As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2021 Registration No. 333-          

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 52-1532952 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

17801 Georgia Avenue

Olney, MD 20832

(301) 774-6400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Aaron M. Kaslow, Esq.

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

17801 Georgia Avenue

Olney, MD 20832

(301) 774-6400

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Edward G. Olifer, Esq.

Stephen F. Donahoe, Esq.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

607 14^th Street, N.W., Suite 900

Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 508-5800

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

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 this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer    x	Accelerated filer                     ¨
Non-accelerated filer      ¨	Smaller reporting company   ¨
	Emerging growth company   ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Section Act. ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered (1)(2)	Amount to be Registered(1)	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1)	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)	Amount of Registration Fee(3)
Debt Securities
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value
Warrants(4)
Depositary Shares(5)
Purchase Contracts
Units(6)
Total:

(1) This registration statement covers an indeterminate aggregate number and amount of the securities of each class as may from time to time be offered and sold at indeterminate prices by the registrant. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with offers and sales of securities registered hereunder. The debt securities, preferred stock and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of securities registered hereunder or that are represented by depositary shares.

(2) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(3) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee and will pay the registration fee subsequently in advance or on a pay-as-you-go basis.

(4) Warrants represent rights to purchase debt securities, common stock, or preferred stock registered hereunder.

(5) Each depositary share will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement. In the event the registrant elects to offer to the public whole or fractional interests in shares of preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such interests and such shares will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement.

(6) Any securities registered hereunder may be sold as units with other securities registered hereunder. Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more securities, which may or may not be separable from one another.

PROSPECTUS

 

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series, our unsecured debt securities, which may consist of notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness; shares of our common stock; shares of our preferred stock; warrants to purchase other securities; depositary shares; purchase contracts; or units consisting of a combination of two or more of these securities. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of ours. This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement and, if necessary, a pricing supplement, that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. These supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities offered, you should carefully read this prospectus with the applicable supplements, which together provide the specific terms of the securities we are offering.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SASR.”

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference to read about certain risks and uncertainties that you should consider before buying any securities issued by us.

This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement for those securities.

These securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings association and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 22, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION	4
SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.	6
RISK FACTORS	7
USE OF PROCEEDS	7
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	8
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	17
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	21
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	24
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	26
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS	28
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	29
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	30
LEGAL MATTERS	33
EXPERTS	33

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, or units consisting of a combination of these securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to that offering. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with additional information from the sources described in “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplements, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Sandy Spring Bancorp,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You should call 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we file separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:

· our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021; and

· the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2020.

In addition, we also incorporate by reference all future documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of our initial registration statement relating to the securities until the completion of the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than Current Reports furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), as well as proxy statements.

The information incorporated by reference contains information about us and our financial condition and is an important part of this prospectus.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
17801 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD 20832
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (301) 774-6400

2

In addition, we maintain a corporate website, www.sandyspringbank.com. On our website, we make available, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish it to, the SEC. This reference to our website is for the convenience of investors as required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to incorporate any information on the web site into this prospectus.

3

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus, as well as other written communications made from time to time by us and oral communications made from time to time by our authorized officers, may contain statements relating to future events or future results of Sandy Spring Bancorp that are considered “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and “potential,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements include statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

Forward-looking statements reflect our expectation or prediction of future conditions, events or results based on information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. These risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in other reports we file with the SEC, and the following:

· risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the length of time that the pandemic continues, the imposition of any shelter in place orders and restrictions on travel, the effect of the pandemic on the general economy and on the businesses of our borrowers and their ability to make payments on their obligations, the remedial actions and stimulus measures adopted by federal, state and local governments, and the inability of employees to work due to illness, quarantine, or government mandates;

· general business and economic conditions nationally or in the markets that the Company serves could adversely affect, among other things, real estate prices, unemployment levels, the ability of businesses to remain viable and consumer and business confidence, which could lead to decreases in the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services that we provide and increases in loan delinquencies and defaults;

· changes or volatility in the capital markets and interest rates may adversely impact the value of securities, loans, deposits and other financial instruments and the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet as well as our liquidity;

· our liquidity requirements could be adversely affected by changes in our assets and liabilities;

· our investment securities portfolio is subject to credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk as well as changes in the estimates we use to value certain of the securities in our portfolio;

· the effect of the recent presidential election and of legislative or regulatory developments including changes in laws concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the financial services industry;

· acquisition integration risks, including potential deposit attrition, higher than expected costs, customer loss, business disruption and the inability to realize benefits and costs savings from, and limit any unexpected liabilities associated with, any business combinations;

· competitive factors among financial services companies, including product and pricing pressures and our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified banking professionals;

· the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and other regulatory agencies; and

· the effect of fiscal and governmental policies of the United States federal government.

4

All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated by reference herein or therein speak only as of the date such document. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws.

5

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

Sandy Spring Bancorp is the holding company parent of Sandy Spring Bank. Sandy Spring Bancorp is registered as a bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As such, we are subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Sandy Spring Bancorp began operating in 1988.

Sandy Spring Bank traces its origin to 1868, making it among the oldest banking institutions in the region. Sandy Spring Bank offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking, mortgage and trust services throughout central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the greater Washington, D.C. market. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation, West Financial Services, Inc. and SSB Wealth Management, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and wealth management services.

As of December 31, 2020, Sandy Spring Bancorp had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of $12.8 billion, total deposits of $10.0 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $1.5 billion.

Our executive offices are located at 17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland 21202, and our telephone number at these offices is (301) 774-6400. Our Internet address is www.sandyspringbank.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2.

6

RISK FACTORS

Investing in securities issued by us involves certain risks. Before you invest in any securities issued by us, in addition to the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, you should carefully consider the risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our annual or quarterly reports for subsequent fiscal years or fiscal quarters that we file with the SEC and that are so incorporated. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information about how to obtain a copy of these documents. You should also carefully consider the risks and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include financing possible acquisitions of branches or other financial institutions or financial service companies, extending credit to, or funding investments in, our subsidiaries and repaying, reducing or refinancing indebtedness. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we may use the net proceeds to reduce our indebtedness or for temporary investments.

7

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer from time to time debt securities in the form of either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We will issue debt securities under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following summary of the general terms and provisions of the indenture is not complete (the text below refers to both indentures as the form of  “indenture”). Forms of indentures for senior indebtedness and subordinated indebtedness are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The indentures are substantially identical except as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities” in this section. You should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series, and it will also address whether the general terms and provisions described below apply to the particular series of debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the forms of indenture.

General

Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, our board of directors will set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, which will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture, in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. Among other things, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will address the following terms of the debt securities:

· the title of the debt securities;

· the price(s), expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, at which we will sell the debt securities;

· whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated, and, if subordinated, any such provisions that are different from those described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities;”

· any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

· the date(s) when principal payments are due on the debt securities;

· the interest rate(s) on the debt securities, which may be fixed or variable, per annum or otherwise, and the method used to determine the rate(s), the dates on which interest will begin to accrue and be payable, and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

· the place(s) where principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

· provisions governing redemption of the debt securities, including any redemption or purchase requirements pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the redemption price and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

· the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof;

· whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

8

· the portion of the principal of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;

· any additional or modified events of default from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;

· any additional or modified covenants from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

· any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and

· any other specific terms of such debt securities.

In addition, we may issue convertible debt securities. Any conversion provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. To the extent applicable, conversion may be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common or preferred stock to be received upon conversion would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will provide an overview of the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Transfer and Exchange

As described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security will be represented by either a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) or one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), in the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities. Except as described below under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” book-entry debt securities will not be certificated.

Certificated Debt Securities

You can transfer certificated debt securities (and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest thereon) only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities. Either we or the trustee will reissue the existing certificate, or issue a new certificate, to the new holder.

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. There is no service charge, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (which we refer to below as “DTC” or the “depositary”), as the depositary, and registered in its (or its nominee’s) name. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company and a “banking organization” organized under New York law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within in the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. We understand that DTC intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

9

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to “participants” or persons that may hold interests through participants (sometimes called “indirect participants”). A participant is a person having an account with the depositary for the related global debt security, typically broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit the participants’ accounts on its book-entry registration and transfer system with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities owned by such participants; the depositary will have no knowledge of the underlying beneficial owners of the book-entry debt securities owned by participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities will designate accounts to be credited. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of indirect participants). Some states may legally require certain purchasers to take physical delivery of such securities, which may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as DTC (or its nominee) is the registered owner of a global debt security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. This means that, except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names or to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form nor will such beneficial owners be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on DTC’s procedures for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest. As a beneficial owner of book-entry debt securities, information regarding your holdings will come through the participant, or indirect participant, through which you own such securities.

Notwithstanding the above, under existing industry practice, the depositary may authorize persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain of a holder’s rights. For purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities under the indenture, we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat DTC as the holder of a debt security and/or any persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security.

All payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities will be paid to DTC (or its nominee) as the registered holder of the related global debt security, and any redemption notices will be sent directly to DTC. Neither we, the trustee nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests. We expect DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest on a global debt security, to immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments ratably according to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, similar to those for securities held in “street name.”

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary at any time cannot or will not continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have the book-entry debt securities represented by global debt securities; in that event, we will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. If an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing, holders may exchange global debt securities for certificated debt securities.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning DTC and its book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

10

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions affording holders of the debt securities protection, such as prior consent or acceleration rights, in the event we agree to a change in control or a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any restrictive covenants applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate or merge with, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a “successor,” unless:

· we are the surviving corporation or the successor (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

· immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

· certain other conditions are met.

Events of Default

For any series of debt securities, in addition to any event of default described in the prospectus supplement applicable to that series, an event of default will include the following events:

· default in the payment when due of any interest on any debt security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless we deposit the entire amount of such payment with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of such 30-day period); ​

· default in the payment when due of principal of any debt security of that series; ​

· default in the deposit when due of any sinking fund payment in respect of any debt security of that series;

· default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture that applies to such series, which default continues (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of the indenture) for a period of 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; and ​

· certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us.

The applicable prospectus supplement will explain whether or not an event of default with respect to one series of debt securities will constitute a cross-default with respect to any other series of debt securities (except that certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization will always constitute cross-defaults).

11

If an event of default with respect to any outstanding debt securities occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), accelerate the payment of the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Such acceleration is automatic (without any notice required) in the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Following acceleration, payments on our subordinated debt securities, if any, will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.” At any time after acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series, but before the trustee has obtained a court judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will contain particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities unless the trustee is indemnified against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

· that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and ​

· the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the trustee in writing (and offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee) to institute the proceeding (and have not subsequently given contrary instructions), and the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Under the indenture we must furnish the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. The indenture provides that, other than with respect to payment defaults, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of a default or event of default if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or supplement the indenture or a series of debt securities if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments consent thereto. We may not make any amendment or waiver without the consent of the specific holder of an affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment or waiver will:

· reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

· reduce the rate of, or extend the time for payment of, interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

12

· reduce the principal or change the stated maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

· reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

· waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

· make the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security payable in any currency other than that stated in the debt security;

· make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or ​

· waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a payment default or a default of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

We may deposit with the trustee, in trust, cash or U.S. government securities in an amount that, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, which is sufficient in the opinion of our independent public accountants to make all payments of principal and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the due dates for such payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities. If we make such a deposit, unless otherwise provided under the applicable series of debt securities, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of such series (except for obligations relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities and relating to maintaining paying agencies and the treatment of funds held by paying agents and certain rights of the trustee and our obligations with respect thereto). However, this discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee a legal opinion stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and, based thereon confirming that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

Under the indenture (and unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities), upon making the deposit and delivering the legal opinion described in “Legal Defeasance” above, we will not need to comply with the covenants described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any such noncompliance will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

13

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

If we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amounts on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We will remain liable for those payments.

The Trustee

The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims. The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The indenture will govern the extent to which payment on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such senior indebtedness. If subordinated debt securities are accelerated because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness of any acceleration of payment of the subordinated debt securities.

We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities, including upon redemption (whether at the holder’s or our option) if:

• a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of any senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period (called a “payment default”); or

•  a default (other than a payment default) with respect to designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a notice of such default (called a “payment blockage notice”) from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the indenture (called a “non-payment default”).

We may resume payments and distributions on the subordinated debt securities, in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and, in the case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived and 179 days after the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless the indenture otherwise prohibits such payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.

14 

No new payment blockage notice may be given unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice and all scheduled payments, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. A non-payment default existing or continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice cannot be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.

If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the foregoing subordination provisions, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.

In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.

The indenture does not prohibit us from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.

We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee, reimburse the trustee for reasonable expenses and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses it incurs in connection with its duties relating to the subordinated debt securities. The trustee’s claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee and will not be subject to subordination.

Certain Definitions

“Indebtedness” means:

(1) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) for borrowed money (including our obligations in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services);

(2) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances;

(3) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on our balance sheet, and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which contractually obligates us to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property;

(4) all obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement;

(5) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise), to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of others of the type described in (1) through (4) above;

15 

(6) any indebtedness or other obligations described in (1) through (5) above secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which we own or hold, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall be assumed by us; and

(7) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (1) through (6) above.

“Senior indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, additional amounts, if any, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. Senior indebtedness does not include:

•  indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to subordinated debt securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to subordinated debt securities; and

•  our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement applicable to the particular series of debt securities, the indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

16 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Sandy Spring Bancorp, which is incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of capital stock, $1.00 par value. As of February 17, 2021, we had 47,095,833 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Our board of directors may at any time, without additional approval of the holders of preferred stock or common stock, issue additional authorized shares of preferred stock or common stock.

Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Dividends and Repurchases

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive and share equally in any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Under Maryland law, we may pay dividends if, after giving effect to such dividends, (1) we will be able to pay our indebtedness as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business and (2) our total assets exceed out total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving dividends.

Liquidation

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of our remaining assets after payment, or provision for payment, of all our debts and liabilities and the holders our preferred stock, if any, have been paid in full any sums to which they may be entitled.

No Preemptive or Redemption Rights

Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Restrictions on Ownership

The Bank Holding Company Act generally would prohibit any company that is not engaged in financial activities and activities that are permissible for a bank holding company or a financial holding company from acquiring control of us. “Control” is generally defined as ownership of 25% or more of the voting stock or other exercise of a controlling influence. In addition, any existing bank holding company would need the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring 5% or more of our voting stock. The Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring control of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as Sandy Spring Bancorp, could constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company. Maryland law generally requires the prior approval of the Commissioner before a person, group of persons, or company may acquire 25% or more of our voting stock or otherwise exercise a controlling influence over the direction of the management or policy of Sandy Spring Bancorp or Sandy Spring Bank.

17 

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

A number of provisions of Maryland law, our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws deal with matters of corporate governance and certain rights of stockholders. The following discussion is a general summary of certain provisions of Maryland law, our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that might be deemed to have a potential “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is necessarily general and reference should be made in each case to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Maryland Anti-Takeover Statute

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder, or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, certain transfers of assets, certain stock issuances and transfers, liquidation plans and reclassifications involving interested stockholders and their affiliates or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as: (i) any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of a corporation’s voting stock after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock; or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation at any time after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock who, within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of directors.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally 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 shares of voting stock of the corporation; and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Classification of our Board of Directors. Our directors are divided into three classes. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of our board of directors. Further, our policies impose certain notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to our board of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

Extraordinary Transactions. Pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot consolidate, merge, engage in a share exchange, or transfer its assets other than in the ordinary course of business unless such acts are approved by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage is set forth in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, which may not be less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of voting stock is required to authorize a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets unless approval of the transaction is recommended by at least a majority of the entire board of directors.

18 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of all voting stock and the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 67 percent of the outstanding shares of voting stock not including shares beneficially owned by a controlling party (as defined in our Articles of Incorporation) is required to approve certain business combination transactions. The super-majority vote requirement is not applicable to any business combination if the business combination has been approved by a majority of the continuing directors (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation) and our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under our Articles of Incorporation, for their shares.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation. Except as otherwise allowed by law, any amendment to our Articles of Incorporation must be approved by our board of directors and also by stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter; provided, however, that approval by at least 80 percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is required to amend the provisions regarding authorization of issuance of stock, directors, approval of certain transactions, approval of business combinations with controlling parties, evaluation of business combinations and amendment of the Articles of Incorporation.

Bylaws Amendments. Our Bylaws may be amended by a majority of the directors then in office or by a vote of not less than 80 percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Removal of Directors. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that a director may be removed only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Absence of Cumulative Voting. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation are entitled, in the election of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Because a stockholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his, her or its votes for one nominee or disperse his, her or its votes among nominees as the stockholder chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase the ability of minority stockholders to elect nominees to a corporation’s board of directors. The absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority of our voting shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Authorized Shares. As indicated above, our charter currently authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of capital stock. The unissued authorized shares may be used by our board of directors consistent with its fiduciary duty to deter future attempts to gain control of the Company. Also, as indicated above, our board of directors’ right to set the terms of one or more series of preferred stock may have anti-takeover effects.

Effect of Anti-Takeover Provisions

The foregoing provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Maryland law could have the effect of discouraging an acquisition of the Company or stock purchases in furtherance of an acquisition, and could accordingly, under certain circumstances, discourage transactions that might otherwise have a favorable effect on the price of our common stock. In addition, such provisions may make us less attractive to a potential acquirer and/or might result in stockholders receiving a lesser amount of consideration for their shares of our common stock than otherwise could have been available.

Our board of directors believes that the provisions described above are prudent and will reduce our vulnerability to takeover attempts and certain other transactions that are not negotiated with and approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors believes that these provisions are in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. In our board of directors’ judgment, our board of directors is in the best position to determine our true value and to negotiate more effectively for what may be in the best interests of our stockholders. Accordingly, our board of directors believes that it is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate directly with our board of directors and that these provisions will encourage such negotiations and discourage hostile takeover attempts.

19 

Despite our board of directors’ belief as to the benefits of the foregoing provisions, these provisions also may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt in which our stockholders might receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices and may tend to perpetuate existing management. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Our board of directors, however, believes that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SASR.”

20 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the amendment to our Articles of Incorporation or the Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the establishment of a series of preferred stock which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such series of preferred stock.

General

Our Articles of Incorporation permit our board of directors to reclassify any of our unissued shares of capital stock into preferred stock, in one or more series, without stockholder action. The board of directors can fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of each series. Therefore, without stockholder approval, our board of directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion and other rights that could dilute the voting power of the common stock and may assist management in impeding any unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control. No shares of our preferred stock are currently outstanding.

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

• the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

• the amount of liquidation preference per share;

• the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

• the dividend rate or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate;

• any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

• any conversion or exchange provisions;

• whether we have elected to offer depositary shares as described under “Description of Depositary Shares”; and

• any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock.

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, with respect to any series of the preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, and provide for the issuance of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of the series of the preferred stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock.

21 

Rank

Any series of the preferred stock will, with respect to the priority of the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up, and dissolution, rank:

• senior to all classes of common stock and all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank junior to the preferred stock (the junior securities);

• equally with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank equally with the preferred stock (the parity securities); and

• junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank senior to the preferred stock.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates, if any, described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities. No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full cumulative dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.

Our ability to pay dividends on our preferred stock is subject to policies established by the Federal Reserve.

Rights Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve, liquidate, or wind up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution of assets is made to holders of junior securities, liquidating distributions in the amount described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of the preferred stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and, if the series of the preferred stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior to that point in time. If the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock of any series and any other parity securities are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series and of the parity securities will share proportionately in the distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which they are entitled. After the holders of preferred stock and the parity securities are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Because we are a bank holding company, our rights, the rights of our creditors and of our stockholders, including the holders of the preferred stock offered by this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

22 

Redemption

We may provide that a series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option, with prior Federal Reserve approval, if required. In addition, a series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be described in the prospectus supplement.

In the event of partial redemptions of preferred stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, our board of directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata or by any other method determined to be equitable.

On or after a redemption date, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of preferred stock called for redemption. In addition, all rights of holders of the shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock, if any dividends on any other series of preferred stock ranking equally as to payment of dividends and liquidation rights with such series of preferred stock are in arrears, no shares of any such series of preferred stock may be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, unless all shares of preferred stock are redeemed, and we will not purchase any shares of such series of preferred stock. This requirement, however, will not prevent us from acquiring such shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all such shares outstanding.

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as otherwise required by law or in our Articles of Incorporation.

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve, if the holders of any series of the preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a “class of voting securities” and a holder of 25% or more of such series, or a holder of 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us, may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at such time as such series is deemed a class of voting securities, (a) any other bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire or retain 5% or more of that series and (b) any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.

Exchangeability

We may provide that the holders of shares of preferred stock of any series may be required at any time or at maturity to exchange those shares for our debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the terms of any such exchange.

23 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Withdrawal of Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

24 

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Notices

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Limitation of Liability

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

25 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the appropriate prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

• the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;

• the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

• the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

• any applicable anti-dilution provisions;

• any applicable redemption or call provisions;

• the circumstances under which the warrant exercise price may be adjusted;

• whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

• any applicable material United States federal income tax consequences;

• the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

• the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

• the designation and terms of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

• the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

• if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

• if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;

26 

• the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

• if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

• information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

• the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

• any redemption or call provisions;

• whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

• any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

27 

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. The price of our debt securities or price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.

The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the purchase contracts issued under it:

• whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both, our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or method of determining those amounts;

• whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

• whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common stock or preferred stock;

• any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

• United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase contracts; and

• whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered global form.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such purchase contracts.

28 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of two or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

• the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

• any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

• the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;

• United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and

• whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of unit agreement which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.

29 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell these securities in any one or more of the following ways:

• to the public through a group of underwriters managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or through dealers;

• through one or more agents;

• directly to purchasers; or

• through a combination of such methods of sale.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

• at a fixed price, or prices which may be changed from time to time;

• at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

• at prices related to those prevailing market prices; or

• at negotiated prices.

Each time we sell securities a prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

• the name or names of any agents, dealers or underwriters included in the offer and sale of the securities;

• the public offering or purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agents or underwriters;

• all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

• any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the underwriters may be required to make.

30 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to those contracts will be equal to, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

• the purchase by an institution of the debt securities covered under that contract will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

• if the debt securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters will have purchased those debt securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will issue and sell shares of our common stock to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any shares of our common stock sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our common stock. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common stock or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. In the event that any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement relating to the transaction.

Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made, by us of those securities directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

31

• commercial and savings banks;

• insurance companies;

• pension funds;

• investment companies; and

• educational and charitable institutions.

In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.

Each series of securities other than common stock will be new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.

The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering. The securities offered by this prospectus may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or activity of any trading in the offered securities.

We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions. These financial institutions may in turn engage in sales of our common stock to hedge their position, deliver this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the shares covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. We may also sell shares of our common stock short using this prospectus and deliver our common stock covered by this prospectus to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge our common stock to financial institutions that in turn may sell the shares of our common stock using this prospectus. We may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of our common stock covered by this prospectus to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligations and, if we default in the performance of our obligations, the pledges or secured parties may offer and sell our common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

We also may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Certain of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

32

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Washington, D.C.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

33

PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts shown are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.

SEC registration fee	$	(1	)
Printing expenses		(2	)
Legal fees and expenses		(2	)
Accounting fees and expenses		(2	)
Trustee fees and expenses		(2	)
Rating agency fees		(2	)
Listing fees and expenses		(2	)
Miscellaneous expenses		(2	)
Total Expenses		(2	)

(1)	Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act and calculated in accordance with the offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act.
(2)	These fees depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and cannot be estimated at this time. Additional information regarding estimated fees and expenses will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 2-418 of the Maryland Annotated Code, Corporations and Associations Article (1993) (“Maryland Code”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacities unless it is established that: (a) the directors act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or (b) the director actually received an improper personal benefit; or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. A corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions.

The Maryland Code provides that the foregoing provisions shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a director or officer seeking indemnification may be entitled under, among other things, any bylaw or charter provision, or resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise.

Article XV of the Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. requires indemnification of officers and directors as follows:

Subject to applicable provisions of federal law, the Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law any individual who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, and any individual who serves or served at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in any proceeding in which the individual is made a party as a result of his service in such capacity. An individual will not be indemnified if (i) it is established that the act or omission at issue was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith, or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) the individual actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property, or services; or (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the individual had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. In the event any litigation is brought against a director of this Corporation, authorization is hereby made to advance all expenses needed by the director to defend the lawsuit. There shall be no obligation to repay the expenses forwarded, unless it shall be determined ultimately by the Corporation, in accordance with the provisions of this Article XV and the Maryland General Corporation law, that the director shall not be entitled to indemnification.

II-1

The rights of indemnification provided for in this Article XV shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Rights of indemnification under this Article XV shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in one of the capacities listed in the immediately preceding paragraph and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

Item 16. Exhibits

A list of exhibits filed herewith is contained in the exhibit index that immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth 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% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

II-2

(4) That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the registrant or used or referred to by the registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the registrant to the purchaser.

(6)       That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7)       To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(8)       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 Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-3

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Olney, State of Maryland, on February 22, 2021.

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
By:	/s/ Daniel J. Schrider
	Daniel J. Schrider
	President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. hereby severally constitute and appoint Daniel J. Schrider, Philip J. Mantua and Aaron M. Kaslow, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to any of them, and to each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed herewith and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said Registration Statement and generally to do all such things in our name and behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.

February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Schrider
		Daniel J. Schrider
		President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
		(Principal Executive Officer)
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Philip J. Mantua
		Philip J. Mantua
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Ralph F. Boyd, Jr.
		Ralph F. Boyd, Jr.
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Mark E. Friis
		Mark E. Friis
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Brian J. Lemek
		Brian J. Lemek
		Director

February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Pamela A. Little
		Pamela A. Little
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ James J. Maiwurm
		James J. Maiwurm
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Walter C. Martz II
		Walter C. Martz II
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Mark C. Michael
		Mark C. Michael
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Mark C. Micklem
		Mark C. Micklem
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Gary G. Nakamoto
		Gary G. Nakamoto
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Christina Baldwin O’Meara
		Christina Baldwin O’Meara
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Robert L. Orndorff
		Robert L. Orndorff
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Craig A. Ruppert
		Craig A. Ruppert
		Director
February 22, 2021	By:	/s/ Mona Abutaleb Stephenson
		Mona Abutaleb Stephenson
		Director

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement*
4.1	Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, SEC File No. 0-19065)
4.2	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, SEC File No. 0-19065)
4.3	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2018, SEC file No. 0-19065)
4.4	Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File No. 333-222910)
4.5	Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities
4.6	Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities
4.7	Form of Senior Debt Security*
4.8	Form of Subordinated Debt Security*
4.9	Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of Depositary Receipt)*
4.10	Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*
4.11	Form of Articles Supplementary for series of Preferred Stock*
4.12	Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate)*
4.13	Form of Purchase Contract*
4.14	Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit Certificate)*
5.1	Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP as to the legality of the securities being offered
23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2	Consent of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1	Powers of Attorney (contained in the signature pages of this Registration Statement)
25.1	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, under the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities**
25.2	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, under the Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities**

*	To be subsequently filed by an amendment to the Registration Statement or by a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
**	To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if applicable.