COLUMBIA, Md., July 9, 1997 -- The Columbia Bank ranked fifth in a recent
listing of the "Ten Biggest Earning Eastern New Banks," according to a report
issued by Danielson Associates, Inc., a banking industry consulting company
located in Rockville, MD. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Columbia, MD,
The Columbia Bank operates 13 branch banking of fices and provides a full
range of financial services to consumers and businesses.

The report listed The Columbia Bank's total assets at $323 million, with net
income of $3,825,000 in 1996. Of the top ten most profitable new banks listed
in Danielson's report., The Columbia Bank has the only institution based in
Mary-land. Other top ten banks are located in South Carolina, North Carolina,
New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

"We are obviously thrilled with this distinction, and attribute our ranking to
the hard work and dedication of our talented employees, as well as the loyalty
of our customers," stated John Bond, Jr., President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We are extremely gratified to be included on this impressive list,
and feel it demonstrates the success of our unique style of personal banking.
The Columbia Bank has achieved the proper balance of continued growth of our
branch infrastructure, while maintaining a strong earnings performance," he
added.

The Columbia Bank has opened two new branch banking offices at Long Gate
Center in Ellicott City and Wilde Lake Village Center in Columbia this year.
The financial institution's 14th full-service location will be operational at
the River Hill Village Center by the end of the year.

The Columbia Bank is the banking subsidiary of Columbia Bancorp, a bank
holding company headquartered in Columbia, MD. Columbia Bancorp's common stock
is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System (NASDAQ:CBMD).