COLUMBIA, Md., September 30, 1997 -- Columbia Bancorp (the "Company")
announced this day declaration of its quarterly common stock cash dividend of
$.12 per share. Specifically, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized
and declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $.12 per share on
September 29, 1997. The dividend will be paid on October 27, 1997, to
stockholders of record at the close of business on October 15, 1997.

Columbia Bancorp, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is a bank holding
company and parent company of The Columbia Bank, a commercial bank. The
Columbia Bank currently operates thirteen banking offices and provides a full
range of financial services to consumers and businesses. Columbia Bancorp's
Common Stock is traded on the National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market
under the symbol "CBMD."