SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number: 0-19065

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
52-1532952
(State of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland
 
20832
 
301-774-6400
(Address of principal office)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(Telephone Number)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES  x   NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer x      Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
YES o  NO x
 
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 19, 2007 is 14,454,612 shares.


 
SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
INDEX

   
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
     
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
 
1
     
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Month and Six Month Periods Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 
2
     
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Month Periods Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 
4
     
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Six Month Periods Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 
6
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
7
     
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
17
     
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
30
     
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
30
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
   
     
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
31
     
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
31
     
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
31
     
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
32
     
SIGNATURES
 
32



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2007
 
2006
 
ASSETS
         
Cash and due from banks
 
$
60,816
 
$
54,945
 
Federal funds sold
   
57,083
   
48,978
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
117,899
   
103,923
 
               
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
   
74,050
   
2,974
 
Residential mortgage loans held for sale
   
17,874
   
10,595
 
Investments available-for-sale (at fair value)
   
222,123
   
256,845
 
Investments held-to-maturity — fair value of $251,553 (2007) and $273,206 (2006)
   
248,463
   
267,344
 
Other equity securities
   
19,785
   
16,719
 
Total loans and leases
   
2,165,008
   
1,805,579
 
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(23,661
)
 
(19,492
)
Net loans and leases
   
2,141,347
   
1,786,087
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
54,318
   
47,756
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
16,850
   
15,200
 
Goodwill
   
77,457
   
12,494
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
18,878
   
10,653
 
Other assets
   
92,365
   
79,867
 
Total assets
 
$
3,101,409
 
$
2,610,457
 
LIABILITIES
             
Noninterest-bearing deposits
 
$
490,545
 
$
394,662
 
Interest-bearing deposits
   
1,895,681
   
1,599,561
 
Total deposits
   
2,386,226
   
1,994,223
 
Short-term borrowings
   
334,566
   
314,732
 
Other long-term borrowings
   
8,038
   
1,808
 
Subordinated debentures
   
35,000
   
35,000
 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
   
31,324
   
26,917
 
Total liabilities
   
2,795,154
   
2,372,680
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
             
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Common stock par value $1.00; shares authorized 50,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 16,451,621 (2007) and 14,826,805 (2006)
   
16,452
   
14,827
 
Additional paid in capital
   
86,669
   
27,869
 
Retained earnings
   
207,430
   
199,102
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(4,296
)
 
(4,021
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
306,255
   
237,777
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
3,101,409
 
$
2,610,457
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
1


Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Interest Income:
                 
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
38,393
 
$
31,287
 
$
72,967
 
$
60,145
 
Interest on loans held for sale
   
272
   
142
   
467
   
292
 
Interest on deposits with banks
   
401
   
4
   
491
   
14
 
Interest and dividends on securities:
                         
Taxable
   
3,750
   
3,369
   
7,621
   
6,400
 
Exempt from federal income taxes
   
2,581
   
2,928
   
5,308
   
5,944
 
Interest on federal funds sold
   
617
   
143
   
1,054
   
255
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
   
46,014
   
37,873
   
87,908
   
73,050
 
Interest Expense:
                         
Interest on deposits
   
15,577
   
8,794
   
29,365
   
16,468
 
Interest on short-term borrowings
   
3,586
   
4,650
   
7,067
   
8,399
 
Interest on long-term borrowings
   
652
   
577
   
1,262
   
1,154
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
   
19,815
   
14,021
   
37,694
   
26,021
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
   
26,199
   
23,852
   
50,214
   
47,029
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
780
   
1,045
   
1,619
   
1,995
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
   
25,419
   
22,807
   
48,595
   
45,034
 
Noninterest Income:
                         
Securities gains
   
4
   
1
   
6
   
1
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
2,630
   
1,950
   
4,938
   
3,798
 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans
   
773
   
549
   
1,411
   
1,331
 
Fees on sales of investment products
   
906
   
763
   
1,706
   
1,481
 
Trust and investment management fees
   
2,361
   
2,196
   
4,642
   
4,312
 
Insurance agency commissions
   
1,438
   
1,618
   
4,128
   
3,726
 
Income from bank owned life insurance
   
693
   
567
   
1,377
   
1,120
 
Visa check fees
   
717
   
612
   
1,307
   
1,147
 
Other income
   
1,351
   
1,139
   
2,264
   
2,325
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
   
10,873
   
9,395
   
21,779
   
19,241
 
Noninterest Expenses:
                         
Salaries and employee benefits
   
13,776
   
12,730
   
27,210
   
25,201
 
Occupancy expense of premises
   
2,709
   
2,039
   
5,126
   
4,165
 
Equipment expenses
   
1,501
   
1,412
   
3,103
   
2,728
 
Marketing
   
675
   
472
   
1,204
   
813
 
Outside data services
   
1,077
   
833
   
2,003
   
1,614
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,031
   
742
   
1,833
   
1,484
 
Other expenses
   
4,190
   
2,600
   
8,094
   
5,179
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
   
24,959
   
20,828
   
48,573
   
41,184
 
Income Before Income Taxes
   
11,333
   
11,374
   
21,801
   
23,091
 
Income Tax Expense
   
3,164
   
3,279
   
6,087
   
6,656
 
NET INCOME
 
$
8,169
 
$
8,095
 
$
15,714
 
$
16,435
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
2


Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Continued)
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Basic Net Income Per Share
 
$
0.51
 
$
0.55
 
$
1.00
 
$
1.11
 
Diluted Net Income Per Share
   
0.51
   
0.54
   
1.00
   
1.10
 
Dividends Declared Per Share
   
0.23
   
0.22
   
0.46
   
0.44
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
 
$
15,714
 
$
16,435
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
5,024
   
4,260
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,619
   
1,995
 
Stock compensation expense
   
561
   
300
 
Deferred income taxes (benefits)
   
(1,909
)
 
46
 
Origination of loans held for sale
   
(169,398
)
 
(118,052
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
   
163,530
   
120,371
 
Gains on sales of loans held for sale
   
(1,411
)
 
(1,331
)
Securities gains
   
(6
)
 
(1
)
Net decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
   
125
   
(750
)
Net (increase) in other assets
   
(4,582
)
 
(5,688
)
Net (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
648
   
(1,063
)
Other - net
   
(1,103
)
 
409
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
8,812
   
16,931
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Net (increase) decrease in interest-bearing deposits with banks
   
(71,076
)
 
315
 
Purchases of other equity securities
   
(567
)
 
(2,951
)
Purchases of investments available-for-sale
   
(6,741
)
 
(94,984
)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
   
192
   
0
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal payments of investments held-to-maturity
   
22,322
   
16,208
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal payments of investments available-for-sale
   
94,349
   
58,707
 
Net increase in loans and leases
   
(64,767
)
 
(97,585
)
Purchase of loans and leases
   
0
   
(2,148
)
Proceeds from sale of loans and leases
   
0
   
68,087
 
Acquisition of business activity, net
   
(16,587
)
 
0
 
Expenditures for premises and equipment
   
(1,797
)
 
(2,572
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(44,672
)
 
(122,862
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Net increase in deposits
   
55,327
   
15,137
 
Net increase in short-term borrowings
   
1,011
   
103,808
 
Retirement of long-term borrowings
   
(64
)
 
0
 
Common stock purchased and retired
   
0
   
(866
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
948
   
524
 
Dividends paid
   
(7,386
)
 
(6,503
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
49,836
   
112,100
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
13,976
   
6,169
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
103,923
   
53,443
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
117,899
 
$
59,612
 

4


Sandy Spring Bancorp and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
 
2006
 
Supplemental Disclosures:
         
Interest payments
 
$
37,192
 
$
25,279
 
Income tax payments
   
9,622
   
7,042
 
Reclassification of borrowings from long-term to short-term
   
323
   
175
 
Details of Acquisition:
             
Fair Value of assets acquired
 
$
417,434
   
0
 
Fair Value of liabilities assumed
   
(365,709
)
 
0
 
Stock issued for acquisition
   
(58,916
)
 
0
 
Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired
   
63,458
   
0
 
Cash paid for acquisition
   
56,267
   
0
 
Cash and cash equivalents acquired with acquisition
   
(39,680
)
 
0
 
Acquisition of business activity, net
   
16,587
   
0
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

 
 Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accum- ulated Other Compre- hensive
Income (loss)
 
Total Stock- holders’ Equity
 
Balances at January 1, 2007
 
$
14,827
 
$
27,869
 
$
199,102
 
$
(4,021
)
$
237,777
 
                                 
Comprehensive income:
                               
                                 
Net income
               
15,714
         
15,714
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects and reclassification adjustment
                     
(275
)
 
(275
)
Total comprehensive income
                           
15,439
 
Cash dividends - $0.46 per share
               
(7,386
)
       
(7,386
)
Stock compensation expense
         
561
               
561
 
Common stock issued pursuant to:
                               
Acquisition of Potomac Bank- 886,989 shares
   
887
   
32,190
               
33.077
 
Acquisition of County National Bank- 690,047 shares
   
690
   
25,149
               
25,839
 
Director stock purchase plan- 2,402 shares
   
2
   
75
               
77
 
Stock Option Plan- 35,462shares (38,870 shares issued less 3,408 shares retired)
   
36
   
542
               
578
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan- 9,916 shares
   
10
   
283
               
293
 
Balances at June 30, 2007
 
$
16,452
 
$
86,669
 
$
207,430
 
$
(4,296
)
$
306,255
 
                                 
Balances at January 1, 2006
 
$
14,794
 
$
26,599
 
$
179,259
 
$
(594
)
$
220,058
 
Comprehensive income:
                               
Net income
               
16,435
         
16,435
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects and reclassification adjustment
                     
(1,035
)
 
(1,035
)
Total comprehensive income
                           
15,400
 
Cash dividends - $0.44 per share
               
(6,503
)
       
(6,503
)
Stock Compensation Expense
         
300
               
300
 
Common stock issued pursuant to:
                               
Director stock purchase plan- 2,381 shares
   
3
   
81
               
84
 
Stock option plan - 5,226 shares
   
5
   
156
               
161
 
Employee stock purchase plan - 9,164 shares
   
9
   
270
               
279
 
Stock repurchases- 25,000 shares
   
(25
)
 
(841
)
                      
(866
)
Balances at June 30, 2006
 
$
14,786
 
$
26,565
 
$
189,191
 
$
(1,629
)
$
228,913
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
  
6


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - General

The foregoing financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of Management, all adjustments (comprising only normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods have been included. These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in Sandy Spring Bancorp's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s Accounting Policies as disclosed in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results shown in this interim report are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year 2007.

The accounting and reporting policies of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sandy Spring Bank (the “Bank”), together with its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation, The Equipment Leasing Company, and West Financial Services, Inc., conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the financial services industry. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts previously reported to conform to current classifications.
 
Consolidation has resulted in the elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.

Cash Flows

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and federal funds sold (which have original maturities of three months or less).

Note 2 - Acquisitions

In January 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of Neff & Associates (“Neff”), an insurance agency located in Ocean City, Maryland. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the Company purchased Neff for cash totaling approximately $1.9 million. Additional contingent payments may be made and recorded in 2008 based on the financial results attained by Neff in that year.

In the transaction, $0.3 million of assets were acquired, primarily accounts receivable, and $0.3 million of liabilities were assumed, primarily operating payables. The acquisition resulted in the recognition of $0.5 million of goodwill, which will not be amortized, and $1.4 million of identified intangible assets which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 5 to 10 years. This acquisition is considered immaterial and, accordingly, no pro forma results of operations are provided for the pre-acquisition periods.

On February 15, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of Potomac Bank of Virginia (“Potomac”), a bank headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. Potomac operated five branch offices in the Northern Virginia metropolitan market at the time of the acquisition. The primary reason for the merger with Potomac was to gain entry into the northern Virginia high growth market. The total consideration paid to Potomac shareholders and related merger costs in connection with the acquisition was $68.2 million. The results of Potomac’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial results subsequent to February 15, 2007. The assets and liabilities of Potomac were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their respective fair values. The fair values were determined as of February 15, 2007 and are subject to further refinement as further information becomes available. The transaction resulted in total assets acquired as of February 15, 2007 of $252.5 million, including approximately $196.0 million of loans and leases; liabilities assumed were $224.3 million, including $197.0 million of deposits. Additionally, the Company recorded $40.0 million of goodwill, $5.1 million of core deposit intangible (“CDI”) and $0.3 million of other intangibles. CDI are subject to amortization and are being amortized over seven years on a straight-line basis.

On May 31, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of CN Bancorp Inc. (“CNB”) and it’s wholly owned subsidiary, County National Bank (“County National”). County National was headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and had four full-service branches located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland at the time of the acquisition. The total consideration paid to CNB shareholder’s and related merger costs in connection with the acquisition was $46.9 million. The results of CNB’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial results subsequent to May 31, 2007. The assets and liabilities of CNB were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their respective fair values. The fair values were determined as of May 31, 2007 and are subject to further refinement as further information becomes available. The transaction resulted in total assets acquired as of May 31, 2007 of $164.9 million, including approximately $98.7 million of loans; liabilities assumed were $141.4 million, including $138.4 million of deposits. Additionally, the Company recorded $23.4 million of goodwill, $4.6 million of core deposit intangible (“CDI”) and $0.1million of other intangibles. CDI are subject to amortization and are being amortized over seven years on a straight-line basis.
 
7


The acquisitions of Potomac and County National are considered immaterial for purposes of the disclosures required by SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”

Note 3 - New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, FASB issued SFAS 155, "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments", which permits, but does not require, fair value accounting for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation in accordance with SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". The statement also subjects beneficial interests in securitized financial assets to the requirements of SFAS 133. This statement was effective for all financial instruments acquired, issued, or subject to remeasurement for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, and an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.”  The statement amends SFAS No. 140 by  (1) requiring the separate accounting for servicing assets and servicing liabilities, which arise from the sale of financial assets; (2) requiring all separately recognized serving assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; and (3) permitting an entity to choose between an amortization method or a fair value method for subsequent measurement for each class of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities.  This statement was effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”  This interpretation applies to all tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 109 by defining the criteria that an individual tax position must meet in order for the position to be recognized within the financial statements and provides guidance on measurement, de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition for tax positions.  This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted.  The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of this interpretation and has determined that it will not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In June 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) released Issue 06-05, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance-Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance”. On September 7, 2006, the EITF concluded that a policyholder should consider any additional amounts included in the contractual terms of the policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract. Amounts that are recoverable by the policyholder at the discretion of the insurance company should be excluded from the amount that could be realized. Amounts that are recoverable by the policyholder in periods beyond one year from the surrender of the policy should be discounted utilizing an appropriate rate of interest. The effective date of EITF 06-05 was for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of this EITF release did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, (“SFAS No. 158”), “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158 requires changes to the existing reporting for defined benefit postretirement plans that, among other changes, requires the Company to recognize on its balance sheet the overfunded or underfunded status of the above described defined benefit pension plan measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation. Such funding difference was recorded as an adjustment to the December 31, 2006 balance shown in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of the Company’s Stockholders Equity. At December 31, 2006 the projected benefit obligation of the plan exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $1.9 million. This amount may change significantly by December 31, 2007 due to a management decision to change the amount of the 2007 contribution.
 
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity operates. This Statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather, it provides enhanced guidance to other pronouncements that require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this Statement will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
8


At its September 2006 meeting, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a final consensus on Issue 06-04, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements." The consensus stipulates that an agreement by an employer to share a portion of the proceeds of a life insurance policy with an employee during the postretirement period is a postretirement benefit arrangement required to be accounted for under SFAS No. 106 or Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 12, "Omnibus Opinion - 1967." The consensus concludes that the purchase of a split-dollar life insurance policy does not constitute a settlement under SFAS No. 106 and, therefore, a liability for the postretirement obligation must be recognized under SFAS No. 106 if the benefit is offered under an arrangement that constitutes a plan or under APB No. 12, if it is not part of a plan. Issue 06-04 is effective for annual or interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company has endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies totaling $20.4 million as of June 30, 2007 and is currently assessing the financial statement impact of implementing EITF 06-04.
 
In November 2006, the EITF released Issue 06-10, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements”. On November 29, 2006 the FASB ratified the tentative conclusions reached by the EITF on this Issue and approved the issuance of a draft abstract for a public comment period. This Issue addresses questions raised about whether the consensus reached in Issue 06-4 should apply to collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangements and the recognition and measurement of the employer’s asset in such arrangements. The EITF concluded that an employer should recognize a liability for the postretirement benefit related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with either SFAS No. 106 or APB No. 12 based on the substantive agreement with the employee. In addition the EITF reached a conclusion that an employer should recognize and measure an asset based on the nature and substance of the collateral assignment split-dollar arrangement based on what future cash flows the employer is entitled to, if any, as well as the employee’s obligation and ability to repay the employer. The effective date of EITF 06-10 is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company had no collateral assignment split dollar life insurance policies as of June 30, 2007 and does not expect that the implementation of EITF 06-10 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This statement permits entities to choose, at specified dates, to measure eligible items at fair value. This election is referred to as the fair value option and must generally be applied on an instrument by instrument basis; is irrevocable, unless a new election occurs; and is applied only to an entire instrument, not to only specified risks, specific cash flows, or portions of an instrument. A business entity that elects the fair value option, must report any unrealized gains and losses on the items involved, in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The effective date of SFAS No. 159 is for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this Statement will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Note 4 - Stock Based Compensation

At December 31, 2006, the Company had three stock-based compensation plans in existence, the 1992 and 1999 stock option plans (both expired but having outstanding options that may still be exercised) and the 2005 Omnibus Stock Plan, which is described below. In addition, the Company has assumed 60,503 shares of options outstanding relating to the Potomac Bank Stock Option Plan and 17,308 shares of options outstanding relating to the County National Bank Option Plan. The stock options from both of these plans were either vested or immediately vested as a result of the acquisitions. There was no compensation expense related to either the County National or Potomac Bank stock option plans for the first six months of 2007 and none will be recognized in any subsequent periods as all shares were vested prior to acquisition.

The Company’s 2005 Omnibus Stock Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) provides for the granting of non-qualifying stock options to the Company’s directors, and incentive and non-qualifying stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock grants to selected key employees on a periodic basis at the discretion of the Board. The Omnibus Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,800,000 shares of common stock of which 1,471,620 are available for issuance at June 30, 2007, has a term of ten years, and is administered by a committee of at least three directors appointed by the Board of Directors. Options granted under the plan have an exercise price which may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant and must be exercised within ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price of stock options must be paid for in full in cash or shares of common stock, or a combination of both. The Stock Option Committee has the discretion when making a grant of stock options to impose restrictions on the shares to be purchased in exercise of such options. Outstanding options granted under the expired 1992 and 1999 Stock Option Plans will continue until exercise or expiration.
 
9


Options awarded prior to December 15, 2005 vest ratably over a two-year period, with one third vesting immediately upon grant. Effective October 19, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the acceleration, by one year, of the vesting of the then outstanding options to purchase approximately 66,000 shares of the Company’s common stock granted in December 2004. These included options held by certain members of senior management. This effectively reduced the two-year vesting period on these options to one year. The amount that would have been expensed for such unvested options in 2006 had the Company not accelerated the vesting would have been approximately $0.4 million. Additionally, stock options granted in 2004 have a ten year life. The other terms of the option grants remain unchanged.

Effective December 13, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the granting of approximately 105,623 stock options, subject to a three year vesting schedule with one third of the options vesting each year as of December 13, 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. In addition, on December 13, 2006, the Board of Directors granted 31,483 restricted shares subject to a five year vesting schedule with one fifth of the shares vesting each year as of December 13, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the stock option vesting period. The fair value based method for expense recognition of employee awards resulted in expense of approximately $0.3 million, net of a tax benefit of approximately $15 thousand and $0.1 million, net of tax benefit of approximately $22 thousand for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $0.5 million, net of tax benefit of approximately $29 thousand and $0.3 million, net of tax benefit of approximately $44 thousand, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The fair values of all of the options granted during the last three years have been estimated using a binomial option-pricing model.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.6 million and $30 thousand.

No options were granted for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
 
A summary of share option activity for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 follows:
 
           
Weighted
     
   
Number
 
Weighted
 
Average
     
   
of
 
Average
 
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
   
Outstanding
 
Exercise
 
Contractual
 
Intrinsic
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Life(Years)
 
Value
 
       
(Unaudited)
         
                   
Balance at January 1, 2007
   
1,032,585
 
$
33.77
   
6.1
 
$
3,762
 
Options (at fair value) related to option plans of acquired companies
   
77,811
   
18.87
   
5.9
       
Exercised
   
(38,870
)
 
17.93
   
3.8
       
Forfeited or expired
   
(13,123
)
 
37.27
   
7.6
       
Balance at June 30, 2007
    1,058,403   $ 33.18     6.1  
$
3,548
 
                           
Exercisable at June 30, 2007
   
881,185
 
$
32.27
       
$
3,548
 

10

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested options and restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2007, and changes during the six month period then ended, is presented below (unaudited):
 
   
 Stock Options
 
Restricted Stock
 
   
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Number
 
Grant-Date
 
Number
 
Grant-Date
 
 
 
Of shares
 
Fair Value
 
Of shares
 
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2007
   
183,075
 
$
7.54
   
31,483
 
$
37.40
 
Granted
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Vested
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Forfeited
    (5,857 )   7.43     997     37.40  
Nonvested at June 30, 2007
    177,218     7.54     30,486     37.40  

The number of options, exercise prices, and fair values has been retroactively restated for all stock dividends occurring since the date the options were granted.

The total of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements was approximately $0.9 million as of June 30, 2007. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2 years.

The Company generally issues authorized but previously unissued shares to satisfy option exercises.

Note 5 - Per Share Data

The calculations of net income per common share for the three and six month periods ended June 30. 2007 and 2006 are as shown in the following table. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and does not include the impact of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. The diluted earnings per share calculation method is derived by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, the unamortized compensation cost of stock options, and the accumulated tax benefit or shortfall that would be credited or charged to additional paid in capital.
 
(Dollars and amounts in thousands, except
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
per share data)
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Basic:
                 
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
8,169
 
$
8,095
 
$
15,714
 
$
16,435
 
Average common shares outstanding
   
15,974
   
14,796
   
15,623
   
14,797
 
Basic net income per share
 
$
0.51
 
$
0.55
 
$
1.00
 
$
1.11
 
Diluted:
                         
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
8,169
 
$
8,095
 
$
15,714
 
$
16,435
 
                           
Average common shares outstanding
   
15,974
   
14,796
   
15,623
   
14,797
 
Stock option adjustment
   
96
   
125
   
112
   
126
 
Average common shares outstanding-diluted
   
16,070
   
14,921
   
15,735
   
14,923
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.51
 
$
0.54
 
$
1.00
 
$
1.10
 

Options for 698,322 shares and 585,943 shares of common stock were not included in computing diluted net income per share for the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, because their effects are antidilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, options for 698,322 and 584,333 shares of common stock were not included, respectively.

Note 6 - Pension, Profit Sharing, and Other Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. Benefits equal the sum of three parts: (a) the benefit accrued as of December 31, 2000, based on the formula of 1.50% of the highest five year average salary as of that date times years of service as of that date, plus (b) 1.75% of each year’s earnings after December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2005, plus (c) 1.00% of each year’s earnings after December 31, 2005. In addition, if the participant’s age plus years of service as of January 1, 2001, equal at least 60 and the participant had at least 15 years of service at that date, he or she will receive an additional benefit of 1.00% of year 2000 earnings for each of the first 10 years of service completed after December 31, 2000. Early retirement is also permitted by the Plan at age 55 after 10 years of service. The plan invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of managed fixed income and equity funds. Contributions provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for the benefit expected to be earned in the coming years. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amount necessary to keep the plan fully funded when comparing the fair value of plan assets to the accumulated benefit obligation. The Company, with input from its actuaries, estimates that the 2007 contribution will be approximately $1.3 million which will maintain the pension plan’s fully funded status based on its accumulated benefit obligation.
 
11


Net periodic benefit cost for the three and six month periods ended June 30 includes the following components: 
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Service cost for benefits earned
 
$
320
 
$
276
 
$
640
 
$
552
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
   
341
   
307
   
682
   
615
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(379
)
 
(344
)
 
(758
)
 
(688
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(44
)
 
(43
)
 
(88
)
 
(87
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
136
   
112
   
272
   
223
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
374
 
$
308
 
$
748
 
$
615
 
 
Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan

The Company has a qualified Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan that includes a 401(k) provision with a Company match. The profit sharing component is non-contributory and covers all employees after ninety days of service. The 401(k) plan provision is voluntary and also covers all employees after ninety days of service. Employees contributing under the 401(k) provision receive a matching contribution up to 4% of compensation. The Plan permits employees to purchase shares of Sandy Spring Bancorp common stock with their 401(k) contributions, Company match, and other contributions under the Plan. The Company had expenses related to the qualified Cash and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan of $0.8 million for both of the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and $0.3 million for both of the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

Other Employee Benefit Plans

The Company also has a performance based compensation benefit which provides incentives to employees based on the Company’s financial results as measured against key performance indicator goals set by management. The Company had expenses related to the performance based compensation benefit of $0 and $1.0 million for the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $0 and $0.6 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements

The Company has Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements (SERAs) with its executive officers, providing for retirement income benefits as well as pre-retirement death benefits. Retirement benefits payable under SERAs, if any, are integrated with other pension plan and Social Security retirement benefits expected to be received by the executives. The Company is accruing the present value of these benefits over the remaining years to the executives’ retirement dates. The Company had expenses related to the SERAs of $0.5 million for both of the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Executive Health Insurance Plan

The Company has an Executive Health Insurance Plan that provides for payment of defined medical, vision and dental insurance costs and out of pocket expenses for selected executives and their families. Benefits, which are paid during both employment and retirement, are subject to a $6,500 limitation for each executive per year. The Company had expenses related to the Executive Health Insurance Plan of $56 thousand and $42 thousand for the six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $28 thousand and $21 thousand for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

12

 
Note 7 - Unrealized Losses on Investments

Shown below is information that summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value for the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolios.

Gross unrealized losses and fair value by length of time that the individual available-for-sale securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

(In thousands)
     
Continuous unrealized losses existing for:
     
 
Available for sale as of June 30, 2007
 
Fair Value
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Total Unrealized Losses
 
                   
U.S. Agency
 
$
125,129
 
$
34
 
$
1,027
 
$
1,061
 
U.S. Treasury Notes
   
649
   
1
   
0
   
1
 
Mortgage-backed
   
13,286
   
188
   
6
   
194
 
CMO
   
3,020
   
14
   
0
   
14
 
State and Municipals
   
1,287
   
22
   
0
   
22
 
   
$
143,371
 
$
259
 
$
1,033
 
$
1,292
 

(In thousands)
     
Continuous unrealized losses existing for:
     
 
Available for sale as of June 30, 2006
 
Fair Value
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Total Unrealized Losses
 
                   
U.S. Agency
 
$
262,495
 
$
2,098
 
$
1,616
 
$
3,714
 
State and municipal
   
592
   
8
   
0
   
8
 
Mortgage-backed
   
340
   
6
   
2
   
8
 
   
$
263,427
 
$
2,112
 
$
1,618
 
$
3,730
 

Approximately 100% of the bonds carried in the available-for-sale investment portfolio experiencing continuous losses as of June 30, 2007 and 2006 are rated AAA. The securities representing the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale portfolio as of June 30, 2007 and 2006 all have minimal duration risk (1.73 years in 2007 and 1.78 years in 2006), low credit risk, and minimal loss (approximately 0.89% in 2007 and 1.40% in 2006) when compared to book value. The unrealized losses that exist are the result of market changes in interest rates since the original purchase. These factors coupled with the fact that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value substantiates that the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale portfolio are temporary.

Gross unrealized losses and fair value by length of time that the individual held-to-maturity securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 
(In thousands)
     
Continuous unrealized losses existing for:
     
Held to Maturity as of June 30, 2007
 
Fair Value
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Total Unrealized Losses
 
                   
U.S. Agency
 
$
33,425
 
$
0
 
$
989
 
$
989
 
State and municipal
   
30,437
   
121
   
145
   
266
 
Mortgage-backed
   
761
   
15
   
0
   
15
 
   
$
64,623
 
$
136
 
$
1,134
 
$
1,270
 
 
13


(In thousands)
     
Continuous unrealized losses existing for:
     
Held to Maturity as of June 30, 2006
 
Fair Value
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Total Unrealized Losses
 
                   
U.S. Agency
 
$
32,917
 
$
1,486
 
$
0
 
$
1,486
 
State and municipal
   
42,540
   
216
   
237
   
453
 
   
$
75,457
 
$
1,702
 
$
237
 
$
1,939
 

Approximately 69% and 87% of the bonds carried in the held-to-maturity investment portfolio experiencing continuous unrealized losses as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are rated AAA and 31% and 13% as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are rated AA1. The securities representing the unrealized losses in the held-to-maturity portfolio all have modest duration risk (5.09 years in 2007 and 5.88 years in 2006), low credit risk, and minimal losses (approximately 1.93% in 2007 and 2.51% in 2006) when compared to book value. The unrealized losses that exist are the result of market changes in interest rates since the original purchase. These factors coupled with the Company’s intent and ability to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value substantiates that the unrealized losses in the held-to-maturity portfolio are temporary.

Note 8 - Segment Reporting

The Company operates in four operating segments—Community Banking, Insurance, Leasing, and Investment Management. Only Community Banking currently meets the threshold for reportable segment reporting; however, the Company is disclosing separate information for all four operating segments. Each of the operating segments is a strategic business unit that offers different products and services. The Insurance, Leasing, and Investment Management segments are businesses that were acquired in separate transactions where management at the time of acquisition was retained. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. However, the segment data reflect intersegment transactions and balances.

The Community Banking segment is conducted through Sandy Spring Bank and involves delivering a broad range of financial products and services, including various loan and deposit products to both individuals and businesses. Parent company income is included in the Community Banking segment, as the majority of parent company activities are related to this segment. Major revenue sources include net interest income, gains on sales of mortgage loans, trust income, fees on sales of investment products and service charges on deposit accounts. Expenses include personnel, occupancy, marketing, equipment and other expenses. Included in Community Banking expenses are noncash charges associated with amortization of intangibles related to acquired entities totaling $0.7 million and $0.4 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the amortization related to acquired entities totaled $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

The Insurance segment is conducted through Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation, a subsidiary of the Bank, and offers annuities as an alternative to traditional deposit accounts. In addition, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation operates the Chesapeake Insurance Group, a general insurance agency located in Annapolis, Maryland, Wolfe and Reichelt Insurance Agency, located in Burtonsville, Maryland and Neff & Associates, located in Ocean City, Maryland. Major sources of revenue are insurance commissions from commercial lines and personal lines. Expenses include personnel and support charges. Included in insurance expenses are non-cash charges associated with amortization of intangibles totaling $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the six month periods ending June 30, 2007 and 2006, the expense related to the amortization of intangibles totaled $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
 
14


The Leasing segment is conducted through The Equipment Leasing Company, a subsidiary of the Bank that provides leases for such items as computers, telecommunications systems and equipment, medical equipment and point-of-sale systems for retail businesses. Equipment leasing is conducted through vendors located primarily in states along the east coast from New Jersey to Florida and in Illinois. The typical lease is a “small ticket” by industry standards, averaging less than $30,000, with individual leases generally not exceeding $500,000. Major revenue sources include interest income. Expenses include personnel and support charges.

The Investment Management segment is conducted through West Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bank that was acquired in October 2005. This asset management and financial planning firm, located in McLean, Virginia, provides comprehensive financial planning to individuals, families, small businesses and associations including cash flow analysis, investment review, tax planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis and estate planning. West Financial has approximately $691.0 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2007. Major revenue sources include noninterest income earned on the above services. Expenses include personnel and support charges. Included in investment management expenses are non-cash charges associated with amortization of intangibles totaling $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

Information about operating segments and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements follows:

(In thousands)
 
Community
Banking
 
 
Insurance
 
 
Leasing
 
Investment
Mgmt.
 
Inter-Segment
Elimination
 
 
Total
 
Quarter ended June 30, 2007
                         
                           
Interest income
 
$
45,617
 
$
31
 
$
672
 
$
17
 
$
(323
)
$
46,014
 
Interest expense
   
19,860
   
0
   
278
   
0
   
(323
)
 
19,815
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
780
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
780
 
Noninterest income
   
8,136
   
1,574
   
195
   
1,124
   
(156
)
 
10,873
 
Noninterest expenses
   
22,545
   
1,333
   
242
   
995
   
(156
)
 
24,959
 
Income before income taxes
   
10,568
   
272
   
347
   
146
   
0
   
11,333
 
Income tax expense
   
2,861
   
108
   
137
   
58
   
0
   
3,164
 
Net income
 
$
7,707
 
$
164
 
$
210
 
$
88
 
$
0
 
$
8,169
 
                                       
Assets
 
$
3,104,217
 
$
11,635
 
$
33,302
 
$
9,089
 
$
(56,834
)
$
3,101,409
 
                                 
Quarter ended June 30, 2006
                                     
                                       
Interest income
 
$
37,506
 
$
8
 
$
549
 
$
5
 
$
(195
)
$
37,873
 
Interest expense
   
14,033
   
0
   
183
   
0
   
(195
)
 
14,021
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,045
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
1,045
 
Noninterest income
   
6,507
   
1,831
   
238
   
1,014
   
(195
)
 
9,395
 
Noninterest expenses
   
18,384
   
1,453
   
255
   
931
   
(195
)
 
20,828
 
Income before income taxes
   
10,551
   
386
   
349
   
88
   
0
   
11,374
 
Income tax expense
   
2,963
   
153
   
129
   
34
   
0
   
3,279
 
Net income
 
$
7,588
 
$
233
 
$
220
 
$
54
 
$
0
 
$
8,095
 
                                       
Assets
 
$
2,584,663
 
$
11,461
 
$
29,674
 
$
7,178
 
$
(46,623
)
$
2,586,353
 

15

 
(In thousands)
 
Community
Banking
 
 
Insurance
 
 
Leasing
 
Investment
Mgmt.
 
Inter-Segment
Elimination
 
 
Total
 
Year to Date June 30, 2007
                         
                           
Interest income
 
$
87,126
 
$
46
 
$
1,316
 
$
32
 
$
(612
)
$
87,908
 
Interest expense
   
37,770
   
0
   
536
   
0
   
(612
)
 
37,694
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,619
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
1,619
 
Noninterest income
   
15,089
   
4,451
   
344
   
2,207
   
(312
)
 
21,779
 
Noninterest expenses
   
43,851
   
2,623
   
512
   
1,899
   
(312
)
 
48,573
 
Income before income taxes
   
18,975
   
1,874
   
612
   
340
   
0
   
21,801
 
Income tax expense
   
4,969
   
742
   
242
   
134
   
0
   
6,087
 
Net income
 
$
14,006
 
$
1,132
 
$
370
 
$
206
 
$
0
 
$
15,714
 
                                       
Assets
 
$
3,104,217
 
$
11,635
 
$
33,302
 
$
9,089
 
$
(56,834
)
$
3,101,409
 
                                 
Year to Date June 30, 2006
                                     
                                       
Interest income
 
$
72,333
 
$
29
 
$
1,057
 
$
7
 
$
(376
)
$
73,050
 
Interest expense
   
26,056
   
0
   
340
   
1
   
(376
)
 
26,021
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,995
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
1,995
 
Noninterest income
   
12,993
   
4,124
   
513
   
2,015
   
(404
)
 
19,241
 
Noninterest expenses
   
36,495
   
2,838
   
475
   
1,780
   
(404
)
 
41,184
 
Income before income taxes
   
20,780
   
1,315
   
755
   
241
   
0
   
23,091
 
Income tax expense
   
5,741
   
521
   
299
   
95
   
0
   
6,656
 
Net income
 
$
15,039
 
$
794
 
$
456
 
$
146
 
$
0
 
$
16,435
 
                                       
Assets
 
$
2,584,663
 
$
11,461
 
$
29,674
 
$
7,178
 
$
(46,623
)
$
2,586,353
 
 
Note 9 - Comprehensive Income

The components of total comprehensive income for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
 
   
For the three months ended June 30,
 
   
 2007
 
 2006
 
       
Tax
         
Tax
     
   
Pretax
 
Benefit/
 
Net
 
Pretax
 
Benefit/
 
Net
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount
 
(Expense)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
(Expense)
 
Amount
 
Net Income
             
$
8,169
             
$
8,095
 
Other comprehensive income:
                                     
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
   
(533
)
 
210
   
(323
)
 
(1,060
)
 
419
   
(641
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
   
(4
)
 
1
   
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
0
   
(1
)
Total change in other comprehensive income
   
(537
)
 
211
   
(326
)
 
(1,061
)
 
419
   
(642
)
Total comprehensive income
             
$
7,843
             
$
7,453
 

16


   
For the six months ended June 30,
 
   
 2007
 
 2006
 
       
Tax
         
Tax
     
   
Pretax
 
Benefit/
 
Net
 
Pretax
 
Benefit/
 
Net
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount
 
(Expense)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
(Expense)
 
Amount
 
Net Income
             
$
15,714
             
$
16,435
 
Other comprehensive income:
                                     
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
   
200
   
(80
)
 
120
   
(1,711
)
 
677
   
(1,034
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
   
(6
)
 
2
   
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
0
   
(1
)
Adjustment for pensions (FAS 158)
   
(643
)
 
252
   
(391
)
 
0
   
0
   
0
 
Total change in other comprehensive income
   
(449
)
 
174
   
(275
)
 
(1,712
)
 
677
   
(1,035
)
Total comprehensive income
             
$
15,439
             
$
15,400
 
 
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Sandy Spring Bancorp makes forward-looking statements in this report. These forward-looking statements may include: statements of goals, intentions, earnings expectations, and other expectations; estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits; assessments of probable loan and lease losses; assessments of market risk; and statements of the ability to achieve financial and other goals. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project” and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not assume any duty and does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those that the Company anticipated in its forward-looking statements, and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

The Company’s forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; the Company’s ability to retain key members of management; changes in legislation, regulation, and policies; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. The Company provides greater detail regarding some of these factors in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, including in the Risk Factors section of that report. The Company’s forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those that it may discuss elsewhere in this report or in its other filings with the SEC.

17

 
THE COMPANY

The Company is the registered bank holding company for Sandy Spring Bank (the "Bank"), headquartered in Olney, Maryland. The Bank operates forty-two community offices in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudon counties in Virginia, together with an insurance subsidiary headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, an equipment leasing company in Sparks, Maryland, and an investment management company in McLean, Virginia.
 
The Company offers a broad range of financial services to consumers and businesses in this market area. Through June 30, 2007, year-to-date average commercial loans and leases and commercial real estate loans accounted for approximately 54% of the Company’s loan and lease portfolio, and year-to-date average consumer and residential real estate loans accounted for approximately 46%. The Company has established a strategy of independence, and intends to establish or acquire additional offices, banking organizations, and non-banking organizations as appropriate opportunities may arise.

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

On February 15, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of Potomac Bank of Virginia (“Potomac”), a bank headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. Potomac operated five branch offices in the Northern Virginia metropolitan market at the time of the acquisition. The primary reason for the merger with Potomac was to gain entry into the northern Virginia high growth market. The total consideration paid to Potomac shareholders in connection with the acquisition was $68.2 million. The results of Potomac’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial results subsequent to February 15, 2007.
 
On May 31, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of CN Bancorp Inc. (“CNB”) and it’s wholly owned subsidiary, County National Bank (“County National”). County National was headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and had four full-service branches located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland at the time of the acquisition. The total consideration paid to CNB shareholder’s and related merger costs in connection with the acquisition was $46.9 million. The results of CNB’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial results subsequent to May 31, 2007.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America and follow general practices within the industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available. The estimates used in management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses require that management make assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time of estimation. Differences in these assumptions and differences between the estimated and actual losses could have a material effect.
 
18

 
Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The Company has for many years used a traditional efficiency ratio that is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G and Item 10 of Commission Regulation S-K. This traditional efficiency ratio is used as a measure of operating expense control and efficiency of operations. Management believes that its traditional ratio better focuses attention on the operating performance of the Company over time than does a GAAP-based ratio, and that it is highly useful in comparing period-to-period operating performance of the Company’s core business operations. It is used by management as part of its assessment of its performance in managing noninterest expenses. However, this measure is supplemental, and is not a substitute for an analysis of performance based on GAAP measures. The reader is cautioned that the traditional efficiency ratio used by the Company may not be comparable to GAAP or non-GAAP efficiency ratios reported by other financial institutions.

In general, the efficiency ratio is noninterest expenses as a percentage of net interest income plus total noninterest income. This is a GAAP financial measure. Noninterest expenses used in the calculation of the traditional, non-GAAP efficiency ratio exclude intangible asset amortization. Income for the traditional ratio is increased for the favorable effect of tax-exempt income, and excludes securities gains and losses, which can vary widely from period to period without appreciably affecting operating expenses. The traditional measure is different from the GAAP-based efficiency ratio. The GAAP-based measure is calculated using noninterest expense and income amounts as shown on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The traditional and GAAP-based efficiency ratios are presented and reconciled in Table 1.
 
Table 1 - GAAP based and traditional efficiency ratios

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Noninterest expenses-GAAP based
 
$
24,959
 
$
20,828
 
$
48,573
 
$
41,184
 
Net interest income plus noninterest income-
                       
GAAP based
   
37,072
   
33,247
   
71,993
   
66,270
 
                           
Efficiency ratio-GAAP based
   
67.33
%
 
62.65
%
 
67.47
%
 
62.15
%
                         
Noninterest expenses-GAAP based
 
$
24,959
 
$
20,828
 
$
48,573
 
$
41,184
 
Less non-GAAP adjustment:
                         
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,031
   
742
   
1,833
   
1,484
 
Noninterest expenses-traditional ratio
   
23,928
   
20,086
   
46,740
   
39,700
 
 
                       
Net interest income plus noninterest income-
                         
GAAP based
   
37,072
   
33,247
   
71,993
   
66,270
 
Plus non-GAAP adjustment:
                         
Tax-equivalency
   
1,364
   
1,499
   
2,649
   
2,941
 
Less non-GAAP adjustments:
                         
Securities gains (losses)
   
4
   
1
   
6
   
1
 
Net interest income plus noninterest
                         
Income - traditional ratio
   
38,432
   
34,745
   
74,636
   
69,210
 
                           
Efficiency ratio - traditional
   
62.26
%
 
57.81
%
 
62.62
%
 
57.36
%

A. FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company's total assets were $3.1 billion at June 30, 2007, increasing $491.0 million or 19% during the first six months of 2007. Earning assets increased by 16% or $401.2 million in the first half of 2007 to $2.9 billion at June 30, 2007. Asset growth was primarily the result of two acquisitions, which added $417.4 million of total assets, including $376.1 million of earning assets and $73.5 million of goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
19


Total loans and leases, excluding loans held for sale, increased 20% or $359.4 million during the first six months of 2007, to $2.2 billion. During this period, commercial loans and leases increased by $294.2 million or 32%, attributable primarily to commercial construction loans (up 23%) and commercial mortgage loans (up 29%). Consumer loans increased by $25.8 million or 7%, due to a 10% increase in equity lines of credit. Residential real estate loans increased by $39.4 million or 7%. Residential mortgage loans held for sale increased by $7.3 million from $10.6 million at December 31, 2006, to $17.9 million at June 30, 2007. The two acquisitions accounted for approximately 74% of the loan growth during the first six months of 2007. Excluding these acquisitions, the loan portfolio has increased 4% in 2007.
 
Certain loan terms may create concentrations of credit risk and increase the lender’s exposure to loss. These include terms that permit the deferral of principal payments or payments that are smaller than normal interest accruals (negative amortization); loans with high loan-to-value ratios (“LTV”); loans, such as option adjustable-rate mortgages, that may expose the borrower to future increases in repayments that are in excess of increases that would result solely from increases in market interest rates; and interest-only loans. The Company does not make loans that provide for negative amortization. The Company originates option adjustable-rate mortgages infrequently and sells all of them in the secondary market. At June 30, 2007, the Company had a total of $60.0 million in residential real estate loans and $2.1 million in consumer loans with a LTV greater than 90%. Commercial loans with a LTV greater than 75% to 85%, depending on the type of loan, totaled $39.7 million at June 30, 2007. Interest only loans at June 30, 2007 include almost all of the $212.6 million outstanding under the Company’s equity lines of credit (included in the consumer loan portfolio) and $75.9 million in other loans. The aggregate of these loan concentrations was $390.3 million at June 30, 2007, which represented 18% of total loans and leases outstanding at that date. The Company is of the opinion that its loan underwriting procedures are structured to adequately assess any additional risk that the above types of loans might present. 

Table 2 - Analysis of Loans and Leases

The following table presents the trends in the composition of the loan and lease portfolio at the dates indicated:
 
(In thousands)
 
June 30, 2007
 
%
 
December 31, 2006
 
%
 
Residential real estate
 
$
581,696
   
27
%
$
542,251
   
30
%
Commercial loans and leases
   
1,212,691
   
56
   
918,511
   
51
 
Consumer
   
370,621
   
17
   
344,817
   
19
 
Total Loans and Leases
   
2,165,008
   
100
%
 
1,805,579
   
100
%
Less: Allowance for credit losses
   
(23,661
)
       
(19,492
)
     
Net loans and leases
 
$
2,141,347
       
$
1,786,087
       
 
The total investment portfolio decreased by 9% or $50.5 million to $490.4 million at June 30, 2007 from $540.9 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease was driven by a decrease of $34.7 million or 14% in available-for-sale securities and $18.9 or 7% in held-to-maturity securities, offset by an increase of $3.1 million or 18% in other equity securities. The aggregate of federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks increased by $79.2 million during the first six months of 2007, reaching $131.1 million at June 30, 2007. The decreases in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities were due to the exercise of call options. These funds were invested in interest-bearing deposits with banks.

Total deposits were $2.4 billion at June 30, 2007, increasing $392.0 million or 20% from December 31, 2006. During the first six months of 2007, growth rates of 18% were achieved for time deposits of less than $100,000 (up $73.8 million), and 24% for time deposits of $100,000 or more (up $67.1 million). Over the same period, increases of 4% were recorded for interest-bearing regular savings (up $6.6 million), 4% for interest bearing demand deposits (up $10.0 million), and 24% for non-interest bearing demand deposits (up $95.9 million). These increases were mainly the result of the two acquisitions. Excluding these acquisitions, deposits increased 4% compared to December 31, 2006, primarily due to a 5% increase in interest-bearing deposits.
 
20

 
Table 3 - Analysis of Deposits
 
The following table presents the trends in the composition of deposits at the dates indicated:

(In thousands)
 
June 30, 2007
 
%
 
December 31, 2006
 
%
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
 
$
490,545
   
21
 
$
394,662
   
20
%
Interest-bearing deposits:
                         
Demand
   
243,814
   
10
   
233,841
   
12
 
Money market savings
   
656,762
   
27
   
518,146
   
26
 
Regular savings
   
166,635
   
7
   
160,035
   
8
 
Time deposits less than $100,000
   
480,708
   
20
   
406,910
   
20
 
Time deposits $100,000 or more
   
347,762
   
15
   
280,629
   
14
 
Total interest-bearing
   
1,895,681
   
79
   
1,599,561
   
80
 
Total deposits
 
$
2,386,226
   
100
%
$
1,994,223
   
100
%

Total borrowings were $377.6 million at June 30, 2007, which represented an increase of $26.1 million or 7% from December 31, 2006. This increase was mainly due to an increase of $14.2 million or 14%, in customer repurchase agreements due primarily to the Potomac acquisition.

Market Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity

Overview
 
The Company’s net income is largely dependent on its net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than interest-earning assets. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income. Net interest income is also affected by changes in the portion of interest-earning assets that are funded by interest-bearing liabilities rather than by other sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and stockholders’ equity.
 

The Company’s Board of Directors has established a comprehensive interest rate risk management policy, which is administered by Management’s Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”). The policy establishes limits of risk, which are quantitative measures of the percentage change in net interest income (a measure of net interest income at risk) and the fair value of equity capital (a measure of economic value of equity (“EVE”) at risk) resulting from a hypothetical change in U.S. Treasury interest rates for maturities from one day to thirty years. The Company measures the potential adverse impacts that changing interest rates may have on its short-term earnings, long-term value, and liquidity by employing simulation analysis through the use of computer modeling. The simulation model captures optionality factors such as call features and interest rate caps and floors imbedded in investment and loan portfolio contracts. As with any method of gauging interest rate risk, there are certain shortcomings inherent in the interest rate modeling methodology used by the Company. When interest rates change, actual movements in different categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, loan prepayments, and withdrawals of time and other deposits, may deviate significantly from assumptions used in the model. Finally, the methodology does not measure or reflect the impact that higher rates may have on adjustable-rate loan customers’ ability to service their debts, or the impact of rate changes on demand for loan, lease, and deposit products.

The Company prepares a current base case and eight alternative simulations, at least once a quarter, and reports the analysis to the Board of Directors. In addition, more frequent forecasts are produced when interest rates are particularly uncertain or when other business conditions so dictate.

If a measure of risk produced by the alternative simulations of the entire balance sheet violates policy guidelines, ALCO is required to develop a plan to restore the measure of risk to a level that complies with policy limits within two quarters.
 
21


The Company’s interest rate risk management goals are (1) to increase net interest income at a growth rate consistent with the growth rate of total assets and (2) to minimize fluctuations in net interest margin as a percentage of earning assets. Management attempts to achieve these goals by balancing, within policy limits, the volume of floating-rate liabilities with a similar volume of floating-rate assets; by keeping the average maturity of fixed-rate asset and liability contracts reasonably matched; by maintaining a pool of administered core deposits; and by adjusting pricing rates to market conditions on a continuing basis.

The balance sheet is subject to quarterly testing for eight alternative interest rate shock possibilities to indicate the inherent interest rate risk. Average interest rates are shocked by +/- 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points (“bp”), although the Company may elect not to use particular scenarios that it determines are impractical in a current rate environment. It is management’s goal to structure the balance sheet so that net interest earnings at risk over a twelve-month period and the economic value of equity at risk do not exceed policy guidelines at the various interest rate shock levels.

The Company augments its quarterly interest rate shock analysis with alternative external interest rate scenarios on a monthly basis. These alternative interest rate scenarios may include non-parallel rate ramps and non-parallel yield curve twists.

Analysis
 
Measures of net interest income at risk produced by simulation analysis are indicators of an institution’s short-term performance in alternative rate environments. These measures are typically based upon a relatively brief period, usually one year. They do not necessarily indicate the long-term prospects or economic value of the institution.
 
ESTIMATED CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME

CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES:
 
+ 400 bp
 
+ 300 bp
 
+ 200 bp
 
+ 100 bp
 
- 100 bp
 
- 200 bp
 
-300 bp
 
-400 bp
 
POLICY LIMIT
   
-25
%
 
-20
%
 
-17.5
%
 
-12.5
%
 
-12.5
%
 
-17.5
%
 
-20
%
 
-25
%
June 2007
   
-5.32
   
-3.87
   
-2.77
   
-1.47
   
1.17
   
-0.30
   
-2.00
   
-7.33
 
December 2006
   
-13.67
   
-10.94
   
-7.68
   
-3.12
   
0.37
   
-2.27
   
-5.37
   
-9.87
 

The Net Interest Income at Risk position improved since the 4th quarter of 2006 in all rate scenarios. All of the above measures of net interest income at risk remained well within prescribed policy limits. Although assumed to be unlikely, our largest exposure is at the -400bp level, with a measure of -7.33%. This is also well within our prescribed policy limit of 25%.

The acquisitions of County National Bank and Potomac Bank added a large amount of variable loans to our loan portfolio, causing an improvement in our interest income at risk position in all rising rate scenarios.

The measures of equity value at risk indicate the ongoing economic value of the Company by considering the effects of changes in interest rates on all of the Company’s cash flows, and discounting the cash flows to estimate the present value of assets and liabilities. The difference between these discounted values of the assets and liabilities is the economic value of equity, which, in theory, approximates the fair value of the Company’s net assets.

ESTIMATED CHANGES IN ECONOMIC VALUE OF EQUITY (EVE)
 
CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES:
 
+ 400 bp
 
+ 300 bp
 
+ 200 bp
 
+ 100 bp
 
- 100 bp
 
-200 bp
 
-300 bp
 
-400 bp
 
POLICY LIMIT
   
-40
%
 
-30
%
 
-22.5
%
 
-10.0
%
 
-12.5
%
 
-22.5
%
 
-30
%
 
-40
%
June 2007
   
-14.25
   
-11.05
   
-7.62
   
-4.54
   
-0.68
   
-6.11
   
-12.04
   
-19.81
 
December 2006
   
-17.78
   
-13.07
   
-7.18
   
-1.67
   
-6.09
   
-14.95
   
-24.51
   
-35.53
 

Measures of the economic value of equity (EVE) at risk position decreased over year-end 2006 in the +400 and +300 shock bands as well as all falling rate bands. The EVE risk position increased slightly in the +200 and +100 shock bands. Overall, the risk position improved substantially due to additional core deposits from the Potomac Bank and County National Bank acquisitions. Although assumed to be unlikely, our largest exposure is at the -400bp level, with a measure of -19.81%. This is also well within our prescribed policy limit of 40%.
 
22


Liquidity

Liquidity is measured using an approach designed to take into account loan and lease payments, maturities, calls and pay-downs of securities, earnings, balance sheet growth, mortgage banking activities, investment portfolio liquidity, and other factors. Through this approach, implemented by the funds management subcommittee of ALCO under formal policy guidelines, the Company’s liquidity position is measured weekly, looking forward at thirty-day intervals out to 180 days. The measurement is based upon the asset-liability management model’s projection of a funds’ sold or purchased position, along with ratios and trends developed to measure dependence on purchased funds and core growth. Resulting projections as of June 30, 2007 showed short-term investments exceeding short-term borrowings over the subsequent 180 days by $96.0 million, which increased from an excess of $93.1 million at March 31, 2007. This excess of liquidity over projected requirements for funds indicates that the Company can increase its loans and other earning assets without incurring additional borrowing.

The Company also has external sources of funds, which can be drawn upon when required. The main source of external liquidity is a line of credit for $882.9 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, of which $593.7 million was available based on pledged collateral with $229.0 million outstanding at June 30, 2007. Other external sources of liquidity available to the Company in the form of lines of credit granted by the Federal Reserve, correspondent banks and other institutions totaled $147.5 million at June 30, 2007, all of which was available. Based upon its liquidity analysis, including external sources of liquidity available, management believes the liquidity position is appropriate at June 30, 2007.

The following is a schedule of significant commitments at June 30, 2007:

   
(In thousands)
 
Commitments to extend credit:
     
Unused lines of credit (home equity and business)
 
$
411,706
 
Other commitments to extend credit
   
196,128
 
   
37,312
 
   
$
645,146
 
 
Capital Management

The Company recorded a total risk-based capital ratio of 11.11% at June 30, 2007, compared to 13.62% at December 31, 2006; a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 10.15%, compared to 12.64%; and a capital leverage ratio of 8.64%, compared to 9.81%. Capital adequacy, as measured by these ratios, was above regulatory requirements. Management believes the level of capital at June 30, 2007, is appropriate.

Stockholders' equity for June 30, 2007, totaled $306.3 million, representing an increase of $68.5 million or 29% from $237.8 million at December 31, 2006. The accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity comprised of net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and net actuarial loss and prior service costs relating to the defined benefit pension plan, net of taxes, increased by 8% or $0.3 million from ($4.0 million) at December 31, 2006 to ($4.3 million) at June 30, 2007.
 
Internal capital generation (net income less dividends) added $8.3 million to total stockholders’ equity during the first six months of 2007. When internally formed capital is annualized and expressed as a percentage of average total stockholders’ equity, the resulting rate was 6% compared to 9% reported for the full-year 2006.

External capital formation (equity created through the issuance of stock under the employee stock purchase plan, stock option plan, director stock purchase plan and for the acquisitions of Potomac Bank and County National Bank) totaled $59.9 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2007.

Dividends for the first six months of the year were $0.46 per share in 2007, compared to $0.44 per share in 2006, for respective dividend payout ratios (dividends declared per share to diluted net income per share) of 46% versus 40%.

23

 
B. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND JUNE 30, 2006

Net income for the first six months of the year decreased $0.7 million or 4% to $15.7 million in 2007 from $16.4 million in 2006, representing annualized returns on average equity of 11.69% in 2007 and 14.79% in 2006, respectively. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the first six months of the year were $1.00 in 2007, compared to $1.10 in 2006.

The primary factor driving the decrease in net income for the first six months of 2006 was the $7.4 million increase in noninterest expenses which was primarily the result of a $2.0 million, or 8%, increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $2.9 million, or 56%, increase in other expenses. The increase in other expenses was primarily the result of $1.2 million in merger costs associated with the acquisitions of Potomac Bank and County National Bank. These increases in expenses were partially offset by a $3.2 million, or 7%, increase in net interest income, due primarily to loan growth, and a $2.5 million, or 13%, increase in noninterest income, due primarily to a $1.1 million, or 30%, increase in service charges on deposit accounts.

The net interest margin decreased by 24 basis points to 4.08% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 4.32% for the same period of 2006, as the net interest spread decreased by 34 basis points. These results are due to relatively high short-term interest rates compared to long-term rates (a flattening yield curve), together with an increase in higher yielding average time deposits.

Table 4 - Consolidated Average Balances, Yields and Rates
 
(Dollars in thousands and tax equivalent)  
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Annualized
         
Annualized
 
   
Average Balance
 
Interest
(1)
 
Average Yield/Rate
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
(1)
 
Average Yield/Rate
 
Assets
                         
Total loans and leases (2)
 
$
2,019,046
 
$
73,434
   
7.32
%
$
1,764,817
 
$
60,437
   
6.89
%
Total securities
   
537,458
   
15,578
   
5.88
   
554,606
   
15,285
   
5.60
 
Other earning assets
   
59,038
   
1,545
   
5.28
   
11,659
   
269
   
4.67
 
 TOTAL EARNING ASSETS
   
2,615,542
   
90,557
   
6.98
%
 
2,331,082
   
75,991
   
6.57
%
Nonearning assets
   
245,548
               
191,714
             
 Total assets
 
$
2,861,090
             
$
2,522,796
             
                                       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
                                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits
 
$
235,897
   
402
   
0.34
%
$
234,854
   
328
   
0.28
%
Money market savings deposits
   
581,373
   
10,735
   
3.72
   
367,380
   
4,906
   
2.69
 
Regular savings deposits
   
162,046
   
293
   
0.36
   
194,777
   
403
   
0.42
 
Time deposits
   
786,087
   
17,935
   
4.60
   
593,441
   
10,831
   
3.68
 
 Total interest-bearing deposits
   
1,765,403
   
29,365
   
3.35
   
1,390,452
   
16,468
   
2.39
 
Short-term borrowings
   
323,346
   
7,067
   
4.41
   
431,278
   
8,399
   
3.93
 
Long-term borrowings
   
42,055
   
1,262
   
6.01
   
37,065
   
1,154
   
6.23
 
 Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
2,130,804
   
37,694
   
3.57
   
1,858,795
   
26,021
   
2.82
 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
   
430,036
               
418,838
             
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
   
29,241
               
21,130
             
Stockholders' equity
   
271,009
               
224,033
             
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
2,861,090
             
$
2,522,796
             
Net interest income and spread
       
$
52,863
   
3.41
%
     
$
49,970
   
3.75
%
Less: tax equivalent adjustment
         
2,649
               
2,941
       
Net interest income
         
50,214
               
47,029
       
                                       
Net interest margin (3)
               
4.08
%
             
4.32
%
Ratio of average earning assets to
                                     
 Average interest-bearing liabilities
   
122.75
%
             
125.41
%
           
 
 
(1) Interest income includes the effects of taxable-equivalent adjustments (reduced by the nondeductible portion of interest expense) using the appropriate federal income tax rate of 35.00% and, where applicable, the marginal state income tax rate of 6.55% (or a combined marginal federal and state rate of 39.26%) for 2007 and a marginal income state income tax rate of 7.00% (or a combined marginal federal and state rate of 39.55%) for 2006, to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable-equivalent basis. The annualized taxable-equivalent adjustment amounts utilized in the above table to compute yields were $5.3 million and $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
24

 
 
(2) Non-accrual loans are included in the average balances.
 
 
(3) Net interest margin = annualized net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis divided by total interest-earning assets.
 
Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the first six months of the year was $50.2 million in 2007, an increase of 7% from $47.0 million in 2006, due primarily to a 14% increase in average loans and leases and a 43 basis point increase in tax-equivalent yield on loans when compared to the first six months of 2006. Non-GAAP tax-equivalent net interest income, which takes into account the benefit of tax advantaged investment securities, increased by 6%, to $52.9 million in 2007 from $50.0 million in 2006. The effects of changes in average balances, yields and rates are presented in Table 5.

For the first six months, total interest income increased by $14.9 million or 20% in 2007, compared to 2006. On a non-GAAP tax-equivalent basis, interest income increased by 19%. Average earning assets increased by 12% versus the prior period to $2.6 billion from $2.3 billion; while the average yield earned on those assets increased by 41 basis points to 6.98%. Comparing the first six months of 2007 versus the same period in 2006, average total loans and leases grew by 14% to $2.0 billion (77% of average earning assets, versus 76% a year ago), while recording a 43 basis point increase in average yield to 7.32%. Average commercial loans and leases grew by 33% (due to increases in all categories of commercial loans and leases); average consumer loans increased by 5% (attributable primarily to home equity line growth); and average residential real estate loans decreased by 6% (reflecting decreases in both mortgage and construction lending). Over the same period, average total securities decreased by 3% to $537.5 million (21% of average earning assets, versus 24% a year ago), while the average yield earned on those assets increased by 28 basis points to 5.88%.

Interest expense for the first six months of the year increased by $11.7 million or 45% in 2007 compared to 2006. Average total interest-bearing liabilities increased by 15% over the prior year period, while the average rate paid on these funds increased by 75 basis points to 3.57%. As shown in Table 4, all categories of interest-bearing liabilities with the exception of regular savings deposits and long term borrowings showed increases in the average rate as market interest rates continued to rise.

25

 
Table 5 - Effect of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income

       
2007 vs. 2006
     
2006 vs. 2005
 
   
Increase
 
Due to Change
 
Increase
 
Due to Change
 
   
Or
 
In Average:*
 
Or
 
In Average:*
 
(In thousands and tax equivalent)
 
(Decrease)
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
(Decrease)
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Interest income from earning assets:
                         
Loans and leases
 
$
12,997
 
$
9,068
 
$
3,929
 
$
16,594
 
$
8,909
 
$
7,685
 
Securities
   
293
   
(489
)
 
782
   
(1,484
)
 
(1,707
)
 
223
 
Other earning assets
   
1,276
   
1,236
   
40
   
(13
)
 
(155
)
 
142
 
Total interest income
   
14,566
   
9,815
   
4,751
   
15,097
   
7,047
   
8,050
 
Interest expense on funding of earning assets:
                                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits
   
74
   
1
   
73
   
21
   
(5
)
 
26
 
Regular savings deposits
   
(110
)
 
(63
)
 
(47
)
 
43
   
(47
)
 
90
 
Money market savings deposits
   
5,829
   
3,518
   
2,311
   
2,391
   
(57
)
 
2,448
 
Time deposits
   
7,104
   
4,013
   
3,091
   
4,971
   
1,737
   
3,234
 
Total borrowings
   
(1,224
)
 
(2,255
)
 
1,031
   
3,903
   
2,313
   
1,590
 
Total interest expense
   
11,673
   
5,214
   
6,459
   
11,329
   
3,941
   
7,388
 
Net interest income
 
$
2,893
 
$
4,601
 
$
(1,708
)
$
3,768
 
$
3,106
 
$
662
 
 
* Where volume and rate have a combined effect that cannot be separately identified with either, the variance is allocated to volume and rate based on the relative size of the variance that can be separately identified with each.

Credit Risk Management

The Company’s loan and lease portfolio (the “credit portfolio”) is subject to varying degrees of credit risk. Credit risk is mitigated through portfolio diversification, limiting exposure to any single customer, industry or collateral type. The Company maintains an allowance for loan and lease losses (the “allowance”) to absorb possible losses in the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance is based on careful, continuous review and evaluation of the loan and lease portfolio, along with ongoing, quarterly assessments of the probable losses inherent in that portfolio. The allowance represents an estimation made pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” or SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.” The adequacy of the allowance is determined through careful and continuous evaluation of the credit portfolio, and involves consideration of a number of factors, as outlined below, to establish a prudent level. Determination of the allowance is inherently subjective and requires significant estimates, including estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans and leases based on historical loss experience and consideration of current economic trends, which may be susceptible to significant change. Loans and leases deemed uncollectible are charged against the allowance, while recoveries are credited to the allowance. Management adjusts the level of the allowance through the provision for loan and lease losses, which is recorded as a current period operating expense. The Company’s systematic methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance includes: (1) the formula allowance reflecting historical losses, as adjusted, by credit category, and (2) the specific allowance for risk-rated credits on an individual or portfolio basis.

The formula allowance, which is based upon historical loss factors, as adjusted, establishes allowances for the major loan and lease categories based upon adjusted historical loss experience over the prior eight quarters, weighted so that losses in the most recent quarters have the greatest effect. The factors used to adjust the historical loss experience address various risk characteristics of the Company’s loan and lease portfolio including: (1) trends in delinquencies and other non-performing loans, (2) changes in the risk profile related to large loans in the portfolio, (3) changes in the categories of loans comprising the loan portfolio, (4) concentrations of loans to specific industry segments, (5) changes in economic conditions on both a local and national level, (6) changes in the Company’s credit administration and loan and lease portfolio management processes, and (7) quality of the Company’s credit risk identification processes.

The specific allowance is used to allocate an allowance for internally risk rated commercial loans where significant conditions or circumstances indicate that a loss may be imminent. Analysis resulting in specific allowances, including those on loans identified for evaluation of impairment, includes consideration of the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support available from financial guarantors and the sufficiency of collateral. These factors are combined to estimate the probability and severity of inherent losses. Then a specific allowance is established based on the Company’s calculation of the potential loss imbedded in the individual loan. Allowances are also established by application of credit risk factors to other internally risk rated loans, individual consumer and residential loans and commercial leases having reached nonaccrual or 90-day past due status. Each risk rating category is assigned a credit risk factor based on management’s estimate of the associated risk, complexity, and size of the individual loans within the category. Additional allowances may also be established in special circumstances involving a particular group of credits or portfolio within a risk category when management becomes aware that losses incurred may exceed those determined by application of the risk factor alone.
 
26


The amount of the allowance is reviewed monthly by the Senior Loan Committee, and reviewed and approved quarterly by the Board of Directors.
 
The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $1.6 million for the first six months of 2007 compared to $2.0 million in the same period of 2006. The Company experienced net charge-offs of $0.2 million during the first six months of 2007 and net recoveries of $29 thousand during the first six months of 2006.

Management believes that the allowance is adequate. However, its determination requires significant judgment, and estimates of probable losses inherent in the credit portfolio can vary significantly from the amounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize probable losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in the credits comprising the portfolio and changes in the financial condition of borrowers, such as may result from changes in economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, and independent consultants engaged by Sandy Spring Bank, periodically review the credit portfolio and the allowance. Such review may result in additional provisions based on these third-party judgments of information available at the time of each examination. During the first six months of 2007, there were no changes in estimation methods or assumptions that affected the allowance methodology. The allowance for loan and lease losses was 1.09% of total loans and leases at June 30, 2007 and 1.08% at December 31, 2006. The allowance increased during the first six months of 2006 by $4.2 million, from $19.5 million at December 31, 2006, to $23.7 million at June 30, 2007. The increase in the allowance during the first six months of 2007 was due to $2.8 million of allowances acquired from acquisitions coupled with the increase due to the provision for loan and lease losses mentioned above which was due primarily to growth in the size of the loan portfolio.
 
Nonperforming loans and leases increased by $18.5 million to $22.2 million at June 30, 2007 from $3.7 million at December 31, 2006, while nonperforming assets also increased by $18.3 million for the same period to $22.2 million at June 30, 2007. These increases were due primarily to one loan totaling $14.4 million which is well secured and on which management does not expect a loss. Expressed as a percentage of total assets, nonperforming assets increased to 0.71% at June 30, 2007 from 0.15% at December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 107% of nonperforming loans and leases at June 30, 2007, compared to coverage of 522% at December 31, 2006. Significant variation in this coverage ratio may occur from period to period because the amount of nonperforming loans and leases depends largely on the condition of a small number of individual credits and borrowers relative to the total loan and lease portfolio. Other real estate owned was $0 at June 30, 2007 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2006. The balance of impaired loans and leases was $17.8 million at June 30, 2007, with specific reserves against those loans of $0.9 million, compared to $0.3 million at December 31, 2006, with specific reserves of $118,000.
 
27

 
Table 6 — Analysis of Credit Risk
(Dollars in thousands)

Activity in the allowance for credit losses is shown below:
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2006
 
Balance, January 1
 
$
19,492
 
$
16,886
 
Allowance acquired from acquisitions
   
2,798
   
0
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,619
   
2,795
 
               
Loan charge-offs:
             
Residential real estate
   
0
   
0
 
Commercial loans and leases
   
(224
)
 
(230
)
Consumer
   
(59
)
 
(85
)
Total charge-offs
   
(283
)
 
(315
)
Loan recoveries:
             
Residential real estate
   
0
   
0
 
Commercial loans and leases
   
10
   
89
 
Consumer
   
25
   
37
 
Total recoveries
   
35
   
126
 
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
   
(248
)
 
(189
)
Balance, period end
 
$
23,661
 
$
19,492
 
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans and leases (annual basis)
   
0.02
%
 
0.01
%
Allowance to total loans and leases
   
1.09
%
 
1.08
%
 
The following table presents nonperforming assets at the dates indicated:
 
   
 June 30, 2007
 
 December 31, 2006
 
Non-accrual loans and leases
 
$
18,818
 
$
1,910
 
Loans and leases 90 days past due
   
3,347
   
1,823
 
Total nonperforming loans and leases*
   
22,165
   
3,733
 
               
Other real estate owned, net
   
0
   
182
 
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
22,165
 
$
3,915
 
Nonperforming assets to total assets
   
0.71
%
 
0.15
%

* Those performing credits considered potential problem credits (which the Company classifies as substandard), as defined and identified by management, amounted to approximately $5.2 million at June 30, 2007, compared to $10.1 million at December 31, 2006. These are credits where known information about the borrowers' possible credit problems causes management to have doubts as to their ability to comply with the present repayment terms. This could result in their reclassification as nonperforming credits in the future, but most are well collateralized and are not believed to present significant risk of loss. Loans classified for regulatory purposes not included in either non-performing or potential problem loans consist only of "other loans especially mentioned" and do not, in management's opinion, represent or result from trends or uncertainties reasonably expected to materially impact future operating results, liquidity or capital resources, or represent material credits where known information about the borrowers' possible credit problems causes management to have doubts as to the borrowers' ability to comply with the loan repayment terms.
 
28


Noninterest Income and Expenses

Total noninterest income was $21.8 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2007, a 13% or $2.5 million increase from the same period of 2006. The increase in noninterest income for the first six months of 2007 was due primarily to an increase of $1.1 million or 30% in service charges on deposit accounts due primarily to higher overdraft fees. In addition, fees on sales of investment products increased $0.2 million or 15% due mainly to higher sales of mutual funds while trust and investment management fees increased $0.3 million or 8% due mainly to growth in assets under management. Insurance agency commissions grew by 11% or $0.4 million as a result of higher contingency fees and commissions on physician’s liability insurance. Income from bank owned life insurance increased $0.3 million or 23% due to higher rates and insurance policies added from the Potomac and County acquistions. In addition, Visa check fees increased $0.2 million or 14%, reflecting continued growth in electronic transactions.

Total noninterest expenses were $48.6 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2007, an 18% or $7.4 million increase from the same period in 2006. The Company incurs additional costs in order to enter new markets, provide new services, and support the growth of the Company. Management controls its operating expenses, however, with the goal of maximizing profitability over time. Most of the rise in noninterest expenses during the first six months of 2007 occurred in salaries and employee benefits which increased $2.0 million or 8% during the six months ended June 30, 2007 mainly as the result of the acquisitions of Potomac in February, 2007 and County in May, 2007. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.3 million or 19% due to growth in the branch network and the two acquisitions. Marketing expenses increased $0.4 million or 48% as part of the Company’s plan to increase brand recognition and grow market share, while outside data services grew by $0.4 million or 24%. Other noninterest expenses increased by $2.9 million or 56% primarily due to $1.2 million in merger costs incurred due to the acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2007. Intangible amortization also increased by $0.3 million or 24% due to the two acquisitions. Average full-time equivalent employees increased to 697 during the first six months of 2007, from 628 during the like period in 2006, a 10% increase, due primarily to the Potomac and County acquisitions. The ratio of net income per average full-time-equivalent employee after completion of the first six months of the year was $25,000 in 2007 and $26,000 in 2006.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate decreased to 27.9% for the six month period ended June 30, 2007, from 28.8% for the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to the acquisition in February 2007 of Potomac Bank which is not subject to state income taxes.

C. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER 2007 AND 2006

Second quarter net income of $8.2 million ($0.51 per share-diluted) in 2007 was $0.1 million or 1% above net income of $8.1 million ($0.54 per share-diluted) shown for the same quarter of 2006. Annualized returns on average equity for these periods were 11.45% in 2007 versus 14.34% in 2006.

Net interest income grew by $2.3 million or 10%, to $26.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, while total noninterest income grew $1.5 million or 16% for the period. However, this growth was more than offset by a $4.1 million or 20% increase in noninterest expense.

The increase in net interest income was the result of continued growth in the loan portfolio and higher loan yields which were largely offset by increased rates on interest-bearing deposits and an increased use of time deposits to fund loan growth. These factors produced a net interest margin decrease of 22 basis points to 4.08% for the three months ending June 30, 2007, from 4.30% for the same period of 2006, and the net interest spread decreased by 29 basis points.

The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2007 compared to $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2006.

Second quarter noninterest income was $10.9 million in 2007, representing a 16% or $1.5 million increase from the same period in 2006. The increase in noninterest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 was due primarily to an increase of $0.7 million or 35% increase in service charges on deposit accounts due primarily to higher overdraft fees. In addition, fees on sales of investment products increased $0.1 million or 19% and trust and investment management fees increased $0.2 million or 8% due mainly to growth in assets under management. Also, gains on sales of mortgage loans increased $0.2 million or 41% as origination volumes increased over the prior year period and Visa check fees increased $0.1 million or 17% due to continued growth in electronic transactions. These increases were somewhat offset by a $0.2 million or 11% decrease in insurance agency commissions due primarily to lower premium volume on commercial lines.
 
29


Second quarter noninterest expenses increased $4.2 million or 20% to $25.0 million in 2007 from $20.8 million in 2006. Management controls its operating expenses, however, with the goal of maximizing profitability over time. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.0 million, or 8%, during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 mainly as the result of the acquisitions of Potomac in February, 2007 and County in May, 2007. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $0.8 million, or 22%, due to growth in the branch network and the two acquisitions. Marketing expenses increased $0.2 million or 43% as part of the Company’s plan to increase brand recognition and to grow market share, while outside data services grew by $0.2 million or 29%. Other noninterest expenses increased $1.6 million or 61% primarily due to $0.6 million in merger costs incurred due to the acquisition of County during the second quarter of 2007. Intangibles amortization also increased by $0.3 million or 39% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to the two acquisitions.

The second quarter effective tax rate decreased to 27.9%, from the 28.8% recorded in the second quarter of 2006. This decrease was primarily due to the acquisition in February 2007 of Potomac Bank which is not subject to state income taxes.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See “Financial Condition - Market Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, above, which is incorporated herein by reference. Management has determined that no additional disclosures are necessary to assess changes in information about market risk that have occurred since December 31, 2006.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated as of the last day of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Act of 1934) during the quarter ended June 30, 2007, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

30

 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors as disclosed in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information on the Company’s purchases of its common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (1)

Period
 
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
 
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d) Maximum Number that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)(3)
 
April 2007
   
0
   
NA
   
0
   
786,245
 
May 2007
   
0
   
NA
   
0
   
786,245
 
June 2007
   
0
   
NA
   
0
   
786,245
 

(1) Includes purchases of the Company’s stock made by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchasers of the Company as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-18.
 
(2) On March 28, 2007, the Company’s board of directors approved a continuation of the stock repurchase program that permits the repurchase of up to 5%, or 786,245 shares, of its outstanding common stock. The current program continued a similar plan that expired on March 31, 2007. Repurchases under the program may be made on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions from time to time until March 31, 2009, or earlier termination of the program by the Board. The repurchases are made in connection with shares expected to be issued under the Company’s various benefit plans, as well as for other corporate purposes. At June 30, 2007, a total of 786,245 shares remained under the plan.
 
(3) Indicates the number of shares remaining under the plan at the end of the indicated month.
 
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
At the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 18, 2007, the shareholders of the Company elected six directors by the following vote:

Nominee
 
For
 
Withheld
 
Solomon Graham
   
11,312,795
   
1,078,780
 
Marshall H. Groom
   
11,304,034
   
1,087,541
 
Gilbert L. Hardesty
   
11,321,256
   
1,070,319
 
Charles F. Mess
   
11,034,515
   
1,357,060
 
   
11,193,031
   
1,198,544
 
W. Drew Stabler
   
11,313,585
   
1,077,990
 
 
There were no solicitations in opposition to management’s nominees and all such nominees were elected. Mr. Groom was an incoming director-nominee elected for a two-year term, while Mr. Graham, Mr. Hardesty, Mr. Mess, Mr. Schumann and Mr. Stabler were incumbent directors previously elected by the shareholders to three-year terms. Directors continuing in office are John Chirtea, Mark E. Friis, Susan D. Goff, Hunter R. Hollar, Pamela A. Little, Robert L. Orndoff, David E. Rippeon and Craig A. Ruppert.
 
31


Also at the annual meeting, the shareholders ratified the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, as the independent auditors for 2007 by the following vote:

For
 
Against
 
Withheld
 
Broker Non Votes
 
12,058,172
   
310,688
   
22,715
   
0
 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit 31(a) and (b)   Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications
Exhibit 32 (a) and (b)  18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certifications

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
(Registrant)


By: /S/ HUNTER R. HOLLAR  

Hunter R. Hollar
President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 6, 2007


By: /S/ PHILIP J. MANTUA

Philip J. Mantua
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 6, 2007
 
32