EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                                STEGMAN & COMPANY
                          Certified Public Accountants
                                    Suite 200
                               405 East Joppa Road
                            Baltimore, Maryland 21286
                                 (410) 823-8000


The Board of Directors
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the prospectuses
included in Registration Statements No. 33-29316, 33-48453 (including
Registration Statement on Form S-8 and Post Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form
S-8 with respect to Registration Statements No. 33-29316 and 33-48453 ),
33-35319, 33-56692, 333-11049, 333-81249,and 333-63126 each on Form S-8, and in
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 2001, of our report dated January 25, 2002, relating to the
consolidated financial statements of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and
Subsidiaries.


/s/ Stegman & Company
Stegman & Company


Baltimore, Maryland
March 12, 2002