Exhibit 99

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANDY SPRING BANCORP REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
INCLUDING MERGER RELATED COSTS

OLNEY, MARYLAND, April 17, 2007 — Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq-SASR) the parent company of Sandy Spring Bank, today announced net income for the first quarter of 2007 of $7.5 million ($.49 per diluted share) compared to $8.3 million ($.56 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2006, a decrease of 10%. Net income for the quarter includes after-tax merger costs of $.4 million ($.02 per diluted share). The results of operations for Potomac Bank of Virginia (“Potomac”) are included subsequent to the close of business on February 15, 2007. On the date of purchase, Potomac had total loans of $198 million, total earning assets of $234 million, and total deposits of $197 million.

“On the plus side, we closed our merger with Potomac in mid-quarter, enabling our entry into northern Virginia for the first time in our history. The transaction should be accretive within the first full year of combined operations, but merger expenses had a negative impact on net income this quarter,” said Hunter R. Hollar, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The net interest margin declined to 4.07% from 4.14% at December 31, 2006 and 4.35% a year ago. Competition for demand deposits is tough across all of our markets. We are doing a good job growing loans and improving loan yields, yet rising deposit rates are substantially offsetting these efforts. Credit quality continues to be excellent with net charge-offs of less than one-tenth of 1% of total loans. We hope that as credit quality concerns loom across the banking industry, our stellar record will not be lost on investors.”

“Growth in noninterest income from sales of investment products and in trust and investment management fees continued to be favorable, reflecting our focus on the fee businesses in this rate environment,” said Hollar.

Sandy Spring Bancorp’s return on average stockholders’ equity was 11.96% for the first quarter of 2007, compared to 15.26% for the same period in the prior year. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2007 was 1.12%, compared to 1.36% for the first quarter of 2006.

Comparing March 31, 2007 balances to March 31, 2006, total assets increased 18% to $2.9 billion due mainly to the acquisition of Potomac Bank of Virginia during the first quarter together with strong growth in the commercial loan portfolio. Total loans and leases increased 17% to $2.0 billion compared to the prior year. The Potomac acquisition accounted for approximately 71% of the year-over-year loan growth. Excluding the Potomac acquisition, the loan portfolio increased 5% over the first quarter of the prior year. This was comprised mainly of an 18% increase in commercial loans

which was somewhat offset by a decline in mortgage loans due to a sale of loans in the third quarter of 2006. Customer funding sources, which include deposits plus other short-term borrowings from core customers, increased 18% to $2.4 billion at March 31, 2007. Again, over 58% of the growth in such funding sources was due to the Potomac acquisition. Excluding the Potomac acquisition, customer funding sources increased 8% over the first quarter of the prior year. Stockholders’ equity totaled $275.3 million at quarter-end, and represented 9.3% of total assets, compared to 9.0% at March 31, 2006.

The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2006. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 1.09% of outstanding loans at March 31, 2007.

The Company’s management will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results today at 2:00 P.M. (ET). A live Web cast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations’ section of the Sandy Spring Web site at www.sandyspringbank.com.

DETAILED REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

Comparing the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, net interest income increased by $0.8 million, or 4%, due primarily to continued growth in the loan portfolio and higher loan yields which were largely offset by increased rates on interest-bearing deposits and an increased use of time deposits, as noninterest bearing deposits continued to decrease. These factors produced a net interest margin decrease to 4.07% in 2007 from 4.35% in 2006.

Noninterest income increased to $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to $9.8 million in 2006, an increase of 11%. Insurance agency commissions increased 28% over 2006 due to higher premiums from commercial property and casualty and physicians liability lines. Service charges on deposit accounts increased 25% while fees on sales of investment products increased 11% over the prior year period due to increased sales volumes. Trust and investment fees increased 8% due mainly to growth in assets under management. Gains on sales of mortgage loans decreased due to market conditions.

Noninterest expenses were $23.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $20.4 million in 2006, an increase of $3.2 million or 16%. This increase was driven mainly by $.6 million in merger costs together with operating expense of Potomac which combined to add $1.2 million in expenses for the quarter. Excluding expenses related to Potomac, the increase in noninterest expenses was due primarily to a 53% increase in marketing costs due to the timing of campaigns in the first quarter together with increases in salaries and consulting expenses.

About Sandy Spring Bancorp/Sandy Spring Bank

With $2.9 billion in assets, Sandy Spring Bancorp is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank and its principal subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation, The Equipment Leasing Company and West Financial Services, Inc. Sandy Spring Bancorp is the second largest publicly traded banking company headquartered in Maryland. Sandy Spring is a community banking organization that focuses its lending and other services on businesses and consumers in the local market area. Independent and community-oriented, Sandy Spring Bank was founded in 1868 and offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking and trust services through 38 community offices in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of leasing, insurance and investment management services. Visit www.sandyspringbank.com to locate an ATM near you or for more information about Sandy Spring Bank.

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Hunter R. Hollar, President & Chief Executive Officer, or
Philip J. Mantua, Executive V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
Sandy Spring Bancorp
17801 Georgia Avenue
Olney, Maryland 20832
1-800-399-5919
E-mail: HHollar@sandyspringbank.com
             PMantua@sandyspringbank.com
Web site: www.sandyspringbank.com

Forward-Looking Statements: Sandy Spring Bancorp makes forward-looking statements in this News Release that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include: statements of goals, intentions, earnings expectations, and other expectations; estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits; assessments of probable loan and lease losses; assessments of market risk; and statements of the ability to achieve financial and other goals. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant uncertainties because they are based upon or are affected by: management’s estimates and projections of future interest rates, market behavior, and other economic conditions; future laws and regulations; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. Because of these uncertainties, Sandy Spring Bancorp’s actual future results may differ materially from those indicated. In addition, the Company’s past results of operations do not necessarily indicate its future results.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,						%
	2007			2006			Change
Profitability for the period:
Net interest income	$	24,015		$	23,177			4
Provision for loan and lease losses		839			950			(12	)
Noninterest income		10,906			9,846			11
Noninterest expenses		23,614			20,356			16
Income before income taxes		10,468			11,717			(11	)
Net income	$	7,545			8,340			(10	)
Return on average assets		1.12	%		1.36	%
Return on average equity		11.96	%		15.26	%
Net interest margin		4.07	%		4.35	%
Efficiency ratio — GAAP based *		67.62	%		61.64	%
Efficiency ratio — traditional *		63.01	%		56.91	%
Per share data:
Basic net income	$	0.49		$	0.56			(13	)
Diluted net income		0.49			0.56			(13	)
Dividends declared		0.23			0.22			5
Book value		17.51			15.21			15
Tangible book value		13.11			13.61			(4	)
Average fully diluted shares		15,400,865			14,924,571
At period-end:
Assets	$	2,945,477		$	2,501,752			18
Deposits		2,274,322			1,839,355			24
Loans and leases		2,036,182			1,744,348			17
Securities		560,940			542,053			3
Stockholders’ equity		275,319			225,137			22
Capital and credit quality ratios:
Average equity to average assets		9.32	%		8.92	%
Allowance for loan and lease losses to loans and leases		1.09	%		1.02	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.24	%		0.12	%
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans and leases		0.00	%		0.01	%

*	The GAAP based efficiency ratio is noninterest expenses divided by net interest income plus noninterest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The traditional, non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes intangible asset amortization from noninterest expenses; excludes securities gains from noninterest income; and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. See the Reconciliation Table included with these Financial Highlights.

Certain reclassifications and restatements of information previously reported have been made to conform with current presentation.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP-based and Traditional Efficiency Ratios
(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2007			2006
Noninterest expenses—GAAP based	$	23,614		$	20,356
Net interest income plus noninterest income— GAAP based		34,921			33,023
Efficiency ratio—GAAP based		67.62	%		61.64	%
Noninterest expenses—GAAP based	$	23,614		$	20,356
Less non-GAAP adjustment:
Amortization of intangible assets		802			742
Noninterest expenses—traditional ratio		22,812			19,614
Net interest income plus noninterest income— GAAP based		34,921			33,023
Plus non-GAAP adjustment:
Tax-equivalency		1,285			1,442
Less non-GAAP adjustments:
Securities gains		2			0
Net interest income plus noninterest income — traditional ratio		36,204			34,465
Efficiency ratio — traditional		63.01	%		56.91	%

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	March 31						December 31
	2007			2006			2006
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	61,145		$	47,707		$	54,945
Federal funds sold		48,138			16,709			48,978
Cash and cash equivalents		109,283			64,416			103,923
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		28,192			684			2,974
Residential mortgage loans held for sale (at fair value)		9,660			7,534			10,595
Investments available-for-sale (at fair value)		282,023			235,407			256,845
Investments held-to-maturity — fair value of $266,937 $295,887 and $273,206, respectively		261,208			290,684			267,344
Other equity securities		17,709			15,962			16,719
Total loans and leases		2,036,182			1,744,348			1,805,579
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses		(22,186	)		(17,860	)		(19,492	)
Net loans and leases		2,013,996			1,726,488			1,786,087
Premises and equipment, net		50,834			45,448			47,756
Accrued interest receivable		16,485			12,851			15,200
Goodwill		53,913			10,826			12,494
Other intangible assets, net		15,244			12,916			10,653
Other assets		86,930			78,536			79,867
Total assets	$	2,945,477		$	2,501,752		$	2,610,457
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	449,604		$	429,062		$	394,662
Interest-bearing deposits		1,824,718			1,410,293			1,599,561
Total deposits		2,274,322			1,839,355			1,994,223
Short-term borrowings		325,657			383,870			314,732
Subordinated debentures		35,000			35,000			35,000
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		26,905			16,319			26,917
Other long-term borrowings		8,274			2,071			1,808
Total liabilities		2,670,158			2,276,615			2,372,680
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock — par value $1.00; shares authorized 50,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 15,724,895 14,801,934 and 14,826,805, respectively		15,725			14,802			14,827
Additional paid in capital		60,520			26,978			27,869
Retained earnings		203,044			184,344			199,102
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss)		(3,970	)		(987	)		(4,021	)
Total stockholders’ equity		275,319			225,137			237,777
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,945,477		$	2,501,752		$	2,610,457

Certain reclassifications and restatements of information previously reported have been made to conform with current presentation.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2007		2006
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans and leases	$	34,574	$	28,858
Interest on loans held for sale		195		150
Interest on deposits with banks		90		10
Interest and dividends on securities:
Taxable		3,871		3,031
Exempt from federal income taxes		2,727		3,016
Interest on federal funds sold		437		112
Total interest income		41,894		35,177
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		13,788		7,674
Interest on short-term borrowings		3,481		3,749
Interest on long-term borrowings		610		577
Total interest expense		17,879		12,000
Net interest income		24,015		23,177
Provision for loan and lease losses		839		950
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses		23,176		22,227
Noninterest income:
Securities gains		2		0
Service charges on deposit accounts		2,308		1,848
Gains on sales of mortgage loans		638		782
Fees on sales of investment products		800		718
Trust and investment management fees		2,281		2,116
Insurance agency commissions		2,690		2,108
Income from bank owned life insurance		684		553
Visa check fees		590		535
Other income		913		1,186
Total noninterest income		10,906		9,846
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		13,434		12,471
Occupancy expense of premises		2,417		2,126
Equipment expenses		1,602		1,316
Marketing		529		341
Outside data services		926		781
Amortization of intangible assets		802		742
Other expenses		3,904		2,579
Total noninterest expenses		23,614		20,356
Income before income taxes		10,468		11,717
Income tax expense		2,923		3,377
Net income	$	7,545	$	8,340
Basic net income per share	$	0.49	$	0.56
Diluted net income per share		0.49		0.56
Dividends declared per share		0.23		0.22

Certain reclassifications and restatements of information previously reported have been made to conform with current presentation.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Historical Trends in Quarterly Financial Data	2007			2006
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Profitability for the quarter:
Tax-equivalent interest income	$	43,179		$	42,000		$	41,695		$	39,372		$	36,619
Interest expense		17,879			16,770			15,896			14,021			12,000
Tax-equivalent net interest income		25,300			25,230			25,799			25,351			24,619
Tax-equivalent adjustment		1,285			1,625			1,677			1,499			1,442
Provision for loan and lease losses		839			250			550			1,045			950
Noninterest income		10,906			10,064			9,590			9,395			9,846
Noninterest expenses		23,614			22,218			21,694			20,828			20,356
Income before income taxes		10,468			11,201			11,468			11,374			11,717
Income tax expense		2,923			2,887			3,346			3,279			3,377
Net Income		7,545			8,314			8,122			8,095			8,340
Financial ratios:
Return on average assets		1.12	%		1.26	%		1.24	%		1.27	%		1.36	%
Return on average equity		11.96	%		13.75	%		13.93	%		14.34	%		15.26	%
Net interest margin		4.07	%		4.14	%		4.25	%		4.30	%		4.35	%
Efficiency ratio — GAAP based *		67.62	%		65.99	%		64.35	%		62.65	%		61.64	%
Efficiency ratio — traditional *		63.01	%		60.85	%		59.20	%		57.81	%		56.91	%
Per share data:
Basic net income	$	0.49		$	0.56		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	0.56
Diluted net income	$	0.49		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	0.54		$	0.56
Dividends declared	$	0.23		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22
Book value	$	17.51		$	16.04		$	15.92		$	15.48		$	15.21
Tangible book value	$	13.11		$	14.48		$	14.30		$	13.93		$	13.61
Average fully diluted shares		15,400,865			14,940,873			14,915,454			14,884,677			14,924,571
Noninterest income breakdown:
Securities gains	$	2		$	0		$	0		$	1		$	0
Service charges on deposit accounts		2,308			2,201			1,904			1,950			1,848
Gains on sales of mortgage loans		638			929			718			549			782
Fees on sales of investment products		800			696			783			763			718
Trust and investment management fees		2,281			2,286			2,164			2,196			2,116
Insurance agency commissions		2,690			1,345			1,406			1,618			2,108
Income from bank owned life insurance		684			639			591			567			553
Visa check fees		590			631			603			612			535
Other income		913			1,337			1,421			1,139			1,186
Total		10,906			10,064			9,590			9,395			9,846
Noninterest expense breakdown:
Salaries and employee benefits	$	13,434		$	12,695		$	12,622		$	12,730		$	12,471
Occupancy expense of premises		2,417			2,153			2,175			2,039			2,126
Equipment expenses		1,602			1,364			1,384			1,412			1,316
Marketing		529			610			1,160			472			341
Outside data services		926			717			872			833			781
Amortization of intangible assets		802			740			743			742			742
Other expenses		3,904			3,939			2,738			2,600			2,579
Total		23,614			22,218			21,694			20,828			20,356

* The GAAP based efficiency ratio is noninterest expenses divided by net interest income plus noninterest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The traditional, non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes intangible asset amortization expenses from noninterest expenses; excludes security gains from noninterest income; and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. See the Reconciliation Table included with these Historical Trends in Quarterly Financial Data.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Historical Trends in Quarterly Financial Data	2007			2006
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Balance sheets at quarter end:
Residential mortgage loans	$	404,177		$	390,852		$	396,811		$	386,805		$	428,698
Residential construction loans		144,744			151,399			175,067			169,564			166,767
Commercial mortgage loans		621,692			509,726			505,181			461,708			425,392
Commercial construction loans		225,108			192,547			185,615			214,628			188,477
Commercial loans and leases		282,854			216,238			204,023			200,712			193,524
Consumer loans		357,607			344,817			348,793			348,547			341,490
Total loans and leases		2,036,182			1,805,579			1,815,490			1,781,964			1,744,348
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses		(22,186	)		(19,492	)		(19,433	)		(18,910	)		(17,860	)
Net loans and leases		2,013,996			1,786,087			1,796,057			1,763,054			1,726,488
Goodwill		53,913			12,494			12,606			12,606			12,596
Other intangible assets, net		15,244			10,653			11,431			12,173			12,916
Total assets		2,945,477			2,610,457			2,600,633			2,588,528			2,501,752
Total deposits		2,274,322			1,994,223			1,947,850			1,818,347			1,839,355
Customer repurchase agreements		114,712			99,382			129,213			235,853			181,520
Total stockholders’ equity		275,319			237,777			235,868			228,913			225,137
Quarterly average balance sheets:
Residential mortgage loans	$	406,886		$	407,277		$	405,430		$	449,482		$	427,609
Residential construction loans		151,194			162,084			172,873			167,632			161,649
Commercial mortgage loans		565,277			504,698			465,989			436,036			424,467
Commercial construction loans		203,371			189,027			218,798			206,419			186,606
Commercial loans and leases		246,218			205,582			199,968			196,093			188,747
Consumer loans		353,668			346,030			346,639			345,194			339,299
Total loans and leases		1,926,614			1,814,698			1,809,697			1,800,856			1,728,377
Securities		551,566			544,877			583,156			554,157			555,061
Total earning assets		2,518,797			2,416,120			2,407,185			2,367,100			2,294,665
Total assets		2,743,890			2,610,023			2,600,092			2,560,633			2,484,687
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,048,323			1,937,685			1,934,668			1,895,652			1,821,530
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		408,954			407,659			410,912			419,454			418,214
Total deposits		2,099,409			1,970,953			1,851,098			1,819,255			1,799,213
Customer repurchase agreements		101,805			120,597			212,123			196,359			167,620
Stockholders’ equity		255,781			239,921			231,364			226,440			221,599
Capital and credit quality measures:
Average equity to average assets		9.32	%		9.19	%		8.90	%		8.84	%		8.92	%
Loan and lease loss allowance to loans and leases		1.09	%		1.08	%		1.07	%		1.06	%		1.02	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.24	%		0.15	%		0.15	%		0.10	%		0.12	%
Annualized net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans and leases		0.00	%		(0.01	)%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.01	%
Miscellaneous data:
Net (charge-offs) recoveries	$	17			($191	)		($27	)	$	5		$	24
Nonperforming assets:
Non-accrual loans and leases		1,982			1,910			1,495			1,691			585
Loans and leases 90 days past due		5,084			1,823			2,346			988			2,473
Restructured loans and leases		0			0			0			0			0
Other real estate owned, net		0			182			0			0			0
Total nonperforming assets		7,066			3,915			3,841			2,679			3,058

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES
(Dollars in thousands and tax-equivalent)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2007								2006
						Annualized								Annualized
	Average					Average			Average					Average
	Balances			Interest		Yield/Rate			Balances			Interest		Yield/Rate
Assets
Residential mortgage loans	$	406,886		$	6,078		5.97	%	$	427,609		$	6,133		5.74	%
Residential construction loans		151,194			2,717		7.29			161,649			2,834		7.11
Commercial mortgage loans		565,277			10,249		7.35			424,467			7,351		7.02
Commercial construction loans		203,371			4,581		9.13			186,606			3,807		8.27
Commercial loans and leases		246,218			5,033		8.29			188,747			3,602		7.74
Consumer loans		353,668			6,111		7.01			339,299			5,281		6.31
Total loans and leases		1,926,614			34,769		7.30			1,728,377			29,008		6.79
Securities		551,566			7,883		5.86			555,061			7,489		5.51
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		6,997			90		5.20			958			10		4.28
Federal funds sold		33,620			437		5.27			10,269			112		4.44
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS		2,518,797			43,179		6.95	%		2,294,665			36,619		6.46	%
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses		(20,667	)							(17,316	)
Cash and due from banks		52,004								45,570
Premises and equipment, net		49,235								45,611
Other assets		144,521								116,157
Total assets	$	2,743,890							$	2,484,687
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	231,152		$	189		0.33	%	$	236,570		$	165		0.28	%
Regular savings deposits		163,037			156		0.39			199,281			215		0.44
Money market savings deposits		547,135			4,974		3.69			371,686			2,349		2.56
Time deposits		749,131			8,469		4.58			573,462			4,945		3.50
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,690,455			13,788		3.31			1,380,999			7,674		2.25
Borrowings		357,868			4,091		4.63			440,531			4,326		3.95
TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES		2,048,323			17,879		3.54			1,821,530			12,000		2.66
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		408,954								418,214
Other liabilities		30,832								23,344
Stockholder’s equity		255,781								221,599
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,743,890							$	2,484,687
Net interest income and spread					25,300		3.41	%					24,619		3.80	%
Less: tax equivalent adjustment					1,285								1,442
Net interest income					24,015								23,177
Interest income/earning assets							6.95	%							6.46	%
Interest expense/earning assets							2.88								2.11
Net interest margin							4.07	%							4.35	%

* Interest income includes the effects of annualized taxable-equivalent adjustments (reduced by the nondeductible portion of interest expense) using the appropriate marginal federal income tax rate of 35.00% and, where applicable, the marginal state income tax rate of 6.55% (or a combined marginal federal and state rate of 39.26%), to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable-equivalent basis. The annualized taxable-equivalent adjustment amounts utilized in the above table to compute yields aggregated to $5,210,000 in 2007 and $5,847,000 in 2006.