In Brief: Baltimore-Area Bank in D.C.-Area Deal

A suburban Baltimore bank company has announced a deal that would expand its presence in metropolitan Washington.

Columbia (Md.) Bancorp said it would buy Suburban Bancshares in Greenbelt, Md., for $33.9 million. The price is 1.67 times Suburban's book value and 27.27 times earnings.

The 11-year-old Columbia has $457 million of assets and 14 branches, primarily in residential areas surrounding Baltimore.

John M. Bond Jr., Columbia's president and chief executive officer, said he was attracted to Suburban because it is "an institution with deep roots in the suburban Washington markets." Founded in 1980, Suburban has $223 million of assets and eight branches in two Maryland counties.

Winfield Kelly, chairman and CEO of Suburban, would become chairman of the merged company. Mr. Bond would remain president and CEO.

The deal was announced last week and is expected to close in early 2000. -- Louis Whiteman

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