Maryland

Back in the black and looking increasingly healthy for the first time in a decade, First Mariner is poised to accelerate growth next year.

Community bankers say that reclassifying "reciprocal deposits" as a less risky type of deposit will help them to compete with large banks. Some deposit brokers are crying foul, arguing that the proposed legislation would put them at a competitive disadvantage. Observers, meanwhile, say the bill is so narrowly written that it would hardly affect competition.

MB Bancorp in Forest Hill, Md., has lined up a new chief executive.

Revere Bank in Laurel, Md., has raised $31 million in a subordinated debt offering that it plans to use for M&A and other purposes.

Severn Bancorp in Annapolis, Md., has redeemed the last shares tied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Howard Bank in Ellicott City, Md., has recruited a trio of BB&T executives to grow its commercial business.

Old Line Bancshares in Bowie, Md., has issued $35 million in subordinated debt to help pay for an acquisition and for growth moves down the road.

Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., said that its insurance unit bought The Advantage Group, which offers personal, business and life insurance to clients in Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington.

Community Bank of the Chesapeake in Waldorf, Md., has handed its chief risk officer some serious additional duties. James Burke became president of the $1.2 billion-asset bank on July 28; he will remain risk chief and an executive vice president, also.

Eagle Bancorp in Bethesda, Md., has issued $150 million in subordinated debt after increasing the amount it originally planned to sell.

The $1.1 billion-asset company said in a press release Friday that it had combined its $492 million-asset CNB in Centreville, Md., and the $615 million-asset Talbot Bank in Easton, Md., to create Shore United Bank.

Bay Bancorp in Columbia, Md., has named one of its largest investors, Steven Hovde, to its board.

Bank United in Miami Lakes, Fla., has appointed two former Capital One Financial executives to lead its new equipment and franchise finance subsidiary.

Delinquencies on non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans ticked up in the first quarter after years of steady declines. Some are shrugging off the increase, saying it was expected given the strong demand for CRE loans, but others say there's good reason to be concerned.

The $189 million-asset credit union has asked approval from state and federal regulators to convert to a state-chartered mutual savings bank.

Severn Bancorp in Annapolis, Md., has agreements in place to raise $11 million through a private placement of common stock.

Community Financial Corp. in Waldorf, Md., has agreement to support a director nominated by the activist investor Basswood Capital Management.

Kopernik Bank and Liberty Bank of Maryland, both mutual thrifts in Baltimore, have agreed to merge. No money would change hands given the mutual-ownership structures involved in the deal.

Glen Burnie Bancorp in Maryland has appointed a successor to its outgoing president and chief executive.

Chesapeake Bank & Trust in Chestertown, Md., has named former community bank chief executive Ray Tarrach to its board. Tarrach had been president and CEO of Chestertown Bank, which was renamed Mercantile Eastern Shore Bank in 2004.