-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GYOi+mWhldBX/PzJ7l0ZefY1UOxccG2nNCNBZb5yOTOscS1cmvy5g3wY7IUJ4OaT ZbsmFdcc1aMs//jJDrHDZw== 0001005150-98-000175.txt : 19980317 0001005150-98-000175.hdr.sgml : 19980317 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001005150-98-000175 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980415 FILED AS OF DATE: 19980316 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SANDY SPRING BANCORP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000824410 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 520312970 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19065 FILM NUMBER: 98566138 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17801 GEORGIA AVE CITY: OLNEY STATE: MD ZIP: 20832 BUSINESS PHONE: 3017746400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17801 GEORGIA AVENUE CITY: OLNEY STATE: MD ZIP: 20832 DEF 14A 1 FORM DEFINITIVE 14A SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ___) Filed by the Registrant [x] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant[ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the [x] Definitive Proxy Statement Commission Only (as permitted [ ] Definitive Additional Materials by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [x] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1. Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Total Fee Paid: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1. Amount Previously Paid: --------------------------------------------- 2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: --------------------------------------------- 3 Filing Party: --------------------------------------------- 4. Date Filed: --------------------------------------------- SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. 17801 GEORGIA AVENUE OLNEY, MARYLAND 20832 (301) 774-6400 March 20, 1998 Dear Shareholder: We invite you to attend the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. to be held at the Indian Spring Country Club, 13501 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland on Wednesday, April 15, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. The enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. Also enclosed is the Annual Report showing the results for 1997. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we urge you to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy as soon as possible, even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions, please call Marjorie S. Holsinger, Corporate Secretary, at (301) 774-6400. Thank you for the cooperation and continuing support you have given this institution. Sincerely, /S/ HUNTER R. HOLLAR Hunter R. Hollar President and Chief Executive Officer SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. 17801 GEORGIA AVENUE OLNEY, MARYLAND 20832 (301) 774-6400 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 15, 1998 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp") will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Indian Spring Country Club, 13501 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland. A Proxy and a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders are enclosed. The Annual Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon: (1) The election of five directors of Bancorp; and (2) Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. NOTE: The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 9, 1998 as the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only holders of record of Bancorp's Common Stock at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. In the event that there are not sufficient votes to conduct the election of directors or to approve such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by Bancorp. You are requested to fill in and sign the enclosed form of proxy, which is solicited by the Board of Directors, and to mail it in the enclosed envelope. The proxy will not be used if you attend and choose to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors /S/ MARJORIE S. HOLSINGER Marjorie S. Holsinger Corporate Secretary Olney, Maryland March 20, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE THAT IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF THIS ENVELOPE IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. 17801 GEORGIA AVENUE OLNEY, MARYLAND 20832 (301) 774-6400 -------------------- PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS APRIL 15, 1998 -------------------- SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp"") to be used at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting"), to be held on Wednesday, April 15, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Indian Spring Country Club, 13501 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and form of proxy and this Proxy Statement are being first mailed on or about March 20, 1998 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 9, 1998. If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned to Bancorp in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL I TO ELECT THE FIVE NOMINEES OF BANCORP'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS DIRECTORS. Proxies marked as abstentions and shares held in street name that have been designated by brokers on proxies as not voted will not be counted as votes cast, but will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Bancorp does not know of any other matters that are to come before the Annual Meeting except for incidental, procedural matters. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by each such proxy on such matters as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors. The presence of a shareholder at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke that shareholder's proxy. However, shareholders may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing with the Corporate Secretary of Bancorp, Marjorie S. Holsinger, a written notice of revocation; by delivering to Bancorp a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by Bancorp. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, Bancorp also may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or telegraph through its directors, officers and regular employees. Bancorp also will request persons, firms, and corporations holding shares in their names or in the name of nominees that are beneficially owned by others to send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from those beneficial owners and will reimburse the holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so. The securities that can be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Bancorp. Each share entitles its owner to one vote on all matters. The close of business on March 9, 1998 has been fixed by the Board of Directors as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting; there were approximately 2,310 record holders of the Common Stock as of such date. The number of shares outstanding on March 9, 1998 was 9,659,938. The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. A copy of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997 accompanies this Proxy Statement. BANCORP IS REQUIRED TO FILE AN ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR ITS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC"). SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN, FREE OF CHARGE, A COPY OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K BY WRITING MARJORIE S. HOLSINGER, CORPORATE SECRETARY, AT SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC., 17801 GEORGIA AVENUE, OLNEY, MARYLAND 20832. STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth information as of March 9, 1998 with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each director continuing in office and nominee for director of Bancorp, by certain executive officers of Bancorp and by all directors and executive officers of Bancorp as a group. This information is based upon the most recent report of beneficial ownership of securities filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the knowledge of management, no person beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Share amounts in the table have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to a 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998. AMOUNT AND PERCENT OF NATURE OF BENEFICIAL COMMON STOCK NAME OWNERSHIP(1)(2)(3) OUTSTANDING John Chirtea 18,159 * Susan D. Goff 429 * Solomon Graham 4,682 * Gilbert L. Hardesty 2,000 * Joyce R. Hawkins 32,903 * Hunter R. Hollar 40,317 * Thomas O. Keech 70,596 * Charles F. Mess 5,341 * Robert L. Mitchell 11,000 * Robert L. Orndorff, Jr. 103,195 1.07% David E. Rippeon 1,999 * Lewis R. Schumann 6,100 * W. Drew Stabler 34,798 * James H. Langmead 8,520 * Lawrence T. Lewis 19,988 * Stanley L. Merson 24,194 * Frank H. Small 8,492 * All directors and executive officers as a group (19 persons) 428,308 4.40% - -------------- * Less than 1% of Bancorp's outstanding Common Stock. (1) Under the rules of the SEC, an individual is considered to "beneficially own" any share of Common Stock which he or she, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, has or shares: (1) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or (2) investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such security. In addition, an individual is deemed to be the beneficial owner of any share of Common Stock of which he or she has the right to acquire voting or investment power within 60 days of March 9, 1998. Includes 74,332 shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 9, 1998, of which Hunter R. Hollar, James H. Langmead, Lawrence T. Lewis, Stanley L. Merson and Frank H. Small ("Named Executive Officers") hold options to purchase 33,000 shares, 7,000 shares, 3,500 shares, 17,000 shares and 7,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively. Executive officers who are not Named Executive Officers hold options for 6,832 shares. Also includes 472 shares, 623 shares, 527 shares, 2,663 shares and 1,492 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Hollar, Mr. Langmead, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Merson and Mr. Small, respectively, and 6,370 shares of Common Stock owned by executive officers who are not Named Executive Officers, as participants in Bancorp's Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan. (Footnotes continued on following page) 2 (2) Includes shares owned directly by directors and executive officers of Bancorp as well as shares held by their spouses and minor children and trusts of which certain directors are trustees. (3) Fractional shares resulting from participation in the dividend reinvestment plan have been rounded to the nearest whole share. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PROPOSAL 1) The Board of Directors has set the total number of directors at thirteen, in accordance with Bancorp's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Bancorp's Articles of Incorporation divide the directors into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible. In general, the term of office of only one class of directors expires in each year, and their successors are elected for terms of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. At the Annual Meeting a total of five director-nominees will be elected for three-year terms. With respect to the election of directors, each shareholder of record on the record date is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held. A plurality of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be sufficient to elect a nominee as a director. INFORMATION AS TO NOMINEES AND CONTINUING DIRECTORS The following table sets forth the names of the Board of Directors' five nominees for election as directors. Also set forth is certain other information, some of which has been obtained from Bancorp's records and some of which has been supplied by the nominees and continuing directors, with respect to their principal occupations during the past five years, their ages at December 31, 1997, the periods during which they have served as directors, and positions they currently hold with Bancorp. It is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the shares represented by each properly executed proxy for the election as directors of the five nominees listed below for terms of three years, unless otherwise directed by the shareholder. The Board of Directors believes that each of the nominees will stand for election and will serve if elected as director. If any person nominated by the Board of Directors fails to stand for election or is unable to accept election, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW AS A DIRECTOR OF BANCORP.
MEMBER TERM POSITION(S) HELD OF BOARD CURRENTLY NAME AGE WITH BANCORP SINCE (1) EXPIRES - ---- --- --------------- --------- -------- DIRECTOR-NOMINEES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE AT THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING Solomon Graham 54 Director 1994 1998 Gilbert L. Hardesty 57 Director 1997 1998 Charles F. Mess 59 Director 1987 1998 Lewis R. Schumann 54 Director 1994 1998 W. Drew Stabler 60 Chairman of the 1986 1998 Board of Directors
3
MEMBER TERM POSITION(S) HELD OF BOARD CURRENTLY NAME AGE WITH BANCORP SINCE (1) EXPIRES - ---- --- --------------- --------- -------- CONTINUING DIRECTORS John Chirtea 60 Director 1990 1999 Joyce R. Hawkins 64 Director 1995 1999 Hunter R. Hollar 49 President, Chief 1990 1999 Executive Officer and Director Thomas O. Keech 64 Director 1995 1999 Susan D. Goff 52 Director 1994 2000 Robert L. Mitchell 61 Director 1991 2000 Robert L. Orndorff, Jr. 41 Director 1991 2000 David E. Rippeon 48 Director 1997 2000
- -------------- (1) The Boards of Directors of Bancorp and its principal subsidiary, Sandy Spring National Bank (the "Bank"), are composed of the same persons. Includes term of office as a director of the Bank prior to the formation of Bancorp as the holding company for the Bank in January 1988. The principal occupation(s) and business experience of each nominee and director of Bancorp for the last five years are set forth below. DIRECTOR-NOMINEES: SOLOMON GRAHAM is founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quality Biological, Inc., a medical technology firm providing reagents to research facilities. GILBERT L. HARDESTY is a retired bank executive, having served as President of Crestar Bank - Annapolis from June 1994 to June 1997 and as President of Annapolis Federal Savings Bank from April 1986 to June 1994. Mr. Hardesty was elected by the Board to fill a newly created director position on November 19, 1997. CHARLES F. MESS, M.D. is in the practice of general orthopedics. LEWIS R. SCHUMANN is a partner in the law firm of Miller, Miller and Canby, Chtd. W. DREW STABLER is a partner in Pleasant Valley Farm, a crop and livestock operation. 4 CONTINUING DIRECTORS: JOHN CHIRTEA is retired from LCOR, a national real estate development company. In prior years, Mr. Chirtea was a partner in the Linpro Co., the predecessor company of LCOR. JOYCE R. HAWKINS is a realtor with Weichert Realtors. HUNTER R. HOLLAR is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp and the Bank. From 1990 through 1993, Mr. Hollar served as President of Bancorp and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. THOMAS O. KEECH retired as Vice President of Bancorp and Executive Vice President of the Bank effective December 31, 1995. Mr. Keech previously served as Vice President and Treasurer of Bancorp and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank. SUSAN D. GOFF is President of M.D. IPA, Inc., a vice president of Optimum Choice, Inc., and a senior vice president of their parent holding company, Mid-Atlantic Medical Services, Inc., a health maintenance organization. ROBERT L. MITCHELL is President and Chief Executive Officer of C-I/Mitchell and Best Company which is engaged in homebuilding and real estate development. ROBERT L. ORNDORFF, JR. is President of RLO Contractors, Inc., an excavating contractor. DAVID E. RIPPEON is President and Chief Executive Officer of Gaithersburg Farmers Supply, Inc., a tractor and equipment dealership. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS During 1997, each of Bancorp's and the Bank's Boards of Directors held 12 regular meetings. The average attendance was 95% for meetings of Bancorp's and the Bank's Boards of Directors. All incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate of (a) the total number of meetings of the Boards of Directors and (b) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which they served during the period of their service during the year. Bank directors who are not employed by the Bank receive an annual retainer of $4,000 and fees of $400 ($500 for the Chairman) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, $400 for each Executive Committee meeting, and $300 for other committee meetings. Bancorp directors who are not employed by Bancorp do not receive any additional compensation except for fees of $400 ($500 in the case of the Chairman) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors not held in conjunction with a meeting of the Bank's Board of Directors and except for fees of $300 for each meeting of the Audit and Nominating Committees. Directors of Sandy Spring Mortgage Corporation who are not employed by Bancorp or any of its subsidiaries receive fees of $300 for each meeting of its Board. Directors of the Bank are eligible to defer all or a portion of their fees under Director Fee Deferral Agreements between the Bank and individual directors. Amounts deferred accrue interest at the prime rate. Except in the case of death or financial emergency, deferred fees and accrued interest are payable only following termination of a director's service on the board. The Director Fee Deferral Agreements also provide for benefits that may exceed deferred fees and accrued interest in the event a party dies while a director of the Bank, but only to the extent the Bank owns an insurance policy in effect on the director's life at the time of death that pays a greater amount than the total of deferred fees and accrued interest. 5 Bancorp's Board of Directors has standing Audit and Nominating Committees. The Bank has a standing Human Resources Committee that performs the functions of a compensation committee. The functions, composition and number of meetings for these committees in 1997 were as follows: AUDIT COMMITTEE - The Audit Committee is composed of John Chirtea, Chairman, Solomon Graham, Gilbert L. Hardesty, Joyce R. Hawkins, Thomas O. Keech, and David E. Rippeon. The Audit Committee, whose members are neither officers nor employees of Bancorp or the Bank, provides general oversight of the internal audit function, reviews the findings of external audits and examinations, evaluates the adequacy of the Bank's insurance coverage, reviews the activities of the Bank's Compliance Council, reviews the annual report to shareholders and Form 10-K on behalf of the Board and monitors internal controls for financial reporting. During 1997, five meetings were held. NOMINATING COMMITTEE - The Nominating Committee is composed of W. Drew Stabler, Chairman, Hunter R. Hollar, John Chirtea, Solomon Graham, and Charles F. Mess. The Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to nominees for election as directors. While the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders, it has not actively solicited recommendations by Bancorp's shareholders for nominees nor has it established any procedures for this purpose other than as set forth in the Bylaws. See "Shareholder Proposals." During 1997, two meetings were held. HUMAN RESOURCES (COMPENSATION) COMMITTEE - The Human Resources Committee is composed of Robert L. Orndorff, Jr., Chairman, John Chirtea, Susan D. Goff, Charles F. Mess, Robert L. Mitcell and W. Drew Stabler. The Human Resources Committee recommends salaries and other compensation for executive officers, conducts an annual review of the salary budget, considers other compensation plans and makes recommendations to the Board, deals with matters of personnel policy and, with the Stock Option Committee, administers the 1992 and 1982 Stock Option Plans. During 1997, two meetings were held. 6 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table sets forth the cash and noncash compensation for each of the last three years awarded to or earned by (i) the Chief Executive Officer, and (ii) each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers of Bancorp whose salary and bonus earned in 1997 exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers").
Long-Term Compensation Annual Compensation ------------ Name and Principal ------------------- Stock Option All Other Position in 1997 Year Salary Bonus Grants (Shares)(1) Compensation(2) - ------------------ ---- -------- ------- ------------------ --------------- Hunter R. Hollar 1997 $203,885 $31,658 6,000 $6,896 President and Chief Executive 1996 185,223 33,381 3,000 9,959 Officer of Bancorp and the Bank 1995 167,335 15,000 3,000 7,425 James H. Langmead 1997 119,473 17,443 3,000 5,149 Vice President and Treasurer 1996 107,692 19,423 1,500 5,795 of Bancorp and Executive Vice 1995 95,115 7,500 2,000 5,079 President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank Lawrence T. Lewis 1997 118,000 17,227 3,000 5,086 Executive Vice President 1996 105,769 31,760(3) 3,000 3,838 of the Bank 1995 -- -- -- -- Stanley L. Merson 1997 111,254 16,244 3,000 4,795 Senior Vice President 1996 97,115 17,491 1,500 5,218 of the Bank and 1995 86,477 7,500 2,000 4,776 President, Sandy Spring Mortgage Corporation Frank H. Small 1997 105,342 15,380 3,000 3,027 Executive Vice President 1996 92,485 16,666 1,500 3,315 of the Bank 1995 83,131 7,500 2,000 2,994
- ---------- (1) Share amounts adjusted to give retroactive effect to a 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998. (2) Amounts shown in this column pertain to deferred compensation under Bancorp's Cash and Deferred (2) Profit Sharing Plan. The amount of indirect compensation in the form of personal benefits received in 1997 by Messrs. Hollar, Langmead, Lewis, Merson and Small did not exceed 10% of the annual compensation paid to each such executive officer. (3) Includes a $15,000 bonus paid to Mr. Lewis upon the commencement of his employment. 7 STOCK OPTION PLANS. Bancorp maintains two stock option plans, the purposes of which are to attract, retain and motivate key officers of Bancorp and the Bank by providing key officers with a stake in the success of Bancorp as measured by the value of its shares. The following information has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to a 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998. The 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Option Plan"), which was approved by the shareholders at the 1992 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, authorizes the issuance of up to 540,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments for changes in Bancorp's capital structure. The 1992 Option Plan has a term of 10 years from its effective date (January 1, 1992) after which date no stock options may be granted. As of March 9, 1998, options for 102,500 shares were outstanding under the 1992 Option Plan. In 1996, Bancorp also assumed certain options (the "ABI Options") outstanding under the Incentive Stock Option Plan of Annapolis Bancshares, Inc. (the "ABI Plan"), in connection with the acquisition of that company by merger. The 1982 Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Option Plan") and the ABI Plan have been terminated, except with respect to options which were outstanding on each plan's termination date. As of March 9, 1998, options for 12,000 shares were outstanding under the 1982 Option Plan and ABI Options for 1,502 shares of the Common stock were outstanding. The 1992 Option Plan and the 1982 Option Plan are referred to collectively as the "Option Plans." The Option Plans provide for the grant of "incentive options" as defined in Section 422 of the Code. The 1992 Option Plan also provides for the grant of "non-incentive options" to officers and other employees on terms and conditions established by the Stock Option Committee, which administers the Option Plans. The Stock Option Committee is comprised of all disinterested (outside) directors (i.e., all directors other than Mr. Hollar). Options have been granted under the Option Plans and may continue to be granted under the 1992 Option Plan only to key employees of Bancorp and its subsidiaries. Under the Option Plans, the maximum option term is 10 years from the date of grant. Options granted under the Option Plans prior to 1996 were immediately exercisable upon grant. Options granted in 1996 and 1997 under the 1992 Plan were first exercisable as follows: one-third upon the date of grant, one-third upon the first anniversary of the date of grant, and one-third upon the second anniversary of the date of grant. The exercise price of a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of stock options must be paid for in full in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both. The Stock Option Committee has the discretion when making a grant of stock options under the 1992 Option Plan to impose restrictions on the shares to be purchased in exercise of such options. The Committee also has the authority to cancel stock options outstanding under the 1992 Option Plan with the consent of the optionee and to grant new options at a lower exercise price in the event that the fair market value of the Common Stock at any time prior to the exercise of the outstanding stock options falls below the exercise price of such option. Consistent with Bancorp policy, however, the Committee does not intend to use this authority to cancel and reissue stock options at a lower exercise price, whether or not any decline in the market price of Bancorp's shares is the result of general economic conditions. 8 OPTION GRANTS IN 1997 --------------------- The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock options under the Option Plans to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other Named Executive Officers. The Option Plans do not provide for the grant of stock appreciation rights. Share amounts and prices in the table have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to a 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998.
Individual Grants Potential Realizable ------------------------------------------ Value at Assumed % of Total Annual Rates of Stock Options Options Exercise Price Appreciation Granted Granted to or for Option Term (Number Employees Base Price Expiration --------------------- Name of Shares)(1) in Year ($ per Share) Date 5% 10% - ---- ------------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ------- ------ Hunter R. Hollar 6,000 (2) 13.6% $24.63 12/17/2007 $92,919 $235,475 James H. Langmead 3,000 (2) 6.8 24.63 12/17/2007 46,460 117,738 Lawrence T. Lewis 3,000 (2) 6.8 24.63 12/17/2007 46,460 117,738 Stanley L. Merson 3,000 (2) 6.8 24.63 12/17/2007 46,460 117,738 Frank H. Small 3,000 (2) 6.8 24.63 12/17/2007 46,460 117,738
- ----------- (1) In each case, the exercise price was equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. (2) Options granted during 1997 that were exercisable as follows: one-third upon the date of grant, one-third upon the first anniversary of the date of grant, and one-third upon the second anniversary of the date of grant. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1997 AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES The following table sets forth information concerning the value of options held by the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers at December 31, 1997. Such persons exercised no options during 1997. Share amounts in the table have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to a 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998. Number of Value of Unexercised Unexercised Options In-the-Money at Year End Options ----------- at Year End(1) Exercisable/ --------------- Unexercisable Exercisable/ Name (Number of Shares) Unexercisable ---- ------------------ --------------- Hunter R. Hollar 33,000/5,000 $423,555/$9,875 James H. Langmead 7,000/2,500 59,990/4,938 Lawrence T. Lewis 3,500/2,500 43,505/4,938 Stanley L. Merson 17,000/2,500 214,965/4,938 Frank H. Small 7,000/2,500 59,990/4,938 - ----------- (1) The difference between the fair market value of the underlying securities at year-end and the exercise or base price. 9 PENSION PLAN TABLE ------------------ The table below shows estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement to persons in the specified remuneration and years-of-service categories if such retirement had occurred on December 31, 1997. The benefits listed are provided on a 10 year certain-and-life basis and are not subject to deduction for Social Security or other offset amounts.
Years of Credited Service at Retirement Highest 5-Year --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average Earnings 15 20 25 30 35 40 and above - ---------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------------ $ 25,000 $ 5,625 $ 7,500 $ 9,375 $ 11,250 $ 13,125 $ 15,000 75,000 16,875 22,500 28,125 33,750 39,275 45,000 125,000 28,125 37,500 46,875 56,250 65,625 75,000 150,000 33,750 45,000 56,250 67,500 78,750 90,000 160,000 and more 36,000 48,000 60,000 72,000 84,000 96,000
Earnings covered by the Pension Plan are total wages, including elective pre-tax contributions under Section 401(k) of the Code, overtime pay, bonuses, and other cash compensation which for the named executives correspond, in general, to the total of the amounts in the "Salary" and "Bonus" columns in the Summary Compensation Table, up to a total of $160,000. Benefits are computed on a monthly basis at the rate of 1.5% of highest five-year average monthly earnings multiplied by years of service up to 40 years for eligible persons retiring at age 65. Early retirement is also permitted by the Pension Plan at age 55 after at least 10 years of service. As of February 26, 1998, Bancorp's executive officers shown in the compensation table had accumulated the following years of credited service toward retirement: Mr. Hollar - 7 years, Mr. Langmead - - 6 years, Mr. Lewis - 2 years, Mr. Merson 15 years, and Mr. Small - 7 years. SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT AGREEMENTS. In May 1997, the Bank, upon the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, entered into individual Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements ("SERA's") with certain executives of the Bank, including Mr. Hollar and each of the Named Executive Officers. Mr. Hollar's participation in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, first adopted by the Bank in 1990 for key executives, was terminated upon his entering into a SERA and that plan was terminated. The SERAs are designed to provide certain post-retirement benefits to enable a targeted level of covered retirement income to be met and to provide certain pre-retirement death and disability benefits should the executive die or become disabled prior to retirement age. The annual post-retirement deferred compensation benefit is designed to replace between 65% and 70% of the executive's projected final average pay at retirement date in conjunction with the Bank's Pension Plan and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan, Social Security retirement benefits, and any benefits payable to the executive under a prior employer's pension plan. Normal retirement benefits are payable in equal monthly payments over 15 years or until the death of the executive, whichever is longer. Using a 70% income replacement target for Mr. Hollar, an annual amount of $90,000 per year has been projected to be paid over a 15-year period at age 65. Executives who reach age sixty with ten years of service are eligible for reduced benefits upon early retirement, payable over 15 years. Reduced benefits also are available in the event of disability, voluntary termination, or termination by the Bank without just cause. Benefits payable by the reason death of the executive are based upon accrued retirement benefits or, if greater, the approximate value of payments received by the Bank under insurance coverage obtained by the Bank on the executive's life, and are payable over 15 years. Change-in-Control Benefits. If within six months prior to, or two years after, a change-in-control, the Bank terminates the employment of an executive who is a party to a SERA without just cause, or the executive voluntarily terminates employment for good reason, the executive is eligible for normal retirement or early retirement benefits, at his or her election. These benefits are payable beginning at the retirement (or early retirement) age if the change in control has been approved by a majority of the directors of the Bank who were directors prior to the change in control, or otherwise beginning in the month following the executive's termination. 10 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. In December 1990, Bancorp and the Bank (collectively, the "Company") entered into an Employment Agreement (the "1990 Agreement") with Hunter R. Hollar (the "Executive"). The Agreement provided for automatic one-year extensions on each January 1 after its initial term ended on December 31, 1993, provided that neither the Company nor Mr. Hollar had given written notice at least 90 days prior to a renewal date of intention not to renew the Agreement. The 1990 Agreement, as renewed, was in effect throughout 1996. Effective January 30, 1997, the 1990 Agreement was replaced with a new employment agreement (the "Current Agreement"). The Boards of Directors of Bancorp and the Bank believe that the Current Agreement assures fair treatment of the Executive in relation to his career with the Company by assuring him of some financial security. The Current Agreement also protects the shareholders by encouraging the Executive to continue his attention to his duties without distraction in a potential merger or takeover circumstance and by helping to maintain the Executive's objectivity in considering any proposals to acquire the Company. The Current Agreement has an initial term of three years, and is subject to automatic one-year extensions of such term on each January 30, provided that neither the Company nor Mr. Hollar has given written notice at least 60 days prior to the renewal date of its intention not to renew. The Current Agreement provides for the payment of cash and other benefits to the Executive, including a fixed salary, reviewed annually and subject to increase or decrease at the Board of Directors' discretion, provided that the salary may not be less than $190,000. The Executive also is entitled to participate in bonus and fringe benefit, incentive compensation, life insurance, medical, profit sharing and retirement plans, and to continued participation in a supplemental retirement plan or arrangement. As under the 1990 Agreement, the Executive is entitled to reimbursement of reasonable business expenses, the use of an automobile (with reimbursement for expenses), and membership dues at a country club located in the Olney, Maryland area. With minor exceptions, the Current Agreement terminates, and there are no additional payments due under it, upon termination based upon death, retirement, or just cause (as defined) by the Company, or upon voluntary termination by the Executive without good reason (as defined). Upon termination for disability, the Executive is entitled to receive his salary through the term of the Current Agreement, reduced by payments under any disability plan maintained by the Company, plus regular employee benefits. Upon termination of the Executive without just cause by the Company, or with good reason by the Executive, the Executive is entitled to salary and bonuses for the remaining term of the Current Agreement, payable in a lump sum based upon prior year compensation levels. The Executive is prohibited from conflicts of interest, and must maintain the confidentiality of nonpublic information regarding the Company and its customers. The Executive also is bound by a covenant not to compete and not to interfere with other employees of the Company if the Executive is terminated for just cause, disability, or retirement or resigns without good reason. Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Executive is entitled to payment of certain benefits. If within six months prior to, or two years after, a change-in-control, the Company terminates the Executive's employment without good cause, or the Executive voluntarily terminates employment for good reason (as defined in the Current Agreement), then the Company, or its successor, is required to make a lump-sum cash payment to the Executive equal to 2.99 times the sum of the Executive's annual salary at the highest rate in effect during the preceding twelve months and bonuses for the preceding calendar year. The Executive also is entitled to continued participation for a three-year period in certain Company-sponsored health and welfare plans. These payments and benefits, are limited, however, so as not to exceed the amount allowable as a deduction under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. As of December 31, 1997, if a change-in-control had occurred and the Executive had terminated employment with good reason or had been terminated from employment without just cause, then $598,963 would have been payable to the Executive under the change-in-control provisions of the Current Agreement, after application of the limitations of Section 280G of the Code. Bancorp does not believe that payment of this amount would have a material adverse affect on the financial or operating condition of Bancorp or the Bank. 11 Agreements with Other Named Executive Officers. The other Named Executive Officers also entered into employment agreements with the Company effective January 30, 1997. The material terms and conditions of each of these agreements are similar to those of the Current Agreement entered by Mr. Hollar, except that (a) each of them is for an initial term of two years, subject to annual renewal, and (b) the compensation and duties, and provisions relating to them, are different in each agreement. Under the agreements, the other Named Executive Officers are not entitled to club memberships or use of an automobile. The agreements call for the employment of Mr. Langmead, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Merson, and Mr. Small at Bancorp, the Bank and, with respect to Mr. Merson, Sandy Spring Mortgage Corporation, at minimum base salaries of $110,000, $110,000, $100,000, and $95,000, respectively. REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE As members of the Human Resources Committee, it is our duty to review compensation policies applicable to executive officers; to consider the relationship of corporate performance to that compensation; to recommend salary and bonus levels and stock option grants for executive officers for consideration by the Boards of Directors of Bancorp and the Bank or their committees, as appropriate; and to administer various incentive plans of Bancorp and the Bank. Under the compensation policy of Bancorp, which is endorsed by the Human Resources Committee, compensation is paid based both on the executive officer's performance and the performance of the entire company. In assessing the performance of Bancorp and the Bank for purposes of compensation decisions, the Human Resources Committee considers a number of factors, including profits of Bancorp and the Bank during the past year relative to their profit plans, changes in the value of Bancorp's stock, reports of federal regulatory examinations of Bancorp and the Bank, growth, business plans for future periods, and regulatory capital levels. The Human Resources Committee assesses individual executive performance based upon the executive's responsibilities and the Committee's determination of the executive's contributions to the performance of Bancorp and the accomplishment of Bancorp's strategic goals. In assessing performance for purposes of establishing base salaries, the members of the Committee do not make use of a mechanical formula, but instead weigh the factors described above as they deem appropriate in the circumstances. The 1997 salary levels of Bancorp's executive officers were established consistent with this compensation policy. Mr. Hollar became Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp and the Bank effective January 1, 1994. During 1997, the level of Mr. Hollar's annual salary was subject to the terms of employment agreements with Bancorp and the Bank, including the Agreement (the "Current Agreement") effective January 30, 1997. Under these agreements, Mr. Hollar's annual salary is reviewed annually and is subject to increase at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Committee conducted a review of executive officer base compensation in March 1997. Changes in base compensation for 1997 were effective on April 1. In its review, the Committee determined that the performance of Mr. Hollar was excellent, based upon the 1996 financial performance of Bancorp, including the growth in assets, income, and capitalization during 1996; the financial performance trends for 1996 and the preceding four years, which include growth in assets, net operating income, and stockholders equity in each year; the results of confidential regulatory examinations; Bancorp's planned levels of financial performance for 1997; Mr. Hollar's continued involvement in community affairs in the communities served by Bancorp; and a general level of satisfaction with the management of Bancorp and its subsidiaries. As a result of this review, which included a comparison of Mr. Hollar's compensation with compensation paid to officers of comparable institutions, Mr. Hollar's salary was increased by $19,000 to $209,000. Executive officers of Bancorp and the Bank have been granted incentive stock options under Bancorp's Stock Option Plans. The purposes of the Stock Option Plans are to attract, retain and motivate key officers of Bancorp and the Bank by providing them with a stake in the success of Bancorp as measured by the value of its shares. Options are granted at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the shares on the dates of grant. The Stock Option Committee, which consists of the disinterested directors of Bancorp, has general responsibility for 12 granting stock options to key employees and administering the plans. The Human Resources Committee recommends to the Stock Option Committee the recipients and the amounts and other terms of options to be granted. During 1997, incentive stock options for 44,000 shares were granted at an exercise price of $24.63 per share, including options for 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Hollar and 3,000 shares each granted to Mr. Langmead, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Merson and Mr. Small. (Numbers of shares of the exercise price have been adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split declared on January 28, 1998.) The Human Resources Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the amount to be contributed each year to the Bank's Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan. Under this Plan, each participant receives an allocation based upon the participant's compensation for the year. Each executive officer of Bancorp participates in the Plan. In 1995, the Human Resources Committee adopted a formula to establish the amount of aggregate contribution to the profit sharing plan. This formula uses measures of loan and deposit growth, profitability, asset quality, and productivity ratios compared with those measures for the prior year and target levels established for the Bank. For 1997, the Human Resources Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors of the Bank approved, an aggregate contribution of approximately $502,000 or 4.31% of annual compensation of eligible participants, which was based upon the results of the formula. The Bank also awards quarterly cash bonuses to participants, including executive officers, based upon the performance of the Bank or business units, and annual bonuses for executive officers based solely on Bank performance, in each case using the formula described above. Performance bonuses of $31,658, $17,443, $17,227, $16,244 and $15,380 were awarded to Mr. Hollar, Mr. Langmead, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Merson and Mr. Small, respectively, in 1997. No member of the Human Resources Committee is a former or current officer or employee of Bancorp or the Bank. March 6, 1998 HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Robert L. Orndorff, Jr., Chairman John Chirtea Susan D. Goff Charles F. Mess Robert L. Mitchell W. Drew Stabler 13 STOCK PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS The following graph and table show the cumulative total return on the Common Stock of Bancorp over the last five years, compared with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index (U.S. Companies) and the NASDAQ Bank Stock Index of banks and bank holding companies over the same period. Cumulative total return on the stock or the index equals the total increase in value since December 31, 1992, assuming reinvestment of all dividends paid into the stock or the index, respectively. The graph and table were prepared assuming that $100 was invested on December 31, 1992 in the Common Stock and the securities included in the indexes. CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN COMPARED WITH PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED INDEXES DECEMBER 31, 1992 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997 [PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN COMPARED WITH PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED INDEXES December 31, 1992 through December 31, 1997 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- Bancorp $100.0 $123.8 $134.8 $196.6 $183.7 $294.0 NASDAQ Stock Market Index 100.0 114.8 112.2 158.7 195.2 239.5 (U.S. Companies) NASDAQ Bank Stock Index 100.0 114.0 113.6 169.2 223.6 337.4 - -------------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
14 TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANAGEMENT Bancorp and the Bank have had in the past, and expect to have in the future, banking transactions with directors and executive officers in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral on loans, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with other persons. In the opinion of management, these transactions do not and will not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. Director Susan D. Goff is President of M.D. IPA, one of three health insurance providers that employees of the Bank and Bancorp were able to select under the Company's health insurance plan prior to January 1, 1998. Director Lewis R. Schumann is a partner in the law firm of Miller, Miller and Canby, Chtd., which Bancorp and the Bank have retained during 1997 and expect to retain during the current year as corporate counsel. The law firm provides legal services on matters such as routine litigation, personnel policies and practices, customer account forms and issues and Bank properties. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS From time to time, individual shareholders may wish to submit proposals which they believe should be voted upon by the shareholders. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations that govern the inclusion of such proposals in Bancorp's annual proxy materials. Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by Bancorp at its executive offices not later than November 22, 1998, in order to be eligible for inclusion in Bancorp's proxy materials for that Annual Meeting. In addition, Bancorp's Bylaws require that to be properly brought before an annual meeting, shareholder proposals for new business must be delivered to or mailed and received by Bancorp not less than 30 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, however, that if less than 45 days notice of the date of the meeting is given to shareholders, such notice by a shareholder must be received not later than the 15th day following the date on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed to shareholders or two days before the date of the meeting, whichever is earlier. Each such notice given by a shareholder must set forth certain information specified in the Bylaws concerning the shareholder and the business proposed to be brought before the meeting. Shareholders may also nominate candidates for director, provided that such nominations are made in writing and received by Bancorp at its executive offices not later than December 22, 1998. The nomination should be sent to the attention of Bancorp's Corporate Secretary and must include, concerning the director nominee, the following information: full name, age, date of birth, educational background and business experience, including positions held for at least the preceding five years, home and office addresses and telephone numbers, and signed a representation to timely provide all information requested by Bancorp for preparation of its disclosures regarding the solicitation of proxies for election of directors. The name of each such candidate for director must be placed in nomination at the Annual Meeting by a shareholder present in person. The nominee must also be present in person at the Annual Meeting. A vote for a person who has not been duly nominated pursuant to these requirements will be deemed to be void. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Bancorp's executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Bancorp's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by applicable regulations to furnish Bancorp with copies of all Forms 3, 4, and 5 they file. 15 Based solely on Bancorp's review of the copies of such forms it has received and written representations from certain reporting persons, Bancorp believes that all its executive officers and directors complied with all filing requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during 1997 other than as stated below, and that there are no stockholders that own beneficially more than 10% of the shares of Bancorp's Common Stock. Charles F. Mess, MD, a director of Bancorp, did not file a Form 4 to report one transaction within the prescribed time. This transaction was effected by others in Bancorp stock held by a retirement plan in which this director has a beneficial interest. Dr. Mess was not aware that this transaction had occurred until after the date for filing had passed. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors anticipates the selection of Stegman & Company, certified public accountants, to audit the books and accounts of Bancorp for the year ending December 31, 1998. Stegman & Company has served as independent auditors for Bancorp and its subsidiary and predecessor, Sandy Spring National Bank of Maryland, without interruption for many years. Stegman & Company has advised Bancorp that neither the accounting firm nor any of its members or associates has any direct financial interest in or any connection with Bancorp and its subsidiaries other than as independent public auditors. A representative of Stegman & Company will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement, and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions. ACTION WITH RESPECT TO REPORTS Action taken at the Annual Meeting to approve the minutes of the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders does not constitute approval or disapproval of any of the matters referred to in those minutes. By order of the Board of Directors /S/ MARJORIE S. HOLSINGER Marjorie S. Holsinger Corporate Secretary Dated: March 20, 1998 16 REVOCABLE PROXY SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS APRIL 15, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints John Chirtea and Thomas O. Keech and each of them the proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to attend the annual meeting of shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp") to be held at the Indian Spring Country Club, 13501 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland on Wednesday, April 15, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or at any adjournment thereof, and to vote all the shares of stock of Bancorp which the undersigned may be entitled to vote, upon the following matters: FOR WITHHOLD I. The election as directors of all nominees listed below (except as marked to the +-+ +-+ contrary below). +-+ +-+ Solomon Graham Gilbert L. Hardesty Charles F. Mess Lewis R. Schumann W. Drew Stabler INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, PRINT THE NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE BELOW. II. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES AS SHOWN IN ITEM I. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS MARKED HEREIN. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE MARKED HEREIN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND AS DETERMINED BY A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS TO OTHER MATTERS. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned shareholder hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously given. This proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise. --------------------------------------------- Signature Date --------------------------------------------- Signature Date --------------------------------------------- Signature Date Please sign exactly as your name appears above. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, etc., please give your full title. If the shareholder is a corporation, please provide the full name of the corporation and the name and title of the signing, duly appointed officer. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----