexibility.  If
interest  rates were to  increase  in the  future,  the  interest  earned on the
variable  rate loans  would  improve,  and if rates were to fall,  the  interest
earned  would  decline,  thus  impacting  the  Company's  income.  See  also the
discussion under "Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity" below.



                                       22

<PAGE>



         The following  table sets forth the maturity  distribution,  classified
according  to  sensitivity  to changes in  interest  rate,  for the Bank's  loan
portfolio at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995.  Some of the loans may be
renewed or repaid prior to maturity.  Therefore,  the following table should not
be used as a forecast of future cash collections.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 6:  Maturity Schedule of Selected Loans

                                                    As of September 30, 1996                   As of December 31, 1995
                                                     (dollars in thousands)                    (dollars in thousands)
                                         ----------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------  
                                            Up to    More than                          Up to    More than
                                             One      1 Year      10+                    One      1 Year      10+
                                            Year   to 10 Years   Years     Total        Year   to 10 Years   Years     Total
                                         --------- ----------- --------  --------    --------  ----------- --------   ------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

    Real estate (commercial, residential
       and construction) and commercial    $46,122   $27,777    $6,726    $80,625      $12,326   $7,299     $8,935    $28,560
    Consumer                                   868       500         2      1,370          314      652        485     1,451
                                           -------   -------    ------    -------      --------  ------     ------

         Total                             $46,990   $28,277    $6,728    $81,995      $12,640   $7,951     $9,420    $30,011
                                           =======   =======    ======    =======      ========  ======     ======    =======

    Fixed interest rate                    $11,794   $22,613    $6,728    $41,135      $ 4,349   $4,439     $8,071    $16,851
    Variable interest rate                  35,196     5,664       -       40,860        8,291    3,520      1,349     13,160
                                           -------   -------    ------    -------      -------   ------     ------    -------

         Total                             $46,990   $28,277    $6,728    $81,995      $12,640   $7,951     $9,420    $30,011
                                           =======   =======    ======    =======      =======   ======     ======    =======
</TABLE>

         The  scheduled  repayments  as shown above are reported in the maturity
category in which the payment is due.

Loan Quality

         The  Bank  attempts  to  manage  the risk  characteristics  of its loan
portfolio  through  various  control  processes,  such as credit  evaluation  of
borrowers,   establishment   of  lending  limits  and   application  of  lending
procedures,  including the holding of adequate collateral and the maintenance of
compensating  balances.  However,  the Bank seeks to rely  primarily on the cash
flow of its borrowers as the  principal  source of  repayment.  Although  credit
policies are designed to minimize risk,  management  recognizes that loan losses
will occur and that the amount of these losses will  fluctuate  depending on the
risk  characteristics  of the loan  portfolio  as well as general  and  regional
economic conditions.

         The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for potential losses
in the  loan  portfolio.  The  adequacy  of the  allowance  for loan  losses  is
evaluated  periodically  based  on a review  of all  significant  loans,  with a
particular  emphasis on  non-accruing,  past due and other loans that management
believes require special attention.

         For  significant   problem  loans,   management's  review  consists  of
evaluation of the  financial  strengths of the borrower and the  guarantor,  the
related collateral,  and the effects of economic  conditions.  Specific reserves
against the remaining  loan  portfolio are based on analysis of historical  loan
loss ratios,  loan  charge-offs,  delinquency  trends,  and previous  collection
experience,  along  with an  assessment  of the  effects  of  external  economic
conditions.  Table 8: "Allowance for Loan Loss  Allocation,"  which is set forth
below,  indicates  the  specific  reserves  allocated  by loan type and also the
general reserves included in the allowance for loan losses.



                                       23

<PAGE>



         As of  September  30, 1996 the Company  had  approximately  $468,000 in
non-accrual  loans  as  compared  with  $633,000  at  December  31,  1995.  This
represents a decrease of $165,000 or 26% in  non-performing  assets for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996. As of December 31, 1994, the Company had loans
of approximately $692,000 in non-accrual status.

         The  provision  for loan  losses is a charge to earnings in the current
period to replenish the allowance and to maintain it at a level  management  has
determined to be adequate. The Company provided $674,828 for loan losses for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996, but no provision was deemed  necessary for
the comparable period in 1995.  Although the Bank's loan portfolio has increased
significantly  during the nine months ended  September 30, 1996, no  significant
deterioration in loan quality has been experienced.

         As of September 30, 1996 the allowance for loan losses was $958,812, as
compared  with the  December  31,  1995  balance of  $376,287,  an  increase  of
$582,525.  Net  charge-offs of $92,303 were recognized for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996. The growth in the reserve was warranted by the growth in the
loan portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 1996 represented
1.17% of  outstanding  loans as compared with 1.25% as of December 31, 1995. The
reduction  in  the   percentage   was  justified   based  on  the  reduction  in
non-performing assets and management's evaluation of the loan portfolio.

         The  Company's  provision  for loan  losses for 1995 was  $190,051,  an
increase of $130,973 from the $59,078  provision in 1994. The Bank's total gross
loan  balance  increased to  $30,011,021  as of December 31, 1995 as compared to
$19,900,201  as of December 31, 1994.  The  increase in the  provision  for loan
losses during 1995 was related primarily to the growth in the loan portfolio.

         The  Bank  charged  off  loans  of  $59,861  in  1995  as  compared  to
charge-offs of $22,561 in 1994, an increase of $37,300. There were recoveries of
$1,250 on loans previously charged off during 1995, as compared to recoveries of
$921 during 1994. The following Table 7: "Allowance for Loan Losses", summarizes
the allowance activities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 7:  Allowance for Loan Losses
                                                                     Nine Months
                                                                        Ended                      Years Ended
                                                                    September 30,                  December 31,
                                                                        1996               1995                1994
                                                                  --------------        ----------           -------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period                        $376,287           $244,847           $    -
                                                                      --------           --------           --------
Balance acquired in acquisitions                                         -                   -               207,409
                                                                      --------           --------           --------
Loans charged off:
   Commercial                                                          (12,357)            (8,595)             -
   Real estate                                                         (48,682)           (47,307)            (2,997)
   Consumer                                                            (42,147)            (3,959)           (19,564)
                                                                      --------           --------           --------
     Total loans charged off                                          (103,186)           (59,861)           (22,561)
Recoveries                                                              10,883              1,250                921
                                                                      --------           --------           --------
     Net (charge-offs) recoveries                                      (92,303)           (58,611)           (21,640)
                                                                      --------           ---------          ---------
Provision for loan losses                                              674,828            190,051             59,078
                                                                      --------           --------           --------

Allowance for loan losses, end of period                              $958,812           $376,287           $244,847
                                                                      ========           ========           ========



                                       24

<PAGE>




Loans (net of premiums and discounts):
   Period-end balance                                              $81,940,428        $30,136,600        $20,174,948
   Average balance during period                                   $56,374,298        $22,698,742        $13,395,099
Allowance as percentage of period-end loan balance                       1.17%              1.25%              1.21%
Percent of average loans:
 Provision for loan losses(1)                                            1.60%               .84%               .44%
 Net charge-offs(1)                                                       .22%               .26%               .16%
- ------------------
<FN>
(1)   Annualized for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         As of December 31,  1995,  the  allowance  for loan losses was 1.25% of
outstanding  loans,  which was a slight  increase  from the  December  31,  1994
percentage of 1.21%.  Management's  judgment as to the level of future losses on
existing loans is based on  management's  internal review of the loan portfolio,
including  an  analysis  of  the  borrowers'  current  financial  position,  the
consideration of current and anticipated economic conditions and their potential
effects on specific borrowers, an evaluation of the existing relationships among
loans,  potential loan losses, and the present level of the loan loss allowance.
In determining the  collectibility  of certain loans,  management also considers
the fair value of any underlying collateral. However, management's determination
of the appropriate  allowance level is based upon a number of assumptions  about
future  events,  which are believed to be  reasonable,  but which may or may not
prove valid.  Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods
will not exceed the  allowance for loan losses or that  additional  increases in
the allowance for loan loss will not be required. The following table summarizes
the allocation of allowance by loan type.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 8:  Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

                                                       As of                     As of                     As of
                                               September 30, 1996          December 31, 1995          December 31, 1994
                                             ----------------------      ---------------------      -------------------
                                                             Percent                  Percent                    Percent
                                                Amount      of Total     Amount      of Total        Amount     of Total
                                                ------      --------     ------      --------        ------     --------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Commercial                           $242,996       25.3%       $ 43,879      11.7%        $ 13,803       5.7%
         Residential real estate
           and construction                    273,718       28.5          92,449      24.5           68,816      28.1
         Consumer                               43,854        4.6          28,229       7.5           24,529      10.0
         Unallocated                           398,244       41.6         211,730      56.3          137,699      56.2
                                              --------      -----        --------    ------         --------     -----

            Total                             $958,812      100.0%       $376,287     100.0%        $244,847     100.0%
                                              ========      =====        ========     =====         ========     =====
</TABLE>

         Non-performing  assets are defined as non-accrual loans and real estate
acquired by  foreclosure.  When real estate acquired by foreclosure and held for
sale is included with  non-performing  loans,  such real estate is recorded as a
non-performing  asset.  Non-performing  assets  as of  September  30,  1996  and
December  31,  1995  and  1994  were  comprised  solely  of  loans  and  totaled
approximately   $468,000,   $633,000  and  $692,000,   respectively.   Table  9,
"Non-Performing  Assets," presents  information on these assets for the past two
years, and Table 10, "Foregone Interest," illustrates the corresponding interest
lost on non-performing assets.

         As a result of management's ongoing review of the loan portfolio, loans
are  classified  as  non-accrual,  even though the presence of collateral or the
borrower's financial strength may be sufficient to


                                       25

<PAGE>



provide for ultimate repayment. Interest on non-accrual loans is recognized only
when received.  Table 10, "Foregone  Interest," indicates the amount of interest
that would have been  recorded  had all loans  classified  as  non-accrual  been
current in  accordance  with  their  original  terms and the amount of  interest
actually accrued.

Table 9:  Non-Performing Assets
                                          As of                   As of
                                       September 30,          December 31,
                                      --------------     -----------------------
                                           1996             1995          1994
                                      --------------     ----------     --------

  Loans on non-accrual basis             $468,000         $633,000      $692,000


      Total non-performing assets        $468,000         $633,000      $692,000
                                         ========         ========      ========

         In addition,  management  has placed on  non-accrual  status loans to a
single  borrower in which the Bank's  participation  interest  is  approximately
$900,000. While these loans have been placed on non-accrual status subsequent to
September  30, 1996,  management  currently  anticipates  that all principal and
interest will be collected.

Table 10: Foregone Interest
                                            For the Nine           For the Year
                                            Months Ended               Ended
                                            September 30,          December 31,
                                                1996           1995        1994
                                         ----------------    --------     ------

   Interest income that would have been
     accrued at original terms                 $46,000        $65,000    $34,200
   Interest recognized                           -               -          -


Capital Resources

         Stockholders'  equity  was  $9,182,554  as of  September  30,  1996  as
compared to  $10,701,986 as of December 31, 1995. The decrease of $1,519,432 was
the result of a net loss for the nine month period of $1,525,432 and the sale of
additional  shares of Common  Stock.  No  dividends  have been  declared  by the
Company since its inception.

         Stockholders'  equity  was  $10,701,986  as of  December  31,  1995  as
compared to  $1,976,615  as of December 31, 1994.  This  increase was due to the
issuance of 1,000,800  shares of Common Stock during 1995 for  $10,008,000.  The
other component of the change in  stockholders'  equity was the 1995 net loss of
$1,282,629.

         To date,  the Company has  provided  its  capital  requirements  mainly
through the funds received for its stock offerings.  In the future,  the Company
may  consider  raising  capital  from time to time through an offering of Common
Stock or other securities. The Bank exceeded its capital adequacy requirements


                                       26

<PAGE>



as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995. The Company continually monitors
its  capital  adequacy  ratios  to  assure  that the  Bank  remains  within  the
guidelines.

         Banking   regulatory   authorities  have  implemented   strict  capital
guidelines  directly related to the credit risk associated with an institution's
assets. Banks and bank holding companies are required to maintain capital levels
based on their "risk  adjusted"  assets so that categories of assets with higher
"defined"  credit risks will require more capital support than assets with lower
risk.  Additionally,  capital must be maintained to support certain  off-balance
sheet instruments.

         Capital  is  classified  as Tier 1 (common  stockholders'  equity  less
certain intangible assets) and Total Capital (Tier 1 plus the allowance for loan
losses).  Minimum  required levels must at least equal 4% for Tier 1 capital and
8% for Total Capital.  In addition,  institutions  must maintain a minimum of 3%
leverage capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to average total assets).

         The Bank's capital position is presented in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 11:  Capital Ratios
                                                     September 30,                 December 31,           Regulatory
                                                        1996                    1995        1994          Requirement
                                                  ----------------              ----        ----          -----------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets         10.33%                 33.87%      11.76%             4.0%
         Total capital to risk weighted assets          11.44%                 35.10%      13.01%             8.0%
         Tier 1 capital leverage ratio                  12.39%                 27.83%       9.57%             3.0%
</TABLE>


Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity

         The primary  objective of  asset/liability  management is to ensure the
steady growth of the Company's primary earnings component,  net interest income.
Net interest income can fluctuate with significant  interest rate movements.  To
lessen the impact of these rate swings,  management  endeavors to structure  the
balance  sheet  so that  repricing  opportunities  exist  for  both  assets  and
liabilities  in  roughly  equivalent  amounts  at  approximately  the same  time
intervals.  Imbalances  in these  repricing  opportunities  at any point in time
constitute interest rate sensitivity.

         The measurement of the Bank's interest rate  sensitivity,  or "gap," is
one of the principal  techniques used in  asset/liability  management.  Interest
sensitive gap is the dollar difference  between assets and liabilities which are
subject to  interest-rate  pricing  within a given time period,  including  both
floating  rate  or  adjustable  rate  instruments  and  instruments   which  are
approaching maturity.

         Bank management  oversees the  asset/liability  management function and
meets  periodically  to monitor and manage the  structure of the balance  sheet,
control interest rate exposure,  and evaluate  pricing  strategies for the Bank.
The asset mix of the balance sheet is continually  evaluated in terms of several
variables:  yield,  credit quality,  appropriate  funding sources and liquidity.
Management  of the  liability  mix of the balance sheet focuses on expanding the
various funding sources.

         In  theory,  interest  rate risk can be  diminished  by  maintaining  a
nominal level of interest rate sensitivity.  In practice, this is made difficult
by a number of factors, including cyclical variation in loan


                                       27

<PAGE>



demand,  different  impacts on  interest-sensitive  assets and liabilities  when
interest rates change, and the availability of funding sources. Accordingly, the
Bank  undertakes to manage the  interest-rate  sensitivity  gap by adjusting the
maturity of and  establishing  rates on the earning asset  portfolio and certain
interest-bearing   liabilities   commensurate  with  management's   expectations
relative to market interest rates.  Management  generally attempts to maintain a
balance between  rate-sensitive assets and liabilities as the exposure period is
lengthened to minimize the overall interest rate risk to the Bank.

         The interest  rate  sensitivity  position as of  September  30, 1996 is
presented in Table 12:  "Rate  Sensitivity  Analysis."  The  difference  between
rate-sensitive  assets and  rate-sensitive  liabilities,  or the  interest  rate
sensitivity gap, is shown at the bottom of the table. At September 30, 1996, the
Bank had an asset  sensitive  gap  (more  assets  than  liabilities  subject  to
repricing within the stated time frame) of which represents  earning assets over
a 180-day  period.  The Bank  would  benefit  from  increasing  market  rates of
interest when it is asset  sensitive and would  benefit from  decreasing  market
rates of interest when it is liability sensitive. This suggests that if interest
rates should  increase over this period,  the net interest margin would improve;
and if interest rates should  decrease,  the net interest  margin would decline.
Since all interest rates and yields do not adjust at the same velocity,  the gap
is only a general indicator of interest rate sensitivity.  The analysis presents
only a static  view of the timing of  maturities  and  repricing  opportunities,
without taking into consideration the fact that changes in interest rates do not
affect all assets and liabilities  equally.  Net interest income may be impacted
by other  significant  factors in a given interest rate  environment,  including
changes  in  the  volume  and  mix  of  earning   assets  and   interest-bearing
liabilities.

         Cash flows from  financing  activities,  which  included funds received
from new and  existing  depositors,  provided a large source of liquidity in the
nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996  and in 1995.  The Bank  seeks to rely
primarily on core deposits from customers to provide  stable and  cost-effective
sources of funding to support asset growth.  The Bank also seeks to augment such
deposits with longer term and higher yielding  certificates of deposit.  CD's of
$100,000  or more are  summarized  by maturity  in Table 13:  "Maturity  of Time
Deposits $100,000 or More". Other sources of funds available to the Bank include
short-term  borrowings,  primarily  in  the  form  of  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank
collateralized borrowings.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 12:  Rate Sensitivity Analysis

                                                               As of September 30, 1996
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Longer Than
                                                                                           10 Years
                                             180 Days   181 Days-     One-Two    Two-Ten   or Non-
                                             or Less     One Year      Years     Years    sensitive      Total
                                             -------     --------      -----     -----    ---------      -----
                                                                 (dollars in thousands)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Interest-earnings Assets:
 Interest bearing deposits                    $ 4,482     $  -      $    -      $   -      $   -        $ 4,482
 Investment in certificates of deposit          -            -            99        -          -             99
 FHLB stock                                     -            -           -          -          481          481
 Loans                                         41,289       4,976      5,969     22,953      6,808       81,995
                                              -------     -------   --------    -------    -------      -------
   Total interest-earnings assets             $45,771     $ 4,976   $  6,068    $22,953    $ 7,289      $87,057
                                              =======     =======   ========    =======    =======      =======



                                       28

<PAGE>



Interest-bearing Liabilities:
 Savings                                      $ 4,590     $  -      $    -      $   -      $   -        $ 4,590
 NOW accounts                                   3,822        -           -          -          -          3,822
 Money market accounts                          8,378        -           -          -          -          8,378
 CDs & IRAs                                    16,313       8,642     24,579      3,464        -         52,998
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances                6,000        -           -          -          -          6,000
                                              -------     -------   --------   ---------   -------      -------

   Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                                $39,103     $ 8,642   $ 24,579    $ 3,464    $   -        $75,788
                                              =======     =======   ========    =======    =======      =======

Interest rate sensitivity gap                 $ 6,668     $(3,666)  $(18,511)   $19,489    $ 7,289      $11,269
                                              =======     =======   =========   =======    =======      =======

Cumulative interest rate gap                  $ 6,668     $ 3,002   $(15,509)   $ 3,980    $11,269
                                              =======     =======   =========   =======    =======

Ratio of rate sensitive assets
 to rate sensitive liabilities                   117%         58%        25%       663%         -
</TABLE>

Deposits

         The Bank uses deposits as the primary  source of funding of its assets.
The Bank has experienced significant growth in its deposits, especially in CD's.
The following table describes the maturity of time deposits of $100,000 or more.

Table 13:  Maturity of Time Deposits $100,000 or More

                         September 30,                    December 31,
                            1996                    1995              1994
                         -------------           ----------        ----------

   Under 3 months         $1,463,097             $  947,201        $  326,414
   3 to 6 months           1,263,197                470,056             -
   6 to 12 months          3,701,031                521,703           304,440
   Over 12 months          3,066,996                706,687           400,106
                          ----------             ----------        ----------

      Total               $9,494,321             $2,645,647        $1,030,960
                          ==========             ==========        ==========

         The Bank offers  individuals and businesses a wide variety of accounts.
These accounts include checking, savings, money market and CD's and are obtained
primarily  from  communities  which the Bank serves.  The Bank holds no brokered
deposits.  The following table details the average amount, the average rate paid
on, and the total of, the  following  primary  deposit  categories  for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.



                                       29

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 14:  Average Deposit Composition and Rates

                                                                                Nine Months Ended
                                                                               September 30, 1996
                                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                                    Average          Average           % of
                                                                    Balance           Rate            Total
                                                                    -------           ----            -----
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Non-interest-bearing demand deposits                     $ 6,446,653          -               10.87%
                                                                  -----------                         -------

         NOW & money market savings deposits                       10,645,814         2.79             17.96
         Regular savings deposits                                   4,425,384         3.37              7.47
         Time deposits                                             37,762,845         5.70             63.70
                                                                  -----------                         ------

            Total interest-bearing deposits                        52,834,043         4.92%            89.13%
                                                                  -----------                         ------

            Total deposits                                        $59,280,696         4.39%           100.00%
                                                                  ===========                         ======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year ended                               Year ended
                                                         December 31, 1995                       December 31, 1994
                                               ----------------------------------      -----------------------------------
                                                Average       Average        % of        Average       Average      % of
                                                Balance        Rate         Total        Balance         Rate      Total
                                                -------        ----         -----        -------         ----      -----
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits           $   984,578      -            3.60%     $ 1,050,728       -            8.0%
                                               -----------                -------      -----------                 ------

NOW & money market savings deposits              6,477,267      3.25%       23.70%       3,357,827       3.27%       25.7%
Regular savings deposits                         3,080,912      2.15%       11.27%       1,520,707       3.13%       11.7%
Time deposits                                   16,793,114      5.36%       61.43%       7,139,404       3.56%       54.6%
                                                ----------                -------       ----------                 ------

   Total interest-bearing deposits              26,351,293      4.46%       96.40%      12,017,938       3.42%       92.0%
                                              ------------                -------      -----------                 ------

   Total deposits                              $27,335,871      4.30%      100.00%     $13,068,666       3.15%      100.00%
                                               ===========                 =======     ===========                 =======
</TABLE>


         Total  deposits as of September 30, 1996 were  $78,857,010  compared to
$41,363,630 as of December 31, 1995, an increase of $37,493,380.  Total deposits
were $41,363,630 on December 31, 1995 as compared to $20,882,530 at December 31,
1994. While the main source of these increases was certificates of deposit,  all
other types of deposits  increased as well,  including savings  accounts,  money
market savings  deposits,  interest  bearing demand  deposits,  and non-interest
bearing  demand.  These  increases  reflect  management's  growth strategy which
includes significant  marketing and promotion and the development of a branching
network.

Investment Securities

         The  following   table  presents  the   composition  of  the  Company's
securities portfolio as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and 1994.



                                       30

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table 15:  Investment Securities

                                                                      September 30,                December 31,
                                                                         1996                   1995          1994
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Mortgage-backed securities-held to maturity                  $    -                 $   -          $2,630,929
                                                                      ==========             ========       ==========
</TABLE>

         In December 1995,  management  utilized the one-time  option allowed by
the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board and designated  its  mortgage-backed
securities  portfolio as available for sale. This enabled management to sell its
portfolio in late 1995, providing liquidity for loan fundings.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

         The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and Notes  thereto  presented
elsewhere  herein  have been  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  which require the measurement of financial position and
operating results in terms of historical dollars without  considering the change
in the relative  purchasing  power of money over time and due to inflation.  The
impact  of  inflation  is  reflected  in the  increased  cost  of the  Company's
operations.  Unlike  most  industrial  companies,  nearly  all the assets of the
Company  are  monetary  in nature.  As a result,  interest  rates have a greater
impact on the  Company's  performance  than do the effects of general  levels of
inflation.  Interest rates do not  necessarily  move in the same direction or to
the same extent as the price of goods and services.

New Accounting Standards

         Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation.  In November 1995, the FASB
issued  SFAS No. 123  "Accounting  for  Awards of  Stock-Based  Compensation  to
Employees" ("SFAS No. 123"). SFAS No. 123 is effective for years beginning after
December 15, 1995.  Earlier  application is permitted.  The Statement  defines a
fair value based method of  accounting  for an employee  stock option or similar
equity instrument and encourages all entities to adopt that method of accounting
for all of their employee stock compensation plans.  However,  SFAS No. 123 also
allows an entity to continue to measure  compensation cost for those plans using
the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"  ("Opinion 25"). Under the fair value
based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value
of the award and is  recognized  over the service  period,  which is usually the
vesting period. Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the
excess,  if any,  of the quoted  market  price of the stock at the grant date or
other  measurement  date over the amount an  employee  must pay to  acquire  the
stock.  Most  fixed  stock  option  plans  -  the  most  common  type  of  stock
compensation plan -- have no intrinsic value at grant date, and under Opinion 25
no compensation  costs is recognized for them.  Compensation  cost is recognized
for other types of stock based  compensation  plans under Opinion 25,  including
plans  with  variable,  usually  performance-based,   features.  This  Statement
requires that an employer's  financial  statements  include certain  disclosures
about stock-based employee  compensation  arrangements  regardless of the method
used to account for them.  The Company  intends to continue  using the intrinsic
value method and will provide the pro forma  disclosures  about its  stock-based
employee  compensation  plans in its 1996 financial  statements,  as required by
SFAS No. 123.

         Transfers  and  Servicing of Financial  Assets and  Extinguishments  of
Liabilities.  In June 1996 the FASB issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and


                                       31

<PAGE>



Servicing of Financial  Assets and  Extinguishments  of Liabilities"  ("SFAS No.
125"). SFAS No. 125 is effective for transfers and servicing of financial assets
and  extinguishments of liabilities  occurring after December 31, 1996 and is to
be applied prospectively.  This Statement will require, among other things, that
the  Company  record at fair  value  assets  and  liabilities  resulting  from a
transfer of financial assets.  The Company plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS
No. 125 on January 1, 1997.  Management  does not believe  the  adoption of this
statement  will have a material  effect on the Company's  financial  position or
results of operations.



                                    BUSINESS

Market Area and Market Strategy

         The Bank's core market is central Maryland, which consists primarily of
Baltimore City,  Baltimore County,  Harford County and Anne Arundel County. This
area contains a high  concentration of population and businesses,  and the local
governments  are committed to business  development  in the region.  The Company
believes that its market area is economically stable and is largely middle-class
with a median family income of $44,000.

         As an independent Maryland-based community bank, the Bank is engaged in
the general commercial banking business with particular emphasis on the needs of
individuals  and small to mid-sized  businesses.  The Bank  emphasizes  personal
attention and professional  service to its customers while delivering a range of
traditional  and  contemporary  financial  products and  performing  many of the
essential  banking services offered by its larger  competitors.  The Bank offers
its  customers  access to local  bank  officers  who are  empowered  to act with
flexibility to meet  customers'  needs in order to foster and develop  long-term
loan and  deposit  relationships.  The Company  believes  that  individuals  and
businesses  in its  market  area are  dissatisfied  with the large  out-of-state
banking  institutions which have acquired local banks.  Management believes that
the Bank has a window of opportunity  to establish  business ties with customers
who have been  displaced  by the  consolidations  and who are  anxious  to forge
banking  relationships  with  locally-owned  and  managed  institutions.   These
consolidations  also  benefit  the  Bank by  making  available  experienced  and
entrepreneurial managers and acquisition  opportunities from the remaining small
independent banks in the Company's market area.

         Mr. Hale  assembled a Board of  Directors  of  well-known  business and
civic  leaders  who  have  strong  ties to the  Company's  market  area  and are
committed  to the growth and success of the  Company.  Mr.  Hale also  recruited
members of management from other  successful local financial  institutions  with
knowledge of the local  market and  experience  in extending  credit to small to
mid-sized  businesses,  including  several  individuals who were critical to the
turnaround and ultimate success of Baltimore Bancorp.  The Company then embarked
upon a business strategy and capitalization plan to provide management the tools
necessary  to  optimize  the  market  opportunities   created  as  a  result  of
consolidation  of the banking  industry.  Although  the  Company  has  sustained
operating  losses  for the  past  sixteen  months  as it  established  its  loan
production  infrastructure and increased its branch network from four to twelve,
the Company  anticipates  that this  investment in its growth will ultimately be
substantially  less than the market  premiums  required to purchase  and improve
existing bank franchises.



                                       32

<PAGE>



         Growth   Strategies

         The Company's  continuing strategy is to capture market share and build
a community franchise for its shareholders,  customers and employees.  To do so,
the Company intends to:

         o        Expand its existing  network of traditional  branches and ATMs
                  to  ultimately   operate  a  contiguous   delivery  system  to
                  accommodate  customers'  needs for a  continuum  of  essential
                  banking services;

         o        Continue  to  attract  highly   experienced,   entrepreneurial
                  managers  and staff  with  in-depth  knowledge  of the  Bank's
                  customers and target market;

         o        Acquire   financial   institutions  or  branches  which  offer
                  compatible products,  marketing opportunities,  potential cost
                  savings or economies of scale;

         o        Establish   non-traditional   joint   ventures   with   retail
                  establishments  such as Mars Super  Markets  and other  retail
                  entities that have high traffic patterns; and

         o        Invest in new products and technology.

         To implement the strategy to create non-traditional joint ventures with
retail  establishments,  the Bank has opened  three full  service  branches  and
installed 10 ATMs in Mars Super Markets, a local supermarket chain ("Mars"), and
intends to increase  its presence in such stores in the future.  Mars  currently
operates 16 markets, all of which are in the Bank's market area.  Christopher P.
D'Anna and Dennis McCoy,  vice president and former chief  executive  officer of
Mars, respectively, are directors of the Company.

         The Company intends to expand its branch network  through  acquisitions
generally of small,  local banks or bank branches that are strategically  placed
within the market area. Management expects that future acquisitions will be able
to  enhance  profitability  due to  economies  of  scale  or  market  synergies.
Potential  candidates will be screened on the basis of  compatibility,  location
and size and quality of deposits and loans.  Although  the Company  continues to
explore possible acquisitions, no targets have been identified at this time.

Banking Services

         Commercial  Banking.  The Bank focuses its commercial loan originations
on small and mid-sized businesses  (generally up to $20 million in annual sales)
and  such  loans  are  usually  accompanied  by  significant  related  deposits.
Commercial loan products  include  residential real estate  construction  loans;
working  capital  loans and lines of credit;  demand,  term and time loans;  and
equipment,  inventory and accounts receivable financing. The Bank offers a range
of cash management  services and deposit  products to its commercial  customers.
Computerized banking is currently available to the Bank's commercial  customers.
Additionally,  the Bank is exploring the  introduction of a business credit card
to commercial  customers for use for corporate purchases in addition to the more
conventional uses for employee travel and entertainment.

         Retail Banking. The Bank's retail banking activities emphasize consumer
deposit and checking  accounts.  An extensive range of these services is offered
by the Bank to meet the varied  needs of its  customers  from  young  persons to
senior citizens,  including its recently developed and promoted "Absolutely Free
Checking."  The Bank plans to expand these services to include  alternatives  to
bank


                                       33

<PAGE>



accounts, such as mutual funds and annuities.  Consumer loan products offered by
the Bank include home equity lines of credit,  fixed rate second mortgages,  new
and used auto loans, overdraft protection,  and unsecured personal credit lines.
The Bank  intends to  introduce in the near future  secured and  unsecured  home
improvement  loans and new and used boat loans.  Consideration is being given to
making  available to retail customers  computerized  banking as well as document
imaging and Internet  Home Page access.  Further  expansion of the Bank's retail
product  line is  expected to include  the  introduction  of a credit card and a
debit card.

         Mortgage Banking. The Bank's mortgage banking business is structured to
provide a source of fee income largely from the process of  originating  product
for  the  secondary  market.   Mortgage  banking   capabilities  include  FHA/VA
origination;   conventional  and  nonconforming   mortgage   underwriting;   and
construction  and  permanent   financing.   The  Bank  intends  to  improve  its
competitive  position in this market by streamlining  the mortgage  underwriting
process through the introduction of advanced technology.

         Community  Reinvestment  Act. The Bank has a strong  commitment  to its
responsibilities  under the Community Reinvestment Act and actively searches for
opportunities  to meet the development  needs of all members of the community it
serves,  including persons of low to moderate income in a manner consistent with
safe and sound banking practices. The Bank currently fulfills this commitment by
participating  in loan  programs  sponsored or  guaranteed  by the SBA, FHA, VA,
Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority,  and the Settlement Expense
Loan Program.

Lending Activities

         Loan  Portfolio  Composition.  At September  30, 1996,  the Bank's loan
portfolio  totaled  $81,995,225,  representing  approximately  86% of its  total
assets of $94,961,351.  The following table sets forth the Bank's loans by major
categories as of September 30, 1996:

                                                        Amount          Percent
                                                        ------          -------
         Commercial                                   $11,687,987           14%
         Real Estate Development & Construction        24,200,728           30%
         Real Estate Mortgage:
                  Residential                          21,582,328           26%
                  Commercial                           23,154,092           28%
         Consumer                                       1,370,090            2%
                                                     ------------         -----

                                    Total Loans:      $81,995,225          100%
                                                     ============         =====

         Commercial  Loans. The Bank originates  secured and unsecured loans for
business purposes. Less than one percent of these loans are unsecured. Loans are
made to provide  working  capital to  businesses  in the form of lines of credit
which may be secured by real estate, accounts receivable,  inventory,  equipment
or other assets. The financial  condition and cash flow of commercial  borrowers
are closely  monitored  by the  submission  of corporate  financial  statements,
personal  financial   statements  and  income  tax  returns.  The  frequency  of
submissions of required financial information depends on the size and complexity
of the  credit  and the  collateral  which  secures  the loan.  It is the Bank's
general  policy  to  obtain  personal  guarantees  from  the  principals  of the
commercial loan borrowers.

         Real  Estate  Development  and  Construction  Loans.  The  real  estate
development  and  construction  loan portfolio  consisted of the following as of
September 30, 1996:


                                       34

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Amount                 Percent
                                                                     ------                 -------
<S>                              <C>                             <C>                            <C>
         Residential Construction(1)                             $ 12,626,637                   53%
         Commercial Construction                                      304,000                    1%
         Residential Land Development                              10,638,591                   44%
         Residential Land Acquisition                                 316,500                    1%
         Commercial Land Acquisition                                  315,000                    1%
                                                                 ------------                  -----

         Total Real Estate - 
            Development & Construction                           $ 24,200,728                  100%
                                                                 ============                  =====
- -------------------------
<FN>
(1) Includes  approximately  $5 million of loans to individuals for construction
    of their primary  residence,  and  approximately  $8 million of  residential
    construction loans to residential builders.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         The Bank  provides  interim  residential  real estate  development  and
construction  loans to  builders,  developers,  and persons who will  ultimately
occupy the single family  dwellings.  Residential  real estate  construction and
development   loans  constitute  the  largest  portion  of  the  Bank's  lending
activities.  Residential  real  estate  development  and  construction  loans to
provide interim  financing on the property are generally made for 80% or less of
the appraised  value of the property.  Residential  real estate  development and
construction  loan funds are disbursed  periodically at pre-specified  stages of
completion.  Interest  rates on these loans are generally  adjustable.  The Bank
carefully  monitors  these  loans  with  on-site   inspections  and  control  of
disbursements.

         Loans to individuals for the  construction of their primary  residences
are typically  secured by the property under  construction,  frequently  include
additional  collateral  (such as a second  mortgage  on the  borrower's  present
home), and commonly have maturities of nine to twelve months.

         Loans to residential  builders are for the  construction of residential
homes for which a binding sales contract exists and the prospective  buyers have
been pre-qualified for permanent mortgage financing.  Development loans are made
only to  developers  with a proven  track  record.  Generally,  these  loans are
extended  only  when  the  borrower   provides  evidence  that  the  lots  under
development will be sold to builders satisfactory to the Bank.

         Development and construction  loans are secured by the properties under
development/construction and personal guarantees are typically obtained. Further
to assure  that  reliance  is not placed  solely in the value of the  underlying
property,  the Bank  considers  the financial  condition  and  reputation of the
borrower and any guarantors, the amount of the borrower's equity in the project,
independent appraisals, costs estimates and pre-construction sale information.

         Residential  Real  Estate  Mortgage  Loans.  The  Bank's   wholly-owned
subsidiary,  First  Mariner  Mortgage  Corporation,  originates  adjustable  and
fixed-rate  residential  mortgage  loans.  Such  mortgage  loans  are  generally
originated under terms, conditions and documentation acceptable to the secondary
mortgage market. The Bank does not generally maintain a portfolio of residential
mortgage loans.

         Commercial  Real Estate Mortgage  Loans.  The Bank originates  mortgage
loans secured by  commercial  real estate.  Such loans are primarily  secured by
office  buildings,  retail  buildings,  warehouses and general purpose  business
space.  Although terms may vary, the Bank's commercial  mortgages generally have
maturities of five years or less.

         The Bank seeks to reduce the risks associated with commercial  mortgage
lending  by   generally   lending  in  its  market  area,   using   conservative
loan-to-value ratios and obtaining periodic financial


                                       35

<PAGE>



statements and tax returns from borrowers.  It is also the Bank's general policy
to  obtain  personal  guarantees  from  the  principals  of  the  borrowers  and
assignments of all leases related to the collateral.

         Consumer  Loans.  The Bank  offers a variety of consumer  loans.  These
loans are typically  secured by  residential  real estate or personal  property,
including  automobiles.  Home equity loans are  typically  made up to 80% of the
appraised value, less the amount of any existing prior liens on the property and
generally  have maximum  terms of 10 years.  The  interest  rates on home equity
loans are generally adjustable.

Credit Administration

         The Bank's lending  activities are subject to written policies approved
by the Board of Directors to ensure proper  management of credit risk. Loans are
subject to a well defined  credit  process that  includes  credit  evaluation of
borrowers,   establishment   of  lending  limits  and   application  of  lending
procedures,  including the holding of adequate collateral and the maintenance of
compensating  balances,  as well as procedures for on-going  identification  and
management of credit  deterioration.  Regular portfolio reviews are performed to
identify  potential  under  performing  credits,  estimate  loss exposure and to
ascertain  compliance with the Bank's policies.  For significant  problem loans,
management  review  consists of  evaluation  of the  financial  strengths of the
borrower and the guarantor, the related collateral,  and the effects of economic
conditions.

         The  Bank's  loan  approval  policy  provides  for  various  levels  of
individual lending authority.  The maximum lending authority granted by the Bank
to any one  individual  is $250,000.  A  combination  of approvals  from certain
officers may be used to lend up to an  aggregate  of $500,000.  The Board's Loan
Committee is authorized  to approve loans up to the Bank's legal lending  limit,
currently $1,300,000,  which is expected to increase to approximately $3,300,000
as a result of this Offering.

         The Bank  generally  does not make loans outside its market area unless
the  borrower  has an  established  relationship  with the Bank and conducts its
principal  business  operations within the Bank's market area.  Consequently the
Bank and its borrowers are affected by the economic conditions prevailing in its
market area.

Competition

         The  Company  and  the  Bank  operate  in  a  competitive  environment,
competing  for  deposits  and loans with  commercial  banks,  thrifts  and other
financial entities.  Principal  competitors  include other community  commercial
banks and larger financial institutions with branches in the Bank's market area.
Numerous  mergers and  consolidations  involving banks in the Bank's market area
have  occurred  recently,  requiring the Bank to compete with banks with greater
resources.

         The primary  factors in competing  for  deposits  are  interest  rates,
personalized services, the quality and range of financial services,  convenience
of office  locations and office hours.  Competition for deposits comes primarily
from other commercial banks, savings  associations,  credit unions, money market
funds and other  investment  alternatives.  The primary factors in competing for
loans are  interest  rates,  loan  origination  fees,  the  quality and range of
lending  services  and  personalized  services.   Competition  for  loans  comes
primarily from other commercial banks,  savings  associations,  mortgage banking
firms, credit unions and other financial intermediaries.  The Bank also competes
with money market mutual funds for deposits.  Many of the financial institutions
operating  in the Bank's  market  area offer  certain  services,  such as trust,
investment and international banking, which the Bank does not offer, and possess
greater  financial  resources or have  substantially  higher lending limits than
does the Bank.


                                       36

<PAGE>




         To  compete  with  other  financial   services   providers,   the  Bank
principally  relies upon local promotional  activities,  personal  relationships
established  by  officers,  directors  and  employees  with its  customers,  and
specialized  services  tailored to meet its customers' needs. In those instances
where  the Bank is unable  to  accommodate  a  customer's  needs,  the Bank will
arrange  for those  services  to be  provided by other banks with which it has a
relationship.

         Recent changes in Federal banking laws facilitate  interstate branching
and merger activity among banks.  Since  September,  1995,  certain bank holding
companies are  authorized  to acquire banks  throughout  the United  States.  In
addition,  on and after June 1, 1997,  certain  banks will be permitted to merge
with banks  organized  under the laws of  different  states.  Such  changes will
result in an even greater degree of competition in the banking  industry and the
Company and the Bank will be brought into  competition  with  institutions  with
which it does not presently  compete.  As a result,  intense  competition in the
Bank's market area may be expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Properties

         The principal  executive  offices of the Company and the main office of
the Bank are located at 1801 South  Clinton  Street,  Baltimore,  Maryland.  The
Company and the Bank occupy approximately 8,000 square feet of space leased from
Hale Intermodal  Transport Co., of which Edwin F. Hale, Sr.,  Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company,  is the Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer.
Rental for this space is approximately  $212,700 annually,  of which $177,700 is
allocated  for 6,890 square feet of office  space and $35,000 is  allocated  for
1170 square feet of Bank branch space and drive-up  banking and customer parking
facilities.  Management  believes  that such terms are at least as  favorable as
those that could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party lessor.

         The Bank has branches at the following locations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Lease           Renewal
Location                                  Square Feet       Annual Rental               Expiration        Options(1)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

1801 South Clinton Street                     1170          $35,000                     08/31/01            5 years
Baltimore City

115 East Joppa Road                          2,750          Owns building (subject to        --              --
Towson (Baltimore County)                                   $25 annual ground rent)

8631 Loch Raven Boulevard                    1,000          $14,100                     Month-to-            --
Towson (Baltimore County)                                                               month

815 Scott Street(2)                          2,300          Owns building                    --              --
Baltimore City

9833 Liberty Road                            2,800          Owns building (subject to        --              --
Baltimore County                                            $12,000 annual ground rent)

303 South Main Street                        1,675          $25,000                     05/01/00            5 years
Bel Air (Harford County)

16 South Calvert Street                      2,515          $25,270                     05/14/01             --
Baltimore City

2375 Rolling Road (Mars Store)                 667          $36,500                     11/01/00            5 years
Woodlawn (Baltimore County)


                                       37

<PAGE>




Chesapeake Center Drive (Mars Store)           484          $36,500                    05/01/00             5 years
Glen Burnie (Anne Arundel County)

1013 Reisterstown Road                       4,156          Owns building                    --              --
Pikesville (Baltimore County)

60 Painters Mill Road                        2,350          $60,000                     10/31/05            5 years
Owings Mills (Baltimore County)

161 Jennifer Road                            4,000          $72,900                     06/30/01            5 years
Annapolis (Anne Arundel  County)

1401 Pulaski Highway (Mars Store)(3)           484          $36,500                          --             5 years
Edgewood (Harford County)
- --------------------
<FN>

(1)  All lease renewal options are for one term, with the exception of the lease
     for 303 South Main Street which has three five year renewals.
(2)  This branch will be closed in November, 1996.
(3)  This branch will open in November, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         In 1995,  the Company and the Bank  incurred  rental  expense on leased
real  estate  of  approximately  $97,642.  The  Company  considers  all  of  the
properties  leased by the Bank to be suitable and  adequate  for their  intended
purposes.

Employees

         At October 31, 1996,  the Company had 84 full time  employees  and nine
part  time  employees.  The  Company  believes  that its  relationship  with its
employees are good.

Legal Proceedings

         Neither  the  Company  nor the Bank is a party to,  nor is any of their
property the subject of, any material  pending legal  proceedings  incidental to
the business of the Company other than those  arising in the ordinary  course of
business. In the opinion of management,  no such proceeding will have a material
adverse  effect on the  financial  position  or  results  of  operations  of the
Company.


                                   MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

         The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                     Age(1)                 Position                           Term Expires
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Edwin F. Hale, Sr.                       49          Chairman of the Board and Chief                   1999
                                                        Executive Officer of the
                                                        Company and Chairman of the
                                                        Board of the Bank; Director


                                       38

<PAGE>



George H. Mantakos                       54          President of the Company and                      1998
                                                        President and Chief Executive
                                                        Officer of the Bank; Director
Barry B. Bondroff                        48          Director                                          1999
Rose M. Cernak                           65          Director                                          1998
Christopher P. D'Anna                    32          Director                                          1998
Dennis M. Doyle                          56          Director                                          1997
Elayne Hettleman                         63          Director                                          1997
Bruce H. Hoffman                         49          Director                                          1998
Melvin S. Kabik                          72          Director                                          1997
R. Andrew Larkin                         44          Director                                          1999
Jay J. J. Matricciani                    54          Director                                          1997
Dennis C. McCoy                          --          Director                                          1999
Margaret D. McManus                      --          Director                                          1998
Walter L. McManus, Jr.                   54          Director                                          1999
John J. Mitcherling                      52          Director                                          1997
James P. O'Conor                         66          Director                                          1999
Kevin B. O'Connor                        33          Director                                          1998
Governor William Donald Schaefer         74          Director                                          1998
Hanan Y. Sibel                           65          Director                                          1997
Leonard Stoler                           66          Director                                          1997
- ----------------
<FN>
(1) At October 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         Edwin F.  Hale,  Sr. is  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company,  and  Chairman of the Bank.  He is also  chairman  and chief  executive
officer of Hale  Intermodal  Transport  Co.,  and Hale  Intermodal  Marine  Co.,
private Baltimore-based trucking and shipping companies which he founded in 1975
and 1984,  respectively.  Mr. Hale is the former chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of the former Baltimore Bancorp.

         George H.  Mantakos is a director and  President  of the  Company,  and
President,  Chief Executive Officer,  and a director of the Bank since 1995. Mr.
Mantakos began his banking career with Union Trust Company (now Signet Bank). In
1985,  he  resigned  his  position  as senior  vice  president  in charge of the
Corporate and Commercial Banking Division of Union Trust to become president and
chief executive  officer of Fairview  Federal.  Fairview Federal was acquired by
Columbia  Bancorp in June,  1992.  Mr.  Mantakos  was  appointed to the Board of
Directors of Columbia Bancorp and to the Executive  Committee/Board of Directors
of the Columbia  Bank. He resigned from these  positions to become a founder and
organizer of MarylandsBank, FSB, the predecessor of the Bank.

         Barry B.  Bondroff has been the managing  officer of Grabush,  Newman &
Co., P.A., a certified  public  accounting  firm,  since 1976. Mr. Bondroff is a
member of the  American  Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants,  and was a
former  member of the board of directors  for  Baltimore  Bancorp.

         Rose M. Cernak has served as  president of Olde  Obrycki's  Crab House,
Inc., since 1995. Prior thereto,  Ms. Cernak acted as a general manager and vice
president of Obrycki's.

         Christopher  P.  D'Anna  has  served as vice  president  of Mars  Super
Markets, Inc., a regional supermarket chain, since 1996.



                                       39

<PAGE>



         Dennis M. Doyle has served as president of Blakefield Associates,  LLC,
a family owned commercial real estate investment company,  since 1995. Mr. Doyle
also has  worked as a realtor  and  consultant  for  O'Conor,  Piper & Flynn,  a
prominent real estate company, since 1990.

         Elayne   Hettleman   has   served   as  the   executive   director   of
Leadership-Baltimore  County since 1984.  Prior to  establishing  the Leadership
program, she was the owner of Lemon Tree Ltd., a children's retail store.

         Bruce H.  Hoffman has served as the  executive  director  the  Maryland
Stadium  Authority  since 1989.  Mr.  Hoffman is currently  responsible  for the
operation  and  maintenance  of  Oriole  Park at  Camden  Yards,  the  Baltimore
Convention Center expansion, the Ocean City Convention Center expansion, and the
financing,  design, construction and operation of the proposed National Football
League Stadium for the Baltimore Ravens (a professional football team).

         Melvin S. Kabik presently operates a commercial real estate company. He
previously owned and operated Eddie's Supermarkets.

         R. Andrew  Larkin has served as the  president of the  Maryland  Realty
Investment  Corp., a real estate  investment firm, since 1985. Mr. Larkin served
as a director for Baltimore Bancorp from 1991- 1994.

         Jay J. J.  Matricciani  has  served  as  president  of The  Matricciani
Company,  a utility and paving  contractor, since 1992.  He is also a partner of
Matro Properties, a heavy equipment rental company.

         Dennis C. McCoy has  provided  representation  in matters  relating  to
state and local  relations with various  government  bodies and agencies for the
Government  Affairs-Maryland,  Inc.,  since 1996. Mr. McCoy was the former chief
executive  officer and general counsel of Mars Super Markets,  Inc. from January
1995 through November 1995. Prior thereto he was a partner at Polovoy & McCoy, a
law firm.

         Margaret D. McManus is a self-employed writer.

         Walter L.  McManus,  Jr. has served as president of  Castlewood  Realty
Co., Inc., a commercial real estate company, since 1970.

         John J. Mitcherling is an oral and  maxillofacial  surgeon and has been
in private  practice  since  1974.  He is also vice  president  of Advance  Care
Ambulance, Inc.

         James P. O'Conor has served as chairman and chief executive  officer of
O'Conor Piper & Flynn, a prominent real estate company, since 1984.

         Kevin B.  O'Connor  has served as  president  of the  Maryland  State &
District of Columbia Professional Firefighters Association, since 1991.

         Governor  William Donald Schaefer was Governor of the State of Maryland
from 1986 to 1995 and was Mayor of the City of Baltimore  from 1971 to 1986.  He
is  presently  of  counsel  to the  law  firm  of  Gordon,  Feinblatt,  Rothman,
Hoffberger and Hollander, LLC.

         Hanan Y. Sibel has served as chairman  and chief  executive  officer of
Chaimson Brokerage Co., Inc., a food brokerage company for more than five years.



                                       40

<PAGE>



         Leonard  Stoler has been the owner and president of Len Stoler Inc., an
automobile dealership, since 1968.

Key Employees

         The following individuals are considered key employees of the Company:

         Kevin M. Healey,  39, is the  controller of the Company and  controller
and Senior Vice  President of the Bank.  From 1984 through 1996, he served as an
assistant controller for Provident Bank of Maryland, a regional bank operation.

         Jane A. Higgins, 36, is a Senior Vice President of Retail Operations of
the Bank.  Ms.  Higgins was vice president and market manager for Provident Bank
of Maryland from 1989 to 1996.

         Elizabeth Wright, 40, is a Senior Vice President of Commercial and Real
Estate  Lending  for the Bank.  Ms.  Wright  previously  served  as senior  vice
president in the residential construction loan department for the former Bank of
Baltimore  from  1992  through  1995.  Prior  to her  employment  at the Bank of
Baltimore,  she served as vice president of the  residential  construction  loan
department for Signet Bank.

         William  Murphy,  49, is a Senior Vice President of Commercial  Lending
for the Bank.  From 1991 through 1996, he served as vice president of commercial
lending for Bank of Annapolis and as vice  president of  commercial  lending for
Annapolis National Bank.

         Brett Carter,  34, is a Senior Vice  President of Mortgage  Lending for
the Bank.  Mr.  Carter  served  as a vice  president  of sales for PNC  Mortgage
Corporation  of America from 1994  through  1996.  From 1992 to 1994,  he was an
assistant vice president and regional sales manager for First Advantage Mortgage
Corp. From 1989 through 1992, he was an area sales manager for Citibank.

Director Compensation

         Directors  receive  fees for their  services,  and are  reimbursed  for
expenses  incurred in  connection  with their  service as  directors.  Directors
receive  $200 for  each  Board  meeting  attended  and  $300 for each  executive
committee meeting attended. In addition, each director received, pursuant to the
1996 Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase 100 shares of the Company's Common
Stock for each Board  meeting  attended.  This  automatic  grant of options  was
discontinued effective November, 1996. See "Stock Option Plan."

Executive Compensation

         The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company and
the Bank and their  predecessors  for the last three  fiscal  years to the Chief
Executive  Officer of the Company  and the Bank and to any other  officer of the
Company or the Bank who received  compensation  in excess of $100,000 during any
of those fiscal years.


                                       41

<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary Compensation Table
                                                                                                 Long-term
                                                                                 Other         Compensation
                                                                                Annual     Securities Underlying
Name                            Fiscal Year        Salary        Bonus       Compensation       Option (#)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Edwin F. Hale, Sr.                 1995              --           --           $12,048(1)           --
Chairman, CEO of Company;
Chairman of Bank(2)

George H. Mantakos                 1995          $110,000       $20,000          3,000(1)          10,500
President of Company;              1994          $ 85,000       $15,000          4,000(1)           --
President and CEO of Bank

David M.K. Metzger                 1995          $100,000(3)          --           --               --
CFO, Senior Vice
President of Bank
- ---------------
<FN>
(1)      The amount disclosed represents car lease payments made by the Company on behalf of Mr. Hale and Mr. Mantakos,
         respectively.
(2)      Starting on October 1, 1996, Mr. Hale began receiving a salary of $200,000 per annum.
(3)      Mr. Metzger left the Company in May, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

        Options  granted  to  the  executive   officers  named  in  the  Summary
Compensation  Table  during  1995 are set  forth  in the  following  table.  For
disclosure regarding the terms of stock options, see "Stock Option Plan."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        Number of Securities     Percent of Total Options        Exercise            Expiration
Name                     Underlying Options        Granted to Employees            Price                Date
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
George H. Mantakos             10,500                      100%                 $10/share              5/22/05
- -------------------
<FN>
(1)  On October 19, 1996, the Company granted stock options to purchase  120,000
     shares  to Edwin F.  Hale and  options  to  purchase  10,000  shares to Mr.
     Mantakos, all exercisable at $10.00 per share.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Aggregated  Option  Exercises  in Last  Fiscal  Year and Fiscal  Year End Option
Values

         No stock options were exercised by the Named  Executive  Officer during
1995.  There were no stock  appreciation  rights  outstanding  during 1995.  The
following table sets forth certain  information  regarding  unexercised  options
held by the Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 1995:



                                       42

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Aggregate Fiscal Year-End Option Values
                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                             Number of Securities Underlying             Value of Unexercised
                                                 Unexercised Options at                 In-the-Money Options at
                                                   Fiscal Year-End (#)                  Fiscal Year-End ($)(1)
                                                   -------------------                  ----------------------

Name                                        Exercisable        Unexercisable       Exercisable       Unexercisable
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

George H. Mantakos                              10,500               --                 -0-                --

- ---------------------
<FN>
(1) Value determined by Board of Directors of the Company
(2) The exercise price of these options is $10.00 per share.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Employment Arrangements and Agreements

         The Board of  Directors  has approved a salary of $200,000 per year for
Mr. Hale  commencing  October 1, 1996. In addition,  the Bank has a key man life
insurance policy on Mr. Hale in the amount of $10 million.

         The Company and the Bank have an  Employment  Agreement  with George H.
Mantakos  dated May 1, 1995,  pursuant to which Mr.  Mantakos is employed as the
President of the Company and President and Chief Executive  Officer of the Bank.
The agreement provides for an annual salary of $110,000,  which will be adjusted
on the  anniversary  date of the  agreement  to an amount to be  approved by the
Board of Directors.  Mr.  Mantakos is entitled to  participate in any management
bonus  plans  established  by the Bank and to receive  all  benefits  offered to
employees.  Mr.  Mantakos  will, at the  discretion  of the  Chairman,  have the
opportunity  to receive a bonus in the maximum  amount of $20,000 per year.  Mr.
Mantakos receives the use of an automobile provided by the Bank. The term of the
Employment  Agreement  is two years,  expiring  in 1997;  however,  the Board of
Directors of the Bank may  terminate  the agreement at any time. In the event of
involuntary  termination  for  reasons  other  than gross  negligence,  fraud or
dishonesty (or in the event of the material  diminution of or interference  with
Mr. Mantakos' duties, or a change of control of the Bank), the Bank is obligated
to pay Mr.  Mantakos  his salary  through  the  remaining  term plus  additional
severance  equal to the then current annual salary,  but not less than $110,000.
In such event,  Mr.  Mantakos is  permitted to exercise all options and warrants
held by him,  and the Bank is  obligated  to  repurchase  all or any part of Mr.
Mantakos' Common Stock.

Stock Option Plan

         On April 16,  1996,  the Board of  Directors  approved  the 1996  Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"). On October 31, 1996, the Plan was amended to authorize
a total of 190,000 shares. The Plan is administered by a compensation  committee
(the "Committee")  appointed by the Board of Directors.  Full- time employees of
the Company or any subsidiary and each director of the Company or any subsidiary
are eligible to participate.  As of October 31, 1996,  138,000 options have been
granted under the Plan.

         Options  granted under the Plan may be either  incentive  stock options
within the meaning of Section  422(b) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended (the "Code"), or non-qualified options. The purchase price of each share
subject  to an  option  is fixed by the  Committee  and  stated  in each  option
agreement.  The purchase price of any option intended to be an "incentive  stock
option"  shall not be less than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock
on the date the option is  granted.  In the event the  optionee  owns 10% of the
Common Stock,  the purchase price is not less than 110% of the fair market value
per share at the time the option is granted.



                                       43

<PAGE>



         The Plan provides that  non-employee  directors are granted  options to
purchase 100 shares for each Board of Directors' meeting attended by such person
from and after  November  21, 1995.  The  exercise  price of each such option is
$10.00 per share.  This automatic  grant of options was  discontinued  effective
November, 1996.

         Each option  granted under the Plan expires on the 10th  anniversary of
the date the option was granted or such earlier date as the Committee  provides.
In the event of the  termination of employment of an optionee,  all  unexercised
options  will  terminate,  be  forfeited  and will lapse unless such options are
exercised by the employee within 90 days after such termination date.

         Under the Plan, upon the occurrence of certain "Extraordinary  Events",
all options  granted under the Plan will vest and become fully  exercisable.  An
"Extraordinary  Event" is defined as the  commencement  of a tender offer (other
than by the Company) for any shares of the  Company,  or a sale or transfer,  in
one or a series of  transactions,  of assets having a fair market value at least
equal to 50% of the fair market value of all assets of the Company, or a merger,
consolidation or share exchange pursuant to which shares may be exchanged for or
converted  into  cash,   property  or  securities  of  another  issuer,  or  the
liquidation of the Company.


                         BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

         The following  table sets forth  information  regarding the  beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of October 31, 1996 by (i) each person or group
known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding  Common
Stock;  (ii)  each of the  Company's  directors;  and (iii)  all  directors  and
executive officers of the Company as a group. The term "beneficial ownership" as
defined by SEC rules  includes  shares that may be acquired  within 60 days upon
the  exercise of options,  warrants and other  rights.  Unless  otherwise  noted
below,  the  persons  named in the table have sole  voting  and sole  investment
powers with respect to each of the shares reported as beneficially owned by such
person.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Number of             Percent Prior           Percent After
Name and Address                                 Shares              to Offering(1)             Offering
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Edwin F. Hale, Sr.(2)                              873,359                 50.8%                   28.0%
Barry B. Bondroff(3)                                14,533                  1.2%                     .6%
Rose M. Cernak(4)                                   14,483                  1.2%                     .6%
Christopher P. D'Anna(5)                            14,483                  1.2%                     .6%
Dennis M. Doyle(6)                                  17,100                  1.4%                     .6%
Elayne Hettleman(7)                                 14,200                  1.1%                     .5%
Bruce H. Hoffman(8)                                 14,533                  1.2%                     .6%
Melvin S. Kabik(9)                                  14,383                  1.2%                     .5%
R. Andrew Larkin, Jr.(10)                           10,550                   .9%                     .4%
George H. Mantakos(11)                              30,500                  2.4%                    1.1%
Jay Matricciani(12)                                 14,583                  1.2%                     .6%
Dennis C. McCoy(13)                                 14,333                  1.2%                     .5%
Margaret D. McManus                                     50                  -                       -
Walter L. McManus, Jr.(14)                          67,866                  5.5%                    2.6%
John J. Mitcherling(15)                             20,329                  1.6%                     .8%
Kevin B. O'Connor(16)                                  450                  -                       -
James P. O'Conor(17)                                21,000                  1.7%                     .8%
Governor William Donald Schaefer(18)                 1,900                   .2%                    -


                                       44

<PAGE>



Hanan Y. Sibel(19)                                  14,433                  1.2%                     .5%
Leonard Stoler(20)                                  20,900                  1.7%                     .8%
All directors and executive
  officers as a group (21 persons)(21)           1,194,968                 49.3%                   31.3%
                      -----
- --------------------
<FN>
(1)  Percent is calculated by treating as outstanding  only those shares subject
     to options or warrants held by the named  individual  which are exercisable
     within 60 days of October 31, 1996.
(2)  Includes  warrants  to  purchase  371,672  shares and  options to  purchase
     120,000 shares.
(3)  Includes  warrants to purchase  3,333 shares and options to purchase  1,200
     shares.
(4)  Includes 50 shares held  individually  and 10,000  shares held jointly with
     her husband; also includes warrants to purchase 3,333 shares and options to
     purchase 1,100 shares.
(5)  Includes  50 shares  held  individually  and 10,000  shares  held by D'Anna
     Family Enterprise,  LLC, of which he is a member; also includes warrants to
     purchase 3,333 shares and options to purchase 1,100 shares.
(6)  Includes  warrants to purchase  8,000 shares and options to purchase  1,100
     shares.
(7)  Includes  warrants to purchase  6,500 shares and options to purchase  1,200
     shares.
(8)  Includes  warrants to purchase  3,333 shares and options to purchase  1,200
     shares.
(9)  Includes 50 shares held  individually  and 10,000  shares held jointly with
     his wife;  also includes  warrants to purchase  3,333 shares and options to
     purchase 1,000 shares.
(10) Includes 50 shares held individually and 5,000 shares held in an Individual
     Retirement  Account;  also includes  warrants to purchase  5,000 shares and
     options to purchase 500 shares.
(11) Includes  4,000 shares held in an Individual  Retirement  Account and 1,000
     shares held jointly with his wife; also includes warrants to purchase 5,000
     shares; and options to purchase 20,500 shares.
(12) Includes  50 shares  held  individually  and  10,000  shares  held by Matro
     Properties,  of which he is  partner;  also  includes  warrants to purchase
     3,333 shares and options to purchase 1,200 shares.
(13) Includes 50 shares held individually and 9,950 shares held jointly with his
     wife;  also  includes  warrants  to  purchase  3,333  shares and options to
     purchase 1,000 shares.
(14) Includes  warrants to purchase  16,666 shares and options to purchase 1,200
     shares.
(15) Includes 50 shares held  individually and 10,613 shares held by Mitcherling
     & Mitcherling, of which he is a partner; also includes warrants to purchase
     8,666 shares; and options to purchase 1,000 shares.
(16) Includes options to purchase 400 shares.
(17) Includes  warrants to purchase  10,000 shares and options to purchase 1,000
     shares.
(18) Includes options to purchase 900 shares.
(19) Includes  warrants to purchase  3,333 shares and options to purchase  1,100
     shares.
(20) Includes  warrants to  purchase  5,000  shares and options to purchase  900
     shares.
(21) Includes  warrants  to  purchase  463,168  shares and  options to  purchase
     158,600 shares.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         The Bank has had,  and it is expected  that it will have in the future,
banking  transactions  in the ordinary course of business with the Company's and
the Bank's directors,  officers,  principal stockholders and their associates on
substantially the same terms,  including interest rates,  collateral and payment
terms,  on  extensions  of  credit  as those  prevailing  at the  same  time for
comparable  transactions  with  others.  In the  opinion  of  management,  these
transactions  did not  involve  more  than a normal  risk of  collectibility  or
present other  unfavorable  features.  As of September  30, 1996,  the aggregate
principal  amount of  indebtedness  to the Bank owed by directors  and executive
officers  of the  Company  who  were  indebted  to the  Bank  on that  date  was
approximately $623,000.

         As described under the caption  "Business--Properties," the Company and
the Bank lease space from Hale Intermodal  Transport Co. pursuant to a five year
lease entered into in September 1, 1996.


                                       45

<PAGE>



     Edwin F. Hale, Sr. is an officer,  director and  shareholder of the Company
and of Hale Intermodal  Transport Co. Hale Intermodal  Transport Company is paid
$212,700 annually for office and branch space.

         The Bank has full-service branches in three Mars supermarkets,  and has
installed ATMs in 10 of the supermarkets. The Bank pays rent of $36,500 per year
to Mars for  approximately  400-500  square  feet of space in each of the stores
where  branches are located.  The Bank also bears all costs of  construction  of
each branch. However, the Bank incurs no charge from Mars in connection with the
installation  of ATMs. The Bank intends to open  additional  branches in Mars in
the  future.  The terms of the  arrangements  are  described  in a Master  Lease
Agreement  between the  Company  and Mars dated March 1, 1996.  Dennis C. McCoy,
formerly the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of Mars, is a member of
the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank.  Christopher P. D'Anna, Vice
President  of Mars,  is also member of the Board of Directors of the Company and
the Bank.

         The Company has engaged, or may in the future engage in transactions in
the ordinary course of business with some of its directors,  officers, principal
stockholders   and  their   associates.   Management   believes  that  all  such
transactions  have been or will be made on terms at least as  favorable as those
that could be obtained at the time from unrelated persons.


                            DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Common Stock

         The Company has 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized, par value
$0.05 per share.  At October 31,  1996,  the Company  had 156  shareholders  and
1,227,263  shares  of  the  Common  Stock  were  issued  and  outstanding.   The
outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.  The Common
Stock offered hereby will,  upon payment  therefor as  contemplated  hereby,  be
fully paid and  nonassessable.  In the event of any voluntary or any involuntary
liquidation,  dissolution,  or  winding-up  of the affairs of the  Company,  the
assets of the Company  available for distribution to its  stockholders  shall be
distributed  pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock.  The holders of Common
Stock have one vote per share in all  proceedings in which action shall be taken
by the stockholders of the Company. Upon completion of the Offering, the Company
expects that the Common Stock will be quoted on the NASDAQ National Market under
the symbol "FMAR."

Options and Warrants

         At October 31, 1996, the Company had  outstanding  warrants to purchase
818,323 shares and options to purchase  165,600  shares of the Company's  Common
Stock at an exercise  price of $10.00 per share.  The term of the  warrants  and
options is 10 years.  Holders of the warrants and options have no rights to have
the underlying  shares  registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The number of shares  that may be  purchased  upon the  exercise  of warrants or
options will be adjusted in the event of a reclassification, recapitalization or
other  adjustment  to the  outstanding  Common Stock.  Furthermore,  the options
provide that upon the  occurrence of an  "Extraordinary  Event" such as a tender
offer, a sale or transfer of more than 50% in value of the Company's  assets, or
a  merger,  consolidation  or share  exchange,  or upon the  liquidation  of the
Company,  all  options  granted  under the 1990 Stock  Option Plan will vest and
become fully exercisable.  The exercise of any of these warrants or options will
result in a dilution of the  percentage  of the shares of the  Company's  Common
Stock owned by each  purchaser of the Common Stock in this  Offering.  See "Risk
Factors--Shares   Eligible   for  Future   Resale"  and   "Management--Executive
Compensation."



                                       46

<PAGE>



Dividends

         Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to dividends when and as
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.  The
Company  has not paid any  dividends  on its Common  Stock and intends to retain
earnings,  if any, to finance the  development  and  expansion of its  business.
Future  dividend  policy is subject to the  discretion of the Board of Directors
and will depend upon a number of factors,  including  future  earnings,  capital
requirements,  regulatory  constraints,  and  the  financial  condition  of  the
Company.

General Voting Requirements

         Except as described in the next section regarding certain supermajority
voting  requirements,  the affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common  Stock  entitled  to vote is required to approve any action for
which shareholder  approval is required. A sale or transfer of substantially all
of the Company's assets, liquidation, merger, consolidation,  reorganization, or
similar  extraordinary  corporate action requires the affirmative vote of 80% of
the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.  See "Supermajority  Voting
Requirements; Anti-Takeover Measures."

Supermajority Voting Requirements; Anti-Takeover Measures

         General.  The Company's  Articles and Bylaws contain certain provisions
designed to enhance the ability of the Board of Directors to deal with  attempts
to acquire  control of the Company.  These  provisions  may be deemed to have an
anti-takeover  effect and may discourage  takeover  attempts which have not been
approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors   (including   takeovers  which  certain
shareholders may deem to be in their best interest). These provisions also could
discourage or make more difficult a merger,  tender offer or proxy contest, even
though such transaction may be favorable to the interests of  shareholders,  and
could potentially adversely affect the market price.

         The following briefly summarizes protective provisions contained in the
Articles and Bylaws.  This summary is necessarily general and is not intended to
be a  complete  description  of all  the  features  and  consequences  of  those
provisions,  and is  qualified  in its entirety by reference to the Articles and
Bylaws.

         Staggered Board Terms. The Articles provide that the Board of Directors
be divided into three classes of directors,  one class to be originally  elected
for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders in 1997,  another
class to be  originally  elected for a term  expiring  at the annual  meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1998 and another class to be originally elected for a
term expiring at the annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be held in 1999,  with
each director to hold office until its successor is duly elected and  qualified.
Commencing with the 1997 annual meeting of  stockholders,  directors  elected to
succeed  directors  whose terms then expire will be elected for a term of office
to expire at the third  succeeding  annual meeting of  stockholders  after their
election,  with each  director to hold office until such  person's  successor is
duly  elected  and  qualified.  This  provision  cannot be amended  without  the
affirmative  vote of  holders  of at least 80% of the  shares  of the  Company's
Common Stock entitled to vote.

         The Bylaws provide that any  directorships  resulting from any increase
in the number of directors and any vacancies on the  Company's  Board  resulting
from death,  resignation,  disqualification,  or  removal,  may be filled by the
Board of Directors,  acting by a majority of the directors then in office,  even
though less than a quorum,  and any  director so chosen  shall hold office until
the next  election of the class for which such  director  shall have been chosen
and until his or her successor  shall be elected and  qualified.  At each annual
meeting of  stockholders  the  successors  to the class of directors  whose term
shall then


                                       47

<PAGE>



expire  shall  be  elected  to hold  office  for a term  expiring  at the  third
succeeding annual meeting. In addition,  any director may be removed from office
with or  without  cause by the  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of 80% of the
capital  stock of the Company  entitled to vote on such  matter,  at any special
meeting of stockholders duly called for such purpose.

         These provisions  would preclude a third party from removing  incumbent
directors  and  simultaneously  gaining  control  of the  Board by  filling  the
vacancies  created by removal with its own nominees.  Under the classified board
provisions  described  above,  it would take at least two elections of directors
for any  individual  or group to gain control of the Board.  Accordingly,  these
provisions  could  discourage  a third party from  initiating  a proxy  contest,
making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of the Company.

         Stockholder  Vote  Required  to  Approve  Business  Combinations.   The
Articles  require  the  affirmative  vote  of  holders  of at  least  80% of the
Company's   Common  Stock   entitled  to  vote  to  approve   certain   business
combinations.  If Board approval has been obtained, then the affirmative vote of
holders of only a majority of the Company's  Common Stock entitled to vote would
be required to approve the  transaction.  Business  combinations  subject to the
supermajority  voting requirements  include (i) a merger or consolidation of the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company;  (ii) the sale, exchange,  transfer or
other  disposition (in one or a series of transactions) of substantially  all of
the assets of the Company or a subsidiary  of the  Company;  and (iii) any offer
for the  exchange of  securities  of another  entity for the  securities  of the
Company.  Any amendments to this provision would require the approval of holders
of at least 80% of the Company's Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.

         This  provision  would have the  effect of making  more  difficult  the
accomplishment  of a merger or the  assumption  of control  of the  Company by a
stockholder, because a higher percentage of votes would be required to approve a
business  combination if the  transaction is not approved by the Company's Board
of  Directors.  The Board of Directors of the Company  believes that the Company
and its  stockholders  are best  served  when the Board has the  opportunity  to
objectively review and evaluate proposed transactions involving the Company, and
that these provisions are desirable and in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders  because they will deter potential acquirors from influencing a
transaction that could result in stockholders receiving less than fair value for
their  shares.   These  provisions,   however,   may  make  more  difficult  the
consummation  of a transaction  that has terms  favorable to stockholders of the
Company.

Business Combinations

         Under  the  Maryland  General   Corporation   Law,  certain   "business
combinations"  (including  any  merger  or  similar  transaction  subject  to  a
statutory  stockholder vote and additional  transactions  involving transfers of
assets or securities in specific amounts) between a Maryland corporation and any
person who, after the date on which the  corporation  has 100 or more beneficial
owners of its stock,  beneficially  owns 10% or more of the voting  power of the
corporation's shares or any affiliate of the corporation who, at any time within
the two year period  prior to the date in  question  and after the date on which
the  corporation  has  100 or  more  beneficial  owners  of its  stock,  was the
beneficial  owner of 10% or more of the  voting  power  of the  then-outstanding
voting stock of the corporation (an "Interested  Stockholder"),  or an affiliate
thereof,  are  prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the
Interested  Stockholder became an Interested  Stockholder unless an exemption is
available.  Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the
board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at
least: (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting
shares of the corporation;  and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast
by holders of  outstanding  voting shares of the  corporation  other than shares
held by the Interested Stockholder with whom the


                                       48

<PAGE>



business  combination is to be effected,  unless the corporation's  stockholders
receive a minimum price (as described in the Maryland  General  Corporation Law)
for their shares and the  consideration  is received in cash or in the same form
as  previously  paid  by  the  Interested  Stockholder  for  its  shares.  These
provisions of Maryland law do not apply,  however, to business combinations that
are  approved or exempted by the board of  directors  prior to the time that the
Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder.  In order to amend the
Company's charter to elect not to be subject to the foregoing  requirements with
respect to Interested  Stockholders,  an affirmative vote of at least 80% of the
votes entitled to be cast by all holders of  outstanding  shares of voting stock
and two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares
of voting  stock  who are not  Interested  Stockholders  is  required  under the
Maryland General Corporation Law.

Control Share Acquisitions

         The Maryland General  Corporation Law provides that "control shares" of
a Maryland  corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting
rights  except to the  extent  approved  by a vote of  two-thirds  of the shares
entitled  to be voted on the  matter,  excluding  shares  of stock  owned by the
acquiror or by officers  or  directors  who are  employees  of the  corporation.
"Control  shares" are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other
such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror, or in respect of which
the  acquiror is able to exercise or direct the  exercise of voting power except
solely by virtue of a revocable  proxy,  would  entitle the acquiror to exercise
voting power in electing  directors within one of the following ranges of voting
power: (i) one-fifth or more but less than one-third; (ii) one-third or more but
less than a majority; or (iii) a majority of all voting power. Control shares do
not include shares the acquiring  person is then entitled to vote as a result of
having previously obtained  stockholder  approval. A "control share acquisition"
means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

         A person who has made or proposes to make a control share  acquisition,
upon  satisfaction  of  certain  conditions  (including  an  undertaking  to pay
expenses  and  delivery  of an  "acquiring  person  statement"),  may compel the
corporation's board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be
held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no
request for a meeting is made, the  corporation  may itself present the question
at any stockholders' meeting.

         Unless the charter or bylaws  provide  otherwise,  if voting rights are
not  approved  at the  meeting or if the  acquiring  person  does not deliver an
acquiring person statement within 10 days following a control share  acquisition
then, subject to certain conditions and limitations,  the corporation may redeem
any or all of the control  shares  (except  those for which  voting  rights have
previously  been  approved)  for fair value  determined,  without  regard to the
absence of voting  rights  for the  control  shares,  as of the date of the last
control share  acquisition or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting
rights of such shares are  considered  and not  approved.  Moreover,  unless the
charter or bylaws  provides  otherwise,  if voting rights for control shares are
approved  at a  stockholders'  meeting  and the  acquiror  becomes  entitled  to
exercise or direct the exercise of a majority or more of all voting power, other
stockholders  may  exercise  appraisal  rights.  The fair value of the shares as
determined  for  purposes  of such  appraisal  rights  may not be less  than the
highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

Transfer Agent

         The Company  presently  intends to use the American  Stock Transfer and
Trust Company as its transfer agent after the Offering.




                                       49

<PAGE>



                           SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

         The Company and the Bank are  extensively  regulated  under federal and
state  law.  Generally,  these  laws and  regulations  are  intended  to protect
depositors, not stockholders.  The following is a summary description of certain
provisions of certain laws which affect the regulation of bank holding companies
and  banks.  The  discussion  is  qualified  in its  entirety  by  reference  to
applicable laws and regulations. Changes in such laws and regulations may have a
material effect on the business and prospects of the Company and the Bank.

Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation and Structure

         The Company is a bank  holding  company  within the meaning of the Bank
Holding  Company  Act of  1956,  as  amended,  and as  such,  it is  subject  to
regulation,  supervision, and examination by the FRB. The Company is required to
file annual and quarterly  reports with the FRB and to provide the FRB with such
additional  information as the FRB may require. The FRB may conduct examinations
of the Company and its subsidiaries.

         With  certain  limited  exceptions,  the  Company is required to obtain
prior  approval from the FRB before  acquiring  direct or indirect  ownership or
control of more than 5% of any voting  securities  or  substantially  all of the
assets of a bank or bank holding  company,  or before  merging or  consolidating
with another bank holding company.  Additionally,  with certain exceptions,  any
person proposing to acquire control through direct or indirect  ownership of 25%
or more of any voting  securities  of the  Company is  required to give 60 days'
written  notice  of  the   acquisition  to  the  FRB,  which  may  prohibit  the
transaction, and to publish notice to the public.

         Generally,  a bank  holding  company  may not engage in any  activities
other  than  banking,  managing  or  controlling  its bank and other  authorized
subsidiaries, and providing services to these subsidiaries.  With prior approval
of the FRB,  the Company may acquire  more than 5% of the assets or  outstanding
shares of a company engaging in non-bank activities  determined by the FRB to be
closely  related to the business of banking or of managing or controlling  banks
In September,  1996,  the FRB proposed  expedited  procedures for expansion into
approved categories of non-bank activities.  It is impossible to predict whether
or when the proposal may become final.

         Subsidiary  banks of a bank  holding  company  are  subject  to certain
quantitative  and  qualitative  restrictions on extensions of credit to the bank
holding company or its  subsidiaries,  on investments in their securities and on
the use of their  securities  as  collateral  for loans to any  borrower.  These
regulations  and  restrictions  may limit the Company's  ability to obtain funds
from the Bank for its cash needs,  including funds for the payment of dividends,
interest  and  operating  expenses.  Further,  a bank  holding  company  and its
subsidiaries  are  prohibited  from engaging in certain tie-in  arrangements  in
connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing
of  services.  For  example,  the Bank may not  generally  require a customer to
obtain other  services  from itself or the  Company,  and may not require that a
customer  promise not to obtain other  services from a competitor as a condition
to and extension of credit to the customer. In September, 1996, the FRB proposed
to end the  anti-tying  rules for bank holding  companies and their  non-banking
subsidiaries;  they would be retained  for banks.  It is  impossible  to predict
whether or when the proposal may become final.

         Under FRB policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source
of financial  strength to its  subsidiary  banks and to make capital  injections
into a troubled subsidiary bank, and the FRB may


                                       50

<PAGE>



charge the bank holding  company with  engaging in unsafe and unsound  practices
for failure to commit  resources to a subsidiary bank when required.  A required
capital  injection may be called for at a time when the holding company does not
have the resources to provide it. In addition,  depository  institutions insured
by the FDIC  can be held  liable  for any  losses  incurred  by,  or  reasonably
anticipated  to be incurred by, the FDIC in  connection  with the default of, or
assistance   provided  to,  a  commonly   controlled   FDIC-insured   depository
institution.  Accordingly,  in the  event  that any  insured  subsidiary  of the
Company  causes a loss to the FDIC,  other insured  subsidiaries  of the Company
could be required to  compensate  the FDIC by  reimbursing  it for the estimated
amount of such loss. Such cross guaranty  liabilities  generally are superior in
priority to the  obligations of the depository  institution to its  shareholders
due solely to their status as shareholders and obligations to other affiliates.

State Bank Holding Company Regulation

         As a Maryland bank holding  company,  the Company is subject to various
restrictions  on its  activities  as set forth in  Maryland  law, in addition to
those restrictions set forth in federal law. See "--Federal Bank Holding Company
Regulation  and  Structure."  Under  Maryland  law, a bank holding  company that
desires to acquire a bank or bank holding  company that has its principal  place
of business in Maryland must obtain approval from the Commissioner. Also, a bank
holding  company and its Maryland  state-chartered  bank or trust company cannot
directly or indirectly acquire banking or non-banking subsidiaries or affiliates
until the bank or trust company receives the approval of the Commissioner.

Federal and State Bank Regulation

         The Company's banking  subsidiary is a Maryland  state-chartered  trust
company, with all the powers of a commercial bank, regulated and examined by the
Commissioner and the FDIC. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over the
institutions it regulates to prohibit or correct  activities  which violate law,
regulation or written  agreement with the FDIC or which are deemed to constitute
unsafe or unsound practices.  Enforcement actions may include the appointment of
a  conservator  or  receiver,  the  issuance  of a cease and desist  order,  the
termination of deposit insurance, the imposition of civil money penalties on the
institution,  its  directors,  officers,  employees  and  institution-affiliated
parties,  the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal
and informal agreements, the removal of or restrictions on directors,  officers,
employees and  institution-affiliated  parties,  and the enforcement of any such
mechanisms through restraining orders or other court actions.

         In its lending activities, the maximum legal rate of interest, fees and
charges which a financial institution may charge on a particular loan depends on
a variety of factors such as the type of borrower,  the purpose of the loan, the
amount  of the loan and the date the loan is made.  Other  laws tie the  maximum
amount  which may be loaned to any one  customer  and its related  interests  to
capital levels.  The Bank is also subject to certain  restrictions on extensions
of  credit to  executive  officers,  directors,  principal  shareholders  or any
related  interest  of such  persons  which  generally  require  that such credit
extensions  be made on  substantially  the same terms as are  available to third
persons  dealing  with the Bank and not  involve  more than the  normal  risk of
repayment.

         The Community  Reinvestment  Act ("CRA")  requires  that, in connection
with the examination of financial  institutions within their jurisdictions,  the
FDIC  evaluate the record of the  financial  institutions  in meeting the credit
needs  of  their  local   communities,   including   low  and  moderate   income
neighborhoods,  consistent  with the safe and sound  operation  of those  banks.
These  factors are also  considered  by all  regulatory  agencies in  evaluating
mergers,  acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility.  As of the
date of its  most  recent  examination  report,  the Bank  has a CRA  rating  of
"Satisfactory."


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<PAGE>




         Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
("FDICIA"), each federal banking agency is required to prescribe, by regulation,
non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority.
The  federal  banking  agencies,  including  the FDIC,  have  adopted  standards
covering internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan
documentation,  credit underwriting,  interest rate exposure,  asset growth, and
compensation,  fees and  benefits.  An  institution  which  fails to meet  those
standards  may be  required  by the agency to develop a plan  acceptable  to the
agency,  specifying  the  steps  that  the  institution  will  take to meet  the
standards.  Failure  to  submit  or  implement  such  a  plan  may  subject  the
institution  to  regulatory  sanctions.  The  Company,  on  behalf  of the Bank,
believes  that it meets  substantially  all  standards  which have been adopted.
FDICIA also imposed new capital  standards on insured  depository  institutions.
See "--Capital Requirements."

         Before  establishing  new branch  offices,  the Bank must meet  certain
minimum  capital stock and surplus  requirements.  With each new branch  located
outside the municipal area of the Bank's principal banking office, these minimal
levels  increase by $120,000 to $900,000,  based on the  population  size of the
municipal area in which the branch will be located.  Prior to  establishment  of
the  branch,   the  Bank  must  obtain   Commissioner  and  FDIC  approval.   If
establishment  of  the  branch  involves  the  purchase  of a bank  building  or
furnishings,  the total  investment  in bank  buildings and  furnishings  cannot
exceed,  with  certain  exceptions,  50% of the Bank's  unimpaired  capital  and
surplus.

Deposit Insurance

         As a FDIC  member  institution,  deposits  of the  Bank  are  currently
insured  to  a  maximum  of  $100,000.00  per  depositor   through  the  Savings
Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF"), administered by the FDIC. Insured financial
institutions are members of either SAIF or the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF"). SAIF
members generally are savings and loan associations or savings banks,  including
banks  and  trust  companies  that  have  converted  from  a  savings  and  loan
association or savings bank to a commercial  bank or trust company,  such as the
Bank did in 1995.  (See  "Business--Background  and  History.") At this time, an
insured financial institution cannot convert from one insurance fund to another,
but mergers or transfers of assets  between SAIF and BIF members  generally  are
permitted with the assuming or resulting depository  institution making payments
of  SAIF  assessments  on  the  portion  of  liabilities   attributable  to  the
SAIF-insured institution.

         The FDIC is required to establish the semi-annual  assessments for BIF-
and SAIF-insured  depository institutions at a rate determined to be appropriate
to maintain or increase the reserve ratio of the  respective  deposit  insurance
funds at or above 1.25 percent of estimated  insured  deposits or at such higher
percentage   that  the  FDIC  determines  to  be  justified  for  that  year  by
circumstances raising significant risk of substantial future losses to the fund.
SAIF  historically  has not met  the  designated  reserve  ratio  for the  fund.
Accordingly,  federal  legislation  that  became  effective  September  30, 1996
assesses a one-time charge on deposits insured by SAIF. This one-time charge for
the Bank is approximately $154,000,  which it will pay by November 27, 1996. See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operation."

         This   recapitalization   is  expected  to   significantly   lower  the
semi-annual assessments paid by the Bank as a SAIF member.  Assessments are made
on a risk-based premium system with nine risk  classifications  based on certain
capital and supervisory measures.  Financial  institutions with higher levels of
capital and  involving a low degree of  supervisory  concern are assessed  lower
premiums than financial institutions with lower levels of capital or involving a
higher degree of supervisory  concern.  Before the  recapitalization,  the rates
assessable  on  SAIF-insured  deposits  ranged  from  $.23 per $100 of  domestic
deposits to $.31 per $100 of domestic  deposits;  the Bank's assessment stood at
$.23 per $100. Rates assessable to BIF members have been significantly  lower at
a range of $.03 to $.27 per $100, with the


                                       52

<PAGE>



highest rated BIF institutions  paying the statutory minimum of $2,000 per year.
With  recapitalization  of SAIF,  the  assessment  ranges  for both BIF and SAIF
institutions will decrease. The Bank expects is assessment rate to be $.0644 per
$100 starting on January 1, 1997. Currently, federal law calls for merger of the
SAIF and BIF funds by January 1, 1999 if no insured  financial  institution is a
savings  association  on such date. It is impossible to predict  whether or when
this will occur.

Limits on Dividends and Other Payments

         The Company's  current  ability to pay  dividends is largely  dependent
upon the  receipt of  dividends  from its  banking  subsidiary,  the Bank.  Both
federal  and state laws  impose  restrictions  on the ability of the Bank to pay
dividends.  The FRB has issued a policy  statement  which  provides  that,  as a
general matter,  insured banks and bank holding companies may pay dividends only
out of prior operating earnings.  For a Maryland  state-chartered  bank or trust
company,  dividends  may be paid out of  undivided  profits  or,  with the prior
approval of the Commissioner, from surplus in excess of 100% of required capital
stock.  If,  however,  the  surplus of a Maryland  bank is less than 100% of its
required  capital stock,  cash dividends may not be paid in excess of 90% of net
earnings. In addition to these specific restrictions,  bank regulatory agencies,
in general,  also have the ability to prohibit proposed dividends by a financial
institution  which would otherwise be permitted under applicable  regulations if
the regulatory body determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe
or unsound practice.

Capital Requirements

         The FRB and FDIC have adopted certain  risk-based capital guidelines to
assist in the  assessment  of the capital  adequacy of a banking  organization's
operations  for both  transactions  reported on the balance  sheet as assets and
transactions,  such as letters of credit and  recourse  arrangements,  which are
recorded as off balance  sheet items.  Under these  guidelines,  nominal  dollar
amounts of assets and credit  equivalent  amounts of off balance sheet items are
multiplied by one of several risk  adjustment  percentages,  which range from 0%
for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S.  Treasury  securities,  to
100% for assets with relatively  high credit risk,  such as business loans.  For
bank holding companies with less than $150,000,000 in consolidated  assets, such
as the Company, the guidelines are applied on a bank-only basis.

         A banking  organization's  risk-based  capital  ratios are  obtained by
dividing  its  qualifying  capital  by  its  total  risk  adjusted  assets.  The
regulators measure  risk-adjusted assets, which include off balance sheet items,
against  both total  qualifying  capital  (the sum of Tier 1 capital and limited
amounts  of Tier 2  capital)  and Tier 1  capital.  "Tier  1," or core  capital,
includes  common  equity,  perpetual  preferred  stock  (excluding  auction rate
issues) and minority  interest in equity accounts of consolidated  subsidiaries,
less goodwill and other intangibles, subject to certain exceptions. "Tier 2," or
supplementary  capital,  includes,  among other things,  limited-life  preferred
stock, hybrid capital instruments,  mandatory convertible securities, qualifying
subordinated  debt,  and the  allowance  for loan and lease  losses,  subject to
certain limitations and less required  deductions.  The inclusion of elements of
Tier 2 capital is subject to certain other  requirements  and limitations of the
federal  banking  agencies.  Banks and bank  holding  companies  subject  to the
risk-based capital guidelines are required to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital
to  risk-  weighted  assets  of at least  4% and a ratio  of  total  capital  to
risk-weighted  assets of at least 8%. The appropriate  regulatory  authority may
set higher  capital  requirements  when  particular  circumstances  warrant.  As
September 30, 1996, the Bank's ratio of Tier 1 to risk-weighted  assets stood at
10.56% and its ratio of total capital to  risk-weighted  assets stood at 11.67%.
In addition to risk-based capital, banks and bank holding companies are required
to maintain a minimum  amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets,  referred to as
the leverage  capital  ratio,  of at least 3%. At September 30, 1996, the Bank's
leverage capital ratio stood at 12.67%.


                                       53

<PAGE>




         In August,  1995 and May, 1996, the federal  banking  agencies  adopted
final  regulations   specifying  that  the  agencies  will  include,   in  their
evaluations of a bank's capital  adequacy,  an assessment of the Bank's interest
rate risk exposure.  The standards for measuring the adequacy and  effectiveness
of a banking organization's interest rate risk management includes a measurement
of board of director and senior  management  oversight,  and a determination  of
whether a banking  organization's  procedures for comprehensive  risk management
are appropriate to the circumstances of the specific banking  organization.  The
Bank has  internal  IRR  models  that  are  used to  measure  and  monitor  IRR.
Additionally,  the  regulatory  agencies have been  assessing IRR on an informal
basis for several  years.  For these  reasons,  the Company  does not expect the
addition of IRR  evaluation  to the  agencies'  capital  guidelines to result in
significant changes in capital requirements for the Bank.

         Failure to meet applicable  capital  guidelines could subject a banking
organization to a variety of enforcement actions,  including  limitations on its
ability to pay dividends, the issuance by the applicable regulatory authority of
a  capital  directive  to  increase  capital  and,  in the  case  of  depository
institutions,  the  termination of deposit  insurance by the FDIC, as well as to
the  measures   described  under  "--Federal   Deposit   Insurance   Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991" below, as applicable to undercapitalized  institutions.
In addition, future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the
amount of capital  recognized  for purposes of capital  adequacy.  Such a change
could  affect the ability of the Bank to grow and could  restrict  the amount of
profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends to the Company.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991

         In  December,  1991,  Congress  enacted the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"),  which substantially revised the
bank regulatory and funding  provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
made  significant  revisions to several other federal banking  statutes.  FDICIA
provides  for,  among other  things,  (i) publicly  available  annual  financial
condition and management reports for financial institutions, including audits by
independent accountants,  (ii) the establishment of uniform accounting standards
by federal banking  agencies,  (iii) the  establishment of a "prompt  corrective
action"   system  of  regulatory   supervision   and   intervention,   based  on
capitalization  levels, with more scrutiny and restrictions placed on depository
institutions  with lower  levels of  capital,  (iv)  additional  grounds for the
appointment of a conservator or receiver,  and (v)  restrictions or prohibitions
on accepting  brokered  deposits,  except for institutions  which  significantly
exceed minimum capital requirements.  FDICIA also provides for increased funding
of the FDIC insurance funds and the implementation of risked-based premiums. See
"- Deposit Insurance."

         A central feature of FDICIA is the requirement that the federal banking
agencies take "prompt corrective action" with respect to depository institutions
that do not meet minimum capital  requirements.  Pursuant to FDICIA, the federal
bank regulatory authorities have adopted regulations setting forth a five-tiered
system for measuring the capital  adequacy of the depository  institutions  that
they supervise.  Under these regulations, a depository institution is classified
in one of the following  capital  categories:  "well  capitalized,"  "adequately
capitalized,"    "undercapitalized,"    "significantly   undercapitalized"   and
"critically undercapitalized." An institution may be deemed by the regulators to
be in a  capitalization  category  that is lower than is indicated by its actual
capital  position  if,  among  other  things,   it  receives  an  unsatisfactory
examination  rating  with  respect to asset  quality,  management,  earnings  or
liquidity.

         FDICIA  generally  prohibits a depository  institution  from making any
capital  distribution  (including  payment  of a cash  dividend)  or paying  any
management  fees to its  holding  company if the  depository  institution  would
thereafter be  undercapitalized.  Undercapitalized  depository  institutions are
subject to growth  limitations  and are required to submit  capital  restoration
plans. If a depository institution fails to


                                       54

<PAGE>



submit  an  acceptable   plan,   it  is  treated  as  if  it  is   significantly
undercapitalized.  Significantly  undercapital- ized depository institutions may
be subject to a number of other requirements and restrictions,  including orders
to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately  capitalized,  requirements
to reduce total assets and stop  accepting  deposits from  correspondent  banks.
Critically  undercapitalized  institutions  are subject to the  appointment of a
receiver or conservator,  generally  within 90 days of the date such institution
is determined to be critically undercapitalized.

         FDICIA  provides  the  federal  banking  agencies  with   significantly
expanded powers to take enforcement  action against  institutions  which fail to
comply with capital or other standards.  Such action may include the termination
of deposit insurance by the FDIC or the appointment of a receiver or conservator
for the institution.  FDICIA also limits the circumstances  under which the FDIC
is permitted to provide financial  assistance to an insured  institution  before
appointment of a conservator or receiver.

Interstate Banking Legislation

         The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994
was  enacted  into law on  September  29,  1994.  Among  other  things,  the law
eliminated  substantially  all state law barriers to the acquisition of banks by
out-of-state  bank holding companies as of September 29, 1995. The law will also
permit  interstate  branching by banks effective as of June 1, 1997,  subject to
the ability of states to opt-out completely or to set an earlier effective date.
Maryland generally  established an earlier effective date of September 29, 1995.
On December 13, 1995,  Maryland,  Delaware,  Virginia and Pennsylvania  signed a
supervisory   pact   establishing   uniform   rules  for  the   supervision   of
state-chartered  banks and trust  companies that operate  branches  across state
lines.  Other states have expressed  interest in eventually joining the compact.
Under the agreement,  home-state regulators will have primary responsibility for
banks  chartered  in the home  state,  including  those that  branch  into other
jurisdictions, although such branches may be subject to the other jurisdiction's
regulatory  authorities in certain  circumstances.  The Company anticipates that
the  effect  of the  new  law and the  supervisory  compact  may be to  increase
competition  within the markets in which the Company now operates,  although the
Company  cannot  predict the extent to which  competition  will increase in such
markets or the timing of such increase.

Monetary Policy

         The earnings of a bank holding  company are affected by the policies of
regulatory  authorities,  including  the  FRB,  in  connection  with  the  FRB's
regulation of the money  supply.  Various  methods  employed by the FRB are open
market  operations  in  United  States  Government  securities,  changes  in the
discount  rate on member bank  borrowings  and  changes in reserve  requirements
against member bank deposits.  These methods are used in varying combinations to
influence  overall  growth  and  distribution  of bank  loans,  investments  and
deposits,  and their use may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid
on deposits.  The money policies of the FRB have had a significant effect on the
operating  results of commercial  banks in the past and are expected to continue
to do so in the future.




                                       55

<PAGE>



                         SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         Prior to this Offering,  there has been no  established  public trading
market for the Common Stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock
in the public  market could  adversely  affect the  prevailing  market price and
impair the Company's ability to raise additional funds.

         Upon  completion of this  Offering,  the Company will have  outstanding
2,627,263  shares of Common  Stock  (assuming  no exercise of the  Underwriters'
over-allotment  option).  The  shares  sold in  this  Offering  will  be  freely
tradeable by persons  other than  "affiliates"  of the Company,  as that term is
defined in the Securities Act. The 1,227,263 shares of Common Stock  outstanding
prior to this Offering may not be sold unless they are registered  under the Act
or are sold  pursuant  to Rule  144  under  the Act or  another  exemption  from
registration.

          As of October 31, 1996,  there were 1,227,263  shares of the Company's
Common Stock outstanding, of which approximately 200,000 shares will be eligible
for sale 90 days after the date of this  Prospectus  pursuant  to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act, subject to volume,  notice and manner of sale limitations in
that rule.  In  addition,  an  aggregate  of 573,200  shares of Common Stock are
beneficially owned by the Company's executive officers and directors. All of the
Company's  executive officers and directors have agreed that for a period of 180
days after the closing of the  Offering,  they will not sell,  offer for sale or
take any action that may constitute a transfer of shares of Common Stock.  There
are also 983,923 shares subject to  outstanding  options and warrants.  Although
the sale of the shares  issued upon exercise of options and  warranties  will be
restricted  under Rule 144,  the sale of any number of shares of Common Stock in
the public  market  following the Offering  could have an adverse  impact on the
then prevailing market price of the shares.

         Beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus,  if a period of at
least two years has  elapsed  from the date  that  shares of Common  Stock  were
acquired from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, then, pursuant to Rule
144, the holder of such shares (including an affiliate of the Company), may sell
within any three month  period  that number of shares  which does not exceed the
greater of 1% of the then  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  (26,272  shares
immediately  following the Offering,  assuming no exercise of the  Underwriters'
over-allotment  option) or the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock
during the four calendar weeks  preceding such sale.  Sales pursuant to Rule 144
are subject to certain  requirements  relating to the manner of sale, notice and
availability of current public information about the Company.  If at least three
years has elapsed  from the date the shares of Common Stock were  acquired  from
the Company,  or an affiliate  of the Company,  and the proposed  seller has not
been an affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months immediately
preceding the sale, such person is entitled to sell such shares pursuant to Rule
144(k) without regard to the limitations  described  above.  See "Risk Factors -
Shares Eligible for Future Sale."


                                  UNDERWRITING

         Subject  to the terms  and  conditions  set  forth in the  Underwriting
Agreement,  the Company has agreed to sell to Ferris, Baker Watts,  Incorporated
(the "Underwriter"),  and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase,  the number of
shares of Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:



                                       56

<PAGE>



                                                       Number of Shares
  Underwriter                                           to be Purchased

  Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated                        _________

        Total                                              1,400,000
                                                           =========

         The  nature of the  Underwriter's  obligations  under the  Underwriting
Agreement  is such that all shares of Common  Stock  offered,  excluding  shares
covered  by the  over-allotment  option  granted  to the  Underwriter,  must  be
purchased if any are purchased.  The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that the
obligations of the  Underwriter to pay for and accept  delivery of the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters
by counsel and to certain other conditions.

         The Company  has been  advised by the  Underwriter  that it proposes to
offer the shares of Common Stock to the public  initially at the price set forth
on the cover page of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of $0.__ per share. The Underwriter may allow, and such
dealers may re-allow,  a concession  not in excess of $0.__ per share to certain
other  dealers.  The public  offering  price and  concessions  and allowances to
dealers may be changed by the Underwriter.

         The Company has granted the Underwriter an option,  exercisable  within
30 days  after the date of this  Prospectus,  to  purchase  up to an  additional
210,000 shares of Common Stock to cover  over-allotments,  at the same price per
share to be paid by the  Underwriter  for the other shares offered  hereby.  The
Underwriter may purchase such shares only to cover  over-allotments,  if any, in
connection with the Offering made hereby.

         The  executive  officers,  directors  and certain  stockholders  of the
Company have agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or grant an
option to purchase or otherwise  dispose of any shares of the  Company's  Common
Stock,  options to acquire shares of Common Stock or any securities  exercisable
for or  convertible  into  Common  Stock  owned by them,  in the open  market or
otherwise,  for a period of 180 days from the date of this  Prospectus,  without
the prior  written  consent of the  Underwriter.  The  Company has agreed not to
offer, sell or issue any shares of Common Stock, options to acquire Common Stock
or securities  exercisable for or convertible  into shares of Common Stock for a
period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,  without the prior written
consent  of the  Underwriter,  except  that the  Company  may  issue  securities
pursuant  to the  Company's  stock  option  plans and upon the  exercise  of all
outstanding stock options and warrants.

         The Company and the  Underwriter  have agreed to  indemnify  each other
against certain liabilities,  including  liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended,  which may arise out of or be based upon any untrue  statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact made by the indemnifying  party
and contained in this Prospectus,  the Registration Statement, any supplement or
amendment thereto, or any documents filed with state securities authorities,  or
any omission or alleged omission of the  indemnifying  party to state a material
fact  required  to be  stated  in any  such  document  or  required  to make the
statements in any such document, in light of the circumstances in which they are
made, not misleading.

         The  initial  public  offering  price  of the  Common  Stock  has  been
determined  by  negotiations  between the Company and the  Underwriter  based on
certain  factors,  in addition to prevailing  market  conditions,  including the
history of and  prospects  for the  industry in which the Company  competes,  an
assessment  of the  Company's  management,  the  prospects  of the  Company,  an
evaluation of the Company's  assets,  comparisons of the  relationships  between
market prices and book values of other financial


                                       57

<PAGE>



institutions  of a similar size and asset  quality,  and other factors that were
deemed relevant.  Such decision has not been based upon an actual trading market
for the Common  Stock;  accordingly,  there can be no assurance  that the Common
Stock may be resold at or above the offering price.

         The  Underwriter  intends  to make a market  in the  securities  of the
Company,  as permitted by  applicable  laws and  regulations.  The  Underwriter,
however,  is not  obligated  to make a market  in such  securities  and any such
market  making may be  discontinued  at any time at the sole  discretion  of the
Underwriter.

         The  Underwriter  has  informed  the Company that it does not expect to
confirm  sales of Common Stock  offered by this  Prospectus to any accounts over
which it exercises discretionary authority.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for
the  Company  by  Gordon,  Feinblatt,  Rothman,  Hoffberger  &  Hollander,  LLC,
Baltimore,  Maryland. Governor William Donald Schaefer, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company and the Bank and a beneficial  owner of 1,000 shares of
Common Stock, and options to purchase an additional 900 shares, is of counsel to
such law firm.  In addition,  members of such firm own 2,500 shares and warrants
to purchase an additional  2,500 shares of the Company's  Common Stock.  Certain
legal matters related to the Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriter by
Shapiro and Olander, Baltimore, Maryland.


                                     EXPERTS

         The  consolidated  financial  statements of First Mariner Bancorp as of
December  31, 1995 and 1994 and for the years then ended,  included  herein have
been included in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,  independent
certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission"), at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration
Statement on Form SB-2 (herein,  together with all amendments and exhibits,  the
"Registration  Statement")  under the  Securities Act with respect to the Common
Stock offered by this  Prospectus.  This  Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration  Statement.  Further  information with
respect to the  Company  and the Common  Stock  offered  hereby,  is included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration  Statement,  financial statements,
exhibits and schedules filed therewith. A copy of the Registration Statement may
be inspected  without charge as the  Commission's  principal  offices located at
Northwestern  Atrium  Center,  500 West  Madison  Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,
Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center,  13th Floor,  New York, New York 10048.
Copies of all or part of the  Registration  Statement  may be obtained  from the
Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of the prescribed
fees.  Statements  contained  in  this  Prospectus  as to  the  contents  of any
contract, or other document referred to herein summarize the material provisions
of such contract or document but are not necessarily complete,  and in each such
instance  reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed
as an  exhibit  to  such  Registration  Statement,  each  such  statement  being
qualified in all respect by such reference.



                                       58

<PAGE>



         Prior to the date of this  Prospectus,  the  Company was not subject to
the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company
intends to furnish to its stockholders  annual reports  containing  consolidated
financial  statements  examined by an  independent  public  accounting  firm and
quarterly  reports for the first three  quarters of each fiscal year  containing
unaudited consolidated financial information.






                                       59

<PAGE>



                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Independent Auditors' Report............................................................................F-2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994..............................................................................F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
and 1995 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.................................F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.......................F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
and 1995 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.................................F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at September 30, 1996 and
1995 (unaudited) and as of  December 31, 1995 and 1994..................................................F-8
</TABLE>



                                       F-1

<PAGE>



Independent Auditors' Report



The Board of Directors
First Mariner Bancorp:


We have audited the accompanying  consolidated statements of financial condition
of First Mariner Bancorp and subsidiaries  (the  Corporation) as of December 31,
1995  and  1994  and  the  related   consolidated   statements  of   operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our
responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial
statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the  financial  position of First  Mariner
Bancorp and  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,  and the results of
their  operations  and their cash  flows for the years then ended in  conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.




March 25, 1996
Baltimore, Maryland



                                       F-2

<PAGE>



                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                 Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  September 30,              December 31,
                                                                      1996             1995              1994
                                                                   (unaudited)

Assets
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Cash:
     On hand and in banks                                        $  5,766,252         3,435,126         1,331,054
     Interest-bearing deposits                                      4,482,164        14,218,989           128,212
Securities sold (note 1)                                                   --         2,337,625                --
Investment in certificates of deposit (note 3)                         99,000            99,000           590,000
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity,
     fair value of $2,519,736 (note 4)                                     --                --         2,630,929
Loans receivable, net (notes 5 and 8)                              80,981,616        29,760,313        19,930,101
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stock,
     at cost (notes 8 and 11)                                         480,800           301,000           301,000
Property and equipment, net (note 6)                                2,594,600         1,796,963         1,009,449
Prepaid expenses and other assets                                     556,919           849,329           382,707
                                                                 ------------        ----------        ----------
                                                                 $ 94,961,351        52,798,345        26,303,452
                                                                 ============        ==========        ==========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Liabilities:
     Deposits (note 7)                                           $ 78,857,010        41,363,630        20,882,530
     Federal Home Loan Bank advances (note 8)                       6,000,000                --         3,150,000
     Mortgage escrow accounts                                          79,791           123,011           164,218
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                           841,996           609,718           130,089
                                                                 ------------        ----------        ----------

Total liabilities                                                  85,778,797        42,096,359        24,326,837

Stockholders' equity (notes 10 and 11):
     Common stock, $.05 par value; 5,000,000
       shares authorized; 1,227,213, 1,226,613 and 225,813
       shares issued and outstanding, respectively                     61,361            61,331            11,291
     Additional paid-in capital                                    12,170,210        12,164,240         2,206,280
     Accumulated deficit                                           (3,049,017)       (1,523,585)         (240,956)
                                                                 ------------        ----------        ----------

Net stockholders' equity                                            9,182,554        10,701,986         1,976,615
                                                                 ------------        ----------        ----------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 5 and 6)
                                                                 $ 94,961,351        52,798,345        26,303,452
                                                                 ============        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>





          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       F-3

<PAGE>



                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                      Consolidated Statements of Operations

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Nine months ended                Years ended
                                                                 September 30,                 December 31,
                                                         ---------------------------     ------------------------
                                                             1996           1995           1995          1994
                                                                  (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Interest income:
     Loans                                               $  3,981,916      1,283,152     1,981,588      1,102,912
     Mortgage-backed securities                                    --        132,563       176,650         77,576
     Investment securities                                    334,507        243,774       403,201         28,653
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Total interest income                                       4,316,423      1,659,489     2,561,439      1,209,141

Interest expense:
     Deposits (note 7)                                      1,949,995        787,677     1,176,436        411,364
     Borrowed funds and other (note 8)                         28,456         90,360        93,184         92,464
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Total interest expense                                      1,978,451        878,037     1,269,620        503,828
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------

Net interest income                                         2,337,972        781,452     1,291,819        705,313
Provision for loan losses (note 5)                            674,828            --        190,051         59,078
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses                                           1,663,144        781,452     1,101,768        646,235

Noninterest income:
     Service fees on loans                                    208,162         32,344        84,173         12,089
     Service fees on deposits                                 229,728         54,017        94,918         48,524
     Gain on sale of securities                               331,695             --         8,970             --
     Other                                                     42,352          4,307         8,953         14,751
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Total noninterest income                                      811,937         90,668       197,014         75,364

Noninterest expenses:
     Salaries and employee benefits                         1,859,988        568,243     1,189,172        410,378
     Net occupancy                                            480,079        136,996       245,499         85,925
     Insurance premiums                                       229,810         43,221        79,783         66,239
     Furniture, fixtures and equipment                        173,169         52,408        82,968         68,914
     Professional services                                     59,841        123,851       233,448         51,205
     Advertising                                              290,944         72,791       147,549         11,706
     Service bureau expense                                   201,067         92,650       134,927        103,079
     Office supplies                                          183,357         74,144       121,250         92,561
     Amortization of cost of intangible assets                 56,195         47,824        64,463         38,722
     Other                                                    466,063        149,758       282,352         51,260
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Total noninterest expenses                                  4,000,513      1,361,886     2,581,411        979,989
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------

Loss before income tax benefit                             (1,525,432)      (489,766)   (1,282,629)      (258,390)
Income tax benefit (note 9)                                        --             --            --         17,434
                                                         ------------      ---------     ---------      ---------
Net loss                                                 $ (1,525,432)      (489,766)   (1,282,629)      (240,956)
                                                         ============      =========    ==========      =========

Net loss per common share (note 1)                       $      (1.24)         (.97)         (1.88)         (2.07)
                                                         ============      =========    ==========      =========
</TABLE>




          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       F-4

<PAGE>



                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Number of
                                               shares of                Additional                        Net
                                                common       Common       paid-in      Accumulated   stockholders'
                                                 stock        stock       capital        deficit        equity
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Balance at December 31, 1993                           --   $     --             --            --              --
     Common stock issued, net of
       costs of issuance                          225,813     11,291      2,206,280            --       2,217,571
     Net loss - 1994                                   --         --             --      (240,956)       (240,956)
                                                ---------   --------      ---------    ----------      ----------

Balance at December 31, 1994                      225,813     11,291      2,206,280      (240,956)      1,976,615

     Common stock issued                        1,000,800     50,040      9,957,960            --      10,008,000
     Net loss - 1995                                   --         --             --    (1,282,629)     (1,282,629)
                                                ---------   --------     ----------    ----------      ----------

Balance at December 31, 1995                    1,226,613     61,331     12,164,240    (1,523,585)     10,701,986

     Common stock issued
       (unaudited)                                    600         30          5,970            --           6,000
     Net loss - 1996 (unaudited)                       --         --             --    (1,525,432)     (1,525,432)
                                                ---------   --------     ----------    ----------      ----------

Balance at September 30, 1996
     (unaudited)                                1,227,213   $ 61,361     12,170,210    (3,049,017)      9,182,554
                                                =========   =========    ==========    ==========      ==========

</TABLE>























          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       F-5

<PAGE>



                                               FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Nine months ended              Years ended
                                                                   September 30,               December 31,
                                                          ---------------------------     -------------------------
                                                              1996            1995          1995          1994
                                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net loss                                             $ (1,525,432)     (489,766)    (1,282,629)      (240,956)
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
       used by operating activities:
         Amortization of unearned loan fees, net              (413,786)      (82,935)      (139,713)       (16,777)
         Amortization of premiums on deposits                  (21,025)      (55,974)       (74,632)       (95,500)
         Amortization of discounts on loans                     58,961        68,878         83,973         58,021
         Depreciation and amortization                         284,572       113,685        189,755         64,360
         Provision loans losses                                674,828            --        190,051         59,078
         Net increase (decrease) in accrued
           expenses and other liabilities                      685,271        47,904        479,629        (94,549)
         Amortization of premiums and
           discounts on mortgage-backed
           securities, net                                          --       (13,829)       (16,778)        (5,874)
         Increase in prepaids and
           other assets                                       (157,847)     (373,022)      (518,461)      (162,213)
         Gain on sale of securities                           (331,695)           --         (8,970)            --
         Other, net                                                 --            --             --         (6,800)
                                                                    --            --             --      ---------

Net cash used in operating activities                         (746,153)     (785,059)      (1,097,775)    (441,210)

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Loan disbursements, net of principal repayments       (51,157,320)   (4,671,036)     (10,198,765)   1,137,536
     Purchases of property and equipment                    (1,015,938)     (356,949)        (904,637)    (881,130)
     Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank
       of Atlanta stock                                       (179,800)           --               --           --
     Proceeds from securities sold                           2,337,625            --               --           --
     Purchase of investment securities available for sale   (1,838,672)           --               --           --
     Sale of investment securities available for sale        2,170,367            --               --           --
     Principal repayments of mortgage-backed
       securities                                                   --       239,475          294,273      281,285
     Sales of loans                                                 --            --        2,630,929      665,629
     Purchases of loans                                             --            --       (2,339,505)  (1,434,300)
     Maturities of investments in certificates of deposit           --       491,000          491,000           --
     Purchases of investments in certificates of deposit            --            --               --     (590,000)
     Cash acquired in excess of payments for
       purchases of MBFSB and FBFSB                                 --            --               --      652,022
     Other, net                                                     --            --               --          300
                                                          ------------    ----------      -----------   -----------

Net cash used in investing activities                      (49,683,738)   (4,297,510)     (10,026,705)     (168,658)

</TABLE>


                                       F-6
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>
                             FIRST MARINER BANCORP
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Nine months ended              Years ended
                                                                   September 30,               December 31,
                                                          ---------------------------     -------------------------
                                                              1996            1995          1995          1994
                                                                    (Unaudited)

<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Net increase (decrease) in deposits                  $ 37,061,412     9,254,042       20,502,536    (2,839,473)
     Proceeds from advances from Federal
       Home Loan Bank of Atlanta                             6,000,000            --               --     2,850,000
     Repayment of advances from Federal
       Home Loan Bank of Atlanta                                   --     (2,650,000)      (3,150,000)           --
     Net decrease in mortgage escrow accounts                  (43,220)      (95,685)         (41,207)         (864)
     Proceeds from stock issuance, net                           6,000     9,401,029       10,008,000     2,059,471
                                                          ------------    ----------       ----------     ---------

Net cash provided by financing activities                   43,024,192    15,909,386       27,319,329     2,069,134
                                                          ------------    ----------       ----------     ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents            (7,405,699)   10,826,817       16,194,849     1,459,266
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period            17,654,115     1,459,266        1,459,266            --
                                                          ------------    ----------       ----------     ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                $ 10,248,416    12,286,083       17,654,115     1,459,266
                                                          ============    ==========       ==========     =========

Supplemental information:
     Interest paid on deposits and
       borrowed funds                                      $ 1,499,588       868,282        1,216,424       687,839
                                                           ===========    ==========       ==========     =========

     Exchange of stock for MBFSB stock (note 2)            $        --            --               --       158,100
                                                           ===========    ==========       ==========     =========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       F-7

<PAGE>



                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited) and
December 31, 1995 and 1994

(1)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Organization and basis of presentation

     First  Mariner  Bancorp  (the  "Corporation")  is a  bank  holding  company
     incorporated  under  the laws of  Maryland  and  registered  under the Bank
     Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Corporation,  was organized as
     "MarylandsBank  Corp." in May 1994, and the Corporation's  name was changed
     to "First Mariner Bancorp" in May 1995. The Corporation owns 100% of common
     stock of First Mariner Bank (the "Bank"). First Mariner Bank is the banking
     corporation  created by the  combination of Farmers Bank, FSB and Garibaldi
     Federal Savings Bank, which, once combined,  was named MarylandsBank,  FSB.
     The bank was  converted to a  Maryland-chartered  trust company with all of
     the powers of a  commercial  bank,  at which  time the name was  changed to
     "First Mariner Bank."

     The  consolidated   financial   statements  include  the  accounts  of  the
     Corporation and its subsidiaries for 1995 and for 1994 include the accounts
     of the  Corporation  and its  subsidiaries  MarylandsBank,  FSB (MBFSB) and
     Farmers  Bank,  a Federal  Savings Bank  (FBFSB),  from  July 31,  1994 and
     February 1,  1994, respectively,  their dates of acquisition for accounting
     purposes. All significant  intercompany accounts and transactions have been
     eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

     The accompanying  unaudited financial  statements for the nine months ended
     September  30, 1996 and 1995 do not include all  information  and footnotes
     necessary for a complete  presentation  of financial  position,  results of
     operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
     principles.  However, all adjustments  (consisting only of normal recurring
     accruals)  which,  in the opinion of  management,  are necessary for a fair
     presentation of the unaudited  consolidated  financial statements have been
     included in the results of operations  for the nine months ended  September
     30, 1996 and 1995.  Operating  results for the nine months ended  September
     30, 1996 and 1995 are not  necessarily  indicative  of results  that may be
     expected for the complete year.

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
     accepted  accounting  principles  requires management to make estimates and
     assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities at
     the date of the financial  statements and the reported  amounts of revenues
     and expenses  during the  reporting  period.  Actual  results  could differ
     significantly from those estimates.

     Material estimates that are particularly  susceptible to significant change
     in the near term  relate to the  determination  of the  allowance  for loan
     losses.  In  connection  with these  determinations,  management  evaluates
     historical  trends  and ratios and where  appropriate  obtains  independent
     appraisals for  significant  properties and prepares fair value analyses as
     appropriate.

     Management  believes  that the  allowance  for losses on loans is adequate.
     While  management uses available  information to recognize losses on loans,
     future  additions to the  allowance  may be  necessary  based on changes in
     economic  conditions,  particularly in the State of Maryland.  In addition,
     various


                                       F-8
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)   Continued


     regulatory  agencies,  as an integral  part of their  examination  process,
     periodically review the Bank's allowance for losses on loans. Such agencies
     may require the Banks to  recognize  additions  to the  allowance  based on
     their  judgments about  information  available to them at the time of their
     examination.

     Securities sold

     Securities  sold  represents  net sales proceeds due from brokers for sales
     transactions  executed  prior to December 31, 1995 but not  settling  until
     after December 31, 1995.

     Loan fees

     Origination and commitment fees and direct  origination costs on loans held
     for  investment  are deferred and amortized to income over the  contractual
     lives of the  related  loans  using  the  interest  method.  Under  certain
     circumstances, commitment fees are recognized over the commitment period or
     upon expiration of the commitment.  Unamortized loan fees are recognized in
     income when the related loans are sold or prepaid.

     Sales of mortgage loans

     Loans  originated  for sale are carried at the lower of  aggregate  cost or
     market value.  Market value is  determined  based on  outstanding  investor
     commitments  or,  in the  absence  of such  commitments,  based on  current
     investor yield requirements.  Gains and losses on loan sales are determined
     using the specific identification method.

     Investment securities

     In 1994, the Corporation adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Boards'
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain
     Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,  (SFAS No. 115), which addresses
     the  accounting  and reporting for certain  investments  in debt and equity
     securities.  SFAS No. 115 requires  classification  of such securities into
     three  categories.  Debt  securities that an entity has the positive intent
     and  ability to hold to maturity  are  classified  as held to maturity  and
     recorded at amortized  cost.  Debt and equity  securities are classified as
     trading  securities  if bought  and held  principally  for the  purpose  of
     selling  them in the near term.  Trading  securities  are  reported at fair
     value,  with  unrealized  gains  and  losses  included  in  earnings.  Debt
     securities  not  classified  as  held  to  maturity  and  debt  and  equity
     securities  not classified as trading  securities are considered  available
     for sale and are reported at fair value,  with unrealized  gains and losses
     excluded   from   earnings  and   reported  as  a  separate   component  of
     stockholders' equity, net of tax effects.

     Based  on a  review  of  its  mortgage-backed  securities  portfolios,  the
     Corporation  had  designated  such  securities  as  held to  maturity  upon
     adoption  of SFAS 115.  If a  decline  in value of an  individual  security
     classified  as held to maturity or available for sale is judged to be other
     than  temporary,  the cost  basis of that  security  is reduced to its fair
     value and the amount of the write-down is reflected


                                       F-9
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)   Continued


     in  earnings.  Fair value is  determined  based on bid prices  published in
     financial  newspapers or bid quotations  received from securities  dealers.
     For  purposes  of  computing  realized  gains  or  losses  on the  sales of
     investments,  cost is determined using the specific  identification method.
     Premiums and discounts on investment  and  mortgage-backed  securities  are
     amortized over the term of the security using methods that  approximate the
     interest method.

     In November 1995, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board announced its
     intention to allow a one-time change in the  classification  of securities,
     providing  such  change was  effected  by  December  31,  1995.  Management
     utilized this  opportunity and designated its portfolio of  mortgage-backed
     securities as available for sale.

     Property and equipment

     Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
     amortization.   Depreciation  and   amortization   are  accumulated   using
     straight-line  and accelerated  methods over the estimated  useful lives of
     the assets.  Additions  and  betterments  are  capitalized  and charges for
     repairs  and  maintenance   are  expensed  when  incurred.   The  cost  and
     accumulated  depreciation or amortization  are eliminated from the accounts
     when an asset is sold or retired and the resultant gain or loss is credited
     or charged to income.

     Intangible assets

     Intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisitions of MBFSB and
     FBFSB are  amortized  using the  straight-line  method  over the  estimated
     useful  lives of the  assets  of ten  years.  Organization  costs are being
     amortized over five years.  These amounts are included in prepaid  expenses
     and other assets.

     Nonaccrual and impaired loans

     The  allowance  for  losses on loans is  determined  based on  management's
     review of the loan  portfolio  and  analysis of the  borrowers'  ability to
     repay, past collection experience, risk characteristics of individual loans
     or  groups  of  similar  loans  and  underlying  collateral,   current  and
     prospective economic conditions and status of nonperforming loans.

     Loans are placed in nonaccrual  status when they are past-due 90 days as to
     either  principal or interest or when,  in the opinion of  management,  the
     collection  of  principal  and  interest  is in doubt.  A loan  remains  in
     nonaccrual status until the loan is current as to payment of both principal
     and interest and the  borrower  demonstrates  the ability to pay and remain
     current.  Loans  are  charged-off  when  a loan  or a  portion  thereof  is
     considered uncollectible.

     Effective January 1, 1995, the Corporation adopted SFAS No. 114, Accounting
     by Creditors  for  Impairment  of a Loan and SFAS No. 118,  Accounting  for
     Creditors for Impairment of a Loan -


                                      F-10
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)   Continued


     Income Recognition  Disclosures.  In accordance with SFAS Nos. 114 and 118,
     the Corporation  identifies  impaired loans and measures  impairment (i) at
     the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
     interest rate;  (ii) at the observable  market price,  or (iii) at the fair
     value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the measure
     of the impaired  loan is less than the recorded  investment in the loan, an
     impairment is recognized  through a valuation  allowance and  corresponding
     charge to bad-debt expense.

     A loan is determined to be impaired when, based on current  information and
     events,  it is probable that the Corporation  will be unable to collect all
     amounts due according to the  contractual  terms of the loan  agreement.  A
     loan is not considered  impaired during a period of delay in payment if the
     Corporation   expects  to  collect  all  amounts  due,  including  interest
     past-due.  The Corporation generally considers a period of delay in payment
     to include delinquency up to 90 days.

     SFAS No. 114 does not apply to larger groups of smaller-balance homogeneous
     loans such as consumer  installment,  residential first and second mortgage
     loans and credit card loans.  These loans are  collectively  evaluated  for
     impairment.

     Changes resulting from the  implementation of SFAS Nos. 114 and 118 did not
     materially  impact the financial  condition or results of operations of the
     Corporation as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995.

     Income taxes

     Deferred  tax assets  are  recognized  only to the  extent  that it is more
     likely than not that such amounts will be realized  based on  consideration
     of available evidence, including tax planning strategies and other factors.
     The  effects  of changes  in tax laws or rates on  deferred  tax assets and
     liabilities are recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

     Statements of cash flows

     For purposes of the consolidated  statements of cash flows, the Corporation
     considers all highly liquid investments with maturities at date of purchase
     of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

     Loss per share

     The loss per share  computation is based on the weighted  average number of
     shares  outstanding  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 and 1995
     and during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994. The number of shares
     used in the computation was approximately  1,226,996,  681,893, 504,577 and
     110,013 shares, respectively.

     Net loss per share for the  portion of the year  ended  December  31,  1994
     subsequent  to  incorporation,  May 1, 1994 through  December 31, 1994,  is
     computed using net loss for such period.



                                      F-11
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)   Continued


     The common stock  equivalents,  disclosed in note 10, were antidilutive for
     all periods  presented,  and were thus excluded from the computation of net
     loss per common share.

     Reclassifications

     Certain  amounts  in the 1995  and  1994  financial  statements  have  been
     reclassified to conform to the September 30, 1996 presentation.

(2)  Acquisitions

     The  Corporation  acquired  FBFSB on February 1, 1994 and MBFSB on July 31,
     1994. The  acquisitions  were  accounted for under the purchase  accounting
     method.

     In connection with the acquisition of FBFSB, the Corporation  purchased all
     of the outstanding stock of FBFSB at a price of $797,000 in cash.

     MBFSB  was  formerly  owned  by a  group  of  individual  stockholders.  In
     connection with the acquisition of MBFSB, the Corporation  purchased 62,950
     shares  of  MBFSB   outstanding   common   stock  for   $832,000   in  cash
     (approximately  83% of the  outstanding  stock of MBFSB) and to acquire the
     remaining 17% of MBFSB issued 15,813 shares of the Corporation's stock with
     an assigned value of $158,000.

     The purchase price of FBFSB and MBFSB exceeded the estimated fair values of
     assets acquired less liabilities assumed by $134,000.

(3)  Investments in Certificates of Deposit

     Investments  in  certificates  of deposit is comprised of the  following at
     December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Weighted average rate
                                                      1995          1994             1995            1994
                                                      ----          ----             ----            ----
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Certificates maturing:
              Within 1 year                              --          4.75%        $      --         491,000
              1 through 5 years                        8.00%         8.00%           99,000          99,000
                                                       -----         -----        ---------         -------
                                                                                  $  99,000         590,000
                                                                                  =========         =======
</TABLE>

(4)  Mortgage-backed Securities

     Mortgage-backed securities are summarized as follows at December 31, 1994:

                                      F-12
                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>
                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(4)  Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Amortized           Market
                                                                      cost               value
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation certificates      $  1,018,224            925,356
         Federal National Mortgage Association certificates            569,818            556,994
         Government National Mortgage Association certificates       1,107,483          1,012,607
         Unamortized discount                                          (89,375)               --
         Accrued interest                                               24,779             24,779
                                                                  ------------         ----------
                                                                  $  2,630,929          2,519,736
                                                                  ============         ==========
</TABLE>

     Gross unrealized losses on mortgage-backed  securities at December 31, 1994
     were $111,000.

     During 1995, the Corporation sold its mortgage-backed securities portfolio,
     classified as available for sale and recognized a gain of $8,970.

(5)  Loans Receivable

     Substantially all of the Corporation's  loans receivable are mortgage loans
     secured by residential and commercial real estate properties located in the
     State of Maryland.  Properties  pledged as  collateral  include  single and
     multi-family   residences,   office  buildings,   retail  buildings,   land
     undergoing  development,  warehouses and general  purpose  business  space.
     Loans are  extended  only after  evaluation  by  management  of  customers'
     creditworthiness  and other relevant  factors on a case-by-case  basis. The
     Corporation generally does not lend more than 90% of the appraised value of
     a property and requires private mortgage insurance on residential mortgages
     with  loan-to-value  ratios in excess of 80%. In addition,  the Corporation
     generally  obtains  personal  guarantees of repayment from borrowers and/or
     others  for   development,   construction,   commercial  and   multi-family
     residential  loans and disburses the proceeds of  construction  and similar
     loans only as work progresses on the related projects.

     Residential lending is generally considered to involve less risk than other
     forms of lending,  although payment  experience on these loans is dependent
     to some  extent on  economic  and market  conditions  in the  Corporation's
     primary  lending  area.  Commercial,   development  and  construction  loan
     repayments  are  generally  dependent  on the  operations  of  the  related
     properties  or the  financial  condition  of  its  borrower  or  guarantor.
     Accordingly,  repayment  of such loans can be more  susceptible  to adverse
     conditions in the real estate market and the regional economy.

     Loans receivable and accrued interest thereon are summarized as follows:



                                      F-13
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>
                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 September 30,              December 31,
                                                                --------------     -------------------------------
                                                                     1996              1995               1994
                                                                     ----              ----               ----
                                                                  (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
         Loans secured by first mortgages on real estate:
              Residential                                       $   20,339,199        15,634,976        16,886,708
              Commercial                                            23,154,092         4,938,948           886,976
              Construction                                          25,887,077        10,465,343         1,230,262
                                                                --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                    69,380,368        31,039,267        19,003,946

         Commercial                                                 11,687,987           869,641               --
         Loans secured by second mortgages
           on real estate                                            1,243,129           580,942           421,633
         Consumer loans                                                782,974         1,263,563           873,604
         Loans secured by savings accounts and other                   587,116           187,158            32,163
                                                                --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                    83,681,574        33,940,571        20,331,346
         Less:
              Undisbursed portion of loans in process                1,686,349         3,929,550           431,085
                                                                --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                    81,995,225        30,011,021        19,900,261
         Add:
              Unamortized loan premiums                                224,965           283,926           375,708
              Accrued interest receivable                              585,690           201,704           144,522
         Less:
              Unearned loan fees, net                                  819,509           308,220           171,866
              Unearned loan discounts                                   45,943            51,831            73,677
              Allowance for losses                                     958,812           376,287           244,847
                                                                --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                   $80,981,616        29,760,313        19,930,101
                                                                ==============    ==============    ==============
</TABLE>

     Nonaccrual loans totaled approximately  $468,000,  $633,000 and $692,000 at
     September 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  During 1995
     and 1994,  the amount of interest  income that would have been  recorded on
     loans in  nonaccrual  status at  December  31, 1995 and 1994 had such loans
     performed in accordance with their  contractual  terms,  was  approximately
     $65,000 and $34,200, respectively.

     As of and for the year ended December 31, 1995 no loans were  determined to
     be impaired in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 114.

     Changes in the allowance for losses on loans are summarized as follows:



                                      F-14
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(5)  Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               September 30,                     December 31,
                                                                   1996                    1995             1994
                                                                (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Balance at beginning of period                           $ 376,287              244,847                --
         Provisions charged to expense                              674,828              190,051            59,078
         Charge-offs, net of recoveries                             (92,303)             (58,611)          (21,640)
         Balance acquired in acquisitions                                --                   --           207,409
                                                                  ---------           ----------           -------

         Balance at end of period                                 $ 958,812              376,287           244,847
                                                                  =========           ==========           =======
</TABLE>

     Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers,  provided
     that terms and conditions  established in the related contracts are met. At
     December 31, 1995,  the  Corporation  had  commitments  to originate  first
     mortgage  loans on real estate of  approximately  $1,495,000,  all of which
     were committed for sale in the secondary market.

     At December 31, 1995, the  Corporation  had commitments to loan funds under
     unused home equity lines of credit aggregating  approximately  $615,000 and
     unused  commercial lines of credit  aggregating  approximately  $3,987,000.
     Such commitments carry a floating rate of interest.

     Commitments for mortgage loans  generally  expire within sixty days and are
     normally  funded  with loan  principal  repayments,  excess  liquidity  and
     savings deposits. Since certain of the commitments may expire without being
     drawn  upon,  the total  commitment  amounts do not  necessarily  represent
     future cash requirements.

     Substantially all of the Corporation's  outstanding commitments at December
     31, 1995 are for loans which would be secured by real estate with appraised
     values in excess of the commitment amounts.  The Corporation's  exposure to
     credit loss under these  contracts in the event of  non-performance  by the
     other parties,  assuming that the collateral  proves to be of no value,  is
     represented by the commitment amounts.

     During  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  the Bank  may  make  loans to
     directors  and policy  making  officers  on  substantially  the same terms,
     including   interest  rates  and   collateral,   as  those  for  comparable
     transactions  with other  customers.  These loans are consistent with sound
     banking  practices,  are within regulatory  lending  limitations and do not
     involve  more than  normal risk of  collectibility.  Loans  outstanding  to
     directors  and policy making  officers  totaled  approximately  $623,000 at
     December 31, 1995. There were no loans  outstanding to directors and policy
     making officers at December 31, 1994.



                                      F-15
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>



     Changes  during the year ended  December 31, 1995 in the aggregate of loans
     to such directors and officers exceeding $60,000 are as follows:

     Balance at beginning of year            $     -- 
     Originations                               624,000  
     Repayments                                  (1,000)
                                             ----------

     Balance at end of year                  $  623,000
                                             ==========
 
(6)  Property and Equipment

     Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  September 30,            December 31,              Estimated
                                                  -------------     ------------------------        useful lives
                                                     1996                1995           1994       -------------
                                                   (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Land                                      $    391,540        391,540        266,250             --
         Buildings and improvements                     739,125        885,986        644,240      10-39 years
         Leasehold improvements                         738,362        255,258         25,712      10-33 years
         Furniture, fixtures and equipment            1,271,038        581,799        273,744        5-7 years
         Automobiles                                         --          9,544          9,544          5 years
                                                   ------------     ----------      ---------      -----------

         Total at cost                                3,140,065      2,124,127      1,219,490

         Less accumulated depreciation
               and amortization                         545,465        327,164        210,041
                                                   ------------      ---------     ----------

                                                   $  2,594,600      1,796,963      1,009,449
                                                   ============      =========      =========
</TABLE>

     Rent  expense  for  the  years  ended   December  31,  1995  and  1994  was
     approximately $118,000 and $23,000, respectively.

     The  Corporation  and the Bank occupy  space leased from a company of which
     the  Chairman  and  CEO of the  Corporation  is an  officer,  director  and
     shareholder.  This  company is paid  approximately  $212,000  annually  for
     office and branch space. The term of the lease is five years.

     The Bank has opened  full-service  branches  in two of Mars Super  Markets,
     Inc. stores and has installed ATMs in eleven (11) of the markets.  The Bank
     pays rent of $36,500 per year for  approximately  500 square feet of branch
     space in each store. There is no charge to the Bank for


                                      F-16
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



     the  operation  of  ATMs  in  each  store.  Mars  Super  Markets,  Inc.  is
     represented on the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Bank.

     Minimum  lease  payments  due  for  each  of  the  next  five  years  total
     approximately $226,000 as of December 31, 1995.

(7)  Deposits

     Deposits are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      September 30, 1996                          December 31,
                                    ------------------------           1995                       1994
                                           (unaudited)         -------------------------  ------------------------
                                                 Weighted                    Weighted                  Weighted
                                     Amount       average       Amount        average      Amount       average
                                    maturing  effective rate   maturing   effective rate  maturing  effective rate
                                    --------  --------------   --------   --------------  --------  --------------

<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
         Noncertificate:
              Passbook and
                   other         $ 4,589,670       2.79%       3,523,598      2.80%      2,867,114      3.04%
              Checking
                 accounts          3,790,237       0.78%       2,138,552      2.38%      1,457,734      2.52%
              Money fund
                 accounts          8,378,025       3.41%       5,601,546      3.21%      4,277,244      3.32%
              Non-interest
                bearing demand     8,544,072          --       3,073,860         --        988,873         --
                                 -----------       -----      ----------      -----     ----------      -----
                                  25,302,004                  14,337,556                 9,590,965
                                 ===========                  ==========                ==========

         Certificates:
              Original maturities:
                  Under 12
                    months         5,134,687       4.79%       3,775,761      5.33%      3,486,215      4.26%
                  12 to 120
                    months        35,839,490       6.16%      19,086,432      6.73%      6,124,882      5.59%
              IRA and KEOGH       12,023,315       6.06%       4,038,335      6.24%      1,533,486      5.13%
                                 -----------       -----      ----------      -----     ----------      -----
                                  52,997,492                  26,900,528                11,144,583
                                 ===========                  ==========                ==========
         Accrued interest
               payable               515,671                      62,678                     9,482
         Unamortized premium          41,843                      62,868                   137,500
                                 -----------                  ----------               -----------
                                 $78,857,010                  41,363,630                20,882,530
                                 ===========                  ==========               ===========
</TABLE>




                                      F-17
                                                                    (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(7)  Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          September 30,                            December 31,
                                             1996                       1995                       1994
                                  -------------------------    -----------------------        ------------------
                                                (Unaudited)
                                     Amount                     Amount                     Amount
                                    maturing    % of total     maturing     % of total    maturing    % of total
                                    --------    ----------     --------     ----------    --------    ----------
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Scheduled certificate
              maturities:
              Under 6 months     $15,801,717      29.82%       5,946,824      22.11%      4,062,754     36.45%
              6 months to
                  12 months        8,852,468      16.70%      11,599,052      43.12%      1,985,010     17.81%
              12 months to
                  24 months       24,879,435      46.94%       5,741,082      21.34%      1,706,365     15.31%
              24 months to
                  36 months        1,666,943       3.15%       1,550,118       5.76%      1,251,018     11.23%
              36 months to
                  48 months        1,446,521       2.73%         649,275       2.41%      1,450,833     13.02%
              Over 48 months         350,408       0.66%       1,414,177       5.26%        688,603      6.18%
                                 -----------     -------      ----------     -------     ----------    -------
                                 $52,997,492     100.00%      26,900,528     100.00%     11,144,583    100.00%
                                 ===========     =======      ==========     =======     ==========    =======
</TABLE>

     Interest expense on deposits is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Nine months ended                Years ended
                                                                 September 30,                 December 31,        
                                                        --------------------------     ------------------------
                                                            1996             1995           1995         1994
                                                            ----             ----           ----         ----
                                                                  (Unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Certificates                                  $ 1,615,713         583,768       899,648       253,867
         Checking and money fund accounts                  222,460         144,231       210,412       109,880
         Passbook and other                                111,822          59,678        66,376        47,617
                                                       -----------         -------     ---------       -------

                                                       $ 1,949,995         787,677     1,176,436       411,364
                                                       ===========         =======     =========       =======
</TABLE>

         Certificates  of  deposit of  $100,000  or more  totaled  approximately
         $2,646,000 and $1,031,000 at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.



                                                      F-18
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



(8)  Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

     Under a blanket  floating lien agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of
     Atlanta  (FHLB),  the Corporation is required to maintain as collateral for
     all of its  borrowings  eligible first mortgage loans in an amount equal to
     154% of the advances.  At September 30, 1996, the Corporation had no credit
     available  under  the  blanket  floating  lien  agreement  with  the  FHLB.
     Borrowings bear interest at the FHLB Daily Rate Credit  (approximately 5.5%
     at September 30, 1996).

(9)  Income Taxes

     The income tax benefit consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Nine months ended                     Years ended
                                       September 30,                      December 31,
                                   1996             1995                1995          1994
                                        (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
         Current:
              Federal           $        --             --                  --         12,337
              State                      --             --                  --          5,097
                                -----------     ----------         -----------     ----------
                                $        --             --                  --         17,434
                                ===========     ==========         ===========     ==========
</TABLE>

     The income tax benefit is reconciled to the amount computed by applying the
     federal corporate tax rate of 34% to income before taxes as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Nine months ended                     Years ended
                                                            September 30,                      December 31,
                                                        1996             1995                1995          1994
                                                             (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Income tax benefit at federal
           corporate rate                            $   518,000         166,000            436,000        87,852
         State income taxes, net of
           federal income tax benefit                                                            --         3,364
         Amortization of cost of
           intangible assets                              (3,000)            --              (3,000)       (1,979)
         Change in valuation allowance                  (515,000)       (166,000)          (433,000)      (56,697)
         Effect of graduated tax rates                        --             --                  --       (15,106)
                                                     -----------     ----------         -----------     ---------
                                                     $        --             --                  --        17,434
                                                     ===========     ==========         ===========     =========
</TABLE>



                                      F-19
                                                                    (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(9)  Continued


     The tax effects of temporary  differences  between the financial  reporting
     basis  and  income  tax  basis of  assets  and  liabilities  relate  to the
     following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    September 30,             December 31,
                                                                        1996               1995           1994
                                                                     (unaudited)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Deferred tax assets:
              Interest and fees on loans                           $     100,000           119,000         56,000
              Allowance for losses on loans                              287,000           107,000         95,000
              Excess of fair value of liabilities
                acquired over cost                                        20,000            25,000         53,000
              Net operating loss carryforwards                           753,000           407,000         49,000
              Other                                                           --             3,000          2,000
                                                                   -------------        ----------     ----------
         Total gross deferred assets                                   1,160,000           661,000        255,000

         Less valuation allowance                                     (1,080,000)         (565,000)      (132,000)
                                                                   -------------        ----------     ----------

         Net deferred tax assets                                          80,000            96,000        123,000
                                                                   -------------        ----------     ----------

         Deferred tax liabilities:
              Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends                      12,000            12,000         12,000
              Excess of fair value of assets acquired
                over cost                                                 68,000            84,000        111,000
                                                                   -------------        ----------     ----------

         Total gross deferred tax liabilities                             80,000            96,000         123,00
                                                                   -------------        ----------     ----------

         Net deferred tax asset                                    $          --                --             --
                                                                   =============        ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1995, the Corporation has net operating loss  carryforwards
     for federal  income tax  purposes  of  approximately  $1,000,000  which are
     available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, through 2010. As
     a result of ownership changes in 1995,  utilization of a portion of the net
     operating loss carryforward is subject to annual limitations.  In addition,
     approximately  $76,000 of the valuation  allowance at December 31, 1995 was
     established in connection with the acquisitions of MBFSB and FBFSB and will
     be credited to intangible assets as realized.



                                      F-20
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



(10) Stockholders' Equity

     Dividends

     Under federal regulations,  the Bank may not declare or pay a cash dividend
     on its common  stock if the dividend  would cause the Bank's  capital to be
     reduced below the amount  required by the capital  requirements  imposed by
     FIRREA and the Federal  Reserve Board.  Since the Bank currently  meets the
     fully  phased-in  capital  requirements  under  FIRREA,  it may  pay a cash
     dividend on its capital stock up to the higher of (i) 100% of net income to
     date during the  calendar  year plus an amount not to exceed 50% of surplus
     capital  ratio at the  beginning  of the  calendar  year or (ii) 75% of net
     income  over  the  most  recent  four  quarter  period.   Based  upon  this
     calculation,  there were no amounts  available  for payment of dividends at
     December 31, 1995. In addition,  income  appropriated  to bad debt reserves
     and  deducted for federal  income tax  purposes  cannot be used to pay cash
     dividends  without the payment of federal  income taxes at the then current
     tax rate on the amount withdrawn from such reserves.

     Stock Options

     The Corporation has stock option award  arrangements  which provide for the
     granting of options to acquire common stock to directors and key employees.
     The  exercise  price of each  option is $10.00  per share.  Options  may be
     exercised  at any time after the date of grant and  expire ten years  after
     the date of grant.

     Options are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Nine months ended               Year ended
                                                                 September 30,                December 31,
                                                                 -------------                            
                                                            1996              1995                1995
                                                            ----              ----                ----
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

         Outstanding at beginning of period                10,500              --                  --
         Granted                                           16,200             10,500             10,500
         Expired                                             (700)             --                  --
                                                           ------             ------             ------

         Outstanding at end of period                      26,000             10,500             10,500

         Exercisable at end of period                      26,000             10,500             10,500
                                                           ======             ======             ======
</TABLE>



                                      F-21
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


     Warrants

     Warrants to acquire  818,323 and 195,000  shares of common  stock at $10.00
     per share were  outstanding  and exercisable at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively. During all periods presented no warrants to acquire shares of
     common stock were exercised.

(11) Insurance of Savings Accounts and Related Matters

     The  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC),  through the Savings
     Association  Insurance Fund (SAIF),  insures deposits of account holders up
     to $100,000.  First Mariner Bank pays an annual premium to provide for this
     insurance. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and is
     required to maintain an  investment  in the stock of the Federal  Home Loan
     Bank of Atlanta  equal to at least 1% of the unpaid  principal  balances of
     their residential  mortgage loans, .3% of their total assets or 5% of their
     outstanding  advances  from the bank,  whichever is greater.  Purchases and
     sales of stock are made directly with the bank at par value.

     In connection  with the insurance of their deposits,  commercial  banks are
     required to maintain  certain  minimum  levels of regulatory  capital.  The
     regulatory capital  regulations require minimum levels of Tier 1 risk-based
     capital of 4% of adjusted  total assets and  risk-based  capital of 8.0% of
     risk-weighted assets.

     At  September  30,  1996,  the  Corporation  was  in  compliance  with  the
     regulatory  capital   requirements  with  Tier  1  risk-based  capital  and
     risk-based capital of 10.33% and 11.44%, respectively.

     At December 31, 1995, the Corporation was in compliance with the regulatory
     capital  requirements with Tier 1 risk-based capital and risk-based capital
     of 33.87% and 35.10%, respectively.

     The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation  Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA)
     included  prompt  corrective  action  provisions  for  which   implementing
     regulations  became  effective on December 19, 1992.  FDICIA also  includes
     significant  changes to the legal and  regulatory  environment  for insured
     depository  institutions,  including  reduction in  insurance  coverage for
     certain kinds of deposits,  increased supervision by the federal regulatory
     agencies,  increased reporting  requirements for insured institutions,  and
     new regulations concerning internal controls, accounting, and operations.

     The prompt corrective action regulations define specific capital categories
     based on an  institution's  capital  ratios.  The  capital  categories,  in
     declining  order,  are  "well   capitalized,"   "adequately   capitalized,"
     "undercapitalized,"   "significantly   undercapitalized,"  and  "critically
     undercapitalized."  Institutions categorized as "undercapitalized" or worse
     are subject to certain restrictions, including


                                      F-22
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>
                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



     the requirement to file a capital plan with its primary federal  regulator,
     prohibitions on the payment of dividends and management fees,  restrictions
     on executive  compensation,  and increased  supervisory  monitoring,  among
     other things.

     To be considered  "well  capitalized," an institution must generally have a
     leverage capital ratio of at least 5%, a tier one risk-based  capital ratio
     of at least 6% and a total  risk-based  capital  ratio of at least 10%.  At
     September  30, 1996,  First  Mariner  Bank met the criteria  required to be
     considered  "well  capitalized"  under  this  regulation.

     On September 30, 1996, Federal  legislation was enacted and signed into law
     which provides a resolution to the disparity in the Bank Insurance fund and
     SAIF premiums. In particular,  the SAIF-insured  institutions,  such as the
     Bank,  will pay a  one-time  assessment  of 65.7  cents  on  every  $100 of
     deposits held at March 31, 1995. Such payment is due no later than November
     29, 1996.  As a result of the new law the  Corporation  will be required to
     pay  approximately  $154,000.   Assuming  the  special  assessment  is  tax
     deductible,  the cost,  net of income tax benefits,  will be  approximately
     $102,000.  The Corporation  recorded the one-time charge to earnings during
     the quarter ended September 30, 1996. Also,  beginning January 1, 1997, the
     current  annual  minimum SAIF premium of 23 basis points will be reduced to
     approximately 6.5 basis points.

(12) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

     Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 107,  "Disclosures  about
     Fair Value of Financial Instruments" (SFAS 107) requires the Corporation to
     disclose  estimated  fair  values for  certain  on- and  off-balance  sheet
     financial instruments.  Fair value estimates,  methods, and assumptions are
     set  forth  below  for  the  Corporation's   financial  instruments  as  of
     December 31, 1995.

     The carrying  value and estimated  fair value of financial  instruments  is
     summarized as follows (in thousands):

                                                       Carrying     Estimated
                                                         value      fair value
                                                         -----      ----------

     Assets:
          Cash and interest-bearing deposits           $ 17,654       17,654
          Investment securities                           2,738        2,738
          Loans receivable                               29,730       30,329

     Liabilities: 
          Deposit accounts                               41,367       41,830
          Mortgage escrow accounts                          123          123

     Off balance sheet instruments:
          Commitments to extend credit                      -          1,495
          Loans sold with recourse                          -            -
          Unused lines of credit                            -          3,987
 
     Cash on Hand and in Banks

     The carrying amount for cash on hand and in banks  approximates  fair value
     due to the short maturity of these instruments.

     Federal Funds Sold

     The carrying amount for federal funds sold  approximates  fair value due to
     the overnight maturity of these instruments.



                                      F-23
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(12) Continued

     Investment Securities

     The fair value of  investment  securities  is based on bid prices  received
     from an external pricing service or bid quotations received from securities
     dealers.

     Loans

     Loans   were   segmented   into   portfolios    with   similar    financial
     characteristics.  Loans were also  segmented  by type such as  residential,
     multifamily  and  nonresidential,  construction  and land,  second mortgage
     loans,  commercial,  and consumer. Each loan category was further segmented
     by  fixed  and   adjustable   rate  interest   terms  and   performing  and
     nonperforming   categories.   The  fair  value  of  residential  loans  was
     calculated by discounting  anticipated cash flows based on weighted-average
     contractual maturity,  weighted-average coupon,  prepayment assumptions and
     discount  rate.  Prepayment  speed  estimates  were derived from  published
     historical  prepayment  experience in the mortgage  pass-through market and
     recent issuance activity in the primary and secondary mortgage markets. The
     discount  rate for  residential  loans  was  calculated  by  adding  to the
     Treasury yield for the corresponding  weighted average maturity  associated
     with  each   prepayment   assumption  a  market   spread  as  observed  for
     mortgage-backed securities with similar characteristics. The fair values of
     multifamily  and  nonresidential  loans were  calculated by discounting the
     contractual   cash  flows  at  the  Bank's  current   nonresidential   loan
     origination rate. Construction, land and commercial loans, loans secured by
     savings accounts and mortgage lines of credit were determined to be at fair
     value  due to  their  adjustable  rate  nature.  The fair  value of  second
     mortgage loans was  calculated by discounting  scheduled cash flows through
     the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflected
     the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the portfolio. The fair value
     of consumer loans was calculated by discounting the contractual  cash flows
     at the Company's current consumer loan origination rate.

     The fair value for  nonperforming  loans was  determined  by  reducing  the
     carrying  value of  nonperforming  loans by the Company's  percentages  and
     management  analysis of the  underlying  collateral  for each specific loan
     category.

     The carrying amounts and fair values of loans  receivable  consisted of the
     following at December 31, 1995, respectively:



                                      F-24
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>


                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(12)  Continued

                                                       Carrying         Fair
                                                        Amount         Value

Loans secured by first mortgages on real estate       $27,979,358    28,123,000
Consumer and other loans                                2,031,663     2,004,000
Unamortized premiums, discount and fees, net              (76,)25          --
Accrued interest receivable                               201,704       202,000
                                                      -----------   -----------

                                                       30,136,600    30,329,000
                                                      -----------   -----------

Allowance for  losses on loans                            376,287          --
                                                      -----------   -----------

Total loans                                           $29,760,313    30,329,000
                                                      ===========   ===========

     Accrued Interest Receivable

     The carrying amount of accrued  interest  receivable  approximates its fair
     value.

     Deposits

     Under SFAS 107, the fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as
     noninterest bearing deposits,  interest bearing now accounts,  money market
     and statement savings accounts,  is equal to the carrying amounts. The fair
     value of  certificates  of  deposit  was based on the  discounted  value of
     contractual  cash flows.  The discount rate for certificates of deposit was
     estimated  using  the  rate  currently  offered  for  deposits  of  similar
     remaining maturities.

     The carrying value and estimated fair value of  certificates  of deposit at
     December 31, 1995 were:

                  Carrying value                          $ 26,900,528
                  Fair value                                27,429,000
                                                            ==========

     Accrued Interest Payable

     The  carrying  amount of accrued  interest  payable  approximates  its fair
     value.

     Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

     The  Corporation's  adjustable rate  commitments to extend credit move with
     market rates and are not subject to interest rate risk. The rates and terms
     of  the   Corporation's   fixed  rate  commitments  to  extend  credit  are
     competitive  with  others in the various  markets in which the  Corporation
     operates.  The carrying amounts are reasonable  estimates of the fair value
     of these instruments.


                                      F-25
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



     The  disclosure  of fair value  amounts does not include the fair values of
     any  intangibles,   including  core  deposit   intangibles.   Core  deposit
     intangibles  represent the value attributable to total deposits based on an
     expected duration of customer relationships.

     Limitations

     Fair  value  estimates  are made at a  specific  point  in  time,  based on
     relevant market  information and information  about financial  instruments.
     These  estimates  do not reflect any premium or discount  that could result
     from offering for sale at one time the  Corporation's  entire holdings of a
     particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant
     portion of the Corporation's  financial  instruments,  fair value estimates
     are based on judgments  regarding future expected loss experience,  current
     economic conditions,  risk characteristics of various financial instruments
     and other  factors.  These  estimates are  subjective in nature and involve
     uncertainties  and matters of significant  judgment and therefore cannot be
     determined  with  precision.  Changes in  assumptions  could  significantly
     affect estimates.

(13) Employee Stock Ownership Plan

     MBFSB has an established  Employee Stock Ownership Plan. In connection with
     the acquisition by the  Corporation,  the 4,500 shares of MBFSB held by the
     Plan were exchanged for 4,500 shares of the  Corporation's  stock.  Funding
     for  the  shares  were  provided  by a loan  from  an  independent  lending
     institution.  Such loan is not guaranteed by MBFSB or the Corporation.  The
     Corporation  is in the  process  of  converting  the Plan from MBFSB to the
     Corporation.  Expenses  related to the Plan for 1995 and 1994 were  $10,000
     and $4,000, respectively.




<PAGE>




===========================================  ===================================
No  dealer,  salesperson  or any other  
person has been  authorized  to give 
any information or to make any repre-                  1,400,000 Shares
sentation in connection with this 
offering other than those contained 
or incorporated  by reference in this  
Prospectus, and if given or made, such  
information or representation must not                     [LOGO]
be relied upon as having been so 
authorized by the Company or any 
Underwriter.  This Prospectus does not 
constitute an offer to sell or a 
solicitation of an offer to buy, any                     FIRST MARINER
of these securities in any jurisdiction                     BANCORP
to any person to whom it is unlawful to
make such offer or solicitation in such 
jurisdiction.  Neither the delivery of
this Prospectus nor any sale hereunder 
shall, under any circumstances, create                   Common Stock
any implication that there has been no 
change in the affairs of the Company
since the date hereof or that the
information contained herein is 
correct as of any time subsequent 
to its date.
                                                         ------------
       TABLE OF CONTENTS                                  PROSPECTUS
                                     Page                ------------
Prospectus Summary                     3
The Company                            6
Risk Factors                           7
Dilution                              12
Use of Proceeds                       12
Dividend Policy                       12
Capitalization                        13
Selected Consolidated Financial Data  14              Ferris, Baker Watts
Management's Discussion and Analysis                     Incorporated
   of Financial Condition and Results
   of Operations                      15
Business                              32
Management                            38
Beneficial Ownership of Shares        44                 _________, 1996
Certain Relationships and
    Related Transactions              45
Description of Securities             46
Supervision and Regulation            50
Shares Eligible for Future Sale       56
Underwriting                          56
Legal Matters                         58
Experts                               58
Additional Information                58

Until , 1997, all dealers effecting  
transactions in the registered  securities,
whether or not  participating in this  
distribution may be required to deliver a
prospectus.  This is in  addition  to the  
obligation  of  dealers  to deliver a
prospectus  when  acting  as  underwriters  
and with  respect  to  their  unsold
allotments or subscriptions.

===========================================  ===================================

<PAGE>


                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 24.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The  Articles of  Incorporation  of the  Company,  as amended  (the  "Charter"),
provides that, among other matters,  to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland
General  Corporation  Law as it may be amended  from tune to time,  current  and
former  directors  and officers of the Company,  and those  persons who serve or
have served, at the Company's request, as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of another entity or enterprise  shall be indemnified  against
any and all liabilities and expenses  incurred in connection with their services
in such  capacities.  Other  provisions of the Charter  provide that the Company
shall  advance  expenses to its officers and  directors and other persons to the
same extent it shall indemnify such persons.  The  indemnification  of directors
and officers applies to directors and officers who also are employees,  in their
capacity as employees.

Furthermore,  the Charter of the Company  provides  that, to the fullest  extent
permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law as it may be amended from time
to time, no director or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or
its  stockholders  for monetary  damages arising out of events  occurring at the
time such person is serving as a director or officer, regardless of whether such
person is a director or officer at the time of a proceeding  in which  liability
is asserted.  Under  current  Maryland  law, the effect of this  provision is to
eliminate  the rights of the Company and its  stockholders  to recover  monetary
damages  from a director  or officer  except (i) to the extent that it is proved
that the director or officer actually received an improper benefit, or profit in
money,  property,  or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money,
property or services actually received, or (ii) to the extent that a judgment or
other final adjudication  adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based
on a finding in the proceeding that the person's action,  or failure to act, was
the result of active and deliberate  dishonesty and was material to the cause of
action  adjudicated  in the  proceeding.  In  situations  to which  the  Charter
provision  applies,  the remedies  available to the Company or a stockholder are
limited to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission.

The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance in the amount
of $3,000,000.


Item 25.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The  following is an estimate of expenses  payable by the Company in  connection
with the sale of the securities offered hereby:

        SEC Registration Fee                        $  5,855
        Accounting fees and expenses                  85,000
        Legal fees and expenses                      125,000
        Blue Sky fees and expenses                    15,000
        Printing and engraving                        75,000
        Transfer Agent Fee                             5,000
        Listing Fees                                  13,000
        Miscellaneous                                 46,145
                                                    --------

        Total                                       $370,000
                                                    --------




                                      II-1

<PAGE>




Item 26.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

(1)  The Company offered and sold,  pursuant to a Private  Placement  Memorandum
     dated September, 1994, a total of 210,000 shares of Common Stock at a price
     per share of $10.00.  In addition to the Common Stock,  investors  received
     warrants  exercisable at $10 for 10 years,  for each three shares purchased
     in the offering.  A total of 195,000 warrants were issued.  The shares were
     sold to accredited  investors as defined by Section 501 (a) of Regulation D
     ("Accredited  Investors") pursuant to a Private Placement Memorandum and to
     no more that 35 non-accredited investors in reliance upon an exemption from
     registration  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
     Act") pursuant to Rule 505 of Regulation D.

(2)  The Company offered and sold,  pursuant to a Private  Placement  Memorandum
     dated May 22,  1995,  a total of 500,000  shares of Common Stock at a price
     per share of $10.00 to  Accredited  Investors.  In  addition  to the Common
     Stock, each investor  received one warrant  exercisable at $10 for 10 years
     for each three shares purchased in the offering and investors who purchased
     25,000 shares received one warrant per share purchased.  A total of 416,664
     warrants  were issued.  The Offering was made in reliance upon an exemption
     from  registration  under  the  Securities  Act  pursuant  to  Rule  506 of
     Regulation D.

(3)  The Company  offered and sold,  pursuant to a Limited  Offering  Memorandum
     dated August 1, 1995, a total of 500,000  shares of Common Stock at a price
     per share of  $10.00.  In  addition  to the  Common  Stock,  each  investor
     received one warrant, exercisable at $10 for 10 years for each three shares
     purchased  in the  offering  and  investors  who  purchased  25,000  shares
     received one warrant per share purchased.  A total of 206,659 warrants were
     issued.   The  Offering  was  made  in  reliance  upon  an  exemption  from
     registration  under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D
     and the shares were sold to Accredited Investors.

          The  issuance  of the shares  described  in (1) above were exempt from
          registration  under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 3(b) of the
          Securities  Act as  transactions  by an issuer under  $5,000,000.  The
          issuances  of the shares  described  in (2) and (3) above were  exempt
          from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of
          the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public
          offering.  The recipients of securities in such issuances  represented
          their  intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not
          with view to or for sale in connection with any distribution  thereof.
          No underwriters were involved in such issuances.

(4)  As of October 31, 1996,  the Company has issued to employees of the Company
     stock  options to purchase  an  aggregate  of 148,500  shares of its Common
     Stock.  Such options at the time of grant had an exercise  prices of $10.00
     per share.  With respect to the grant of stock  options,  an exemption from
     registration  was unnecessary in that none of the  transactions  involved a
     "sale" of securities as such term is used in Section 2(3) of the Securities
     Act




                                      II-2

<PAGE>



Item 27.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)  Exhibits.

1.   Form of  Underwriting  Agreement  between First Mariner Bancorp and Ferris,
     Baker Watts, Incorporated*
3.1  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Mariner Bancorp
3.2  Amended and Restated Bylaws of First Mariner Bancorp
4.1  Form of Warrant
4.2  Form of Common Stock Certificate*
5.   Opinion of Gordon,  Feinblatt,  Rothman,  Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC as to
     legality of Common Stock*
10.1 1996 Stock Option Plan of First Mariner Bancorp
10.2 Employment  Agreement  dated May 1, 1995 between First Mariner  Bancorp and
     First Mariner Bank and George H. Mantakos
10.3 Lease Agreement  dated September 1, 1996 between Hale Intermodal  Transport
     Co. and First Mariner Bancorp
10.4 Lease  Agreement dated March 1, 1996 between First Mariner Bancorp and Mars
     Super Markets, Inc.
21.  Subsidiaries of First Mariner Bancorp
23.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
24.  Power of Attorney (included in the signature page of the original filing of
     the Registration Statement)
- -------------------
* To be filed by amendment.

(b)  Financial Statement Schedules.

Schedules  have been omitted  because they are not applicable or not required or
because the  required  information  is included  in the  consolidated  financial
statements or notes thereto.


Item 28.  Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1)  The registrant will provide to the Underwriter at the closing  specified in
     the  Underwriting   Agreement   certificates  in  such   denominations  and
     registered  in such names as required by the  Underwriter  to permit prompt
     delivery to each purchaser.

(2)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

     (a)  For determining any liability under the Securities Act, the registrant
          will treat the information  omitted from the form of prospectus  filed
          as part of this registration  statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
          contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant


                                      II-3

<PAGE>



          under Rule  424(b)(1),  or (4), or 497(h) under the  Securities Act as
          part of this  registration  statement  as of the time  the  Commission
          declared it effective; and

     (b)  For determining any liability under the Securities Act, the registrant
          will  treat  each  post-effective  amendment  that  contains a form of
          prospectus as a new registration  statement for the securities offered
          in the registration statement,  and that offering of the securities at
          that time as the initial bona fide offering of those securities.

(3)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to:

     (a)  File,  during  any  period in which it offers or sells  securities,  a
          post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:

          (i)  Include  any  prospectus  required  by  Section  10(a)(3)  of the
               Securities Act;

          (ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually
               or together, represent a fundamental change in the information in
               the registration  statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any
               increase  or  decrease  in volume of  securities  offered (if the
               total dollar value of  securities  offered  would not exceed that
               which was  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end
               of the estimated  maximum  offering range may be reflected in the
               form of  prospectus  filed with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule
               424(b)  if, in the  aggregate,  the  changes  in volume and price
               represent  no  more  than a 20  percent  change  in  the  maximum
               aggregate  offering  price  set  forth  in  the  "Calculation  of
               Registration fee" table in the effective registration statement.

          (iii)Include any  additional or changed  material  information  on the
               plan of distribution.

     (b)  For  determining  liability  under  the  Securities  Act,  treat  each
          post-effective  amendment  as a  new  registration  statement  of  the
          securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to
          be the initial bona fide offering.

     (c)  File a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the
          securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

(4)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
     of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling persons of
     the  registrant  pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the
     registrant  has been  advised  that in the  opinion of the  Securities  and
     Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
     expressed in the Act and is, therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a
     claim for indemnification  against such liabilities (other than the payment
     by the  registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or
     controlling  person of the  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any
     action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such  director,  officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,  the
     registrant  will,  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate
     jurisdiction  the question  whether such  indemnification  by it is against
     public  policy as  expressed  in the Act and will be  governed by the final
     adjudication of such issue.



                                      II-4

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         In accordance with the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form SB-2 and has authorized this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in Baltimore,  Maryland
on November 12, 1996.


                                     FIRST MARINER BANCORP



                                     By:    /s/ Edwin F. Hale, Sr.
                                           Edwin F. Hale, Sr.
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each of the undersigned,  whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints  each of Edwin F. Hale,  Sr. and George H.  Mantakos as his or her true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact  and agent,  with full  power of  substitution  and
resubstitution,  for him or her and in his or her name,  place and stead, in any
and  all  capacities,  to  sign  any and  all  amendments  to this  Registration
Statement,  and to file the same, with all exhibits  thereto and other documents
in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting
unto each of said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and  authority to do
and perform  each and every act and thing  necessary  or advisable to be done in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or
could  do  in  person,   hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  that  said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to
be  done  by  virtue  thereof.  This  power  of  attorney  may  be  executed  in
counterparts.

         In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration  statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Signature                                   Title                              Date

<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

/s/ Edwin F. Hale, Sr.                      Chairman and Chief                 ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------          Executive Officer
Edwin F. Hale, Sr.                          (Principal executive officer)


/s/ George H. Mantakos                      Director and President             ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
George H. Mantakos


/s/ Kevin M. Healey                         Controller (Principal financial    ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------          officer)
Kevin M. Healey                                     


                                      II-6

<PAGE>




/s/ Barry B. Bondroff                       Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Barry B. Bondroff


/s/ Rose M. Cernak                          Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Rose M. Cernak


/s/ Christopher P. D'Anna                   Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Christopher P. D'Anna


                                            Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Dennis M. Doyle


/s/ Elayne Hettleman                        Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Elayne Hettleman


                                            Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Bruce H. Hoffman


/s/ Melvin S. Kabik                         Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Melvin S. Kabik


/s/ R. Andrew Larkin                        Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
R. Andrew Larkin


/s/ Jay J.J. Matricciani                    Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Jay J.J. Matricciani


/s/ Dennis C. McCoy                         Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Dennis C. McCoy


                                            Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Margaret D. McManus


/s/ Walter L. McManus, Jr.                  Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Walter L. McManus, Jr.




                                      II-7

<PAGE>



                                            Director                           _____________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
John J. Mitcherling


/s/ James P. O'Conor                        Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
James P. O'Conor


/s/ Kevin B. O'Connor                       Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Kevin B. O'Connor


/s/ Governor William Donald Schaefer        Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Governor William Donald Schaefer


                                            Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Hanan Y. Sibel


/s/ Leonard Stoler                          Director                           ______________, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Leonard Stoler
</TABLE>




                                      II-8

<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit 3.1

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                      ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT


         FIRST MARINER  BANCORP,  a Maryland  corporation,  having its principal
office at 1801 South Clinton  Street,  Baltimore,  Maryland  21224  (hereinafter
referred to as the  "Corporation")  hereby  certifies to the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "Department") that:

         FIRST:  The  Corporation  desires to amend and  restate  its Charter as
currently in effect as hereinafter  provided.  The provisions set forth in these
Articles of Amendment and  Restatement  are all the provisions of the Charter of
the Corporation as currently in effect.

         SECOND: The Charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by striking in
its entirety  Articles FIRST through TENTH,  inclusive,  and by  substituting in
lieu thereof the following:

         "FIRST: I, Frank C. Bonaventure,  Jr., whose post office address is 120
     East  Baltimore  Street,  Baltimore,  Maryland  21202-1643,  being at least
     eighteen (18) years of age,  hereby form a corporation  under and by virtue
     of the General Laws of the State of Maryland, as amended.

         SECOND: The name of the corporation (hereinafter, the "Corporation") is

                              First Mariner Bancorp

         THIRD: The Corporation  shall be a corporation  authorized by Title Two
     of the  Corporations  and  Associations  Article of the  Annotated  Code of
     Maryland, as amended.

         FOURTH: The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are:

         (1) To acquire,  hold,  manage and dispose of  investments  in real and
     personal property,  tangible or intangible, by the use of surplus funds, by
     the issuance of its own securities in exchange  therefor or by other lawful
     means;

         (2) To acquire complete or partial ownership of other businesses by the
     acquisition of shares (if incorporated) or otherwise:

         (3) To acquire, own and hold stock and other securities of all types of
     financial institutions and associations organized under the laws of the


<PAGE>




     United States or of any State,  and to do anything and everything  that may
     be proper and  necessary in  connection  with owning and holding such stock
     and securities; and

         (4) To do every other act not inconsistent with applicable law.

         FIFTH:  The  post  office  address  of  the  principal  office  of  the
     Corporation in this State is 1801 South Clinton Street, Baltimore, Maryland
     21224.  The name and  post  office  address  of the  Resident  Agent of the
     Corporation  in this  State are  Eugene A.  Friedman,  1801  South  Clinton
     Street,  Baltimore,  Maryland  21224.  Said Resident Agent is an individual
     actually residing in this State.

         SIXTH:   The  total  number  of  shares  of  capital  stock  which  the
     Corporation has authority to issue is twenty million (20,000,000) shares of
     Common Stock with par value of Five Cents ($.05) per share.

         SEVENTH:  (1) The  Corporation  shall have five (5) directors,  and the
     number of directors  may be increased or decreased  pursuant to the By-Laws
     of the  Corporation,  provided that the number of directors  shall never be
     less than the number  required  by  Section  2402 of the  Corporations  and
     Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.

         (2) The Board of  Directors  shall be divided  into three (3)  classes,
     with the term of office of one class  expiring each year.  Directors of the
     first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next
     succeeding  annual meeting,  directors of the second class shall be elected
     to hold office for a term expiring at the second  succeeding annual meeting
     and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term
     expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.

         (3) The  names of the  directors  of each  class,  who shall act as the
     directors until their respective successors shall be duly elected and shall
     qualify, are as follows:

  Class One               Class Two                       Class Three

  Dennis M. Doyle         Rose M. Cernak                  Edwin F. Hale, Sr.
  Elayne Hettleman        Christopher D'Anna              Barry B. Bondroff
  John J. Mitcherling     George H. Mantakos              Bruce H. Hoffman
  Leonard Stoler          Kevin B. O'Connor               R. Andrew Larkin
  Hanan Y. Sibel          Gov. William Donald Schaefer    Walter L. McManus, Jr.
  Jay J.J. Matricciani    Margaret D. McManus             James P. O'Conor
  Melvin S. Kabik                                         Dennis C. McCoy

                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>





         (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of Article EIGHTH, this Article NINTH
     may not be amended  except by the  affirmative  vote,  cast in person or by
     proxy,  of the holders of record of eighty  percent  (80%) of the shares of
     the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

         EIGHTH: The following  provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose of
     defining, limiting, and regulating the powers of the Corporation and of the
     directors and stockholders:

         (1) The Board of Directors of the  Corporation  is hereby  empowered to
     authorize  the  issuance  from  time to time of  shares of its stock of any
     class, whether now or hereafter authorized,  or securities convertible into
     shares of its  stock of any  class or  classes,  whether  now or  hereafter
     authorized.

         (2) The Board of  Directors  may  classify or  reclassify  any unissued
     shares by fixing or altering in any one or more respects, from time to time
     before issuance of such shares,  the  preferences,  rights,  voting powers,
     restrictions and  qualifications of, the dividends on, the times and prices
     of redemption of, and the conversion rights of, such shares.

         (3) The  Corporation  reserves  the right to amend its  Charter so that
     such amendment may alter the contract  rights as expressly set forth in the
     Charter,  of any outstanding  stock,  and any objecting  stockholder  whose
     rights may or shall be thereby  substantially  adversely affected shall not
     be entitled to the same rights as an objecting stockholder in the case of a
     consolidation, merger, share exchange, or transfer of all, or substantially
     all, of the assets of the Corporation.

         (4) With respect to:

         (a) the amendment of the Charter of the Corporation; and

         (b) the voluntary or involuntary  liquidation dissolution or winding-up
     of the Corporation;

         such  action  shall be  effective  and valid if taken or approved by an
     affirmative  vote of the  holders of record of a majority  of the shares of
     capital  stock of the  Corporation  entitled  to vote  thereon,  after  due
     authorization  and/or approval and/or advice of such action by the Board of
     Directors  as  required  by  law,  notwithstanding  any  provision  of  law
     requiring  any action to be taken or  authorized  other than as provided in
     this Article EIGHTH, paragraph (4).


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>




         The  enumeration  and definition of a particular  power of the Board of
     Directors included in this Article shall in no way be limited or restricted
     by reference to or inference  from the terms of any other clause of this or
     any other  Article of the Charter of the  Corporation,  or  construed as or
     deemed by  inference  or  otherwise  in any  manner to exclude or limit any
     powers  conferred upon the Board of Directors under the General Laws of the
     State of Maryland now or hereafter in force.

         NINTH: (1) No proposed transaction  resulting in a Business Combination
     (hereinafter   defined)  shall  be  valid  unless  first  approved  by  the
     affirmative  vote,  cast in person or by proxy, of the holders of record of
     eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the capital stock of the  Corporation
     entitled to vote thereon;  provided,  however,  that if any such action has
     been  approved  prior  to the vote of  shareholders  by a  majority  of the
     Corporation's  Board of Directors,  the affirmative  vote of the holders of
     record of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the  Corporation
     entitled to vote on such matters shall be required.

         (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of Article EIGHTH, this Article NINTH
     may not be amended  except by the  affirmative  vote,  cast in person or by
     proxy,  of the holders of record of eighty  percent  (80%) of the shares of
     the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

         (3)  "Business  Combination"  as  used  herein  shall  mean  any of the
     following proposed transactions:

         (a) the merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any subsidiary of
     the Corporation;

         (b) the sale,  exchange,  transfer  or other  disposition  (in one or a
     series  of  transactions)  of  substantially  all  of  the  assets  of  the
     Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation; or

         (c) any offer for the exchange of securities of another  entity for the
     securities of the Corporation.

         TENTH:  Except as may  otherwise be provided by the Board of Directors,
     no holder of any  shares of the  stock of the  Corporation  shall  have any
     pre-emptive  right to purchase,  subscribe  for, or  otherwise  acquire any
     shares  of  stock  of  the  Corporation  of  any  class  now  or  hereafter
     authorized,  or any securities  exchangeable  for or convertible  into such
     shares, or any warrants or other  instruments  evidencing rights or options
     to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares.

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>





         ELEVENTH:  (1) Directors and officers of the  Corporation  shall not be
     liable  to the  Corporation  or its  stockholders  for money  damages.  The
     purpose  of this  limitation  of  liability  is to limit  liability  to the
     maximum  extent that the  liability of  directors  and officers of Maryland
     corporations is permitted to be limited by Maryland law. This limitation on
     liability shall apply to events which occurred during the term of office of
     any director or officer  whether or not such director or officer is serving
     as such at the  time of any  proceeding  in  which  liability  is  asserted
     commences.

         (2) To the maximum  extent  permitted by Maryland law, the  Corporation
     shall indemnify its currently acting and its former  directors  against any
     and all liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with their services
     in such capacities, and shall indemnify its currently acting and its former
     officers  to the full  extent  that  indemnification  shall be  provided to
     directors,  and may  indemnify,  to the same extent,  persons who serve and
     have  served,  at its request as a  director,  officer,  partner,  trustee,
     employee or agent of another  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture or
     other  enterprise.  The Corporation shall advance expenses to its directors
     and  officers  and the  other  persons  referred  to  above  to the  extent
     permitted by Maryland law. This  indemnification  of directors and officers
     shall also apply to directors and officers who are also employees, in their
     capacity as employees. The Board of Directors may by By-Law,  resolution or
     agreement  make further  provision  for  indemnification  of employees  and
     agents to the extent permitted by Maryland law.

         (3)  References  to Maryland  law shall  include the  Maryland  General
     Corporation  Law as from  time to  time  amended.  Neither  the  repeal  or
     amendment  of this  Article  ELEVENTH  nor any  other  amendment  to  these
     Articles  of  Incorporation,  shall  eliminate  or  reduce  the  protection
     afforded to any person by the foregoing provisions of this Article ELEVENTH
     with respect to any act or omission which shall have occurred prior to such
     repeal or amendment."

     THIRD:  Immediately  before and after this  amendment,  the Corporation had
authority to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.05 per share,
constituting an aggregate Par value of $1,000,000.

     FOURTH:  At a  duly  called  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Corporation on October 15, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Corporation  duly
advised the  foregoing  Articles of  Amendment  and  Restatement,  and at a duly
called   special   meeting   of  the   stockholders   of  the   Corporation   on
__________________ ____, 1996, the stockholders of the Corporation duly approved
said Articles of Amendment and Restatement.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  FIRST MARINER BANCORP has caused these presents to
be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and its corporate  seal
to be  hereunder  affixed  and  attested  by its  Secretary  on this ____ day of
______________,  1996,  and its President  acknowledges  that these  Articles of
Amendment and  Restatement are the act and deed of FIRST MARINER  BANCORP,  and,
under the penalties of perjury, that the matters and facts set forth herein with
respect to authorization  and approval are true in all material  respects to the
best of his knowledge, information and belief.

ATTEST:                               FIRST MARINER BANCORP



_________________________________     By:________________________________(SEAL)
Eugene A. Friedman, Secretary               George H. Mantakos, President




                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>




                                   Exhibit 3.2

                              First Mariner Bancorp

                                     BYLAWS
                    (Amended and Restated as of October 1996)

                                    ARTICLE I

                                  Stockholders

     SECTION 1. Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of the stockholders of First
Mariner  Bancorp  (hereafter,  the  "Corporation")  shall  be held on a day duly
designated  by the Board of Directors in May, if not a legal  holiday,  and if a
legal holiday then the next succeeding day not a legal holiday,  for the purpose
of electing  directors to succeed those whose terms shall have expired as of the
date of such annual  meeting,  and for the  transaction of such other  corporate
business as may come before the meeting.

     SECTION 2. Special  Meeting.  Special  meetings of the  stockholders may be
called at any time for any purpose or purposes by the Chairman of the Board, the
President, by a Vice President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors,  and
shall be called forthwith by the Chairman of the Board, the President, by a Vice
President,  the Secretary or any director of the Corporation upon the request in
writing of the holders of a majority of all the shares  outstanding and entitled
to vote on the business to be  transacted  at such  meeting.  Such request shall
state the purpose or purposes of the meeting. Business transacted at all special
meetings of stockholders  shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in
the notice of the meeting.

     SECTION 3. Place of Holding Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be
held at the  principal  office of the  Corporation  or  elsewhere  in the United
States as designated by the Board of Directors.

     SECTION  4.  Notice  of  Meeting.  Written  notice of each  meeting  of the
stockholders  shall  be  mailed,  postage  prepaid  by the  Secretary,  to  each
stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat at his post office address, as it
appears  upon the books of the  Corporation,  at least ten (10) days  before the
meeting.  Each such  notice  shall state the place,  day,  and hour at which the
meeting  is to be held and,  in the case of any  special  meeting,  shall  state
briefly the purpose or purposes thereof.

     SECTION 5.  Quorum.  The  presence  in person or by proxy of the holders of
record of a  majority  of the  shares of the  capital  stock of the  Corporation
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at
all meetings of the  stockholders,  except as otherwise  provided by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. If less than a quorum shall be in
attendance at the time for which the meeting shall have been called, the meeting
may be  adjourned  from  time  to time by a  majority  vote of the  stockholders
present or


<PAGE>




represented, without any notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall attend.  At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall attend,
any business may be transacted  which might have been  transacted if the meeting
had been held as originally called.

     SECTION 6. Conduct of Meetings.  Meetings of stockholders shall be presided
over by the  President of the  Corporation  or, if he is not present,  by a Vice
President,  or, if none of said officers is present, by a chairman to be elected
at the meeting.  The Secretary of the Corporation,  or if he is not present, any
Assistant  Secretary shall act as secretary of such meetings;  in the absence of
the Secretary and any Assistant  Secretary,  the presiding officer may appoint a
person to act as Secretary of the meeting.

     SECTION 7.  Voting.  At all  meetings of  stockholders,  every  stockholder
entitled  to vote  thereat  shall  have one (1)  vote  for  each  share of stock
standing  in his  name on the  books  of the  Corporation  on the  date  for the
determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. Such vote may be
either in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by
such stockholder or his duly authorized  attorney,  bearing a date not more than
three (3) months prior to said meeting,  unless said  instrument  provides for a
longer period.  Such proxy shall be dated, but need not be sealed,  witnessed or
acknowledged. All elections shall be had and all questions shall be decided by a
majority of the votes cast at a duly  constituted  meeting,  except as otherwise
provided by law, in the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws.

     If the chairman of the meeting shall so determine,  a vote by ballot may be
taken  upon any  election  or  matter,  and the vote  shall be so taken upon the
request of the  holders of ten  percent  (10%) of the stock  entitled to vote on
such election or matter. In either of such events, the proxies and ballots shall
be received and be taken in charge and all questions  touching the qualification
of voters and the validity of proxies and the  acceptance or rejection of votes,
shall be decided by the tellers. Such tellers shall be appointed by the chairman
of said meeting.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               Board of Directors

     SECTION 1. General  Powers.  The  property and business of the  Corporation
shall  be  managed  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Corporation.

     SECTION 2. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors shall be five
or such other number,  but not more than twenty-five,  as may be designated from
time to time by resolution of the majority of the entire Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors  shall be divided  into three (3)  classes,  with the term of
office of one class  expiring  each year.  Directors of the first class shall be
elected  to hold  office  for a term  expiring  at the  next  succeeding  annual
meeting,  directors  of the second  class  shall be elected to hold office for a
term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third
class shall be elected to hold office

                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>




for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.  Each director shall
serve until his or her successor  shall be elected and shall qualify;  provided,
however, that a director shall not be eligible to serve after reaching age 75.

     Any  director  may be removed  from  office  with or  without  cause by the
affirmative  vote of the holders of 80% of the capital stock of the  Corporation
entitled to vote on such matter,  at any special  meeting of  stockholders  duly
called for such purpose.

     SECTION 3. Filling of  Vacancies.  Any  vacancies in the Board of Directors
for any reason, including death, resignation,  disqualification, or removal, and
any  directorships  resulting  from any  increase in the number of  directors as
provided in these By-Laws, may be filled by the Board of Directors,  acting by a
majority of the directors then in office,  although less than a quorum,  and any
director so chosen  shall hold office  until the next  election of the class for
which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor  shall
be elected and qualified.  At each annual meeting of stockholders the successors
to the class of directors  whose term shall then expire shall be elected to hold
office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.

     SECTION 4. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may hold their meetings
and have one or more  offices,  and keep the  books of the  Corporation,  either
within or  outside  the State of  Maryland,  at such place or places as they may
from time to time  determine  by  resolution  or by  written  consent of all the
directors.  The  Board  of  Directors  may hold  their  meetings  by  conference
telephone or other  similar  electronic  communications  equipment in accordance
with the provisions of the Maryland Corporation Act.

     SECTION 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may
be held  without  notice at such  time and  place as shall  from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board,  provided that notice of every resolution
of the Board  fixing or  changing  the time or place for the  holding of regular
meetings of the Board  shall be mailed to each  director at least three (3) days
before the first meeting held pursuant thereto.  The annual meeting of the Board
of  Directors  shall be held  immediately  following  the  annual  stockholders'
meeting at which a Board of Directors is elected. Any business may be transacted
at any regular meeting of the Board.

     SECTION 6.  Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held  whenever  called by direction of the Chairman of the Board or the
President and must be called by the Chairman of the Board,  the President or the
Secretary  upon  written  request of a majority of the Board of  Directors.  The
Secretary  shall give notice of each special  meeting of the Board of Directors,
by  mailing  the  same at  least  three  (3) days  prior  to the  meeting  or by
telegraphing  the  same at  least  two (2)  days  before  the  meeting,  to each
director;  but such  notice  may be waived  by any  director.  Unless  otherwise
indicated in the notice  thereof,  any and all business may be transacted at any
special meetings. At any meeting at which every director shall

                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>




be present,  even though without notice,  any business may be transacted and any
director may in writing  waive notice of the time,  place and  objectives of any
special meeting.

     SECTION  7.  Quorum.  A majority  of the whole  number of  directors  shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Board
of  Directors,  but, if at any meeting  less than a quorum  shall be present,  a
majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the act
of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall  be  the  act  of the  Board  of  Directors,  except  as may be  otherwise
specifically  provided by law or by the  Articles of  Incorporation  or by these
By-Laws.

     SECTION 8. Action by  Directors.  Any action  required or  permitted  to be
taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting,  if
an  unanimous  written  consent  which  sets  forth the action is signed by each
member of the Board and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

     SECTION 9.  Compensation  of  Directors.  Directors  shall not  receive any
stated salary for their services as such, but each director shall be entitled to
receive from the Corporation  reimbursement  of the expenses  incurred by him in
attending any regular or special meeting of the Board, and, by resolution of the
Board of  Directors,  a fixed sum may also be  allowed  for  attendance  at each
regular or special meeting of the Board and such  reimbursement and compensation
shall be payable whether or not a meeting is adjourned because of the absence of
a quorum.  Nothing herein  contained shall be construed to preclude any director
from serving the  Corporation in any other  capacity and receiving  compensation
therefor.

     SECTION 10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by
a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees,  each committee
to consist of two or more of the  directors of the  Corporation,  which,  to the
extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of the
Board of Directors,  and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed
to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such
names as may be determined from time to time by resolution  adopted by the Board
of Directors.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                    Officers

     SECTION  1.  Election,  Tenure  and  Compensation.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation shall be a President,  a Secretary,  and a Treasurer,  and also such
other  officers  including  a  Chairman  of the  Board  and/or  one or more Vice
Presidents and/or one or more assistants to the foregoing  officers as the Board
of Directors from time to time may consider  necessary for the proper conduct of
the business of the Corporation. The officers shall be elected annually by the

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>




Board of  Directors at its first  meeting  following  the annual  meeting of the
stockholders  except where a longer term is expressly  provided in an employment
contract duly  authorized and approved by the Board of Directors.  The President
and Chairman of the Board shall be  directors  and the other  officers  may, but
need not be,  directors.  Any two or more of the above offices,  except those of
President  and Vice  President,  may be held by the same person,  but no officer
shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if
such  instrument  is  required  by  law  or by  these  By-Laws  to be  executed,
acknowledged or verified by any two or more officers. The compensation or salary
paid all officers of the  Corporation  shall be fixed by resolutions  adopted by
the Board of Directors.

     In the event that any office  other than an office  required by law,  shall
not be filled by the Board of Directors,  or, once filled,  subsequently becomes
vacant,  then such office and all  references  thereto in these By-Laws shall be
deemed inoperative unless and until such office is filled in accordance with the
provisions of these By-Laws.

     Except where otherwise  expressly provided in a contract duly authorized by
the Board of  Directors,  all  officers and agents of the  Corporation  shall be
subject  to  removal at any time by the  affirmative  vote of a majority  of the
whole Board of Directors,  and all officers,  agents,  and employees  shall hold
office at the discretion of the Board of Directors or of the officers appointing
them.

     SECTION 2. Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of
the Board shall  preside at all  meetings of the Board of  Directors  unless the
Board of Directors shall be a majority vote of a quorum thereof elect a chairman
other than the  Chairman  of the Board to preside  at  meetings  of the Board of
Directors.  He may sign and execute all  authorized  bonds,  contracts  or other
obligations in the name of the Corporation;  and he shall be ex-officio a member
of all standing committees.

     SECTION 3. Powers and Duties of the President.  The President  shall be the
chief  executive  officer of the  Corporation  and shall have general charge and
control of all its  business  affairs and  properties.  He shall  preside at all
meetings of the stockholders.

     The President may sign and execute all authorized bonds, contracts or other
obligations in the name of the Corporation. He shall have the general powers and
duties of supervision  and management  usually vested in the office of president
of a corporation. The President shall be ex-officio a member of all the standing
committees. He shall do and perform such other duties as may, from time to time,
be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

     In the event that the Board of Directors does not take  affirmative  action
to fill the office of  Chairman of the Board,  the  President  shall  assume and
perform  all  powers  and  duties  given to the  Chairman  of the Board by these
By-Laws.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>




     SECTION 4. Powers and Duties of the Vice President.  The Board of Directors
shall appoint a Vice President and may appoint more than one Vice President. Any
Vice  President  (unless  otherwise  provided  by  resolution  of the  Board  of
Directors)  may sign and  execute  all  authorized  bonds,  contracts,  or other
obligations in the name of the Corporation.  Each Vice President shall have such
other  powers and shall  perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him by
the Board of Directors or by the President. In case of the absence or disability
of the  President,  the duties of that  office  shall be  performed  by any Vice
President,  and the taking of any action by any such Vice  President in place of
the President  shall be conclusive  evidence of the absence or disability of the
President.

     SECTION 5.  Secretary.  The  Secretary  shall  give,  or cause to be given,
notice of all  meetings of  stockholders  and  directors  and all other  notices
required  by law or by these  By-Laws,  and in case of his absence or refusal or
neglect to do so, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto  directed
by the President, or by the directors or stockholders upon whose written request
the meeting is called as provided in these By-Laws.  The Secretary  shall record
all the proceedings of the meetings of the  stockholders and of the directors in
books  provided for that purpose,  and he shall perform such other duties as may
be assigned to him by the directors or the  President.  He shall have custody of
the  seal of the  Corporation  and  shall  affix  the  same  to all  instruments
requiring it, when  authorized by the Board of Directors or the  President,  and
attest to the same.  In  general,  the  Secretary  shall  perform all the duties
generally  incident  to the office of  Secretary,  subject to the control of the
Board of Directors and the President.

     SECTION 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of all the funds and
securities of the  Corporation,  and he shall keep full and accurate  account of
receipts  and  disbursements  in books  belonging to the  Corporation.  He shall
deposit  all  moneys  and other  valuables  in the name and to the credit of the
Corporation in such depository or depositories as may be designated by the Board
of Directors.

     The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered
by the Board of Directors,  taking proper  vouchers for such  disbursements.  He
shall render to the  President and the Board of  Directors,  whenever  either of
them so requests,  an account of all his  transactions  as Treasurer  and of the
financial condition of the Corporation.

     The Treasurer  shall give the  Corporation a bond, if required by the Board
of Directors, in a sum, and with one or more sureties, satisfactory to the Board
of Directors,  for the faithful  performance of the duties of his office and for
the restoration to the Corporation in case of his death, resignation, retirement
or  removal  from  office of all  books,  papers,  vouchers,  moneys,  and other
properties of whatever kind in his possession or under his control  belonging to
the Corporation.

     The Treasurer shall perform all the duties generally incident to the office
of the  Treasurer,  subject  to the  control of the Board of  Directors  and the
President.

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>





     SECTION 7.  Assistant  Secretary.  The Board of  Directors  may  appoint an
Assistant  Secretary  or more  than  one  Assistant  Secretary.  Each  Assistant
Secretary  shall  (except as otherwise  provided by  resolution  of the Board of
Directors)  have power to perform all duties of the  Secretary in the absence or
disability  of the  Secretary and shall have such other powers and shall perform
such other  duties as may be  assigned to him by the Board of  Directors  or the
President. In case of the absence or disability of the Secretary,  the duties of
the office shall be performed by any Assistant Secretary,  and the taking of any
action  by any such  Assistant  secretary  in place  of the  Secretary  shall be
conclusive evidence of the absence or disability of the Secretary.

     SECTION 8.  Assistant  Treasurer.  The Board of  Directors  may  appoint an
Assistant  Treasurer  or more  than  one  Assistant  Treasurer.  Each  Assistant
Treasurer  shall  (except as otherwise  provided by  resolution  of the Board of
Directors)  have power to perform all duties of the  Treasurer in the absence or
disability  of the  Treasurer and shall have such other powers and shall perform
such other  duties as may be  assigned to him by the Board of  Directors  or the
President. In case of the absence or disability of the Treasurer,  the duties of
the office shall be performed by any Assistant Treasurer,  and the taking of any
action  by any  such  Assistant  Treasurer  in place  of me  Treasurer  shall be
conclusive evidence of me absence or disability of the Treasurer.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  Capital Stock

     SECTION 1. Issuance of Certificates of Stock.  The  certificates for shares
of the stock of the Corporation  shall be of such form not inconsistent with the
Articles of Incorporation,  or its amendments,  as shall be approved by me Board
of Directors.  All certificates  shall be signed by the President or by the Vice
President and countersigned by the Secretary or by an Assistant  Secretary.  All
certificates for each class of stock shall be consecutively  numbered.  The name
of the person  owning the shares  issued and the address of me holder,  shall be
entered  in  me  Corporation's   books.  All  certificates   surrendered  to  me
Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificates  representing
the same  number of shares  shall be issued  until  the  former  certificate  or
certificates  for the same number of shares shall have been so surrendered,  and
canceled,  unless a certificate  of stock be lost or  destroyed,  in which event
another  may be issued in its stead upon proof of such loss or  destruction  and
unless waived by the President,  the giving of a satisfactory  bond of indemnity
not exceeding an amount double the value of the stock.  Both such proof and such
bond shall be in a form approved by the general  counsel of the  Corporation and
by the Transfer Agent of the Corporation and by the Register of the stock.

     SECTION  2.  Transfer  of  Shares.  Shares  of  the  capital  stock  of the
Corporation  shall be  transferred on the books of the  Corporation  only by the
holder thereof in person or by

                                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>




his attorney upon surrender and  cancellation of certificates  for a like number
of shares as hereinbefore provided.

     SECTION 3. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall entitled to treat
the  holder of  record  of any  share or  shares of stock as the  holder in fact
thereof and  accordingly  shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
claim to or interest in such share in the name of any other  person,  whether or
not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by
the laws of Maryland.

     SECTION  4.  Record  Date and  Closing  of  Transfer  Books.  The  Board of
Directors  may set a record  date or  direct  that the stock  transfer  books be
closed for a stated  period for the  purpose of making any proper  determination
with  respect to  stockholders,  including  which  stockholders  are entitled to
notice of a meeting, vote at a meeting, receive a dividend, or be allotted other
rights. The record date may not be more than ninety (90) days before the date on
which the action requiring the  determination  will be taken; the transfer books
may not be closed for a period longer than twenty (20) days; and, in the case of
a meeting of stockholders,  the record date of the closing of the transfer books
shall be at least ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                 Corporate Seal

     SECTION 1. Seal. In the event that the President shall direct the Secretary
to obtain a corporate  seal,  the  corporate  seal shall be circular in form and
shall  have  inscribed  thereon  the  name of the  Corporation,  the year of its
organization and the word "Maryland." Duplicate copies of the corporate seal may
be provided for use in the different  offices of the  Corporation  but each copy
thereof  shall be in the custody of the  Secretary of the  Corporation  or of an
Assistant Secretary of the Corporation nominated by the Secretary.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                             Bank Accounts and Loans

     SECTION 1. Bank  Accounts.  Such officers or agents of the  Corporation  as
from time to time  shall be  designated  by the Board of  Directors  shall  have
authority  to  deposit  any  funds  of the  Corporation  in such  banks or trust
companies as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and
such officers or agents as from time to time shall be authorized by the Board of
Directors may withdraw any or all of the funds of the  Corporation  so deposited
in any such bank or trust company, upon checks, drafts or other instruments or

                                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>




orders for the  payment of money  drawn  against  the  account or in the name or
behalf of this Corporation,  and made or signed by such officers or agents;  and
each bank or trust company with which funds of the  Corporation are so deposited
is authorized to accept,  honor,  cash and pay, without limit as to amount,  all
checks,  drafts or other  instruments  or orders for the payment of money,  when
drawn,  made or signed by  officers  or  agents  so  designated  by the Board of
Directors  until  written  notice of the  revocation  of the  authority  of such
officers or agents by the Board of  Directors  shall have been  received by such
bank or trust  company.  There shall from time to time be certified to the banks
or  trust  companies  in which  funds  of the  Corporation  are  deposited,  the
signature of the officers or agents of the  Corporation  so  authorized  to draw
against  the  same.  In the  event  that the Board of  Directors  shall  fail to
designate the persons by whom checks, drafts and other instruments or orders for
the payment of money shall be signed,  as hereinabove  provided in this Section,
all of such checks,  drafts and other  instruments  or orders for the payment of
money shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and  countersigned by
the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant  Secretary or an Assistant  Treasurer
of the Corporation.

     SECTION 2. Loans.  Such officers or agents of this Corporation as from time
to time shall be  designated by the Board of Directors  shall have  authority to
effect  loans,  advances  or other  forms of credit at any time or times for the
Corporation from such banks, trust companies, institutions,  corporations, firms
or persons as the Board of Directors shall from time to time  designate,  and as
security for the repayment of such loans,  advances, or other forms of credit to
assign,  transfer,  endorse and  deliver,  either  originally  or in addition or
substitution,  any or all stocks,  bonds, rights and interests of any kind in or
to  stocks  or  bonds,  certificates  of such  rights  or  interests,  deposits,
accounts,  documents  covering  merchandise,  bills and accounts  receivable and
other  commercial  paper  and  evidences  of  debt  at  any  time  held  by  the
Corporation;  and for such  loans,  advances  or other  forms of credit to make,
execute and deliver one or more notes, acceptances or written obligations of the
Corporation on such terms,  and with such  provisions as the security or sale or
disposition  thereof as such  officers or agents shall deem proper;  and also to
sell  to,  or  discount  or  rediscount  with,  such  banks,   trust  companies,
institutions, corporations, firms or persons any and all commercial paper, bills
receivable,  acceptances and other instruments and evidences of debt at any time
held by the  Corporation,  and to that end to endorse,  transfer and deliver the
same.  There shall from time to time be certified to each bank,  trust  company,
institution,  corporation,  firm or person so designated  the  signatures of the
officers  or  agents  so  authorized;   and  each  such  bank,   trust  company,
institution,  corporation,  firm or  person  is  authorized  to rely  upon  such
certification  until written  notice of the revocation by the Board of Directors
of the  authority  of such  officers or agents  shall be delivered to such bank,
trust company, institution, corporation, firm or person.



                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>




                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 Reimbursements

     Any payments made to an officer or other employee of the Corporation,  such
as salary,  commission,  interest or rent, or entertainment  expense incurred by
him,  which shall be disallowed  in whole or in part as a deductible  expense by
the  Internal  Revenue  Service,  shall be  reimbursed  by such officer or other
employee of the Corporation to the full extent of such disallowance. It shall be
the duty of the Directors,  as a Board,  to enforce  payment of each such amount
disallowed.  In lieu of payment by the officer or other employees subject to the
determination of the Directors,  proportionate  amounts may be withheld from his
future compensation  payments until the amount owned to the Corporation has been
recovered.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            Miscellaneous Provisions

     SECTION 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the
last day of December.

     SECTION 2. Notices.  Whenever  under the provisions of these By-Laws notice
is required to be given to any director, officer or stockholder, it shall not be
construed to mean personal notice, but such notice shall be given in writing, by
mail, by depositing the same in a post office or letter box in a postpaid sealed
wrapper  addressed to each  stockholder,  officer or director at such address as
appears on the books of the Corporation,  or in default of any other address, to
such director,  officer or stockholder,  at the general post office in Baltimore
County,  Maryland,  and such notice  shall be deemed to be given at the time the
same shall be thus mailed.  Any  stockholder,  director or officer may waive any
notice required to be given under these By-Laws.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   Amendments

     SECTION 1.  Amendment  of By-Laws.  The Board of  Directors  shall have the
power and  authority to amend,  alter or repeal these  By-Laws or any  provision
thereof, and may from time to time make additional By-Laws.


                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>




                                 Exhibit 4.1

   THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES OF COMPANY STOCK ISSUABLE UPON THE
   EXERCISE  HEREOF  HAVE NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER  EITHER THE
   SECURITIES  ACT  OF  1933  (THE  "ACT")  OR  APPLICABLE  STATE
   SECURITIES  LAWS  (THE  "STATE  ACTS")  AND SHALL NOT BE SOLD,
   PLEDGED,   HYPOTHECATED,   DONATED  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED
   (WHETHER OR NOT FOR  CONSIDERATION)  BY THE HOLDER EXCEPT UPON
   THE ISSUANCE TO THE COMPANY OF A FAVORABLE  OPINION OF COUNSEL
   AND/OR  SUBMISSION  TO THE COMPANY OF SUCH  EVIDENCE AS MAY BE
   SATISFACTORY TO COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY,  IN EACH SUCH CASE, TO
   THE EFFECT THAT ANY SUCH TRANSFER SHALL NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF
   THE ACT AND THE STATE ACTS.


                                    WARRANT*

                            TO PURCHASE ------ SHARES
                                 OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP
                            (a Maryland Corporation)

                     Not Transferable Or Exercisable Except
                        Upon Conditions Herein Specified

                          Void after 5:00 O'Clock P.M.,
                   Baltimore, Maryland Time, on August 1, 2005


                  FIRST MARINER BANCORP, a Maryland  corporation (the "Company")
hereby           certifies           that           ,          or           such
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
holder's registered successors and permitted assigns, registered on the books of
the Company  maintained for such purposes as the  registered  holder hereof (the
"Holder"),  for value  received,  is entitled  to purchase  from the Company the
number of fully paid and  non-assessable  shares of Common Stock of the Company,
par value $.05 per share (the  "Shares")  stated above at the purchase  price of
$10.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price") (the number of Shares and Exercise Price
being  subject  to  adjustment  as  hereinafter  provided)  upon the  terms  and
conditions herein provided.

                  1) EXERCISE OF WARRANTS. (i) Subject to subsection (b) of this
Section 1, upon presentation and surrender of this Warrant Certificate, with the
attached Purchase Form duly executed,  at the principal office of the Company at
1801 South Clinton Street,  Baltimore,  -------- * Exchanged for Warrant dated ,
issued to


<PAGE>




Maryland 21224, or at such other place as the Company may designate by notice to
the Holder hereof,  together with a check payable to the order of the Company in
the amount of the Exercise Price times the number of Shares being purchased, the
Company  shall  deliver  to the  Holder  hereof,  as  promptly  as  practicable,
certificates  representing  the Shares  being  purchased.  This  Warrant  may be
exercised in whole or in part; and, in case of exercise hereof in part only, the
Company,  upon  surrender  hereof,  will  deliver  to the  Holder a new  Warrant
Certificate  or  Warrant  Certificates  of like  tenor  entitling  the Holder to
purchase the number of Shares as to which this Warrant has not been exercised.

                  (ii) This  Warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any
time on and after August 1, 1995.

                  2) RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF WARRANT HOLDER. (i) The Holder of
this Warrant  Certificate shall not, by virtue hereof, be entitled to any rights
of a stockholder in the Company, either at law or in equity; provided,  however,
in the  event  that any  certificate  representing  the  Shares is issued to the
Holder  hereof  upon  exercise  of this  Warrant,  such  Holder  shall,  for all
purposes,  be deemed to have  become the holder of record of such  Shares on the
date on which this Warrant  Certificate,  together with a duly executed Purchase
Form, was surrendered  and payment of the Exercise Price was made,  irrespective
of the date of delivery of such Share  certificate.  The rights of the Holder of
this  Warrant  are  limited  to those  expressed  herein  and the Holder of this
Warrant, by its acceptance hereof,  consents to and agrees to be bound by and to
comply with all the provisions of this Warrant Certificate,  including,  without
limitation,  all the  obligations  imposed  upon the Holder  hereof by Section 4
hereof. In addition,  the Holder of this Warrant  Certificate,  by accepting the
same,  agrees  that the Company may deem and treat the person in whose name this
Warrant  Certificate  is registered on the books of the Company  maintained  for
such purpose as the absolute, true and lawful owner for all purposes whatsoever,
notwithstanding  any  notation of ownership or other  writing  thereon,  and the
Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

              (ii) No  Holder of this  Warrant  Certificate,  as such,  shall be
entitled to vote or receive  dividends  or to be deemed the holder of Shares for
any  purpose,  nor shall  anything  contained  in this  Warrant  Certificate  be
construed to confer upon any Holder of this Warrant Certificate, as such, any of
the  rights  of a  shareholder  of the  Company  or any  right to vote,  give or
withhold  consent to any action by the Company receive  dividends,  subscription
rights,  or  otherwise,  until this Warrant  shall have been  exercised  and the
Shares  purchasable upon the exercise  thereof shall have become  deliverable as
provided herein; provided,  however, that any such exercise on any date when the
stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall  constitute the person
or persons  in whose name or names the  certificate  or  certificates  for those
Shares are to be issued as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes
at the  opening  of  business  on the next  succeeding  day on which  such stock
transfer books are open, and the Warrant  Certificate  surrendered  shall not be
deemed to have been exercised, in whole or in part as the case may be, until the
next  succeeding  day on which stock  transfer books are open for the purpose of
determining entitlement to dividends on the Company's common stock.

                  3) SHARES  UNDERLYING  WARRANTS.  The  Company  covenants  and
agrees that all Shares  delivered upon the exercise of this Warrant shall,  upon
delivery  and  payment  therefor,  be duly and  validly  authorized  and issued,
fully-paid and non-assessable,  and free from all stamptaxes,  liens and charges
with respect to the purchase thereof.



                                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>




                  4)  DISPOSITION  OF  WARRANTS  OR  SHARES.  The Holder of this
Warrant Certificate and any transferee hereof or of the Shares issuable upon the
exercise of the Warrant,  by their acceptance hereof, each hereby (i) represents
and warrants that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise thereof are
being  acquired for  investment for the account of the holder and with no intent
to sell,  transfer or subdivide such Warrant or Shares, and (ii) understands and
agrees that the Warrant,  and the Shares issuable upon the exercise hereof, have
not been and will not be registered under either the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act") or applicable  State  Securities Laws (the "State Acts") and shall not be
sold, pledged,  hypothecated,  donated or otherwise  transferred (whether or not
for  consideration)  except  upon the  issuance  to the  Company of a  favorable
opinion of counsel  and/or for submission to the Company of such evidence as may
be satisfactory to counsel to the Company, in each such case, to the effect that
any such  transfer  shall not be in violation of the Act and the State Acts.  It
shall be a condition to the transfer of this Warrant that any transferee thereof
deliver to the Company its  written  agreement  to accept and be bound by all of
the terms and conditions of this Warrant Certificate.

                  5)  ADJUSTMENTS.  The  number of Shares  purchasable  upon the
exercise  of each  Warrant is subject to  adjustment  from time to time upon the
occurrence of any of the events enumerated below.

                           (i)      In case the Company shall:  (i) pay a 
dividend in shares of its Common Stock, (ii) subdivide outstanding shares of its
Common Stock into a greater number of shares,  (iii) combine  outstanding shares
of  its  Common  Stock  into a  smaller  number  of  shares  or  (iv)  issue  by
reclassification of shares of its Common Stock, any shares of its capital stock,
the amount of shares  purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant  immediately
prior  thereto shall be adjusted so that the Holder shall be entitled to receive
upon  exercise of the Warrant that number of shares which such Holder would have
owned or would have been  entitled to receive  after the happening of such event
had such Holder exercised the Warrant  immediately  prior to the record date, in
the  case of such  dividend,  or the  effective  date,  in the  case of any such
subdivision,  combination or  reclassification.  An adjustment  made pursuant to
this subparagraph (a) shall be made whenever any of such events shall occur, but
shall become  effective  retroactively  after such record date or such effective
date, as the case may be, as to Warrants  exercised  between such record date or
effective date and the date of happening of any such event.

                           (ii)     Whenever the number of Shares purchasable 
hereunder is adjusted as herein  provided,  the Company shall cause to be mailed
to the Holder in accordance  with the  provisions of this Section 5 a notice (i)
stating that the number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant have
been adjusted, (ii) setting forth the adjusted number of Shares purchasable upon
the  exercise  of the  Warrant  and  (iii)  showing  in  reasonable  detail  the
computations and the facts,  including the amount of  consideration  received or
deemed to have been  received by the Company,  upon which such  adjustments  are
based.

                  6)  FRACTIONAL  SHARES.  The Company  shall not be required to
issue any fraction of a Share upon the  exercise of  Warrants.  If more than one
Warrant shall be  surrendered  for exercise at one time by the same Holder,  the
number of full Shares which shall be issuable  upon  exercise  thereof  shall be
computed on the basis of the  aggregate  number of Shares with  respect to which
this Warrant is exercised. If any fractional interest in a Share shall be


                                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>




deliverable  upon the  exercise  of this  Warrant,  the  Company  shall  make an
adjustment  therefor  and pay to the  Holder  in cash an  amount  equal  to such
fraction  multiplied  by the fair market value of the Shares on the business day
next  preceding the day of exercise,  as  determined  by the Company's  Board of
Directors in its sole discretion.

                  7) LOSS OR DESTRUCTION.  Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory
to the Company of the loss,  theft,  destruction  or  mutilation of this Warrant
Certificate  and,  in the case of any such  loss,  theft  or  destruction,  upon
delivery of an indemnity  agreement or bond satisfactory in form,  substance and
amount to the Company or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon surrender and
cancellation  of this  Warrant  Certificate,  the  Company at its  expense  will
execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor.

                  8) SURVIVAL.  The various rights and obligations of the Holder
hereof as set forth herein shall survive the exercise of the Warrant represented
hereby and the surrender of this Warrant Certificate.

                  9)  NOTICES.  Whenever  any  notice,  payment of any  purchase
price,  or other  communication  is required to be given or delivered  under the
terms of this Warrant,  it shall be in writing and delivered by hand delivery or
United States  registered or certified mail, return receipt  requested,  postage
prepaid,  and will be deemed to have been  given or  delivered  on the date such
notice,  purchase price or other communication is so delivered or posted, as the
case  may be;  and,  if to the  Company,  it will be  addressed  to the  address
specified in Section 1 hereof, and if to the Holder, it will be addressed to the
registered Holder at his address as it appears on the books of the Company.




                                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>




                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  First  Mariner  Bancorp  has caused this
Warrant  Certificate  to be  executed  on its  behalf  as of  this  ____  day of
_______________.

ATTEST:                                    FIRST MARINER BANCORP


By:                                        By:                            (SEAL)
   ----------------------------------         ----------------------------------
   Eugene A. Friedman, Secretary              Edwin F. Hale, Sr., Chairman


                                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>




                                  PURCHASE FORM


TO:      FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                  The  undersigned  hereby  irrevocably  elects to exercise  the
attached Warrant to the extent of  ..............shares of the Common Stock, par
value $.05 per share,  of FIRST  MARINER  BANCORP  and hereby  makes  payment of
$...............  in accordance  with the provisions of Section 1 of the Warrant
Certificate in payment of the purchase price thereof.

                           INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF STOCK
                           UPON THE STOCK LEDGER OF THE COMPANY

Name: ..........................................................................
                  (Please typewrite or print in block letters)

Address:          ..............................................................
                  ..............................................................



Signature



Name



Date



                                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>




                                  Exhibit 10.1

                              FIRST MARINER BANCORP

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                        (Amended as of October 31, 1996)

         First Mariner Bancorp (the  "Corporation")  sets forth herein the terms
of this 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") as follows:

1.       Purpose.

         The Plan is intended to advance the  interests  of the  Corporation  by
providing eligible  individuals (as designated pursuant to Section 4 below) with
an opportunity to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the Corporation,
which thereby will create a stronger  incentive to expend maximum effort for the
growth and success of the Corporation and its  subsidiaries,  and will encourage
such eligible  individuals to remain in the employ of service of the Corporation
or that of one or more of its subsidiaries.  Each stock option granted under the
Plan (an  "Option") is intended to be an "incentive  stock  option"  ("Incentive
Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax
statute (the "Code"), except (i) to the extent that any such Option would exceed
limitations  set  forth in  Section  7  below;  (ii)  for  Options  specifically
designated at the time of grant as not being Incentive Stock Options;  and (iii)
for Options  granted to  directors  of the  Corporation  who are not officers or
other salaried  employees of the Corporation or any "subsidiary  corporation" (a
"Subsidiary")  thereof  within  the  meaning  of  Section  424(f)  of  the  Code
("Non-Employee  Directors")  or  to  directors  of  a  Subsidiary  who  are  not
Non-Employee  Directors and who are not officers or employees of the Corporation
or any Subsidiary ("Subsidiary Directors").

2.        Administration.

         (a) Committee.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board")
shall appoint a compensation  committee (the "Committee") in accordance with the
By-Laws  of  the  administration  of the  Plan  as the  Board  shall  determine,
consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Corporation and
applicable law. The Board may remove members, add members, and fill vacancies on
the  Committee  from  time to time,  all in  accordance  with the  Corporation's
Articles of  Incorporation  and By-Laws,  and with  applicable law. The majority
vote of the  Committee,  or acts reduced to or approval in writing by a majority
of the members of the Committee, shall be valid acts of the Committee.

         (b)  Administration.  The Plan shall be  administered  by the Committee
which shall have full power and  authority to take all actions,  and to make all
determinations  required or provided for under the Plan or any Option granted or
Option  Agreement (as defined in Section 8 below) entered into hereunder and all
such actions and  determinations  not  inconsistent  with the specific terms and
provisions of the Plan deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate to
the administration of the Plan or any Option granted or Option Agreement entered
into  hereunder.  The  interpretation  and  construction by the Committee of any
provision of the Plan or of any Option granted or Option Agreement  entered into
hereunder shall be final and conclusive. The Committee shall cause a copy of the
this Plan to be delivered to each participant in the Plan.

         (c) No Liability.  No member of the Board or of the Committee  shall be
liable for any action or  determination  made in good faith with  respect to the
Plan or any Option granted or Option Agreement entered into hereunder.



<PAGE>




         (d)  Delegation  to the  Committee.  In the event  that the Plan or any
Option  granted or Option  Agreement  entered  into  hereunder  provides for any
action to be taken by or determination to be made by the Board,  such action may
be taken by or such  determination may be made by the Committee if the power and
authority to do so has been  delegated to the Committee by the Board as provided
for in Section 2(a) above. Unless otherwise  expressly  determined by the Board,
any such action or determination by the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

3.        Stock.

         The stock that may be issued pursuant to Options granted under the Plan
shall be shares of Common Stock,  par value $.05 per share,  of the  Corporation
(the "Stock"), which shares may be authorized but unissued shares or shares that
may  be  purchased  by  the  Corporation  in  the  open  market  or  in  private
transactions.  The  number  of shares of Stock  that may be issued  pursuant  to
Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 190,000 shares,
which  number of shares is subject to  adjustment  as  hereinafter  provided  in
Section  17 below.  If any  Option  expires,  terminates,  or is  terminated  or
canceled for any reason prior to exercise in full, the shares of Stock that were
subject to the unexercised  portion of such Option shall be available for future
Options granted under the Plan.

4.       Eligibility.

         (a) Employee and Subsidiary Directors. Options may be granted under the
Plan to any full-time  employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary  (including
any such  employee  who is an  office  or  director  of the  Corporation  or any
Subsidiary) or to any Subsidiary  Director as the Committee  shall determine and
designate  from time to time prior to expiration or termination of the Plan. For
this purpose, a full-time  employee is one who is customarily  employed at least
1,000 hours per year.

         (b) Non-Employee  Directors.  Each Non-Employee Director who is serving
on the Board on the Effective  Date (as defined in Section 5(a) hereof) shall be
granted an Option on the Effective  Date to purchase 100 shares of the Stock for
each Board of Directors  meeting attended by such person from and after November
21, 1995 through and including the Effective Date. Thereafter, each Non-Employee
Director shall be granted as Option as of the date of his or her attendance at a
meeting of the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  to purchase 100 shares of
the Stock. Each Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be granted at an
Option Price equal to the greater of par value or 100 percent of the fair market
value of a share of Stock on the  date of  grant  (determined  under  Section  9
below) and upon the other terms and conditions  specified in the Plan. Except as
provided in this Section 4(b), no Non-Employee  Director shall be eligible to be
granted Options under this Plan.

         An  individual  may  hold  more  than  one  Option,   subject  to  such
restrictions as are provided herein.

5.        Effective Date and Term of the Plan.

         (a) Effective  Date. The Plan shall be effective as of January 16, 1996
(the "Effective Date"). the date of adoption by the Board.

         (b) Term.  The Plan  shall  terminate  on the 10th  anniversary  of the
Effective Date.


                                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>




6.       Grant of Options.

         Subject to the terms and  conditions of the Plan, the Committee may, at
any time and from time to time,  prior to the date of  termination  of the Plan,
grant to such eligible individuals as the Committee may determine ("Optionees"),
Options  to  purchase  such  number of  shares  of the  Stock on such  terms and
conditions  as the Committee  may  determine,  including any terms or conditions
which may be necessary to qualify such Options as Incentive  Stock Options under
Section 422 of the Code.  The date on which the Committee  approves the grant of
an Option shall be considered the date on which such Option is granted.

7.       Limitation on Options Received in Calendar Year.

         An Option (other than an Option described in exception (ii) or (iii) of
Section 1) shall  constitute  an  Incentive  Stock Option to the extent that the
aggregate  fair market value  (determined  at the time the Option is granted) of
the Stock with respect to which  Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by an Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other
plans of the  Optionee's  employer  corporation  and its parent  and  subsidiary
corporations  within the meaning of Section  422(d) of the Code) does not exceed
$100,000. This limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the
order in which they were granted.

8.       Option Agreements.

         All Options granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by written
agreements ("Option  Agreements"),  to be executed by the Corporation and by the
Optionee,  in such  form or  forms  as the  Committee  shall  from  time to time
determine.  Option  Agreements  covering Options granted from time to time or at
the same time need not contain similar provisions;  provided,  however, that all
such Option Agreements shall comply with all terms of the Plan.

9.       Option Price.

         The purchase price of each share of the Stock subject to an Option (the
"Option  Price")  shall be fixed by the  Committee  and  stated  in each  Option
Agreement;  provided, however, that the purchase price of any Option intended to
be an Incentive  Stock Option shall be not less than the greater of par value or
100% of the fair market  value of a share of the Stock on the date the Option is
granted (as determined in good faith by the Committee);  provided further,  that
in the event the Optionee would  otherwise be ineligible to receive an Incentive
Stock Option by reason of the provisions of Sections 422(b)(6) and 424(d) of the
Code (relating to stock ownership of more than 10 percent),  the Option Price of
an Option  which is intended to be an  Incentive  Stock Option shall be not less
than the greater of par value or 110 percent of the fair market value of a share
of Stock at the time such  Option  is  granted.  In the event  that the Stock is
listed on an  established  national or regional stock  exchange,  is admitted to
quotation on the National  Association or Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System,  or  is  publicly  traded  in  an  established   securities  market,  in
determining  the fair market  value of the Stock,  the  Committee  shall use the
closing  price of the Stock on such  exchange  or System or in such  market (the
highest such closing price if there is more than one such exchange or market) on
the trading  date  immediately  before the Option is granted (or, if there is no
such closing  price,  then the Committee  shall use the mean between the highest
bid and the  lowest  asked  prices or  between  the high and low  priced on such
date),  or,  if no sale of the  Stock  has been  made on such  day,  on the next
preceding day on which any such sale have been made.


                                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>




10.      Term and Exercise of Options.

         (a) Term. Each Option granted under the Plan shall  terminate,  and all
rights to purchase  shares  thereunder  shall cease upon the  expiration  of ten
years from the date such Option is granted,  or, with respect to Options granted
to persons other than Non-Employee  Directors, on such date prior thereto as may
be fixed by the  Committee and stated in the Option  Agreement  relating to such
Option;  provided,  however,  that in the event the Optionee would  otherwise be
ineligible to receive an Incentive  Stock Option by reason of the  provisions of
Section  422(b)(6) and 424(d) of the Code  (relating to stock  ownership of more
than 10 percent),  an Option granted to such Optionee which is intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option shall in no event be exercisable  after the expiration of
five years from the date it is granted.

         (b) Option  Period and  Limitations  on  Exercise.  Except as otherwise
provided in an Option Agreement,  each Option granted shall be exercise in whole
or in part at any time after the date of grant.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,
the Committee,  subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, may in its sole
discretion provide other time periods during which an Option may be exercised in
whole or in part  while  such  Option  is  outstanding.  Any  limitation  on the
exercise of an Option may be rescinded,  modified or waived by the Committee, in
its sole  discretion,  at any time and from time to time after the date of grant
of such  Option,  so as to  accelerate  the  time at  which  the  Option  may be
exercised.

         (c) Method of Exercise.  An Option that is exercisable hereunder may be
exercised by delivery to the  Corporation  on any business day, at its principal
office,  addressed  to the  attention  of the  Committee,  of written  notice of
exercise,  which notice shall specify the number of shares with respect to which
the  Option is being  exercised.  The  minimum  number  of shares of Stock  with
respect to which an Option may be  exercised,  in whole or in part,  at any time
shall be the lesser of 100 shares of the maximum number of shares  available for
purchase  under the Option at the time of exercise.  Payment of the Option Price
for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be
made  (i) in  cash  or in cash  equivalents;  (ii)  through  the  tender  to the
Corporation  of shares of Stock,  which shares shall be valued,  for purposes of
determining the extent to which the Option Price has been paid thereby, at their
fair market value (determined in the manner described in Section 9 above) on the
date of exercise; (iii) through the tender to the Corporation of Options, to the
extent of the  difference  between the Option Price and the fair market value of
the shares of Stock subject to such Option  (determined in the manner  described
in Section 9 above) on the exercise  date; or (iv) by combination of the methods
described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above. Payment in full of the Option Price need
not  accompany  the written  notice of exercise  provided the notice of exercise
directs that the Stock  certificate or certificates for the shares for which the
Option  is  exercised  be  delivered  to a  licensed  broker  applicable  to the
Corporation  as the agent for the  individual  exercising the Option and, at the
time such Stock certificate or certificates are delivered, the broker tenders to
the Corporation cash (or cash equivalents  acceptable to the Corporation)  equal
to the Option Price for the shares of Stock  purchased  pursuant to the exercise
of the Option  plus the amount  (if any) of federal  and/or the taxes  which the
Corporation  may, in its  judgment,  be required to withhold with respect to the
exercise of the  Option.  An attempt to exercise  any Option  granted  hereunder
other  than as set forth  above  shall be  invalid  and of no force and  effect.
Promptly  after the  exercise of an Option and the payment in full of the Option
Price of the shares of Stock covered  thereby,  the  individual  exercising  the
Option shall be entitled to the issuance of a Stock  certificate or certificates
evidencing his ownership of such shares;  provided however, that the Corporation
shall have the right to  withhold  and deduct from the number of shares of Stock
deliverable  upon exercise of an Option,  a number of shares having an aggregate
fair market value  (determined in the manner described in Section 9 above) equal
to the amount of any taxes and other charges the  Corporation  or any Subsidiary
is obligated to withhold or deduct from amounts  payable to such  individual.  A
separate  Stock  certificate  or  certificates  shall be issued  for any  shares
purchased  pursuant to the  exercise of an Option  which is an  Incentive  Stock
Option,  which  certificate or  certificates  shall not include any shares which
were  purchased  pursuant to the exercise of an Option which is not an Incentive
Stock Option. An individual holding or exercising an Option shall

                                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>




have none of the  rights of a  shareholder  until  the  shares of Stock  covered
thereby  are fully paid and issued to him and,  except as provided in Section 17
below,  no adjustment  shall be made for dividends or other rights,  if any, for
which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.

11.      Transferability of Options.

         During the  lifetime of an Optionee to whom an Option is granted,  only
such  Optionee  (or,  in the  event of legal  incapacity  or  incompetency,  the
Optionee's guardian or legal  representative) may exercise the Option. No Option
shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee to whom it is granted, other
than by will or the laws of the descent and distribution.

12.      Termination of Service or Employment.

         (a) Employees and  Subsidiary  Directors.  Upon the  termination of the
employment of service of an Optionee  (other than a Non-Employee  Director) with
the  Corporation  or a  Subsidiary,  other  than by  reason  of (i) the death or
"permanent and total disability"  (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code) of such Optionee, or (ii) the dismissal of such Optionee for dishonesty or
commission of a crime or for any reason constituting  "cause" under the terms of
an employment  agreement,  if any, between the Optionee and the Corporation or a
Subsidiary, any Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall terminate three months
after the date of such  termination  of  employment or service,  unless  earlier
terminated  pursuant to Section  10(a) above,  and such  Optionee  shall have no
further  right to purchase  shares of Stock  pursuant to such Option;  provided,
however,  that the  Committee  may  purchase  shares of Stock  pursuant  to such
Option;  provided,  however,  that the  Committee  may provide,  by inclusion of
appropriate  language in an Option  Agreement,  that an Optionee may (subject to
the general  limitations  on exercise set forth in Section lO(b) above),  in the
event  of  termination  of  employment  or  service  of the  Optionee  with  the
Corporation  or a  Subsidiary,  exercise an Option,  in whole or in part, at any
time  subsequent  to such  termination  of  employment  or service  and prior to
termination  of the Option as provided in Section 10(a) above either  subject to
or without regard to any installment  limitation on exercise imposed pursuant to
Section  10(b)above.  Whether  a leave  of  absence  or  leave  on  military  or
government  services shall constitute a termination of employment or service for
purposes of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee,  which  determination
shall be final and  conclusive.  For  purposes  of the Plan,  a  termination  of
employment or service with the  Corporation or a Subsidiary  shall not be deemed
to occur if immediately thereafter the Optionee is employed with the Corporation
or any Subsidiary or is serving as a Subsidiary Director.

         (b)  Non-Employee  Directors.  Any  Option  granted  to a  Non-Employee
Director shall terminate upon the expiration of three months  following the date
on which the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a member of the Board other than
because of death or "permanent and total  disability"  as defined above,  or, if
earlier, upon the expiration of ten years after grant of the Option.

13.      Rights in the Event of Death or Disability.

         (a) Death of an Employee or Subsidiary Director.  If an Optionee (other
than a  Non-Employee  Director)  dies while  employed  by the  Corporation  or a
Subsidiary  or  while  serving  as  a  Subsidiary  Director,  the  executors  or
administrators  or legatees or distributees of such Optionee's estate shall have
the right  (subject to the general  limitations on exercise set forth in Section
10(b)  above),  at any time  within one year  after the date of such  Optionee's
death and prior to termination of the Option as provided in Section 10(a) above,
the  exercise  any Option held by such  Optionee at the date of such  Optionee's
death,  whether or not such  Option was  exercisable  immediately  prior to such
Optionee's  death;  provided,  however,  that  the  Committee  may  provide,  by
inclusion of appropriate language in an Option Agreement,  that, in the event of
the death of the  Optionee,  the  executors  or  administrators  or  legatees or
distributees

                                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>




of such  Optionee's  estate  may  exercise  an Option  (subject  to the  general
limitations on exercise set forth in Section 10(b) above),  in whole or in part,
at any time subsequent to such Optionee's  death and prior to termination of the
Option as provided in Section 10(a) above,  either  subject to or without regard
to any installment  limitation on exercise imposed pursuant to Section 1 0(b)(i)
above.

         (b)  Disability of an Employee or Subsidiary  Director.  If an Optionee
(other than a Non-Employee Director) terminates  employment or service with the
Corporation or a Subsidiary by reason of the  "permanent  and total  disability"
(within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of such Optionee, then such
Optionee  shall have the right  (subject to the general  limitations on exercise
set forth in  Section  10(b)  above),  at any time  within  one year  after such
termination  of employment or service and prior to  termination of the Option as
provided in Section 10(a) above,  to exercise,  in whole or in part,  any Option
held by such Optionee at the date of such  termination of employment or service,
whether or not such Option was exercisable immediately prior to such termination
of employment or service; provided,  however, that the Committee may provide, by
inclusion of appropriate language in the Option Agreement, that the Optionee may
(subject  to the general  limitations  on  exercise  set forth in Section  10(b)
above), in the event of the termination of employment or service of the Optionee
with the  Corporation  or a  Subsidiary  by reason of the  "permanent  and total
disability"  (within  the  meaning  of  Section  22(e)(3)  of the  Code) of such
Optionee,  exercise an Option,  in whole or in part,  at any time  subsequent to
such termination of employment or service and prior to termination of the Option
as provided in Section 1 0(a) above,  either subject to or without regard to any
installment  limitation  on exercise  imposed  pursuant to Section  10(b) above.
Whether a termination  of employment or service is to be considered by reason of
"permanent and total  disability"  for purposed of this Plan shall be determined
by the Committee, which determination shall be final and conclusive.

         (c) Death or Disability of a Non-Employee  Director. Any Option granted
to a  Non-Employee  Director  shall  terminate  upon the  expiration of one year
following the date on which the  Non-Employee  Director ceases to be a member of
the Board by reason of death or  "permanent  and total  disability"  as  defined
above or, if earlier,  upon the expiration of ten years  following  grant of the
Option.

14.      Use of Proceeds.

         The  proceeds  received  by the  Corporation  from  the  sale of  Stock
pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the
Corporation.

15.      Requirements of Law.

         (a) Violations of Law. The Corporation shall not be required to sell or
issue any  shares  of stock  under any  Option if the sale or  issuance  of such
shares would  constitute a violation by the individual  exercising the Option or
the  Corporation  of any provision of any law or regulation of any  governmental
authority,  including without limitation any federal or state securities laws or
regulations.  Specifically in connection with the Securities Act of 1933 (as now
in effect  with  respect to the  shares of any  Option),  unless a  registration
statement  under  such Act is in  effect  with  respect  to the  shares of Stock
covered by such Option,  the Corporation  shall not be required to sell or issue
such shares unless the Corporation has received evidence satisfactory to it that
the holder of such Option may acquire such shares  pursuant to an exemption from
registration  under  such Act,  and the  shares  of Stock to be issued  upon the
exercise  of all or any  portion of any Option  granted  under the Plan shall be
issued on the  exercise  of all or any portion of any Option  granted  under the
Plan shall be issued on the  condition  that the  Optionee  represents  that the
purchase of Stock upon such exercise  shall be for  investment  purposes and not
with  a  view  to  resale,  distribution,  offering,  transferring,  mortgaging,
pledging,  hypothecating  or  otherwise  disposing  of any such Stock  under the
circumstances which would constitute a public offering or distribution under the
Securities Act of 1993 or the securities  laws of any state.  No shares of Stock
shall be issued upon the

                                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>




exercise  of any Option  unless the  Corporation  shall have  received  from the
Optionee a written  statement  satisfactory to legal counsel for the Corporation
containing the above  representations,  stating that  certificates  representing
such  shares may bear a legend  restricting  their  transfer  and  stating  that
certificates  representing  such  shares  may  bear a legend  restricting  their
transfer  and stating  that the  Corporation's  transfer  agent or agents may be
given instructions to stop transfer of any certificate bearing such legend. Such
representation and restrictions provided for herein shall not be required if (i)
an effective  registration statement for such shares under the Securities Act of
1933 and any  applicable  state  laws has been  filed  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission and with the appropriate  agency or commission of any state
whose laws apply to the transaction,  or (ii) an opinion of counsel satisfactory
to the  Corporation  has been  delivered to the  Corporation  to the effect that
registration  is not  required  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 or under the
applicable  securities  laws of any state.  Any  determination  by the Committee
regarding the foregoing shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Corporation
shall  not be  obligated  to take any  affirmative  action in order to cause the
exercise of an Option or the issuance of shares pursuant  thereto to comply with
any law or regulation or any governmental authority.

         (b)  Restriction on Transfer of Stock.  The certificate or certificates
for Stock issued upon the exercise of an Option shall bear the following legend:

                  THE  SECURITIES  REPRESENTED  BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  BEEN
                  ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO AN INVESTMENT  REPRESENTATION ON THE PART
                  OF  THE  HOLDER  THEREOF  AND  SHALL  NOT  BE  SOLD.  PLEDGED,
                  HYPOTHECATED,  DONATED, OR OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED,  WHETHER OR
                  NOT FOR  CONSIDERATION  FOR A PERIOD THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE
                  OF THE ISSUANCE THEREOF BY THE HOLDER EXCEPT UPON THE ISSUANCE
                  TO THE ISSUER OF A FAVORABLE OPINION OF ITS COUNSEL AND/OR THE
                  SATISFACTORY TO COUNSEL TO THE ISSUER,  TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY
                  SUCH TRANSFER  SHALL NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT
                  OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

16.      Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

         The Board  may,  at any time and from time to time,  amend,  suspend or
terminate  the Plan as to any shares of Stock as to which  Options have not been
granted.  Except as permitted under Section 17 hereof, no amendment,  suspension
or  termination  of the Plan  shall,  without  the  consent of the holder of the
Option,  alter or impair  rights or  obligations  under any  Option  theretofore
granted under the Plan.

17.      Effect of Changes in Capitalization.

         (a) Changes in Stock. If the outstanding  shares of Stock are increased
or  decreased or changed  into or  exchanged  for a different  number or kind or
shares or other securities of the Corporation by reason of any recapitalization,
reclassification,  stock  split-up,  combination of shares,  exchange of shares,
stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase
or decrease in such shares  effected  without  receipt of  consideration  by the
Corporation,  occurring  after the  effective  date of the Plan,  the number and
kinds of shares for the purchase of which  Options may be granted under the Plan
shall  be  adjusted  proportionately  and  accordingly  by the  Corporation.  In
addition,  the number and kind of shares for which Options are outstanding shall
be adjusted  proportionately and accordingly so that the proportionate  interest
of the holder of the Option  immediately  following  such  event  shall,  to the
extent  practicable,  be the same as immediately  prior to such event.  Any such
adjustment in outstanding Options

                                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>




shall not change the  aggregate  Option  Price  payable  with  respect to shares
subject to the unexercised portion in the Option outstanding but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the Option Price per share.

         (b)   Reorganization   in  which  the   Corporation  is  the  Surviving
Corporation.  Subject to  Subsection  (d) hereof,  if the  Corporation  shall be
surviving   corporation  in  any  reorganization,   merger,  share  exchange  or
consolidation of the Corporation with one or more other corporations, any Option
theretofore  granted  pursuant  to the Plan  shall  pertain  to and apply to the
securities  to which a holder of the  number of shares of Stock  subject to such
Option  would have been  entitled  immediately  following  such  reorganization,
merger, or consolidation,  with a corresponding  proportionate adjustment of the
Option Price per share so that the aggregate  Option Price  thereafter  shall be
the same as the aggregate  Option Price of the shares  remaining  subject to the
Option immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation.

         (c)  Reorganization  in  which  the  Corporation  is not the  Surviving
Corporation or Sale of Assets or Stock.  In the event of the  commencement  of a
tender offer (other than by the  Corporation)  for any shares of the Corporation
or a sale or transfer,  in one or a series of  transactions,  of assets having a
fair market  value of 50% or more of the fair market  value of all assets of the
Corporation,  or a merger,  consolidation  or share  exchange  pursuant to which
shares of the Corporation may be exchanged for or converted into cash,  property
or securities of another  issuer,  or the  liquidation  of the  Corporation  (an
"Extraordinary  Event"),  then  regardless of whether or not any Option  granted
pursuant to the Plan shall have vested or become fully exercisable,  all Options
granted pursuant to the Plan shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable
for the full  number of shares  subject  to any such  Option on and at all times
after the "Event Date" of the Extraordinary Event.

                  (i) The "Event  Date" is the date of the  commencement  of the
tender offer, if the  Extraordinary  Event is a tender offer, and in the case of
any  other  Extraordinary  event,  the  day  preceding  the  date  as  of  which
shareholders of record become entitled to the  consideration  payable in respect
or such Extraordinary Event.

                  (ii) In the case of an Extraordinary Event other than a tender
offer,  the exercise of an Option  pursuant to this  Section  prior to the Event
Date shall be  effective  on and as of the Event Date.  Upon the  exercise of an
Option upon the occurrence of an  Extraordinary  Event,  the  Corporation  shall
issue, on and as of the effective date of such exercise, all shares with respect
to which the Option shall have been exercised.

                  (iii) In the event of the exercise pursuant to this Section of
any Option the Option  Price for which shall not have been fixed as of the Event
Date,  the Option  Price in respect of such Option shall be equal to the average
fair market value  (determined  in the manner  described in Section 9 above) for
the 30 days preceding the announcement or other publication of the Extraordinary
Event.

                  (iv) In the event that an Optionee  fails to  exercise  his or
her Option, in whole or in part,  pursuant to this Section upon an Extraordinary
Event, the Corporation shall take such action as may be necessary to enable each
Optionee to receive upon any subsequent  exercise of his or her Option, in whole
or in part, in lieu of shares of the Corporation,  securities or other assets as
were  issuable  or payable  upon such  Extraordinary  Event in respect of, or in
exchange for, such shares.

         (d) Adjustments.  Adjustments under this Section 17 related to stock or
securities  of  the   Corporation   shall  be  made  by  the  Committee,   whose
determination  in that  respect  shall be final,  binding,  and  conclusive.  No
fractional shares of Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant
to any

                                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>




such adjustment,  and any fractions  resulting from any such adjustment shall be
eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share or unit.

         (e) No Limitations on  Corporation.  The grant of an Option pursuant to
the  Plan  shall  not  affect  or  limit  in any way the  right  or power of the
Corporation to make adjustments, reclassification, reorganizations or changes of
its  capital  or  business  structure  or to  merge,  consolidate.  dissolve  or
liquidate, or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

18.      Disclaimer of Rights.

         No provision in the Plan or in any Option  granted or Option  Agreement
entered  into  pursuant  to the  Plan  shall be  construed  to  confer  upon any
individual  the right to remain in the employ or service of the  Corporation  or
any  Subsidiary,  or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary either to increase or decrease the compensation of
any individual at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship
between any individual and the Corporation or any Subsidiary.

19.      Non-Exclusivity of the Plan.

         Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the  submission of the Plan to the
shareholders  of the Corporation for approval shall be construed as creating any
limitations  upon the  right and  authority  of the  Board to adopt  such  other
incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either
generally to a class or classes of individuals or  specifically  to a particular
individual or individuals) as the Board in its discretion  determines desirable,
including,  without  limitation,  the granting of stock options  otherwise  than
under the Plan.

                                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>




                                  Exhibit 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  THIS  AGREEMENT  is made and entered into as of this First day
of May, 1995, by and between First Mariner Bancorp and First Mariner Bank which,
together with any successor  thereto which  executes and delivers the assumption
agreement  provided for in Section 10(a) hereof or which otherwise becomes bound
by all of the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement  by operation of law, is
hereinafter  referred  as the "Bank") and GEORGE H.  MANTAKOS,  whose  residence
address is 2890 Ordway Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042 (the "Employee").

                  WHEREAS, the Employee is currently serving as the President of
the  Holding  Co.,  and  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of the  Bank
Subsidiaries;

                  WHEREAS,  the  parties  desire to enter  into this  Employment
Agreement  (the  "Agreement")  setting  forth the terms  and  conditions  of the
employment relationship between the Bank and the Employee;

                  WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Bank believes it is in
the best interest of the Bank to enter into this  Agreement with the Employee in
order to  assure  continuity  of  management  of the Bank and to  reinforce  and
encourage the continued attention and dedication of the Employee to his assigned
duties  and  without   distraction  in  the  face  of   potentially   disruptive
circumstances  arising from the  possibility of a change of control of the Bank,
although no such change is now contemplated; and

                  WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors of the Bank has approved and
authorized  the execution of this  Agreement with the Employee to take effect as
stated in Section 4 hereof;

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and of the
respective  covenants and  agreements  of the parties  herein  contained,  it is
AGREED as follows:

                  1.  Employment.  The Employee  shall  continue to serve as the
President of the Holding Co., and President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Bank   Subsidiaries,   and  shall  have   supervision   and  control  over,  and
responsibility  for, the  management  and operation of the Bank,  and shall have
such  other  powers  and  duties as may from time to time be  prescribed  by the
Board, provided that such duties are consistent with his present duties and with
the  Employee's  position  as a  senior  executive  officer  in  charge  of  the
management  of the  Bank.  The  Employee  shall  devote  his  best  efforts  and
substantially all his business time and attention to the business and affairs of
the Bank.

                  2.  Compensation.

                     (a) Base Salary. The Bank agrees to pay the Employee during
the term of this Agreement a salary equal to  $110,000.00  per annum ( the "Base
Salary").  The salary provided for herein shall be payable in equal semi-monthly
installments, less such sums as may


<PAGE>




be  required  to be  deducted  or  withheld  under  provisions  of law.  On each
subsequent  anniversary,  starting  12  months  from the date of this  contract,
during the term of this  Agreement,  the Base Salary  shall be  increased  by an
amount to be dictated and  approved by the Board of  Directors.  The  Employee's
salary  hereunder shall not thereafter be reduced,  and shall never be less than
$110,000.00 per annum. The Bank agrees,  that other than the compensation of Mr.
Edwin F.  Hale,  Sr.,  and a  Senior  Banking  Officer  that may be hired in the
future, no other employee of the Bank or the Bank Holding Co. will receive total
annual compensation in excess of Mr. Mantakos' compensation.

                     (b)  Bonuses.   The  Employee  will   participate   in  any
Management Bonus Plans established in the Holding Co. or Bank subsidiaries.  The
Employee will, at the  discretion of the Chairman,  have the  opportunity  for a
bonus up to $20,000.00 per year payable quarterly.

                     (c) Expenses.  During the term of his employment hereunder,
the  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt  reimbursement  for  all
reasonable expenses incurred by him in performing  services hereunder,  provided
that the Employee properly accounts therefor in accordance with Bank policy.

                  3. (a) Participation in Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans.
The Employee shall be entitled while  employed  hereunder to participate  in, or
receive  benefits under,  any plan of the Bank relating to stock options,  stock
purchases,  pension,  thrift,  profit-sharing,  group  life  insurance,  medical
coverage,  education or other  retirement or employee  benefits or  combinations
thereof that the Bank may adopt for the benefit of its executive employees.  The
Bank guarantees that the benefits provided under any new plans that the Bank may
establish in place of any plan now in effect shall be comparable to the benefits
provided under any plan now in effect.

                     (b) Fringe  Benefits.  The Employee shall be eligible while
employed  hereunder to  participate  in, or receive  benefits  under,  any other
fringe benefits,  a reasonable  expense  account,  and the payment of reasonable
expenses for attending annual and periodic meetings of trade associations, which
may be or become applicable to the Bank's executive employees.

                     (c) Automobile.  The Bank shall provide the Employee during
the  term of his  employment  hereunder  with an  automobile  for the use of the
Employee in the  performance  of his duties for the Bank.  The automobile may be
the vehicle of the employees choice,  but in no circumstances can the total cost
exceed $25,000.00.

                  4. Term. The term of this  Agreement  shall be a period of two
(2) years  commencing  on May 1,  1995 (the  "Commencement  Date"),  subject  to
earlier  termination as provided  herein.  Beginning on the  twenty-third  month
following said Commencement Date, and annually thereafter,  this Agreement shall
be extended  for a period of one year,  unless  either the Bank or the  Employee
gives  contrary  written notice to the other not less than 90 days in advance of
the date on which this Agreement would otherwise be extended.  Reference  herein
to the term of this  Agreement  shall refer both to such  initial  term and such
extended terms.


                                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>




                  5. Vacation.  The Employee shall be entitled,  without loss of
pay, to absent himself  voluntarily from the performance of his employment under
this Agreement,  all such voluntary absences to count as vacation time, provided
that:

                     (a) The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to an  annual  paid
vacation of not less than  fifteen  (15)  business  days per year.  The Employee
shall be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Bank to its senior executive
officers.

                     (b)  In  addition  to the  aforesaid  paid  vacations,  the
Employee shall be entitled,  without loss of pay, to absent himself  voluntarily
from the performance of his employment with the Bank for such additional periods
of time and for such valid and  legitimate  reasons as the Board of Directors in
its discretion may determine.  Further, the Board of Directors shall be entitled
to grant to the  Employee  a leave or leaves of absence  with or without  pay at
such  time or times  and upon  such  terms  and  conditions  as the Board in its
discretion, may determine.

                  6.       Termination of Employment and Death.

                     (a) The Employee's  employment  under this Agreement may be
terminated at any time by the Board of Directors of the Bank. If the  employment
of the Employee is involuntarily  terminated for any reason,  the Bank shall pay
the Employee his salary through the remaining term of this  Agreement,  plus all
other amounts to which the Employee is entitled under the  compensation  plan of
the  Bank,  at the time  such  payments  are due.  The  terms  "termination"  or
"involuntarily  terminated" in this Agreement  shall refer to the termination of
the employment of Employee without his express written consent.  In no case will
the  compensation  to be paid due to  involuntary  termination  be less than the
balance owed under this contract plus  severance  equal to the than existing one
years  salary.  In no case  will  the  severance  payment  alone  be  less  than
$110,000.00.  A separate  severance  agreement  is to be executed  granting  the
employee  this  severance  the  larger  of the than  existing  annual  salary or
$110,000.00 if the employee is released for any reason either during the life of
this  contract  or at any  time  after  this  contract  may  expire.  In case of
involuntary  termination,  at the option of the employee, the Bank shall buy all
or any part of the stock of Holding  Co./Bank held by Employee  personally or in
Employee's  Individual Retirement Plan at the then book value or market value as
calculated by a qualified  disinterested  third party.  The bank will also honor
all options and warrants of the Employee or his Individual Retirement Plan.

                     In addition,  a material diminution of or interference with
the Employee's duties, responsibilities and benefits as President of the Holding
Co., or President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank subsidiaries  shall be
deemed and shall constitute an involuntary termination of employment to the same
extent as express notice of such involuntary termination.  By way of example and
not by way of  limitation,  any of the following  actions,  if  unreasonable  or
materially  adverse  to  the  Employee,  shall  constitute  such  diminution  or
interference  unless  consented to in writing by the Employee:  (1) reduction in
size or change in location of Employee's office; (2) reduction or adverse change
in scope or nature of  secretarial or other  administrative  support of Employee
(3) reduction or adverse change in decision-making  responsibilities or title of
Employee; (4) reduction in number or seniority of other Bank personnel

                                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>




reporting to Employee,  other than as part of a Bankwide  reduction in staff, or
reduction  in  frequency  with which,  or in nature of matters  with  respect to
which,  such personnel are to report to Employee;  (5) increase in the number of
or decrease in the seniority of the persons  (other than the Board of Directors)
to whom  Employee  must  report,  other  than as is normal and  customary  for a
President  of the Holding  Co., or President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of a
similarly situated bank subsidiary, or an increase in frequency of, or in nature
of matters  with respect to which,  such reports by Employee  shall be required;
(6) reduction or adverse change in the salary, perquisites, benefits, contingent
benefits or vacation time which had theretofore been provided to Employee, other
than as part of an overall program applied  uniformly and with equitable  effect
to all members of senior management of the Bank; (7) material increase in hours,
workload or responsibilities of Employee.

                     (b) The Employee's employment may be voluntarily terminated
by the Employee at any time upon 30 days written notice to the Bank or upon such
shorter  period as may be agreed  upon  between  the  Employee  and the Board of
Directors of the Bank.  In the event of such  voluntary  termination,  except as
provided in Section 8 below,  the Bank shall be obligated to continue to pay the
Employee his salary only through the date of termination, plus all other amounts
to which the Employee is entitled under any compensation plan of the Bank at the
time such payments are due, and the Bank shall have no further obligation to the
Employee under this Agreement.

                     (c) In the event of death of the  Employee  during the term
of this  Agreement,  the Employee's  estate,  or such person as the Employee may
have previously  designated in writing,  shall be entitled to receive the salary
due the Employee  through the last day of the calendar  month in which his death
shall have occurred, plus sixty days, and the term of the Agreement shall end on
such last day of compensation.

                     (d)  If  the  Employee  is  suspended  from  office  and/or
temporarily  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs
by a notice  served  under  Section  5(d) (4) (D) or Section 5(d) (55 (A) of the
Home  Owners'  Loan  Act (12  U.S.C.  1464(d)  (4) (D) and (d) (5) (A)) or under
Section  407(g) (4) or Section  407 (h) of the  National  Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1730(g)  (4) and (h)) the  Bank's  obligations  under  this  Agreement  shall be
suspended as of the date of service,  unless stayed by appropriate  proceedings.
If the charges in the notice are  dismissed,  the Bank may in its discretion (i)
pay the Employee all or part of the compensation  withheld while its obligations
under this  Agreement  were suspended and (ii) reinstate in whole or in part any
of the obligations which were suspended.

                     (e)  If  the  Employee  is  removed   from  office   and/or
permanently  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs
by an order  issued  under  Section  5(d) (4) (E) or Section 5(d) (5) (A) of the
Home  Owners'  Loan  Act (12  U.S.C.  1464(d)  (4) (E) and (d) (5) (A)) or under
Section  407(g) (5) or Section  407(h) of the  National  Housing  Act (12 U.S.C.
1730(g)  (5) and (h)) all  obligations  of the Bank under this  Agreement  shall
terminate,  as of the  effective  date of the order,  but  vested  rights of the
parties shall not be affected.


                                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>




                     (f) If the Bank  becomes in default  (as defined in Section
401(d) of the National Housing Act), all obligations  under this Agreement shall
terminate  as of the date of default,  but this  provision  shall not affect any
vested rights of the parties.

                     (g) All obligations  may be terminated:  (i) by the FDIC at
the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf
of the Bank under the  authority  contained  in Section  406(f) of the  National
Housing Act; or (ii) by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") at the time the
OTS approves a supervisory  merger to resolve  problems  related to operation of
the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the OTS to be in an unsafe or unsound
condition.  Any rights of the parties that have already vested,  however,  shall
not be affected by any such action.

                     The  FDIC  and OTS may be  succeeded  by  other  Government
Regulatory  Bodies in the  future.  This  section  6 (h)  pertains  to  whatever
regulatory  agency  is  governing  the bank at the time an  action  is taken and
pertains to new or changed authority  sections contained in the National Housing
Act.

                     (h) If the Bank shall fail to pay or provide for payment of
any amounts  required to be paid or provided for payment of any amounts required
to be paid or provided for hereunder at any time, the Employee shall be entitled
to consult with independent  counsel,  and the Bank agrees to pay the reasonable
fees and expenses of such counsel for the Employee in advising him in connection
therewith  or in bringing any  proceedings,  or in  defending  any  proceedings,
involving  the   Employee's   rights  under  this   Agreement,   such  right  to
reimbursement  to be  immediate  upon  presentment  by the  Employee  of written
billings for such reasonable  fees and expenses.  The Employee shall be entitled
to the prime rate of interest  established  from time to time at First  National
Bank of Maryland or its successor,  for payments of such expenses,  or any other
payments under this Agreement, that are overdue.

                  7.  Disability.  If the  Employee  shall  become  disabled  or
incapacitated to the extent that he is unable to perform the duties of President
of the  Holding  Co.,  or  President,  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the bank
subsidiaries,  he shall be entitled to receive  disability  benefits of the type
provided for other executive employees of the Bank. In such event, the rights of
the Employee to receive the salary stated in Section 2 hereof shall be suspended
until the Employee is able to resume his duties; provided, however, that if such
disability or incapacity  shall have  continued for a period of 180 days or more
or if a physician  attending  the Employee  shall have stated in writing that in
his professional opinion such disability or incapacity is likely to continue for
a period of 180 days or more  after such  opinion,  the Board of  Directors  may
terminate this Agreement and the term hereof and all obligations hereunder shall
cease upon the giving of written  notice of such  termination  to the  Employee,
except that the  Employee  shall be entitled to receive  disability  payments as
provided in the first sentence of this Section.

                  8. Change in  Control.  If a change in control of more than 50
per cent of any class of the  outstanding  common stock of the Bank takes place,
the Employee's employment is involuntarily terminated, and the Employee shall be
entitled to the benefits provided below:


                                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>




                     (A)  The  Bank  shall  pay  the   Employee  his  salary  in
accordance with Section 2 for the remaining term hereof,  plus all other amounts
to which the Employee is entitled  under any  compensation  plan of the Bank, at
the time such payments are due.

                  9. No  Mitigation.  The  Employee  shall  not be  required  to
mitigate  the amount of any salary or other  payment or benefit  provided for in
this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of
any  payment  or  benefit  provided  for in this  Agreement  be  reduced  by any
compensation  earned by the  Employee  as the  result of  employment  by another
employer, by retirement benefits after the date of termination or otherwise.

                     10. No Assignments.  (a) This Agreement is personal to each
of the  parties  hereto,  and neither  party may assign or  delegate  any of its
rights or obligations  hereunder  without first obtaining the written consent of
the other party; provided,  however, that the Bank will require any successor or
assign  (whether  direct or indirect,  by  purchase,  merger,  consolidation  or
otherwise)  to all or  substantially  all of the business  and/or  assets of the
Bank,  by an  assumption  agreement in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the
Employee,  to expressly  assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same
manner and to the same  extent  that the Bank would be required to perform it if
no such succession or assignment had taken place.  Failure of the Bank to obtain
such an assumption  agreement prior to the  effectiveness of any such succession
or assignment shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Employee
to  compensation  from the Bank in the same  amount and on the same terms as the
Termination  Payment pursuant to Section 8 hereof.  For purposes of implementing
the  provisions  of this Section  10(a),  the date on which any such  succession
becomes effective shall be deemed the date of termination.

                     (b) This Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee's  personal and
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees,  devisees  and  legatees.  If the  Employee  should  die while any
amounts  would still be payable to the  Employee  hereunder  if the Employee had
continued to live, all such amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance  with the terms of this Agreement to the Employee's  devisee,
legatee or other  designee or if there is no such  designee,  to the  Employee's
estate.

                  11. Notice.  For the purposes of this  Agreement,  notices and
all other  communication  provided for in the Agreement  shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given  when  personally  delivered  or sent by
certified  mail,  return receipt  requested  postage  prepaid,  addressed to the
respective  addresses  set forth on the first page of this  Agreement  (provided
that all notices to the Bank shall be directed to the  attention of the Board of
Directors  of the Bank with a copy to the  Secretary  of the  Bank),  or to such
other  address  as either  party may have  furnished  to the other in writing in
accordance herewith.

                  12.  Amendments.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement
shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties,  except as herein
otherwise provided.


                                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>




                  13. Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph  headings used in this
Agreement are included solely for  convenience and shall not affect,  or be used
in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

                  14.  Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement  shall be
deemed severable and the invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

                  15.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the
laws of the United States and of the State of Maryland.

                  16.  Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or
in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in
accordance  with  the  rules of the  American  Arbitration  Association  then in
effect.  Judgment may be entered on the  arbitrator's  award in any court having
jurisdiction.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.

                                      First Mariner Bancorp and
                                      First Mariner Rank


                                       By
                                                 Edwin F. Hale,
                                                 Chairman of the Board


                                    EMPLOYEE

                                                /s/ George H. Mantakos
                                                George H. Mantakos


                                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>






                                  Exhibit 10.3

                                    L E A S E


         THIS LEASE,  made as of the 1st day of  September,  1996,  between HALE
INTERMODAL TRUCKING CO., (hereinafter called "Lessor"),  and FIRST MARINER BANK,
a Maryland banking corporation (hereinafter called "Lessee").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         That for and in  consideration of the payment by Lessee of the rent and
other  charges  hereinafter  reserved  and  the  performance  by  Lessee  of the
covenants and agreements  hereinafter  agreed to be performed by Lessee,  and in
accordance with all of the provisions  hereinafter set forth, Lessor does hereby
let and demise unto Lessee and Lessee does hereby take and hire from Lessor, the
following described real property (hereinafter called "Leased Premises"):

         Third Floor,  (less  portion now occupied by Lessor) plus branch office
         on first  floor  with  drive-thru  and five  exclusive  parking  spaces
         located at 1801 S. Clinton Street Baltimore Maryland 21224.

(the Leased  Premises  are more  particularly  described or shown on Exhibit "A"
attached  hereto and made a part hereof)  together with the land and any parking
areas,  walkways,  landscaped areas, piers, fixtures and equipment servicing the
real property and located thereon and therein and with all the rights, easements
and appurtenances  thereto or therewith usually held and enjoyed,  for a term of
five (5) years beginning September 1, 1996 (the "Commencement  Date") and ending
August 31,  2001 at a rent of Two Hundred  Twelve  Thousand  Six Hundred  Eighty
Eight Dollars  ($212,688)  per year, in equal monthly  installment  of Seventeen
Thousand  Seven Hundred  Twenty Four Dollars  ($17,724.00)  in advance,  without
notice,  on or before the first day of each month  during the term of this Lease
(3rd floor, 1801 S. Clinton Street  $14,808.00),  Canton Branch, 1801 S. Clinton
Street $2,916.00).

         This  Lease  is made  upon  the  foregoing  and  following  agreements,
covenants, and conditions, all and every one of which Lessor and Lessee agree to
keep and perform:

1.       USE OF LEASED PREMISES:

         Lessee will use and occupy the Leased  Premises for its General Office,
retail  banking and any ancillary  purpose.  Lessee will comply with any and all
laws,  ordinances,  rules, orders, and regulations of any governmental authority
which are applicable to the conduct of Lessee's business on the Leased Premises;
provided,  however that Lessee shall not hereby be under any  obligation to make
any  structural  changes in or alterations  to the Leased  Premises  without the
prior written consent of Lessor.



<PAGE>






         Lessor hereby  warrants that the Leased Premises are in compliance with
all  applicable  laws,   ordinances,   rules,  orders  and  regulations  of  any
governmental  authority  or  regulatory  body with  jurisdiction  thereof or any
applicable insurance rating agency and that there is no asbestos in the Building
or the Leased Premises.

2.       TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS:

         Lessor  shall  pay,  prior  to  delinquency,   all  real  estate  taxes
assessments and charges which are levied,  imposed,  or assessed upon or against
the Leased Premises. If Lessor shall fail to pay any such taxes,  assessments or
charges prior to delinquency, Lessee shall have the right to pay same and to add
to any rent which may then or thereafter  be due all amounts  expended by Lessor
in making such payment.

3.       UTILITY CHARGES AND SERVICES:

         Lessor shall pay for utility services for sewage disposal, electricity,
water, gas or other fuel required to operate and maintain the Leased Premises.

         Lessee shall pay to Lessor all charges for sewage disposal,  janitorial
services,  water and gas or other fuel  consumed by it upon the Leased  Premises
which are separately metered.  Lessor shall be responsible to provide or arrange
for the installation and maintenance of such separate meters to the extent it so
desires or is practical.

4.       INSURANCE:

         (a) Lessor shall procure and maintain all insurance  which Lessor deems
necessary for Lessor's  protection against loss or damage to the Leased Premises
including loss by fire or other hazard or any other property of Lessor  situated
thereon.

         (b) Lessee shall procure and maintain all insurance  which Lessee deems
necessary  for its  protection  against loss of or damage to any of its personal
property situated in the Leased Premises.

         (c) Nothing contained in the Lease shall be construed to require either
party to repair,  replace,  reconstruct,  or pay for any  property  of the other
party which may be damaged or destroyed by fire, flood,  windstorm,  earthquake,
strikes,  riots,  civil commotions,  acts of public enemy, acts of God, or other
casualty, and each party hereby waives, on behalf of each and their insurer, all
rights  of  subrogation  and  claims  against  the  other for all loss or damage
arising out of perils  normally  insured  against by standard  fire and extended
coverage insurance.

5.       MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:

         (a) Except  for such  maintenance,  repairs,  and  replacements  as are
necessitated  by the  negligence  of Lessee,  Lessor  shall  perform any and all
alterations,  maintenance,  repairs, and replacements which may be necessary, or
required by any law, order or other regulation of any


                                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>






governmental  authority,  to maintain the Leased Premises and Lessor's  fixtures
and equipment located thereon in good, safe and tenantable conditions.

         (b) Lessor shall have the right to enter upon the Leased  Premises from
time to time during  regular  business hours in order to inspect the same and to
perform any maintenance,  repairs, and replacements which it is required to make
under the  provisions  of this Lease,  but this right shall be exercised in such
manner  as to not  interfere  with  Lessee's  use and  enjoyment  of the  Leased
Premises,  and shall be subject to any and all laws,  orders,  or regulations of
the United States Government,  the State of Maryland or any department or agency
thereof, which may at any time apply to Lessee's use of the Leased Premises.

         (c) Lessor  shall  maintain and keep in good repair and  condition  the
exterior and structural elements of the Leased Premises,  including the roof and
structure and the electrical, air conditioning,  heating and plumbing systems on
the Leased Premises, except for such maintenance,  repairs and replacements,  as
are  necessitated  by  the  negligence  of  Lessee,  its  servants,  agents,  or
employees.  Lessor shall perform any and all alterations,  maintenance,  repairs
and  replacements,  which may be necessary  to maintain the Leased  Premises and
Lessee's fixtures and equipment in good, safe and tenantable  condition.  Lessor
shall be  responsible  for snow removal of the Leased  Premises and  maintaining
adequate outside lighting.

6.       DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES:

         (a) If, during the term of this Lease,  the Leased  Premises is damaged
by fire, flood,  windstorm,  strikes,  riots,  civil commotions,  acts of public
enemy,  acts of God or other casualty so that the same are rendered wholly unfit
for occupancy,  and if said Leased Premises cannot be repaired within sixty (60)
days from the time of such damage,  then this Lease,  at the option of Lessee or
Lessor,  may be  terminated  as of the  date of such  damage  and any  insurance
proceeds  shall be paid to Lessor.  In the event Lessee elects to terminate this
Lease, the Lessee shall pay the rent apportioned to the time of damage and shall
immediately  surrender  the  Leased  Premises  to Lessor  who may enter upon and
repossess  the same and Lessee  shall be  relieved  from any  further  liability
hereunder.  If the Lessee does not elect to terminate the Lease or if any damage
by any of the above casualties,  rendering the Leased Premises wholly unfit, can
be repaired  within one hundred twenty (120) days  thereafter,  Lessor agrees to
repair such damage  promptly  and this Lease shall not be affected in any manner
except  that the rent shall be  suspended  and shall not accrue from the date of
such damage until such repairs have been completed.

         (b) If said Leased Premises shall be so slightly  damaged by any of the
above casualties as not to be rendered wholly unfit for occupancy,  Lessor shall
repair the Leased Premises  promptly and during the period from the date of such
damage  until the repairs are  completed  the rent shall be  apportioned  so the
Lessee  shall pay as rent an amount  which  bears the same  ratio to the  entire
monthly  rent as the  portion of the  Leased  Premises  which  Lessee is able to
occupy  without  disturbance  during  such  period  bears to the  entire  Leased
Premises.



                                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>






         (c) If the  damage by any of the  above  casualties  is so slight  that
Lessee is not  disturbed  in Lessee's  possession  and  enjoyment  of the Leased
Premises,  then Lessor shall repair the same  promptly and in that case the rent
and other charges accrued or accruing shall not abate.

7.       ACTION OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES:

         In the event that any  exercise  of the power of eminent  domain by any
governmental  authority,  Federal,  State, County or Municipal,  or by any other
party  vested by law with such power shall at any time  prevent the full use and
enjoyment of the Leased Premises by Lessee for the purposes set forth in Section
1, Lessee shall have the right  thereupon to terminate this Lease.  In the event
of such action both  Lessor and Lessee  shall have the right to claim,  recover,
and retain from the governmental authority or other party taking such action the
damages suffered by them respectively as a result of such action.

8.       IMPROVEMENTS BY LESSEE:

         Lessee  shall have the right to make such  alterations,  additions,  or
improvements  in or to the Leased  Premises as it shall  consider  necessary  or
desirable  for the  conduct of its  business,  subject to  approval of Lessor in
advance which approval shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed,  provided
that all such work is done in a good and workmanlike  manner, and the structural
integrity of any building shall not be impaired,  and that no liens shall attach
to the Leased  Premises by reason  thereof.  Upon the  termination of this Lease
such alterations, additions, or improvements shall, at the option of the Lessee,
(1) become the property of Lessor, or (2) be removed by the Lessee provided that
any part of the Leased Premises affected by such removal shall be restore to its
original condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

9.       IMPROVEMENTS BY LESSOR: Intentionally omitted.

10.      FIXTURES AND SIGNS:

         (a)  Lessee  shall  have the right to install in or place on the Leased
Premises such fixtures,  machines,  tools, or other equipment (including but not
limited  to  trade  fixtures,   lighting  fixtures,   water  coolers,   and  air
conditioning  equipment) as it may choose.  Such fixtures,  machines,  tools, or
other  equipment  shall at all times  remain  the  personal  property  of Lessee
regardless of the manner or degree of attachment thereof to the premises and may
be removed at any time by Lessee  whether  at the  termination  of this Lease or
otherwise,  provided,  however, that Lessee shall make reasonable restoration of
the Leased Premises in the event that any substantial  damage is done thereto in
the removal of such property

         (b)  Lessee  shall  have the right to  install  or erect on the  Leased
Premises or affix to the Building which is a part of the Leased  Premises,  such
signs as it may deem necessary of appropriate to advertise its name and business
subject to prior  approval of Lessor  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld or delayed.


                                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>







11.      LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY:

         (a) Except as otherwise  provided in Section 4(c)  (Insurance)  herein,
Lessee shall be liable for any injury to or death of persons and for any loss of
or damage to property  caused by the negligent  acts or omissions of its agents,
employees,   or  invitees,   or  caused  by  Lessee's  failure  to  perform  the
maintenance,  repairs, and replacements required to be performed by it under the
provisions  of Section 5  (Maintenance  and  Repairs)  or to  perform  any other
obligation  of Lessee under this lease.  Lessee shall  indemnify and save Lessor
harmless against any and all liabilities,  claims, demands,  actions, costs, and
expenses  which may be  sustained  by Lessor by reason of any of the  causes for
which Lessee is liable pursuant to this subsection (a).

         (b) Except as otherwise  provided in Section 4 (c) (Insurance)  herein,
Lessor shall be liable for any injury to or death of persons and for any loss of
or damage to property  caused by the  negligent  acts or omission of its agents,
employees or invitees, or caused by Lessor's failure to perform the maintenance,
repairs, and replacements required to be performed by it under the provisions of
Section 5 (Maintenance and Repairs) or to perform any other obligation of Lessor
under this lease.  Lessor shall indemnify and save Lessee  harmless  against any
and all liabilities,  claims, demands, actions, costs, and expenses which may be
sustained  by Lessee by reason of any of the causes  for which  Lessor is liable
pursuant to this subsection (b).

12.      DEFAULT:

         (a) If Lessee shall fail to pay any rent to Lessor when the same is due
and payable under the terms of this Lease and such default shall  continue for a
period of ten (10) days after written notice thereof has been given to Lessee by
Lessor,  or if the Lessee  shall fail to  perform  any other duty or  obligation
imposed  upon it by this Lease and such default  shall  continue for a period of
thirty  (30) days  after  written  notice  thereof  has been  given to Lessee by
Lessor,  and Lessee has not  commenced  diligently  to correct  such default and
thereafter has not diligently  pursued such correction to completion,  or if the
Lessee shall be adjudged  bankrupt,  or shall make a general  assignment for the
benefit of its creditors,  or if a receiver of any property of Lessee in or upon
the Leased  Premises be appointed  in any actions,  suit,  or  proceeding  by or
against  Lessee and such  appointment  shall not be vacated or  annulled  within
sixty (60) days,  or if the interest of Lessee in the Leased  Premises  shall be
sold under  execution or other legal process,  then and in any such event Lessor
shall have the right to enter upon the premises and again have,  repossess,  and
enjoy the same as it this  Lease had not been  made,  and  thereupon  this Lease
shall terminate without  prejudice,  however,  to the right of Lessor to recover
from  Lessee  all rent due and  unpaid up to the time of such  re-entry.  In the
event of any such default and reentry,  Lessor shall have the right to relet the
Leased Premises for the remainder of the then existing term whether such term be
the initial term of this Lease or any renewed or extended  term, for the highest
rent then obtainable, and to recover from Lessee the difference between the rent
reserved by this Lease and the amount  obtained  through such reletting plus the
costs and  expenses  reasonable  incurred  by Lessor  in such  reletting  and in
addition  thereto Lessor shall have all rights and remedies  available to Lessor
under applicable Law.


                                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>







         (b) If Lessor shall fail to perform any duty or obligation imposed upon
it by this Lease and such  default  shall  continue  for a period of thirty (30)
days after  written  notice  thereof has been given by Lessee,  (or such shorter
period as is reasonable in case of emergency or other  circumstances),  provided
that if such default cannot be reasonably  corrected within thirty (30) days and
Lessor has not commenced  diligently to correct such default  within such thirty
(30) day period and  thereafter has not  diligently  pursued such  correction to
completion,  then and in such event  Lessee may, at its option,  terminate  this
Lease without  prejudice to its right to recover  appropriate  damages or pursue
any other remedy  available  at law or equity.  Upon  termination  of this Lease
pursuant to this provision,  all obligations of Lessee arising under this lease,
including payment of rent, shall cease.

13.      ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING:

         Lessee  shall  have the  right to assign  the  Lease or to  sublet  the
Premises or any part thereof with the consent of Lessor which  consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided,  however, that no such assignment
or  subletting  shall  relieve  Lessee from its duty to perform fully all of the
agreements,  covenants, and conditions set forth in this lease.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  Lessee may, without Lessor's  consent,  permit any affiliates of
Lessee to use any portion of the Leased Premises.

14.      HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

         Lessee,  at its sole cost and  expense,  may at its  option  conduct an
environmental assessment of the Leased Premises prior to occupying the building.
In the event that any oil,  pollutant,  toxic,  or hazardous  substance or other
substances or wastes of any kind including,  but not limited to, hazardous waste
as that term is defined in the Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or
hazardous  substance as that term is defined in the Comprehensive  Environmental
Response  as that term is defined in the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response
Compensation  and Liability Act (CERCLA),  are found, or suspected to be present
of or near  the  Leased  Premises,  Lessee  shall  have the  right,  at its sole
discretion,  to cancel and terminal this Lease by giving  written notice thereof
to the Lessor.

         Lessor shall  indemnify and hold  harmless  Lessee from and against any
claims,  demands, or losses resulting from or arising out of the presence of any
hazardous substance, oil or petroleum product or residue, or any other substance
or  material  actionable  under  federal,  state or  local  law,  regulation  or
ordinance,  present  on,  in or under  the  Leased  Premises  prior to  Lessee's
occupancy.

15.      TITLE:

         Lessor  covenants  and  warrants  that it has lawful title and right to
make this Lease,  that it will maintain Lessee in full and exclusive  possession
of the Leased Premises and that, if Lessee shall pay the rent and perform all of
the agreements, covenants required by this Lease to be


                                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>






performed by it, Lessee may freely,  peaceable and quietly  occupy and enjoy the
Leased Premises  without  molestation or hindrance,  lawful or unlawful,  of any
person whomsoever.

16.      RENEWAL AND EXTENSION:

         Lessee  shall have the option to renew and extend the term of the Lease
for a period of five (5) years  beginning  upon the  expiration  of the  initial
term, provided that Lessee, at lease ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of
the initial term,  give Lessor  written notice of its intention to exercise such
option.

         Any such renewed and  extended  term shall be at the annual rent of Two
Hundred Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars ($212,688).  The Lessee
shall pay an additional amount of rent in each lease year other than the initial
term of this lease  determined as follows:  Index shall mean the Consumer  Price
Index 13 for U.S. City Average All Urban Consumers Revised (1967-100), published
by the Bureau of Labor  Statistics of the United States  Department of Labor. If
the Index for the calendar month immediately preceding that during which a lease
year commences (hereinafter referred to as the "Latest Index") exceeds the Index
for  the  calendar  month  containing  the  commencement   date  of  this  Lease
(hereinafter  referred to as the "Base Index"),  then the additional  rental for
such lease year shall be that figure  obtained by multiplying  the Basic Rent by
that fraction having the Latest Index minus the Base Index as its numerator, and
having the Base Index as its denominator. See Rider A for annual cap.

               Basic Rent x (Latest Index - Base Index) = Additional Rent
                                   Base Index

Such  additional  amount  shall be divided  and paid  together  with the monthly
payment of Basic Rent in twelve  (12) equal  monthly  installments  during  such
respective lease year in advance on the first day of each month. If the Index is
not so published  for such  calendar  month,  then the Index for the most recent
calendar  month or other period for which it is so published  shall be used, and
if the Index hereafter uses a different  standard reference base or is otherwise
revised,  an adjustment  shall be made therein for purposes of the provisions of
this  Lease,  using such  conversion  factor,  formula or table for making  such
adjustments  as is published by such Bureau,  or if such Bureau does not publish
the same,  then as  published  by  Prentice-Hall,  Inc.  the Bureau of  National
Affairs,  Commerce Clearing House, or any other nationally  recognized publisher
of similar statistical information, as selected by Lessor. In no event shall the
annual rent be less than the previous year's Basic Rent.

17.      SURRENDER:

         When the Lease shall  terminate in  accordance  with the terms  hereof,
Lessee shall  quietly and  peaceable  deliver up  possession  to Lessor  without
notice from Lessor other than as may be  specifically  required by any provision
of this Lease.  Lessor and Lessee expressly waive the benefit of all laws now or
hereafter in force requiring notice for either party with respect to


                                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>






termination.  Lessee shall deliver up  possession  of the Leased  Premises in as
good order,  repair,  and  condition as the same are in at the  beginning of the
term of this Lease  except for  reasonable  wear and tear and loss,  damage,  or
destruction caused by fire, flood, windstorm,  earthquake, strikes, riots, civil
commotions,  acts of public enemy, acts of God, or other casualty,  or caused by
negligence of Lessor, its agents, employees or invitees.

18.      NOTICES:

         (a) Any notice or demand  required by the provisions of the Lease to be
given to  Lessor  shall be  deemed  to have  been  given  adequately  if sent by
Registered  or  Certified  Mail,  Return  Receipt  Requested,  to  Lessor at the
following address:

                                    c/o Harry E. Lipsitz
                                    1801 S. Clinton Street
                                    Baltimore, Maryland 21224-5800

         (b) Any notice or demand required by the provisions of this Lease to be
given to  Lessee  shall be  deemed  to have  been  given  adequately  if sent by
Registered  or  Certified  Mail,  Return  Receipt  Requested,  to  Lessee at the
following address:

                                    1801 S. Clinton Street
                                    Baltimore, Maryland 21224-5800
                                    Attn:  General Counsel

         (c) Either  party  shall have the right to change its  address as above
designated  by  giving  to the  other  party  fifteen  (15)  days  notice of its
intention to make such change and of the substituted address at which any notice
or demand may be directed to it.

19.      SUBORDINATION/NON-DISTURBANCE:

         Lessee  agrees that the Lease  shall be  subordinate  to any  mortgage,
trust deed or ground  Lease that is now on or may  hereafter  be placed upon the
demised premises and to any and all advances to be made  thereunder,  and to the
interest  thereon,  and  all  renewals,  replacements  and  extensions  thereof,
provided  that the rights of Lessee as set forth herein shall not be affected in
the event of  foreclosure  or sale  resulting in lieu or as a result  thereof so
long as Lessee is not in default under the terms hereof. If there is a mortgage,
trust deed or ground  Lease  already  filed or in effect as of the  execution of
this  lease,  Lessor  hereby  covenants  and agrees to secure a  non-disturbance
agreement from the applicable mortgagees(s),  trustee(s) or ground lessor(s) who
has a superior claim to the Leased Premises and the real property of which it is
a part in a form  reasonably  satisfactory  to Lessee.  Failure  top secure such
non-disturbance  agreement within thirty (30) days of execution thereof shall be
grounds for Lessee to, at its option,  declare this Lease null and void.  In the
event of any mortgagee or trustee electing to have within the Lease a prior lien
to its mortgage or deed of trust, then and in such event, upon such mortgage or


                                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>






trustee notifying Lessee to the effect, this Lease shall be deemed prior in lien
to said  mortgage  or trust  deed,  whether  this  Lease  is  dated  prior to or
subsequent to the date of said mortgage or trust deed.

20.      CHANGES, MODIFICATIONS OR AMENDMENTS:

         This agreement may not be changed,  modified,  discharged or terminated
orally  or in any  other  manner  than by an  agreement  mutually  signed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns.

21.      COVENANTS TO BIND RESPECTIVE PARTIES:

         The  Lease,  and  all  of the  agreements,  covenants,  and  conditions
contained  herein  shall be  binding  upon  Lessor  and  Lessee  and upon  their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

22.      TERMINATION RIGHT:

         Notwithstanding  any other  provisions  contained in this Lease, in the
event the Lessee is closed or taken over by the banking authority,  of the State
of Maryland, or other bank supervisory  authority,  the Lessor may terminate the
Lease  only  with the  concurrence  of such  -banking  authority  or other  bank
supervisory  authority  and any  such  authority  shall  in any  event  have the
election  either to continue or to terminate the Lessee;  provided,  that in the
event this  Lease is  terminated,  the  maximum  claim of Lessor for  damages or
indemnity  for the injury  resulting  from the rejection or  abandonment  of the
unexpired term of the Lease shall in no event be in an amount exceeding the rent
reserved by the Lease,  without  acceleration,  for the year next succeeding the
date of the  surrender  of the Leased  Premises  to the  Lessor,  or the date of
re-entry of the Lessor.

23.      WHOLE AGREEMENT:

         The whole and  entire  agreement  of the  parties  is set forth in this
Agreement  and the parties are not bound by any  agreements,  understandings  or
conditions otherwise than as expressly set forth and stipulated hereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  LESSOR and LESSEE have caused these presents to be
executed by their duly  authorized  officers  and have caused  their  respective
corporate  seals to be hereto  affixed,  all as of the day and year first  above
written.

ATTEST:                               HALE INTERMODAL TRUCKING CO., a
                                      Maryland corporation




                                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>






                                                                          (SEAL)
                                      NAME
                                      TITLE


ATTEST:                                  FIRST MARINER BANK,
                                         a Maryland banking corporation

                                                                          (SEAL)
                                      NAME
                                      TITLE




                                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit 10.4

                                    L E A S E


         THIS LEASE, made this 1 day of March, 1996, between MARS SUPER MARKETS,
INC.  (hereinafter called "Lessor"),  and FIRST MARINER BANK, a Maryland banking
Corporation (hereinafter called "Lessee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         That for and in  consideration of the payment by Lessee of the rent and
other  charges  hereinafter  reserved  and  the  performance  by  Lessee  of the
covenants and agreements  hereinafter  agreed to be performed by Lessee,  and in
accordance with all of the provisions  hereinafter set forth, Lessor does hereby
demise to Lessee and Lessee does hereby  lease from Lessor,  approximately  four
hundred  (400) square feet of usable space in Lessor's  facility  located at the
property  more  particularly  described in Exhibit A attached  hereto and made a
part hereof  together  with the premises  being  occupied by Lessee,  (hereafter
called "Leased Premises"),  together with the right to use in common with others
the land  and any  parking  areas,  walkways,  landscaped  areas,  fixtures  and
equipment  servicing  the real  property  and  located  thereon and with all the
rights,  easements  and  appurtenances  thereto or  therewith  usually  held and
enjoyed,  for a term of five (5) years  beginning with the  "Commencement  Date"
contained  in  Exhibit  B at a  basic  rent  of  Thirty  Five  Thousand  Dollars
($35,000.00) per year payable in equal monthly installments of Two Thousand Nine
Hundred  Sixteen Dollars and Sixty Seven Cents  ($2,916.67) in advance,  without
notice,  on or before the first day of each month during the term of this lease.
Lessee shall have no additional  obligation  to pay any common area  maintenance
charges,  percentage  rents,  or any other amounts in addition to basic rent and
yearly contributions discussed in Section 3 below.

         This  Lease is made  upon the  following  terms and  conditions,  which
Lessor and Lessee agree to keep and perform:

         1.       USE OF LEASED PREMISES:

                  Lessee will use and occupy the Leased Premises for its general
office,  retail banking and any ancillary  purpose.  Lessee will comply with any
and all laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders,  and regulations of any governmental
authority which are applicable to the conduct of Lessee's business on the Leased
Premises.  It is  understood  and agreed by the parties that all new bank branch
locations  are subject to approval by  applicable  regulatory  agencies.  Lessor
warrants that the Leased Premises and the proposed use thereof are in compliance
with all  applicable  laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders and  regulations of any
governmental  authority  or  regulatory  body with  jurisdiction  thereof or any
applicable insurance rating agency and that there is no asbestos in the Building
or the Leased  Premises.  The Leased Premises are being turned over to Lessee in
an "AS IS" and  "WHERE  IS"  condition.  All  ingress  and  egress to the Leased
Premises shall be through


<PAGE>






Lessor's space only. Lessee agrees that it shall remain open for business during
those hours as more fully set forth in Exhibit C attached herewith.

         Notwithstanding  any other  provisions  contained in this lease, in the
event the Lessee is closed or taken over by the banking authority,  of the State
of Maryland, or other bank supervisory  authority,  the Lessor may terminate the
lease  only  with the  concurrence  of such  banking  authority  or  other  bank
supervisory  authority  and any  such  authority  shall  in any  event  have the
election  either to continue or to terminate  the lease:  Provided,  that in the
event this  lease is  terminated,  the  maximum  claim of Lessor for  damages or
indemnity  for the injury  resulting  from the rejection or  abandonment  of the
unexpired term of the lease shall in no event be in an amount exceeding the rent
reserved by the lease,  without  acceleration,  for the year next succeeding the
date of the  surrender of the premises to the Lessor,  or the date of reentry of
the Lessor,  whichever occurs,  whether before or after the closing of the bank,
plus an amount equal to the unpaid rent accrued, without acceleration up to such
date.

         2.       IMPROVEMENTS BY LESSEE:

                  Lessee  shall  have the right at its sole cost and  expense to
make such alterations,  additions,  or improvements in or to the Leased Premises
as it shall  consider  necessary or desirable  for the conduct of its  business,
subject to the express written consent of Lessor in advance which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed,  provided that all such work is done in
a good and  workmanlike  manner,  and the  structural  integrity of any building
shall not be impaired,  and that no liens shall  attach to the Leased  Premises.
Lessee shall take all necessary  steps not to interfere with Lessor's  business,
including, if necessary,  encapsulation of the work area. If improvements are to
be constructed by the Lessor based upon Lessee's  plans,  Lessee shall be billed
at cost plus fifteen (15) percent. The cost of construction shall be approved in
writing in  advance by Lessee.  Lessee  shall  have  access to the  interior  of
Lessor's store during construction of the Leased Premises.

         Upon the  termination  of this Lease such  alterations,  additions,  or
improvements  shall,  at the option of the Lessee  (1)  become the  property  of
Lessor,  or (2) be removed by the  Lessee  provided  that any part of the Leased
Premises  affected by such removal shall be restored to its original  condition,
reasonable wear and tear and casualty excepted.

         3.       TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS. AND UTILITY CHARGES AND SERVICES:

                  Lessor   shall  pay,  in  addition  to  basic  rent  a  yearly
contribution of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) toward the payment
of real estate taxes and  assessments,  as well as  utilities,  in the event the
Leased Premises are not separately metered for utilities. In the event, however,
the said  Premises are  separately  metered,  the yearly  contribution  shall be
reduced to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Payments shall be made on the basis
of one-twelfth  (l/12) per month.  Said yearly  contribution  shall be paid on a
monthly basis  together with basic rent.  Lessor shall be responsible to provide
or arrange for the  installation  and maintenance of such separate meters to the
extent it so desires or is practical.

                                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>







         4.       INSURANCE:

                  (a) Lessor shall procure and maintain all insurance, including
sufficient  liability  coverage,  which  Lessor  deems  necessary  for  Lessor's
protection  against loss or damage to the Leased  Premises or any other property
of Lessor situated thereon.

                  (b) Lessee shall procure and maintain  liability  insurance as
well as such other  coverages  which Lessee deems  necessary for its  protection
against  loss of or injury or damage to any persons or property  situated in the
branch bank area which constitutes the Leased Premises.

                  (c)  Nothing  contained  in the Lease  shall be  construed  to
require either party to repair, replace, reconstruct, or pay for any property of
the other party which may be damaged or  destroyed  by fire,  flood,  windstorm,
earthquake, strikes, riots, civil commotions, acts of public enemy, acts of God,
or other  casualty  and each party  hereby  waives,  on behalf of itself and its
insurer,  all rights of subrogation and claims against the other for all loss or
damage  arising out of perils  normally  insured  against by  standard  fire and
extended coverage insurance.

         5.       MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:

                  (a) Except for such maintenance,  repairs, and replacements as
are  necessitated by the negligence of Lessor,  Lessee shall perform any and all
alterations,  maintenance,  repairs and replacements which may be necessary,  or
required by any law, order or other regulation of any governmental authority, to
maintain the Lessee's  fixtures and equipment  located thereon in good, safe and
tenantable  condition.  Lessee shall also be solely responsible for the security
of the Leased Premises.

                  (b)  Lessor  shall  have the  right to enter  upon the  Leased
Premises from time to time during regular business hours in order to inspect the
same and to perform  any  maintenance,  repairs,  and  replacements  which it is
required to make under the  provisions  of this  Lease,  but this right shall be
exercised in such manner as to not interfere  with Lessee's use and enjoyment of
the Leased Premises, and shall be subject to Lessee's security procedures and to
any and all laws,  orders,  or  regulations of the United States or the State of
Maryland or any department or agency thereof having jurisdiction over Lessee.

                  (c)  Lessor  shall  maintain  and  keep  in  good  repair  and
condition the exterior and structural elements of the Leased Premises, including
the roof  and  structure  and the  electrical,  air  conditioning,  heating  and
plumbing systems in the Leased Premises,  except for such maintenance,  repairs,
and replacements as are required by subsection (a) of this section to be made by
Lessee or necessitated  by the negligence of Lessor,  its servants,  agents,  or
employees.  Lessor shall perform any and all alterations,  maintenance,  repairs
and  replacements,  which may be necessary  to maintain  the Leased  Premises in
good,  safe, and  tenantable  condition.  Lessor shall be  responsible  for snow
removal of the Leased  Premises,  the parking lots and sidewalks  serving it and
maintaining adequate outside lighting.

                                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>







         6.       DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES:

                  (a) If, during the term of this Lease,  the Leased Premises is
damaged by fire, flood,  windstorm,  strikes,  riots,  civil commotion,  acts of
public enemy, acts of God or other casualty so that the same are rendered wholly
unfit for occupancy, and if said Leased Premises cannot be repaired within sixty
(60) days from the time of such damage, then this Lease, at the option of Lessee
or Lessor may be  terminated  as of the date of such  damage  and any  insurance
proceeds  shall be paid to Lessor.  In the event Lessee elects to terminate this
Lease, the Lessee shall pay the rent apportioned to the time of damage and shall
immediately  surrender  the  Leased  Premises  to Lessor  who may enter upon and
repossess  the same and Lessee  shall be  relieved  from any  further  liability
hereunder.  If the Lessee does not elect to terminate the Lease or if any damage
by any of the above casualties,  rendering the Leased Premises wholly unfit, can
be  repaired  within  one  hundred  (120)  days  thereafter,  Lessor  agrees  to
repair such  damage  promptly and this Lease shall not be affected in any manner
except  that the rent shall be  suspended  and shall not accrue from the date of
such damage until such repairs have been completed.

                  (b) If said Leased  Premises  shall be so slightly  damaged by
any of the above  casualties as not to be rendered  wholly unfit for  occupancy,
Lessee shall repair the Leased Premises  promptly and during the period from the
date  of such  damage  until  the  repairs  are  completed  the  rent  shall  be
apportioned so the Lessee shall pay as rent an amount which bears the same ratio
to the entire monthly rent as the portion of the Leased Premises which Lessee is
able to occupy without disturbance during such period bears to the entire Leased
Premises.

                  (c) If the damage by any of the above  casualties is so slight
that Lessee is not disturbed in Lessee's  possession and enjoyment of the Leased
Premises,  then Lessee shall repair the same  promptly and in that case the rent
and other charges accrued or accruing shall not abate.

         7.       ACTION OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES:

                  In the event that any exercise of the power of eminent  domain
by any governmental authority,  Federal, State, or County, or by any other party
vested  by law  with  such  power  shall at any  time  prevent  the full use and
enjoyment of the Leased  Premises by Lessee for the purpose set forth in Section
1, Lessee shall have the right  thereupon to terminate this Lease.  In the event
of such action both  Lessor and Lessee  shall have the right to claim,  recover,
and retain from the governmental authority or other party taking such action the
damages suffered by them respectively as a result of such action.

         8.       FIXTURES AND SIGNS:

                  (a) Lessee  shall have the right to install in or place on the
Leased  Premises  such  fixtures,   machines,   furniture,  or  other  equipment
(including but not limited to trade fixtures,  lighting fixtures, water coolers,
etc.) as it may choose, which shall at all times remain the personal property of
Lessee regardless of the manner or degree of attachment  thereof to the premises
and may be removed at anytime by Lessee whether at the termination of this Lease
or

                                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>






otherwise,  provided,  however, that Lessee shall make reasonable restoration of
the Leased Premises in the event that any substantial  damage is done thereto in
the removal of such property.

                  (b)  Lessee  shall  have the right to  install or erect on the
Leased Premises or affix to the exterior  building  structure which is a part of
the Leased  Premises,  such signs as it may deem  necessary  or  appropriate  to
advertise its name and business subject to the express prior written approval of
Lessor which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. However, any
signage  placed on the exterior of the building must also be in conformity  with
the master lease.

         9.       DEFAULT:

                  (a) If Lessee  shall  fail to pay any rent to Lessor  when the
same is due and  payable  under the terms of this Lease and such  default  shall
continue  for a period of five (5) days after  written  notice  thereof has been
given to Lessee by Lessor, or if the Lessee shall fail to perform any other duty
or obligation  imposed upon it by this Lease and such default shall continue for
a period of thirty  (30) days after  written  notice  thereof  has been given to
Lessee by Lessor,  and  Lessee  has not  commenced  diligently  to correct  such
default and thereafter has not diligently pursued such correction to completion,
or if the Lessee shall be adjudged bankrupt,  or shall make a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors,  or if a receiver of any property or Lessee in
or upon the Leased Premises be appointed in any actions,  suit, or proceeding by
or against Lessee and such  appointment  shall not be vacated or annulled within
sixty (60) days,  or if the interest of Lessee in the Leased  Premises  shall be
sold under  execution or other legal process,  then and in any such event Lessor
shall have the right to enter upon the premises and again have,  repossess,  and
enjoy the same as if this  Lease had not been  made,  and  thereupon  this Lease
shall terminate without  prejudice,  however,  to the right of Lessor to recover
from  Lessee  all rent due and  unpaid up to the time of such  re-entry.  In the
event of any such default and re-entry, Lessor shall have the right to relet the
Leased Premises for the remainder of the then existing term whether such term be
the initial term of this Lease or any renewed or extended  term, for the highest
rent then obtainable, and to recover from Lessee the difference between the rent
reserved by this Lease and the amount  obtained  through such reletting plus the
costs and expenses reasonably incurred by Lessor in such reletting.

                  (b) If Lessor  shall  fail to perform  any duty or  obligation
imposed  upon it by this Lease and such default  shall  continue for a period of
thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been given by Lessee, (or such
shorter  period as is reasonable  in case of emergency or other  circumstances),
provided that if such default cannot be reasonably  corrected within thirty (30)
days and Lessor has not commenced diligently to correct such default within such
thirty (30) day period and thereafter has not diligently pursued such correction
to completion or if any  representation  or warranty made by Lessor herein shall
be untrue,  then and in such event  Lessee may, at its  option,  terminate  this
Lease without  prejudice to its right to recover  appropriate  damages or pursue
any other remedy  available  at law or equity.  Upon  termination  of this Lease
pursuant to this provision,  all obligations of Lessee arising under this Lease,
including payment of rent, shall cease.

                                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>







         10.      ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING:

                  Lessee  shall  have the right to assign the Lease or to sublet
the  premises or any part  thereof  with the express  written  consent of Lessor
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided,  however,
that no such  assignment  or subletting  shall  relieve  Lessee from its duty to
fully perform all of the agreements, covenants, and conditions set forth in this
Lease.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Lessee  shall  have the right  without
Lessor's  prior  written  consent  to assign  this  lease or sublet  the  Leased
Premises to any parent, subsidiary,  affiliate corporation of to the survivor of
any merger or to the purchaser of all or substantially  all of the assets of the
Lessee.

         11.      DISPUTE RESOLUTION:

                  The   parties   agree   that  any   unresolved   disputes   or
disagreements between them will be referred for final and binding arbitration to
the American Arbitration Association.  Arbitration shall constitute the sole and
exclusive remedy available to the parties for dispute resolution.

         12.      TITLE:

                  Lessor  covenants  and  warrants  that it has lawful title and
right to make this Lease,  that it will  maintain  Lessee in full and  exclusive
possession  of the Leased  Premises for its  permitted  use and that,  if Lessee
shall pay the rent and perform all of the agreements, covenants required by this
Lease to be performed by it, Lessee may freely, peaceably and quietly occupy and
enjoy the Leased Premises without molestation or hinderance, lawful or unlawful,
of any person whatsoever.

         13.      RENEWAL AND EXTENSION:

                  Provided it is not in default  under the Lease,  Lessee  shall
have the  option to renew and  extend the term of the Lease for a period of five
(5) years  beginning  upon the  expiration  of the initial  term,  provided that
Lessee,  at least ninety (90) days prior to the  expiration of the initial term,
gives Lessor written notice of its intention to exercise such option.
         Any such renewed and extended term shall be at the basic annual rent as
adjusted  yearly by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (1982-84 .- 100). All Items Index Washington,  D.C. - MD - VA (hereafter
referred to as "Index")  published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor.

         14.      SURRENDER:

                  When the Lease shall  terminate in  accordance  with the terms
hereof,  Lessee shall  quietly and  peaceably  deliver up  possession  of Lessor
without  notice from Lessor  other than as may be  specifically  required by any
provision of this Lease.  Lessor and Lessee  expressly  waive the benefit of all
laws now or hereafter in force requiring notice for either party with respect to
termination.  Lessee shall deliver up  possession  of the Leased  Premises in as
good order, repair,

                                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>






and  condition  as the same are in at the  beginning  of the term of this  Lease
except for reasonable wear and tear and loss,  damage, or destruction  caused by
fire, flood, windstorm,  earthquake,  strikes, riots, civil commotions,  acts of
public enemy, acts of God, or other casualty, or caused by negligence of Lessor,
its agents, employees or invites.

         15.      NOTICES:

                  (a) Any notice or demand  required  by the  provisions  of the
Lease to be given to Lessor  shall be deemed to have been  given  adequately  if
sent by Registered or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to Lessor at the
following address:

                              7183 Holabird Avenue
                         Baltimore, Maryland 21224-5800
                         Attention: Dennis C. McCoy, CEO

                  (b) Any notice or demand  required by the  provisions  of this
Lease to be given to Lessee  shall be deemed to have been  given  adequately  if
sent by Registered or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to Lessee at the
following address:

                             1801 S. Clinton Street
                         Baltimore, Maryland 21224-5800
                   Attn: David M. K. Metzger, General Counsel

                  (c) Either party shall have the right to change its address as
above  designated  by giving to the other party  fifteen (15) days notice of its
intention to make such change and of the substituted address at which any notice
or demand may be directed to it.

         16.      SUBORDINATION:

                  Lessee  agrees  that the  Lease  shall be  subordinate  to any
mortgage,  trust,  deed or ground  Lease that is now or may  hereafter be placed
upon the demised premises and to any and all advances to be made hereunder,  and
to the interest thereon, and all renewals,  replacements and extensions thereof,
provided  that Lessor shall cause the holder,  beneficiary  or ground  lessor to
deliver a nondisturbance  agreement to Lessee setting forth the rights of Lessee
as set forth  herein shall not be affected in the event of  foreclosure  or sale
resulting in lieu of or as a result  thereof so long as Lessee is not in default
under the terms hereof.

         17.      CHANGES, MODIFICATIONS OR AMENDMENTS:

                  This  agreement  may not be changed,  modified,  discharged or
terminated orally or in any other manner than by an agreement mutually signed by
the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns.


                                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>






         18.      COVENANTS TO BIND RESPECTIVE PARTIES:

                  The Lease and all of the agreements, covenants, and conditions
contained  herein  shall be  binding  upon  Lessor  and  Lessee  and upon  their
respective officers, directors, successors and assigns.

         19.      TERMINATION RIGHT:

                  Notwithstanding any other provisions  contained in this Lease,
the same shall  terminate  upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of Lessee or in the
event the Lessee is closed or taken over by any banking  authority of the United
States or the State of Maryland,  the Lessor may  terminate  the Lease only with
the concurrence of such banking  authority or other bank  supervisory  authority
and any such authority  shall in any event have the election  either to continue
or to  terminate  the  Lessee;  provided,  that  in  the  event  this  Lease  is
terminated,  the maximum claim of Lessor for damages or indemnity for the injury
resulting  from the rejection or  abandonment of the unexpired term of the Lease
shall in no event be in an amount  exceeding  the rent  reserved  by the  Lease,
without acceleration,  for the year next succeeding the date of the surrender of
the Leased Premises to the Lessor, or the date of reentry of the Lessor.

         20.      WHOLE AGREEMENT:

                  The whole and entire  agreement of the parties is set forth in
this Agreement and the parties are not bound by any  agreements,  understandings
or conditions otherwise than as expressly set forth and stipulated hereunder.

                  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  LESSOR  and LESSEE  have  caused  these
presents to be executed by their duly authorized  officers and have caused their
respective  corporate  seals to be  hereto  affixed,  all as of the day and year
first above written.

                                     LESSOR
ATTEST:                                              MARS SUPER MARKETS, INC.


/s/ Dennis C. McCoy                         By: /s/ Carmen V. D'Anna, Jr.


                                     LESSEE
ATTEST:                                              FIRST MARINER BANK

/s/ Tina D. Winemill                                 By: /s/ David Metzger

                                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>






                                    EXHIBIT A

                 LOCATION OF BRANCH IN MARS SUPER MARKETS, INC.

                                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>






                             COMMENCEMENT AGREEMENT
                     (EXHIBIT "B" TO LEASE OF MARCH 1, 1996)

Whereas the parties hereto entered into MASTER LEASE dated March 1, 1996 wherein
the LESSOR agreed to lease to the LESSEE certain space in supermarkets  operated
by the LESSOR, and

Whereas  the  parties  agreed  that the  terms and  conditions  of the lease for
various  locations  would be  identical,  with  the  exception  of the  physical
location of the LESSEE'S bank within the individual  stores and the COMMENCEMENT
DATE of the lease at the various locations, and

Whereas  attached  hereto and hereinto  incorporated by reference is a sketch or
drawing  showing  the actual  location  of the bank  within the  property of the
LESSOR located at 6721 Chesapeake Center Dr., Glen Burnie, Md. (57___15).

NOW THEREFORE, this 6th day of March, 1996 in and for the mutual promises herein
and in the MASTER LEASE aforesaid the parties further agree as follows:

         1) That they  incorporate  by reference  and reaffirm all the terms and
conditions of the aforesaid MASTER LEASE.

         2) That the sketch or drawing  hereinto  incorporated is agreed upon as
the premises leased.

         3) That the tenancy shall  commence and all terms and conditions of the
aforesaid  lease as they relate to the premises  indicated shall be the 15th day
of March, 1996.

         4) That rent shall be paid as provided  to the Lessor at 7183  Holabird
Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21222.

Lessee:
                                                     1ST MARINER BANK


/s/ Tina D. Winemill                                 By:/s/ David Metzger
Witness                                                   Authorized Officer


Lessor:                                             MARS SUPER MARKET, INC.


/s/ Dennis C. McCoy                                 By:/s/ Carmen V. D'Anna, Jr.
Witness                                                   Authorized Officer


                                                     - 10 -

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                                    EXHIBIT C

Regular branch banking hours will be as follows:
Monday - Friday                     9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday                            9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday                              10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m

                                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit 21


                 List of Subsidiaries of First Mariner Bancorp.



1.       First Mariner Bank

2.       Compass Properties, Inc.

3.       First Mariner Mortgage Company




<PAGE>





                                  Exhibit 23.2



The Board of Directors
First Mariner Bancorp


         We  consent  to the  use  of  our  report  included  herein  and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


/s/ KPMC Peat Marwick LLP


KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Baltimore, Maryland
November 12, 1996








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